Fresh off his #1 R&B hit with ‘Sex Therapy’, soulful crooner Robin Thicke has premiered the video for his latest single ‘Rollacoasta’. You can check out the clip for the more funky cut above. Estelle features…

What do you think of the song / video?

Filed Under: Estelle, Robin Thicke

BET’s annual Rip The Runway fashion extravaganza aired last night. The event, which was hosted by Nicki Minaj, saw performances from the likes of Minaj herself, Estelle, Trina, and Ludacris,.  Check out the performances after the jump…

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Filed Under: Estelle, Nicki Minaj, Trina

The video for Estelle’s new single ‘Freak’ debuted literally moments ago. Check out the Nabil Elderkin directed clip above…

Though I’m finding it hard to stop singing the song since hearing it (yes, it’s that addictive), the video didn’t ‘wow’ me as I hoped it would. I mean after watching the behind the scenes footage last week, I was anticipating something with a bit more polish and better special effects, as opposed to ‘this’.

However, luckily for the Londoner, the video just about manages to do the song justice, with its visuals and editing pretty much embodying the essence of the song. Not great, yet not an atrocity either.

Estelle’s new album ‘All of Me’ hits stores later this year.

What do you think of the video?

Filed Under: Estelle

After a brief absence from the music scene, UK-bred/US-based singer Estelle is back with new single ‘Freak’.  Produced by hit-maker of the moment David Guetta, the Dance/Urban mash-up sees the Londoner embrace a markedly different sound to that of soulful R&B of her last LP, 2008’s ‘Shine’. The question however, is whether it actually works….

Luckily for Estelle, the answer is a ‘yes’…just about. Getting the ‘bad’ out of the way first, the production and overall busyness of the track may put off some of her Urban loyalists, while the Kardinal Offishal feature wasn’t really needed. That said, with ridiculously catchy hooks, including one which samples Soul II Soul’s ‘Back To Life’, as well as Ms. Swaray re-engaging with her rap roots while dually trying something new, this one is a winner.

Hit or Miss?

Filed Under: Estelle

It’s been more than two years since the release of Estelle’s critically acclaimed LP ‘Shine’ (which spawned the Grammy award winning ‘American Boy’).  The UK-bred/US-based singer is back and set to release new  album ‘All of Me’ later this year. Check out a behind the scenes look at the making of the video for record’s lead single ‘Freak’, which features Kardinal Official (above).

Directed by Nabin Elderkin, the unique clip looks like it’ll be a winner. The full video premieres on Friday. Can’t wait…

Randomness: Did you know Estelle is signed to John Legend’s HomeSchool record label, with her releases distributed by Atlantic Records?

Your thoughts?

Filed Under: Estelle

Singer/songwriter John Legend celebrated his birthday recently at SL nightclub in New York City recently. A host of celebrities as well as his girlfriend Christina Teigen (seen above) came out to help Legend commemorate the event. Check out more images below:

UK songstress Estelle smile for the cameras in this blue number.

Grammy Award-wining rapper Ludacris was there as well.

Finally,  singer/producer Ryan Leslie posed with John for the photographers.

What do you think of the pics?

Filed Under: Estelle, John Legend, Ludacris, Ryan Leslie

Super DJ David Guetta has enlisted Estelle for the 3rd single and title track of his widely successful 6th studio album, ‘One Love’. The video released to support the record can be seen above. The single was  first released on BBC Radio 1 on October 28th and has thus far only managed to chart on the Australian Singles Chart at #81.

The song is catchy and would suit the car stereo quite well. However, the video is completely unoriginal and simply uninspired. From the rushing background lights a la Madonna’s ‘Ray of Light’ and the random dancing in the streets which can be seen in any cheesy advertisement for a new brand of shoes, I was left utterly unamused. After all the money that Guetta’s team made from his last two monster singles, I can’t fathom why this is the best material that they could develop. Either way, this song will be a hit because Dance music is hot right now and nobody is going to be watching the video while they’re busting a move in the clubhouse. Shame shame shame.

Thoughts?

Filed Under: Estelle

What do you think of the pics?

Filed Under: Estelle

Usher’s wife Tameka Foster Raymond has suffered a serious injury due to complications from plastic surgery in Brazil, reports Access Hollywood.

On Saturday night, Usher canceled his performance at the Recording Academy and Clive Davis’s Pre-Grammy Gala. Davis told party-goers the singer had to bow out due to a “serious injury in the family.”

