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
Sunday, June 12, 2011
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
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Selena Gomez & The Scene When The Sun Goes Down Tracklist
"When The Sun Goes Down" is third studio album from Selena Gomez & The Scene. Universal confirmed the album had begun last February followed by the release of "Who Says" in March. The album was originally called "Otherside" but was changed for unknown reasons.
Album drops June 28th.
Tracklisting
1. Love You Like a Love Song
2. Bang Bang Bang
3. Who Says
4. We Own The Night
5. Hit The Lights
6. Whiplash
7. When The Sun Goes Down
8. My Dilemma
9. That's More Like It
10. Outlaw
11. Middle Of Nowhere
12. Dices ("Who Says" Spanish Version)
Can't wait. She has a really good voice. PS I am back from vacation.
Music Heaven
Album drops June 28th.
Tracklisting
1. Love You Like a Love Song
2. Bang Bang Bang
3. Who Says
4. We Own The Night
5. Hit The Lights
6. Whiplash
7. When The Sun Goes Down
8. My Dilemma
9. That's More Like It
10. Outlaw
11. Middle Of Nowhere
12. Dices ("Who Says" Spanish Version)
Can't wait. She has a really good voice. PS I am back from vacation.
Music Heaven
Fernando Garibay talks Paris Hilton, GaGa and and more
Starting out at the mere age of sixteen years old, Fernando Garibay wasted no time curating a dominant career for himself in the music industry. Garibay first broke through by catching the eye of the millennium Latin-Pop scene, and worked with artists such as Mya and Enrique Iglesias. As the mid-2000s arrived, Garibay continously collaborated with Enrique Iglesias, and by the time 2006 hit, he created a memorable reggae-pop effort… Paris Hilton’s “Stars Are Blind.” In 2007, a newfound musical romance walked into his life, Lady GaGa. Together they made “Dance In The Dark,” one of GaGa’s most notable tracks (as well as the intro track for world renowned Monster Ball Tour) to date due to its combination of vampiric-chic vulnerability. Garibay is now taking on the lead of head-chief musical director alongside GaGa on 2011′s most anticipated pop record, “Born This Way.” It was completely necessary for me to call and chat about his views on millennium pop, the sacred writing process him and GaGa uphold, and who had dibs on “Stars Are Blind” first.
Alex Kazemi: You started producing music during the glory days of late 90s and early 2000s pop… Mya, Enrique, Marc Anthony, Beck… Latin pop, a bit. Do you feel that in 2005-2008 pop music took a switch from that pure-bubble gum pop, (Jessica Simpson, Britney, Spice Girls, N*SYNC) to a more electronic-techno based sound? Possibly music that fell into the genres of Dance, Techno and House in the 90s, could be considered what mainstream pop is like today?
Fernando Garibay: Yes, but actually before that I was putting out techno/house records. I was developing a bit of a name for myself doing underground records when I started getting calls from labels asking me to remix some pop stuff. Inadvertently, pop music was going through a bit of a Latin invasion at the time, which happened to coincide with my goal of proving to my Mexican family that I could actually succeed at this. I knew they wouldn’t know who Beck or Mya were, but they sure as hell know who Enrique Iglesias was. After the Latin invasion, I felt pop music migrated to a more urban phase in American pop radio and definitely a more electronic direction in the U.K. I liked both so my remixes and productions where directly inspired by a hybrid of those two elements.
Kazemi: How do you feel about the birth of millennium pop? N*SYNC, Spice Girls, what is known as “Classic Britney”, does that extravagant-pop songwriting/production stand out to you today?
Fernando: I grew up in South Central LA; there was nothing about Millennium pop I could relate to. All we listened to growing up in the hood was anything by Dr. Dre, hard techno records from Europe like Prodigy, and believe or not New Wave records from the likes of Depeche Mode and Duran Duran. I heard subtle Dr. Dre influences in the Max Martin productions of Britney and N*SYNC, which did perk my ears up. I am grateful we got great artists like Justin and Britney out of that period. Justin is always incredible, and everyone, including myself looks forward to the records he makes.
Kazemi: You were part of that pop-wave in a way, working with Mya as I mentioned before, remixed Ashlee Simpson and of-course Paris Hilton . Do you ever look back at how different the industry was then, such as how people were buying CDs or how music videos were religiously played on MTV? Do you think it was a healthier state, and easier to make music? [laughs] Do you understand the genius of “Stars Are Blind” in retrospect? It’s an amazing pop record; such a summer-reggae pop tune.
