After reports of dissatisfaction, panic and other pre-release drama, executives at Columbia Records are feeling vindicated by the positive early returns for Beyonce's new album, "4."
"All the speculation that gets around is frustrating when it's just not true," Columbia/Epic Label Group Chairman Rob Stringer tells Billboard.biz. "The story about us being unhappy with the record and stuff is just not true. There's never been any doubt or conversations about moving the record or changing it... Those conversations never existed. We're really, really happy with it."
The label is particularly pleased with sales reports from "4's" initial days of official availability. Stringer says early indications are that the album will debut at No. 1 in as many as 14 countries, including the U.S., and in the Top 3 worldwide. It went triple-platinum in Brazil on its first day of sale, while U.K. projections have it selling "well over" 90,000 copies in its first week -- which more than doubles "I Am...Sasha Fierce's" roll-out in 2008 -- and 1.6 million over its lifespan. The album's second single, "Best Thing I Never Had," is No. 1 on the U.K. iTunes charts and currently sits at No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 29 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.
"The numbers are very good everywhere," Stringer notes. "We thought the record is great from the beginning, and some of the stuff that is happening now is vindication of it."
Columbia did scramble when "4's" first single, "Run the World (Girls)," leaked and was released ahead of schedule, peaking at No. 29 on the Hot 100. The album, meanwhile, leaked in full on June 7, three weeks ahead of its June 28 release date, leading to reports that "4" would be delayed and possible altered -- particularly after a tepid response from the blogosphere and a feeling that, with more than 70 songs worked on for the album, there would be ample material to create something markedly different than what was being distributed online.
"We didn't want the leaks to happen," Stringer says. "But there was never any discussion of this album moving. It has always been that date (June 28 ). It's been that date for four months now. There was never a conversation about pushing it back, bringing it forward, changing the songs -- none of it."
Stringer says the company is looking at an 18-month campaign for "4," which will include "extensive touring" by Beyonce. Just back from a successful overseas run that included three concerts in France and a closing-night gig at the U.K.'s Glastonbury Festival, she'll roll out a documentary, "Beyonce: Year of 4," on Thursday on MTV and BET, then perform Friday on ABC's GMA Summer Concert Series. She'll head back to the U.K. for a July 9 show at Scotland's T in the Park and a stop the next day at the Oxegen Festival in Ireland.
"The main concentration for the next few months is to get this record working everywhere," Stringer says. "She's well versed in being a global artists. The touring plan is extensive. The promo plan is extensive. We also know we're going to put out a lot of singles and...shoot a lot of videos from the record. There's enough positive information that we think we can work the record for another 18 months, and hopefully over that period we'll all be proved right that this is an important record and a commercially successful record."
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Beyonce & Selena Gomez predicted first week album sales
Fresh off her triumph on closing night at Glastonbury, Columbia diva Beyonce’s 4 will debut at #1 next week on the HITS album chart with between 275-300k in first-week sales. Her previous album, ‘08’s multiple Grammy winning I Am… Sasha Fierce, debuted with 463k, but that was during the Q4 sales rush in November. Those figures are based on one-day sales from those music retailers around the country not augmenting their income by selling illegal fireworks out of the back door.
SoCal rapper Big Sean’s Finally Famous: The Album, his feature-length debut after a series of critically acclaimed “Finally Famous” mixtapes, is the first release under Kanye West’s new deal for his G.O .O.D. Music label, through Island Def Jam Music Group, and should do in the 90-95 range.
Hollywood’s Selena Gomez & the Scene return with a third album, When the Sun Goes Down, which will debut with an estimated 75-80k in sales.
Seventh season American Idol winner David Cook’s second 19/RCA/RMG album is looking at estimated sales in the 35-40k range, a far cry from the 280k debut for his first album.
SoCal rapper Big Sean’s Finally Famous: The Album, his feature-length debut after a series of critically acclaimed “Finally Famous” mixtapes, is the first release under Kanye West’s new deal for his G.O .O.D. Music label, through Island Def Jam Music Group, and should do in the 90-95 range.
Hollywood’s Selena Gomez & the Scene return with a third album, When the Sun Goes Down, which will debut with an estimated 75-80k in sales.
Seventh season American Idol winner David Cook’s second 19/RCA/RMG album is looking at estimated sales in the 35-40k range, a far cry from the 280k debut for his first album.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Ryan Tedder Plans New OneRepublic Material for Early 2012
After he finishes up a loaded songwriting slate that includes work with B.o.B, Carrie Underwood and Cobra Starship, Ryan Tedder plans on focusing solely on his band OneRepublic's follow-up to 2009 sophomore album "Waking Up."
"We have probably eight or nine ideas, but we start the writing process for OneRepublic in about two weeks, and that's when I really dive in and start doing it and go until it's done," Tedder tells Billboard.com. "Our goal is to have the first single on the next album out by the beginning of 2012, or sometime in the early portion of 2012."
Tedder has seen a few recent collaborations become pop singles, including "Not Over You," the lead single from Gavin DeGraw's forthcoming album, and Colbie Caillat's latest hit, "Brighter Than the Sun." Meanwhile, Tedder was approached during the Billboard Music Awards to help flesh out a new Beyonce song, "I Was Here," barely a month before her new album "4" came out.
"There was one song came in at the last minute that was a Diane Warren-written song," says Tedder. "It was just a vocal, just Diane singing basically, and didn't have any real music behind it. We did the entire thing on two airplanes, from Vegas to Boston and then returning from Boston to Vegas two days later. It was absolutely bizarre, but the song sounds great."
Tedder says that he's wrapping up work on Cobra Starship's next album, and that he worked on five songs for K'naan's sophomore effort, which will feature producers like Will.i.am, Benny Blanco and RedOne. He also collaborated on three new songs with Carrie Underwood, whom he calls "one of the top three vocalists I've ever worked with."
However, Tedder seems most excited about his contributions to B.o.B's new album: the rapper worked with producers like Stargate and Benny Blanco on the follow-up to 2010 debut "The Adventures of Bobby Ray," and Tedder says that "there are some monsters" on the forthcoming disc.
"The last song I did with Bob sounds like nothing he's ever done," says Tedder. "It's almost like if Bob got in the room with Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons, or something like that. It's a total trip, and musically divergent from anything I've ever done."
So excited.
Music Heaven
"We have probably eight or nine ideas, but we start the writing process for OneRepublic in about two weeks, and that's when I really dive in and start doing it and go until it's done," Tedder tells Billboard.com. "Our goal is to have the first single on the next album out by the beginning of 2012, or sometime in the early portion of 2012."
Tedder has seen a few recent collaborations become pop singles, including "Not Over You," the lead single from Gavin DeGraw's forthcoming album, and Colbie Caillat's latest hit, "Brighter Than the Sun." Meanwhile, Tedder was approached during the Billboard Music Awards to help flesh out a new Beyonce song, "I Was Here," barely a month before her new album "4" came out.
"There was one song came in at the last minute that was a Diane Warren-written song," says Tedder. "It was just a vocal, just Diane singing basically, and didn't have any real music behind it. We did the entire thing on two airplanes, from Vegas to Boston and then returning from Boston to Vegas two days later. It was absolutely bizarre, but the song sounds great."
Tedder says that he's wrapping up work on Cobra Starship's next album, and that he worked on five songs for K'naan's sophomore effort, which will feature producers like Will.i.am, Benny Blanco and RedOne. He also collaborated on three new songs with Carrie Underwood, whom he calls "one of the top three vocalists I've ever worked with."
However, Tedder seems most excited about his contributions to B.o.B's new album: the rapper worked with producers like Stargate and Benny Blanco on the follow-up to 2010 debut "The Adventures of Bobby Ray," and Tedder says that "there are some monsters" on the forthcoming disc.
"The last song I did with Bob sounds like nothing he's ever done," says Tedder. "It's almost like if Bob got in the room with Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons, or something like that. It's a total trip, and musically divergent from anything I've ever done."
So excited.
Music Heaven
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Cee-lo Green drops out of Loud Tour
The singer has dropped out of Rihanna's Loud tour partly due to his commitment on NBC's The Voice, as well as preparation for a new album and a book.
His rep says:
"He always puts 100 percent into his work and with the requirements and time commitment to The Voice, on top of heading back into the recording studio and an upcoming book. He feels that he wouldn't give his fans the show that they deserve."
http://perezhilton.com/2011-06-26-cee-lo-green-drops-out-of-rihanna-loud-tour
His rep says:
"He always puts 100 percent into his work and with the requirements and time commitment to The Voice, on top of heading back into the recording studio and an upcoming book. He feels that he wouldn't give his fans the show that they deserve."
http://perezhilton.com/2011-06-26-cee-lo-green-drops-out-of-rihanna-loud-tour
Friday, June 24, 2011
David Guetta Wants to work with Gaga
David Guetta may not be a household name, but over the last two years his music has dominated many household stereos, and clubs, and coffee shops and pretty much any place music could be heard. If you're wondering how the Black Eyed Peas went from ripping off pop songs to writing the perfect pop song in 'I've Got A Feeling,' he's the man to blame. Dig Nicki Minaj's fresh house-flavored beats? That's Guetta, house music superstar.
"I don't come from pop music but I'm trying to create new pop music that I like, that fits my world," The DJ/Producer tells AOL Music. "I made lots of [dance] hits before with people who are not famous so I'm not obsessed by super famous people."
That being said, Guetta, who is set to release his star-studded fifth album, 'Nothing but the Beat' in August, has his eye on arguably the most famous musical person on the planet right now.
"Of course I'd want to work with [Lady] Gaga," he enthuses in his light french accent. "She's amazing."
If the Mother Monster would agree, she would stand in pretty good company. Along with will.i.am, 'Nothing but the Beat' will also feature the vocal talents of Snoop Dogg, Akon, Jennifer Hudson, Sia, Timbaland, Dev and Guetta's favorite vocalist, Usher.
http://blog.music.aol.com/2011/06/24/david-guetta-nothing-but-the-beat/
"I don't come from pop music but I'm trying to create new pop music that I like, that fits my world," The DJ/Producer tells AOL Music. "I made lots of [dance] hits before with people who are not famous so I'm not obsessed by super famous people."
That being said, Guetta, who is set to release his star-studded fifth album, 'Nothing but the Beat' in August, has his eye on arguably the most famous musical person on the planet right now.
"Of course I'd want to work with [Lady] Gaga," he enthuses in his light french accent. "She's amazing."
If the Mother Monster would agree, she would stand in pretty good company. Along with will.i.am, 'Nothing but the Beat' will also feature the vocal talents of Snoop Dogg, Akon, Jennifer Hudson, Sia, Timbaland, Dev and Guetta's favorite vocalist, Usher.
http://blog.music.aol.com/2011/06/24/david-guetta-nothing-but-the-beat/
Ke$ha Talks Gaga and rapping
In a recent interview, Ke$ha was asked about Lady Gaga. Here's the question below.
Quote:
Rolling Stone magazine said the EP proves you “would kick Lady Gaga’s ass in a freestyle battle.” Do you think that's true and how do you feel about being compared to other female artists?
Y’know, I get it all the time. I get compared to everyone and their brother. I’m really not trying to be anyone else. I’m rapping when I wanna rap, I’m singing when I wanna sing, I’m screaming when I wanna scream. Compare me to whoever you want and comparing me to a successful, strong woman like Lady Gaga is a huge compliment but I do think I’m very different to anybody out right now. Everyone has their talent but I think what I bring is very different.
http://www.4music.com/news/interviews/644/Keha-talks-Glasto-Britney-and-her-next-album
Quote:
Rolling Stone magazine said the EP proves you “would kick Lady Gaga’s ass in a freestyle battle.” Do you think that's true and how do you feel about being compared to other female artists?
Y’know, I get it all the time. I get compared to everyone and their brother. I’m really not trying to be anyone else. I’m rapping when I wanna rap, I’m singing when I wanna sing, I’m screaming when I wanna scream. Compare me to whoever you want and comparing me to a successful, strong woman like Lady Gaga is a huge compliment but I do think I’m very different to anybody out right now. Everyone has their talent but I think what I bring is very different.
http://www.4music.com/news/interviews/644/Keha-talks-Glasto-Britney-and-her-next-album
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Chris Mars "I Wanna Go" Director Talks Britney
The director of “I Wanna Go,” Chris Marrs Piliero, opened up to the New York Post about Britney’s new music video. Check it out:
Quote:
PoNYPrap: How did you team up with Britney?
Chris Marrs Piliero: She hit me up and asked me to put together a concept for the song. Simple as that. Having been a fan for a while, I was stoked to get the call since I’ve always thought she was one of the cooler pop artists.
NYP: Where did the idea for this video come from?
Chris: The song is really fun, really upbeat with lots of sexual undertones — but the key lyric for me was “be a little inappropriate.” That stood out but I didn’t want to make a video that was all about sexual inappropriateness – that wasn’t the vibe that either of us wanted. We were on the same page about exploring fun ways for her to be inappropriate. She’s Britney Spears – how would you react if you asked for an autograph and she grabbed your ass?!?
NYP: Were you worried that this might feel like “ugh, another paparazzi blasting video?
Chris: No. I’ve seen all of her videos and really wanted to pull what I loved about Britney from those, but give it something fresh. One thing that stood out to me was all her references to the paparazzi were always more of a statement than an action. She’d never embraced the opportunity to lash out, fight back. I thought this was the perfect chance to be tongue in cheek but also get her to say “f*** off!”
NYP: Literally! Was there any pushback from her or her camp about the F-bombs?
Chris: I wrote the beginning not knowing if she’d be down to do it, but I was stoked at how game she was. Being a fan, I’ve seen her on “How I Met Your Mother” and “Saturday Night Live” – I feel like no video has really taken advantage of her comedic timing. Even when her videos have a narrative, they never embraced that aspect of her. She never had a music video where she could show her acting chops and have fun with comedy while being super badass. That was my goal from day one: I wanted her to be funny, badass and super cool.
NYP: There have been lots of rumors about how Britney is just being propped up by her team and pointed at the stage. As someone who has worked with her, how much truth is there to that?
Chris: Let me tell you, all of that is bulls***. Every artist has management, that’s their job. It’s what they’re paid for. I work with the artist. Your question goes along perfectly with the whole concept of the video and that press conference – it’s a ridiculous, exaggerated rumor about her life and career. I met with her, talked with her, went over the concept with her. It was extremely collaborative. She suggested alternatives and tweaked other things. As much as the management is there, this was a concept that Britney really dug. She was a big part of the decision-making process.
NYP: Lastly, the video features a marquee for “Crossroads 2: Cross Harder.” I love that, where did it come from?
Chris: I needed a movie title for the marquee and thought that would be perfect. It’s a fun Easter egg for fans. Plus, “Die Hard 2: Die Harder” is the most ridiculously awesome way to title a sequel. It just felt like the right thing to do. When Britney saw it, she loved it.
LOVE the video.
Music Heaven
Quote:
PoNYPrap: How did you team up with Britney?
Chris Marrs Piliero: She hit me up and asked me to put together a concept for the song. Simple as that. Having been a fan for a while, I was stoked to get the call since I’ve always thought she was one of the cooler pop artists.
NYP: Where did the idea for this video come from?
Chris: The song is really fun, really upbeat with lots of sexual undertones — but the key lyric for me was “be a little inappropriate.” That stood out but I didn’t want to make a video that was all about sexual inappropriateness – that wasn’t the vibe that either of us wanted. We were on the same page about exploring fun ways for her to be inappropriate. She’s Britney Spears – how would you react if you asked for an autograph and she grabbed your ass?!?
NYP: Were you worried that this might feel like “ugh, another paparazzi blasting video?
Chris: No. I’ve seen all of her videos and really wanted to pull what I loved about Britney from those, but give it something fresh. One thing that stood out to me was all her references to the paparazzi were always more of a statement than an action. She’d never embraced the opportunity to lash out, fight back. I thought this was the perfect chance to be tongue in cheek but also get her to say “f*** off!”
NYP: Literally! Was there any pushback from her or her camp about the F-bombs?
Chris: I wrote the beginning not knowing if she’d be down to do it, but I was stoked at how game she was. Being a fan, I’ve seen her on “How I Met Your Mother” and “Saturday Night Live” – I feel like no video has really taken advantage of her comedic timing. Even when her videos have a narrative, they never embraced that aspect of her. She never had a music video where she could show her acting chops and have fun with comedy while being super badass. That was my goal from day one: I wanted her to be funny, badass and super cool.
