With several canned release dates and a ‘buzz’ single struggling to chart, speculation had been mounting that Ciara’s third studio album ‘Fantasy Ride’ had been shelved.
However, the 23 year old recently confirmed in an interview with NBA Arena that the album is still scheduled for release an early 2009 (there have been murmurings of a March 2nd date).
Speaking more on the record, she confirmed that she just wrapped up recording sessions with Justin Timberlake last week, the output of which she described as being ‘crazy’. Also featured on the album, which she and ‘Single Ladies’ producer Tricky Stewart have executive produced, are Missy Elliott, Young Jeezy among others. {Source}
Despite all the initial mishaps surrounding the album, I definitely still see it possible for her to do big things with this project. One look at the ‘Go Girl’ video as well as the production / feature credits lets you know her label are really financially behind the project, hence flopping is a no-no. If Chris Brown was able to turn around what was nearly a flop sophomore effort with ‘Exclusive’ (See: ‘Wall to Wall’), there’s no reason why Ciara won’t do the same. Here’s hoping she delivers the goods.
According to Video Static, Jennifer Hudson shot the video for brand new single ‘If This Isn’t Love’ within the last week. {Source}
I was quite surprised to learn of this as, considering the murder spree that claimed the life of her mother, brother and nephew back in October, I thought her project had also come to an end (understandably so). That said, I’m pleased Jennifer is pressing on and not allowing the occurrence to weigh down her career.
Randomness: I’m really hoping ‘Invisible’ gets the single treatment at some point.
Despite the mounting rumors regarding Janet Jackson being pregnant, the Pop superstar and hit-maker boyfriend have gone on record to rubbish the claims. Check out the report via TMZ:
Everyone’s still wondering why Janet Jackson bailed on most of her “comeback” tour –- the one guy who would probably know says it’s not because she was pregnant.
Jermaine Dupri tells Hollyscoop.com his woman isn’t knocked up, despite the scuttlebutt. Dupri even called out certain members of gossiping classes for spreading false rumors.
Nonetheless, Janet hasn’t totally pooh-poohed the idea of bringing more spawn of Jacko into the world: “I’d love to have children. It’s just up to Jermaine, what he wants to do.”
I keep saying this, but Janet, Mariah and co are no spring chickens. Granted they can’t just pop babies out at the push of a button, it baffles me when they speak like they are 21 on the baby front. Time doesn’t wait for anyone…
The ninth week of X Factor 2008 live shows aired last night here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the semi-final episode below:
{For those unfamiliar with the show; The X Factor is the UK’s version of American Idol – with a twist in that groups and over 25’s are eligible to enter. The show also birthed the career of a certain Leona Lewis}
This year’s X Factor is hotting up, with surprises never amiss – more specifically the ousting of former firm favourite Diana Vickers last night. The evening, which saw the contestants perform 2 songs – one of their choice and one of their judges choosing, was all about Alexandra IMO. Check out her performances of Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ & ‘Unbreak My Heart’ below:
Alexandra – Don’t Stop The Music
Alexandra – Unbreak My Heart
Alex did great, although I wasn’t so sure about the ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ performance. ‘Unbreak My Heart’ was awesome. This girl really must win. Roll on next week.
Diva Mariah Carey took to the stage at last night’s Grammy Awards Nominations Concert Special in Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater to perform ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ as a homage to the nomination of her record breaking ‘Merry Christmas’ holiday album all those years ago. Check out her performance below:
I have to give it to Mariah, she really delivered on this one. Yes, it wasn’t perfect or comparable to her earlier hey-day, but she sounded the best she has in a long while. For the first time in what seems like forever, she showcased specs of ‘The Voice’ – a voice many, myself included, argue was on the way out.
It’s worth pointing out that one of the reasons I’m hard on Mariah (and will continue to be) is that knowing what she is capable of – even still today – and then seeing the garbage she has been doing on stage for most of this year for example is frustrating. It may not be a her fault per se, but as an artist who knows herself and her talent, you’d think she’d know when it’s time to do something about her problem (be it rest her voice, surgery or whatever), because she’s playing herself thinking those promo performances this year were doing anything other than (pardon my language) sh*tting on her legacy. It’s one thing when the Sam’s of That Grape Juice and internet folk are getting on her for sub-par performances, after all we are going to talk regardless, however going on a show like The X Factor, which has a huge audience, and doing the equivalent of standing in the middle of the party and peeing on yourself with that horrid showing, only exposes her to ridicule by the masses. And ridicule they did – the media had a field day.
It’s worth pointing out that by no means is Mariah not still a great singer, it’s more a case of judging her by what we’ve come to expect. I mean, I’m baffled as to why there is so much noise about Britney lip-synching for instance…don’t think I’ve ever seen her sing live…she’s always lip-synched…she’s more a ‘performer’…what’s new? IMO it’s about judging artists by their own standards. That said, there are a few exemplary cases, who have never established any standard other than being crap…a certain Ms. Fenty comes to mind, but no need going into that LOL.
