Watch: Rihanna rehearses for ‘Diamonds’ tour (wines her butt off)…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Rihanna
Countdown to touchdown! With just four days to go until Rihanna‘s ‘Diamonds’ world tour kicks off, the singer releases backstage footage of her tour rehearsals.
Rihanna Navy are set to encounter many a treat as she prepares to give them some stripper meets hood choreography for the show. She was working some moves during a rehearsal of her urban hit single ‘Pour It Up’, days before the global trek kicks off at The First Niagra Center in Buffalo. Rihanna was in London town today to launch her River Island spring collection which goes on sale tomorrow (Tuesday 5th March).
Ri was certainly keeping those Barbadian moves close to her waist. Who said this chick couldn’t wine her ass off? Ms Fenty actually has some fluid rhythm, which is nice to see! She just needs to incorporate a little more energy and she’s set! Check out all the action in the clip below!
Kelly Rowland dismisses Keyshia Cole’s irrelevancy (killing ‘em kindly)…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Kelly Rowland, Keyshia Cole
When Rolling Stone asked Kelly Rowland to comment on Keyshia Cole‘s criticism of Michelle Williams‘ performance at the Super Bowl, she delivered some stern words to Ms Hood chick!
“It didn’t even make it on my radar until other people brought it up. It didn’t even matter. We had a wonderful performance, and that’s all I cared about. I was with my sisters and the three of us matter to each other, and that’s all that counts. We matter to a lot more people, with all due respect, than her. So, I really don’t care what she said” replied the feisty songbird.
*gasp*
Kelly just read Keyshia for all types of blood! Giiiirl, come pick up ya life! Because this was shade 101 in it’s classiest form. I love Ms Rowland’s response. Kelly pretty much shat on KC’s irrelevancy and she never even had to downgrade herself to delivering her shade in ratchet overtones (anyone familiar with her X Factor stint will know that deep down it’s in her). Destiny’s Child have been around for 15 years and will always have the support, while KC struggles to sell albums and give halfway decent performances (so really, she should not be commenting on somebody elses performance when we’ve all seen her do worse).
Watch: Ciara sings ‘Body Party’ in a bathroom (look, it’s still promo)…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Ciara, Performances
Look at what Brandy done and started. Singing in a bathroom has become a brand new promo strategy. In fact, I wouldn’t even be surprised if more artists (particular low priority acts like Ciara) took this route more often.
Brings new meaning to not being able to book that stage (that Rihanna exchange will never get old). Not only is this type of promo effective (a post on all the popular music blogs), but it is also very cheap too because LA Reid is not the type of man to invest big bucks in your project unless he feels you can recoup back the investment and more. In Ciara’s case, this is as good as it’s going to get for now.
While celebrating Paris Fashion Week with the likes of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, Ci produced a visual of herself performing her future flop ‘Body Party’ in a bathroom. She was clearly enjoying the advancement that bathroom acoustics brings to those thin vocals (she DID sound good still). And how many singles is she going to put out before the album is released? She really needs to invest in Beyonce‘s PR team because by the time the album drops in five years time, we’d already have heard it in its entirety.
‘Body Party’, which was written by her boyfriend Future and produced by Mike WiLL Made It actually premiered in its entirety earlier today. So, if you have yet to hear it, you can check out Mikey‘s review and watch her first performance in a scarce bathroom below.
Single Review: Ciara – “Body Party”…
Posted by Mikey | Filed under Ciara, New Music, New Song
If Ciara‘s breathy soprano and sick dance moves aren’t enough to propel her to the top, then maybe her fierce determination and drive will do the trick. Following the embarrassment of three flop singles, (‘Sweat’, ‘Sorry’, and ‘Got Me Good’) many have begun to lose faith in ‘One Woman Army’ and all of it’s offerings—still, that hasn’t deterred CiCi from continuously releasing new music.
