X Factor 2008: Live Shows - Week 6The sixth week of X Factor 2008 live shows aired tonight here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the Best of Britsh 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}
After being rocked by the departure of favourite Laura White last week, X Factor regained some credibility last night after the absolutely crap Daniel Evans was sent home. What’s more, Alexandra (as ever) and Rachel both turned in fantastic standout performances, which you can check out below, along with that of X Factor alumni Leona Lewis who performed ‘Run’ on the show:

Alexandra Burke – You Are So Beautiful

Rachel Hylton – I’m No Good

Leona Lewis – Run

Alexandra really is on a roll – week in, week out delivering stellar performances. I’m just hoping that the British public continue to vote for her, because, as Laura’s exit showed, nothing is guaranteed (aside from the mediocre Eoghan and slightly contrived Diana being raved about each week!).

Rachel definitely proved her worth last night too. Glad she’s still about.

I can’t say Leona’s song or performance really moved me. That said, her featuring on the ‘Best of British’ week definitely was apt – one of the best talents – if not ‘the’ best talents – to emerge from Britain in a long time!

Your thoughts?

With Ciara still hard at work on her 3rd studio LP ‘Fantasy Ride’, a new cut titled ‘Explode’ from the album has surfaced. Earlier this week we posted the 22 year old’s performance of the song at the Wild Jam concert – this is the studio version. Check it out below:

I’m really liking this one; the seductive production and delivery are very in the veign of ‘Promise’ (which IMO still stands as Ciara’s defining track). That said, of the new material I’ve heard from her thus far, very little has stuck out as single worthy – this included. Here’s hoping she comes out with bang when it’s time for the album’s official lead single drops (unsurprisingly, her team are now referring to ‘Go Girl’ as a ‘buzz single’…could its poor performance on the chart have anything to do with it? Pretty self-explanatory LOL).
As previously reported, Toni Braxton is set to make her return to the charts in the coming months with a new label – Atlantic – and partnership with hit-maker Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins. A new song ‘Melt (Like An Iceberg)’ has surfaced as is believed to be from the recording sessions for her as yet untitled new album. You can listen to it below:

Real chill and laid-back, which though sufficient for some, isn’t really cutting it IMO. For Toni to make her mark in the current industry climate, without compromising her sound, I’d be looking for her to channel the sound/vibe she was working with on 00’s hits such as ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’, ‘Spanish Guitar’ etc. Either way, I’ll definitely be paying close attention to Toni’s new material.

Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

UK vixen Alesha Dixon performed her current smash ‘The Boy Does Nothing’ on the BBC’s Children In Need telecast last night. I really enjoyed her rousing showing. She definitely holds her own down on the live performing tip. What’s more, I’m pleased this record is taking off for her. Already in the top 10 on the Official UK Singles chart on downloads alone, the physical release of the single is currently outselling Beyonce’s ‘If I Were A Boy’. More power to her.

What do you think of the performance?

Peep this behind the scenes look the video for Keri Hilson’s latest single ‘Turnin Me On (ft. Lil’ Wayne). I’m really hoping this release, which is a double single with ‘Return The Favor’, catches on. Keri is really deserving of success.

Any thoughts?

Chilli Talks TLC, Usher, Tameka & Much MoreFormer TLC star Chilli recently sat down with Essence Magazine to talk about everything from TLC being the biggest selling female group (over Destiny’s Child) to her thoughts on Usher and wife Tameka and a whole heap more. Check out extracts from the feature, which appears in the latest issue of the magazine, below:

On TLC Being The Best Selling Female Group

Thank you for acknowledging that because everyone always credits Destiny’s Child as the biggest-selling female group, but it’s just not true. You can’t count album sales for each solo project collectively and come up with numbers.

On whether Tameka broke up her relationship with Usher

When people ask whether or not I think she is the reason we broke up, I have no clue what Usher was doing outside of our relationship. When we broke up, it was because it wasn’t working out. I later found out there was some infidelity, but he never said who that woman or who those women were, because I’m sure it was more than one. Again, I heard things, but Tameka never crossed my mind. The first time I strolled across that [infamous] beach photo I thought somebody photoshopped that. I didn’t believe it. I did wonder if she was one of the girls, but again, I never asked. My memory of her was that she was the stylist, because she dressed Usher and I for an event one time. Honestly, those are questions I never asked him, and I’vedistanced myself so much from him. We aren’t communicating at all. We broke up, had conversation a few times maybe two years after we broke up, and it was a wrap. I think what keeps it alive at all is these [blogs] speculating whether we’d get back together.

On being labelled a homewrecker while dating CNN’s T.J Holmes

…let’s clear this up right now. T.J. Holmes was divorced and had been divorced. It wasn’t a situation where he was going through a divorce and still married. I would never date a man that is legally separated or tied to another woman. We dated, but it was brief. I’m a godly person and try to do all the things that God wants me to do. I have a conscience; I could never do that. Besides, I want to get married and present a healthy wonderful relationship for myself and my 11-year-old son.

