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.

Now that little rant is out of the way LOL…

What do you think of the performance?

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…”

What do you think of the song / video?

The nominations for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards were unveiled during a CBS prime-time concert special last night.

Congratulations to all the nominees – most especially the Brits. I’m particularly proud of Estelle and Leona. The Grammy’s are undeniably the most prestigious body an artist, of any nationality, could wish to be recognised by. So it really is a big deal seeing some of home-grown talent flying the flag.

Winners are announced February 8th 2009.

What do you think of the nominees list?

*Updated* Finished Video Edit*

The hotly anticipated video for Britney Spears’ new single ‘Circus’ hit the net today. Getting straight to the point, the big budget clip definitely provides a level of spectacle and ‘wow’ (See: Lions scene) which is a good look for the undeniable ‘Britney’s Back’ slant that is being put on her chart return.

However, it’s hard to overlook the fact that this slickly produced clip doesn’t provide the answer most still want to know (especially in lieu of those so-so performances she’s been giving as of late): Does Britney Still Have ‘It’? Spears seems to fall into the background during the vid’s big dance scene – which itself is barely watchable after being spliced up so much.

Put simply, it feels like a case of just too much going on. Perhaps this is to cover up the fact that well…maybe..her best days are (far) behind her? Just a thought…

That said, like most, I’m rooting for her. Here’s hoping she finds her mojo again – as this is a step in the right direction.

What do you think of the video?

Calls from fans and critics alike for Kelly Rowland to switch management are almost as old as time. However, my girl Natasha over at The YBF is reporting that the ‘Like This’ singer is on the verge of jumping ship. Check out the report below:

A source who works very closely with SONY/BMG tells us that Destiny’s Step-Child singer Kelly Rowland is set to change lanes when it comes to her her manager and career. Yeah we’ve heard this rumor before, but this time it seems quite legit. She was recently spotted meeting with 19 Entertainment’s Simon Fuller, who she is expected to announce as her new manager at the top of the year. We predict her current manager Mathew Knowles ain’t gonna like this.

Simon is the current manager of international acts like The Spice Girls, Annie Lennox, Carrie Underwood and David and Victoria Beckham. And Kelly may not be the superstar that her group member Beyonce is in the United States, but the singer is a mega-star in Europe where she has been playing arena-size venues with the biggest international pop acts.

Apparently 27-year-old Kelly is tired of playing the backseat to Beyonce who is also managed by Papa Knowles and intends to ax B’s daddy in the coming weeks.

The album Ms. Kelly was released in the U.S. in 2007 after being pushed back numerous times for Beyonce’s B’day CD. After Ms. Kelly came out, the CD sold underwhelming numbers.

In the U.K., the CD had an impressive debut and bolted up the charts after the song “Work” hit radio. The CD was re-released in the Europe and in Japan as, Ms. Kelly Deluxe, and was a chart-topper. The re-release was only available for digital download in the U.S.

Unfortunately, Kelly’s U.S. success doesn’t match her international career and before she ends up like U.S. singer Anastacia, who is an international superstar but doesn’t sell records in America, Kelly is ready for a management overhaul to get things together. ‘Bout damn time Kelly.

I guess time will tell if this turns out to be true. Regardless, my hope is that she is afforded the chance to become the world class solo star she is more than capable of becoming.

Kelly’s as yet untitled third studio album is set to hit stores at some point during 2009 via Columbia Records.

Your thoughts?

As the release of Keyshia Cole’s 3rd LP ‘A Different Me’ draws nearer (December 16th), a new cut from the set has surfaced in the form of ‘You Complete Me’. The drum-driven ballad is head and shoulders above the overly mediocre ‘Playa Cardz Right’ – which till now still baffles me as to why it was chosen as the project’s lead single. Listening to this has kinda reignited my interest in the album. Here’s hoping Keyshia delivers the goods with the LP more generally.

Hit or Miss?

Boy has this been one slow a** news day. Anyway lol, the UK’s top girl group Sugababes performed their current single ‘No Can Do’ on the Paul O’ Grady Show recently. I must say, I’m really feeling the track, as well as this live showing. Good stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

Womanizer

Interview

Good stuff, if only for the energetic atmosphere and stage spectacle. Though she’s just about doing enough to make this album and project more generally be her ‘Mariah Emancipation Comeback’ I’m gonna need ol’ Britney to give me some umph in future showings. Is it me or could she move a lot better before? I’m talking Janet-esque moves with some serious stage swagger? Time will tell if the so-so’ness of her recent showings is nothing more than ‘rust’ or a case of us having to make do with the Diet Coke Britney…kinda like how we’re making do with the almost expired Mariah Carey. Things that make you go hmmm…

What do you think of the performances?

Will you be buying ‘Circus’?

Has Britney still got ‘it’?

The video for Brandy’s latest single ‘Long Distance’ finally made its long-awaited debut today. Having not initially gravitated toward the song, it seems to be all I’m blasting on my iPod these days. An absolutely amazing track. Definitely a grower. About the video, it really captures the essence of the song. I must say though, had that colour not broken in at the exact time it did, I’d be typing a very different review, as I admittedly was getting a lil bored. All in all a great song and an equally as good video.

‘Long Distance’ is lifted from Brandy’s forthcoming album ‘Human’, which hits stores December 9th.

What do you think of the video?

It seems Kanye West stays talking about Beyonce these days. Check out ‘Ye’s latest assertion about Bouncy’s greatness during a recent New Zealand press event below:

“Nobody really wants to recognize that Beyoncé is a f*cking living legend and that she is just as great, if not greater, than the artists that we had in the past…that she’s probably greater than Tina Turner.”

No doubt this one will get tongues wagging…

Your thoughts?