Monday Memo

The film "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt 1" topped the weekend box office earning over $130 million dollars. "Happy Feet Two", "Immortals", "Jack and Jill" and "Puss and Boots" round out the top five films of the week. Music's hottest stars turned out for the American Music Awards last night. Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown, David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Usher all performed at the ceremony. First Lady of Young Money Nicki Minaj won Favorite Hip Hop Artist, while Beyonce won Favorite Soul/R&B Artist, Female, and Favorite Soul/R&B Artist, Male, went to Usher. All in all, the show was an exciting one for the studio and television audience alike, ensuring that next year's show will be even better. Many paid their last respects to hip hop legend Dwight "Heavy D" Myers when he was laid to rest on Nov. 18. Mary J. Blige, Johnny Gill and Sean "Diddy" Combs were among those in attendance. President Barack Obama sent a special plaque to the later rapper's 13-year-old daughter Xea Myers, who spoke to the crowd during an emotional moment. The rapper has left a rich legacy that will live on forever. May he rest in peace. Rapper Lupe Fiasco was the victim of some overzealous TSA officers when he was detained while boarding a plane at LAX. They spotted what they assumed was a suspicious recording device in the rapper's luggage, which turned out to be  a piece of recording equipment he didn't know was not allowed on the plane. He later tweeted about the incident and boarded his plane without further incident. In case you haven't already, pick up a copy of the latest issue of GQ magazine, featuring rapper Jay Z on the cover. The magazine also features a profile of Odd Future crooner Frank Ocean as it' Rookie of the Year. The singer, dressed in a black-and-white three-piece, discusses the opportunities he was presented. GQ magazine is on newsstands now. Although he's been a recluse for some time now, singer D'Angelo seems ready to hit the scene again. He's announced  a series of shows in Europe next year. According to Soul Culture, the singer will appear at the Le Zenith in Paris on January 29, then hit Amsterdam's Paradisco two nights later and finally play London's O2 Academy Brixton on February 3. While some may seem sceptical, since the singer's been quite for some time, minus a few arrests, D'Angelo friend and collaborator ?quest Love of the Roots revealed that the singer's new album is in the "home stretch" and that Q-Tip will be featured on the record. Let's hope we hear from the singer soon. He's been away too long and talent like his goes a long way in the industry. Rap rookie Asher Roth has left Steve Ritfin and SRC/Universal Records for Def Jam Records, according to Shawn Pecas, VP of Lifestyle, Promotion and Marketing for Def Jam. The suburban rapper has a mixtape "Pabst & Jazz" set for release on December 21. A sophomore album titled "Is This Too Orange" will be released  early next year, and will feature Pharrell Williams and Nottz Raw. He created a buzz with the release of his debut album "Asleep In The Bread Aisle". He's sure to keep the buzz going. The competition continues on "Dancing With The Stars" and it's sure to be an exciting evening for the studio and viewing audience as well. It's down to the wire and it's anyone's guest who will win the grand prize. On the tube: "Terra Nova" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "Dancing With The Stars" on ABC and "The Sing-Off" on NBC. Happy Monday!