This week’s classic From The Vault video is Britney Spears‘ 2003 smash collaboration with Madonna – ‘Me Against The Music’. Directed by Paul Hunter, this epic clip really encapsulated on-screen the monumental nature of Spears’ and Madonna’s joining of forces (the Princess and Queen of Pop). Moreover, this really showcases Spears’ at what IMO was her peak in terms of swagger, presence and choreography, while at the same time proving ol’ Madge still had ‘it’. Great song, even better video.
Tidbit: Did you know the song was written and produced by a then-little-known production duo called The-Dream and Tricky Stewart?!
The video for Omarion’s latest single ‘Hoodie’ premièred a few moments ago. Said to be dedicated to the King of Pop Michael Jackson, the clip isn’t bad at all. We oft have much to say about Omarion, but there’s no denying he’s a ridiculously talented dancer – a fact really driven home even more so in this video. Also worth a mention is how much I’m liking the overall visual of the video; the gritty, cinematic-like feel he evidently was going for, really works.
That said, I can’t say the song or the way Omarion’s been ‘singing’ as of late (talk-rapping with an awkward vocoder effect) really move me in anyway. It’s as if there’s this wealth of potential with Omari, yet he never quite gets it right.
In any case, his new LP ‘Ollusion’ hits stores January 12th 2010.
Your favourite Bajan model and mine, Rihanna, is once again on this side of the pond promoting her ‘Rated R’ project, tonight performing current single ‘Russian Roulette’ on BBC’s Jonathan Ross show.
Shocked as some of you may be, I actually really enjoyed this performance. While I still believe the inconsistency in her live vocals holds her back from being taken all that seriously, it’s hard to deny she did the damn thing in this live showing. Ms. Fenty’s vocals have indeed come a quite a long way; despite it taking 4 albums to learn to sing on-key, she eventually is getting there. Baby steps.
Fierce five-piece The Saturdays stopped by BBC Radio One’s Live Lounge yesterday to perform their latest single ‘Ego’, which looks set to give the ladies’ their 6th top 5 single in little over a year.
I really enjoyed this stripped back version of the song, which really served as a reminder as to why I’m really rooting for these ladies. Though a bonafide Pop act, the group’s vocals have much in the way of collective potential – especially their shining star Vanessa (her belting and runs are amazing).
Diva Mariah Carey stopped TBS’ Lopez Tonight show last night to promote her current project ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’, performing her hit ‘Obsessed’, as well as sitting down for a chat with the comedian. You can watch the performance above, while the interview is after the ‘read more’ link.
About the performance; Ms. Carey-Cannon was clearly having a bit of an off-day vocally with this one. While she moved somewhat more lucidly across the stage, the vocals were really lacking – made worse by the fact she mixed the sub-par vocals with pre-recorded ones (which is sadly becoming a trademark of hers these days). On the plus side, she looked great!
The Royal Variety Performance 2009 has literally just came off the air here in the UK. Burgeoning diva Alexandra Burke was one of many acts who graced the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall to perform in front of the Queen. Burke, 20, performed her new single ‘Broken Heels‘, which you can watch above (Tidbit: she’s not miming, the video lags a lil bit. I’ll update when a better one becomes available).
It appears my prayers and fasting have gone a long way, as Alex has FINALLY started performing another song other than ‘Bad Boys’! Thank flipping-goodness for that. About the actual performance, Ms. Burke continues to tear down the house each and every time she performs. I’m particularly impressed with her ability to ‘sell’ what she’s performing. Regardless of how sub-par the material she’s performing starts out, I find myself feeling the track that much better after seeing her perform it live (see: this, and ‘Bad Boys’). A feat only world-class performers are capable of. It really is so exciting seeing Alex deliver such calibre of performance. I mean if this is what she’s dishing up now (first album campaign), one can only wonder what we’re in store for as she continues to hone her craft. Gwan!!!
R&B/Pop star Chris Brown continues to sell out venues around the US with his ‘Fan Appreciation Tour’. During a recent stop at New York’s famed NOKIA Theatre, the 20 year old gave a roof-raising tribute to his idol – the late, great King of Pop Michael Jackson. Giving his dance renditions of ‘Thriller’, ‘Rock With You’, and ‘Billie Jean’, Brown showed not only why his behind should have performed at the BET Awards (he’s one of a few active males in the industry able to do MJ justice), but also why he is one of the industry’s premier performers.
Check out episode 8 of Monica‘s BET reality show ‘Still Standing’ (below), which aired earlier this week. As usual, I’m watching it now…what are you waiting for?! LOL. Enjoy.
This week’s edition of Best You Never Heard features little known gems by Kelly Rowland, The Saturdays, Mary Mary and Mariah Carey.