In a nutshell, I’d be more content with ‘this’ Mariah, whatever it takes for her to maintain such a level – be it taking a lengthy break, not releasing another full fledged album requiring gruelling performing promo or whatever. She shouldn’t do herself or her fans a disservice by giving us the Diet Coke Mariah and messing with what is a glittering career.
The nominations for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards were unveiled during a CBS prime-time concert special last night.
Leading the field with a whopping 8 nominations is rapper Lil’ Wayne, followed by Coldplay (7 nominations), and Ne-Yo, Jay-Z, and Kanye West – who all racked up 6 nominations a piece.
Brits Leona Lewis, Adele and Estelle also scored major nominations.
Please Read The Letter – Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends – Coldplay
Tha Carter III – Lil Wayne
Year Of The Gentleman – Ne-Yo
Raising Sand – Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
In Rainbows – Radiohead
SONG OF THE YEAR
American Boy – William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters (Estelle Featuring Kanye West, artist)
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz, songwriter (Jason Mraz, artist)
Love Song – Sara Bareilles, songwriter (Sara Bareilles, artist)
Viva La Vida – Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay, artist)
BEST NEW ARTIST
Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
Detours – Sheryl Crow
Rockferry – Duffy
Long Road Out Of Eden – Eagles
Spirit – Leona Lewis
Covers – James Taylor
BEST R&B ALBUM
Love & Life – Eric Benet
Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA – Boyz II Men
Lay It Down – Al Green
Jennifer Hudson – Jennifer Hudson
The Way I See It – Raphael Saadiq
BEST RAP ALBUM
American Gangster – Jay-Z
Tha Carter III – Lil Wayne
The Cool – Lupe Fiasco
Nas – Nas
Paper Trail – T.I.
Congratulations to all the nominees – most especially the Brits. I’m particularly proud of Estelle and Leona. The Grammy’s are undeniably the most prestigious body an artist, of any nationality, could wish to be recognised by. So it really is a big deal seeing some of home-grown talent flying the flag.
Boy has this been one slow a** news day. Anyway lol, the UK’s top girl group Sugababes performed their current single ‘No Can Do’ on the Paul O’ Grady Show recently. I must say, I’m really feeling the track, as well as this live showing. Good stuff.
The video for Brandy’s latest single ‘Long Distance’ finally made its long-awaited debut today. Having not initially gravitated toward the song, it seems to be all I’m blasting on my iPod these days. An absolutely amazing track. Definitely a grower. About the video, it really captures the essence of the song. I must say though, had that colour not broken in at the exact time it did, I’d be typing a very different review, as I admittedly was getting a lil bored. All in all a great song and an equally as good video.
‘Long Distance’ is lifted from Brandy’s forthcoming album ‘Human’, which hits stores December 9th.
It seems Kanye West stays talking about Beyonce these days. Check out ‘Ye’s latest assertion about Bouncy’s greatness during a recent New Zealand press event below:
“Nobody really wants to recognize that Beyoncé is a f*cking living legend and that she is just as great, if not greater, than the artists that we had in the past…that she’s probably greater than Tina Turner.”
This weekend saw the ‘net debut of a new Beyonce track titled ‘Roc’. Said to be a cut recorded during the recording sessions for current album ‘I Am…Sasha Fierce’, the mid-tempo track was produced by Stargate. About the song itself; I am liking this one a lot. Bouncy embraced a much more mainstream (some would argue generic) sound on the slower-paced ‘I Am…’ side of her current album, so it’s real refreshing to hear her do her thing once again on a slower paced R&B offering.
That said, it’s the lyrics that make this one a winner. Very heartfelt and genuine-seeming. Wonder who she is singing about LOL…
The eigth week of X Factor 2008 live shows aired tonight here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the Britney Spears / America Hits themed week below:
{For those unfamiliar with the show; The X Factor is the UK’s version of American Idol – with a twist in that groups and over 25’s are eligible to enter. The show also birthed the career of a certain Leona Lewis}
This week saw the return of Britney Spears to the performance scene – with all eyes being on her live (LOL) rendition of #1 smash ‘Womanizer’ on tonight’s show. Britney aside, tonight’s show IMO (and that of the judges) was all about That Grape Juice favourite Alexandra Burke, who performed Britney’s ‘Toxic’ as well as a stellar rendition of Beyonce’s ‘Listen’ (Oprah version…for the stans LMAO). Check out the performances below:
Britney – Womanizer
Alexandra – Toxic
Alexandra – Listen
Britney…what can I say? She seemed to have more spunk than that Bambi Awards performance, but she still has a way to go. Baby steps, I guess. It’s great to see her seeming like ‘old Britney’ again.
Speaking of great, Alexandra! She absolutely nailed it – especially on Listen. Amazing. She really established herself as THE front-runner in this year’s show. This girl must win.
Pop superstar Britney Spears gave the first live (loose term) performance of ‘Womanizer’ at Germany’s Bambi Awards tonight. I’m gonna need to see more performances, as the theatrics and major spectacle really veiled whether or not Ms. Spears still has it or nor – which after all is what we all want to know.
With several canned release dates and a ‘buzz’ single struggling to chart, speculation had been mounting that Ciara’s third studio album ‘Fantasy Ride’ had been shelved.
