April « 2010 « Toya's World // Your R&B & Fashion fix starts here…

April, 2010

Ciara / New Music — 50 Comments
30
Apr 10

Ciara; new music leak ‘Blauw’ & tour discussions…

R&B chanteuse Ciara appears to be switching it up from urban grinder (lead single ‘Ride’) to Pop transitioning, pretty much like she did with her last effort ‘Fantasy Ride’. That is, if we are to assume that latest leak ‘Blauw’ is taken from the recording sessions of her upcoming new album ‘Basic Instint’. Listen to it below:

Either way, we do not know where it comes from, but then the “Let’s talk about sex” line is pretty much cohesive with the sexual concept of her upcoming ‘Basic Instint’ LP, so it’s likely a recent recording. As a result, I think this is something that may take a bit of time to grow especially on these ‘hard to please’ ears of mine. I have a thing for funk-fused pop uptempos but this does nothing for me at all unfortunately.
.
Pressing ahead though. Ciara’s latest single ‘Ride’ goes for urban adds on May 4th and Pop on May 11th. The 24-year-old also reveals that she had a meeting earlier today about embarking on an upcoming tour, which she is very excited about. “I’ll be coming to a city near you!!” she writes on her official Twitter. Would you splash out? I mean her performances would be absolutely electric but you know she’d be miming a huge proportion of the show whilst parading about those stripper moves. Nothing wrong with being the black Britney Spears right?

Fantasia Barrino — 8 Comments
30
Apr 10

Fantasia’s new album to drop on July 13th…

In previous posts, I’ve vented my frustration at Fantasia Barrino’s lack of release date for her new album. It had me questioning what lay in store for the project. However, I can happily report that the 25-year-old’s as-yet-titled third album on J Records is scheduled to drop on July 13th. The album will be preceded by her brilliant lead single ‘Bittersweet’ which was penned by Claude Kelly and produced by Chuck Harmony. The singer recently shot the album packaging which was done by celebrity photographer Derek Blanks. The photo on the left is a preview taken from the album shoot, as well as the type of look she’ll be channelling.

The makeup looks nice but I’m not feeling the mop/mushroom hair at all. I’ll never find the appeal in that look, not even when Rihanna rocked it on a number of occasions throughout her career. Having said that, it serves as a great relief that Fanny has finally been given an album release date. Plus, with her reality show being renewed for a second season, it will serve as the ultimate promo machine to pump some buzz and hype into the project. I can’t wait.

Kelly Rowland / Performances — 16 Comments
30
Apr 10

Kelly Rowland’s ‘Commander’ performance in high quality…

Buzz was in the air this week when Kelly Rowland’s new single ‘Commander’ finally leaked in full this week. Many of you would remember the photos when the 29-year-old debuted the track live at DJ David and wife Cathy Guetta’s ‘F*ck Me I’m Famous’ party at Mansion in Miami. The performance took place during the Winter Music Conference on Saturday March 27th. The dance record which was produced by Guetta (‘When Love Takes Over’) and written by Rico Love (Beyonce’s ‘Sweet Dreams’) will serve as the lead single from Kelly’s new album, her first on Universal Motown. Tidbit: Ms Rowland shot her album packaging this week with celebrity hair stylist Oscar James and celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes. Contrary to the amateur clips posted on Youtube earlier, the high quality performance was released today and I have to say, wow! Kelly totally rocked it out!

Seeing the performance in high quality made me like the song a whole lot better. I still don’t think the song is as groundbreaking as people are making it out to be. However, I can in deed recognise the high energy song as radio-friendly dance floor food which the UK will eat up in no time. It’s much more tolerable than ‘WLTO’, because it’s more dance-pop as opposed to the electronic flair that can be heard in the Guetta smash. Ms Rowland is certainly ‘in command’ of the dance floor and music as evidenced in the below performance. Enjoy!
.
Continue reading →

Leona Lewis — 9 Comments
30
Apr 10

Leona Lewis opens up about her tour ‘The Labyrinth’…

British sensation Leona Lewis has been in rehearsals this week preparing for her UK tour which she has exclusively titled ‘The Labyrinth’. The inspiration behind the title? “I’m a big David Bowie fan and I loved the movie ‘The Labyrinth’ growing up, it’ really has inspired me so much. I feel it kind of represents my life in a surreal way too, trying to find my way through a maze!”. She also gushes about having her own tour after so long: “I’m just so excited to finally get to perform for all my fans. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment – to have my own show – forever! I’m so ready to get out there!”. The 25-year-old has also been working hard to ensure the show is enjoyable for the fans: “They can expect me to give my everything to them every night! I’ve put so much love and care into making this show over the last 6 months. I’m going to put on an incredible show for you guys! I don’t want to give away too much as I want it to be a surprise for everyone coming to see it!”. Her support act is Australian pop songstress Gabriella Cilmi and it will kick off on May 28th in Sheffield. Source.