———————————-
Kelly Rowland – Love Again
Though the label handling of the re-release of Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Ms. Kelly’ in 2008 left a lot to be desired, the fact it yielded the stunningly beautiful ‘Love Again’ made the whole project worth it IMO. Without question, the best the 28 year old has sounded on track to date, the stripped back, sparse production really allows for the force that can be Kelly’s voice to soar to emotive heights I hadn’t previously thought possible (in being 100% honest). If ever there was a little known track I wish could be included on her forthcoming project, it would be this, so as for the masses to really see that my girl has got pipes! Here’s hoping there’s similar sounding tracks, which showcase her vocals to their full potential, on her hotly anticipated 3rd solo album.
Listen:
———————————-
The Saturdays – Fall
Lifted from The Saturdays’ self-titled Platinum 2008 debut, stirring ballad ‘Fall’ hands-down serves as one of the ladies best offerings to date. Though overlooked as single in favour of the album’s more popier/radio-friendly cuts, this Ina Wroldsen penned number really drove home the potential the group have beyond the Pop niche they’ve fallen into. With lyrics which give a refreshingly darker take on a a relationship break-up, as well as stellar vocals (largely from lead singer Vanessa), this is a must-have for one’s music collection. Awesome track!
Listen:
———————————-
Mary Mary – Believer
As mentioned previously, I have a soft-spot for crossover Gospel (aka Gospel music which sounds like everything else I usually listen to!) Sister duo Mary Mary have carved out a niche for serving up such gems since bursting onto the scene in 2000 with their smash ‘Shackles’. One of the pair’s best tracks IMO is 2005’s ‘Believer’ from their self-titled LP released the same year. Perhaps the most lyrically engaging and thought-provoking song I’ve heard in…well…forever…this ultimately is made even better by such lyrics are over a banging beat. This one knocks!
Listen:
———————————-
Mariah Carey – Melt Away
Though somewhat a controversial statement, ‘Butterfly’ and ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ aside, Mariah Carey actually hasn’t released much in the way of a solid album from start to finish IMO. Instead, each of her LP’s boast stand-out cuts which further enhance the quality of her extensive back-catalogue. One of my all-time favourites comes in the form of ‘Melt Away’ from her 1995 album ‘Daydream’. Produced by Babyface, the breezy mid-tempo stands as one of Mariah’s first forays into outright R&B – and arguably one of her best. An updated take on this sound is the sort of music I’d happily lap up from Mimi for her next LP.
In a recent interview with London’s Metro newspaper, 50 Cent cited his label Interscope as to the reason he lost his 2007 chart battle with Kanye West, with the G-Unit general hinting that he may be done with the label – where his career really took off. Check an an extract from the feature below:
After building a career on being bulletproof, Fiddy came unstuck when his 2007 album release face-off with Kanye West – when he claimed he’d give up the rap game if West outsold him – didn’t work out so well.
‘Def Jam did a better job positioning Kanye West at that point,’ he concedes. ‘The entire time I’ve been at Interscope Records, they’ve been relying on my creative energy [read: feuds with other rappers] to move discs.’
Just as well latest album Before I Self Destruct, plus a greatest-hits compilation, see his obligations to Interscope completed. ‘Almost in the nick of time,’ he muses. ‘I didn’t even go to a staff meeting and play this album for them because they’re more confused than any group of people I’ve interacted with, ever.’ {Source}
If 50 put even half of the energy he does in running his mouth on his music, he’d be in a much better position than he is now. As great a business-man as he seems to be, I do question his logic in going off at everyone and their mother (see: Ja Rule, Jay-Z and co). For, in him knowing this business, no artist stays at the top forever and all eventually experience ‘the decline’ (in interest, sales etc). It’s just the way it is. Now he’s fishing for excuses as to why, whether he likes it or not, he’s becoming an increasingly fading entity (in the music realm). Sigh…
Having once again forgotten the whereabouts of her bra and dignity, Rihanna features on the cover of the latest issue of GQ magazine. Putting all jokes aside; though she looks great here, it’s quite clear that she’s really trying to push this ‘bad gyal/rebelious’ image, yet it comes off looking rather contrived – and quite sleazy (you’ll know what I mean when you peep the picture after the ‘read more’ link). Perhaps it’s this going overboard with the imaging that’s making for this Bajan model’s album to be plummeting down the charts.
In any case, I legitimately believe, once it’s realised ‘Rated R’ isn’t going the monster it was being hyped to be, Ms. Fenty will re-don the bob, find her clothes and start singing more edible Pop songs ala ‘Take A Bow’.
Alicia Keys continues along the promotional trail for her ‘Element of Freedom’ LP, taking to the stage on The David Letterman Show to perform current single ‘Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart’. As ever, Keys’ delivered a great performance. I really cannot get enough of this song at the moment. Love it!