On Sunday, Davis, Sony Music Worldwide’s chief creative officer, told PEOPLE. “I talked to his mom. My thoughts are with them, whatever they’re facing.” {Source}

Filed Under: Estelle, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo

Filed Under: Estelle, Jamie Foxx, Jay Z, Jennifer Hudson, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, MIA, Ne-Yo, T.I

As the rave reviews roll in for Jennifer Hudson’s national anthem rendition before Super Bowl XLIII last week — her first public performance since tragedy struck her family in October — the singer is already preparing to launch a full U.S. tour. Manager Damien Smith tells EW that the Dreamgirls Oscar winner will headline a roughly six-week run in theater-sized venues beginning in late March or early April. “Everybody stay tuned,” says Smith. “You’ll be seeing a lot more of her.” {Source}

While it’s great to see Jennifer back on the scene, I’m hoping this isn’t all too soon. 

Filed Under: Estelle, Kanye West

The final of X Factor 2008 live shows aired tonight here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the show below:

{For those unfamiliar with the show; The X Factor is the UK’s version of American Idol – with a twist in that groups and over 25’s are eligible to enter. The show also birthed the career of a certain Leona Lewis}

I must begin by congratulating my girl Alexandra for winning tonight! It definitely makes me proud to live in a country that has been able to produce such a talent. A talent I believe is very much a world class act. Week in and week out, Alexandra has delivered the goods and then some. Very proud of her. Very.

My phone has been going off non-stop about Alex’s show stopping performance of ‘Listen’ with none other than Beyonce (special ‘hey’ to Sean, Kwame, Jonelle, Sandra, Nathan, Jamell ‘Mr Damaje’, Leon and co!). You can also check out Alex’s performances of ‘Silent Night’ below (the other performances will be added as they become available):

Alexandra & Beyonce – Listen

Alexandra – Silent Night

Alexandra – Hallelujah (Winner’s Song – 1st Performance)

Your thoughts?

Filed Under: Estelle

DEVELOPING:

Authorities say they’ve found the body of a young black boy in an SUV in the city’s West Side, but there is no confirmation that the development is related to the search for Jennifer Hudson’s missing nephew.

MyFOXChicago is reporting that police located the SUV, which is believed to be the getaway vehicle driven by William Balfour, a suspect in the murders of the family members of Oscar-winning actress and singer Hudson.

While Chicago police have not yet confirmed whether the vehicle is in fact the white Chevy Suburban that police have been searching for, MyFOXChicago is reporting that the license plates match the Amber Alert issued after Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew Julian King was reported missing after the murders Friday.

The vehicle was reportedly located 13 miles northwest of the Hudson home and was removed by a tow truck from the street Monday morning.

Balfour was named in as a potential suspect Friday in the shooting deaths of Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and older brother Jason Hudson, 29. The FBI is working on the case with local authorities.

Balfour was married to Hudson’s sister, Julia, for several years but they were separated, his mother, Michele Balfour said. She said Donerson had ordered him to move out of the family’s home last winter.

On Sunday, Hudson, whose single “Spotlight” is number one on the Billboard R&B charts, offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of King.

This is a developing story. {Source}

This is really beyond terrible. I have no words. Sad.

Filed Under: Estelle, Sean Paul

The much anticipated theme for the forthcoming James Bond movie ‘Quantum of The Solace’, featuring Alicia Keys and Jack White (of the White Stripes), ‘Another Way To Die’ , has surfaced. I’m kinda on the fence about this one…

Filed Under: Estelle

Bad Boy’s five-piece Danity Kane pose it up in the latest issue of GQ magazine. Though the ladies all look pretty good, Dawn looks a little ‘iffy in the face’. Is it just me or…?

What do you think of the pic?

Filed Under: Estelle

In a recent interview with our friends over at Rap-Up.com, Lil’ Mama expressed her disappointment with her label’s handling of her debut album ‘VYP: Voice Of The Young People’, which debut at #25 with just 19, 000 units sold. Here’s what the teen star had to say:

“I’m very disappointed in my label, Jive Records, for not promoting my record properly. I’m not a rapper first and foremost. I’m the birth of hip-pop. I’m an innovator and everything that I do is fresh. When you have something so new and fresh in your hands, you’re supposed to know what to do with it. By signing with a label, I signed knowing that everyone was on the same page as me and understanding what was going on. But that wasn’t what I thought it was.”

Ouch…

Whatever happens, I’m hoping we see a lot more from this talented young lady.

Your thoughts?

Filed Under: Estelle, Kanye West