Tuesday, June 3rd 2008

Mariah Performs ‘Hero’ On Smap x Smap

Continuing along the promo trail in Japan, diva Mariah Carey performed her 1993 classic ‘Hero’ on the show Smap x Smap today. Check out the performance below:

Hmm. I guess she’s had worse performances this go-round, so this wasn’t that bad in comparison. Saying that, it really drove home the fact that her voice, as we knew and loved it, is done.

Mariah herself has stated in certain interviews that she has nodules on her vocal chords, which wear and tear over the years have strained. Surgery to repair the damage threatens her ability to hit her trademark whistle note. I say she go and has the surgery; for if she keeps turning in such sub-par performances (which seems to be the overwhelming majority these days), her legacy will be damaged way more than if she were to lose the whistle register. After all, her voice wasn’t only famed for being able to hit the odd high note – it’s power, purity and effortless delivery was what set her above her peers. In any case, it’s more than obvious that something needs to be done. {Thanks Stevie}

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

16 Comments

Tuesday, June 3rd 2008

Leona Covers Blender

Singing sensation Leona Lewis appears on the July cover for Blender Magazine. Aside from the cover’s tag-line (‘Look out Mariah, Leona is Pop’s Next Megastar’), the magazine features this interesting quote from the UK born star:

“I don’t wear little miniskirts and low-cut tops. If you want to show your bits off, it’s up to you. When I was 18, I had a few glasses of Alcopop — they’re bubblegummy drinks with a bit of alcohol — and it was gross. I’ve tasted champagne, which is gross. And I tasted wine, which I don’t like.”

Hmm. Kudos to her for sticking to her guns if this is legit, but I’m wondering if this ‘wholesome’ image is a label construct. It’s funny they mention Mariah on the cover, as, for some reason, I can so see Leona having her ‘Mariah circa 1997 (‘Butterfly)’ break-free moment a few years down the line (sexed up image and the full works). I guess time will tell.

Any thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

10 Comments

Tuesday, June 3rd 2008

Nelly & Fergie Perform at MTV Japan VMAs

Nelly was joined on stage by Fergie to perform his current single ‘Party People’ over the weekend at the MTV Japan VMA’s. Check out the performance below:

Pretty decent, although the camera angles kinda made for a hard watch.

What do you think of the performance?

Posted By: Sam

2 Comments

Monday, June 2nd 2008

R. Kelly’s Trial Heats Up; Star Witness Takes Stand

As expected, things got pretty intense in R. Kelly’s trial today as the prosecution’s star witness took the stand to give evidence:

Van Allen said she had met R. Kelly at the video shoot for “Home Alone,” in which she appeared, in late 1997 or early 1998. Kelly’s cousin, “Blacky” invited her to join Kelly in Kelly’s trailer, she said. She talked with Kelly and ended up having “intercourse” with him in the trailer, she said. She was 17 at the time, she said.

In late 1998, she testified, Kelly took her to his former home on the North Side of Chicago, where she met the alleged victim in this case for the first time. Kelly taped them while they had three-way sex in his “log-cabin” room, she said. That’s the same room he’s alleged to have filmed the tape in this case. Kelly told her the alleged victim was 16, she said. {Source}

Granted the defence haven’t started arguing their case, it increasingly looking like R. Kelly’s going down. Still, I’m stopping short of saying it’s a certainty, as stranger things have happened.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

10 Comments

Monday, June 2nd 2008

Competition: ‘The Great Debaters’ DVD Give-Away (Reminder)

Just a quick reminder to let you all know that today is the last day to enter our ‘Great Debaters’ DVD competition. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning and haven’t entered yet, click here to do so now.

Posted By: Sam

New Song: T-Pain – ‘Silver & Gold’

With T-Pain set to release his third studio album ‘Thr33 Ringz’ on September 30 (his birthday), the LP’s apparent first single ‘Silver & Gold’ has surfaced. It’s no secret that T-Pain likes to ‘sing’ (for the lack of a better word) about drinks, so it comes as no surprise that this cut is about mixing silver and gold Patron to make a new beverage. It’s typical T-Pain fare – so you’ll either love it or hate it. Can’t say this one does anything for me; still, it’ll probably be a hit. Is this what today’s industry has been reduced to?

Hit or Miss?

LISTEN: Silver & Gold

Posted By: Sam

6 Comments

Monday, June 2nd 2008

Chris Brown v Mike Myers Dance Battle

Check out this on-stage skit Chris Brown participated in at last night’s MTV Movie Awards, with host Mike Myers:

Funny stuff. All jokes aside, Chris really is setting the standard for performance choreography. I’ve long been hearing murmurings about what I’m about to say, but I think I’m actually starting to believe it now: Chris Brown is a better dancer than Usher…

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

19 Comments

Monday, June 2nd 2008

2008 MTV Movie Awards Pics

The 2008 MTV Movie Awards went ahead as planned yesterday night, despite a fire that destroyed parts of Universal Studios in Hollywood, California (where the show took place). A host of stars made appearances at the show including Jennifer Hudson, Will Smith & son Jaden, T.I., Megan Good, Chris Brown and girlfriend Rihanna.

{Click pics to enlarge}

What do you think of the pics?

Posted By: Sam

8 Comments

Monday, June 2nd 2008

The Pussycat Dolls Perform At The 2008 MTV Movie Awards

The Pussycat Dolls performed their new single ‘When I Grow Up’ a few hours ago at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards. Check out the performance below:

Though the performance was overly on-point (IMO), the ladies will continue to have little credibility with me (as a unit) until they start switching on some of the other girls’ microphones. I mean, does Nicole even need a ‘solo’ career, after all she’s living it out within the group anyway.

What do you think of the performance?