When the name Leona Lewis is mentioned, the obvious few things that come to mind is pretty face, impressive vocals, a grey personality and big ballads. One word you would never associate with Leona is ‘enticing’. As a performer, people like to be engaged, because that’s what they pay money to see.
.
What is lacking in intriguity, she fails to make up for in swagger. It’s been almost four years now since Le Le took the X Factor crown and whilst she’s come out of her shell a bit since then, I still feel she could stand to open up a bit more and put out music that shows more colour to her personality. Nevertheless, she’s a talented singer, and as this is her first tour, I’m prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt. She may very well surprise us.

Rihanna — 22 Comments
30
Apr 10

Snapped: Rihanna on the set of the ‘Te Amo’ music video (day 2)…

New photos of Rihanna on the set of her new music video ‘Te Amo’ have now surfaced and she looks more glamourous than ever on the Anthony Mandler-directed shoot. Riri was spotted on day two of filming yesterday, rocking a summery, flowing maxi dress near a French château in Paris (April 29th). These photos look like they could easily have been lifted from a glossy fashion spread. The 22-year-old looks gorge!

Loving it. You can also check out three more photos after the jump. In related news Rihanna’s ‘Rude Boy’ is currently the number one song worldwide. Nice.
.
Continue reading →

Monica / Performances — 11 Comments
30
Apr 10

Monica tributes her idol Whitney Houston on stage in Atlanta…

Last Night (April 29th), R&B songstress Monica owned the stage at V-103 Soul Session at the Midtown ‘W’ Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The 29-year-old performed all her classic hits and a special tribute to her idol, the legendary Whitney Houston. The footage included sees Monica performing two of Whitney’s biggest classics – ‘I Will Always Love You’ and ‘You Give Good Love’. The performance had me cracking up. Just before she would bust out into a big note, she would pause mid performance to do something REALLY extra like drink some tea and stretch her muscles. It was hilarious.

Monica pictured last night. Photo via Freddyo.
Whilst, it was not her best vocally, Monica did a really nice job of both songs. Nothing to prove here. We know Monica can sang. Performance can be watched after the jump. Thanks to my boy Freddyo, you can now check out lots more photos from last night by clicking here. In related news, Monica pushed out a further 22,000 copies of her certified Gold album ‘Still Standing’ this past week. Latest single ‘Everything To Me’ is still gaining at radio and is still number one on the R&B chart. The scheduled impact date for Monica’s second single ‘Here I Am’ is currently set for May 3rd.
.
Continue reading →

Christina Aguilera / New Music Video — 34 Comments
30
Apr 10

Christina Aguilera premieres ‘Not Myself Tonight’ music video…

If you thought Ciara’s ‘Ride’ video was risque, then it certainly pales in comparison to Christina Aguilera’s ‘Not Myself Tonight’ clip. The Hype Williams-directed video premiered earlier this monrning on VEVO. We see the 29-year-old pop starlet parading about in skin tight latex ensembles, skimpy underwear and dancing suggestively with a bunch of dancers in a church setting. Pushing the sexual boundaries even further, the singer is then seen getting steamy with both men AND women!

Click here to watch Christina Aguilera’s ‘Not Myself Tonight’ music video…
I liked the video although she was going back to her ‘Stripped’ days with the shock and sex tactics. Unlike ‘Stripped’ though, it was more acceptable because she was in her early 20’s and being a rebel. There was no husband and no child, and she was still developing as an artist. Now that she’s almost 30 (this coming November), you would think she was at a comfortable position in her life and in her career where she no longer has to resort to this type of thing but to let her talent do the talking instead.
.
The video is not going to do nothing to dispel the accusations that she’s trying to swaggerjack her younger contemporary Lady Gaga. Already, the video is getting slated as a third rate ‘Bad Romance’, and I’m seeing some of Beyonce’s ‘Greenlight’ as well. Plus, it does not help her case that the costumes are something Gaga has been there and done many times over. I liked the video though but it was over all too quickly. The song appears to be missing a bridge or a verse as it ends so abruptly. The beat change at the end should have been reserved for middle section or something. Anyway, I’m pretty much over ‘Not Myself Tonight’ at this point. I DO look forwards to hearing her new album ‘Bionic’, which hits stores on June 8th.