Fernando: Thank you. Well I always loved reggae, especially when paired with the imagery of paradise. That’s why I named my studio Paradise, by the way. I loved how British artists like The Police and Culture Club were infusing reggae with pop music in the 80s so I felt that I could attempt the bridge that gap again. Hence why “Star’s Are Blind” was born. It was originally written for Gwen Stefani, but as it turns out she decided not to release an album at that point in time. Next, I played it to Paris Hilton whom I met through mutual friends and that was it. To be honest with you, I do very much miss the album cover as an art form and the excitement of buying a CD, especially one that I worked on. But on the flip side, I do enjoy the convenience of my iTunes library. I try not to think of the former music industry too much, it’s kind of heart breaking. We had budgets back then, to make records and to develop artists. Even though I was still struggling to compete with multi-million dollar earning producers at the time, there was that optimism that you could possible write songs that could potentially change your life financially. In order to do that now, you need to be a lot more innovative, and you have to definitely work much harder in comparison. Funny, at the time I thought I couldn’t work any harder.
Kazemi: I could not agree more about the art form of buying a physical CD, the excitement was some type of natural high. In 2008, you worked with Britney Spears on “Amnesia,” which is very Britney, by the way. How did you come up with the concept?
Fernando: It was one of those songs that my songwriting friend Kasey Livingston and I came up with one evening after she asked me how my weekend was. My response was “I can’t remember,” her response, “that good huh? Amnesia.” As soon as I finished it, I sent it over to Teresa Labarbera Whites (Britney’s A&R) who asked for a record for Britney. She played it for her and we cut it two weeks later. That’s how I’ve always worked. I approach all my music as if I were scoring a movie about myself. I guess I have always seen music that way, as a soundtrack to my life… and hopefully everyone else’s.
Kazemi:When did “Quicksand” come up? Did you call GaGa up for some help? Was this around when you first got to know each other and were writing for other artists?
Fernando: “Quicksand” was one of the first songs Gaga and I wrote. We started working together right after she had just finished The Fame album with Red One. Gaga and I were both artists at Interscope and Jimmy Lovine had asked me to meet up with her at my studio. That same night in came a blonde girl in her underwear who would eventually change my life. Her and I were going through a bit of heartbreak in our lives and I was playing this piano motif right as she walked into my studio for the first time and she just started writing, “baby, because you and me are sinking like quicksand.”
Kazemi: I think basically after that, it was all up-hill! The second public Gaga-Fernando collaboration was “Dance In The Dark” off The Fame Monster, the concept behind the lyrics puts us in the eyes of someone who has sex in the dark and is ashamed on their body. But then again, someone else could interoperate it in a whole different way. Are these songs intentionally supposed to be puzzle pieces?
Fernando: It’s interesting how Gaga’s songs are very open for interpretation yet very specific. That is her true talent. It relates to everyone. It tells her story and your story all at the same time. And she is successful because it’s real, it is who she is, and it is who we are at times.
Kazemi: Do you like the CeCe Peniston mix of “Dance In The Dark” from The Monster Ball Tour? Did you have to approve it before it became the introduction to the concert?
Fernando: That was an edit for The Monster Ball. It’s perfect, approved!
Kazemi: Why didn’t “No Way” make The Fame Monster? How do you feel about the whole leak culture spreading different information and often leaving everyone confused? Was it ever finished?
Fernando: Gaga is holding onto “No Way” at moment and saving it for something special. No, that was a demo that leaked, unfortunately. Leaks are not my favorite thing in the world. It’s like showing the world a sketch of a painting for people to judge as the masterpiece.
Kazemi: When did the Born This Way sessions begin? Was it a particular night? Did GaGa just call you up and ask to work on the second album or was it more complicated?
Fernando: It was more like she called me and said “I have this song I just wrote and I want to play it for you.” Two hours later I was on a flight to Australia. She’s super spontaneous like that; I just go with the flow and try to capture every moment of her creativity to tape, so to speak. I guess you can say that’s how my role of Music Supervisor for the Born This Way album came to fruition. Before I knew it I was traveling the world producing the album with her.
Kazemi: You wrote most of the record on the road, right?
