As Keyshia Cole’s current single ‘Let It Go’ continues to climb the charts, a new song from her forthcoming ‘Just Like You’ CD has surfaced. Produced by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, ‘Shoulda Let You Go’ is a great mid-tempo track that I feel has a lot of hit potential if it were to be released as a single. Though a good thing, I must say that the track does resemble Mary J Blige’s ‘Enough Crying’ on a number of fronts – including production, vocal arrangements and subject matter. Anyway, this track has me even more hyped for Keyshia’s album (due September 25th).


Hit or Miss?

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It’s been a while since we’ve heard any new material from Capitol recording group Cherish. However, as the quartet continue to work on their currently untitled sophomore effort (due in 2008), a new track has surfaced called ‘Shoe Fanatic’. Though the song’s subject is kinda ‘blah’, I’m liking this. The production is on-point and the girls ride the beat nicely. I’m actually anticipating the group’s new CD; the first album was pretty good and it seems they’ve found their niche – the fun uptempo’s.

 

Hit or Miss?

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{Danity Kane and Diddy backstage at the finale}

All five members of Danity Kane made a surprise appearance at tonight’s’ grand finale of ‘Making The Band 4’. Sitting alongside Diddy, the ladies – as well as the Bad Boy head himself – reaffirmed that the group is still together despite the rumors and misunderstandings. Diddy went on to announce that the girls will be heading into the studio in the coming weeks to start recording the follow-up to their Platinum selling debut ‘Danity Kane’. The album is set to be released early next year and will be followed by a tour with the winners of the current season of the hit MTV show.
It was good to see ladies put on a united front after what has been a pretty messy few months. Considering it’s common knowledge that Diddy screwed them over, I’m glad he’s re-focusing on the group. A sidenote: It was great TV watching them fake-smile their way through the interview with Diddy; something made all the more evident by Dawn’s distant body language (I’m gonna try and have a video up soon). Still, it’s good that they’ve ironed out their differences.

Your thoughts?
*Please don’t continue reading if you don’t want to know who wins*

Boy, I’m good! I called it exactly how it turned out (well sort of). The winners of ‘Making The Band 4’ were just announced in a one hour special on MTV. Instead of creating a four-piece – as originally planned – Diddy opted to make a five man group. The following guys made the final cut:

From left to right: Willie, Brian A, Qwanell, Mike and Robert
In a shock twist at the end, Diddy announced that Donnie, who (rightfully IMO) didn’t make the band, will be offered a solo deal with Bad Boy.
I definitely feel the right guys made the group, they’re all real talented. As I keep saying, I hope Diddy does right by them because they have the potential to be big.

What do you think of the winners?

Rihanna has hit the UK once again for a second wave of promotion – this time for her current single ‘Shut Up & Drive’. The Bajan star performed the song on The Friday Night Project this past week. Baring in mind she is still nursing a foot injury (explaining why she it sat out), the performance just ‘ok’.
It appears the ‘post-Umbrella’ hype is dying down; despite making huge leaps to begin with, ‘Shut Up & Drive’ has pretty much stalled on the UK charts – currently sitting at #14 (three spots down from the week before). The song isn’t lighting up the US charts either – peaking at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

What do you think of the performance?
As Alicia Keys preps the release of her third album ‘As I Am’, new promo pics for the CD (due November 13th) have surfaced. Needless to say, she looks stunning. Ms Keys has definitely stepped up her look compared to when she first came out.

In other Alicia news, a snippet of ‘No One’ – the confirmed first single from the new album – has hit the net. I think I’ll reserve my judgement until the full track surfaces… Click here to listen to the snippet (Props to Toya for the heads-up)

What do you think of the pics / song?
Eve’s promotion for her upcoming album ‘Here I Am’ got into full swing yesterday (August 24th) as the rapper performed a mini-concert on Good Morning America’s ‘Summer Concert Series. The ‘Pitbull In A Skirt’ performed the album’s first single ‘Tambourine’ and current single ‘Give It To You’. She did great – although the crowd could have been better. Check out the performances below:

Tambourine

Give It To You


What do you think of the performances?

Some five months after the release of ‘Like This’, Kelly Rowland is finally gearing up to premier the video for the her 2nd single ‘Ghetto’ (ft. Snoop Dogg). Speaking with MTV from the set of her ESPN promo clip – alongside 50 Cent -the singer said the following about the video:

I’m working with Andrew Gura on this video. It’s very, I’d say … gosh, I’m trying to get the right word out because I don’t want to sound crazy. … It’s ghetto. It’s really fly. I feel like everybody has some sort of element of ghetto in them. Think about it. Right? Wouldn’t you say so? And everyone knows what the ghetto is.

Click here to watch the interview

It’s all well talking about it, but her people need to get the video out ASAP! Things seem to be looking up for her though; as well as the ESPN spot, Kelly is set to tour at the end of the year through into early next year. Sources continue to confirm that Kelly is indeed recording new tracks… for a new album, perhaps?

Any thoughts?

R&B singer Keyshia Cole performed her smash hit ‘Let It Go’ during her show at New York’s Nokia Theatre this past Sunday (August 19th). Billed as the surprise of the night, both Missy Elliott and Lil’ Kim joined her onstage to perform their song. I’m really loving the performance; Keyshia sounded great and the crowd were hyped throughout – especially when Missy and Kim came out. Great stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

It’s no secret that rumors about Ne-Yo’s sexuality have been circulating for a while now. The singer was asked how the rumors began in the current issue of Sister 2 Sister Magazine. Here’s what he had to say:

I don’t know. To this day I’m still trying to figure it out. You know what I think it is? It’s because when you see me, when you talk to me, my mannerisms are not-I’m not that. So people see me and they don’t see something that they’re accustomed to and people feel the need to have to categorize stuff. They just can’t let it be “I don’t know what that is.” So they got to do something. He’s not rough, rugged, and raw, so he must be gay”.

Though I will never forget the lipgloss he donned for the ‘Because of You’ vid, he does have very valid points…

What do you think about his comments?

The ‘Making The Band 4’ finale is set to air this Sunday (August 26th) at 10.00pm. I’ve managed to catch the majority of this season since being out here in US (the show hasn’t started back home yet) and think it’s been great. Of the 10 finalists left, my picks for the band are:

From left to right: Brian A, Willie, Qwanell and Mike

I’m really hoping Diddy doesn’t screw over whoever is picked to be in this group as he has done with so many before them; the majority of the guys this year can really ‘sing sing’ and are some of the best vocalists on any season the popular MTV show. Click here to check out the Bryan Michael Cox produced track that will serve as the group’s first single – ‘I Want You Exclusive’.

Remember you can vote for your favourite(s) – which could influence who makes the group (not sure how legit this is though lol). Click here to vote

 

Who do you think will make the group?

Amy Winehouse is seriously a train-wreck waiting to happen. The ‘Rehab’ singer and her junkie husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, got into a drug-fueled fight at a London hotel in the early hours of this morning – leaving them both bloodied and bruised. Click here to read the full story.
Didn’t she just check into rehab for real? Whatever the case, she needs help fast. Yes, her ‘alternative’ lifestyle was part of her appeal, but it’s all going too far.
Your thoughts?
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