Keeping the momentum going in the run-up to the release of her new ‘Fantasy Ride’ project, Ciara has interestingly enough put her own unique spin on Beyonce’s ‘Diva’. Put simply, the cut, which is featured on Ciara’s ‘Fantasy Ride’ mixtape, sounds great. Similar to her take on Janet’s ‘Feedback’, Ci’s slant on the track injects new life into the already hot club banger. Bring on Ciara’s new album! Her official first single ‘Never Ever’ is set to debut within the next few days.

Hit or Miss?

R&B songstress Ashanti performed ‘Shine’ on Good Morning NY earlier this week. The song, which is a cut from her criminally underrated ‘The Declaration’ LP, features on the soundtrack for Will Smith’s latest movie ‘Seven Pounds’.

About the performance, I quite enjoyed this one. It goes without saying that Ashanti has come leaps and bounds with her live performance game this go round. It’s just a shame that she doesn’t receive as much recognition for that as she should.

What do you think of the performance?

X Factor standout winners Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke performed on today’s Christmas episode of Top of The Pops. Peep Leona’s spine-tingling showing of ‘Run’ above, while you can view Alexandra’s performance of Christmas #1 ‘Hallelujah’ below:

Great performances! I know some will disagree, but I’m really feeling they are the new Mariah and Whitney. Very excited to see where the future takes these two.

What do you think of these performances?

Review up in a bit…

In the meanwhile…

What do you think of the video?

The video for ‘Diva’, one of Beyonce’s two new singles, premiered a few hours ago. Directed by Melina, the video is both a hit and miss affair IMO. Raw, gritty and edgy, the clip really captures the essence of the song. However, having seen Sasha step her game up on the choreography tip with ‘Single Ladies’ (and start a dance craze in the process), the choreography in this kinda left me a little salty. The word ‘lacking’ immediately came to mind when watching her bust moves which looked as if she made them up there and then. Still, a good video all the same. The black and white concept was pushed a little further with the colour contrasts i.e. the fire explosion etc. Like most things Beyonce, I’m sure this one will be big – it’s already taking off at radio. {Thanks Jonelle!}

Be on the look out for the 2nd of Beyonce’s videos ‘Halo’ later today.

What do you think of the video?

We reported a few months back that R&B songstress Toni Braxton had signed a new deal with Atlantic Records and was set to drop her first single ‘Get Loose’ toward the end of the year. Indeed with just a few days to go before the year is out, the song has surfaced. Produced by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, the uptempo song unsurprisingly has a very Darkchild 2008 sound. By that I mean it has elements similar to cuts such Brandy’s ‘Right Here (Departed)’ and Beyonce’s ‘Scared of Lonely’.

As I type and listen to the song over again, I’m still on the fence about this one. It’s decent enough on first listen, however in terms of a ‘comeback’ single and chart prospects, just doesn’t really cut it for me. A grower? Perhaps. A miss? Perhaps. {Thanks Devonte!}

Hit or Miss?

Following reports yesterday alleging that Michael Jackson is gravely ill, the King of Pop’s spokesman has issued a press release shooting down the claims:

Michael Jackson’s spokesperson is denying a report that the artist is ill with a serious lung disease, calling the claim “a total fabrication.”

In a recent interview with In Touch, author Ian Halperin said Jackson, 50, is suffering from Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, which can be fatal. Halperin is the author of a forthcoming unauthorized biography of Jackson.

“Concerning this author’s allegations, we would hope in the future that legitimate media will not continue to be exploited by such an obvious attempt to promote this unauthorized ‘biography,'” said Dr. Tohme Tohme, described in a statement as Jackson’s “official and sole spokesperson.”

“The writer’s wild allegations concerning Mr. Jackson’s health are a total fabrication,” Tohme added.

The statement concludes with word that Jackson is “in fine health” and is “finalizing negotiations with a major entertainment company and television network for both a world tour and a series of specials and appearances.” {Source}

It’s great to hear that Michael isn’t being idle and is cooking up something special for the fans. It is even better to know that he is in good health; the lengths some people will go to sell something. SMH…

Your thoughts?

Not content with milking her break-through album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ within an inch of its life, Rihanna is set to release the LP for the third time (yes, the THIRD time!) next month.

‘Good Girl Gone Bad: The Remixes’ (due January 27th) features remixed versions of 12 tracks from the album’s first and second releases including ‘Disturbia’, ‘Take A Bow’ and ‘Umbrella’.

Oh joy! I guess Ms. Fenty’s team just couldn’t allow 09 to run its course without another album from her – after the ‘singer’ (sheep-bleater), herself, confirmed that her fourth studio LP wouldn’t be hitting stores next year. {Source}

For all her ‘It Girl’ status, she doesn’t sell anywhere near as many albums (where the real profit is made) as the label treatment she receives would have you think. So why so much money is being pumped into her is beyond me. I’d much rather see her prove her true worth, by churning out a well-selling album that is actually somewhat good this time.

Your thoughts?