Last week marked the launch of Jay-Z’s new cognac, D’Usse (pronounced dew-say) which is set to release in September 2012 and targeted to a younger demographic at a mere $44 for a 750mL bottle. The launch party took place last week at The Standard Hotel in New York City at the very top of the building. Jay-Z greeted Pharrell , decked out in his own Billionaire Boys Club ensemble with Chanel sneakers and shocking blonde hair. Other attendees included Jake Gyllenhaal, Adrienne Bailon, Beyonce’s little sis Solange Knowles and a host of others. Drinks were mixed by professional mixologist, Justin Noel. The cognac is a product of Bacardi and is a VSOP cognac, meaning that the youngest eaux-de-vie in this blend must at least be 4 years old. With such a low price and being backed by Hip Hop mogul Jay-Z, D’Usse is going to be a strong competitor amongst the big four cognac brands, Hennessy (owned by LVMH), Remy Martin (Remy Cointreau), Martell (Pernod Ricard) and Courvoisier (Beam Inc.). The age-old brands have sat back comfortably for years competing only with themselves, but D’Usse might give the old-timers a run for the money. Sink or swim, people.

Article By:
Katie Campo

As summer gets closer, retailers are releasing summer lines, TV shows and movies are being mass marketed and new brands of alcohol are making their way to liquor stores everywhere. One of the newest brands will be one from Jersey Shore’s Paul “Pauly D” DelVechhio with his new line of ready-to-drink premixes called REMIX, carried by the creator of Bethenny Frankel’s SkinnyGirl Cocktail premixes. The drink will be marketed toward the “pre-game” crowd before a night out, much like the cast’s own pre-game sessions before a night down the shore. The new drinks were showcased at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America convention in Las Vegas early April and sold more than SkinnyGirl did in the first year and a half! With summer growing nearer, there is no doubt that this idea is going to skyrocket!

Courtesy of the Sacramento Bee here are the flavors to expect:

1). Oye Mojito – a fresh combination of juicy peeled lime and muddled mint, a nod to Pauly’s signature catch phrase “Oye Mojito”
2). Yeah Yumberry – a one-of-a-kind mix of red berry and raspberry with a hint of dark berry, a play on Pauly’s ever popular “Yeah Buddy” tag line
3). Strawberry Holla-peno – an unexpected blend of ripe strawberry and jalapeno with a hint of heat, a shout out to get fans fired up and get the party started and
4). Starfruit – a unique mix of starfruit and apple lime, a play on his own new star power phenomenon.

The drinks will be sold in 750mL bottles and at a suggested retail price of $14.99. Launching primarily in New Jersey (home of the Jersey Shore) and Rhode Island (Pauly’s homestate) as well as a few other key markets will determine popularity and the nationwide release.

“My crew and I are always making amazing mixed drinks before we go out, so I wanted to re-create those flavors for my fans to get their own pre-game on. I mix great on the turntables, so why wouldn’t I make a great mixed cocktail that’s RTD (Ready-To-Drink)?” says the fist-pumping reality star. We’re surprised Ronnie hasn’t tried to start his own line. After all, his was the famous “Ron Ron Juice” that the crew always had before a night out. Maybe that will be something to look forward to.

Happy pregaming!

Article By:
Katie Campo

So good, it’s scary.

It has been a long-drawn discussion between locations, stars and a mess of other components, but the debate is over. Andre 3000 of Outkast will be starring as the Voodoo Child himself, Jimi Hendrix in a long-awaited and upcoming biopic to be called All Is By My Side. The film is set to be filmed in Wicklow, Ireland, which will be shot for a surprisingly short six weeks. Photography will start in roughly three weeks in Dublin and Wicklow.

The film is said to take a look into the beginning of his career and his life in England in 1966, during the development of his first album, Are You Experienced featuring the famed Purple Haze, Hey Joe and Foxey Lady to name a few. There is no word on when we can expect to rave about this film, but trust us – We’ll be on the lookout.

Article By:
Katie Campo

Would you spend upwards of $75,000 on a teacup? How about one used and autographed by Lady Gaga? Not such a silly question, then. At a weeklong auction in Japan, a teacup and saucer used by Lady Gaga at a news conference only three months after the March 2011’s tsunami. It took over 1,300 bids with required payment before the winning bid was confirmed and sold for ¥6,011,000, which translates to its final selling price of $75,137.50 USD. The cup was marked with her lipstick and a message saying “We pray for Japan” and her autograph on the opposite side.

The only other item that sold for more was a crystal piano used by a Japanese rock star. The enormous amount of money raised by all of the auctioned items will be donated to helping young Japanese artists pursue study in the US.
Article By:
Katie Campo

Happy 4th Anniversary to Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon! The famed singer, 42 and TV host 31 renewed their vows in Paris this weekend the day after Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton’s first anniversary. (Happy anniversary to them, too!)
“Vow renewals have become a tradition for the flamboyant pair, who got married in early 2008 on Carey’s private island in the Bahamas” says US Magazine. An extra sentiment is in order, as it is the first birthday of their twins, Moroccan and Monroe. Happy birthday to the little ones!

Article By
Katie Campo

No, it’s not a new reality show….yet. It’s just another comment from mini guidette and 5-months-pregnant Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. Sources say she bashed Jessica Simpson’s pre-baby body saying she “would die if she were her size” and unlike Simpson who “[indulges] in everything she [wants]” she’s making a point to eat healthily by consuming lots of jelly and Italian ices.

Days later, Snooki set the record straight on Twitter saying “”I NEVER dissed Jessica Simpson you weirdo tabloids, get over it with your ‘pregnant war’ articles,” she posted. “I love the girl and her hot ass bump.” We can’t say it doesn’t sound like something Snooks would say and then deny…

Not that Jessica Simpson really cares. At the moment she is almost two weeks overdue with her first child and her pregnancy body is of no worries to her. She joked with Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show that pregnancy makes her “unstoppable in the bedroom” and her fiancé, Eric Johnson, is “always ready.” TMI or hope for future mommies?

Article By
Katie Campo