Music

Mariah’s ‘Memoirs’ Pushed Back

22nd Jul

Mariah Carey new album ”Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’ has been pushed back 3 weeks to September 15th and will now miss the Grammy 2010 deadline. The set originally due in stores August 25th via Def Jam is preceded by single ‘Obsessed’, which is performing well on the charts, but not great by Mariah’s standards. {Source}

While I’m sure marketing / promotional strategy, as well as the release of a 2nd single, is the cause of the delay, one would not be wrong in wondering if the so-so performance of lead single ‘Obsessed’ (which currently sits at #11 on the Billboard 100 and isn’t really doing much of anything worldwide), factors in to all this.

Interestingly, the original release date was a week before Whitney’s much anticipated comeback album hit stores; perhaps the move was to not allow for any ‘Diva Chart Battle’ media hype and/or risk losing out to the ‘I Will Always Love You’ singer in sales.

Push back or no push back, all I want from Mariah is a live performance this ‘era’ that reminds everyone why she is dubbed ‘The Voice’ and not performances that sounds like she’s been chewing on cigarette buttes or has a hangover. Come on Mariah, you can do it 😉

Randomness: I have listened to ‘Fly Like A Bird’ from the ‘Emancipation’ album almost every day since the record was released – back in 2005. A classic.

Your thoughts?

New Song: Amerie – ‘Why R U (Remix (ft. Nas, Rick Ross, & Kain))’

22nd Jul

Hit or Miss?

New Song: Monica – ‘Let Me Know’ (First Single)

21st Jul

Monica has been in the studio for the better part of 2 years cooking up her latest LP ‘Still Standing’ (due October 13th via J Records). Today, saw the surfacing of the record’s first single ‘Let Me Know’ – which was produced by Missy Elliott and written by Monica’s label mate Jazmine Sullivan.

As regards the track itself, it has pleasant ‘groove’ to it, which makes it’s debut on the brink of summer oh-so apt. That said, I’m not really sure it’s lead single worthy…or even single worthy to be frank. Missy’s banshee screaming is the epitome of hot mess. Totally unnecessary. I’ve been hoping the otherwise awesome Elliott would have stopped it ever since I heard her scream all over poor Tweet’s ‘Turn The Lights Off’ 4 years ago. SMH…

Hit or Miss?

Chris Brown Says Sorry For Rihanna Assault (Video)

20th Jul

R&B star Chris Brown has broken his 5 month silence. The ‘With You’ singer finally spoke to the media – via this new video – about his much publicized assault of former girlfriend Rihanna back in February and offered his sincerest apologies.

I know what my thoughts are on this one, but I’d far more like to hear what you guys are thinking about Chris’ apology…

Your thoughts?

Whitney Houston – ‘I Look To You’ Tracklisting

20th Jul

The track listing for Whitney Houston’s much anticipated ‘comeback’ album was unveiled on her official site today. Check out the 11-track list below:

I Look To You (available Sept. 1)

1. Million Dollar Bill
2. Nothin’ But Love
3. Call You Tonight
4. I Look To You
5. Like I Never Left (feat. Akon)
6. A Song For You
7. I Didn’t Know My Own Strength
8. Worth It
9. For The Lovers
10. I Got You
11. Salute

Word has it the Swizz Beats produced / Alicia Keys penned ‘Million Dollar Bill’ will serve as album’s first single and is set to impact radio any time from now. Exciting stuff.

Your thoughts?

Lil’ Kim & Cyndi Lauper Perform ‘Time After Time / Lighters Up’ (A Must See)

20th Jul

In what has to be the most music’s most random pairing and performance, rapper Lil’ Kim and 80’s pop star Cyndi Lauper took to the stage together this past Saturday at the Mandela Day concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The duo performed a medley of Lauper’s hit ‘Time After Time’ and Kim’s ‘Lighters Up’. Not an ordinary duet, in that both actually did each others parts. Yes, Lil’ Kim SANG and Lauper rapped.

Despite pretty much hovering on the ‘hot mess’ / ‘what were they thinking’ border for pretty much the entire performance, this definitely managed to engage me, if only for its sheer randomness.

What do you think of the performance?

