Two of music's top-selling stars have come together briefly, as Drake has released a new song featuring Beyoncé. The Canadian rapper Drake brought in the pop superstar on a song entitled Can I?. A similar version of the song had leaked on the internet, but it started airing officially over the weekend on Beats One, Apple's online radio station in which Drake is a major player. The song fuelled speculation about whether Can I? would be part of Drake's next album, the release date of which has not been set. Despite the big names, Can I? is only about two minutes long and Beyoncé's contribution is limited to one line – Can I, baby? – which she repeatedly recites over one of Drake's trademark slow, minimalist beats. Beyoncé unveiled her latest self-titled blockbuster album on Apple's iTunes in December 2013 without advance warning. But the release with Drake on Apple Music could surprise some fans as Beyoncé is closely involved with her rap-mogul husband Jay Z in the Tidal music streaming service, which has heavily promoted exclusives by her. Beyoncé may be repaying a favour after Drake appeared on Mine, a song from her latest album about her fears on motherhood. – AFP
SRK gifts films to Paulo Coelho
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has sent a collection of his films to Paulo Coelho to "introduce" him to the world of Hindi films. The celebrated author (The Alchemist, Eleven Minutes) was confused over which to watch first. "What a Monday morning gift, @iamsrk! Now I need to know where to start," Coelho tweeted from Geneva, with an image of DVDs on the floor. Khan tweeted: "Just sent some movies to @paulocoelho. Please tweet him your suggestions which one to watch first." A few months ago, Coelho praised SRK's 2010 film My Name is Khan, saying it was the best film that he has watched this year. — IANS
Lee Daniels hints at Nicole Kidman’s Empire cameo
There is no dearth of Hollywood royalty in Lee Daniels' Empire, and the TV drama about the music industry on Fox is attracting even bigger stars for cameos in the second season. Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, who previously collaborated with Daniels on the indie film The Paperboy, is headed to the fictional Lyons Den, according to The Wrap. Daniels interviewed Kidman for the October issue of Interview magazine, and let it slip that she'll soon be playing a role alongside Taraji P Henson and Terrence Howard. It's unclear if Kidman will grace the series this season, which has been heavy with drop-ins including Chris Rock, Ludacris, Kelly Rowland, Marisa Tomei, Pitbull and Funkmaster Flex. – The National Staff
Nancy Drew series in the works from Grey’s producers
CBS is developing a new take on the children's book character with Grey's Anatomy writers and executive producers, Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, along with Dan Jinks. The pitch by developers is a contemporary take on the character from the iconic book series. Now in her 30s, Nancy is a detective for the NYPD where she investigates and solves crimes using her uncanny observational skills, all while navigating the complexities of life in a modern world. If greenlit, it's easy to imagine Nancy Drew being paired with another CBS show starring an iconic female crime fighter, Supergirl, reports Entertainment Weekly. Nancy Drew joins quite a long list of older shows and movies being revived as series, with the past week alone revealing that a new MacGyver was in the works at CBS and that Fox was working on a series version of the Lethal Weapon franchise. And that's in addition to forthcoming reinventions or sequels to The X-Files, Full House (as Fuller House), Twin Peaks, The Muppets, Prison Break and Heroes (as Heroes Reborn). Nancy Drew's legacy extends back to the first novels based on the character in 1930 and was created by Hardy Boys author Edward Stratemeyer. She's been adapted for films and TV shows numerous times over the years, most recently a 2007 film starring Emma Roberts. – The National Staff
Bieber plays impromptu mini-concert with Mayweather Jr
In a video taken by an audience member, Bieber started his impromptu set with his latest hit, What do you mean?, while Mayweather stood next to him and clapped to the beat, reports aceshowbiz.com.
The 21-year-old singer also sat on a piano and sang a cover of the Beatles' Let It Be. – The National Staff
Teen star of YouTube’s Bratayley family dies at age 13
Teen YouTube star Caleb Logan LeBlanc, part of the popular Bratayley family on YouTube known for posting humorous, wholesome daily videos, has died suddenly at age 13, his family and police said. LeBlanc died on Thursday in Maryland following a "medical emergency," the Anne Arundel County Police Department said in a statement on Monday. Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious and an autopsy will be conducted in Baltimore. LeBlanc's mother, Katie, wrote on her Instagram social media account on Friday that her son had died of natural causes but did not give details. The Bratayleys, whose name is said to be a play on the name "Haley," have garnered more than 1.6 million YouTube subscribers with fun videos surrounding the three LeBlanc children showing daily activities such as gymnastics practice and playtime with their dog, Piper. Walt Disney Co-owned Maker Studios, the digital media company which represents the Bratayleys, said the loss was tragic, joining thousands of emotional tributes from fans online. LeBlanc, an avid video-game fan, posted videos of his exploits on the computer game Minecraft, with some videos racking up as many as 100,000 views. In a video posted a day before his death, LeBlanc appeared playful with his sisters at what appeared to be his family's home, talking about what he would ask his "future self". The children's mother, Katie, said the family, including her husband, Billy, and younger children, Annie and Hayley, would take a break from YouTube. Disney recently recruited the Bratayley family for its global livestreaming event surrounding the "unboxing" of the latest Star Wars toys in September. – Reuters
Rapper Tupac Shakur’s letters from jail go up for sale
A handwritten letter by the late Tupac Shakur is going up for sale for a reported $225,000. The rapper penned the note to Nina Bhadresher, who edited Death Row Uncut magazine and her own publication The Real State, while in jail on sexual assault charges in 1995. In it, he set out his intent to start a "new chapter" of his life, according to the Mirror website. He wrote: "I am not granting this information to any other publication, not even Time & Rolling Stone so please represent it as it is layed. I trust u.(sic)" The rapper was fatally shot a year after writing the letter. Speaking about the letter, which is being sold by Moments in Time, Nina described it as the beginning of their "real" correspondence. – The National Staff
Nicolas Cage almost played lead character in Lord of the Rings
In an interview with Newsweek, Nicolas Cage sat down to talk about his new horror film, Pay the Ghost, and his extensive film resume, including a few of the roles he's turned down. Most notably? Aragorn in Lord of the Rings and Neo in The Matrix. The actor said personal issues precluded him from being able to travel and be away from home for three years, according to Entertainment Weekly. Despite the turndowns, Cage says he doesn't regret those decisions, but admits that having done them could have benefited his career. – The National Staff
