R&B star Amerie hit the UK this past week to start promo for her latest European single ‘Gotta Work’. This performance took place during the ‘T4 on the Beach’ festival in Weston-Super Mare yesterday (July 22nd). I liked the performance; her vocals were really good and the crowd were hyped throughout. Having said that, I felt something was kinda lacking. Unlike most her other performances, Amerie didn’t really ‘work’ the stage and was confined to more or less one spot. In other Amerie news, her third album ‘Because I Love It’ – out now in Europe – will see its Stateside release on August 21st.

What do you think of the performance?

As Fantasia’s ‘When I See U’ continues to dominate the Billboard R&B chart, a (proper) remix of the song has surfaced. Featuring producer Polow Da Don and Young Jeezy, this version of the track differs quite a bit to the original. Don’t be fooled by the faux-original start; when the remix beat kicks in it sounds like a totally different song – despite the same vocals being used. After a couple of listens, I’m liking this one.

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Today’s been somewhat of a slow news day, but I stumbled upon this video and thought to post. It’s usually the Omarion’s, Timberlake’s and Co who solute (arguably copy) Michael Jackson, so it was kinda refreshing to see this group of 1500+ Filipino prisoners pay homage to the King of Pop. The inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines were getting down; they nailed the now-classic choreography. LMAO at the ‘female’ love interest.

What do you think of their performance?

Def Jam’s Rihanna features in the latest issue of Vibe Vixen magazine. As well as the double-cover above, the ‘Umbrella’ singer did a full photoshoot and was interiewed too:

“I wouldn’t have wanted to date white guys before but they are killing it right now. Justin Timberlake, Orlando Bloom, Paul Weller. Every hot guy I see is white”

Interesting…

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Further to reports earlier this week that Usher is attempting to shut down his top fansite for its negative stance on his relationship with Tameka Foster, the owner has vowed to fight it out in court. Erika Jackson, the webmaster of UsherForever.com, isn’t backing down to legal threats from Usher and his label LaFace -who want her to hand the site over to them. Jackson claims she wants to ‘make a point’ by going toe-to-toe with her favourite artist. Click here to read the full story via TMZ.

The more I hear about this, the more I lose what little respect I have for Usher. It’s unlikely that he’ll win; I’m sure his team didn’t even think this would get as much press as it has. Either way, Usher’s reputation is in a mess right now.

Any thoughts?

Rihanna is churning out singles and albums so fast these days; didn’t her 2nd single ‘Shut Up & Drive’ just come out? Nonetheless, the Bajan star premiered her latest single ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ on BET’s 106 & Park yesterday. The track is undeniably a dance song and the video (which Rihanna co-directed) really reflects that. I’m not a fan of the song, but its a grower. Def Jam are really covering all ground with this project – each single has appealed to a different market. ‘Hate That I Love You’ (ft. Neyo) has also been confirmed as the 4th single from her ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ CD.

What do you think of the video?

Whilst Danity Kane languish in the pits, Diddy continues to roll out the videos from his barely Gold album ‘Press Play’. This new video for ‘Through The Pain’ sees the Bad Boy label head team up with Mario Winans once again (their last effort being Winans 2003 hit ‘I Don’t Wanna Know’). I’m liking the song and the video – though not all that great – serves its purpose.

Word has it that Diddy has also shot a video for ‘Diddy Rock’ which features Timbaland, Twista and Shawnna – totalling five singles. I just don’t get how Diddy is supposed to be all about the business, yet he chooses to promote himself over a group that are selling more than he is. Too much ego…

What do you think of the video?

Comeback

Work/Ghetto

Like This (ft. Eve)