Fernando: That is correct. The whole album was done on the road. From the American leg, to the European leg, and back… we recorded it all along in a bus with a purpose-built studio in it. We recorded with laptops backstage in her dressing room, in her hotel room, you name it. That’s how we were able to get it done in the middle of a worldwide tour.
Kazemi: Could you explain how your writing/creative process coincides with her many influences/inspirations? Do they go hand in hand? You co-wrote almost every song on the album.
Fernando: Well most of the time she’d come in with completed songs, so my job was to facilitate in executing her vision. Sometimes she heard a song in various forms, i.e. a rock version, a techno version, a full electro version, so we had to do many revisions of a song to get to a point that made sense for her. I’ll never forget the way she would describe the way she wanted her records to be like… sometimes she would dance it out for us, other times she’d describe an emotion or give us a visual, and many times she would flat out program the parts. Insane, right? Who does that?
Kazemi: [laughs] Only GaGa, only GaGa! When you released “Born This Way” a lot of “in the know” publications named it as a carbon copy of Madonna’s “Express Yourself”. Did it just end up sounding like that? Do you have anything to address? It is a common-found disco chord progression though, if we put all of the passé “comparisons” bullshit to the side.
Fernando: We take any comparisons to Madonna as a compliment. We are all big fans of her. One of my favorite songs is “La Isla Bonita.”
Kazemi: [laughs] In the studio, what is a natural session like with GaGa? How does a song like “Marry The Night” happen?
Fernando: “Marry The Night” was inspired by two things. For her, it is her metaphoric husband that is New York; for me, I was just trying to outdo the feeling I got when I first saw “Dance In The Dark” performed live as the opening number for the Monster Ball. It was the look on the audiences’ faces the minute that intro started; it was like I saw her for the first time and she was bigger than life. I felt like the audience was going to church, as if they were having a religious experience. I just kept hearing church bells in my head. It’s strange how her and I were so on the same page; upon hearing the track she instantly made to correlation with it being ceremonious and still dark. She looked at me, pointed, and sang, “I’m going to marry the night, I won’t give up on my life…”
Kazemi: Was “Marry The Night” an experiment at all? I’ve noticed the mix of 80s hair-band based choruses over massive pop beats pattern throughout the album worked out really well; was this intentional or unintentional?
Fernando: It was no experiment; she knew exactly what the vision was. That never wavered.
Kazemi: The obscure melodies overpower some of the huge pop production at times through the record; would you agree?
I wouldn’t say it’s the obscure melodies, I would say it’s the power of her songwriting that stands out. And that right there is what a good production should be; it should highlight the song, not the tricks. Anyone with Ableton and a laptop can do tricks; the magic is in the song… that’s where it counts. The rest is fashion, and we do have a good fashion sense I think.
Kazemi: Was it a strange feeling knowing that you were producing an album that was self-proclaimingly aimed as the album of the decade? Did that add any pressure to the job?
Fernando: Pressure? No pressure! It’s not like… I was asked to be responsible for executing the vision of the most influential woman on the planet… All joking aside, once I was over the initial shock of being asked to oversee the album, I quickly got into soldier mode and committed to a mindset that we were not going to fail, no matter what.
Kazemi: [laughs] “Heavy Metal Lover” is, without a doubt, the production highlight on the album. The rave essence of it, the manic vocal shreds, and all the smutty talk makes it an incredible pop track. If “Heavy Metal Lover” were to get on the radio, it would change the state of pop music and open a lot of doors for Top40 artists. Would you say that you and GaGa have created control with pop music, changing it for the better?
Fernando: Wow, you think so! I’m flattered!, but I really think a lot of the songs on this album could potentially have that power, from “Marry The Night” to “Bloody Mary” to “Americano.”
Kazemi: I honestly do believe that..When GaGa cut “Heavy Metal Lover” were you like, “whoa… what have I done? Did I really just make that?” Does she inspire you to make productions like you’ve never before?
Fernando: I just go for it! She would expect nothing less.
Kazemi: I’m sure other artists other than GaGa want to work with you. .
Fernando: Yeah.
Kazemi: You are always going to be a bit more involved with GaGa. How do you create balance? Will an outside artist be getting a more toned down product? Are those productions only as amazing as they are because you and Gaga have such incredible chemistry?
