Two of TGJ’s favorite ‘singers’ have joined rising rap star J. Cole for fun in the sun on the set of ‘Can’t Get Enough’ – latest visual from his debut album ‘Cole World: The Sideline Story’. Enlisting permanently pouted lip pop star Trey Songz, the video was shot in Barbados where hometown hitmaker Rihanna was also spotted making a cameo (but thankfully did not lend her noise voice to the track).
Kim Kardashian may have bagged $17 million for her recent nuptials, yet she opts to a play a $2 dollar you-know-what in the video for her “charity” single ‘Turn It Up’.
The visual for the ill-fated song has yet to see the light of day, which is just as well if this new teaser is anything to go by.
Directed by Hype Williams, the classy clip sees the socialite channel another video she’s noted for.
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the untimely passing of R&B starlet Aaliyah. Introduced as R&B ringleader R. Kelly‘s protege at the young age of 14, the Detroit native precedented an R&B teen movement, leading the way for fellow female divas-in-training Brandy and Monica to share chart success. By the time she reached sweet 17 the ‘Hot Like Fire’ singer’s rise to prominence was imminent as she turned up the heat in her videos and on the charts. With then-little-known super-producer team Timbaland and Missy Elliott at the helm lacing the accompaniment for her angelic falsetto, Aaliyah found herself in a league of her own with substance, sass, and style.
Just two multi-platinum albums, a host of hit singles, and the respect of her peers, the millennium’s end saw the ‘Journey to the Past’ singer’s journey really just beginning as, at the ripe age of 21, she’d already more accomplished than many musicians achieve their whole careers. And, after an extended break, the pressure was on to see if the singer could match her 90s success.
Enter ‘Aaliyah’ – her self-titled 3rd album. Preceded by the #1 single ‘Try Again’, the singer was about to do just that in a whole new way. ‘At her best’ indeed; sophisticated lyrics, ‘grown woman’ sexy, while staying true to her signature sound, the new millennium was introduced to a new Aaliyah. And, fans’ embrace was immediately evident.
With the album’s lead single ‘We Need A Resolution’ making a splash on the charts and its successor ‘More Than A Woman’ completed and ready for take off, Aaliyah thought to make a splash herself and took off to the Bahamas to shoot the visual for island-groove ‘Rock the Boat’. Joined by BET’s ‘Access Granted’, the usually private starlet let fans into see the makings of what was sure to be her next hit on the charts…
That Grape Juice supporter Rihanna is gearing up to treat her own supporters this week. For, the Voice of an Angel has finally announced the premiere date for her new video ‘Cheers’ – the latest song and visual to be lifted from her ‘LOUD’ LP.
Time sure does fly. Like many, yours truly can remember exactly where I was upon hearing of the untimely passing of R&B force Aaliyah.
Yet with the 10 year anniversary of the tragedy which robbed the Urban diaspora of one of its brightest lights approaching, BET have opted to celebrate the singer’s short, but oh-so-influential life with a TV special – ‘Aaliyah: One In A Million’. Featuring an all-star cast of contributors, the show will air on August 25th at 8pm ET.
In the meanwhile, check out this sneak peek which sees Aaliyah’s longtime collaborators Missy Elliott and Timbaland reflect on their time with her.
This summer Channel 4 takes to the streets – from street dance, urban sport, street art to Hip-Hop to spoken word. Featuring an all-star cast, Street Summer explores the influences that have shaped what it means to be “cool” in the Urban arena, while also showcasing the most exciting new talent from the underground!
Presented by actor and lifelong Hip-Hop fan Idris Elba and featuring stars from both sides of the Atlantic (Snoop Dogg, Nas, Rakim, Jessie J, and Chipmunk, to name just a few) How Hip Hop Changed the World countdowns the defining moments of a culture that exploded out of the wastelands of 1970’s New York and went on to become one of the most dominant global, economic, political and social forces of our time. From the birth of turn-tabalism, to the UK grime artists which pervade the airwaves, this two hour special reveals everything you need to know about Hip Hop and beyond.
For the very first time, Concrete Circus, directed by Mike, brings together five of the world’s best street sport talents and their amazing filmmakers. Their recent films have it all: beauty, danger, jaw-dropping action, and – between them – nearly 50 million online views. You already know this’ll be a must-see!
The season includes the UK TV premiere of Banksy’s documentary Exit Through The Gift Shop, as well as Graffiti War, a documentary looking at the creative tension between street art and graffiti.
Elsewhere, three-part series Street Dance Wars tells the story of up-and-coming street dance crews at the Street Dance XXL UK Championship.
A specially commissioned dance, film One Man Walking is a powerful and stylish collision of Krump, Hip-Hop, B-boy and Parkour, set on the night-time streets of London town!
Street Summer starts on Friday 12 August and will be complemented by a range of programming on T4, More4, Film4 and 4Music.
Prior to then, hit ‘PLAY’ on the video above to get a taste of what you can expect!
Pop phenom Lady GaGa assembled a mass of her monster’s in New York’s Central Park this morning for a mini-concert on ABC’s Good Morning America.
The hotly anticipated show is no doubt designed to help the singer push sales her ‘Born This Way’ LP even further. As earlier reported, the album is on course to debut with sales in the region of one million.
Check out her show-stopping performances of ‘Hair‘, ‘Judas’, ‘The Edge of Glory’, and more after the jump. Her entrance is a must-see!
Many doubted, and are now believers. Kelly Rowland has a bonafide hit on her hands with ‘Motivation’!
The seductive cut currently sits at #6 on the Billboard R&B tally and has amassed an airplay audience of almost 30 million from Urban & Rhythmic radio alone.
With much of this due to its hit video, new behind the scenes footage of the clip reminds us why we fell in love with it in the first place. Check it out after the jump…
‘Telephone’ anyone? Lady GaGa has issued yet another glimpse of her upcoming ‘Judas’ video (set to premiere on May 5th via E! News and ‘American Idol’), which has a striking similarity to her previous clip that featured fellow Pop superstar Beyonce.
Let’s see what the Laurieann Gibson-directed visual has to offer. That reported $10 million budget can’t have been used to pay for headbands and motorcycles alone.
Here is a behind the scenes glimpse of Nicki Minaj’s ‘Super Bass’ video via MTV News. The production is being overseen by Sanaa Hamri.
‘Super Bass’ is the latest release from Minaj’s ‘Pink Friday’ debut album which has sold over 1 million copies in the US alone since being released in November. See the footage below:
