The ninth week of X Factor 2008 live shows aired last night here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the semi-final episode 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}
This year’s X Factor is hotting up, with surprises never amiss – more specifically the ousting of former firm favourite Diana Vickers last night. The evening, which saw the contestants perform 2 songs – one of their choice and one of their judges choosing, was all about Alexandra IMO. Check out her performances of Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ & ‘Unbreak My Heart’ below:
Alexandra – Don’t Stop The Music
Alexandra – Unbreak My Heart
Alex did great, although I wasn’t so sure about the ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ performance. ‘Unbreak My Heart’ was awesome. This girl really must win. Roll on next week.
Many of you will not have heard of Se7en, hell I hadn’t until a few moments ago LOL. The 24 year old old Korean star is set to launch an assault on the US charts with the Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins produced ‘Them Girls’, which features Lil’ Kim.
I was pleasantly surprised when hearing this; the beat goes hard and Se7en does his thing on the track that is unashamedly targeted at the US audience. It’ll be interesting to see how this project pans out…
The RAGE directed video for ‘Them Girls’ is set to be shot in Los Angeles on December 8th, and will feature cameos by Darkchild and Lil’ Kim.
R&B singer Monica recently took a moment to address her fans, confirming in the process that her delayed new album, which has a working title of ‘Lesson Learned’, will be released 1st quarter of next year (January-March 2009). She also talks producers for the record, which are sounding like a hit-making mix.
Definitely checking for this one. Here’s hoping the release frame sticks…
Still grieving over the murders of her brother, mother and nephew, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson released a statement today acknowledging her four nominations for the forthcoming Grammy Awards. Check out the report via People.com below:
“It’s been a childhood dream of mine to release an album,” she said in a statement, “so to receive four Grammy nominations is truly a blessing. I’m extremely honored and humbled by the nominations.”
Hudson, 27, was nominated for best R&B album for her self-titled album, best female R&B vocal performance, best R&B song for “Spotlight” and best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for her duet with Fantasia, “I’m His Only Woman.”
The nominations were announced on the same day her estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, was ordered held without bail in the Chicago shooting deaths of Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson, 57, brother Jason Hudson, 29, and nephew, Julian King, 7.
It’s great to see a bit of positivity shining into Jennifer’s world, after what has been a very hard time for her. Here’s to her career soaring to new heights.
Brandy finally seems to be amping her promo spots ahead of the release of ‘Human’ – her hotly anticipated ‘comeback’ album. The 28 year old songstress stopped by The Today Show earlier this morning to perform her hit ‘Right Here (Departed)’. Great performance!
In other Brandy news, she is set to appear on the Tyra Banks Show next Monday. Check out a preview of her on the show talking her brother Ray J’s infamous ‘tape’ with Kim Kardashian:
Seemingly ignoring the fact that his own career is at a low, 50 Cent takes aim at Nas in the latest issue of XXL magazine. Here’s what the G-Unit general had to say:
“Man, Nas is cold as ice. Nas is the block of ice that sunk the Titanic… I think he’s at one of those points to where his career’s finished, to be honest. He’s had some great moments and made good music in the past, but he no longer has the interest of the general public or myself.” {Source}
Ol’ Curtis just doesn’t know when not to speak. With G-Unit’s last album ‘TOS: Terminate On Site’ belly flopping down the charts and 50’s own new album being pushed back due to low interest, he’s hardly one to talk about anyone else. Most especially a man (Nas), who irrespective of sales, continues to achieve critical acclaim and is still held in high regard within the Hip-Hop community. If there were a ever a time 50 needed to fall back, this is it. SMH.
Beyonce was among the performers at the Christmas In Rockeller Center show in New York City last night. The 27 year old superstar performed ‘Ave Maria’ from her top selling ‘I Am…Sasha Fierce’ album. As ever she delivered a top notch performance.
In other Bouncy news, her smash ‘Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)’ has hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, following a surge in digital downloads.This serves as her 5th solo #1 – one more than she achieved with Destiny’s Child. Congratulations! {Source}
Also, reports are mounting that Beyonce has been lined up for the X Factor final next week – with a major performance with hot favourite and ‘diva in the making’ Alexandra. Should be interesting… {Source}
R&B star Usher served as the sole performer at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which aired live from Miami Beach last night. The multi-Platinum selling singer gave a rousing live medley of current single ‘Whats Your Name’ and 2004 smash ‘Yeah’. Good stuff.
Diva Mariah Carey took to the stage at last night’s Grammy Awards Nominations Concert Special in Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater to perform ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ as a homage to the nomination of her record breaking ‘Merry Christmas’ holiday album all those years ago. Check out her performance below:
I have to give it to Mariah, she really delivered on this one. Yes, it wasn’t perfect or comparable to her earlier hey-day, but she sounded the best she has in a long while. For the first time in what seems like forever, she showcased specs of ‘The Voice’ – a voice many, myself included, argue was on the way out.
It’s worth pointing out that one of the reasons I’m hard on Mariah (and will continue to be) is that knowing what she is capable of – even still today – and then seeing the garbage she has been doing on stage for most of this year for example is frustrating. It may not be a her fault per se, but as an artist who knows herself and her talent, you’d think she’d know when it’s time to do something about her problem (be it rest her voice, surgery or whatever), because she’s playing herself thinking those promo performances this year were doing anything other than (pardon my language) sh*tting on her legacy. It’s one thing when the Sam’s of That Grape Juice and internet folk are getting on her for sub-par performances, after all we are going to talk regardless, however going on a show like The X Factor, which has a huge audience, and doing the equivalent of standing in the middle of the party and peeing on yourself with that horrid showing, only exposes her to ridicule by the masses. And ridicule they did – the media had a field day.
It’s worth pointing out that by no means is Mariah not still a great singer, it’s more a case of judging her by what we’ve come to expect. I mean, I’m baffled as to why there is so much noise about Britney lip-synching for instance…don’t think I’ve ever seen her sing live…she’s always lip-synched…she’s more a ‘performer’…what’s new? IMO it’s about judging artists by their own standards. That said, there are a few exemplary cases, who have never established any standard other than being crap…a certain Ms. Fenty comes to mind, but no need going into that LOL.
In a nutshell, I’d be more content with ‘this’ Mariah, whatever it takes for her to maintain such a level – be it taking a lengthy break, not releasing another full fledged album requiring gruelling performing promo or whatever. She shouldn’t do herself or her fans a disservice by giving us the Diet Coke Mariah and messing with what is a glittering career.
Despite the tanking of his most recent LP ‘Brass Knuckles’, Nelly continues to churn out videos from the set -the latest being for the Polow Da Don produced ‘One & Only’. Put simply, both the song and video (though slightly better) are ‘just there’ aka ‘blah’. Unlike some though, I still feel as if Nelly can make his mark again – just not with the crappy songs from this album. “Dust yourself off and try again…”
The ninth week of X Factor 2008 live shows aired last night here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the semi-final episode below:
