Posts Tagged ‘music news’

If you or someone you know has given birth in the past several days, congrats on the new addition but regrets on having your momentous occasion Kanyed by the arrival of Jay-Z’s and Beyonce’s Blue Ivy Carter.

Born into a pop culture Camelot, the birth of B and Jay’s little girl has trended on Twitter, kept its place atop Yahoo! searches, and inspired proud new Papa Hova to record a beautiful new song called, “Glory.” Featuring none other than bound-to-be-a-star, Blue Ivy’s, vocals, Jay-Z’s “Glory” divulges intimate details of Baby Blue’s conception.

Even if you’re not a fan of the couple, you’ll appreciate the heartfelt, daddy to daughter tribute.

I cried the first, second, and third times I listened to the song. Enjoy.

T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle

I have admitted before that I am as much a junkie for reality tv as I am for music. So when VH-1 announced the launch of “T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle” reality series, I was both excited and cautiously optimistic.

I was excited about the show because I have been a T.I. fan since his rougher-around-the-edges, “24s” days.

I was only cautiously optimistic because, with T.I.’s checkered past of arrests and extended prison stays, I wasn’t confident a reality show starring The King of the South would depict him positively.

Those concerns were quelled quickly once I got hooked on the “Hustle.”

A devoted father who teaches his kids the value of working hard to earn a living, a loving husband who showers his wife with emotional support in her personal endeavors, a smart business man who’s actively involved in his entrepreneurial pursuits is T.I. in this no-holds-barred series.

He shows regret for making the bad decisions that put him behind bars and expresses humility for being “cool” enough to take the stage alongside Taylor Swift. T.I. and Tiny’s colorful personalities will make you love watching their hustle, too.

Where’s the Beef?

Some say it’s an old school rapper’s attempt to reclaim his relevance, and others will say it’s a new school artist’s campaign to defend his brawn, but either way it’s beef. And it’s between Common and Drake.

In November, Common released single, “Sweet,” where he implicated Drake for being just that with his sing-song rap style. In his rebuttal song, “Stay Schemin,” Drake declares his sing-rapping doesn’t make him a “b*tch” as claimed by Common. Not to be out beefed, Common remixes “Stay Schemin” and slams Drake a second time.

All 3 tracks are below. Listen and let me know which rapper has won this war of words so far!

For some artists, 2011 was Positively Awesome! Check out my list to see which musicians I think had a superb year.

Jennifer Lopez

In 2010, most would have described Jennifer Lopez as the MILF wife of Marc Anthony whose fashion business was booming while her music star was fading.

But there was a new tale for JLo in 2011.

Apparently, being on American Idol does as much for a judge’s career as it does a contestant’s. After joining the AI crew, Jennifer released her seventh album, Love?, which sold 83,000 copies its first week. With hits like, “On the Floor” and “I’m into You,” JLo went from being just a red carpet star to being the star of her own super sexy music videos.

And no one wears a break-up better than Jenny. She shook off some dead weight – aka Marc Anthony – and got (kinda) naked on stage during her steamy performance at this year’s AMAs.

Adding to her mega star visibility is her Fiat campaign. Pinky swear, I never noticed a Fiat on the road before JLo’s commercials, now, I see probably 10 a day. That, folks, is what Jennifer Lopez can do for you.

Big Sean

After years of releasing mix tapes and waiting for his big break, 2011 was the year that hip hopper Big Sean was Finally Famous.

Having heavyweights like Kanye and Wiz Khalifa on debut studio album Finally Famous helped boost Big Sean’s fan base. But it was the remix of “Dance (A$$)” featuring Nicki Minaj that put the “Big” in Sean’s success this year.

Adele

Since her 2011 release, 21, went platinum in the United States and in the UK, the only thing Adele is “Rolling in the Deep” in is the dough.

Those heartfelt lyrics on 21 that made Adele a household name were all inspired by a painful breakup. All I can say to Adele’s ex is, “she’s definitely the one that got away.”

2011 has been the Year of Adele for more reasons than one. The British songstress has one our generation’s most talented voices as well as the ability to translate heartache into beauty through song. But what is most attractive about Adele is that she is unafraid to be herself.

In June, she gushed to Rolling Stone that she has no time to worry about her weight and that she hates the gym. Adele even admitted to experiencing severe anxiety attacks before live performances.

Comforting to know that someone we admire despises working out and is afraid of large groups of people like the rest of us.  Adele, we heart you.

Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters have had a pretty quiet four years, but in 2011, the rockers re-emerged as one of alternative music’s most celebrated and respected groups with Wasting Light.

Wasting Light became the band’s first number one album in the US, and the Foo Fighters complemented that success with a string of concert performances including shows as far south as Kentucky and as far east as England.