New Song: Ne-Yo – ‘Discipline’ (Janet Demo)

19th Jul

Some of you may recall Janet Jackson’s ‘Discipline’, the title track to her criminally underrated album of the same name. Well, the demo version of the song, performed by the song’s writer Ne-Yo surfaced today. It’s real interesting hearing his take (essentially the original) on the record, as he really seems to channel Janet vocally with his delivery.

Note: This is a demo and the lyrics are written for Janet to perform. No rumours or messiness folks LOL!

Hit or Miss?

{Link removed as requested}

19th Jul

Ciara has switched up her look quite dramatically, as these new shots show. The 23 year old performer is rocking a short do, one which I feel suits her really well. Some may remember, she sported a similar look in one of the scenes in the ‘Promise’ video.

Tidbit: I am finding it quite funny reading on some of the other blogs about how CiCi chopped off her hair LOL. Like next to all the females artists now, she wears weaves – this being one of them, along with the one before this, the one before that, and so on. She looks awesome all the same.

What do you think of the pics?

LeToya: "I’m Open To Destiny’s Child Reunion"

19th Jul

LeToya Luckett has hit the television promo trail in support of her new album ‘Lady Love’, most recently stopping by ABC News’ What’s The Buzz. The R&B star spoke on a number of things including, of course, the new record and her latest acting roles – which includes a movie with Ashton Kutcher.

Most interestingly, when asked the oh-so-expected Beyonce/Destiny’s Child questions, LeToya revealed she’d be open to a Destiny’s Child reunion. Notable, in that it’s the first time she’s been asked this on-air. With Destiny’s Child now having spent the majority of their professional careers as a Beyonce, Kelly, and Michelle, it sure would be interesting to see how would work out. That said, if ever billed as a tour/special with all the ladies, it would definitely amp the anticipation even more. One can dream…

Tidbit: Did anyone else find it funny that the show was playing the ‘Say My Name’ video when LeToya wasn’t even in it? LOL.

Your thoughts?

New Song: The-Dream – ‘H.A.T.E. U’ (Mariah Carey Demo)

18th Jul

With Mariah Carey currently in the studio putting the final touches to her 12th studio album ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’ (I still ‘LOL’ at that title everytime), a demo of one of the record’s featured tracks ‘H.A.T.E U’ has surfaced. Penned, and performed (in this case), by The-Dream, the mid-tempo cut sounds great. If pulled off well by Mariah, it could very well indicate the return to qualitative form I’ve been hoping for from Mariah.

‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’ hits stores August 25th.

Hit or Miss?

Janet Jackson & Jermaine Dupri Split?

17th Jul

Never ones to dabble in hear-say, it was kinda hard to ignore the latest reports surrounding superstar Janet Jackson and hitmaker boyfriend Jermaine Dupri’s 7 year relationship. US Weekly are reporting that the couple have split:

On July 7, Michael Jackson’s family gathered to celebrate him at his much-watched memorial service.
Noticeably absent?
Janet Jackson’s longtime music-exec boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri. (A pal says Dupri skipped the memorial because he “doesn’t attend funerals.”)
And for good reason. “His friends are telling people it’s over,” a source tells the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.
Echoes another: “They have been moving in different directions for a while.”
So what drove Jackson, 43, and Dupri, 36, apart after nearly seven years?
“You shouldn’t mix business with pleasure,” a mutual pal explains. (Dupri produced several tracks on her last two CDs.) “Janet felt their lives were too crossed and they should have kept things sepa rate.”
Plus, the polar opposites were never too compatible.
“Jermaine likes to be out there, mingling with everybody, and Janet’s more shy.” (And secretive: She kept her nine-year marriage to Rene Elizondo hidden until their 2000 divorce.)
Meanwhile, Jackson is still deeply mourning the death of her big brother.
“She’s devastated,” an insider says. “She’s busy caring for Michael’s kids. Janet’s the family’s backbone.”
See photos of Jackson and his kids through the years.
Jackson’s rep couldn’t be reached.

Seven years is no short period of time, so I’m hoping this isn’t true. Plus Janet has seemed at her happiest -personally-since she’s been with Jermaine. Then again, the age old adage does go ‘all that glitters isn’t always gold’…

Your thoughts?