NYP: There have been lots of rumors about how Britney is just being propped up by her team and pointed at the stage. As someone who has worked with her, how much truth is there to that?
Chris: Let me tell you, all of that is bulls***. Every artist has management, that’s their job. It’s what they’re paid for. I work with the artist. Your question goes along perfectly with the whole concept of the video and that press conference – it’s a ridiculous, exaggerated rumor about her life and career. I met with her, talked with her, went over the concept with her. It was extremely collaborative. She suggested alternatives and tweaked other things. As much as the management is there, this was a concept that Britney really dug. She was a big part of the decision-making process.
NYP: Lastly, the video features a marquee for “Crossroads 2: Cross Harder.” I love that, where did it come from?
Chris: I needed a movie title for the marquee and thought that would be perfect. It’s a fun Easter egg for fans. Plus, “Die Hard 2: Die Harder” is the most ridiculously awesome way to title a sequel. It just felt like the right thing to do. When Britney saw it, she loved it.
LOVE the video.
Music Heaven
Lil Wayne Plans To Retire
Weezy explains that he'd rather focus on raising his kids than putting out new music.
Lil Wayne has kept fans waiting on his upcoming album Tha Carter IV, but it might be the last time they get a new offering from Weezy. The Young Money chief covered XXL Magazine’s latest issue, revealing that TC4 could be the end of the line for the platinum rapper.
“I’m bowing out still on top,” he says. “I’ma make y’all want me when I retire. I’ma make y’all be like, ‘Nooo!’ I ain’t leaving out this bitch when y’all be like, ‘Yeah, it’s about time, dawg.’ Carter IV might be my last one. I’ma make y’all be like, ‘Fuck!’ Yeah, nigga, I’m gone.”
The 28-year-old elaborated by explaining that his children would be the cause for him quitting the music business.
“Honestly, this is the real truth,” he says. “I honestly think it’s unfair to my kids. I’m super dedicated into what I do. Like, it’s no questions—it’s hands down, I do this. I live this. I don’t have a day out my week that I do something else. I do this every day of my life, and I’m not about to stop, ’cause that’s the only way you can succeed in this business, is to do it the way I do it. I want to succeed the way I want to succeed. You can succeed. You can put out a hit… But to do it the way I want to do it, to be comfortable to do what the fuck I want to do, you’ve got to work like no other. Like I said, it’s unfair to my kids. So about 30, 31, 32, I gotta get ready.”
Lil Wayne has kept fans waiting on his upcoming album Tha Carter IV, but it might be the last time they get a new offering from Weezy. The Young Money chief covered XXL Magazine’s latest issue, revealing that TC4 could be the end of the line for the platinum rapper.
“I’m bowing out still on top,” he says. “I’ma make y’all want me when I retire. I’ma make y’all be like, ‘Nooo!’ I ain’t leaving out this bitch when y’all be like, ‘Yeah, it’s about time, dawg.’ Carter IV might be my last one. I’ma make y’all be like, ‘Fuck!’ Yeah, nigga, I’m gone.”
The 28-year-old elaborated by explaining that his children would be the cause for him quitting the music business.
“Honestly, this is the real truth,” he says. “I honestly think it’s unfair to my kids. I’m super dedicated into what I do. Like, it’s no questions—it’s hands down, I do this. I live this. I don’t have a day out my week that I do something else. I do this every day of my life, and I’m not about to stop, ’cause that’s the only way you can succeed in this business, is to do it the way I do it. I want to succeed the way I want to succeed. You can succeed. You can put out a hit… But to do it the way I want to do it, to be comfortable to do what the fuck I want to do, you’ve got to work like no other. Like I said, it’s unfair to my kids. So about 30, 31, 32, I gotta get ready.”
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Cee-Lo Confirms New Gnarls Barkley Album
Gnarls Barkley fans can prepare for a new album from the group. Cee-Lo Green confirmed this in an interview with US Magazine.
“There is a new Gnarls Barkley album coming out!” Cee-Lo tells Us’ Charles Thorp. “There is a whole bunch of stuff with the collaborations. Hopefully people will like what I am doing, that is always a plus.”
This new album will serve as Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse's follow-up to the 2008 Grammy-winning album, The Odd Couple.
As for what fans can expect to hear from the “Crazy” duo, Cee-Lo reveals, “I would hope it would break more grounds. Knowing the nature of the space that we shared I am pretty sure it will be somewhat similar.”
Until then, fans can catch Cee-Lo on NBC's singing competition “The Voice,” his own talk show Talking with Strangers, his forthcoming documentary entitled Distilled, and of course, live on the ‘LOUD’ tour with Rihanna and J. Cole.
And most recently, Cee-Lo made headlines with his anti-gay Twitter comments, which he later deleted and apologized for. Guess we won't be forgetting you anytime soon, Cee-Lo.
http://prod.vibe.com/posts/cee-lo-green-confirms-new-gnarls-barkley-album-collabo-heavy
Swwet. Can't wait to hear it
Music Heaven
“There is a new Gnarls Barkley album coming out!” Cee-Lo tells Us’ Charles Thorp. “There is a whole bunch of stuff with the collaborations. Hopefully people will like what I am doing, that is always a plus.”
This new album will serve as Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse's follow-up to the 2008 Grammy-winning album, The Odd Couple.
As for what fans can expect to hear from the “Crazy” duo, Cee-Lo reveals, “I would hope it would break more grounds. Knowing the nature of the space that we shared I am pretty sure it will be somewhat similar.”
Until then, fans can catch Cee-Lo on NBC's singing competition “The Voice,” his own talk show Talking with Strangers, his forthcoming documentary entitled Distilled, and of course, live on the ‘LOUD’ tour with Rihanna and J. Cole.
And most recently, Cee-Lo made headlines with his anti-gay Twitter comments, which he later deleted and apologized for. Guess we won't be forgetting you anytime soon, Cee-Lo.
http://prod.vibe.com/posts/cee-lo-green-confirms-new-gnarls-barkley-album-collabo-heavy
Swwet. Can't wait to hear it
Music Heaven
Monday, June 20, 2011
Naya Rivera of 'Glee' talks about upcoming solo album, songwriting
Naya Rivera, who plays the fiery Santana on Fox's musical comedy series "Glee," is getting to work on her upcoming solo album.
The actress and the rest of the cast of "Glee" began a summer concert tour of the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland in May. Rivera signed a record deal with Columbia Records earlier in the month and plans to focus on her solo album during the month of July.
"I won't have anything I'm working on until after the tour is over," Rivera told Entertainment Weekly. "So July 4th, when I get back home in L.A., is when I'll hunker down and spend that whole month hammering out the details and the creative process of that. I'm really excited about that."
The 24-year-old actress told the magazine that she would love to enlist some of her "Glee" cast mates to collaborate with her on the album but is still trying to figure out what direction she will go with the style.
"I know what I sound good on, and I know what I like to write," Rivera said. "I've been writing for years, so I have a catalog of songs that I've written over the years, and it's just a matter of getting with the right producers and other writers to develop the sound that is me."
Rivera got her start on the Eddie Murphy-produced CBS series, "The Royal Family" when she was 4-years-old. She also made appearances on "Family Matters," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "The Bernie Mac Show."
Fellow "Glee" cast-members Matthew Morrison and Mark Salling have also embarked on solo careers.
The "Glee Live! In Concert" tour includes cast members Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling, Dianna Agron, Naya Rivera, Heather Morris, Harry Shum Jr., Chord Overstreet and Darren Criss. The 16-city tour kicked off on May 21 in Las Vegas, check out the full list of cities here.
A concert documentary shot during the summer tour entitled "Glee Live! 3D!" is slated for release in theaters nationwide on August 12, 2011.
http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Naya-Rivera-of-Glee-talks-about-upcoming-solo-album--songwriting/8197262
Should be interesting.
Music Heaven
The actress and the rest of the cast of "Glee" began a summer concert tour of the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland in May. Rivera signed a record deal with Columbia Records earlier in the month and plans to focus on her solo album during the month of July.
"I won't have anything I'm working on until after the tour is over," Rivera told Entertainment Weekly. "So July 4th, when I get back home in L.A., is when I'll hunker down and spend that whole month hammering out the details and the creative process of that. I'm really excited about that."
The 24-year-old actress told the magazine that she would love to enlist some of her "Glee" cast mates to collaborate with her on the album but is still trying to figure out what direction she will go with the style.
"I know what I sound good on, and I know what I like to write," Rivera said. "I've been writing for years, so I have a catalog of songs that I've written over the years, and it's just a matter of getting with the right producers and other writers to develop the sound that is me."
Rivera got her start on the Eddie Murphy-produced CBS series, "The Royal Family" when she was 4-years-old. She also made appearances on "Family Matters," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "The Bernie Mac Show."
Fellow "Glee" cast-members Matthew Morrison and Mark Salling have also embarked on solo careers.
The "Glee Live! In Concert" tour includes cast members Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling, Dianna Agron, Naya Rivera, Heather Morris, Harry Shum Jr., Chord Overstreet and Darren Criss. The 16-city tour kicked off on May 21 in Las Vegas, check out the full list of cities here.
A concert documentary shot during the summer tour entitled "Glee Live! 3D!" is slated for release in theaters nationwide on August 12, 2011.
http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Naya-Rivera-of-Glee-talks-about-upcoming-solo-album--songwriting/8197262
Should be interesting.
Music Heaven
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Katy Perry To Release "California Dreams" EP
Can Katy Perry pull off another hit as blockbuster as 2010's Teenage Dream?
We'll find out very soon since the Perry has returned to the studio with uber-producer
Dr. Luke to put final touches on her new EP album.
ASCAP 2010 Songwriter of the Year caught up with EW to discuss his newest projects but he was most excited about new Katy Perry project.
According to Luke "California Dreams" is the name of the new Katy Perry release that is
set for November 2011 release.Famous producer says they've been working on it since November 2010 and it will contain 9 new tracks including 3 new "Luke produced" songs, as well as production from StarGate,Tricky Stewart and Fernando Garibay.
"We've just finished first single in February and it's a super-collabo but that's all I'm going
to say.(Laughs) Expect it late August.
Don't forget to check the full Dr.Luke interview in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly.
Source - Katy Perry Forums
Can't wait!!
Music Heaven
We'll find out very soon since the Perry has returned to the studio with uber-producer
Dr. Luke to put final touches on her new EP album.
ASCAP 2010 Songwriter of the Year caught up with EW to discuss his newest projects but he was most excited about new Katy Perry project.
According to Luke "California Dreams" is the name of the new Katy Perry release that is
set for November 2011 release.Famous producer says they've been working on it since November 2010 and it will contain 9 new tracks including 3 new "Luke produced" songs, as well as production from StarGate,Tricky Stewart and Fernando Garibay.
"We've just finished first single in February and it's a super-collabo but that's all I'm going
to say.(Laughs) Expect it late August.
Don't forget to check the full Dr.Luke interview in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly.
Source - Katy Perry Forums
Can't wait!!
Music Heaven
Friday, June 17, 2011
Hilary Duff Talks Recording New Album in the Summer in Interview
This has been a year of firsts for Hilary Duff. The singer/actress tied the knot for the first time last August and released her first novel in October. Heck, last month, she even tried melon bowling as part of SoBe's Try Anything celebration. (There really is a first time for everything!) Hilary also had her first chat with Wonderwall
recently, during which we talked about her upcoming one-year anniversary, her advice for Disney's most recent grads and what she'd never try.
On the craziest thing she's tried recently:
"I tried foie gras, which I never had before, and I was really terrified. It had cotton candy wrapped around it, so that seemed even more weird to me, and then I ate it and I was like, 'Oh my God, this is amazing,' so I think you have to try everything once, whether it's skydiving, which I'm about to do in a month and I'm very excited and
nervous about, or food or a new outfit or going up and talking to someone that maybe you would be scared to talk to in the first place -- it really just applies to life in general."
On what she'd never try:
"I'm pretty daring. I'm pretty an active person; I like [taking] risks, I like adrenaline rushes, so there's probably not too many activities I wouldn't try, and I'm pretty willing to try any kind of food. I'm scared of [bungee jumping]. I don't know why I'm more scared of that than jumping out of an airplane. That big cord it
could just snap or something! That doesn't mean I wouldn't do it, but I'd still be terrified."
On her first year of marriage:
"We lived apart for the first year, which was unique. He plays hockey in Pittsburgh all year, and I was back and forth. I just went back through my calendar and realized I flew to Pittsburgh 15 times last year. So it was pretty busy, but it was good. A lot of people tell me the first year you get married is really hard, and I think the only
thing we struggled with was just not getting to be together and spending as much time together as we'd wished."
On how being married differs from just dating:
"There's definitely a giddiness after you get married, how you feel towards each other. You're like, 'Oh my God, we just did that!' It's a really exciting, loving time, and I think that lasted for a while, especially since we were apart and then we'd like be together for three days [or] a week -- it just really trying to enjoy one another with the time
that we got. Now it's pretty normal. I mean, it's still exciting to say, 'Oh, he's my husband.' We were really committed to each other before, so it wasn't like that whole thing where getting married made it more serious than it was."
On her and Mike's anniversary plans:
"We are the worst planners. I always joke with him that if it wasn't for the last minute, he wouldn't get anything done. So we don't have any plans set in stone right now, but we have a few ideas. We either want to go back to where we got married because it's an hour outside of Los Angeles, and it's so beautiful. We also have never been
to Napa Valley to go wine tasting -- we'd really like to do that. We don't really like the pressure; we just like to have a good time. It's fun to be last minute. He's always like, 'Pack your bag, we're going here,' and I'm like, 'OK, let's do it.'"
On long-distance relationships:
"You get to a point where you get really strong without the person. I've done it for so long that I get to this point where I'm like, 'Well, I'm just doing fine by myself.' He's home for the summer, so sometimes I expect an adjustment period where I'm like, 'OK, wait a minute. You're coming into my place, and this is how I do things,
and now you're coming in and doing it this way,' but I think I'm just so happy to have him home. We're lucky. We're super compatible."
On how she'd advise Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez on transitioning out of their Disney phase:
"I still feel like I'm transitioning! It's a long process. I think about the frustrations I have sometimes -- if I don't get a certain part that I want or someone's like, 'Oh my God, I know you. You're from Disney!' I'm like, 'Yeah.' You have to accept where you come from and be proud of it. The
best advice is not railing against your past. Just move forward and take your time and be conscious about the steps you take before you take them, because every move you make is so crucial. It's really important to just sit back and really enjoy your success [and] not be embarrassed of where you came from."
On what she thinks her new music will sound like:
"It's hard to say until I get in the studio with a producer and a writer that I'm in love with and feel like really gets me. A pop/rock dance sound is where I want to go because it's what I like. And strong hooks, I think that's the most important -- songs that get stuck in people's heads and that are catchy and make you feel good."
On her foray into indie films:
"I need to put my time in, to be taken seriously as an actress. When I made those big-budget movies, I was 15 and playing a lot of the same characters, and it was perfect for who I was at the time, but now I don't want to continue doing those same projects. It just gives me experience on a smaller scale and gives me a place to
showcase what I'm capable of and learn and play and figure out who I am as an actress."
On what she's looking forward to most this summer:
"Travel. We always make big travel plans over summer. I don't know where we're going yet. We just got back from Hawaii, which was great, but that was like a quick trip. He's never been to Italy before, so I think we might want to go there. And I'm going to start making my record -- that's going to happen like sooner or later. I won't [be
going to Pittsburgh]. I got plenty of Pittsburgh this year. I had a good time, the people were really nice and just crazy about hockey, but no. I'm looking for a place a little sunnier."
http://on-msn.com/mfUcp9
Can't wait to hear it. PS. I will at the beach tomorrow so no posting tomorrow.
Music Heaven
recently, during which we talked about her upcoming one-year anniversary, her advice for Disney's most recent grads and what she'd never try.
On the craziest thing she's tried recently:
"I tried foie gras, which I never had before, and I was really terrified. It had cotton candy wrapped around it, so that seemed even more weird to me, and then I ate it and I was like, 'Oh my God, this is amazing,' so I think you have to try everything once, whether it's skydiving, which I'm about to do in a month and I'm very excited and
nervous about, or food or a new outfit or going up and talking to someone that maybe you would be scared to talk to in the first place -- it really just applies to life in general."
