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The 2007 American Music Awards took place yesterday at the Nokio Theatre in Los Angeles. A host of stars from the urban music world performed on the night, check out their performances below:
Beyonce & Sugarland – ‘Irreplaceable’ (Remix)

 

Chris Brown & T-Pain – ‘Kiss Kiss’

 

Rihanna – ‘Umbrella’/’Hate That I Love’ (w/Ne-Yo)

 

Mary J. Blige – ‘Just Fine’

 

Alicia Keys – ‘No One’

 

Additional Performances:

Will.i.am // Nicole Scherzinger // Fergie

The performances, to me, were kind of a mixed bag….

I mean, though it’s understandable why Beyonce would perform ‘Irreplaceable’ (it’s the song she was nominated most for), she performed the very same track at the 2006 American Music Awards; the country twist was a nice touch, though.

IMO Chris Brown took it to the next level tonight – in terms of stage spectacle. However the fact that he was lypsynching was painfully obvious. It’s 2007, lipping to the CD version of a track isn’t cutting it -he should have used pre-recorded vocals (See: Janet Jackson).

Call me a hater or whatever, but Rihanna’s voice was extra nasal tonight and the lack of depth in her vocal ability really showed through. Ne-Yo, on the other hand, was great.

In what was the first televised performance of Mary J. Blige’s new single ‘Just Fine’, I felt she did just that. Though kinda off at the start, she picked it up from the middle onwards and did her thing.

Performance of the night IMO goes to Alicia Keys. Vocally, she was as-ever, on-point. Moreover she switched things up with the remix and the surprise blasts from the past i.e. Chaka Demus and Pliers. Great stuff.

What do you think of the performances?

The video for Jay-Z’s new single ‘Roc Boys’, the second to be lifted from his ‘American Gangster’ album, premiered recently. Directed by Chris Robinson, the video is a star-studded affair, with cameos made by, among others, Diddy, Mariah Carey, Nas, Swizz Beatz and Cassie. As much as I had my doubts, I can’t deny that Jay really brought his ‘A-Game’ with this project; the song/video, as well as the whole album are on-point.

What do you think of the video?

I caught up with the guys from renown R&B group Jagged Edge this past summer. Alongside promoting their new album ‘Baby Making Project’, the group spoke candidly on a number of things including their relationship with Jermaine Dupri, label drama and tabloid gossip. I, personally, thought they were great sports and the interview came out great. Enough of me rambling, enjoy the interview: )
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Sam: Hey guys, how are you all doing?

Jagged Edge: We’re doing good, just sitting here chilling in the studio.

S: First of all, let me just say that it really is an honour speaking with you guys.

JE: Thank you very much, thank you very much.

S: It’s been a short while since the fans have heard anything from you; how have you been spending your time away from the limelight?

Wingo: Man, away from the limelight is work. Work never stops. We’re in the studio doing what we love. Recording, with our families, eating hanging out…enjoying life. One thing my father said ‘there’s nothing like having a job you enjoy going to everyday’. We go to sleep music, we wake up music. You, know what I’m saying. It is what it is.

S: Since hitting the scene almost a decade ago, you’ve maintained a great working relationship with Jermaine Dupri – recently (re)signing with his So So Def imprint over at Island/Def Jam. How did that come about?

Wingo: Actually, JD and Jagged Edge are brothers, man. He changed our life by giving us a record deal about 8 or 9 years ago. We’re still here and are just very thankful for it. He taught us a lot and we taught him a lot. We’re like a family – you can’t break a good family apart; It’s very hard to. Different obstacles may come in your way but you just knock them down and keeping it moving. There was some contractual stuff that we were dealing with back at Columbia and with Sony that wouldn’t allow us to be with him. So once we were able to leave, we did.

S: Your new album is aptly titled ‘Baby Making Music’ – a collection of ballads. Aside from being renown for your great slow jams, what inspired the concept?
Did you have doubts going into this project, after all the group’s up-tempos such as ‘Where The Party At’ have proved equally as popular?

Brian: That’s what we do (ballads). Our fans know us as balladeers. That’s where our heart and soul is. As far as the up-tempos – we do it all, all across the board. Saying that, we have a lot of fans come up to us saying ‘we made our first child to your music’ etc so we wanted to give them what they like us for. A child is a great thing. It’s all about pro-creation its how we keep the world moving. At the end of the day, that’s what we’re doing – keeping the world moving (laughs).

