Following hitmaker Claude Kelly’s recent claims that comparisons between Christina Aguilera and Lady GaGa are ‘crap’, GaGa’s mentor and label head Akon has given his own two cents on Aguilera. Speaking to VIBE, the ‘Smack That’ singer’s comments are sure to get tongues wagging. Check out what he had to say after the jump…
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The much anticipated video for ‘We Are The World 25 For Haiti’ premièred literally moments ago. Check it out below:
Lady GaGa has just been added to the all-star lineup that has become the remake of Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie’s classic ‘We Are The World’. The song is being revamped by Richie, Quincy Jones and RedOne to celebrate it’s 25th anniversary and benefit the nation of Haiti. Among the 100+ artists included on the track are Jennifer Hudson, Toni Braxton, Usher, Jason Mraz, Akon, Carlos Santana, Enrique Iglesias and Trey Songz. {Source}
It seems that the music world is pulling out all the stops! With this project as well as the Simon Cowell-orchestrated remake of REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’ in the UK, we can expect to hear some of the biggest voices in entertainment unite on the airwaves. I’m eager to hear what they come up with.
Sidebar: I’m happy to see Trey Songz stepping up to sing about something other than sex for once.
Peep the video for ‘Change Me’, the latest single to be lifted from Keri Hilson‘s ‘In a Perfect World’ LP. Though the Akon-assisted song doesn’t particularly rock my world, it’s accompanying video isn’t bad. A little recession-friendly, but not bad.
Kat Deluna has been struggling to find a hit to match the success of her club anthem ‘Whine Up’. This time around, the singer teamed up with Akon for dance-flavoured ‘Push’. The track will be featured on upcoming studio release, ‘Inside Out’.
This is the first track from Deluna that I enjoyed since ‘Whine Up’. The high energy rhythms and Akon’s verse create a synergy that define a hit. Hopefully Deluna can find her way back to the top of the charts again with this one because it is certainly some of her best work.
Despite being the target of accusations by her former backup singers band members, a new track as emerged from Nicole Scherzinger. The Akon-assited song is entitled ‘By My Side’. There is no word on whether this will be included on her upcoming solo project, ‘Her Name Is Nicole’, which is set to hit stores this year.
Backed by such solid production and thumping beats, one would assume that Nicole has a hit on her hands. However, the hook is almost inaudible and very difficult to understand. Furthermore, her voice in the chorus sounds like she was trying very hard to imitate Leona Lewis. Add that to Akon’s surprisingly lazy and uninspired verse, and I can easily see why her solo album is yet to hit stores. Next.
Akon, super producer and international rapper has signed up to help produce Alexandra Burke’s debut album.
Only yesterday it was reported that Miss Burke would also be working alongside none other than N*E*R*D and The Neptunes front man Pharrell Williams.
Akon has already worked with Leona Lewis and told tabloid newspaper The Daily Star: “I’ve had calls to work with Alex and I’m going to do it. I love the X Factor and I love helping to break new artists.”
The newspaper claims that Alexandra is over the moon about working with Skateboard P “She can’t believe her luck. She’s a massive fan and thinks Pharrell will help her distance herself from Leona (Lewis) comparisons.”
With Pharrell onboard as well, the record label are basically making sure that Burke’s debut album is an international hit. {Source}
Hot on the promotional trail for his new album ‘Intuition’, Jamie Foxx performed current single ‘Just Like Me’ on Good Morning America yesterday. Pretty good live showing. I’m really warming to the song a lot more now.
What do you think of the performance?
Remember that video of Akon throwing a fan into the crowd last year? Well it seems it’s gotten the Senegalese singer into a spot of trouble – not as much as it could have, however. Check out the report below via Billboard.com:
Hip-hop star Akon is pleading guilty to harassment after he tossed a fan off stage at a concert last summer. He will serve no jail time as long he performs 65 hours of community service and pays a $250 fine.
Akon declined comment as he left court in Fishkill, N.Y.
The Senegalese-American singer, born Aliaune Thiam, was accused of picking up a teenage boy and throwing him off the stage during a June 2007 concert at a minor league baseball stadium near Poughkeepsie. Another concertgoer said she suffered a concussion when the teen landed on her.
With teen-grinding and fan-tossing being just a few of the controversies Akon has been able to escape(ish), here’s hoping he uses his brain a bit more. SMH…
Any thoughts?
Yesterday, we posted Brandy’s awesome performances from her recent stop on The Tyra Banks Show. Ms. Norwood was also interviewed by the supermodel turned talk show host and opened up about many a topic, including her fake marriage, ‘that’ fatal car accident, her brother Ray J’s sex tape and a whole lot more. Part 1 is above, with the rest watchable below:
Great interview!
Any thoughts?
Akon stopped by E!’s Chelsea Lately Show this week to promote his latest effort ‘Freedom’. The ‘Smack That’ singer lived up to the song’s name by erm…(you’ll see) during the interview. He also shed an interesting light on his relationship status, working with Michael Jackson and more. Good stuff.
Your thoughts?
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