Fans of Lupita Nyong’o discovered that her talents reach above and beyond the silver screen this week when she surprised them with a Hip-Hop freestyle hours ago.
Currently riding high on the ‘Queen of Katwe‘s critical wave, the entertainer introduced the world to her alter-ego Trouble Maker in a short clip which sees her celebrate her career’s highs with sass and song.
In 2014, Chris Brown revived interest in Omarion’s career by featuring on his single ‘Post To Be.’
Alas, it now appears that their creative pairing may have been anything but straight-forward now the former B2K frontman has been rocked by a $300,000 lawsuit.
‘Controlla’ crooner Drake enjoyed the views from the top of the Billboard 200 for over two months with his latest album ‘Views.’ Now, if his short film is any indication, it looks like he may be inspired to do it again.
Tapping director Anthony Mandler to helm, the rapper/singer has unveiled a new short film titled ‘Please Forgive Me’ (inspired by his most recent chart-topping album). The visual, which was due to drop at midnight, may have come nearly an hour late, but dedicated Drizzy fans are already raving the set was worth the wait.
This week’s From The Vault ventures to the year 1997 with Aaliyah and her aptly titled ‘Journey To The Past.’ Specifically her live showing on The Rosie O’Donnell Show.
Lifted from the soundtrack to the movie ‘Anastasia,’ the track represented a marked departure from the singer’s slick and slinky strand of R&B.
A rousing Pop ballad, ‘Journey’ saw the late songbird do away with the seductive coos and instead showcase her vocal prowess. And to stellar effect.
She delivered a performance that was powerful, assured, and wilfully and skilfully controlled.
Almost two decades later, this particular showing continues to resonate with us.
Commercially the release never journeyed to the summit of any chart; it hit #28 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary tally, but missed the Hot 100 entirely and only managed a #22 peak in the UK.
Still, what the song lacked in success, it makes up for in enduring live performances like this. For such showings make us nostalgic about times of past; times when singers – regardless of the length of their range – still had to be able to sing.
Aaliyah wasn’t a Whitney or Mariah vocally, yet she consistently showed up and showed out with the skill-set she’d be blessed with; a practice many of today’s talent would be wise to draw from.
For now and forever, we’ll continue to salute this titan talent – one that managed to make a pronounced mark in a tragically short space of time.
Long live Aaliyah.
Tidbit: Did any one notice Tank in his backing singer role?
Vivica Fox has weighed in on 50 Cent’s ongoing feud with the cast of the hit series ‘Empire.‘
Fuelled by the ratings rivalry the show is engaged in with 50’s critically acclaimed series ‘Power‘, his war of words with the cast reached new lows (or highs) when mocked ‘Empire’s viewing figures during a spat with its leading lady Taraji P. Henson.
Of course, the aforementioned Fox (who once dated the rapper) wasn’t pleased about 50’s undying attacks on the series in which she now stars.
Rihanna brought her ‘ANTI’ campaign to the 2016 Global Citizen Festival last night.
The 28-year-old was tapped to headline the annual extravaganza, which aims to raise funds to end poverty worldwide.
Following in the footsteps of last year’s bill-topper Beyonce, the Bajan belle rocked New York’s Central Park with current single ‘Love On The Brain,’ seismic smash ‘Diamonds,’ and 2015’s oft-forgotten ‘FourFiveSeconds.’
Britney Spears may not be experiencing chart ‘Glory’ will her new album, however the singer is still dancing her way across the promotional circuit.
Last night saw her light up the stage at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival in las Vegas.
Backed by an army of dancers and ample production, the performer raced through classics such as ‘Crazy’ and ‘Baby One More Time,’ as well as newer numbers like ‘Make Me’ and ‘Do You Wanna Come Over?’