Premiering just moments ago comes the Mike WiLL Made It prodcued ‘Body Party’, the latest track to be lifted from the upcoming LP. Although it sounds more like a “get together” than a party, listen to Ciara’s latest single after the jump to find out if she’s finally recorded the hit her career so desperately needs…
Pros:
- Clever use of Ghost Town DJ‘s ‘My Boo’ sample
- Memorable melody
- Earnest vocals
- Sexy lyrics
Cons:
- Sluggish production
- Ciara’s voice sounds very thin on the top
- Lacking a strong, “radio-friendly” hook
- Sounds like the less interesting cousin to all her other slow jams
________________________________________________________
Bottom Line 2.5/4
My main issue with Ciara is her delivery and expectations. She continues to release sub-par music that sounds exactly like tepid rehashes of her pervious singles hoping for different results. Sure, I understand what she was going for with “Body Party” and for the most part she achieved the lustful sensuality the song was meant to evoke, however, will that be enough to garner a comeback? Probably not.
While this song is good, it’s far from great, but hopefully it will give Ciara a few spins on urban radio and buy her enough time to release a crossover single that will catapult her back to the top of the charts. Until then, what did you think of ‘Body Party’?
Your thoughts?
Video Premiere: Fantasia – ‘Lose To Win’…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Fantasia, New Music Video
Check out the glossy visuals for Fantasia‘s latest single ‘Lose To Win’, lifted off her upcoming new album ‘Side Effects Of You’.
The video was shot back in January so it’s about time we finally get to see it. Fanny wears her heart on her sleeve in her luxury mansion surrounded with expensive jewellery, clothes and other accessories. But it goes to show money isn’t everything when your very gorgeous hunk of a lover is flirting around and making out with other women under your nose. We see her crying, singing and picking herself back up as she reminisces on the love they once shared.
Justin Timberlake scores second UK #1 single with ‘Mirrors’…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Justin Timberlake
Congratulations to Justin Timberlake for nabbing his second UK number one single with ‘Mirrors’. His first solo chart topper was in 2006 with ‘Sexyback’.
Seems ancient right? Bastille had to settle for #2 with ‘Pompeii’, selling 13,000 copies fewer than JT by the end of the week. I certainly didn’t doubt JT getting another #1. He’s been off the scene for almost seven years and there has been a lot of buzz surrounding his new album. UK fans can purchase ‘The 20/20 Experience’ on March 18th, as well as catch him when he hits the road with rapper Jay-Z for the ‘Legends of the Summer’ tour.
Watch: Bruno Mars performs ‘When I Was Your Man’ on ‘Jonathan Ross’…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Bruno Mars, Performances
Bruno Mars visited The Jonathan Ross Show this week to perform new single ‘When I Was Your Man’ from his second album ‘Unorthodox Jukebox’. The episode aired last night.
As well as an emotional, heartfelt performance, the 27-year-old sat down for an interview to discuss his humble beginnings and upcoming ‘Moonlight Jungle’ world tour. A surprising discovery was Ross knowing Bruno from way back. The host unearths old footage of when he interviewed Bruno at four years old in Hawaii, as well as a clip of young Bruno performing as Elvis Presley. Intriguing stuff! Check out all the action below!
Watch: Nicole Scherzinger Dances for Comic Relief, performs ‘Boomerang’…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Nicole Scherzinger, Performances
Nicole Scherzinger delivers a live energetic performance of latest single ‘Boomerang’ for the BBC’s ‘Let’s Dance for Comic Relief’ last night.
Aside from the mist, polytechnics and obvious backing track, we’d say it’s a pretty good damn job Nicole knows how to perform well. Because quite literally, this is what she will need to do in order to carry a poor song like this one. The will.i.am-produced cut was pants several weeks ago, and it is still pants now. But if ya like it, download it on March 10th. Until then, watch the performance below.
Mariah Carey set to release ballad-heavy album in May…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey‘s new album is set for May, and she’s enlisted producers Q-Tip & DJ Cassidy, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Big Jim Wright, Hit-Boy, The-Dream and Rodney Jerkins!
The singer reveals to Billboard that the project will have many “raw” ballads. “It’s about making sure I have tons of good music,” she says. “Wherever we go with this project, I’ve tried to keep the soul and heart in it with me, obviously, as the through-line. I was and still am in a very prolific space. I could say, ‘Let’s stop now’ but that’s not who I am, and that’s not what I want this record to be. I really want the fans to love this record.” Quality over quantity. Can’t wait!
Watch: Mariah Carey & Prince visit ‘Jimmy Fallon’…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Mariah Carey, Performances, Prince
Last night, legendary lane came to ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’. You don’t get any bigger and better than Mariah Carey and Prince!
Mariah’s segment consisted of an interview about her lambs, American Idol and upcoming new album, which she confirmed for a May release. She played a game of Champagne Pong to celebrate Fallon’s four years on air but was completely useless at it. Prince then performed his new material giving viewers rousing performances of ‘Screwdriver’ and ‘Bambi’. Go on. Go ahead and overdose on his sexiness below!
Mariah Carey – Interview:
Mariah Carey plays Champagne Pong:
Prince – ‘Screwdriver’:
Prince – ‘Bambi’:
Rihanna in Elle UK: New excerpts & photos released…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Rihanna
In April’s Elle UK issue, Rihanna discusses her relationship with Chris Brown, and says that in five years she hopes to have a baby, as well as to be healthy and happy.
“Right now, that’s just what we want, a great friendship, that’s unbreakable. Now that we’re adults we can do this right. We got a fresh start and we’re thankful for that.” In five years? “I will probably have a kid,” but in the short term, she’s just praying for a month-long vacation and a break from her hectic touring. Rihanna told Elle that her new single, ‘Stay’, is a story about true love and wanting it to last forever, and she now feels that way about Chris. Read on for more excerpts.
“You don’t have that feeling with everybody so when you have it, you don’t want to let go of it,” Rihanna said. “I would definitely say he is the one I have that kind of relationship with.”
Peep two more new images from the shoot below:
Rihanna talks about her controversial gun tattoo and what it means, which she simply describes as empowering.
“Everybody wanted to know what was happening in my life. Is she a drug addict? No. Is she an alcoholic? No. Is she a victim? No,” Rihanna said. “That’s why I got the gun. It was a symbol of strength. I’ll never be a victim.”
Rihanna’s fetish for posting pictures of her life – and her body – online has been rife. She addresses that with:
“Well I Instagram everything about my life, whether it’s smoking pot, in a strip club, reading a Bible verse – how crazy, I know – or hanging out with my best friend, who happens to be Chris.”
Mama Fenty always puts her in the firing line whenever she feels the singer has gone too far with her antics:
“I’m not afraid of any person in this world but her. I’m terrified of her! She called me two days ago and reeled me in about two naked pictures Melissa put up on Instagram – a sneak-peek from a photo book she’s making about me. My mom, she went crazy on me. I was like embarrassed. I felt like I got my ass whupped in front of my class in school! She said, ‘This was like a private moment and you’re just parading this around.’ She humbled the f*** out of me.’”
Rihanna’s full feature in the April issue of ELLE UK goes on sale 6th March 2013. You can also download it as a digital download here.
New Music: Ciara – ‘Body Party’ [snippet]…
Posted by Toya | Filed under New Music, New Song
After unveiling the artwork for new single ‘Body Party’, Ciara releases a 42-second snippet of the song. Let’s get this party started right NOW!
From the snippet, Ciara is following in Kelly Rowland‘s footsteps – releasing a sex song! As much as folks complain, the reality is, sex sells. At least that is the outcome Ciara is hoping for. Ci is going the sensual R&B route and she appears to have given up trying to cross over. This is purely for her urban audience. Still, I would not be surprised if its pop counterpart springs up somewhere. Listen below!
Watch: Mariah Carey’s interview on ‘Live! with Kelly & Michael’…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey took time out from ‘American Idol’, traveling from Las Vegas to New York for an appearance on ‘Live! with Kelly & Michael’.
The legendary pop diva discusses her twins, judging role, upcoming fifth wedding anniversary and latest single ‘Almost Home’. MC is preparing to perform the track on American Idol in the coming weeks and the lead single from her new album isn’t too far away. According to her official site, the as-yet-titled project is tentatively slated for release in May 2013! Check out her interview below!
Single cover: Ciara ‘tributes’ her idol Janet for ‘Body Party’ artwork…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Ciara, Janet Jackson
Ciara took to her Twitter page to unveil the official cover for her next single ‘Body Party’ today. The song is the next single off her upcoming album ‘One Woman Army’.