On what she'd never try:
"I'm pretty daring. I'm pretty an active person; I like [taking] risks, I like adrenaline rushes, so there's probably not too many activities I wouldn't try, and I'm pretty willing to try any kind of food. I'm scared of [bungee jumping]. I don't know why I'm more scared of that than jumping out of an airplane. That big cord it
could just snap or something! That doesn't mean I wouldn't do it, but I'd still be terrified."
On her first year of marriage:
"We lived apart for the first year, which was unique. He plays hockey in Pittsburgh all year, and I was back and forth. I just went back through my calendar and realized I flew to Pittsburgh 15 times last year. So it was pretty busy, but it was good. A lot of people tell me the first year you get married is really hard, and I think the only
thing we struggled with was just not getting to be together and spending as much time together as we'd wished."
On how being married differs from just dating:
"There's definitely a giddiness after you get married, how you feel towards each other. You're like, 'Oh my God, we just did that!' It's a really exciting, loving time, and I think that lasted for a while, especially since we were apart and then we'd like be together for three days [or] a week -- it just really trying to enjoy one another with the time
that we got. Now it's pretty normal. I mean, it's still exciting to say, 'Oh, he's my husband.' We were really committed to each other before, so it wasn't like that whole thing where getting married made it more serious than it was."
On her and Mike's anniversary plans:
"We are the worst planners. I always joke with him that if it wasn't for the last minute, he wouldn't get anything done. So we don't have any plans set in stone right now, but we have a few ideas. We either want to go back to where we got married because it's an hour outside of Los Angeles, and it's so beautiful. We also have never been
to Napa Valley to go wine tasting -- we'd really like to do that. We don't really like the pressure; we just like to have a good time. It's fun to be last minute. He's always like, 'Pack your bag, we're going here,' and I'm like, 'OK, let's do it.'"
On long-distance relationships:
"You get to a point where you get really strong without the person. I've done it for so long that I get to this point where I'm like, 'Well, I'm just doing fine by myself.' He's home for the summer, so sometimes I expect an adjustment period where I'm like, 'OK, wait a minute. You're coming into my place, and this is how I do things,
and now you're coming in and doing it this way,' but I think I'm just so happy to have him home. We're lucky. We're super compatible."
On how she'd advise Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez on transitioning out of their Disney phase:
"I still feel like I'm transitioning! It's a long process. I think about the frustrations I have sometimes -- if I don't get a certain part that I want or someone's like, 'Oh my God, I know you. You're from Disney!' I'm like, 'Yeah.' You have to accept where you come from and be proud of it. The
best advice is not railing against your past. Just move forward and take your time and be conscious about the steps you take before you take them, because every move you make is so crucial. It's really important to just sit back and really enjoy your success [and] not be embarrassed of where you came from."
On what she thinks her new music will sound like:
"It's hard to say until I get in the studio with a producer and a writer that I'm in love with and feel like really gets me. A pop/rock dance sound is where I want to go because it's what I like. And strong hooks, I think that's the most important -- songs that get stuck in people's heads and that are catchy and make you feel good."
On her foray into indie films:
"I need to put my time in, to be taken seriously as an actress. When I made those big-budget movies, I was 15 and playing a lot of the same characters, and it was perfect for who I was at the time, but now I don't want to continue doing those same projects. It just gives me experience on a smaller scale and gives me a place to
showcase what I'm capable of and learn and play and figure out who I am as an actress."
On what she's looking forward to most this summer:
"Travel. We always make big travel plans over summer. I don't know where we're going yet. We just got back from Hawaii, which was great, but that was like a quick trip. He's never been to Italy before, so I think we might want to go there. And I'm going to start making my record -- that's going to happen like sooner or later. I won't [be
going to Pittsburgh]. I got plenty of Pittsburgh this year. I had a good time, the people were really nice and just crazy about hockey, but no. I'm looking for a place a little sunnier."
http://on-msn.com/mfUcp9
Can't wait to hear it. PS. I will at the beach tomorrow so no posting tomorrow.
Music Heaven
Play-N-Skillz Sues Lil Wayne For $1 Million For Unpaid Royalites
Weezy faces another lawsuit for stiffing producers for his double-platinum album.
Following David Kirkwood’s lawsuit earlier this week, producers Play-N-Skillz have filed a $1 million suit against Lil Wayne for unpaid royalties stemming from work on his double platinum album Tha Carter III.
The Dallas, Texas producers produced “Got Money” featuring T-Pain for the project. They claim that they are owed at least $1 million in unpaid royalties from their work.
Kirkwood filed a similar suit earlier this week after he claims he got stiffed for producing “Love Me or Hate Me,” featured on the deluxe version of the LP. In 2007, Bangladesh (“A Milli”) sued for the same reason, as did Darius “Deezle” Harrison in March, seeking $20 million.
Not good for him at all.
Music Heaven
Following David Kirkwood’s lawsuit earlier this week, producers Play-N-Skillz have filed a $1 million suit against Lil Wayne for unpaid royalties stemming from work on his double platinum album Tha Carter III.
The Dallas, Texas producers produced “Got Money” featuring T-Pain for the project. They claim that they are owed at least $1 million in unpaid royalties from their work.
Kirkwood filed a similar suit earlier this week after he claims he got stiffed for producing “Love Me or Hate Me,” featured on the deluxe version of the LP. In 2007, Bangladesh (“A Milli”) sued for the same reason, as did Darius “Deezle” Harrison in March, seeking $20 million.
Not good for him at all.
Music Heaven
Britney Spears Proves She's Got It at 'Femme Fatale' Tour
Britney Spears is a dozen years into her career, and yet the kickoff of her Femme Fatale tour at the Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento last night managed to propel her forward. She's wisely focusing on the present – she sang nine songs from her latest album Femme Fatale and snagged Nicki Minaj as her opening act – while offering possibly her flashiest, fastest moving, and most entertaining production yet.
Taking her entrance atop a moving platform in the first of many skimpy and sparkling Barbarella-esque outfits, Spears kicked off her performance with "Hold It Against Me." Flipping her massive blonde locks/weave/wig in what the Glee kids call "hairography," Spears shook what her hairdresser gave her while dancing hunks in policeman gear suggestively wielded truncheons around her. For "Up n’ Down," she and her female dancers reappeared in several cages made of poles, and were soon to be joined by the cops executing jungle gym acrobatics atop the cages. White satin fedoras and trench coats were donned for "3," and for "Piece of Me" she flew over the stage until the cops ripped off their shirts to reveal S&M bondage harnesses.
It was that kind of show, and the largely female audience sprinkled with some enthusiastic guys liked it that way: Throughout her set, the screaming from the fans rarely relented. Just about every number offered a different a visual theme more over-the-top than the one before it. "Big Fat Bass" featured giant speaker cabinets with woofers circled by flashing, color-changing lights. Spears took her entrance during "How I Roll" in a car that resembled a pink Mini Cooper. The hood folded into steps that allowed Spears to walk over and down the car – one of many agile moves Spears executed without twisting an ankle.
Her set was half over before she sang a track older than four years; this was "Boys (Remix)," followed by the sole slowie, "Don’t Let Me Be the Last to Know," which she sang on a swing. Here her mike was clearly turned on, and the results confirmed why Spears typically relies on prerecorded vocals. Her surprise cover of Madonna’s early single "Burning Up" lacked Madge’s authority, but it did feature Spears straddling a giant glittering guitar 10 or so feet high and twice as long. Her encore of "Toxic" featured a booming Dance Dance Revolution-styled remix with Japanese kimonos and dancing ninjas to match while "Till the World Ends" included Minaj rapping via video — an odd choice, since she was likely still backstage.
Minaj’s own set lacked Spears’s budget or sharp choreography. Instead, the rapper tottered around on lime green platform shoes that threatened to tip her balance. Although she’s styled as a dance-pop diva, Minaj did little dancing — or singing, or even live rapping. Like Spears, much of her vocals were clearly prerecorded, which got a little too obvious during "Monster." Obviously she doesn’t have Kanye West with her, but throughout even her part in the song she sat nearly immobile, not bothering to hold a mike or move her lips.
Minaj clearly has stage presence, and the fact that fans cheered through abbreviated versions of her hits means that she’s doing something right by just showing up. But as a showcase for her considerable talents, her Thursday night performance lacked the commitment of her records. Surely the wild woman of "Did It On’em" can do better.
But really, the night belonged to Britney: She managed to prove that she's still progressing as a showgirl. Not only that, she's doing it better than even diehard defenders would’ve predicted. At 29, the pop star whose career seemed in danger of ending just a couple years ago has shown that she's back – hopefully this time to stay.
Source: Rolling Stone
Can't wait to see her in August!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Music Heaven
Taking her entrance atop a moving platform in the first of many skimpy and sparkling Barbarella-esque outfits, Spears kicked off her performance with "Hold It Against Me." Flipping her massive blonde locks/weave/wig in what the Glee kids call "hairography," Spears shook what her hairdresser gave her while dancing hunks in policeman gear suggestively wielded truncheons around her. For "Up n’ Down," she and her female dancers reappeared in several cages made of poles, and were soon to be joined by the cops executing jungle gym acrobatics atop the cages. White satin fedoras and trench coats were donned for "3," and for "Piece of Me" she flew over the stage until the cops ripped off their shirts to reveal S&M bondage harnesses.
It was that kind of show, and the largely female audience sprinkled with some enthusiastic guys liked it that way: Throughout her set, the screaming from the fans rarely relented. Just about every number offered a different a visual theme more over-the-top than the one before it. "Big Fat Bass" featured giant speaker cabinets with woofers circled by flashing, color-changing lights. Spears took her entrance during "How I Roll" in a car that resembled a pink Mini Cooper. The hood folded into steps that allowed Spears to walk over and down the car – one of many agile moves Spears executed without twisting an ankle.
Her set was half over before she sang a track older than four years; this was "Boys (Remix)," followed by the sole slowie, "Don’t Let Me Be the Last to Know," which she sang on a swing. Here her mike was clearly turned on, and the results confirmed why Spears typically relies on prerecorded vocals. Her surprise cover of Madonna’s early single "Burning Up" lacked Madge’s authority, but it did feature Spears straddling a giant glittering guitar 10 or so feet high and twice as long. Her encore of "Toxic" featured a booming Dance Dance Revolution-styled remix with Japanese kimonos and dancing ninjas to match while "Till the World Ends" included Minaj rapping via video — an odd choice, since she was likely still backstage.
Minaj’s own set lacked Spears’s budget or sharp choreography. Instead, the rapper tottered around on lime green platform shoes that threatened to tip her balance. Although she’s styled as a dance-pop diva, Minaj did little dancing — or singing, or even live rapping. Like Spears, much of her vocals were clearly prerecorded, which got a little too obvious during "Monster." Obviously she doesn’t have Kanye West with her, but throughout even her part in the song she sat nearly immobile, not bothering to hold a mike or move her lips.
Minaj clearly has stage presence, and the fact that fans cheered through abbreviated versions of her hits means that she’s doing something right by just showing up. But as a showcase for her considerable talents, her Thursday night performance lacked the commitment of her records. Surely the wild woman of "Did It On’em" can do better.
But really, the night belonged to Britney: She managed to prove that she's still progressing as a showgirl. Not only that, she's doing it better than even diehard defenders would’ve predicted. At 29, the pop star whose career seemed in danger of ending just a couple years ago has shown that she's back – hopefully this time to stay.
Source: Rolling Stone
Can't wait to see her in August!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Music Heaven
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Beyonce's 4 WILL be in store June 28.
Over the last few days, the Internet has been running wild with rumors that Beyoncé‘s latest album, 4, had been pushed back by Columbia Records from its planned June release date to the fall. According to unsubstantiated reports that appeared on various gossip blogs, an “emergency meeting” was called after execs at her label declared the album to be “too concept edgy and extreme” for American tastes. After the difficulty that the first single from the record, “Run The World (Girls),” had gaining traction on radio and in sales, these rumors seemed especially viable.
Adding fuel to the fire was Beyoncé’s Facebook statement last week after 4 leaked and started appearing on file sharing services, a message that included her stating that “this is not how I wanted to present my new songs.” Some interpreted that to mean that she was just upset about the leak, while others theorized that she had not completed work on the songs yet.
However, we here at VH1 decided to go straight to the source to find out once and for all whether or not 4 was officially being pushed back until fall. Sony Music, the parent company of Columbia Records, has yet to make an official statement on the matter, but we went directly to Beyoncé’s publicist this morning and received this statement from her team:
“Beyoncé’s album, 4, will be released on June 28.”
Well, Beyoncé fans, there you have it! Important distinction: As you’ll note, they didn’t say “is scheduled to be released on June 28,” they definitively said “will be released on June 28.” We will keep you abreast of any further developments to this story as they happen.
http://blog.vh1.com/2011-06-16/exclusive-beyoncs-camp-insists-4-will-arrive-on-june-28/
Alrighty then. Glad that was cleared up.
Music Heaven
Adding fuel to the fire was Beyoncé’s Facebook statement last week after 4 leaked and started appearing on file sharing services, a message that included her stating that “this is not how I wanted to present my new songs.” Some interpreted that to mean that she was just upset about the leak, while others theorized that she had not completed work on the songs yet.
However, we here at VH1 decided to go straight to the source to find out once and for all whether or not 4 was officially being pushed back until fall. Sony Music, the parent company of Columbia Records, has yet to make an official statement on the matter, but we went directly to Beyoncé’s publicist this morning and received this statement from her team:
“Beyoncé’s album, 4, will be released on June 28.”
Well, Beyoncé fans, there you have it! Important distinction: As you’ll note, they didn’t say “is scheduled to be released on June 28,” they definitively said “will be released on June 28.” We will keep you abreast of any further developments to this story as they happen.
http://blog.vh1.com/2011-06-16/exclusive-beyoncs-camp-insists-4-will-arrive-on-june-28/
Alrighty then. Glad that was cleared up.
Music Heaven
Christina Aguilera's Awful Year, Explained By Christina
It has been anything but a stellar year for one time teen queen, Christina Aguilera.
It's been mishap after mishap for months now, first with her album 'Bionic' flopping, then in October, when news first broke that she and husband of five years, Jordan Bratman had split -- from then on it was a downward spiral no one saw coming. Now, the 'Beautiful' songstress is finally talking, addressing each and every unfortunate incident.
'The Voice' judge opens up in the July issue of W magazine, reliving her most disastrous moments from the last year and giving her side of the story.
Aguilera explains, "Sometimes, especially in the last six months, I still feel like going to the window and singing out all my troubles. I laugh a lot lately. People expect me to cry, but I always laugh when things go wrong."
While the world was laughing and speculating about the singer, it seems she had a clear understanding of what was happening to her, one of the worst bad luck streaks, ever. She's picked herself up and dusted herself off, and now she is ready to set the record straight.
When W asked about her failed marriage, she was anything but subtle, hinting that both she and Bratman had been unfaithful: "At one time or another we were both not angels. It got to a point where our life at home was reminding me of my own childhood." She then declared, "I will not have my son grow up in a tension-filled home. I knew there would be a negative reaction in the press to my divorce, but I am not going to live my life because of something someone might say. That goes against everything I sing on my records. I have to be myself."
Bad press about her divorce was the least of her troubles. It was not long before she was out in the public eye with another man, 25-year-old Matt Rutler. The pair met on the set of her disappointing film debut in 'Burlesque.' But a new man wasn't enough to give Aguilera a new start -- it wasn't long before she found her name back in the headlines, detailing her stumbles and unflattering accusations.
It was reported that she passed out in actor Jeremy Renner's bed, during his 40th birthday party. When Renner went into his room, he found her slurring her words, laying in his bed with Rutler rubbing her back. Aguilera's response to this story is simple, "At one point I sat on the edge of a bed. It was a guest room. But it only takes one person to start the negativity, and then everyone wants to hop aboard and continue the story."
It only snowballed from there. The pair made one of their first appearances as a couple at the Super Bowl in February, where Aguilera so famously flubbed the lyrics to 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'
"I got lost in the emotion of being there and I messed up the lyrics to the song." But from her reaction to the incident, she doesn't seem to take herself too seriously. "I went to dinner after the Super Bowl with Matt and I laughed about how I'd made myself into a Trivial Pursuit question: 'In 2011 what female singer flubbed the lyrics to the national anthem?'"
