Will.i.am is enjoying producing for Britney, other top female performers
NEW YORK (AP)- Will.i.am said his heart is connected to Britney Spears’ upcoming album.
He’s the executive producer of the pop star’s untitled eighth album, to be released Dec. 3.
“This Britney record is like a piece of me, no pun intended,” will.i.am said, referring to Spears’ 2007 single, “Piece of Me.”
“I appreciate Britney – how she is as a person, all that she’s accomplished, how down to Earth and humble she is, sweet, but at the same time fierce. She don’t play. She wants to win.”
Spears’ will.i.am-produced first single, “Work B–tch,” is currently No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. They recently collaborated on the hit “Scream & Shout.”
“It’s really fresh. I’m really passionate about this Britney record,” he added in an interview Thursday. “I’m a music-aholic, so when it comes to … my appreciation for people’s passions, and when I collaborate or contribute or consult … I can’t separate myself.”
The Black Eyed Peas leader also called the song he’s producing for Lady Gaga “fresh.” He was tight-lipped about the singer and her “ARTPOP” album, to be released Nov. 11.
“It’s really good. Really good,” he said of her new music. “I loved Lady Gaga even before I worked with her, and I love her even more now.”
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) – Magic Johnson won’t return to ESPN as an NBA studio analyst.
The Hall of Famer said in a statement released by the network Thursday that because of his busy schedule, “I don’t feel confident that I can continue to devote the time needed to thrive in my role.”
Johnson is part of the ownership group that agreed to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers in March 2012. Since retiring from basketball, he has been successful in business, investing in movie theaters, a production company and restaurants. He has also been an activist in the fight against HIV after being diagnosed with the virus in 1991.
He expanded his role on ESPN to join “NBA Countdown” in 2011.