S: The first single from the album, ‘Put A Little Umph’ In It’ featuring Ashanti has been received really well, how did the collabo come about?

Wingo: The twins (Brian and Brandon) did Ashanti’s first demo tape back here in Atlanta and once the idea came up to have her on this record, we were with it. Her work ethic is good. We called her up and asked to be on the record and she sounded good on the record. So it was like ‘Hey, it’s on’.

S: What was it like working with her in the studio?

Wingo: Actually, we didn’t really get a chance to work with her in the studio. They sent the record to her. She did the record and had it sent back.

Brian: She was really easy to work with.

Wingo: She’s good people and done what she was supposed to do.

S: What other guest features and producers are featured on the album?

Brandon: Jagged Edge and Jermaine Dupri – that’s it. That’s another reason why we got back with Jermaine, because he respects our creativeness and we respect his. At the end of the day, we did half the album, he did half the album. We let him know what we wanted going into the project and he respected that. He loves our work just as much as we love his.

S: What have you been doing in-between recording the album and after?

Brian: We’ve been out on the road, doing a little promo, getting our relationship back established with radio, TV and with you guys – it’s going down. We’re here, we ain’t going nowhere.

S: Have any personal favourites emerged from ‘Baby Making Project’?

Wingo: My favourite the first single ‘Put a Little Umph In It’ because it’s straight to the point. You know when you get with that one you love; she ain’t going to be expecting no slacking. You gotta be a man (laughs)..put your back into it.

S: Ten years deep, you’re one of the only active R&B groups still around; what do you think has been the reason for your staying power?

Wingo: Our love for music, our love for what we do. As I said, Jagged Edge, we go to bed music, we wake up to music. That’s it. Everyday of our lives it’s music. When you love what you do, you’re not going to let anything deter you from it. You might get upset about a few situations and stuff like that. But the overall picture is music, we’re here to do music. Our fans love us for our music.

S: Despite achieving a high level of prominence, you’ve seemingly managed to stay out of the tabloids etc; how has this been so?

Brandon: We do not try to invite negative energy. We see them stories etc and we try to separate ourselves from it. We do ourselves: Jagged Edge.

Wingo: We don’t try and be with the ‘in’ crowd. We are the ‘in’ crowd.

S: Speaking of rumors/gossip, Brian – for the record – what was the situation with you and LeToya?

-Brian dodges the question, Wingo chips in with: –

Wingo: That was old. That was an old flame. They hung out for a while and that was that.

S: Nothing more?

Wingo: Nothing more, nothing less.

S: Who have been your musical influences?

JE: Everybody from the Tempations, to The Four Tops, Commondores, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway, New Edition, KC & Jo Jo, Jodeci, Gerald Levert. Everybody. We love music. If it’s done right and put together well, we like it.

S: With Nas proclaiming that ‘Hip Hop Is Dead’, what are your thought’s on the current state of R&B?

Brian: Current state of R&B? I think R&B is doing alright, straight up. I mean Usher came out with an album a year or two ago and sold 1.2 million or so in a week. You still have R&B artists selling half a million albums in a week. Mary J just came back and did over 700,000 and some change. We’re R&B. So R&B hasn’t died out too much – that’s my opinion.

S: Do you feel the Internet has made a positive or negative impact on the music industry?

Brandon: Both.

Brian: it makes more accessible, but no one’s paying for it.

Wingo: It’s now become a easier to get it for free. We’re in the business to sell records.

S: Do you think it was a boast to help your careers now, compared to the earlier stages?

Brandon: I think when you use it the right way, like Myspace and different websites, it can help to profile all the way. But when you have people who just use the internet to rip your music, that isn’t no help no way.

S: A few quick random questions:

– Current artists you’re feeling?

Wingo: T. Pain

Brian: J. Holiday, I like Omarion, I like a couple of Omarion’s records

JE: Ne-Yo, he’s great.

– Can Michael Jackson make a big comeback?

JE: YES!!!!

Wingo: all he has to do is get a song from Ne-Yo (all laugh). One song from Ne-Yo and he’s back!

– Beyonce or Kelly Rowland?