A few weeks later, her stumble on stage during the Grammys put her back in the headlines. Was she intoxicated, or exhausted?
"I know what everyone was saying," Aguilera said. "And during that Grammy moment, when I nearly collapsed, I was thinking, Are you kidding me? I've always been really good with my heels. Even pregnant, I could perform in heels. Note to self: Never wear a train onstage. My heel got caught in my train, and if it wasn't for Jennifer Hudson, who picked me up as I went down, I would have fallen to the floor. When it happened, it was just like, What else, God?! What else?! I threw my hands up in the air and started smiling, because what else could go wrong?"
She had become the butt of every late night joke and the next train wreck to keep an eye out for, but her involvement in the newest singing reality show sensation, 'The Voice,' might just be the boost she had been so desperately in need of.
Let's hope we can give this year's turnaround award to Aguilera.
http://www.popeater.com/2011/06/15/christina-aguilera-explains-awful-year/
Glad she's doing better.
Music Heaven
It's been mishap after mishap for months now, first with her album 'Bionic' flopping, then in October, when news first broke that she and husband of five years, Jordan Bratman had split -- from then on it was a downward spiral no one saw coming. Now, the 'Beautiful' songstress is finally talking, addressing each and every unfortunate incident.
'The Voice' judge opens up in the July issue of W magazine, reliving her most disastrous moments from the last year and giving her side of the story.
Aguilera explains, "Sometimes, especially in the last six months, I still feel like going to the window and singing out all my troubles. I laugh a lot lately. People expect me to cry, but I always laugh when things go wrong."
While the world was laughing and speculating about the singer, it seems she had a clear understanding of what was happening to her, one of the worst bad luck streaks, ever. She's picked herself up and dusted herself off, and now she is ready to set the record straight.
When W asked about her failed marriage, she was anything but subtle, hinting that both she and Bratman had been unfaithful: "At one time or another we were both not angels. It got to a point where our life at home was reminding me of my own childhood." She then declared, "I will not have my son grow up in a tension-filled home. I knew there would be a negative reaction in the press to my divorce, but I am not going to live my life because of something someone might say. That goes against everything I sing on my records. I have to be myself."
Bad press about her divorce was the least of her troubles. It was not long before she was out in the public eye with another man, 25-year-old Matt Rutler. The pair met on the set of her disappointing film debut in 'Burlesque.' But a new man wasn't enough to give Aguilera a new start -- it wasn't long before she found her name back in the headlines, detailing her stumbles and unflattering accusations.
It was reported that she passed out in actor Jeremy Renner's bed, during his 40th birthday party. When Renner went into his room, he found her slurring her words, laying in his bed with Rutler rubbing her back. Aguilera's response to this story is simple, "At one point I sat on the edge of a bed. It was a guest room. But it only takes one person to start the negativity, and then everyone wants to hop aboard and continue the story."
It only snowballed from there. The pair made one of their first appearances as a couple at the Super Bowl in February, where Aguilera so famously flubbed the lyrics to 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'
"I got lost in the emotion of being there and I messed up the lyrics to the song." But from her reaction to the incident, she doesn't seem to take herself too seriously. "I went to dinner after the Super Bowl with Matt and I laughed about how I'd made myself into a Trivial Pursuit question: 'In 2011 what female singer flubbed the lyrics to the national anthem?'"
A few weeks later, her stumble on stage during the Grammys put her back in the headlines. Was she intoxicated, or exhausted?
"I know what everyone was saying," Aguilera said. "And during that Grammy moment, when I nearly collapsed, I was thinking, Are you kidding me? I've always been really good with my heels. Even pregnant, I could perform in heels. Note to self: Never wear a train onstage. My heel got caught in my train, and if it wasn't for Jennifer Hudson, who picked me up as I went down, I would have fallen to the floor. When it happened, it was just like, What else, God?! What else?! I threw my hands up in the air and started smiling, because what else could go wrong?"
She had become the butt of every late night joke and the next train wreck to keep an eye out for, but her involvement in the newest singing reality show sensation, 'The Voice,' might just be the boost she had been so desperately in need of.
Let's hope we can give this year's turnaround award to Aguilera.
http://www.popeater.com/2011/06/15/christina-aguilera-explains-awful-year/
Glad she's doing better.
Music Heaven
Pitbull's 3rd single is...
Rain Over Me (Feat. Marc Anthony)
goes for adds on July 19th http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases
Amazing song. Can't wait for it to smash.
Music Heaven
goes for adds on July 19th http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases
Amazing song. Can't wait for it to smash.
Music Heaven
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Christina working with Emeli Sandé.
http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?s...de=1045513&c=1
As Virgin developed material for her launch as a solo artist, Sandé has been in demand to write for a variety of other artists, including Tinie Tempah, Cheryl Cole, Tinchy Stryder and Professor Green.
She has also attracted the interest of the Syco stable – recently she has been writing for Leona Lewis, Cher Lloyd and Susan Boyle – and last week Christina Aguilera cut one of her tracks for her next album.
While Sandé’s idols include Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, Roberta Flack and Lauryn Hill, much of her material has a distinct Nineties influence, comparable with Massive Attack and Portishead.
“I find it hard to describe my music,” Sandé said. “Lyrics are the most important thing to me. The last two years I have been working on my album but learning my craft, writing for other rappers and singers. It’s an amazing opportunity to write for other people.”
Her material is lavished with string instruments, brass sections and trip hop beats, underlying Sandé’s soaring vocals.
Much of the production is being handled by Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys, Adele) who has been setting up musicians around Sandé to record live. Also involved are Mike Spencer (Jamiroquai, Kylie Minogue) and Naughty Boy.
The first single is the feel-good summer track Heaven (released August 15).
Should be interesting.
Music Heaven
As Virgin developed material for her launch as a solo artist, Sandé has been in demand to write for a variety of other artists, including Tinie Tempah, Cheryl Cole, Tinchy Stryder and Professor Green.
She has also attracted the interest of the Syco stable – recently she has been writing for Leona Lewis, Cher Lloyd and Susan Boyle – and last week Christina Aguilera cut one of her tracks for her next album.
While Sandé’s idols include Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, Roberta Flack and Lauryn Hill, much of her material has a distinct Nineties influence, comparable with Massive Attack and Portishead.
“I find it hard to describe my music,” Sandé said. “Lyrics are the most important thing to me. The last two years I have been working on my album but learning my craft, writing for other rappers and singers. It’s an amazing opportunity to write for other people.”
Her material is lavished with string instruments, brass sections and trip hop beats, underlying Sandé’s soaring vocals.
Much of the production is being handled by Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys, Adele) who has been setting up musicians around Sandé to record live. Also involved are Mike Spencer (Jamiroquai, Kylie Minogue) and Naughty Boy.
The first single is the feel-good summer track Heaven (released August 15).
Should be interesting.
Music Heaven
Kelly Rowland's Second Single Is...
"LAY IT ON ME"
(Feat. Big Sean)
It's an Up-tempo Urban/Rhythmic song which will keep the "Motivation" fans happy yet get much more play on Rhythmic and Pop radio! I HEAR A SMASH!!!
Can't wait to hear it.
Music Heaven
(Feat. Big Sean)
It's an Up-tempo Urban/Rhythmic song which will keep the "Motivation" fans happy yet get much more play on Rhythmic and Pop radio! I HEAR A SMASH!!!
Can't wait to hear it.
Music Heaven
Monday, June 13, 2011
Review of When The Sun Goes Down - Selena Gomez
SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
HOLLYWOOD RECORDS (2011)
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN – SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE
Selena Gomez erupted onto The Scene with bratty synth-pop *and a spawn of Lizzie Mcguire-esque punk attitude on 2009′s Kiss & Tell. The bubble gum pop-tart, whose lyrics once gave off the impression that she bought jelly *bracelets and chokers from Claire’s in hope to be looked at as “bad-ass,” and attempted to further the image on a duet with scene-punk act Forever The Sickest Kids, ultimately without success. Selena & The Scene released their followup, A Year Without Rain in 2010. The album displayed a universal sound, finally, garnished with euro-dancehall influence and glorious lyrics about love, bad days, and how the devil is roaming around in today’s music.
When The Sun Goes Down is a musical succession showcasing Gomez’s progression and how she has grown into a mature, respectable pop artist who can still manage to have the youngster candy-floss sass of an ex-Disney princess.
“Love You Like A Love Song” accelerates into full speed with icy Rock Mafia dubstep wobbles that spotlight during a a swift chorus claiming of being so in love with a lover, that you want to replay the highlights of the love, like clicking play on a CD player. Gomez’s metamorphosis comes to form in the middle 8 where her lush vocals ride the wave of a dreamy faux-trance moment. “No one compares, you stand alone to every record I own.”
Toby Gad’s 80s video-game synths are lavish with confident retro tunage. A constant brag about Selena’s new boy between verses is both silly and cute: “My new boy he’s got more swagger than you.. My new boy used to be a model,” holding over unborn R&B inspired verses/vocals. Writer Pixie Lott’s delicate touch on a bundle of crystal-clear “Woah-oh-ohs” in “Bang Bang Bang”‘s chorus is both necessary and charismatic.
“Who Says” is acoustic and polished, but yet another “I *ME” anthem. It’s a track to listen to when you’re facing a breezy summer day filled with troubled looks or self-esteem issues. “Who says you can’t be in movies, listen to, listen to me, who says you can’t past the test” is a cry of hope to troubled youth, on top of a sparkly chime as the end approaches makes it less sappy and more empowering and, well, believable.
“We Own The Night” is paired with Toby G’s composition of simplified guitar, modified piano, and a singing drum that reminisces of 2001′s Top 40. The track is a calming celebration of spending good times with good friends, putting our day-to-day problems aside, and becoming an A.I. addition of ourselves as the night starts to appear. “Do whatever, be whoever we like, We sleep when we die! Don’t worry about nothing, we own the night!” It’s a husky serenade glimmering over the starry main moment. The cryptic robots spewing words back and forth during the last chorus before the song climbs to its apex turns things around last minute and rubs off an electronic certainty.
From start to finish, you can easily tell that Dr. Luke both produced and wrote “Hit The Lights”. A drum that is being forced to move in the same direction and that same ol’ flashing-fire synth with lyrics that are surprisingly witty. The song presumes that we have a second chance at something we’ve missed out on by converting the energy and losing our regrets on the dance-floor.. “It’s a mad mad world, got to make an escape..” The oblivious shouting in the chorus is tasteless, though, and the lack of ear-striking production puts the lyrics to waste.
Mega pop connoisseur Greg Kurstin’s odyssey “Whiplash” is rancid, hypnotic, and mysterious in the sense that the sounds are playing a game of hide-and-go-seek on a back lit dance floor. With its provoking ambiance, Gomez could’ve possibly recorded it above the pit of a volcano. At times, the song emulates the actual voyeuristic feeling of someone watching you. The pre-chorus is completely berserk, rapidly spoken with British accents, and purrs transitions into a chorus that sincerely bleeds pop: “I’m so in love I think I’m going to crash again! Whiplash-lash-lash,” chants of vocal repetition, space-house “la la la la’s” and cheerleader chants of “Whiplash” makes this track the albums keeper.
The catch to all of this? “Whiplash” was co-written by Britney Spears, the original sex-kitten school girl who clearly cut the song before Gomez, as there is no way Selena could do such a spot-on signature Britney vocal impersonation, with whispers, croons, and audible lip smacks, unless SGo spent her childhood singing along to In The Zone with a brush as the microphone.
Max Martin and Dr. Luke join forces –a rarity, for pop music’s Jesus and Moses– in “When The Sun Goes Down”. Co-penned by vixen Bonnie Mckee with a so-effing-hip ode to Steve Jobs, (“I checked my iphone.. Let me see whats going on!”) Selena preludes to the party-starter chorus where her vocals are nothing but comfortable as she excitingly speed-sings, “The party doesn’t start till the sung goes down!” The track reprises the familiar effects of robots chatting in-verse, as well as cheerleader chants.
“My Dilemma” is a straight 80s-inspired disco dilemma where Gomez complains about being attached to someone who is nothing but bad for her. The fizzle of a bubbly pop-punk rasp in unison with The Knack’s immortal rhythm invention “M-m-m-m-y”. “Dilemma” is a listenable, but ultimately open-and-shut pop track, filler for the album.
Selena is Katy Perry’s dress-up doll on “That’s More Like It”, an oddly out of place feminist song that could be a perspective on gender roles in a relationship. “Make me dinner, bring it to me, that’s more like it!,” she thwacks with an invisible wink on top of the laid back Billy Steinberg jitterbug.
Penultimately, “Outlaw” is a hazy motion upon airy rave characteristics that squander over Gomez’s dark howl disclosing a modern day Casanova who’s dying inside — “The next girl who leaves gets smaller in your rear view mirror.”
The finale is “The Middle Of No Where” a techno love confessional matched with a 80s arena-ready chorus that could be drifted away due to an unlevelled bass line that can’t decide if it’s going to shut up and let Selena own the final track, or not, on When The Sun Goes Down.
( source: http://alexkazemi.com/2011/06/when-the-sun-goes-down-selena-gomez/ )
Can't wait to hear it.
Music Heaven
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
HOLLYWOOD RECORDS (2011)
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN – SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE
Selena Gomez erupted onto The Scene with bratty synth-pop *and a spawn of Lizzie Mcguire-esque punk attitude on 2009′s Kiss & Tell. The bubble gum pop-tart, whose lyrics once gave off the impression that she bought jelly *bracelets and chokers from Claire’s in hope to be looked at as “bad-ass,” and attempted to further the image on a duet with scene-punk act Forever The Sickest Kids, ultimately without success. Selena & The Scene released their followup, A Year Without Rain in 2010. The album displayed a universal sound, finally, garnished with euro-dancehall influence and glorious lyrics about love, bad days, and how the devil is roaming around in today’s music.
When The Sun Goes Down is a musical succession showcasing Gomez’s progression and how she has grown into a mature, respectable pop artist who can still manage to have the youngster candy-floss sass of an ex-Disney princess.
“Love You Like A Love Song” accelerates into full speed with icy Rock Mafia dubstep wobbles that spotlight during a a swift chorus claiming of being so in love with a lover, that you want to replay the highlights of the love, like clicking play on a CD player. Gomez’s metamorphosis comes to form in the middle 8 where her lush vocals ride the wave of a dreamy faux-trance moment. “No one compares, you stand alone to every record I own.”
Toby Gad’s 80s video-game synths are lavish with confident retro tunage. A constant brag about Selena’s new boy between verses is both silly and cute: “My new boy he’s got more swagger than you.. My new boy used to be a model,” holding over unborn R&B inspired verses/vocals. Writer Pixie Lott’s delicate touch on a bundle of crystal-clear “Woah-oh-ohs” in “Bang Bang Bang”‘s chorus is both necessary and charismatic.
“Who Says” is acoustic and polished, but yet another “I *ME” anthem. It’s a track to listen to when you’re facing a breezy summer day filled with troubled looks or self-esteem issues. “Who says you can’t be in movies, listen to, listen to me, who says you can’t past the test” is a cry of hope to troubled youth, on top of a sparkly chime as the end approaches makes it less sappy and more empowering and, well, believable.
“We Own The Night” is paired with Toby G’s composition of simplified guitar, modified piano, and a singing drum that reminisces of 2001′s Top 40. The track is a calming celebration of spending good times with good friends, putting our day-to-day problems aside, and becoming an A.I. addition of ourselves as the night starts to appear. “Do whatever, be whoever we like, We sleep when we die! Don’t worry about nothing, we own the night!” It’s a husky serenade glimmering over the starry main moment. The cryptic robots spewing words back and forth during the last chorus before the song climbs to its apex turns things around last minute and rubs off an electronic certainty.
From start to finish, you can easily tell that Dr. Luke both produced and wrote “Hit The Lights”. A drum that is being forced to move in the same direction and that same ol’ flashing-fire synth with lyrics that are surprisingly witty. The song presumes that we have a second chance at something we’ve missed out on by converting the energy and losing our regrets on the dance-floor.. “It’s a mad mad world, got to make an escape..” The oblivious shouting in the chorus is tasteless, though, and the lack of ear-striking production puts the lyrics to waste.
