AOL Music News Blog

enteratined a star-studded crowd at L.A.'s Boulevard 3 Feb.

22 as part of the 'Vanity Fair' Amped Oscar party. And while Macy's three-song set had Natalie Cole standing in the rafters singing along to every word, as well as fans like Chris Brown and Lil Jon on hand, the proudest was her producer/label head Will.I.

Am. Before heading in to introduce Gray, Will told AOL Music how much fun it was for him to produce Gray.
"I'm psyched about this one because I get to flex my production skills on something totally different," he says. "I did the Game thing, then the Nas thing, the Fergie thing, the Sergio Mendes thing, but Macy Gray is a different thing.

It's contemporary soul, classic type of production. I studied Natalie Cole's production, Anita Baker's production, Barry White's production, and then applied it to Macy Gray's album."
new album, 'Finding Forever,' due in May, finds production from and , among others, but it's a track from the late , called 'So Far to Go' which also features , that means the most to the rapper.

"That dude affected my life and music in such a positive way.

He was one of the greatest musicians," Common says of Dilla, who was also his one-time roommate. "When we went to the burial, I was looking at all the artists that were around -- , , all these great musicians. J.

D. innovated hip-hop and it's the quiet way that he did it. Many people don't know the influence he had on so many producers.

But from to Kanye, they have all said, 'This dude is one of my favorites.'"
Like many new artists who find themselves working with , was in disbelief at first. "I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm working with Babyface.

This is so crazy!" she says.
When AOL spoke to recently about working with Mr. Edmonds, the rockers noted that Babyface works whenever he wants, even three in the morning.

McPhee didn't get any midnight calls to the studio, but she did learn about another one of Babyface's eccentricities.
"The biggest thing I learned was how hot the environment had to be for him to work in," she says. "He would turn up the heater and I would be dying.

It would be like 80 degrees with candles everywhere. All I know is that it was hot and I was sweating."

In true fashion, MJB testified and held super-long notes for her performance of 'Be Without You.' At one point, I thought she was going to kick off her shoes like and start crying "Where were you Daddy?" (Just kidding Mar, you know I love you.

)
While I didn't really care for the overdose of gold she donned on the red carpet, I was feeling the whole throwback Farrah Fawcett vibe she rocked during 'Runaway Love.' Watch out, girl. I already copied your '92 hairstyle with the slicked down pieces in the front and the spring curls in the back; don't make me bite this one too.

The took home a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for their 'Humps,' but what the hell was up with their ears? I wanted to pay attention as the eclectic quartet gave props to R B greats , but my eyes kept going to that crazy looking thing in Will.I.

Am's ear. (What, did the Tinman lose his Bluetooth?)
Meanwhile, Peas-ette gave new meaning to the term ghetto fabulous with those multiple bullet holes in her lobes.

Well, at least the group is consistent. Their fashion choices -- much like their music -- often leave me asking, "why?"
As far as first films go, says he had it pretty good working on Hard to argue, as he gets to work with and , whom we says definitely made things easier for him.

"She's passionate about what she does and she brought that to her character. And I had a good time doing that because I love being able to express love and romance, too. It felt good to be able to do that with a beautiful person that was open to being creative.

"
Common expressed some love of a different kind at the L.

A. premiere party, where he performed at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with and "I wanted that premiere party to be something special, so I knew I wanted these certain artists to be there to perform," he says.
He wants people everywhere to know about the film and feel the enthusiasm he has for it.

"I feel like because I'm part of a movie I'm going to promote it like it's my album, no matter how many lines I got in the movie, or how few lines," he says. "Anything I do, I want it to have quality and integrity. If I put my soul into it, I want as many people as possible to experience it.

"
Share your thoughts on the upcoming event and check out our special , featuring , , , , and everything that you need to prepare for music's biggest night.
The awards air Feb. 11 on CBS at 8 pm EST.

A sense of anticipation hung in the air Saturday night at House of Blues Anaheim as Family Stone, the -endorsed ensemble featuring his sister Vet and niece Lisa, as well as original trumpet player Cynthia Robinson and Grammy winner Skyler Jett, took the stage at a few minutes after 10:30. Would Sly, a notoriously reclusive rock legend, show up as rumored?
Since an ill-fated comeback attempt in 1987, the man who bridged funk, rock, soul and a social conscience into the soundtrack of an era, has made very few public appearances, including the 1993 Rock Roll Hall of Fame induction and last year's Grammy tribute. An hour into the set, following a stellar 'Everybody Is a Star,' Vet asked the half-full venue, "Can everybody say, 'Welcome back?

'" And with that, the question was answered.
Attired in a long black coat, black pants, a red scarf and shades, and still sporting the platinum Mohawk seen on the Grammys, Sly came out and introduced one of his daughters to play keyboards. Following a brief classical piece, Sly took the keyboards himself to back up another daughter as she delivered a few rhymes.

Then it was time for the man to take over, sending the crowd into a dancing frenzy as he led a 'Thank You (Fallentime Be Mice Elf Again)' that was as celebratory for the occasion as the music.
Following a "We want Sly" chant that only ended with the promise he would return later, the Family Stone continued on, taking an extended 'Thank You' in a series of different directions. Sly did return to the stage briefly for to lead the refrain on 'I Want to Take You Higher.

'
Last year's Grammy tribute to funk and rock icon might have been just the tip of the iceberg. According to Vet Stone, Sly's sister and a member of the band formerly known as Phunk Phamily Affair but now calling itself, with Sly's blessing, the Family Stone, the ensemble will have new music out this year, and Sly is running the show again.

"There are recording plans for the immediate future, and Sly is doing all the writing and producing," she says.

As for when people will hear that music, Vet promises, "It'll be in 2007."
Fans in Southern California won't have to wait long, as the Family Stone will be appearing at House of Blues Anaheim on Saturday, Jan. 13, and Vet and fellow band member Skyler Jett promise they'll preview some new music, as well as reintroduce old favorites.

"We're playing the songs exactly like you heard them," Jett says. Vet adds, "And some refreshing new stuff for 2007."
Just as was the case a generation ago, Sly will once again be speaking to the issues of the day, according to Vet.

"I know he's very concerned about political issues, and I think that's a focal point of a lot of the new music," she says. Might Sly be there on Saturday? "This is not the show they want to miss," Vet teases.