The video for Teairra Mari’s brand new single ‘Hunt 4 U’ (ft. Pleasure P) premiered earlier today. For what it’s worth, I’m really liking the song and the fact that Teairra has moved into more commercial territory – as I feel she has mass appeal. That said, I’m not particularly feeling the video. Ms. Mari looked stunning throughout, however the clip as a whole just came off as kinda cheap IMO. The green screen editing didn’t really do the vid any favours and didn’t make any less obvious the fact that she is essentially doing nothing throughout the entire vid. As Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ vid showed, there are more imaginative/creative ways to use a tight budget!
What do you think of the video?
{For those not in the know as what Eurovision is, it is essentially a televised competition which sees acts from European countries competing on one stage for their country to be crowned overall winner. While in some European countries the show is taken very serious, over here it is kinda looked at kinda tongue in cheek}
It appears the BBC are trying to inject some much needed credibility back into the UK’s entry for the Eurovision song contest, after dismal results in past years. The Beeb are running an X-Factor styled show to choose this year’s UK entry called ‘Your Country Needs You’. A contestant who stood out from last night’s first episode was East Londoner, Jade. Check out her performance of Beyonce’s ‘Deja Vu’ below:

By no means perfect, but still pretty good all the same. She has a very good stage presence and, despite some shaky parts, held her own singing and dancing.

Kinda off-topic, but the UK is in much need of commercial urban artists with the total package, hence me feeling that I’d much prefer acts like Jade receive contracts instead.

What do you think the performance?

This week’s From The Vault clip is Janet Jackson’s now infamous 2004 Superbowl Half-Time performance with Justin Timberlake. Granted I’m sure many of you know the reason for the hysteria surrounding this performance, there didn’t (and doesn’t) seem to much emphasis on the actual performance in it’s own right. Hell, outside those who watched the actual telecast, many probably haven’t even seen the performance in it’s entirety – besides the ‘wardrobe malfunction’ part. So without further ado, check out Janet’s medley showing of ‘All 4 U’, ‘Rhythm Nation’ and ‘Rock Your Body’ with JT below:

Truly awesome! From the stage spectacle to the choreography to the cool pre-recorded vocals (hehe), I really enjoyed this one. It’s a shame that such a minor occurrence (be it accidental or intentional) overshadowed this. It grates at times to see how one nipple (which, as you see from the video, can only seen from a far distance) could cause such furore, when Janet’s contemporaries – namely the Madonna’s and co have been thrusting their most private of areas for all to see since the beginning of time.

On a lighter note, watching this goes to show why there is only one Janet.

Your thoughts?

Tina Admits To Slapping Beyonce For Diva Behavior *This one kinda went overhead, so don’t shoot me if I’m late in posting LOL*
In a recent interview with Elle magazine, Beyonce’s mother, Tina Knowles, admitted to getting physical her superstar daughter over dodgy behavior:

Beyonce’s mom, Tina Knowles, also opened up about slapping her daughter for acting like a diva during a promotional appearance.

“My husband came up and said, ‘Tina! She’s got the No. 1 record on the radio!’ I said, ‘I don’t care!'” Tina says. “I was terrified. I had seen people take your child and turn them into something you didn’t want them to be.

“I taught my girls to pick up their own suitcases,” she adds. “Pretty is as pretty does. Like my mother said, ‘You got to be cute on the inside.'” {Source}

LMAO! Granted I would pay to have been a fly on the wall when that went down, it is very admirable. The last part she said about seeing the industry change your children had me thinking: if only other celeb parents would take a leaf out of Mama Knowles’ book (See: Britney Spears, Amy Winehouse). Yes, slapping a grown woman may sound extreme, but having someone genuine there to put you in check when need be would, I’m more than sure, do many of these off the rails celebs a lot of good.

Your thoughts?

Check out this lengthy snippet of a new track from Ciara’s ‘Fantasy Ride’ LP called ‘Turn Me On, which features Chris Brown. Despite reserving my full judgement until hearing the track in its entirety, I must say the beat goes hard. 
It has now been confirmed that ‘Fantasy Ride’ will now be hitting stores April 3rd.
Hit or Miss?