Mega pop connoisseur Greg Kurstin’s odyssey “Whiplash” is rancid, hypnotic, and mysterious in the sense that the sounds are playing a game of hide-and-go-seek on a back lit dance floor. With its provoking ambiance, Gomez could’ve possibly recorded it above the pit of a volcano. At times, the song emulates the actual voyeuristic feeling of someone watching you. The pre-chorus is completely berserk, rapidly spoken with British accents, and purrs transitions into a chorus that sincerely bleeds pop: “I’m so in love I think I’m going to crash again! Whiplash-lash-lash,” chants of vocal repetition, space-house “la la la la’s” and cheerleader chants of “Whiplash” makes this track the albums keeper.
The catch to all of this? “Whiplash” was co-written by Britney Spears, the original sex-kitten school girl who clearly cut the song before Gomez, as there is no way Selena could do such a spot-on signature Britney vocal impersonation, with whispers, croons, and audible lip smacks, unless SGo spent her childhood singing along to In The Zone with a brush as the microphone.
Max Martin and Dr. Luke join forces –a rarity, for pop music’s Jesus and Moses– in “When The Sun Goes Down”. Co-penned by vixen Bonnie Mckee with a so-effing-hip ode to Steve Jobs, (“I checked my iphone.. Let me see whats going on!”) Selena preludes to the party-starter chorus where her vocals are nothing but comfortable as she excitingly speed-sings, “The party doesn’t start till the sung goes down!” The track reprises the familiar effects of robots chatting in-verse, as well as cheerleader chants.
“My Dilemma” is a straight 80s-inspired disco dilemma where Gomez complains about being attached to someone who is nothing but bad for her. The fizzle of a bubbly pop-punk rasp in unison with The Knack’s immortal rhythm invention “M-m-m-m-y”. “Dilemma” is a listenable, but ultimately open-and-shut pop track, filler for the album.
Selena is Katy Perry’s dress-up doll on “That’s More Like It”, an oddly out of place feminist song that could be a perspective on gender roles in a relationship. “Make me dinner, bring it to me, that’s more like it!,” she thwacks with an invisible wink on top of the laid back Billy Steinberg jitterbug.
Penultimately, “Outlaw” is a hazy motion upon airy rave characteristics that squander over Gomez’s dark howl disclosing a modern day Casanova who’s dying inside — “The next girl who leaves gets smaller in your rear view mirror.”
The finale is “The Middle Of No Where” a techno love confessional matched with a 80s arena-ready chorus that could be drifted away due to an unlevelled bass line that can’t decide if it’s going to shut up and let Selena own the final track, or not, on When The Sun Goes Down.
( source: http://alexkazemi.com/2011/06/when-the-sun-goes-down-selena-gomez/ )
Can't wait to hear it.
Music Heaven
Sunday, June 12, 2011
LMFAO - Sorry For Party Rocking [Official Tracklisting]
The Californian dance duo are their second studio record on the world. The band shot to fame in 2009 with their hit "I'm In Miami Bitch" and have since had a number one around the world with the single "Party Rock Anthem" - as well as singing the theme to MTV's hit show Jersey Shore.
The band recently shot a video for their second single "Champagne Showers", due for release soon.
Album drops June 20th.
Tracklisting
1. Rock The Beat II
2. Sorry for Party Rocking
3. Party Rock Anthem
4. Sexy and I Know It
5. Champagne Showers
6. One Day
7. Put That A$$ To Work
8. Take It To The Hole
9. We Came Here To Party
10. Reminds Me Of You
11. Best Night
12. All Night Long
13. With You
14. Hot Dog
Excited for this.
Music Heaven
The band recently shot a video for their second single "Champagne Showers", due for release soon.
Album drops June 20th.
Tracklisting
1. Rock The Beat II
2. Sorry for Party Rocking
3. Party Rock Anthem
4. Sexy and I Know It
5. Champagne Showers
6. One Day
7. Put That A$$ To Work
8. Take It To The Hole
9. We Came Here To Party
10. Reminds Me Of You
11. Best Night
12. All Night Long
13. With You
14. Hot Dog
Excited for this.
Music Heaven
Katharine McPhee Inks Solo Deal With Columbia Records
Columbia Records Teams With NBC For 'Smash' Music Albums, Inks Solo Recording Deal With Co-Star Katharine McPhee
EXCLUSIVE: Following in the footsteps of Fox's Glee, NBC has signed a deal with Columbia Records for the soundtrack of the network's new musical drama series Smash. Additionally, Columbia has signed a solo recording pact with Smash breakout star and American Idol alumna Katharine McPhee. I hear Columbia, which also handles the soundtracks for Glee and the upcoming X Factor, landed the rights to Smash after a bidding war. The deal, brokered by NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group, gives Columbia Records worldwide, digital and physical rights to the first season of Smash, with options to subsequent seasons. It includes both original songs, written exclusively for the TV series by the Tony Award-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and covers of hit songs featured on the show. "Our Columbia Records partners will guide the soundtrack of Smash into a big component of the show’s success,” said NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt. Added Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia/Epic Label Group, "Music is at the heart of Smash, and with our wonderfully creative broadcast partners, we will develop innovative strategies to present this music to a huge audience."
Smash, slated to air in mid-season behind The Voice on Mondays, stars Debra Messing, Christian Borle, McPhee and Anjelica Huston and follows the creation of a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe. Playwright/screenwriter Theresa Rebeck wrote the pilot and is executive producing the series with Steven Spielberg, on whose idea the show is based, Craig Zadan & Neil Meron, Darryl Frank & Justin Falvey, Shaiman & Wittman and David Marshall Grant. Following her runner-up finish on American Idol in 2006, McPhee has released 2 albums, a self-titled one in 2007, which premiered at the #2 spot on the Billboard 200, and Unbroken in January 2010, which debuted at #27.
http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/columbia-records-teams-with-nbc-for-smash-music-albums-inks-solo-recording-deal-with-co-star-kathatine-mcphee/
So excited for her.
Music Heaven
EXCLUSIVE: Following in the footsteps of Fox's Glee, NBC has signed a deal with Columbia Records for the soundtrack of the network's new musical drama series Smash. Additionally, Columbia has signed a solo recording pact with Smash breakout star and American Idol alumna Katharine McPhee. I hear Columbia, which also handles the soundtracks for Glee and the upcoming X Factor, landed the rights to Smash after a bidding war. The deal, brokered by NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group, gives Columbia Records worldwide, digital and physical rights to the first season of Smash, with options to subsequent seasons. It includes both original songs, written exclusively for the TV series by the Tony Award-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and covers of hit songs featured on the show. "Our Columbia Records partners will guide the soundtrack of Smash into a big component of the show’s success,” said NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt. Added Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia/Epic Label Group, "Music is at the heart of Smash, and with our wonderfully creative broadcast partners, we will develop innovative strategies to present this music to a huge audience."
Smash, slated to air in mid-season behind The Voice on Mondays, stars Debra Messing, Christian Borle, McPhee and Anjelica Huston and follows the creation of a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe. Playwright/screenwriter Theresa Rebeck wrote the pilot and is executive producing the series with Steven Spielberg, on whose idea the show is based, Craig Zadan & Neil Meron, Darryl Frank & Justin Falvey, Shaiman & Wittman and David Marshall Grant. Following her runner-up finish on American Idol in 2006, McPhee has released 2 albums, a self-titled one in 2007, which premiered at the #2 spot on the Billboard 200, and Unbroken in January 2010, which debuted at #27.
http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/columbia-records-teams-with-nbc-for-smash-music-albums-inks-solo-recording-deal-with-co-star-kathatine-mcphee/
So excited for her.
Music Heaven
Cheryl Cole says NO to Girls aloud Reunion
CHERYL Cole’s career was in crisis last night after she refused to rejoin Girls Aloud for a comeback album and tour.
The axed X Factor judge, 27, angered pal Sarah Harding by spurning the deal – and has been snubbed from her wedding.
Cheryl was contacted by record label executives just hours after it was confirmed she had been dropped from American X Factor.
But in a shock move she snubbed a six-figure deal to join Sarah, 29, Nicola Roberts, 25, Kimberley Walsh, 29, and Nadine Coyle, 25, for the band’s long-awaited comeback.
An insider said: “Cheryl has made it very clear she has no intention of rejoining the girls next year – or ever. She turned the offer down within minutes, barely even considering it.
“She’s admitted to friends she’d see going back to Girls Aloud as a massive step backwards.
“Cheryl is convinced she can still crack America with her solo material, so she wants to focus on that.”
Industry experts now fear the babe’s career could be over as she continues to snub big money deals.
Our insider said: “Cheryl has now turned down UK X Factor and a Girls Aloud reunion, so it looks like she’s forgotten they’re the reasons she’s famous in the first place.
“It’s highly unlikely she ever had the offer to go back to US X Factor but if she did and turned that down too, she really is losing her grip on things. She’s acting like no job is good enough for her. Getting stroppy won’t win her any fans.”
Pal Sarah has also dealt Cheryl a crushing blow by not inviting her to her wedding next month.
Sarah, who is set to marry DJ Tom Crane, 31, fears involving Cheryl will turn the bash into a “media circus” and take the focus off her.
Despite being a bridesmaid at Cheryl’s wedding to Ashley Cole, 30, in 2006, Sarah has told one wedding guest she will snub Cheryl.
Our insider, who is invited to the ceremony, said: “It’s no secret Sarah is jealous of Cheryl and all the attention she gets.
“This is supposed to be her big day and, for once, she wants it to be about her and not Cheryl.
“Sarah wants to keep details of the day quiet so she and Tom can have a relatively private wedding – she isn’t bothered about a big showbiz guest list.
“But if Cheryl comes there will be no chance of that, it will be a media circus.”
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/195527/Cheryl-Cole-turns-down-a-Girls-Aloud-reunion/
The axed X Factor judge, 27, angered pal Sarah Harding by spurning the deal – and has been snubbed from her wedding.
Cheryl was contacted by record label executives just hours after it was confirmed she had been dropped from American X Factor.
But in a shock move she snubbed a six-figure deal to join Sarah, 29, Nicola Roberts, 25, Kimberley Walsh, 29, and Nadine Coyle, 25, for the band’s long-awaited comeback.
An insider said: “Cheryl has made it very clear she has no intention of rejoining the girls next year – or ever. She turned the offer down within minutes, barely even considering it.
“She’s admitted to friends she’d see going back to Girls Aloud as a massive step backwards.
“Cheryl is convinced she can still crack America with her solo material, so she wants to focus on that.”
Industry experts now fear the babe’s career could be over as she continues to snub big money deals.
Our insider said: “Cheryl has now turned down UK X Factor and a Girls Aloud reunion, so it looks like she’s forgotten they’re the reasons she’s famous in the first place.
“It’s highly unlikely she ever had the offer to go back to US X Factor but if she did and turned that down too, she really is losing her grip on things. She’s acting like no job is good enough for her. Getting stroppy won’t win her any fans.”
Pal Sarah has also dealt Cheryl a crushing blow by not inviting her to her wedding next month.
Sarah, who is set to marry DJ Tom Crane, 31, fears involving Cheryl will turn the bash into a “media circus” and take the focus off her.
Despite being a bridesmaid at Cheryl’s wedding to Ashley Cole, 30, in 2006, Sarah has told one wedding guest she will snub Cheryl.
Our insider, who is invited to the ceremony, said: “It’s no secret Sarah is jealous of Cheryl and all the attention she gets.
“This is supposed to be her big day and, for once, she wants it to be about her and not Cheryl.
“Sarah wants to keep details of the day quiet so she and Tom can have a relatively private wedding – she isn’t bothered about a big showbiz guest list.
“But if Cheryl comes there will be no chance of that, it will be a media circus.”
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/195527/Cheryl-Cole-turns-down-a-Girls-Aloud-reunion/
Friday, June 10, 2011
Kelly Rowland Announces Album Release Date!
The Destiny’s Child diva has settled on a July 26 release date for her third solo album Here I Am, Universal Motown exclusively confirms to Rap-Up.com. The new date comes as her Lil Wayne-assisted single “Motivation” continues to soar, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
The album features contributions from Rico Love, Tricky Stewart, Dr. Luke, Stargate, Salaam Remi, Jim Jonsin, RedOne, Ester Dean, and more. Kelly was recently announced as a judge for Britain’s “X Factor,” which is currently taping in London.
Source
So Excited.
Music Heaven
The album features contributions from Rico Love, Tricky Stewart, Dr. Luke, Stargate, Salaam Remi, Jim Jonsin, RedOne, Ester Dean, and more. Kelly was recently announced as a judge for Britain’s “X Factor,” which is currently taping in London.
Source
So Excited.
Music Heaven
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Michelle Williams shooting new music video
She's been recording a new song in Germany for the past week or so and is going to Ibiza, Spain today to shoot a video OMG
I AM SO SLAIN RIGHT NOW, THIS IS ALL SO SOON. TENITRA, THE UNDERRATED, THE INCREDIBLE OMG.
June 3rd
RealMichelleW (Michelle Williams) wrote:
@Reez_Md A music video for a song I just recorded here n Germany a few days ago! It's called On The Run!! @gawouz
June 4th
RealMichelleW (Michelle Williams) wrote:
Alright....it's 2:57 AM in Munich. I am beat! Goin to Ibiza, Spain tomorrow! CAN NOT WAIT! Goodnite world!
Michelle Williams' Official Twitter
Can't wait! I love her music.
Music Heaven
I AM SO SLAIN RIGHT NOW, THIS IS ALL SO SOON. TENITRA, THE UNDERRATED, THE INCREDIBLE OMG.
June 3rd
RealMichelleW (Michelle Williams) wrote:
@Reez_Md A music video for a song I just recorded here n Germany a few days ago! It's called On The Run!! @gawouz
June 4th
RealMichelleW (Michelle Williams) wrote:
Alright....it's 2:57 AM in Munich. I am beat! Goin to Ibiza, Spain tomorrow! CAN NOT WAIT! Goodnite world!
Michelle Williams' Official Twitter
Can't wait! I love her music.
Music Heaven
Is Beyonce's 4 Cancelled???
Well it’s official, Columbia Records started making strides to push Beyonce’s fourth Studio album titled “4″ back to September. The record label made the decision late Wednesday evening in an emergency meeting. Record executives at Columbia Records felt that a leak of the 3 weeks was too severe and would hurt record sales. Columbia records cancelled all printing orders for the album until further notice.
Solid sources tell us that Jay Z who is reportedly head of Beyonce’s new management team agrees with the record label but Beyonce does not. Beyonce reportedly called her own emergency meeting in London. Word around Beyonce’s Camp is that Beyonce is now contemplating making an emergency trip back to the states to personally plead her case to Columbia Records.
Sources say that Jay Z wants to pick an entire new set of songs (minus the singles that have already been released). However, Columbia wants Beyonce to redo the entire album over because they feel the other songs Beyonce turned in are too concept edgy and extreme and fear they want play well in America and Beyonce, sources say is worried about making the Grammy’s September deadline.
This story is still developing but check back with Black Media Jungle for more updates. We have a feeling more is to come. Remember where you heard it first from.
http://www.blackmediajungle.com/breaking-news-columbia-records-pushes-beyonces-album-back/
I don't know if this true but her album was very dissapointing.
Music Heaven
Solid sources tell us that Jay Z who is reportedly head of Beyonce’s new management team agrees with the record label but Beyonce does not. Beyonce reportedly called her own emergency meeting in London. Word around Beyonce’s Camp is that Beyonce is now contemplating making an emergency trip back to the states to personally plead her case to Columbia Records.
Sources say that Jay Z wants to pick an entire new set of songs (minus the singles that have already been released). However, Columbia wants Beyonce to redo the entire album over because they feel the other songs Beyonce turned in are too concept edgy and extreme and fear they want play well in America and Beyonce, sources say is worried about making the Grammy’s September deadline.
This story is still developing but check back with Black Media Jungle for more updates. We have a feeling more is to come. Remember where you heard it first from.
http://www.blackmediajungle.com/breaking-news-columbia-records-pushes-beyonces-album-back/
I don't know if this true but her album was very dissapointing.
Music Heaven
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Gwen Stefani confirms "no more solo career"
Gwen Stefani has revealed that her days of being a solo artist are over.
The 'Bubble Pop Electric' singer spoke to Entertainment Weekly about her solo career, calling it a phase that has now passed.