JE: Both of them. We have relationships with them, we used to tour and travel together. That’s our people.

S: When the dust has settled, how do you want Jagged Edge to be remembered?

Brandon: Man, put us up there with all the great groups, that’s how we want to be remembered. Like a star on the walk of fame, rock hall of fame. All that stuff. I think for some people, when you first get into the game all those things seem like they’re so far away. But in 10 years, we gotta be close. We closer than ever (laughs)..closer than a lot of others.

S: Do you guys have any message for the fans?

JE: We love our fans. We gonna be here. We’re not going anywhere. Continue supporting us.

S: Thanks for taking time out to answer our questions; it’s very much appreciated. Good luck with the project.


‘Baby Making Project’ Is Out Now! Go Grab A copy.
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What do you think of the interview?

As many of you will have heard, rapper T.I. was arrested over the weekend on weapons charges (click here to read the full story) . T.I., real name, Clifford Harris, was due to perform at the BET Hip Hop Awards on Saturday, but was arrested and jailed just hours before his scheduled performance.

According to sources, the case against the rapper is pretty strong and a long jail sentence is a likelihood. The Atlanta native is set for a court hearing this coming Monday. Having served time in the slammer only a few years back, you’d think he’d know better.

Your thoughts?

Check out the making of Kanye West’s current single ‘Good Life’ (ft. T-Pain). Ironically, the directors of the vid, Jonas & François, are the same guys whose acceptance speech at the MTV Europe Music Awards last year was gatecrashed by a sore-losing Kanye. Anyway, the vid turned out pretty good. For those who haven’t seen it yet, click here to view.

Any thoughts?

As reported last week, multi-octave diva Mariah Carey is set to release the follow-up to her 2005 smash ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ on December 4th. Details of the highly anticipated album were expected to be revealed later this week, however Singers Room have lifted the lid on the project which has been shroud in secrecy up until now.
The album title is apparently ‘Sweet Soul Odyssey’ and the finalised tracklist features contributions from the likes of Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael Cox Johnta Austin Stargate, Nate “Danja Handz” Hills, Terius “Dream” Nash, Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean and Will “Will.I.Am” Adams. {Source}
The title…lol..it’s very ‘Mariah’. It’ll be interesting to see if the music reflects it though, as I’m getting Neo-Soul kinda vibes from the name. Anyway, I’m real curious to see if she can top the near flawless (IMO) ‘Mimi’ CD. Still I’m sure the album will be a success either way.
Your thoughts?
*Apologies about the slow(ish) updates recently, just managed to ressurect my laptop, so things should go back to normal 🙂 *

The long-awaited new single from X-Factor winner Leona Lewis, ‘Bleeding Love’, premiered yesterday on BBC Radio One. Hailed as one the the most talented singers to emerge from the UK in a long while, it is hoped that Leona can achieve the heights of success enjoyed by those she is most often likened to – Whitney and Mariah. However, judging by this track, she’s gonna have to come a bit harder. ‘Bleeding Love’, with it’s 90’s synth-pop vibe, sounds slightly dated and seems to rely heavily on the formula set by the Mariah’s & co before her. Still, the track has ‘grower’ potential and is mainstream enough to appeal to the masses. Leona’s currently untitled album will hit stores here in the UK on November 5th and the US in February 2008.
Hit or Miss?

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As previously reported, Rihanna features in this month’s issue of Peach magazine. The Bajan star address a number of things including her father, her past image and competing with former label-mate Teairra Marie. Check out quotes from the interview:

On Her Relationship With Her Father:

“I am actually embarrassed by that. I don’t like speaking about it because I am not proud of it. But it is something that helped make me who I am today. Now people know that I am not perfect and that I had real conflicts. My dad is not pleased, because he is embarrassed. We still have not sat and had a conversation about it.”

On Her Past Image

“I felt like my girlie image was boring and contrived and generic. I was so restricted. I could not wear red lipstick. If I did I would get cursed out by my marketing person. I did a big performance on an awards show and I won some awards and [was happy] , but as soon as I got off the plane, I got the nastiest email from her about [my looks]. I then realized she was not treating me like a human being so I cut her off.