Fernando: I’m passionate about every record I do with whatever artist I work with. I try to take myself and my biases out of the equation for the sake of the artist’s vision I’m working with. I’ll go as far or hard as an artist would like me to go; I see myself as a catalyst for their artistry. Gaga is a producer; I make records with her, and that’s why our records will always sound like Gaga records. She’s not part of the equation, she is the equation.
source: http://alexkazemi.com/2011/05/fernando-garibay/
Alex Kazemi: You started producing music during the glory days of late 90s and early 2000s pop… Mya, Enrique, Marc Anthony, Beck… Latin pop, a bit. Do you feel that in 2005-2008 pop music took a switch from that pure-bubble gum pop, (Jessica Simpson, Britney, Spice Girls, N*SYNC) to a more electronic-techno based sound? Possibly music that fell into the genres of Dance, Techno and House in the 90s, could be considered what mainstream pop is like today?
Fernando Garibay: Yes, but actually before that I was putting out techno/house records. I was developing a bit of a name for myself doing underground records when I started getting calls from labels asking me to remix some pop stuff. Inadvertently, pop music was going through a bit of a Latin invasion at the time, which happened to coincide with my goal of proving to my Mexican family that I could actually succeed at this. I knew they wouldn’t know who Beck or Mya were, but they sure as hell know who Enrique Iglesias was. After the Latin invasion, I felt pop music migrated to a more urban phase in American pop radio and definitely a more electronic direction in the U.K. I liked both so my remixes and productions where directly inspired by a hybrid of those two elements.
Kazemi: How do you feel about the birth of millennium pop? N*SYNC, Spice Girls, what is known as “Classic Britney”, does that extravagant-pop songwriting/production stand out to you today?
Fernando: I grew up in South Central LA; there was nothing about Millennium pop I could relate to. All we listened to growing up in the hood was anything by Dr. Dre, hard techno records from Europe like Prodigy, and believe or not New Wave records from the likes of Depeche Mode and Duran Duran. I heard subtle Dr. Dre influences in the Max Martin productions of Britney and N*SYNC, which did perk my ears up. I am grateful we got great artists like Justin and Britney out of that period. Justin is always incredible, and everyone, including myself looks forward to the records he makes.
Kazemi: You were part of that pop-wave in a way, working with Mya as I mentioned before, remixed Ashlee Simpson and of-course Paris Hilton . Do you ever look back at how different the industry was then, such as how people were buying CDs or how music videos were religiously played on MTV? Do you think it was a healthier state, and easier to make music? [laughs] Do you understand the genius of “Stars Are Blind” in retrospect? It’s an amazing pop record; such a summer-reggae pop tune.
Fernando: Thank you. Well I always loved reggae, especially when paired with the imagery of paradise. That’s why I named my studio Paradise, by the way. I loved how British artists like The Police and Culture Club were infusing reggae with pop music in the 80s so I felt that I could attempt the bridge that gap again. Hence why “Star’s Are Blind” was born. It was originally written for Gwen Stefani, but as it turns out she decided not to release an album at that point in time. Next, I played it to Paris Hilton whom I met through mutual friends and that was it. To be honest with you, I do very much miss the album cover as an art form and the excitement of buying a CD, especially one that I worked on. But on the flip side, I do enjoy the convenience of my iTunes library. I try not to think of the former music industry too much, it’s kind of heart breaking. We had budgets back then, to make records and to develop artists. Even though I was still struggling to compete with multi-million dollar earning producers at the time, there was that optimism that you could possible write songs that could potentially change your life financially. In order to do that now, you need to be a lot more innovative, and you have to definitely work much harder in comparison. Funny, at the time I thought I couldn’t work any harder.
Kazemi: I could not agree more about the art form of buying a physical CD, the excitement was some type of natural high. In 2008, you worked with Britney Spears on “Amnesia,” which is very Britney, by the way. How did you come up with the concept?
Fernando: It was one of those songs that my songwriting friend Kasey Livingston and I came up with one evening after she asked me how my weekend was. My response was “I can’t remember,” her response, “that good huh? Amnesia.” As soon as I finished it, I sent it over to Teresa Labarbera Whites (Britney’s A&R) who asked for a record for Britney. She played it for her and we cut it two weeks later. That’s how I’ve always worked. I approach all my music as if I were scoring a movie about myself. I guess I have always seen music that way, as a soundtrack to my life… and hopefully everyone else’s.
Kazemi:When did “Quicksand” come up? Did you call GaGa up for some help? Was this around when you first got to know each other and were writing for other artists?
Fernando: “Quicksand” was one of the first songs Gaga and I wrote. We started working together right after she had just finished The Fame album with Red One. Gaga and I were both artists at Interscope and Jimmy Lovine had asked me to meet up with her at my studio. That same night in came a blonde girl in her underwear who would eventually change my life. Her and I were going through a bit of heartbreak in our lives and I was playing this piano motif right as she walked into my studio for the first time and she just started writing, “baby, because you and me are sinking like quicksand.”
Kazemi: I think basically after that, it was all up-hill! The second public Gaga-Fernando collaboration was “Dance In The Dark” off The Fame Monster, the concept behind the lyrics puts us in the eyes of someone who has sex in the dark and is ashamed on their body. But then again, someone else could interoperate it in a whole different way. Are these songs intentionally supposed to be puzzle pieces?
Fernando: It’s interesting how Gaga’s songs are very open for interpretation yet very specific. That is her true talent. It relates to everyone. It tells her story and your story all at the same time. And she is successful because it’s real, it is who she is, and it is who we are at times.
Kazemi: Do you like the CeCe Peniston mix of “Dance In The Dark” from The Monster Ball Tour? Did you have to approve it before it became the introduction to the concert?
Fernando: That was an edit for The Monster Ball. It’s perfect, approved!
Kazemi: Why didn’t “No Way” make The Fame Monster? How do you feel about the whole leak culture spreading different information and often leaving everyone confused? Was it ever finished?
Fernando: Gaga is holding onto “No Way” at moment and saving it for something special. No, that was a demo that leaked, unfortunately. Leaks are not my favorite thing in the world. It’s like showing the world a sketch of a painting for people to judge as the masterpiece.
Kazemi: When did the Born This Way sessions begin? Was it a particular night? Did GaGa just call you up and ask to work on the second album or was it more complicated?
Fernando: It was more like she called me and said “I have this song I just wrote and I want to play it for you.” Two hours later I was on a flight to Australia. She’s super spontaneous like that; I just go with the flow and try to capture every moment of her creativity to tape, so to speak. I guess you can say that’s how my role of Music Supervisor for the Born This Way album came to fruition. Before I knew it I was traveling the world producing the album with her.
Kazemi: You wrote most of the record on the road, right?
Fernando: That is correct. The whole album was done on the road. From the American leg, to the European leg, and back… we recorded it all along in a bus with a purpose-built studio in it. We recorded with laptops backstage in her dressing room, in her hotel room, you name it. That’s how we were able to get it done in the middle of a worldwide tour.
Kazemi: Could you explain how your writing/creative process coincides with her many influences/inspirations? Do they go hand in hand? You co-wrote almost every song on the album.
Fernando: Well most of the time she’d come in with completed songs, so my job was to facilitate in executing her vision. Sometimes she heard a song in various forms, i.e. a rock version, a techno version, a full electro version, so we had to do many revisions of a song to get to a point that made sense for her. I’ll never forget the way she would describe the way she wanted her records to be like… sometimes she would dance it out for us, other times she’d describe an emotion or give us a visual, and many times she would flat out program the parts. Insane, right? Who does that?
Kazemi: [laughs] Only GaGa, only GaGa! When you released “Born This Way” a lot of “in the know” publications named it as a carbon copy of Madonna’s “Express Yourself”. Did it just end up sounding like that? Do you have anything to address? It is a common-found disco chord progression though, if we put all of the passé “comparisons” bullshit to the side.
Fernando: We take any comparisons to Madonna as a compliment. We are all big fans of her. One of my favorite songs is “La Isla Bonita.”
Kazemi: [laughs] In the studio, what is a natural session like with GaGa? How does a song like “Marry The Night” happen?