"That was a moment in time," Stefani said of her solo career. "It went on a little longer than we all thought it would, because it was inspired and you have to go with wherever you're at in that time in your life... [But] everything works out how it should."
Now that Stefani has come to the end of her solo career, No Doubt is finally getting back together. The group will announce their plans for the future this Friday.
The 41-year-old teased a "happy" No Doubt album in April, revealing that she believes the record will hit shelves later this year.
Stefani's child Zuma was recently rushed to the hospital after suffering a broken right arm from a fall in the kitchen. The 2-year-old is now fine, according to Stefani's husband Gavin Rossdale.
Boo. I want another album from but I'm super excited for what No Doubt has coming.
Music Heaven
The 'Bubble Pop Electric' singer spoke to Entertainment Weekly about her solo career, calling it a phase that has now passed.
"That was a moment in time," Stefani said of her solo career. "It went on a little longer than we all thought it would, because it was inspired and you have to go with wherever you're at in that time in your life... [But] everything works out how it should."
Now that Stefani has come to the end of her solo career, No Doubt is finally getting back together. The group will announce their plans for the future this Friday.
The 41-year-old teased a "happy" No Doubt album in April, revealing that she believes the record will hit shelves later this year.
Stefani's child Zuma was recently rushed to the hospital after suffering a broken right arm from a fall in the kitchen. The 2-year-old is now fine, according to Stefani's husband Gavin Rossdale.
Boo. I want another album from but I'm super excited for what No Doubt has coming.
Music Heaven
AOL's 25 Best Pop Songs of 2011
We're halfway through 2011, which means it's time to name the top 25 pop songs of the year (so far). From apocalyptic club hits like Britney Spears' 'Till the World Ends,' to star-studded collaborations like Chris Brown's 'Look at Me Now' with Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne, to fist-pumping anthems like Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' -- here are the 25 best pop songs of the year to date.
25 'Backseat' New Boyz Feat. Dev and the Cataracs
Hip-hop duo the New Boyz rap about bumping in the backseat in this Cataracs-produced jam. The track is filled with suggestive double entendres like, "I wanna get beside ya/ In the backseat/ So I can be your backseat driver" and the Boyz solicited the vocals of fellow-Californian Dev for the hook to get the party poppin'.
24 'Price Tag' Jessie J Feat. B.o.B.
Brit-import Jessie J came to make a splash on this side of the pond with her song 'Price Tag' that's "not about the money (money, money)." JJ got American rapper B.o.B. to help her deliver the anti-materialism message in her stateside debut. Though her UK chart performance outshines her US numbers, there's no denying this song's catchy hook and feel-good vibe.
23 'Dirty Dancer' Enrique Feat. Lil Wayne and Usher
Smoldering Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias teamed up with rapper Lil Wayne and club hit-making vet Usher to produce a sexy single about getting down and dirty on the dance floor. The RedOne-produced track debuted at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is sure to keep you sweating through the summer.
22 'The Lazy Song' Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars was anything but lazy when he made this reggae-inspired mid-tempo track. The mellow third single from his debut album 'Doo-Wops & Hooligans' has thus far peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Lay the '50s-style crooner's vocals over a beach-easy island beat and you've got the perfect summer jam.
21 'Right There' Nicole Scherzinger Feat. 50 Cent
Ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger hit it 'Right There' with her third solo single overseas, but it wasn't until she joined forces with rapper 50 Cent that she re-released the song as a remix in the US. Co-writer and producer Jim Jonsin makes his first of two appearances on our list for his work on the track, which 50 calls "just another No. 1."
20 'Sure Thing' Miguel
Miguel's velvety vocals call out for the "cash" for his "rubberband" and a "lighter" for his "blunt" in this sultry ode to soul mates. 'Sure Thing' marks the neo-soul singer's first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and is his most successful single to date. Who wouldn't want to be loved "like a brother," treated "like a friend" and respected "like a lover?"
19 'Super Bass' Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj is her always flirtatious self in this lighthearted love song with a pop hook. 'Super Bass' has so far peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrical mastermind keeps it playful as she raps about her dream guy who's "always in the air, but he never fly coach" and compares her heartbeat to a boomin' bass speaker.
18 'Motivation' Kelly Rowland Feat. Lil Wayne
This song is contemporary baby-making music at its best. 'Motivation' is Kelly Rowland's biggest solo hit on the Hot 100 chart, reaching a current peak at No. 21, and landing the No. 1 spot on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. Producer Jim Jonsin and frequently featured rapper Lil Wayne helped Kelly make the remix-ready slow jam.
17 'Best Love Song' T-Pain Feat. Chris Brown
Auto-tune extraordinaire T-Pain teamed up with Chris Brown in an attempt to make "the best love song she ever heard in her life." According to Pain and C-Breezy, "It's gotta be the crunkest/ It's gotta be the loudest," and this song fits the bill. We're not sure we would necessarily call it the "best love song ever," but it definitely earns a spot on our top 25 pop songs of the year (so far).
16 'Run the World (Girls)' Beyonce
Beyonce's anthemic dance hit is an ode to women who are "smart enough to make these millions/ Strong enough to bear the children then get back to business." With heavy sampling of the Major Lazer track 'Pon de Floor,' B co-penned the single with a star-studded group of writers including, Diplo and Switch (who make up Major Lazer), The-Dream, Afrojack and Adidja Palmer. "My persuasion can build a nation," sing Beyonce. All hail Queen B!
15 'Judas' Lady Gaga
Gaga ruffled a few feathers with her take on the betrayal of Jesus with this provocative single. Gaga wrote 'Judas' about ex-boyfriend, heavy metal drummer Luc Carl, and explained, "I began to write a song about an ex-lover who betrayed me ... And then I thought about the biblical implications and how Judas was the betrayer." Gaga later defended her work from critics who condemned her hit as blasphemy.
14 'Blow' Ke$ha
Glitter goddess Ke$ha peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100 with this synth-heavy, electro-pop dance track. "Go insane/ Throw some glitter/ Make it rain," Ke$ha insists of her party posse. Ke$ha collaborated with a star production team of Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Benny Blanco and Kool Kojak to produce this dance-all-night hit.
13 'Moment 4 Life' Nicki Minaj Feat. Drake
Nicki and Drake took their much-publicized but ultimately fictional romance to the next level in this song about two kids growing up together and sharing a dream of becoming famous rappers. Drake raps, "f--- it me and Nicki Nick gettin' married today/ And now you b-----s that be hatin' can catch a bouquet." The rap-romance hit claimed No. 1 slots on both Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and its US Rap Songs charts.
12 'On the Floor' Jennifer Lopez Feat. Pitbull
Commercially, 'On the Floor' is Jennifer's most successful single to date, topping more than 18 national single charts and peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. JLo teamed up with rapper Pitbull, to make this song for "a new generation of party people." Producer RedOne is churning out the club hits this year and makes his second appearance on our list with his work on this fiery track.
11 'Hold It Against Me' Britney Spears
'Hold It Against Me' is the trance and dubstep-influenced hit lead single from Britney's 'Femme Fatale' album. The Dr. Luke and Max Martin-produced banger debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1, making Spears the second artist in Billboard's history to debut at No. 1 more than once (after Mariah Carey). An unabashed Brit is on the prowl asking, "If I said I want your body now/ Would you hold it against me?"
10 'The Edge of Glory' Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga's third single from 'Born This Way' is a Bon Jovi-meets-Bruce Springsteen fist-pumper. The song was so successful as a promotional single, that it was given a full release and hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Gaga's powerful and passionate vocals paired with an uber-inspirational hook and a saxophone solo make for the perfect rock-pop anthem.
09 'F-----' Perfect' P!nk
P!nk rips into the song with her rasping rockstar vocals and somehow endearing potty mouth declaring beauty is in the eye of the beholder. "Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel like you're nothing/ You're f---in' perfect to me," P!nk insists with her signature take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Pop's powerhouse producer Max Martin strikes yet again, helping the track chart at No. 2 on the Hot 100.
08 'S&M' Rihanna
Rihanna reveals her X-rated sexual fantasies in this song, which she insists are a metaphor for her love-hate relationship with the media. Produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee, the naughty track peaked at No. 2 until the remix featuring Britney Spears pushed the song to the No. 1 spot, giving RiRi her 10th No. 1 single. We love this jam for its infectious hook and unabashed sexual openness.
07 'Till the World Ends' Britney Spears
Britney strikes again with this Ke$ha-penned, apocalyptic club hit about dancing until an impending apocalypse. Brit Brit used her 'Hold It Against Me' production dream team of Dr. Luke/Max Martin for the track, which landed the No. 3 spot on the Hot 100. The super-catchy track got a raging remix treatment from its writer Ke$ha and Brit's Femme Fatale tourmate Nicki Minaj.
06 'Give Me Everything' Pitbull Feat. Ne-Yo, Nayer, Afrojack
Pitbull appears again on our list, this time as the principal act with featured artists Ne-Yo and Nayer on the hypnotic hook. Pitbull has thus far peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 with the help of popular party-jam producer Afrojack. Reminiscent of Briney's 'Till the World Ends' message, the Cuban rapper wants it all and he wants it tonight, 'cause "for all we know we might not get tomorrow." All in all, the perfect summer lovin' that may just be a one-night-stand track. So, "Grab somebody sexy, tell 'em hey."
05 'Look at Me Now' Chris Brown Feat. Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne
Chris Brown tries his hand at rapping with a couple of hip-hop's finest -- Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne -- on this Diplo, Afrojack and Free School-produced track. The eerie, down-tempo beat makes your stomach want to turn while the cocky trio's neck-breakingly fast rhymes keep you on your toes. Wayne's rhymes are in high demand -- Weezy makes his third appearance as a featured act on our list with this C-Breezy hit.
04 'E.T.' Katy Perry Feat. Kanye West
Katy Perry and Kanye West get supernatural on this Hot 100 No. 1 about alien sex. Katy sings the story of falling in love with a foreigner -- we're guessing British-born hubby, comedian Russell Brand -- by way of extraterrestrial metaphors. Dream production duo Dr. Luke and Max Martin strike yet again, this time with the help of DJ Ammo, producing the "stomp-stomp-clap" beat, reminiscent of Queen's 1977 hit 'We Will Rock You.'
03 'Just Can't Get Enough' The Black Eyed Peas
BEP frontman will.i.am produced this video game-esque electro-dance hit with DJ Ammo and Rodney Jerkins for the Peas. The song opens with orchestral strings and Fergie's wispy, airy vocals before Will and Taboo break it down with the help of auto-tune. The best part of the track? The head-banging "mega switch-up" hyping up the tempo for the big euro-dance, electro-pop-infused finale.
02' All of the Lights' Kanye West Feat. Rihanna
Produced by Kanye West himself, 'All of the Lights' is a triumphant, epic symphony featuring the layered vocals of 15 different artists. Rihanna is the only credited artist on the track, but the song includes additional vocals from artists including Alicia Keys, John Legend, The-Dream, Drake, Fergie, Kid Cudi, Elton John, and more. The song received rave reviews from music critics who recognized its detailed production and applauded its dramatic style. And if anyone knows drama, it's Kanye.
Kanye West
Amazon
01 'Born This Way' Lady Gaga
"Put your paws up" for our No. 1 pop song of 2011 so far. The lead single from 'Born This Way' spent a total of six weeks topping the Hot 100 and became the fastest-selling song in iTunes history, selling one million copies in five days. Since its release in February, 'Born' has faced Madonna rip-off allegations and had an entire episode of the hit show 'Glee' dedicated to it. In addition to its success in the US, the single was an international hit, landing No. 1 in 19 countries.
I like almost all of the songs but wtf with gaga at #1. But whatever great list overall.
Music Heaven
25 'Backseat' New Boyz Feat. Dev and the Cataracs
Hip-hop duo the New Boyz rap about bumping in the backseat in this Cataracs-produced jam. The track is filled with suggestive double entendres like, "I wanna get beside ya/ In the backseat/ So I can be your backseat driver" and the Boyz solicited the vocals of fellow-Californian Dev for the hook to get the party poppin'.
24 'Price Tag' Jessie J Feat. B.o.B.
Brit-import Jessie J came to make a splash on this side of the pond with her song 'Price Tag' that's "not about the money (money, money)." JJ got American rapper B.o.B. to help her deliver the anti-materialism message in her stateside debut. Though her UK chart performance outshines her US numbers, there's no denying this song's catchy hook and feel-good vibe.
23 'Dirty Dancer' Enrique Feat. Lil Wayne and Usher
Smoldering Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias teamed up with rapper Lil Wayne and club hit-making vet Usher to produce a sexy single about getting down and dirty on the dance floor. The RedOne-produced track debuted at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is sure to keep you sweating through the summer.
22 'The Lazy Song' Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars was anything but lazy when he made this reggae-inspired mid-tempo track. The mellow third single from his debut album 'Doo-Wops & Hooligans' has thus far peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Lay the '50s-style crooner's vocals over a beach-easy island beat and you've got the perfect summer jam.
21 'Right There' Nicole Scherzinger Feat. 50 Cent
Ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger hit it 'Right There' with her third solo single overseas, but it wasn't until she joined forces with rapper 50 Cent that she re-released the song as a remix in the US. Co-writer and producer Jim Jonsin makes his first of two appearances on our list for his work on the track, which 50 calls "just another No. 1."
20 'Sure Thing' Miguel
Miguel's velvety vocals call out for the "cash" for his "rubberband" and a "lighter" for his "blunt" in this sultry ode to soul mates. 'Sure Thing' marks the neo-soul singer's first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and is his most successful single to date. Who wouldn't want to be loved "like a brother," treated "like a friend" and respected "like a lover?"
19 'Super Bass' Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj is her always flirtatious self in this lighthearted love song with a pop hook. 'Super Bass' has so far peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrical mastermind keeps it playful as she raps about her dream guy who's "always in the air, but he never fly coach" and compares her heartbeat to a boomin' bass speaker.
18 'Motivation' Kelly Rowland Feat. Lil Wayne
This song is contemporary baby-making music at its best. 'Motivation' is Kelly Rowland's biggest solo hit on the Hot 100 chart, reaching a current peak at No. 21, and landing the No. 1 spot on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. Producer Jim Jonsin and frequently featured rapper Lil Wayne helped Kelly make the remix-ready slow jam.
17 'Best Love Song' T-Pain Feat. Chris Brown
Auto-tune extraordinaire T-Pain teamed up with Chris Brown in an attempt to make "the best love song she ever heard in her life." According to Pain and C-Breezy, "It's gotta be the crunkest/ It's gotta be the loudest," and this song fits the bill. We're not sure we would necessarily call it the "best love song ever," but it definitely earns a spot on our top 25 pop songs of the year (so far).
16 'Run the World (Girls)' Beyonce
Beyonce's anthemic dance hit is an ode to women who are "smart enough to make these millions/ Strong enough to bear the children then get back to business." With heavy sampling of the Major Lazer track 'Pon de Floor,' B co-penned the single with a star-studded group of writers including, Diplo and Switch (who make up Major Lazer), The-Dream, Afrojack and Adidja Palmer. "My persuasion can build a nation," sing Beyonce. All hail Queen B!
15 'Judas' Lady Gaga
Gaga ruffled a few feathers with her take on the betrayal of Jesus with this provocative single. Gaga wrote 'Judas' about ex-boyfriend, heavy metal drummer Luc Carl, and explained, "I began to write a song about an ex-lover who betrayed me ... And then I thought about the biblical implications and how Judas was the betrayer." Gaga later defended her work from critics who condemned her hit as blasphemy.
14 'Blow' Ke$ha
Glitter goddess Ke$ha peaked at No. 7 on the Hot 100 with this synth-heavy, electro-pop dance track. "Go insane/ Throw some glitter/ Make it rain," Ke$ha insists of her party posse. Ke$ha collaborated with a star production team of Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Benny Blanco and Kool Kojak to produce this dance-all-night hit.
13 'Moment 4 Life' Nicki Minaj Feat. Drake
Nicki and Drake took their much-publicized but ultimately fictional romance to the next level in this song about two kids growing up together and sharing a dream of becoming famous rappers. Drake raps, "f--- it me and Nicki Nick gettin' married today/ And now you b-----s that be hatin' can catch a bouquet." The rap-romance hit claimed No. 1 slots on both Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and its US Rap Songs charts.