In the saucy shot, the sexy songstress is seen posing nude with only bed sheets for cover. I always thought Ciara could possibly be the next Janet Jackson, but that never materialised success-wise. However, they both share similar qualities and traits – similar looks, voice, dancing, and now artwork. If anything I’d say Ciara was tributing Janet’s ‘All For You’ 2001 era. See what I mean below.
Watch: JoJo’s ‘StageIt’ concert…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Jojo, Leah LaBelle, Performances
Last night, JoJo performed a short set on StageIt for her fans. Paying fans were treated to an array of JoJo hits during the acoustic showing.
JoJo and Leah labelle took the time out to duet on ‘Ordinary People’ by John Legend and did a rather superb job. JoJo also belted out ‘Billions,’ ‘Disaster’ and the full version of ‘Thinking Out Loud.’ JoJo’s reasoning for not releasing the whole song on her ‘Agape’ mixtape was due to high self-consciousness of her work, and not being certain whether she’d release it or not. Check out the full concert below!
Watch: Rita Ora performs ‘Radioactive’ on Australia’s ‘Sunrise’…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Performances, Rita Ora
Taking to the stage on Australia‘s ‘Sunrise’, Rita Ora woke up bright and early yesterday to perform her latest single, the Sia penned ‘Radioactive’.
As ever, the 22-year-old shows viewers just why she is such a great live singer. Rita is currently Down Under because her Australian tour kicks off tonight at King George Park and she wraps it all up on March 11th. She is also working on her debut US album, set to drop later this year. With an underwhelming debut, we can only hope her music sashays away from all forums of generic this time.
Snapshots + video: Rihanna’s double ‘Elle’ UK covers…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Rihanna
Elle magazine releases their April 2013 cover featuring Rihanna! Not just one, but two! They were shot last month in Paris by photographer Mariano Vivanco.
For the fierce shoot, Rihanna rocks designs from her own spring/summer 2013 collection for River Island. One cover shows Ri rocking a black zip-through skirt, which was paired with a Louis Vuitton monochrome top. The second cover shows Ri wearing a Prada silk and sating stole covering a striped bra, also from River Island. Check out more photos and some behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot below!
Rihanna for UK Elle (April 2013)
Snapshots: Cassie’s smoking new spread for ‘ASOS’ magazine…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Cassie
Model with a mic Cassie is featured in the new April issue of British women’s fashion trends magazine ASOS. You’re probably thinking, another photoshoot and no music?
Many of her fans are wondering what is going on with her career. And regardless of all the talk, nothing much has escalated. She doesn’t seem to care that much which is a shame as she had potential. She’s so sprung on Diddy‘s tail that it doesn’t even matter anymore. She just announced that she’s going to unveil the release date for her ‘RockaBye Baby’ mixtape in less than a week! We’ll believe it when we see it.
#rockabyebaby Announcing my drop date in less than a week ???????????????????????? instagr.am/p/WN9nt7mIdC/
— Cassie (@CassieSuper) February 27, 2013
Photos: Cassie-Ventura.com
Justin Timberlake set to score second UK #1 with ‘Mirrors’…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Justin Timberlake
If Justin Timberlake can hold onto his lead in the midweek chart this Sunday, he will bag his second UK #1 single with the Timbaland-produced ‘Mirrors’.
Sales for the track soared following his performance at last week’s Brit Awards. However, he faces stiff competition from Bastille‘s ‘Pompeii’, which is the highest new entry at two. Timberlake is only leading by 2,000 copies. The track is the official single for Europe after he apparently decided not to plug the Jay-Z assisted ‘Suit & Tie’ over here. Listen to his new single ‘Mirrors’ below if you missed it.
Watch: Solange performs ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ on ‘Letterman’…
Posted by Toya | Filed under Performances, Solange Knowles
This is what ridiculously cool looks like… afrocentric Solange (with Dev Hynes) performing ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ on ‘The Late Show With David Letterman’.
Solange appeared to be doing 60s retro in a polka dot skirt suit from Moschino’s Pre-Fall 2013 collection. It was paired with her favourite Saucy Leather T-Strap Pumps by Elizabeth/James. Backed by a full-band, the 26-year-old was serving further promo for critically acclaimed EP ‘True’, while giving viewers some slick dance moves to boot. She’s such an eclectic hipster, sometimes you forget that her sister is Beyoncé!