On Coping With Left Eye’s Death

I see her family every now and then. I still have my moments and probably always will. There’s not a day that goes by that she doesn’t cross my mind. When I do some interviews, I get so upset when people refer to me as “the former member of TLC.” I am always and still am a part of TLC. We are forever no matter what. As long as T-Boz and I are living, we are keeping Left Eye’s memory alive.

You can read the full interview by clicking here

On the one hand, I’m wondering why the hell she keeps getting asked and is still talking about the Usher situation. Then I remember she hasn’t really done much with herself since then. What happened to the solo career?

Your thoughts?

Rapper 50 Cent stopped by the Tyra Banks Show earlier this week for what turned out to be a real interesting interview. The G-Unit General spoke candidly about his baby momma drama, Ja Rule, Vivica Fox, of course his latest projects and much more.

As much as I still think 50 is a dwindling entity, I must say he came across really well here. Really well. It’s just a shame that he acts a fool more times than not.

Your thoughts?

Keyshia Cole 'A Different Me' Cover Our friends over at Rap-Up.com have revealed the official album cover for Keyshia Cole’s 3rd studio LP ‘A Different Me’ (due December 16th).

Keyshia’s look has evolved quite a bit over the years, with her in more recent times looking really good – this cover included. Here’s hoping the album delivers.


What do you think of the cover?

Currently over here in Europe promoting her chart-topping album ‘Funhouse’, Pink performed a set for MySpace Secret concert series in Barcelona this week. Yes, you don’t see the once-R&B singer on That Grape Juice all that much, but her performance of ‘Killing Me Softly’ (made popular by The Fugees) at the show was awesome.

Seeing her do the song such justice, even with her now being a ‘Pop Rocker’, really has me hoping she re-embraces a more Urban sound – even if just for a track or two – on her next release. Not to say, the pink hair and choreography should make a return, but music like this seems to be a sure-fit for her as well.

What do you think of the performance?

Christina Aguilera Slams Lady Gaga Comparisons In a recent interview with the LA Times, Christina Aguilera got the claws out, albeit subliminally, when questioned about the murmurings in many circles that she is ‘borrowing’ newcomer Lady Gaga’s style for her latest ‘look’:

What do you say to those on the Internet who are hinting that you borrowed Lady Gaga’s look?

You know, that’s funny that you mention that. This person [Lady Gaga] was just brought to my attention not too long ago. I’m not quite sure who this person is, to be honest. I don’t know if it is a man or a woman. I just wasn’t sure. I really don’t spend any time on the Internet, so I guess I live a little under a rock in that respect.

Hmm…the infamous ‘I don’t know who that is’ line dropped by yet another artist.’ Peep pics of Lady Gaga below…you be the judge.

Christina Aguilera Slams Lady Gaga Comparisons Christina Aguilera Slams Lady Gaga Comparisons

Your thoughts?

Undeterred by the disappointing sales of her solid new album ‘Unexpected’, Michelle Williams performed a range of songs from the set for AOL Sessions recently. Check out the performances below:

Hello Heartbreak
Private Party

Hungover

We Break The Dawn

The Greatest

For the most part, I really enjoyed the performances – particularly the ‘Hello Heartbreak’, ‘We Break The Dawn’ and ‘The Greatest’ showings. Here’s hoping things pick up with the project soon. It’s too good of an album IMO to go unheard by the masses.

What do you think of the performances?

Naturi Covers KINGPeep Naturi Naughton on the cover of the latest issue of KING Magazine. Some of you may remember her from her stint in R&B trio 3LW. Well, the 23 year old, having put her solo ambitions on hold, is set to star as none other than pint-sized rapper Lil’ Kim in the upcoming Biggie Smalls biopic ‘N.O.T.O.R.I.O.U.S’ (which hits theatres early 2009).
I definitely saw Naturi as having the standout voice in the now defunct 3LW and didn’t like the way she was ousted from the trio. For that reason, I’m kinda rooting for her to be successful in her own right – so much so that I’m overlooking that atrocity of a single she tried to drop last year (anyone remember ‘Real Chicks’?). Providing she turns in a good performance in her role in the movie, she may well establish herself in her own right.

Your thoughts?
Though R&B star Usher is out on the road supporting his latest effort ‘Here I Stand’, Ne-Yo who he is currently working with on the follow-up (due 2009), has gone on record to express his feelings of a lack of direction with the lukewarmly received album. Here’s what he had to say to MTV:
I really couldn’t agree more. Usher is undeniably very talented – possibly one of the best in this New-Post-Michael Jackson-Era. However he seemed a little out of touch musically on this recent effort. What’s more over he turned a lot of folk off with his insistence on shoving his personal life down our throats, something which only served to heighten the media circus surrounding it all, as well as the negativity. I’m hopeful that he gets it together for the next album and delivers what we all know he can.

Your thoughts?
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