12 'On the Floor' Jennifer Lopez Feat. Pitbull
Commercially, 'On the Floor' is Jennifer's most successful single to date, topping more than 18 national single charts and peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. JLo teamed up with rapper Pitbull, to make this song for "a new generation of party people." Producer RedOne is churning out the club hits this year and makes his second appearance on our list with his work on this fiery track.
11 'Hold It Against Me' Britney Spears
'Hold It Against Me' is the trance and dubstep-influenced hit lead single from Britney's 'Femme Fatale' album. The Dr. Luke and Max Martin-produced banger debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1, making Spears the second artist in Billboard's history to debut at No. 1 more than once (after Mariah Carey). An unabashed Brit is on the prowl asking, "If I said I want your body now/ Would you hold it against me?"
10 'The Edge of Glory' Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga's third single from 'Born This Way' is a Bon Jovi-meets-Bruce Springsteen fist-pumper. The song was so successful as a promotional single, that it was given a full release and hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Gaga's powerful and passionate vocals paired with an uber-inspirational hook and a saxophone solo make for the perfect rock-pop anthem.
09 'F-----' Perfect' P!nk
P!nk rips into the song with her rasping rockstar vocals and somehow endearing potty mouth declaring beauty is in the eye of the beholder. "Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel like you're nothing/ You're f---in' perfect to me," P!nk insists with her signature take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Pop's powerhouse producer Max Martin strikes yet again, helping the track chart at No. 2 on the Hot 100.
08 'S&M' Rihanna
Rihanna reveals her X-rated sexual fantasies in this song, which she insists are a metaphor for her love-hate relationship with the media. Produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee, the naughty track peaked at No. 2 until the remix featuring Britney Spears pushed the song to the No. 1 spot, giving RiRi her 10th No. 1 single. We love this jam for its infectious hook and unabashed sexual openness.
07 'Till the World Ends' Britney Spears
Britney strikes again with this Ke$ha-penned, apocalyptic club hit about dancing until an impending apocalypse. Brit Brit used her 'Hold It Against Me' production dream team of Dr. Luke/Max Martin for the track, which landed the No. 3 spot on the Hot 100. The super-catchy track got a raging remix treatment from its writer Ke$ha and Brit's Femme Fatale tourmate Nicki Minaj.
06 'Give Me Everything' Pitbull Feat. Ne-Yo, Nayer, Afrojack
Pitbull appears again on our list, this time as the principal act with featured artists Ne-Yo and Nayer on the hypnotic hook. Pitbull has thus far peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 with the help of popular party-jam producer Afrojack. Reminiscent of Briney's 'Till the World Ends' message, the Cuban rapper wants it all and he wants it tonight, 'cause "for all we know we might not get tomorrow." All in all, the perfect summer lovin' that may just be a one-night-stand track. So, "Grab somebody sexy, tell 'em hey."
05 'Look at Me Now' Chris Brown Feat. Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne
Chris Brown tries his hand at rapping with a couple of hip-hop's finest -- Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne -- on this Diplo, Afrojack and Free School-produced track. The eerie, down-tempo beat makes your stomach want to turn while the cocky trio's neck-breakingly fast rhymes keep you on your toes. Wayne's rhymes are in high demand -- Weezy makes his third appearance as a featured act on our list with this C-Breezy hit.
04 'E.T.' Katy Perry Feat. Kanye West
Katy Perry and Kanye West get supernatural on this Hot 100 No. 1 about alien sex. Katy sings the story of falling in love with a foreigner -- we're guessing British-born hubby, comedian Russell Brand -- by way of extraterrestrial metaphors. Dream production duo Dr. Luke and Max Martin strike yet again, this time with the help of DJ Ammo, producing the "stomp-stomp-clap" beat, reminiscent of Queen's 1977 hit 'We Will Rock You.'
03 'Just Can't Get Enough' The Black Eyed Peas
BEP frontman will.i.am produced this video game-esque electro-dance hit with DJ Ammo and Rodney Jerkins for the Peas. The song opens with orchestral strings and Fergie's wispy, airy vocals before Will and Taboo break it down with the help of auto-tune. The best part of the track? The head-banging "mega switch-up" hyping up the tempo for the big euro-dance, electro-pop-infused finale.
02' All of the Lights' Kanye West Feat. Rihanna
Produced by Kanye West himself, 'All of the Lights' is a triumphant, epic symphony featuring the layered vocals of 15 different artists. Rihanna is the only credited artist on the track, but the song includes additional vocals from artists including Alicia Keys, John Legend, The-Dream, Drake, Fergie, Kid Cudi, Elton John, and more. The song received rave reviews from music critics who recognized its detailed production and applauded its dramatic style. And if anyone knows drama, it's Kanye.
Kanye West
Amazon
01 'Born This Way' Lady Gaga
"Put your paws up" for our No. 1 pop song of 2011 so far. The lead single from 'Born This Way' spent a total of six weeks topping the Hot 100 and became the fastest-selling song in iTunes history, selling one million copies in five days. Since its release in February, 'Born' has faced Madonna rip-off allegations and had an entire episode of the hit show 'Glee' dedicated to it. In addition to its success in the US, the single was an international hit, landing No. 1 in 19 countries.
I like almost all of the songs but wtf with gaga at #1. But whatever great list overall.
Music Heaven
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Lady Antebellum Sets September Release for 'Own the Night'
Country trio Lady Antebellum have announced their highly anticipated third album, "Own the Night," which will be issued Sept. 13 through Capitol Nashville.
"We've spent the last year, year and a half writing for it, and we're really proud," Charles Kelley -- who comprises Lady A along with Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott -- told Billboard.com about the new album on the red carpet at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards.
The group released the new album's first single, "Just a Kiss," last month, and performed the track on "American Idol" and at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards. "Kiss" debuted at No. 7 on the Hot 100 last month, and currently sits at No. 15 in its fourth week on the Country Songs tally.
"We're just excited. With the first single debuting in the top 10, we never expected that, so hopefully off to a good start," says Kelley. "You never know until it gets out there with the fans. We feel good about it, but they'll let us know if they like it or not."
"Own the Night" follows "Need You Now," the group's breakout sophomore disc that spent four weeks atop the Billboard 200 and notched the group five Grammy awards last February. Since its Jan. 2010 release, "Need You Now" has moved 3.5 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Music Heaven
"We've spent the last year, year and a half writing for it, and we're really proud," Charles Kelley -- who comprises Lady A along with Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott -- told Billboard.com about the new album on the red carpet at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards.
The group released the new album's first single, "Just a Kiss," last month, and performed the track on "American Idol" and at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards. "Kiss" debuted at No. 7 on the Hot 100 last month, and currently sits at No. 15 in its fourth week on the Country Songs tally.
"We're just excited. With the first single debuting in the top 10, we never expected that, so hopefully off to a good start," says Kelley. "You never know until it gets out there with the fans. We feel good about it, but they'll let us know if they like it or not."
"Own the Night" follows "Need You Now," the group's breakout sophomore disc that spent four weeks atop the Billboard 200 and notched the group five Grammy awards last February. Since its Jan. 2010 release, "Need You Now" has moved 3.5 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Music Heaven
Monday, June 6, 2011
Katy Perry announces US Arena dates!
American songstress Katy Perry has announced a short arena tour of the US at the end of November. British newcomer Jessie J has been announced as the opener.
Katy is scheduled to begin a four month tour of North America tomorrow.
Tickets on sale June 17th
November 15th - XL Center - Hartford, United States
November 16th - Madison Square Garden - New York City, United States
November 19th - Mandalay Bay Events Center - Las Vegas, United States
November 21st - Oracle Arena - Oakland, United States
November 22nd - Staple Center - Los Angeles, United States
Wish I could go.
Music Heaven
Katy is scheduled to begin a four month tour of North America tomorrow.
Tickets on sale June 17th
November 15th - XL Center - Hartford, United States
November 16th - Madison Square Garden - New York City, United States
November 19th - Mandalay Bay Events Center - Las Vegas, United States
November 21st - Oracle Arena - Oakland, United States
November 22nd - Staple Center - Los Angeles, United States
Wish I could go.
Music Heaven
Mickey Factz x The White House Band Live In NYC
July 7th - #RapRocksNYC w/ The White House Band, Mickey Factz + More!
You are receiving this because you cover live music concerts and post important music news. If you feel this email has reached you in error, please unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.
Here it is! Another amazingly eccentric lineup! This time we bring you Mickey Factz as our co-headliner with the always awesome White House Band for this edition of #RapRocks!
Tickets are onsale. There will be some giveaways via FLUD Watches, and KarmaloopTV.
Please alert your audience about this amazing event, and if you want to cover this event for your website we are confirming media as we speak and press passes are limited!
PS. Please Include The White House Band's latest video "#Wasup!" in the post with the flyer. LINK
Details are below :
When - July 7th Doors @ 730pm
Where - Studio @ Webster Hall - 125 E 11th St NY
What - #RapRocks w/ The White House Band, Mickey Factz, Nyle Vs The Naysayers, Rocky Business + More
Why - The best concert experience mixing both genres, indie and major.
How - $10 adv / $12 day of show. Limited amount of press passes available.
Not really my thing but thought I would post anyway.
Music Heaven
You are receiving this because you cover live music concerts and post important music news. If you feel this email has reached you in error, please unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.
Here it is! Another amazingly eccentric lineup! This time we bring you Mickey Factz as our co-headliner with the always awesome White House Band for this edition of #RapRocks!
Tickets are onsale. There will be some giveaways via FLUD Watches, and KarmaloopTV.
Please alert your audience about this amazing event, and if you want to cover this event for your website we are confirming media as we speak and press passes are limited!
PS. Please Include The White House Band's latest video "#Wasup!" in the post with the flyer. LINK
Details are below :
When - July 7th Doors @ 730pm
Where - Studio @ Webster Hall - 125 E 11th St NY
What - #RapRocks w/ The White House Band, Mickey Factz, Nyle Vs The Naysayers, Rocky Business + More
Why - The best concert experience mixing both genres, indie and major.
How - $10 adv / $12 day of show. Limited amount of press passes available.
Not really my thing but thought I would post anyway.
Music Heaven
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Jessica Sutta interview
The Pussycat Dolls are an international sensation with a string of pop/R&B/dance hits including "Don't Cha," "Buttons," and "Stickwitu." While lead doll Nicole Scherzinger has released a few solo singles, the dance world is focused on Jessica Sutta who has scored number one singles working with dance producers Paul Van Dyk ("White Lies"), Dave Aude ("Make It Last") and her first promo single for the album (I wanna be bad).
DJ Monza : So tell us about the album, how excited are you about it?
Jessica Sutta: I am extremely excited about this album, I have been working none stop producing this and making it happen. I live in the studio daily, I would write my own music and try to create a dance-inspired record with top music producers in the industry.
DJ Monza: How would you describe the sound of the album?
Jessica Sutta: Well, my friends calls it "True dance music". I try to add alternative rock, R&B with a little pop into this record. I want to show my fans and gain new ones. I have a feeling that this is my time to shine, not as a girl from pussycat dolls but a true musical, recording artist.
DJ Monza: Which is your favorite song?
Jessica Sutta: That's a tough one. I love them all. Well when I first released my promo single, "I wanna be bad" a lot of fans were shock by this song. I had fantastic feedbacks. It was a huge hit. People thought I can only dance for Nicole. (Laughed) Their words not mine.
DJ Monza: Speaking of Nicole, how do you feel about her becoming a judge on the x factor US?
Jessica Sutta: To be perfectly honestly with you, myself and Nicole haven't been in contact for awhile now. We had what we called a business relationship. It kind of ended when we stop working together. I have no bad feelings against her. She's an amazing singer.
DJ Monza: Are you trying to avoid the question?
Jessica Sutta: (Laughed) NO. I think she will make a great judge.
DJ Monza: What do you think of Cheryl Cole?
Jessica Sutta: Who?
DJ Monza: She was replaced by Nicole on the x factor.
Jessica Sutta: Honestly though, I haven't been following the news lately. I've been trying to get this album done in time for this year, maybe early next year.
DJ Monza: Tell us more about the album, any featured artist?
Jessica Sutta: Talking about featuring, I have been in contact with many top singers right now. I'm signed to Hollywood records just recently. I wanna make sure that this album will go out with a bang.
DJ Monza: Can you give us some name?
Jessica Sutta: My label has been sending details to Gaga's team for some of the songs that I wrote. I used to work for Interscope records, with the PCD, so we're trying to make it happen. As of now, nothing has been heard from her team.
DJ Monza: Would you consider a duet with Nicole?
Jessica Sutta: Who knows..
Music Heaven
DJ Monza : So tell us about the album, how excited are you about it?
Jessica Sutta: I am extremely excited about this album, I have been working none stop producing this and making it happen. I live in the studio daily, I would write my own music and try to create a dance-inspired record with top music producers in the industry.
DJ Monza: How would you describe the sound of the album?
Jessica Sutta: Well, my friends calls it "True dance music". I try to add alternative rock, R&B with a little pop into this record. I want to show my fans and gain new ones. I have a feeling that this is my time to shine, not as a girl from pussycat dolls but a true musical, recording artist.
DJ Monza: Which is your favorite song?
Jessica Sutta: That's a tough one. I love them all. Well when I first released my promo single, "I wanna be bad" a lot of fans were shock by this song. I had fantastic feedbacks. It was a huge hit. People thought I can only dance for Nicole. (Laughed) Their words not mine.
DJ Monza: Speaking of Nicole, how do you feel about her becoming a judge on the x factor US?
Jessica Sutta: To be perfectly honestly with you, myself and Nicole haven't been in contact for awhile now. We had what we called a business relationship. It kind of ended when we stop working together. I have no bad feelings against her. She's an amazing singer.
DJ Monza: Are you trying to avoid the question?
Jessica Sutta: (Laughed) NO. I think she will make a great judge.
DJ Monza: What do you think of Cheryl Cole?
Jessica Sutta: Who?
DJ Monza: She was replaced by Nicole on the x factor.
Jessica Sutta: Honestly though, I haven't been following the news lately. I've been trying to get this album done in time for this year, maybe early next year.
DJ Monza: Tell us more about the album, any featured artist?
Jessica Sutta: Talking about featuring, I have been in contact with many top singers right now. I'm signed to Hollywood records just recently. I wanna make sure that this album will go out with a bang.
DJ Monza: Can you give us some name?
Jessica Sutta: My label has been sending details to Gaga's team for some of the songs that I wrote. I used to work for Interscope records, with the PCD, so we're trying to make it happen. As of now, nothing has been heard from her team.
DJ Monza: Would you consider a duet with Nicole?
Jessica Sutta: Who knows..
Music Heaven
Nicole Interview
The former Pussycat Doll on her X Factor boss, why her and Lewis Hamilton are well matched and wearing skimpy clothes
For someone voted one of the world’s sexiest women, Nicole Scherzinger doesn’t set much store by her appearance.
‘A lot of people think you get into this position in life because of looks, but looks mean nothing without the right attitude and the ability to work 24/7 for what you want.’
These days she’s rarely out of the headlines, not least because of her position as No 1 female pop icon on the U.S. version of The X Factor following Cheryl Cole’s unexpected departure.
She was born in Hawaii, where her Filipino father left the family when she was two. At six she moved to Kentucky with her mother and stepfather, Gary Scherzinger, who became a great supporter.
‘He’d drive me to auditions in beaten-up old cars, and he always knew what to say if things went well or they didn’t.’
She found fame with the Pussycat Dolls – known for outrageous performances in skimpy outfits – before becoming a solo performer. Next year she’s starring in Men In Black III.
Aged 32, she has been dating Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton for three years.
I’m not at all nervous about The X Factor.
Simon (Cowell) has this unbelievable way of making you feel at ease. At the same time it’s this huge deal. There was a rumour of a feud between me and Cheryl, which is totally untrue. I also think you have to remember that The X Factor isn’t about the judges; it’s about those people out there with their dreams, and to be part of their journey makes me feel very humble.
Simon Cowell is a genius – he’s also very funny.
He and Louis Walsh were amazing to work with. They’d sit together and say incredibly awful things to each other and then burst out laughing, like brothers. There’s never a dull moment around Simon, because there’s always something going on; his brain never stops working.
Being a Pussycat Doll was like being an Olympic athlete who has to perform every day for years without sleep.