This year, the video for “Walk” earned them an MTV Music Video award for Best Rock Video.

Who were your favorite acts last year? Who do you think is going to be huge in 2012? Comment below, and be sure to check back often right here on Positively Celebrity for more of the latest music reviews and news from Erica Renee Davis!

Dominating charts in the UK, Australia, and in the US, Florence + the Machine’s sophomore release, Ceremonials, is on track to be one of the most epic albums of 2011.

Dismal fantasies entwine themselves through Ceremonials’ lyrics making it the antithesis of pop radio hits of a Rihanna or of a newcomer like Dev. And despite its murky and far-from-upbeat melodies, Flo’s artistry is refreshing.

So refreshing, in fact, that Good Morning America is having Florence + the Machine on for a live performance on November 21st…for a second time this year.

Lead single, “What The Water Gave Me,” and its thought provoking lyrics is the kind of riveting, hippie spiritual with which Florence fans most closely identify.

“Shake It Out” is an uplifting track that insists “shaking the devil off your back” will help you outgrow the regrets of your past.

Florence has admitted she pens her best lyrics when she’s inebriated or hung over.  And “All This and Heaven Too,” brimming with abstract references of “tiptoe” languages, is certainly the genius result of what Florence would call her “lucid” state. Incidentally, this is my favorite song from Ceremonials.

Florence + the Machine stole our attention with “Dog Days are Over,” but with the dying down of “Dog Days” success, Florence could have easily been forgotten as another one-album-wonder. Instead, Flo followed Lungs with an equally edgy, artistically sound, Bohemian masterpiece that will inspire all listeners to nurture their inner free spirits.

When VH-1’s “Pop Up Video” debuted in 1996, the way we viewed videos was forever changed. Gone were the days of idly watching our favorite artists’ mini movies; instead we were engaged by little nuggets of info popping up throughout the vids. Ranging from facts about the actual musicians to random tidbits taken from the videos’ different scenes, music video watching became, dare I say, educational.

After a 9 year hiatus, the pop culture phenomenon is back! And this time around, the videos are filled with way more pop ups than before…or maybe I just don’t read as quickly as I used to.

Whether you watched the show during its glory years or you’re just getting on the bubble bandwagon, “Pop Up Video” is the perfect remedy to make music video watching fun again.

Check out this Talking Heads classic. Watch closely to find out what to do (and what not to do) in case of a fire.

Baseball lovers, scenes from “I’d Do Anything” were filmed near a major baseball stadium. Hint: The team that calls this stadium home has a “dog” that’s as famous as the team itself.

Visuals in Prince’s iconic “Raspberry Beret” are the result of one inexperienced editor tampering with the animators’ hard work. Take a wild guess who that was!

Visit www.popup.vh1.com for newer videos and for television listings.

And be sure to check back often for more of the latest music news and reviews from music expert Erica Renee Davis…right here on Positively Celebrity!

iN honor of Steve Job’s legacy, I began this sentence with a lower case “i.” Also, to honor Apple’s mastermind, I am briefing you on songs that you must add to your own iPods.

Thank you, Steve Jobs, for making treadmills more bearable, airplane rides more entertaining, and for giving us those iconic white headphones that serve as social barriers even when the iPod is off.

“Can’t Get Enough” is the first single from J. Cole’s debut studio release, Cole World: The Sideline Story. Definitely, it’s one of the best tracks on the album.  And if jet setting to escape the cold is how you roll, then watching J. Cole’s “Can’t Get Enough” video featuring Trey Songz will have you rushing to the nearest ticket terminal.

There’s no shortage of beautiful, voluptuous women in the vid which, coincidentally, reminds me of his Roc Nation mentor Jay Z’s “Big Pimpin.” Anxious to track Cole World’s chart performance!

T-Pain’s “5 O’Clock” featuring Lily Allen and Wiz Khalifa is a new addition to my iPod. I am not ashamed to admit that an auto-tuned, T-Pain song is on my workout playlist.

I’m pretty sure I’ve told you I love Beyonce’s latest album 4, so you should have downloaded it to your iPods months ago. But in her most recent video for song “Countdown,” B has been accused – AGAIN – of swagger jacking. Seems that every trend made popular by the mom-to-be was the brainchild of someone else’s creative genius. After watching “Countdown,” I have this to say: Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker, your swagger has been jacked.

de Keersmaeker is a Belgian choreographer, and “Countdown’s” choreography looks eerily similar identical to her pieces. A split screen showing those similarities is below as is Beyonce’s full length video. At any rate, Mrs. Carter makes rolling around the floor at 5 months (allegedly) pregnant look as effortless as only she could make it look.

