After six years on air, The Voice is a well oiled – and highly lucrative – machine.
Next month, it’ll be adding a new chapter to its success narrative with the debut of its Spring 2017 season. Peep the official promotional poster above.
Times are a-changing over at ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’
Celebrated for being the creme of Reality TV’s crop, the series follows the lives of a dynamic group of affluent African-American women living in the Atlanta area as they juggle careers, families and the drama life throws at them.
Alas, it’s also known for its ever-changing alliances.
The latest switch? NeNe Leakes’ parting with the show’s current fan favourites Phaedra Parks and Porsha Williams to befriend her former enemies Kandi Burruss & Kenya Moore.
Rihanna’s departure from Def Jam undoubtedly makes Jhene Aiko the label’s leading lady.
So, with a new album to promote, the artist flew into the always entertaining ‘Breakfast Club‘ to engage in a conversation designed to give her supporters a fresh look into her life.
A proud Vegan, the artist discussed her lifestyle changes, her relationship with Big Sean, her new material and the efforts she is making to free herself of negative energy.
Just as murmurs of suspect subscriber numbers began to gain volume, Jay Z‘s embattled streaming platform TIDAL has received a huge lease of life thanks to a lucrative new deal with Sprint.
Eclectic Pop force Ed Sheeran has unleashed the video for for ‘Castle On The Hill.’
The hit is lifted from the crooner’s third album ‘÷’ (pronounced ‘divide’), which arrives via Atlantic Records on March 3rd.
Debuting within the top 10 of charts the globe over, the cut’s biggest competition has ironically come from Sheeran’s own ‘Shape Of You’ – which hit #1 in the US and UK.
For ‘Castle’s’ visual, home – quite literally – is where the heart is. The British singer shot the story-driven clip in his town of Framlingham.
Viola Davis‘ British fans were elated when she touched down in the United Kingdom to spread the word about her new movie ‘Fences’.
While there, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts hosted a tribute to the actress to honour her life, the lessons she has learned from it, her craft and her career.
Of course, a conversation with Davis wouldn’t be a real one without a discussion on ‘The Help’.
‘Express Yourself’ singer Madonna has made a career of doing just that, often to the tune of controversy and backlash. Yesterday, however, her outspokenness reportedly got her in hot water with the U.S. government after the pop icon took to the anti-Donald Trump “Women’s March on Washington” to voice her displeasure with the sitting president. Taking the mic, Madge stated:
“Yes, I’m angry. Yes, I am outraged,” she said. “Yes, I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House. But I know this won’t change anything.”
The fiery quote, according to some outlets, allegedly aroused interest of investigation from the Secret Service for violent threats to the President (a report that has yet to be substantiated). Regardless, Madonna took to Instagram to ease worry of fans who feared their fave singer may be going on an unexpected tour soon…of a prison.
From The Vault is back this week with an R&B classic which certainly stood the test of time. Today’s pick is Usher‘s ‘Burn.’
The second piece of one of Pop’s most immaculate trifectas, ‘Burn’ followed monster hit ‘Yeah!’ and preceded #1 ‘Confessions (Part II).’ All three were lifted from the diamond-certified ‘Confessions’ LP, which was released in 2004.
Produced Usher’s right hand man Jermaine Dupri, the track reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 where it reigned for 8 non-consecutive weeks – replacing ‘Yeah!’.
The definition of a worldwide smash, the cut also peaked at #1 in the UK, reached the second place of the Australian tally, and climbed to #11 in Germany.
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Jake Nava was the director selected to bring the fiery song to life and he opted for a sensuous yet dramatic visual. The clip showcases Usher and his love interest drifting apart before he drives away for a dance solo on the street.
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Unfortunately Mr Raymond’s latest effort ‘Hard II Love’ found itself being exactly that commercially.
Sure it didn’t have a huge single akin to ‘Burn’ to propel it to the top of the charts, but one would think Usher’s name alone should be enough to do so.
It goes to show that “hit singles” are still a necessity in today’s “new rules” obsessed industry. Rather than trying to “out edgy” one another, we wish more artists would realize that made-for-radio (or Apple Music) doesn’t equate to inferior quality, superficial depth or lack of authenticity. Such songs, much like Usher’s ‘Confessions’ singles proved, serve as a powerful vehicle to drive to album success too.