I spent four years with these superwomen and it was the toughest thing I’ve ever done. We performed and performed and performed – one night in one country, the next in a new country. In between we were travelling, rehearsing, learning new routines – there was often no time to sleep or eat or call your family. It was utterly brutal and the best training camp for anyone who wants to work in this business.
People thought we had non-stop catfights, but those girls will be my sisters for life.
We slept, breathed, sang and shared the same tiny space together for years, and honestly there was no time or room for fights. I went from being this shy little girl with hang-ups about wearing a bikini to this creature who performed in the teeniest clothes with total confidence. Being a Pussycat Doll turned me from a girl into a woman.
I absolutely love having money, because I grew up without it.
I came from a very working-class family, and money for me and my sister Ke’ala was very tight. Our clothes came from sales shops, and for me to have dance or acting lessons was a very big sacrifice. But it hit me very early on that if I could earn money from doing auditions and commercials, then that would pay for my classes, which was what I did. My parents helped me in every way they could. The first thing I did with my first pay cheque was buy a house for my mum.
I lived through college eating only pancakes and noodles.
I can exist on practically nothing because of how I grew up. I got a place at a performing-arts school, but I paid the fees by working my way through it. Food was something I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on. I’d buy bulk packs of pancake mix and use water instead of milk – and I’d alternate with cheap packs of noodles. I love to eat out now, and when I go into a very expensive, glitzy restaurant I still savour every mouthful.
Don’t complain – be positive, despite all the rejections you face.
If things don’t work, keep on going. You never know when you’re going to get your lucky break. Before Pussycat Dolls I won a reality TV contest to be part of a band – Eden’s Crush. I thought that was it, but it didn’t work out and the band broke up. It wasn’t a great time for me. But this is what happens in life, and you always just have to work as hard as you can.
Lewis and I are well suited because we come from very similar backgrounds.
Like me he grew up in a very humble family and he was incredibly focused on what he wanted to do. We were both kids with big dreams who achieved them through a lot of hard work and determination, and both of us really appreciate what we have because of that.
Looking sexy was a big shock for me.
I came from quite a strict and religious family in Hawaii and my grandad was a preacher. I was known as ‘nice little Nicole’ and I always went for good-girl roles in plays and shows, because that was how I saw myself. When I got the opportunity to be part of the Pussycat Dolls, I saw it as my big chance – and then I saw the clothes. The first time I did a photo shoot I cried all the way through it. They had to keep refixing my make-up, and I kept pulling at my tiny clothes, trying to get a bit more coverage out of them. I called my mum to tell her and to warn her. She just kept asking me if I could get them to change the name of the band.
My nickname at school was ‘Cry baby’.
I was the most fragile, vulnerable kid and very easily hurt. I’d burst into tears if anyone was mean. It always amazes me how this kid who was so easily knocked also had this burning desire to perform. I wanted to sing, to act, to get up on a stage and show what I could do, but when I was off that stage I was hurt by the slightest thing. I see that same contradiction in so many of these X Factor hopefuls.
If I want to look really sexy I’ll wear a sophisticated dress and heels – not a Pussycat Doll outfit.
I think real sex appeal is all about being a bit more demure. Since leaving the Dolls I’ve actually got to wear dresses below my knee, and I think that’s a lot more sexy. The real me is a big-haired Eighties rocker with skintight jeans and a guitar. I’m such a sad rock chick underneath everything, and if I could really dress as I wanted to I’d be straight out of an Eighties heavy metal video. The best time I’ve ever had on stage was rocking out with Slash from Guns N’ Roses.
I was very rude to Tim Rice-Oxley from Keane and I’m so embarrassed about it.
I spent a week in a studio with him, and for hours we’d laugh about how the British said ‘Mojito’ and how the Americans did. It was like our big private joke. A year later we were both at an event and he came up to me and said ‘Mojito’ and started laughing. I just looked at him blankly and he said it again and again. I said, ‘Tim, why do you keep saying “Mojito”?’ He looked totally stunned and said, ‘But Nicole, it’s our joke.’ I was so embarrassed. In my defence, I have the world’s worst memory.
I can drink with the big boys.
My mother is half Russian and I can drink like a Russian. Some of the best shows I’ve done were with the worst hangovers. You think you can’t possibly crawl onto a stage but then you push yourself because you have to and with all the adrenaline, the dancing and singing, that hangover is history.
Nicole’s new single ‘Right There’ is out today
Great interview
Music Heaven
For someone voted one of the world’s sexiest women, Nicole Scherzinger doesn’t set much store by her appearance.
‘A lot of people think you get into this position in life because of looks, but looks mean nothing without the right attitude and the ability to work 24/7 for what you want.’
These days she’s rarely out of the headlines, not least because of her position as No 1 female pop icon on the U.S. version of The X Factor following Cheryl Cole’s unexpected departure.
She was born in Hawaii, where her Filipino father left the family when she was two. At six she moved to Kentucky with her mother and stepfather, Gary Scherzinger, who became a great supporter.
‘He’d drive me to auditions in beaten-up old cars, and he always knew what to say if things went well or they didn’t.’
She found fame with the Pussycat Dolls – known for outrageous performances in skimpy outfits – before becoming a solo performer. Next year she’s starring in Men In Black III.
Aged 32, she has been dating Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton for three years.
I’m not at all nervous about The X Factor.
Simon (Cowell) has this unbelievable way of making you feel at ease. At the same time it’s this huge deal. There was a rumour of a feud between me and Cheryl, which is totally untrue. I also think you have to remember that The X Factor isn’t about the judges; it’s about those people out there with their dreams, and to be part of their journey makes me feel very humble.
Simon Cowell is a genius – he’s also very funny.
He and Louis Walsh were amazing to work with. They’d sit together and say incredibly awful things to each other and then burst out laughing, like brothers. There’s never a dull moment around Simon, because there’s always something going on; his brain never stops working.
Being a Pussycat Doll was like being an Olympic athlete who has to perform every day for years without sleep.
I spent four years with these superwomen and it was the toughest thing I’ve ever done. We performed and performed and performed – one night in one country, the next in a new country. In between we were travelling, rehearsing, learning new routines – there was often no time to sleep or eat or call your family. It was utterly brutal and the best training camp for anyone who wants to work in this business.
People thought we had non-stop catfights, but those girls will be my sisters for life.
We slept, breathed, sang and shared the same tiny space together for years, and honestly there was no time or room for fights. I went from being this shy little girl with hang-ups about wearing a bikini to this creature who performed in the teeniest clothes with total confidence. Being a Pussycat Doll turned me from a girl into a woman.
I absolutely love having money, because I grew up without it.
I came from a very working-class family, and money for me and my sister Ke’ala was very tight. Our clothes came from sales shops, and for me to have dance or acting lessons was a very big sacrifice. But it hit me very early on that if I could earn money from doing auditions and commercials, then that would pay for my classes, which was what I did. My parents helped me in every way they could. The first thing I did with my first pay cheque was buy a house for my mum.
I lived through college eating only pancakes and noodles.
I can exist on practically nothing because of how I grew up. I got a place at a performing-arts school, but I paid the fees by working my way through it. Food was something I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on. I’d buy bulk packs of pancake mix and use water instead of milk – and I’d alternate with cheap packs of noodles. I love to eat out now, and when I go into a very expensive, glitzy restaurant I still savour every mouthful.
Don’t complain – be positive, despite all the rejections you face.
If things don’t work, keep on going. You never know when you’re going to get your lucky break. Before Pussycat Dolls I won a reality TV contest to be part of a band – Eden’s Crush. I thought that was it, but it didn’t work out and the band broke up. It wasn’t a great time for me. But this is what happens in life, and you always just have to work as hard as you can.
Lewis and I are well suited because we come from very similar backgrounds.
Like me he grew up in a very humble family and he was incredibly focused on what he wanted to do. We were both kids with big dreams who achieved them through a lot of hard work and determination, and both of us really appreciate what we have because of that.
Looking sexy was a big shock for me.
I came from quite a strict and religious family in Hawaii and my grandad was a preacher. I was known as ‘nice little Nicole’ and I always went for good-girl roles in plays and shows, because that was how I saw myself. When I got the opportunity to be part of the Pussycat Dolls, I saw it as my big chance – and then I saw the clothes. The first time I did a photo shoot I cried all the way through it. They had to keep refixing my make-up, and I kept pulling at my tiny clothes, trying to get a bit more coverage out of them. I called my mum to tell her and to warn her. She just kept asking me if I could get them to change the name of the band.
My nickname at school was ‘Cry baby’.
I was the most fragile, vulnerable kid and very easily hurt. I’d burst into tears if anyone was mean. It always amazes me how this kid who was so easily knocked also had this burning desire to perform. I wanted to sing, to act, to get up on a stage and show what I could do, but when I was off that stage I was hurt by the slightest thing. I see that same contradiction in so many of these X Factor hopefuls.
If I want to look really sexy I’ll wear a sophisticated dress and heels – not a Pussycat Doll outfit.
I think real sex appeal is all about being a bit more demure. Since leaving the Dolls I’ve actually got to wear dresses below my knee, and I think that’s a lot more sexy. The real me is a big-haired Eighties rocker with skintight jeans and a guitar. I’m such a sad rock chick underneath everything, and if I could really dress as I wanted to I’d be straight out of an Eighties heavy metal video. The best time I’ve ever had on stage was rocking out with Slash from Guns N’ Roses.
I was very rude to Tim Rice-Oxley from Keane and I’m so embarrassed about it.
I spent a week in a studio with him, and for hours we’d laugh about how the British said ‘Mojito’ and how the Americans did. It was like our big private joke. A year later we were both at an event and he came up to me and said ‘Mojito’ and started laughing. I just looked at him blankly and he said it again and again. I said, ‘Tim, why do you keep saying “Mojito”?’ He looked totally stunned and said, ‘But Nicole, it’s our joke.’ I was so embarrassed. In my defence, I have the world’s worst memory.
I can drink with the big boys.
My mother is half Russian and I can drink like a Russian. Some of the best shows I’ve done were with the worst hangovers. You think you can’t possibly crawl onto a stage but then you push yourself because you have to and with all the adrenaline, the dancing and singing, that hangover is history.
Nicole’s new single ‘Right There’ is out today
Great interview
Music Heaven
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wynter Gordon - WTMID EP News/Tracklisting
Wynter Gordon has unveiled details of her eagerly anticipated new EP! "WITH THE MUSIC I DIE" will arrive in stores and at all DSPs on June 28th!
The EP is highlighted by the breakout single, "Til Death," alongside a number of new songs and previously unreleased remixes (tracklisting below!). "Til Death" – which is already available at iTunes, as is an exclusive collection featuring remixes by Dan Castro, R3hab, PolenRockers, Ken Loi, Denzel Park, and WaWa – is currently blowing up at dance clubs nationwide! In addition, the track’s companion video – directed by Adam Donald – recently had its world television premiere on Logo’s NewNowNext Music, and can be viewed HERE.
"Til Death" has quickly proven a sensation in Australia, where Wynter will release a full-length international debut album, also titled "WITH THE MUSIC I DIE," on June 17th. The single follows Gordon’s previous Down Under smash, "Dirty Talk," which earned #1 airplay and 3x-platinum ARIA certification.
Here in the US, "Dirty Talk" topped Billboard's "Dance Club Play Songs" chart upon its 2010 release, while also spending countless weeks as a Top 10 favorite on iTunes' "Top Dance Songs" chart. The track's success came hot on the heels of Wynter's popular collaboration with Freemasons' on the UK dance hit, "Believer."
Wynter will also be making an array of North American live appearances throughout the summer, including the Colossus Pride Weekend at San Francisco's Sound Factory on June 25th and the "Dance on the Pier 25 Festival" at the NYC Gay Pride Parade on June 26th, where Wynter is the featured performer!
Keep it locked onto WynterGordon.com for info on Wynter's upcoming "WITH THE MUSIC I DIE" EP and check out the official tracklisting below!
"WITH THE MUSIC I DIE" EP (Big Beat/Atlantic)
1. "Til Death"
2. "Buy My Love"
3. "Don’t Stop Me"
4. "Still Getting Younger"
5. "Til Death (Rocket Scientist Remix)"
6. "Buy My Love (Axwell Remix)"
Released in the US and UK on June 28th.
Source: WynterGordon.com
Hope its good. Some of her past songs are amazing. Others are meh.
Music Heaven
The EP is highlighted by the breakout single, "Til Death," alongside a number of new songs and previously unreleased remixes (tracklisting below!). "Til Death" – which is already available at iTunes, as is an exclusive collection featuring remixes by Dan Castro, R3hab, PolenRockers, Ken Loi, Denzel Park, and WaWa – is currently blowing up at dance clubs nationwide! In addition, the track’s companion video – directed by Adam Donald – recently had its world television premiere on Logo’s NewNowNext Music, and can be viewed HERE.
"Til Death" has quickly proven a sensation in Australia, where Wynter will release a full-length international debut album, also titled "WITH THE MUSIC I DIE," on June 17th. The single follows Gordon’s previous Down Under smash, "Dirty Talk," which earned #1 airplay and 3x-platinum ARIA certification.
Here in the US, "Dirty Talk" topped Billboard's "Dance Club Play Songs" chart upon its 2010 release, while also spending countless weeks as a Top 10 favorite on iTunes' "Top Dance Songs" chart. The track's success came hot on the heels of Wynter's popular collaboration with Freemasons' on the UK dance hit, "Believer."
Wynter will also be making an array of North American live appearances throughout the summer, including the Colossus Pride Weekend at San Francisco's Sound Factory on June 25th and the "Dance on the Pier 25 Festival" at the NYC Gay Pride Parade on June 26th, where Wynter is the featured performer!
Keep it locked onto WynterGordon.com for info on Wynter's upcoming "WITH THE MUSIC I DIE" EP and check out the official tracklisting below!
"WITH THE MUSIC I DIE" EP (Big Beat/Atlantic)
1. "Til Death"
2. "Buy My Love"
3. "Don’t Stop Me"
4. "Still Getting Younger"
5. "Til Death (Rocket Scientist Remix)"
6. "Buy My Love (Axwell Remix)"
Released in the US and UK on June 28th.
Source: WynterGordon.com
Hope its good. Some of her past songs are amazing. Others are meh.
Music Heaven
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Kevin Rudolf on new music for Rihanna, Lil Wayne
Some of music’s biggest names have come to Kevin Rudolf in search of their next hit. The Cash Money singer-producer reveals that Rihanna, Leona Lewis, and Lil Wayne are among those enlisting his services.
The “Let It Rock” hitmaker has been submitting material for the “S&M” singer’s sixth album. “[I'm] writing some stuff for Rihanna right now,” he told Rap-Up.com. “I hear she’s back at it.”
In addition to working on RiRi’s next project, he contributed to Lil Wayne’s long-awaited Carter IV. “Wayne records a lot of records and no one knows but Wayne until the very end what ends up on the album, but we did a couple things together that are pretty exciting,” he shared. “Wayne is actually one of the few artists that keeps getting better and better, so I’m just happy to be along for the ride and be part of Cash Money.”
And if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Rudolf has been in and out of the studio writing for Leona Lewis and B.o.B while recording a follow-up to his 2010 album To the Sky. “I’m working on a new album right now actually,” he said. “[I'm] in the midst of it, so we’re looking to drop a single probably in the next few months. I’m not gonna rush it, but definitely keep an eye out for it.”
Muaic Heaven
The “Let It Rock” hitmaker has been submitting material for the “S&M” singer’s sixth album. “[I'm] writing some stuff for Rihanna right now,” he told Rap-Up.com. “I hear she’s back at it.”
In addition to working on RiRi’s next project, he contributed to Lil Wayne’s long-awaited Carter IV. “Wayne records a lot of records and no one knows but Wayne until the very end what ends up on the album, but we did a couple things together that are pretty exciting,” he shared. “Wayne is actually one of the few artists that keeps getting better and better, so I’m just happy to be along for the ride and be part of Cash Money.”
And if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Rudolf has been in and out of the studio writing for Leona Lewis and B.o.B while recording a follow-up to his 2010 album To the Sky. “I’m working on a new album right now actually,” he said. “[I'm] in the midst of it, so we’re looking to drop a single probably in the next few months. I’m not gonna rush it, but definitely keep an eye out for it.”
Muaic Heaven
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