The immensely talented Jazmine Sullivan performed her current single ‘Bust Your Windows’ on the The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson this week. Put simply, the five-time Grammy nominee turned in a very impressive live showing.

What do you think of the performance?

Peep this lengthy preview of the video for Christina Milian’s brand new single ‘Us Against The World’. Directed by Ray Kay, the clip is really visually engaging; both the backdrop and Christina herself look fantastic. Be on the lookout for the full video in the weeks ahead. Random, I know, but I can really see this doing well on this side of the globe if given the full single release treatment here.

Christina’s Myspace Records debut, ‘Dream In Color’, is set for release in the coming months.

What do you think of the preview?

Polow Da Don: Hit-maker Polow Da Don spoke with MTV.com recently about working on Ciara’s forthcoming ‘Fantasy Ride’ LP. During the interview, the ‘Promise’ producer made an interesting comparison about himself and Ciara and the late Aaliyah and Timbaland:

Ciara’s upcoming album, Fantasy Ride, may feature a slew of hitmaking producers, including Tricky Stewart (Rihanna’s “Umbrella”), Danjahandz (Britney Spears’ “Gimme More”) and Missy Elliott (Jazmine Sullivan’s “Need U Bad”). But according to Polow Da Don, only he and CiCi have something special enough to become the new Aaliyah and Timbaland.

“We both came up and were raised in the same camp,” Polow explained to MTV News. “We’ve known each other for a long time. We actually just have this natural chemistry that I don’t even have with some of my own artists.

“I understand her and I understand what she should be doing,” the producer added.

“And one thing people do say about when I work with Ciara is that I make her sound better than ever,” he continued. “I make her sound like a vocalist versus the other stuff she may do that’s more performance, where she can get on the dance floor. It’s kind of the same thing with Aaliyah. She may not have been the best singer, but her voice was so unique and her sound — she had her own lane, and I think Ciara is like that same thing.”

I’m sure this one will have tongues wagging…

Your thoughts?

R. Kelly Divorce FinalizedThe divorce of R&B crooner R. Kelly and wife of 11 years Andrea (right) was made official this yesterday afternoon. Check out the report via Usmagazine.com below:

“The parties have reached an amicable resolution concerning all issues related to their marriage, and will share joint custody of their three children,” their Chicago-based lawyers said in a joint statement. “The details of this agreement will remain confidential and the family requests that their privacy be respected during this time.”

The couple separated in the fall of 2005, and Andrea went to court for an emergency restraining order, claiming that he had physically abused, harassed and stalked her, according to MTV News.

Andrea told Essence magazine in 2007 that she and Kelly “have a bond that we will have for the rest of our lives because we have children…That we filed for divorce is not that important.”

They have two daughters and a son together.

Any thoughts?

As singer/songwriter The Dream preps his sophomore effort ‘Love & Money’ for a February 17th release, one of the album’s joint 1st singles, the Mariah Carey assisted ‘My Love’ surfaced within the hour. The easy on the ear mid-tempo is filled with enough hooks and all-round catchiness to have you humming/singing along before the song fades out.

Mariah’s feature works too; the rasp and hoarseness that is Mimi’s 2009 ‘voice’ (which is becoming increasingly obvious on record now) actually actually compliments The Dream’s vocal rather well. Her belting parts, for all the critique levelled against her current vocal state, shows exactly why she is still one the premier voices of our time. Great track.

Hit or Miss?

Burgeoning star Lady Gaga kept her momentum going last night by stopping by The Tonight Show With Jay Leno to perform her #1 single ‘Just Dance’. As with most of her live showings, she did great. It seems as if she’s switched things up with her performance of the track on this promotional push (band, less choreography, live-er vocals etc); still, just adds a different feel to what is an awesome and very deserving track.

What do you think of the performance?

Kanye West Covers VIBECheck out Kanye West on the cover for the February issue of VIBE magazine. Is it me or does is something really off about the pic? Pardon the bluntness, but he looks old as hell. Damn.
What do you think of the cover?
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