Aretha and Condoleezza duet in Philly
PHILADELPHIA, July 28 (UPI) -- Soul singer Aretha Franklin and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice performed together at an event Tuesday to raise money for music education.
The Philadelphia Orchestra backed Rice on piano and Franklin on vocals at the Mann Music Center fundraiser, ABC News reported.
The Philadelphia Inquirer said Rice and Franklin performed separately and collaborated on "I Say a Little Prayer" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee."
"Music is critical for young minds because not only does it make you a well-rounded person, but it really does develop different cognitive pathways, different ways of thinking and learning," Rice told "Good Morning America."
"This is about making a social contribution. And it is purely from the artistic point of view that we come together," ABC News quoted Franklin as saying in reference to her background as a Democrat and Rice's as a Republican.
Wyclef pondering presidential run
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, July 28 (UPI) -- Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean, who set up the humanitarian Yele Haiti Foundation, is mulling a run for president of the island nation, his family said.
Jean, who is a member of The Fugees music group, has been a vocal activist for Haiti, working especially hard to bring attention to the Caribbean country since a devastating earthquake there killed more than 250,000 people last January.
The BBC said candidates have until Aug. 7 to register for the November election in Haiti.
"Wyclef's commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward," the musician's family said in a statement. "At this time, Wyclef Jean has not announced his intent to run for Haitian president. If, and when, a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately."
Rycroft Strickland pregnant with 1st child
LOS ANGELES, July 28 (UPI) -- Reality television personality Melissa Rycroft Strickland announced she is pregnant Wednesday on "Good Morning America."
Rycroft Strickland -- a "GMA" correspondent who competed on "The Bachelor" and "Dancing with the Stars" -- married insurance agent Tye Strickland last December. Their first child is expected to be born in February.
"It was a shock. We weren't even trying," Rycroft Strickland told Us Weekly.
"It's the most wonderful surprise in the world," she added. "It's such a blessing."
'Recovery' No. 1 on U.S. album chart
LOS ANGELES, July 28 (UPI) -- Eminem's "Recovery" is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart for a fifth week, Billboard.com reported Wednesday.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 is Rick Ross's "Teflon Don," followed by Sheryl Crow's "100 Miles From Memphis" at No. 3, Drake's "Thank Me Later" at No. 4 and "Kidz Bop 18" at No. 5.
Rounding out the top tier are Justin Bieber's "My World 2.0" at No. 6, the Jonas Brothers' soundtrack to their Disney Channel TV series "Jonas L.A." at No. 7, the "Now 34" compilation CD at No. 8, Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" at No. 9 and Lady Gaga's "The Fame" at No. 10.