On Blowing Up After Playing Second Fiddle To Teairra Marie

That [was] a funny situation, but I always remained humble. I was just the little Caribbean girl. You have to be good to people. I could very easily say it’s all karma…God has favor on me and has blessed me, and I cannot even thank Him enough.

Hmm…seems like there must have been more to Teairra being dropped from Def Jam / Roc A’ Fella. She was more talented than Rihanna, in my opinion, and both of their first albums tanked – so something must have made the label choose to pull out all the stops for Rihanna’s success instead of Teairra.

What do you think of Rihanna’s comments?

As part of their Hip Hop Week, MTV2 screened a ‘Hottest MCs In The Game’ special this past weekend. In constructing the list, a panel of MTV News staff that looked at the most prominent MC’s of the past year and took into account the following: straight-up skills, success (both musically and entrepreneurial), impact on the game, an MC’s ‘cool’ factor, and how they carry themselves on and off recordings. As with BET’s ‘Top 25 Dancers of All Time’ list, this is sure to raise a eyebrows. Check out the list:

1. Lil’ Wayne
2. T.I.
3. The Game
4. André 3000
5. Kanye West
6. Young Jeezy
7. Jay-Z
8. 50 Cent
9. Common
10. Jim Jones

For the most part, I’m ok with the list. Yet, where were Nas and Fabolous? Also, 50 Cent has no place on there – aside from reason of his business success.

Do you agree with the list
Pop superstar, Janet Jackson held a mini-concert at the grand opening of the $1 billion dollar Cove Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. Jackson performed a string of her hits including ‘Rhythm Nation’, What Have You Done For Me Lately’, ‘Nasty’, ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’ and ‘All For You’. Her spectacular set ended with a never-before-seen fireworks display that lit up the 171 acre resort. The event, which took place on Friday night, attracted a number of high profile celebrities including Usher (along with fiancée Tameka Foster), Diddy, Michael Jordan, Kanye West, Tyra Banks and Ashanti. {Thanks Cleo for some of the pics}


The Jackson family females were also present to show their support. Rare appearances were made by mother Katherine Jackson and eldest sister Rebbie (in the orange) – who looks real good to be in her 50’s.

This was definitely the place to be; by all accounts, Janet tore the house down. I’m guessing that after seeing these, many will be calling for Janet to tour. However, she has reportedly stated that she is to start recording a new album this summer. I say she should pop out a few solid hits and then hit the tour circuit.

Does Janet Still Have ‘It’?
After a long silence, Andrea Kelly, the wife of singer R. Kelly, has spoken out about the sex-abuse allegations, their history and their upcoming divorce. See extracts from this interview with Essence below. You can read the full article by clicking here. It’s a very interesting read.

On When The Allegations Broke
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Andrea was pregnant with their son when the news broke. Instead of breaking down, she blocked everything out. She said the couple worked hard to protect the family from the outside world, and the accusations forced her to become “a lioness” for her children

On ‘The Tape’ Itself:

She also doesn’t believe that R. Kelly is the man on the tape at the center of the criminal charges. “C’mon,” she said. “Who would believe all that? That’s why they call them allegations.” But at the same time, she also says she hasn’t seen the tape and never looked for it.

On Protecting Their Children:

Andrea does, however, shift uncomfortably when talking about the case against her husband; it’s a subject she’d rather leave alone. She does not allow her children to read the tabloids and will only permit them to be in the company of people she trusts. She keeps life for them as normal as possible: playdates with neighbors, parties and trips. But Andrea says she had to cut some people off who said nasty things about her husband, and surround herself with people who she believes care for her.

I really don’t know what to think. I must say, though, that I feel she is in denial about certain things.

What do you think?
Teen R&B star, Chris Brown has shed some light on his upcoming sophomore album, ‘Exclusive’ (due September). Producers on the album are set to include Bryan-Michael Cox, Scott Storch and will.i.am. Brown, who co-wrote some of the cuts on the album, describes the CD as having a ‘more mature/edgier sound’- including songs of a sexual nature. ‘I’m not trying to go overboard and lose my (younger) fans though’ Brown told Billboard.
Considering he is almost 18, I always expected his 2nd CD to be more ‘adult’. Even though I find his voice kinda nasal, I’ve always liked that his music manages to stay age-appropriate while still appealing to the older listener. It’s good to see he’s doing the same thing this time around.
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