The much talked about ‘Empire State of Mind (Part 2)’, which will be featured on Alicia Keys‘ new album, has finally surfaced. The track serves as a continuance of the #1 hit ‘Empire State of Mind’. Keys’ ‘Element of Freedom’ hits stores on December 15th.

I love it! The melodies and powerful vocal gel perfectly together with the tune of piano keys. This is the first track that has emerged from her new LP that I actually enjoy. However, my appreciation of the track may exist simply as an implication of my obsession with the original. Either way, this song is on fire!

Thoughts?

‘Singer’ Rihanna did an interview with radio personality Angie Martinez on Hot 97 earlier today. The part-time model spoke about an array of of topics including her Dianne Sawyer interview, new album, being a role-model and, of course, Chris Brown. Rihanna’s new album, ‘Rated R’, hit stores this week but is projected to miss the top spot behind Susan Boyle’s ‘I Dreamed A Dream’.

This was a very fun interview and I laughed a lot. What was particularly funny was her strong American accent. Remember Ms. Fenty, you didn’t grow up playing on a stoop in the Bronx; you started out singing on a Bajan stage. Let me address this in Trinidad Creole: “Wham to she? She gone foreign a lil while and she turn fresh-water yankee. She better cetch she self eh!”

Part 1

Part 2

Thoughts?

Check out this behind the scenes look at Beyonce‘s forthcoming ABC Thanksgiving Special, which airs November 25th.

Your thoughts?

R&B star Alicia Keys performed a rousing set on the Today Show‘s Toyota Concert Series this morning at the Rockefella Plaza, offering live renditions of new cuts from her forthcoming ‘The Element of Freedom’ LP, ‘Empire State of Mind (Part II)’, ‘Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart’, as well as 2007’s smash ‘No One’. Check out the performance above, as well as the rest after the jump…

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Rihanna took centre stage on Good Morning America moments ago to perform a range of old and new material to celebrate this release of new album ‘Rated R’. You can watch the performance of ‘Wait Is Ova’ above, with ‘Umbrella’ and ‘Russian Roulette’. I’m watching these now myself, so review will be up shortly. In the meanwhile…

Umbrella

Interview / Russian Roulette

What do you think of the performances?

Legendary songbird Mariah Carey performed her cover of Foreigner’s ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ on ‘GMTV’ today. The singer’s album has just beendropped in the UK, two months after it’s release in the US.

Great performance! Mariah certainly has stepped up her game this year with the vocals after generally horrendous showings in 2008. It’s endearing to see her deliver powerful vocals like these with such consistency, especially given the number of interviews and press junkets that she’s had to handle while promoting her album, movie and fragrance. Hopefully her hard work translates into better sales in the UK than the dismal reception she received in the US.

Update {Sam}: Interview after the jump…

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Jennifer Lopez‘s blink-or-you-miss-it fall at Sunday’s American Music Awards had many a folk talking, with there being what I deem the unfair assertion that she’s ‘past it’. Explaining what happened the next day on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS FM radio show, the mother of 2 said:

“Did I? Did I? Did I trip a little bit? I don’t even remember,” Lopez said with a chuckle. “Yeah, I meant to do that. You should know me better than that. That was part of the choreography.”

Knowing she had to be having a laugh about it being ‘part of the choreography’ (LMAO), she seemingly admitted it wasn’t in the same interview (confused.com):

Seacrest gave her props for what he termed “the greatest recovery ever” and Lopez explained that, “The measure of things is not what happens when you fall, it’s how you recover when you fall … It was fun, it was really fun,” she said. “It was nice to be back on stage and doing my thing.”

{Source}

I’ve said it already in my AMA review, but kudos to Jennifer for recovering like a pro. Had it not been for the Internet culture of nothing going unseen, the fall being part of the choreography would be very plausible.

Tidbit: The West Coast (L.A etc) airing of the AMA’s edited out the fall.

Your thoughts?

R&B five-piece Day26 have announced that they have parted with Bad Boy Records. Speaking with AOL’s The Boombox, member Willie Taylor said: “Bad Boy is always our family, but we’re with Atlantic right now”

Diddy had previously secured a distribution deal for Bad Boy with Atlantic Records (who went on to snap the guys up once they became free agents). Yet he, himself,  opted to sign with Interscope Records, where his latest project, ‘Last Train to Paris’, with new group Dirty Money (featuring former Danity Kane star Dawn Richard and singer-songwriter Kaleena) will be released.

With Making The Band now off the air and a new label deal, the guys seem intent on taking things to that pivotal next level:

“We really want to get people focused on the artistry, on the music,” Taylor explained. “I think a lot of people lost it with the entertainment of the show. So now, we really want to show people what we’re all about, that we do our thing whether its on stage, in the studio, writing and producing — we do it all.”

Speaking on their 3rd studio album, recording for which starts early next year, Taylor stated:

“We’re very excited about it. We know exactly what the fans are expecting from us on this third album. We’re going to take the gloves off, really go for it. A lot of people thought Day 26 weren’t going to be here but we’re still standing.”

{Source}

Here’s wishing the guys the best of luck…they are going to need it. Though immensely talented, the lack of push they received from Diddy and Bad Boy means it’ll be an uphill struggle to re-establish themselves as a viable and chartable act.

Your thoughts?

Controversial trio, the Sugababes recently premiered the new version of ‘Get Sexy’ featuring latest member Jade Ewen. Though Jade puts in a competent enough performance, I still prefer the original.

Hit or Miss?

Lady GaGa appeared at a ‘Best Buy’ retail outlet in Los Angeles yesterday to celebrate the release of her new album, ‘The Fame Monster‘. Now THOSE are what I call shoulder pads!

Hip-Hop Icon Dr. Dre also stopped by to show support.

Ever saw that movie ‘Single White Female’…?

Thoughts?

Pop phenomenon Lady GaGa stopped by The Jay Leno Show a few hours ago to perform new single ‘Bad Romance’. Not the best performance I’ve seen from Steffani, but wholly enjoyable! Good stuff.

Update: You can watch the interview after the jump… (more…)

Timbaland, Nelly Furtado and Soshy made a stop on last evening ‘Tonight Show with Conan O’Brian’. The trio performed their new single ‘Morning After Dark’ which will appear on Timbalands highly anticipated ‘Timbaland Presents Shock Value II’. The LP hits stores on December 8th.

Good performance. Nelly looked sexy in that tight outfit and the band was jamming. However, am I the only one who’s noticed how much weight Timbaland has gained? I hope he manages to get himself in gear because with the rigorous schedule that normally defines album promotion, it will be difficult for him to effectively perform on stage. It’s clear that he has some stamina issues already as is evident by his overuse of a backtrack and stiff movements. Get it together Timbaland.

Thoughts?