Chris Brown — 66 Comments
30
Apr 10

Radio personality antagonises Chris Brown…

R&B star Chris Brown is still facing flack from the media but sadly, once mainstream media shuns you, and then urban outlets start jumping on the shunning bandwagon, where does one go from there? C. Breezy is still figuring it out after a radio interview went completely awry this week. Apparently, the 20-year-old was in Richmond, VA to promote his forthcoming Haiti benefit concert. He stopped by WRVQ Q94 to do an interview with radio jock Kash. The host accused the singer of acting like a crazy stuck-up diva due to the radio station not playing any of his records. To try and back up his point (in the worst possible way), the jock went on to post some chopped up audio of the so-called interview. Breezy went on to address the situation on Twitter and now angry Breezy supporters are firing back angry tweets at the station.

Click here to listen to the audio. Are folk not tired of the boycotting? If you’re going to try and make someone look bad, at least post the FULL interview without the interruptions so that people can get a fair judgement as to what REALLY went down. If stations don’t want to play his music fair enough, but why have him on the program to promote his gig? It doesn’t really make much sense to me. Unless of course, it was done for publicity, and if so, it’s clearly working.

JLS — 5 Comments
29
Apr 10

Snapped: JLS singer Marvin & girlfriend Rochelle leave Geisha House in Hollywood…

Last night (April 28th), Pop’s hottest UK couple Saturdays stunner Rochelle Wiseman and JLS hunk Marvin Humes were pictured leaving the Geisha House in Hollywood after enjoying a candlelit dinner. Roch flew out to America this week for a mini-break with her Marv. The lucky songstress who was voted 98th in FHMs Sexiest Woman in the World poll had to cut her visit short and is already on her way back to the UK to perform in Manchester for ‘The Big Red Day Out’ this coming Saturday:

Cute!

Lady Gaga / Magazines — 23 Comments
29
Apr 10

Lady Gaga named TIME’s ‘Most Influential Artist’ in the World…

Lady Gaga may not have been in the music industry for very long but she is already accomplishing major veteran-like achievements. The 24-year-old superstar has been named one of the ‘Most Influential People In the World’ by Time magazine. In fact, her achievements are so great that out of the 100 listed, she placed at No. 1 on the list of artists who most affect our world.

Gaga also beat out the world’s most powerful figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Prince, Elton John, and Marc Jacobs. The pop phenomenon also ranks on the same platform as world leaders such as President Obama, Bill Clinton, and Steve Jobs. Mentor Cyndi Lauper paid her the biggest compliment yet: “She isn’t a pop act, she is a performance artist. She herself is the art. She is the sculpture”.

Is Gaga really THAT powerful and is she deserving of such a prestigious accolade, or is she just a talented artist who knows how to play the game extremely well? Peep the magazine cover after the jump.
.
Continue reading →

Rihanna — 53 Comments
29
Apr 10

Snapped: Rihanna on the set of ‘Te Amo’ music video…

Earlier today (April 29th), Rihanna was spotted arriving in a castle to shoot her ‘Te Amo’ music video, in Paris. In the photos she is seen with her consistent collaborator Anthony Mandler who is also directing the video. I can’t even stress how amazing Riri looks, from the hair and the make-up – absolutely flawless! Peep the photos below:

She’s such a f*cking diva and she knows it too. Peep four more hot flicks after the jump. Picture source.
.
Continue reading →

Brandy / Ciara / Justin Timberlake / Ray-J — 13 Comments
29
Apr 10

Snapped: Ciara, Justin Timberlake, Brandy & Ray-J attend Timbaland’s Birthday Bash…

One can wonder why producer Timbaland is celebrating his birthday last night especially since he turned 38 OVER A MONTH AGO on March 10th. Confused? Yeah, me too. But then, when you’re a celebrity with a big fat bank balance, you can have the hottest b’day party every day of the year and still have an impressive celebrity turn out, kind of like this one. Ciara, Brandy, Ray-J and Justin Timberlake were all on hand to help him celebrate at the celeb-filled b’day party which took place on April 28th at Drai’s Hollywood at Hollywood’s W Hotel:

Label mates JT and Ciara posed it up and HE looks zombified. I wonder if he is featured on her new album ‘Basic Instinct’. As insurance? Anyway, there was no sign of Ginuwine at the party. Looks like their friendship really has deteriorated and may remain a thing of the past. However, as long as his secret no1 crush Timberlake was there, the b’day boy was happy.
.
Continue reading →

Usher — 4 Comments
29
Apr 10

Usher denies Marriage and Baby rumors…

Usher’s camp has vehemently denied the latest internet rumours that he and his alleged girlfriend Grace Miguel are engaged and expecting their first child. Usher’s rep tells E! Online: “There is absolutely no truth to it”. Maybe Usher felt compelled to respond to the rumours simply because it had reportedly riled up his ex-wife Tameka Foster, who ranted on Twitter that the singer was a “bitchass dude” among other things.

The 31-year-old was first linked to Miguel last June at about the same time he filed for divorce from Tameka after two years of marriage. His alleged new squeeze will NOT be on Usher’s arm when he attends the uber-chic Met Costume Institute Gala in New York City on Monday night. In fact, he will reportedly walk the carpet with Jimmy Choo impresario Tamara Mellon.

Sounds like dear ‘ole Tameka is not exactly ‘over’ her divorce and has often taken to Twitter as a venting measure to get ’stuff’ off her chest. In which case, she needs to log off and enjoy raising their two children rather than getting herself worked up over something that’s beyond her control.

Christina Aguilera — 25 Comments
29
Apr 10

Christina Aguilera’s ‘Not Myself Tonight’: video photo #4…

Raunchy Christina Aguilera once confessed back in 2004 that she fantasises about lesbian romps. She previously told Heat magazine that she gets turned on by the thought of girl-on-girl encounters: “I must admit that the idea of two women getting it on does do it for me. Women are beautiful creatures and the sight of them kissing or caressing each other is horny”. Seven years later, the 29-year-old is living out that very fantasy in her new music video ‘Not Myself Tonight’. Check out the new photo below:

Ms Aguilera has never shied away from selling her music with overt sexuality, and has often made the declaration that she loves experimenting with her sexuality because “it’s fun”. Looks like the sex vixen had a lot of that during the making of this new video of hers. The big premiere takes place tonight (US time) at 12:01am.

Leona Lewis / Magazines — 8 Comments
29
Apr 10

Leona Lewis covers ‘InStyle’…

British songstress Leona Lewis is the cover girl for the June 2010 issue of British magazine InStyle. If you’re expecting our sweet Leona to ever do a 360 and become a sex vixen or a bitch, then think again, as that day will never arrive. Whilst she’d like a career like Madonna’s, she tells the magazine that she would never get her kit off for a photo shoot: “No weird sex books for me” she says. “I would never even do a bikini shoot. It’s too embarrassing”. So considerate she is in nature that she even has compassion for the man who punched her last year at her London book signing: “I was angry at first, but then I found out he wasn’t well”. On some of her fashion favorites, she says: “I still love my big ballgowns with a kind of twist to them, but I also like Vivienne Westwood because she’s kind of punky and does really nice shapes for ladies”. On the cover, the 25-year-old is rocking a Preen dress via Selfridges:

Le Le looks stunning, but I would love for her to shock us as sometimes she comes across as a little ‘boring’. It’s okay to let off some steam from time to time. Picture source.

Rihanna — 94 Comments
29
Apr 10

Rihanna: ‘Rated R’ sells 2 million copies worldwide…

Whilst pop starlet Rihanna continues to wow fans with her furiously sexy latex outfits and excessive shoulder pads, audiences worldwide are still continuing to engage themselves with the 22-year-old’s music. Latest album ‘Rated R’ has now sold two million copies worldwide! Given today’s declining music economy, as well as the critics favourite excuse that Rihanna is only a “singles artist”, this is undoubtedly an impressive feat. Massive congrats to Riri! So far, ‘Rated R’ has lifted four singles in the US; ‘The Wait Is Ova’, ‘Russian Roulette’, ‘Hard’ and ‘Rude Boy’. She has also shot a music video for ‘Rockstar 101′ and the video for ‘Te Amo’ is being shot today in Paris with Anthony Mandler. Meanwhile, here is the official album cover for the remix version of the project: ‘Rated R: Remixed’:

The project is a collection of 10 songs from the original ‘Rated R’ and it was reworked by dance remixer Chew Fu. The remix installment will drop in stores on May 25th. The dark-inspired avande-garde cover is pretty much the same as the original. They just tinted it with some blue. I’m not a fan of dance remixes so I’m going to have to give this one a miss and just wait for her fifth studio album which she is working on with Timbaland, Rico Love, David Guetta, Tao Cruz and Sean Garrett.

