Although she has made a string of high profile appearances over the last few weeks, R&B singer Alicia Keys’ new album, ‘The Element of Freedom‘, is projected to sell 330, 000 to 350, 000 units in its first week. The figures were tallied by HitsDailyDouble based on the first day sales of the LP. This represents a significant drop in sales from the 742, 000 units that Key’s last project, ‘As I Am’, sold in it’s debut week.
Granted that many would attribute these figures to a tumultuous economy and a struggling record industry, it is clear that higher numbers were expected from this album. In addition to performing on almost every major television junket, Keys released the album in the fruitful Christmas season; the time of year when sales are more substantial than any other period as a ramification of the annual shopping frenzy.
In fact, with Susan Boyle selling over 500, 000 copies of her LP ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ for the past 3 weeks (a first for any female act since 1990), many projected that ‘The Element of Freedom’ would have at least broken the 500, 000 mark. It seems that nothing is guaranteed in this current industry, no matter how much promotion or popularity that the artist commands. Nonetheless, Keys has nothing to be ashamed about, as these numbers are significantly higher than those of many of her counterparts.
The Royal Variety Performance 2009 has literally just came off the air here in the UK. Burgeoning diva Alexandra Burke was one of many acts who graced the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall to perform in front of the Queen. Burke, 20, performed her new single ‘Broken Heels‘, which you can watch above (Tidbit: she’s not miming, the video lags a lil bit. I’ll update when a better one becomes available).
It appears my prayers and fasting have gone a long way, as Alex has FINALLY started performing another song other than ‘Bad Boys’! Thank flipping-goodness for that. About the actual performance, Ms. Burke continues to tear down the house each and every time she performs. I’m particularly impressed with her ability to ‘sell’ what she’s performing. Regardless of how sub-par the material she’s performing starts out, I find myself feeling the track that much better after seeing her perform it live (see: this, and ‘Bad Boys’). A feat only world-class performers are capable of. It really is so exciting seeing Alex deliver such calibre of performance. I mean if this is what she’s dishing up now (first album campaign), one can only wonder what we’re in store for as she continues to hone her craft. Gwan!!!
As reported earlier, musical chameleon Lady GaGa performed for the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance 2009, which took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall a few weeks back. The singer did a rendition of ‘Speechless’ from her ‘The Fame Monster’ album, from which ‘Bad Romance’hit #1 on the UK Singles Chart.
Once again, Lady GaGa demonstrates why she is one of the most versatile entertainers in the game today. Although I am not quite fond of the track, she delivered a solid performance with controlled vocals and raw emotion. It seems that every time Lady GaGa touches the stage, she finds a new way for people to say “wow”. Great stuff.
Sidebar: I bet the Queen thought that Lady GaGa stole that outfit from her closet. I kid, I kid.
R&B hit-maker Ne-Yo made an appearance on ‘Live with Regis & Kelly’ recently. The singer/songwriter performed ‘Never Knew I Needed’ from the soundtrack of Disney’s ‘The Princess and the Frog’. The LP was released in stores on November 23rd.
This is a very pleasant song. However, there is something about Ne-Yo’s voice that does’t deliver the material in the way that leaves an impact on the casual listener. Whether it is his lack of power or just a natural ‘grit’, I felt that the performance came up wanting. Either way, it’s hard to deny that Ne-Yo is an immensely talented writer and one of the best dressed men in the game right now. It’s certainly refreshing to see him on stage without his pants sagging down to his knees like many of his contemporaries.
R&B/Pop star Chris Brown continues to sell out venues around the US with his ‘Fan Appreciation Tour’. During a recent stop at New York’s famed NOKIA Theatre, the 20 year old gave a roof-raising tribute to his idol – the late, great King of Pop Michael Jackson. Giving his dance renditions of ‘Thriller’, ‘Rock With You’, and ‘Billie Jean’, Brown showed not only why his behind should have performed at the BET Awards (he’s one of a few active males in the industry able to do MJ justice), but also why he is one of the industry’s premier performers.
Alicia Keys has been hot on the promotional trail for her new album, ‘The Element Of Freedom’, which hit stores yesterday, December 15th. Early today, the singer made an appearance on ABC’s ‘The View’ where she performed two of the LP’s tracks, ‘Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart’ and ‘Empire State Of Mind (Part 2)’. Peep the performances and her interview below:
Check out episode 8 of Monica‘s BET reality show ‘Still Standing’ (below), which aired earlier this week. As usual, I’m watching it now…what are you waiting for?! LOL. Enjoy.
In the 1980’s and 1990’s, the charts were dominated by powerhouse vocalists and balladeers. Singers including Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion held the top spots on the charts for longer periods than any of their contemporaries; shattering records and positioning themselves at the upper crests of Pop music’s elite list of superstars. However, in recent years, it seems that the famed era of the diva may be coming to an end.