Fernando: “Marry The Night” was inspired by two things. For her, it is her metaphoric husband that is New York; for me, I was just trying to outdo the feeling I got when I first saw “Dance In The Dark” performed live as the opening number for the Monster Ball. It was the look on the audiences’ faces the minute that intro started; it was like I saw her for the first time and she was bigger than life. I felt like the audience was going to church, as if they were having a religious experience. I just kept hearing church bells in my head. It’s strange how her and I were so on the same page; upon hearing the track she instantly made to correlation with it being ceremonious and still dark. She looked at me, pointed, and sang, “I’m going to marry the night, I won’t give up on my life…”
Kazemi: Was “Marry The Night” an experiment at all? I’ve noticed the mix of 80s hair-band based choruses over massive pop beats pattern throughout the album worked out really well; was this intentional or unintentional?
Fernando: It was no experiment; she knew exactly what the vision was. That never wavered.
Kazemi: The obscure melodies overpower some of the huge pop production at times through the record; would you agree?
I wouldn’t say it’s the obscure melodies, I would say it’s the power of her songwriting that stands out. And that right there is what a good production should be; it should highlight the song, not the tricks. Anyone with Ableton and a laptop can do tricks; the magic is in the song… that’s where it counts. The rest is fashion, and we do have a good fashion sense I think.
Kazemi: Was it a strange feeling knowing that you were producing an album that was self-proclaimingly aimed as the album of the decade? Did that add any pressure to the job?
Fernando: Pressure? No pressure! It’s not like… I was asked to be responsible for executing the vision of the most influential woman on the planet… All joking aside, once I was over the initial shock of being asked to oversee the album, I quickly got into soldier mode and committed to a mindset that we were not going to fail, no matter what.
Kazemi: [laughs] “Heavy Metal Lover” is, without a doubt, the production highlight on the album. The rave essence of it, the manic vocal shreds, and all the smutty talk makes it an incredible pop track. If “Heavy Metal Lover” were to get on the radio, it would change the state of pop music and open a lot of doors for Top40 artists. Would you say that you and GaGa have created control with pop music, changing it for the better?
Fernando: Wow, you think so! I’m flattered!, but I really think a lot of the songs on this album could potentially have that power, from “Marry The Night” to “Bloody Mary” to “Americano.”
Kazemi: I honestly do believe that..When GaGa cut “Heavy Metal Lover” were you like, “whoa… what have I done? Did I really just make that?” Does she inspire you to make productions like you’ve never before?
Fernando: I just go for it! She would expect nothing less.
Kazemi: I’m sure other artists other than GaGa want to work with you. .
Fernando: Yeah.
Kazemi: You are always going to be a bit more involved with GaGa. How do you create balance? Will an outside artist be getting a more toned down product? Are those productions only as amazing as they are because you and Gaga have such incredible chemistry?
Fernando: I’m passionate about every record I do with whatever artist I work with. I try to take myself and my biases out of the equation for the sake of the artist’s vision I’m working with. I’ll go as far or hard as an artist would like me to go; I see myself as a catalyst for their artistry. Gaga is a producer; I make records with her, and that’s why our records will always sound like Gaga records. She’s not part of the equation, she is the equation.
source: http://alexkazemi.com/2011/05/fernando-garibay/
Gaga sells over 1 Million plus copies!
http://gagadaily.com/2011/05/born-this-way-debuts/
Quote:
Lady Gaga has earned her first number one album in the United States. The freshly-released Born This Way debuts atop the Billboard 200 with more than 1,110,000 copies sold in its first week, outselling the rest of the top 20 combined.
Born This Way scores the biggest first-week sales since 50 Cent’s The Massacre (2005) and becomes only the ninth fastest-selling album in the U.S. ever. What makes Lady Gaga’s achievement even more impressive is the fact that album sales have decreased 65% over the last ten years. With sales going down year after year, do you think Gaga will be able to deliver another 1 million opening week with her next record? Let us know in the comments below!
It should be noted that least 300k copies came from Amazon’s promotion, which made Born This Way available for just 99 cents to draw interest in the company’s new cloud service. However, Lady Gaga’s manager Troy Carter does not view the deal as a chart manipulation, but rather as an opportunity to get more fans listen to the music legally. “Although we weren’t aware of Amazon’s deal, I applaud them for their efforts,” he said. “Anytime we can get people to purchase music legally, it’s a good thing for the business.”
Born This Way has also made its debut at number one on official charts in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Crap. That is very impressive.
Music Heaven
Quote:
Lady Gaga has earned her first number one album in the United States. The freshly-released Born This Way debuts atop the Billboard 200 with more than 1,110,000 copies sold in its first week, outselling the rest of the top 20 combined.