Keri Hilson / Photoshoot — 17 Comments
29
Apr 10

Keri Hilson: photoshoot for ‘Flaunt’ magazine…

If you have it, ‘flaunt’ it. R&B singer and songwriter Keri Hilson was doing exactly that in the latest issue of ‘Flaunt’ magazine. I think these are some really nice photos. Keri is a very pretty lady and she rocks the short do really well. However, does anyone think the 27-year-old has kind of ruined her chances at being taken seriously as an artist since the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ fiasco?

I mean, forgetting the words to your own country’s national anthem? An iconic one at that? One would consider that a cardinal sin, and possibly, a punishment worthy to lose your career over. It’s love on my side though as I got nothing against Keri and as it goes, we all make mistakes. The singer has also been in the studio recording her sophomore album set to be released later this year.
.
Continue reading →

JLS — 8 Comments
29
Apr 10

JLS prep new single ‘The Club Is Alive’ & hire Justin Timberlake’s choreographer for music video…

British boyband JLS are preparing to release the first single from their as-yet-untitled sophomore album. The new single is titled ‘The Club Is Alive’, and it has a scheduled release date of July 4th. The lads confirmed this news today and it features the line “The club is alive with the sound of music” which suggests that the song samples the title track from the 1965 film ‘The Sound Of Music’. After gruelling rehearsals, the four-piece are shooting a video for ‘The Club Is Alive’ this week whilst they finish recording their second album in the US. They have hired Justin Timberlake’s choreographer Marty Kedulka for the upcoming music video. Sources claim we could even hear the song as early as two weeks. Presenters of ‘Big Top 40’ Rich Clarke and Kat Shoob have heard the song and went on to say it’s a surefire number one hit.

It’s funny they’ve hired JT’s choreographer after rapper Jay-Z said they could be as big as N-Sync. If someone says you can be something phenomenal, then hey, why not try and live up to the challenge? The popular boyband will also be honoured at this year’s Silver Clef Awards where they will take home the newcomer award at the glitzy bash on July 2nd in which they’ll be attending. The 35th awards luncheon will raise money for charity Nordoff Robbins, which enhances people’s lives using music. Could this be another JLS-manic summer yet again?

Alexandra Burke / Jennifer Lopez — 12 Comments
28
Apr 10

Snapped: Jennifer Lopez & Alexandra Burke at ‘The Back-Up Plan’ UK premiere…

Jennifer Lopez looked exceptionally stunning at the UK premiere of her latest movie ‘The Back-Up Plan’. The event took place at Vue Leicester Square earlier today (April 28th) in London. The Latina singer and actress spent time acting not so diva-ish when she took time out to speak to fans and sign autographs:

Fab chick in deed. Peep Alexandra Burke posing it up on the Red carpet when you proceed after the jump.
.
Continue reading →

Mya — 9 Comments
28
Apr 10

Snapped: Mya unveils new look at ‘Animal League’ initiative…

They say a woman’s true beauty lies in her hair, but that certainly was not the case for R&B songstress Mya when she hosted an event for ‘North Shore Animal League America’ yesterday (April 27th). The 30-year-old showed off a new blonde barnet at Times Square in New York City. But the unflattering do got fried, dyed, and laid to the side. Mya, who last year thrilled fans as the runner-up in the ninth season of ‘Dancing With the Stars’, was serving as the spokesperson for the Animal League initiative. A passionate animal lover and rescuer, Mya shares her life with six pets, including four dogs, Rambo, Bear, Pepper and Tango and two cats, Mellow and Journey, with the latter adopted from North Shore Animal League America.

“My professional life can be hectic and demanding and having the love and companionship of my animals provides me with peace and balance. My pets are both calming and energizing and each day I realize how grateful I am to have them in my life. I would encourage anyone to consider bringing an animal into their lives, and especially to go to a shelter and rescue a homeless pet. You will be saving an innocent, precious life and giving yourself the most amazing gift possible” ~ Mya
.
Who needs a man when you can settle for animals?
.
Continue reading →

Home Affiliates Contact About