Today, the most successful artists on the charts no longer rely on extensive vocal ability to stake their claim. Rather, they fuel their hits with auto-tuned melodies, catchy hooks and club-ready beats. From Rihanna to Cassie, the success of many of Pop music’s biggest acts has become based on their marketability, rather than actual talent. In fact, it has become a rare feat for a vocalist with extensive talent to capture a position in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Interestingly, many of the divas themselves have swapped their octave warbling techniques and adapted their sounds in an effort to remain relevant in the current industry. For instance, Mariah Carey has been criticised in recent years for restraining her 5 octave pipes so that her songs would be more radio friendly; replacing her high range belts and trills with breathy coos and swift lyrics.
This raises the question of whether or not the divas will be able to once again reclaim their place at the top of the Pop charts or fade into distant memory along with the 90’s high-top hair cut and the 80’s ‘fanny pack’. With immensely talented singers such as Leona Lewis struggling to find their place amongst the current crop of performers, I sense that the era of the diva may indeed be over.
This week’s edition of Best You Never Heard features little known gems by Kelly Rowland, The Saturdays, Mary Mary and Mariah Carey.
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Kelly Rowland – Love Again
Though the label handling of the re-release of Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Ms. Kelly’ in 2008 left a lot to be desired, the fact it yielded the stunningly beautiful ‘Love Again’ made the whole project worth it IMO. Without question, the best the 28 year old has sounded on track to date, the stripped back, sparse production really allows for the force that can be Kelly’s voice to soar to emotive heights I hadn’t previously thought possible (in being 100% honest). If ever there was a little known track I wish could be included on her forthcoming project, it would be this, so as for the masses to really see that my girl has got pipes! Here’s hoping there’s similar sounding tracks, which showcase her vocals to their full potential, on her hotly anticipated 3rd solo album.
Listen:
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The Saturdays – Fall
Lifted from The Saturdays’ self-titled Platinum 2008 debut, stirring ballad ‘Fall’ hands-down serves as one of the ladies best offerings to date. Though overlooked as single in favour of the album’s more popier/radio-friendly cuts, this Ina Wroldsen penned number really drove home the potential the group have beyond the Pop niche they’ve fallen into. With lyrics which give a refreshingly darker take on a a relationship break-up, as well as stellar vocals (largely from lead singer Vanessa), this is a must-have for one’s music collection. Awesome track!
Listen:
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Mary Mary – Believer
As mentioned previously, I have a soft-spot for crossover Gospel (aka Gospel music which sounds like everything else I usually listen to!) Sister duo Mary Mary have carved out a niche for serving up such gems since bursting onto the scene in 2000 with their smash ‘Shackles’. One of the pair’s best tracks IMO is 2005’s ‘Believer’ from their self-titled LP released the same year. Perhaps the most lyrically engaging and thought-provoking song I’ve heard in…well…forever…this ultimately is made even better by such lyrics are over a banging beat. This one knocks!
Listen:
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Mariah Carey – Melt Away
Though somewhat a controversial statement, ‘Butterfly’ and ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ aside, Mariah Carey actually hasn’t released much in the way of a solid album from start to finish IMO. Instead, each of her LP’s boast stand-out cuts which further enhance the quality of her extensive back-catalogue. One of my all-time favourites comes in the form of ‘Melt Away’ from her 1995 album ‘Daydream’. Produced by Babyface, the breezy mid-tempo stands as one of Mariah’s first forays into outright R&B – and arguably one of her best. An updated take on this sound is the sort of music I’d happily lap up from Mimi for her next LP.
R&B songstress Alicia Keys hit the stage on ‘The Colbert Report’ last evening. The singer performed ‘Empire State Of Mind (Part 2)’ alongside the show’s host who chimed in with an original rap segment. Keys’ new album, ‘The Element Of Freedom’ hit stores yesterday, December 15th.
That was hilarious! Alicia remained completely focused on the performance while Colbert spit rhymes about how the suburban air was “good for his asthma.” I actually enjoy ‘Empire State Of Mind (Part 2)’ just as much as the original, although there is almost a 180 degree difference between the two. Very good indeed.
UK singer Leona Lewis took the stage on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’ last evening. The songbird performed ‘I Got You’, the second single from her new album, ‘Echo’. The LP has been a commercial disappointment in the US, selling just over 100, 000 copies.
As usual, Leona was vocally on point. She is an incredibly skilled vocalist, possibly one of the best to emerge this decade. Nonetheless, there is nothing interesting about her performances other than her voice. Hopefully as her career progresses, she will improve.
Ever ‘in-the-know’ as to what popping off with Kelly Rowland‘s project (“Sam, the man, the Kelly Rowland stan” lol), we’ve had knowledge of a new Nelly and Kelly’s collaboration for some time now. However, the pair finally lifted the lid on the until-now hush-hush song – their first collabo since their Grammy Award winning smash ‘Dilemma’ back in 2002. Said to be produced by Jim Jonsin and penned by Rico Love (who we interviewed last night…hold tight for that one!), the song, which you can hear in the video above, sounds H-O-T! As one of many who are overly amped for Kelly’s 3rd album, 2010 couldn’t come any sooner for me! Go Kelly!