Born This Way scores the biggest first-week sales since 50 Cent’s The Massacre (2005) and becomes only the ninth fastest-selling album in the U.S. ever. What makes Lady Gaga’s achievement even more impressive is the fact that album sales have decreased 65% over the last ten years. With sales going down year after year, do you think Gaga will be able to deliver another 1 million opening week with her next record? Let us know in the comments below!
It should be noted that least 300k copies came from Amazon’s promotion, which made Born This Way available for just 99 cents to draw interest in the company’s new cloud service. However, Lady Gaga’s manager Troy Carter does not view the deal as a chart manipulation, but rather as an opportunity to get more fans listen to the music legally. “Although we weren’t aware of Amazon’s deal, I applaud them for their efforts,” he said. “Anytime we can get people to purchase music legally, it’s a good thing for the business.”
Born This Way has also made its debut at number one on official charts in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Crap. That is very impressive.
Music Heaven
Friday, May 20, 2011
Vacation Time!!!!!!
I will be Vacation until next monday and I swear I will get more serious about posting.
Music Heaven
Kelly Rowland Score best single peak in US so far!
Without major promotion...urban single, "Motivation", has surpassed "Stole" and "Like This" (which peaked at #27 and #30 in the US respectively) to become Kelly's highest charting solo single in the US, now sitting at #26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart.
At a time when urban/R&B music is becoming more and more obscure in the robotized, electronic world the music industry has become of late and following a change of label and management, a series of hit-and-miss singles, multiple leaks and album pushbacks, this is a feat to be commended.
OH, one last thing, THE SONG IS NOW AVAILABLE ON UK ITUNES! I'VE GOT MY COPY, HAVE YOU GOT YOURS?
#TeamKelendria #TeamDestiny'sChild-ren #TeamMotivation
Good for her. Even though I don't like the song that much she deserves to smash.
Music Heaven
At a time when urban/R&B music is becoming more and more obscure in the robotized, electronic world the music industry has become of late and following a change of label and management, a series of hit-and-miss singles, multiple leaks and album pushbacks, this is a feat to be commended.
OH, one last thing, THE SONG IS NOW AVAILABLE ON UK ITUNES! I'VE GOT MY COPY, HAVE YOU GOT YOURS?
#TeamKelendria #TeamDestiny'sChild-ren #TeamMotivation
Good for her. Even though I don't like the song that much she deserves to smash.
Music Heaven
Cascada - Original Me - Cover/Tracklisting and Release Date
Tracklisting:
CD 1:
1. San Francisco
2. Au Revoir
3. Unspoken
4. Pyromania
5. Enemy
6. Independence Day
7. Stalker
8. Night Nurse
9. Sinner on the Dancefloor
10. Original Me
11. Hungover
CD 2 (Best Of):
1. Everytime We Touch
2. What Hurts the Most
3. Evacuate the Dancefloor
4. Truly Madly Deeply
5. What Do You Want From Me
6. Bad Boy
7. How Do You Do
8. A Neverending Dream
9. Fever
10. Wouldn’t It Be Good
11. Dangerous
12. Because The Night
13. Faded
14. Perfect Day
15. Last Christmas
Release Date:
13/06/2011 in UK
Source: http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Music/CD/Cascada/Original-Me/product.html?product=E10918570
Can't wait to hear it. Too bad San Fransico sounf Cailiforia Gurls.
Music Heaven
CD 1:
1. San Francisco
2. Au Revoir
3. Unspoken
4. Pyromania
5. Enemy
6. Independence Day
7. Stalker
8. Night Nurse
9. Sinner on the Dancefloor
10. Original Me
11. Hungover
CD 2 (Best Of):
1. Everytime We Touch
2. What Hurts the Most
3. Evacuate the Dancefloor
4. Truly Madly Deeply
5. What Do You Want From Me
6. Bad Boy
7. How Do You Do
8. A Neverending Dream
9. Fever
10. Wouldn’t It Be Good
11. Dangerous
12. Because The Night
13. Faded
14. Perfect Day
15. Last Christmas
Release Date:
13/06/2011 in UK
Source: http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Music/CD/Cascada/Original-Me/product.html?product=E10918570
Can't wait to hear it. Too bad San Fransico sounf Cailiforia Gurls.
Music Heaven
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)