the buzz log

Hip-hop megastar Jay-Z has set the Web on fire with his new album, Blueprint 3. That was the plan, but not quite this early.

A few songs from the upcoming record have leaked online, sending searches soaring for "blueprint 3 leak." Yahoo! lookups for "jay z blueprint 3" have also been bumping up all week. 

While some of the rapper's tracks got out early, fans can rest assured they will get the whole album online on September 1, for free. MTV's "The Leak" and Rhapsody, the digital entertainment site, have teamed up to stream the record a good ten days before the release date.

On Sept. 11, the day the album goes on sale in stores, the New York native will give a concert for charity at Madison Square Garden to support the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. The rapper appeared with a grateful Gov. Paterson, the fire commissioner, and the New York borough president to promote the show, which must have been a first.

One blogger who heard the unauthorized leaks called the tunes "dope." You can decide for yourself, soon enough.

Filed under: Rap Music, MTV

You're nobody unless you throw a huge blowout for your 16th birthday. That's what we've learned from MTV's "My Super Sweet 16." The show's fifth season began in June, just in time for eager teenage drama queens to spend their summer breaks poring over the extravagant details of each bash.

Extreme partiers have boosted celebrations to include super-star performers Kanye West, Rihanna, Three 6 Mafia, and Ryan Cabrera. Mom and Dad are ready with the cash and credit cards to pay for helicopter entrances, belly dancers, designer clothing, and the expected gift—a brand new car. And excited classmates join the circus, happy to be part of the cool crowd.

In the past week, searchers interested in watching from the sidelines (or perhaps working on a party list for themselves) checked out "super sweet 16" (+132%) and "my super sweet 16" (+747%). It's no shock that 50% of those queries are dialed up by the 17 and under age group. Parents in the 35-44 age bracket account for 16% of the lookups, as they learn the disturbing reality behind trying keep up with the Joneses these days.

Not to be outdone by all the interest in "sweet 16 dresses" and "sweet 16 party," some girls opt to celebrate with a sweet 15th "quinceanera," making queries for "quinceanera dresses" equally as popular. We're waiting for someone to think of a good reason to blow some major parental money on a 14th birthday shindig. That should up the rate of spoiled tantrum-throwing.

Filed under: TV, MTV