I had fallen so in love with Travis Barker’s Give the Drummer Some that I kinda forgot about Blink 182.

But the band’s song, “After Midnight,” has helped rekindle my love affair with the trio. Took a while for the song to grow on me, but now, I pretty much can’t stop listening to it.

Summer 2011, your music was good to us. Here’s a final, end of summer, hot list hoorah.

Let’s face it. You WILL hear LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” at least 10 times a day.

Channel surf your radio stations, and you’ll get the “everyday I’m shuffling,” soundbite on multiple frequencies. Even the Kia “HamStars” are shuffling to this super hot summer hit from the Gordy, uncle-nephew duo.

It’s virtually impossible to resist “Anthem’s” super contagious beat and hook. All summer, the track has dominated the charts and is one of YouTube’s most viewed videos ever. “Party Rock Anthem” = Positively Sizzling!

From “Can’t Buy Me Love” to “Yesterday,” the Beatles’ 1 compiles 27 of their #1s from the 1960s and 70s.

At the beginning of September, 1 was re-released as an exclusive-to-iTunes digital album. Congratulations, Beatles. You’ve mastered the art of getting your fans to purchase the same exact music three times. That’s pretty hot.

Four years later, “Cupid’s Chokehold” is still the band’s biggest hit, but I predict Gym Class Heroes’ newest single, “Stereo Hearts” featuring Adam Levine will give “Cupid” a fair fight. Travie McCoy has a lyrical finesse that energizes every Gym Class Heroes song. “Stereo Hearts” has summer hot list cred!

Do the names Mark Foster, Mark Pontius, and Jacob Fink ring a bell? If not, then I introduce to you indie pop band, Foster the People.

Not until I became utterly obsessed with their eerily sexy hit, “Pumped Up Kicks,” did I, myself, know who they were.

“Pumped Up Kicks” was released about a year ago, but it was in the summer of 2011 that this sleeper became a chart topper. Its provocative lyrics referencing bullets and guns paired with an MGMT-esque electropop beat make it a sultry song that needs both censorship and repeat play. Their sudden stardom has even landed them an October 8th date with Saturday Night Live. Foster the People’s hot list appeal is sizzling through to Fall!

As always, check back often for more of the latest music news and reviews from Erica Renee Davis, right here on Positively Celebrity!

September 14th would have been Amy Winehouse’s birthday, and in her memory, her “Body and Soul” duet with Tony Bennett debuted on what would have been Amy’s 28th. In our salute to Ms. Winehouse, we have the beautiful song and video here. We also look at songs from artists whose collaborations were released after their passing. Happy Birthday, Amy, and Happy Birthday to me (shameless plug…Amy and I have the SAME bday)!

Around about the same time Diddy became the Master of Music Sampling, he rocked hip hop with “It’s All About the Benjamins” remix. Released 3 months after The Notorious B.I.G.’s murder, Biggie’s finale verse provides the perfect ending to a rap classic.

Singer Natalie Cole honored her late father by remaking timeless tune, “Unforgettable,” as a duet with her dad.

Nat King Cole’s soothing voice can never be duplicated, but the daddy-daughter collaboration is a precious reminder of the late jazz singer’s lasting legacy.

Lisa Marie Presley had her own daddy daughter duo when she teamed up with Elvis in 2007 to remake his 1969 hit, “In the Ghetto.”

No matter how old the song, Michael Jackson hits have an energy that make you dance and sing as if they were newly released.

Mike’s feel-good music influenced singer, Akon, to record “Hold My Hand” in 2008. Unfortunately, the King of Pop died before the track’s release, so the song was included on Jackson’s posthumous album, Michael.

What are some of your favorite duets from artists – past and present? Comment below, and be sure to check back often for more of the latest music news and reviews from Erica Renee Davis right here on Positively Celebrity.

A songstress gets motivated, Koreans make their mark, and hip-hop’s most famous last name gets more famous.

Here’s your Summer Hot List 2011: Part Two!

Summer of Kell

If Kelly Rowland’s New Year’s resolution was to stop playing second fiddle to Beyonce,’ then I’m pleased to announced she’s successfully completed her mission.

The track, her vocals, the lyrics, and the video’s choreography are reminiscent of the hotness that was Ciara’s “Promise” back in 2006. Kelly’s hit, “Motivation,” featuring Lil Wayne is HANDS DOWN 2011’s sexiest summer single.

Unleashing her super sultry inner seductress with “Motivation,” it’s the former DC3er’s biggest solo hit.  Nothing says Here I Am like dancing your way to #1 in a trench coat and combat boots. Positively Sizzling!

Korean Pop

Billboard announced the launch of K-Pop Hot 100, a chart ranking Korea’s most popular music. So if you’ve been procrastinating on signing up for those Korean language classes, I suggest you put a rush order on your Rosetta Stone.

Since being honest is the summer’s coolest trend, I must admit that it’s only been recently that I’ve gotten acquainted with Korean pop. At best, I’ve marveled at the colorful music videos that often accompany K-pop songs but usually always muted.

Assuming you’re in the same boat as I am, learning to appreciate K-pop and its eclectic vibrance will be equally adventurous and advantageous for us all. Billboard earns Summer Hot List honors for bringing continued cultural awareness to the music industry.

Check out Sistar, the group sitting atop K-Pop Hot 100 chart!

Summertime Simmons

His dad’s group, Run-DMC, ruled the 80s, his socialite sisters dominate the fashion scene, and he – well, he’s exploding onto the music scene securing his relevance in the Simmons dynasty.

Bieber Fever is so first-part-of-this-year. Tweens and teens have a new summer love, and it’s Diggy Simmons.

You probably remember watching him as a kid on “Run’s House” or from this AT&T commercial:

Not long ago, Diggy was Vanessa and Angela’s bratty little brother, but now, the 16 year old is is maturing into a megastar.

His kid-friendly raps are upbeat and fun, and Diggy’s expanding his brand beyond music and is delving into shoe and fashion designing. Watch the video for his latest single, “Copy, Paste.” You’ll agree that Diggy Simmons is one of this summer’s hottest teen heartthrobs!

Would love to know who made it onto your 2011 Summer Hot List! Comment below, and be sure to check back often to Positively Celebrity for all the latest music news and reviews from Erica Renee Davis!

Now that we’ve all come down from our Twitter high, let’s recap last night’s VMAs using more than 140 characters!

Not to specify names (ahem, my very own sister), but there are some hardcore anti-Lady Gaga people among us. Beware because the anti-Gaga faction has as much steam behind it as do her little Monsters. And after her VMA performance last night, the chasm has officially widened.

Whether you consider Gaga’s VMA, male alter-ego submersion to be ridiculous or genius, it was certainly engaging.

Jay-Z and Kanye West’s performance of single, “Otis,” was about as uneventful and uninteresting as its video. C-. But since I love Otis Redding, used to be slightly obsessed with Jay, and respect Kanye’s music, I’ll grade it a (reluctant) B. However, Jay-Z is X months away from being a new daddy and Beyonce’ is his baby’s mama, so okaaaay…I give it an A+.

Nicki Minaj has assumed lots of roles lately; Hip Hop’s newest Princess, YMCMB Sweetheart, and the music biz’s very own life-sized cartoon character. She’s got a shiny new Moon Man to decorate her colorful world since “Super Bass” snagged the award for Best Hip Hop Video.

I tip my pink-colored wig to Katy Perry and Kanye for winning Best Collaboration for “E.T.” This confirmed that I’m not the only one who gets upset when the radio plays the original version instead of the remix. Attention Radio Stations: It’s a remix for a reason. Play it.

Whenever I start making enough money to pay someone to sing my emotions to me, Adele is so hired. She brought the house down with nothing but a microphone, a piano accompaniment, and years of raw emotion. Simply dynamic.

Full of theatrics and several minutes of aerial acrobatics, Chris Brown’s set was one of the night’s most superb performances. But did anyone else find it curious that TLC’s “Scrubs” was the song the house band performed immediately after C Breezy performed?

By the way, Jessie J and her ensemble were a positively fantastic house band! Whenever I can afford to pay a live cover band to sing the soundtrack of my life, I’m ringing Jessie J, and I will demand she bring that white chair.

I will not apologize for having a crush on Russell Brand. He was very matter-of-fact but charming and compassionate when introducing Amy Winehouse’s tribute. “Valerie” is one of my fave Amy Winehouse songs, so kudos to Bruno Mars for his excellent rendition.

The competitors didn’t stand a chance against Katy Perry’s “Firework” in the Music Video of the Year category. And using YouTube view counts as my parameter, Perry won fair and square (Bruno Mars’ YouTube views of “Grenade” were a mere 202 million, about 27 million short of Perry’s).

Leave it to MTV to ice the cake with a MONSTER of a closer by Lil Wayne. His performance, complete with animal print skinny jeans and skater kid shoes, makes it clear that “Toonchies” is a rock star trapped in a rapper’s body. Although, according to Wayne, I’m not supposed to call him Toonchies. Wonder what happens since I did.

A lot of cool moments from this year’s VMAs. What were some of your faves? Comment below and be sure to check back often for more of the latest music news and reviews from Erica Renee Davis right here on Positively Celebrity!