Mika takes music awards by storm - Nov 5 2007
Mika has picked up four gongs at the World Music Awards in Monaco - but a sore throat meant he was unable to perform.

The British newcomer captured awards for best-selling new artist, best-selling male entertainer, best-selling pop/rock artist and best-selling British artist.

But struck down by laryngitis, he was unable to sing his runaway debut hit Grace Kelly, which makes reference to the Prince Albert of Monaco's mother, the Hollywood actress who became princess of the tiny principality upon her marriage in 1956.

Celine Dion, who has sold 200 million albums worldwide, received the highest accolade -- the Legend Award -- at the star-studded ceremony.

Recalling her start as the youngest performer among 14 musical siblings, the 39-year-old singer dedicated the award to her family. "Every time I go on stage, it's all of them going on stage with me," she said in her acceptance speech in English and French.

The show paid tribute to 63-year-old Patti LaBelle for her enduring contribution to RnB.

Senegalese-American hip hop artist Akon, who has been riding high on world charts, picked up prizes for best-selling RnB male artist, best-selling African Artist and best-selling internet artist.

Pop sensation Rihanna, a native of Barbados, was named entertainer of the year as well as best-selling pop female artist, while Canada's Avril Lavigne received awards for best-selling poprock female artist and best-selling Canadian artist.

Award winners were based on worldwide album sales, as certified by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, which comprises 1,400 record companies in 75 countries.



Mika... meet Mika - Sept 19 2007
Mika is apparently being faced with a big problem - a Belgian artist is registered with the same name.

It seems the female reggae artist is threatening to sue the singer for allegedly stealing her name - which she claims she registered during the 1980s, reports The Sun.

She has released five albums in her native country but hasn’t set the charts alight.

In contrast, our Mika burst onto the pop scene in January with track Grace Kelly and his debut album, Life In Cartoon Motion, has sold more than three million copies worldwide, going triple platinum.

The singer told the paper: "I was called Mika before him and have registered the name.

"Even though his real name is Mica, I think he should change it."

A source added: "She’s not happy.

"There’s only enough room for one Mika in the pop world - and she was here first."


Mika plays secret gig - June 28 2007
Flamboyant pop star Mika played an exclusive performance to just 300 fans on Wednesday night.

The gig, in Great Northern Square, Manchester, formed part of the 2007 Vodafone TBA series of secret, free gigs.

Fans enjoyed the rare chance to see the artist, who performed tracks from his debut, Life In Cartoon Motion, including chart-topper Grace Kelly and current hit Love Today, before he returns to the summer festival circuit and in advance of his autumn tour.

The Mika event is the third in this year’s series of Vodafone TBA gigs, which kicked off in May with a performance by Amy Winehouse in Bristol and was followed by Maximo Park playing the historic Oxford Union Debating Hall.

The opportunity to see the Lebanon-born star was made available to music lovers through www.vodafone.co.uk/music. As with all the gigs, the venue was only revealed by text just hours before in order to keep it top secret.

The gigs are taking place across the country in the run up to this year’s Vodafone Live Music Awards on September 19.