Posts Tagged ‘Rihanna’

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.

If they’re good enough for the Duchess, they’re good enough for me! Kate Middleton has been spotted wearing her J Brand 811 Skinny Jeans in Navy no less than three times on her first royal visit to Canada.

The Duchess of Cambridge is clearly a big fan of J Brand. The label, co-founded by denim manufacturer Jeff Rudes and stylist Susie Crippen in 2004, has achieved a winning combination of style, comfort and sexiness. J Brand became an immediate success with consumers, notable celebrities, influential fashion editors and now royalty!

Pop princess Rihanna owns several pairs of J Brand and is often seen stepping out in hers. Here she is pictured in the now famous Houlihans that caused such a stir!

Made from Japanese cotton with just enough lycra, these skinny but super flattering khaki cargo pants sold out all over the world (and there were long waiting lists to satisfy the huge demand). I missed out on the Houlihan craze because I was pregnant. Thankfully my sister-in-law, who was a maternity stylist, kitted me out with the perfect pair of dark denim Mama J Jeans, as seen here on Halle Berry.

Emily Blunt, who played the Queen so beautifully in ‘The Young Victoria’ is rarely seen out of her J Brand jeans. British export Emily is pictured at LAX wearing J Brand 912 Pencil Leg in Antique Black.

Fashion royalty Anna Wintour, American Vogue‘s Editor-in-Chief, gave her seal of approval when she chose a pair of J Brand’s 914 jeans to go with her trademark black sunglasses and sharp bob at the Sony Ericsson Open.

This is one A-list fashion fire that is so bright; with so many styles and colours to choose from, it has no risk of burning out anytime soon. J Brand also makes killer pants for men and children too! Check out Gerard Butler wearing his Aviator Cargo pants in Vintage light Sage and Violet Affleck in J Brand kids.

J Brand is featured in over 2000 specialty stores and luxury retailers in over 20 countries worldwide, including: Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Jeffrey and Ron Herman in the United States. Start, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges carry J Brand in London, as well as Le Bon Marche in Paris. For more information, please explore http://www.jbrandjeans.com

Please be sure to visit your favorite A-list news site, Positively Celebrity daily… We bring you the latest from the world of celebrity without any of the dirt!

Keep it positive, keep it positivelycelebrity.com!

Love Coralie x

From her fall out with former beau Chris Brown to the ever present rumors surrounding her relationship with mentor, Jay-Z, controversy has always riddled Rihanna’s successful career.

And her new song and video, “Man Down,” follows suit having all the characteristics of the Rihanna persona we love.

Hip. Edgy. Thought provoking.

The video tells a haunting story of how an innocent flirtation between Rihanna and a hottie at the club escalates to sexual assault. Seeking revenge, Rihanna spots her attacker from her bedroom window, shooting and killing him as he walks in the middle of a crowded street.

Sounds more like an 11 o’clock news report than a music video.

Outraged opponents condemn the video for glorifying “premeditated murder.” Even actress Gabrielle Union spoke out about her personal experience with rape as a teenager. Union says she attempted to shoot her rapist during the attack, but she’s glad she missed because killing him would have added “insult to injury.”

Rihanna defends the racy video saying that she’s a “rockstar” not a “parent.”

My questions to you: Is RiRi’s video any different than a blockbuster movie that portrays violence? And are you offended by the ”Man Down” vid?

Comment below and be sure to check back for more of the latest music news and reviews from Erica Renee Davis right here on Positively Celebrity.

It’s so official. We are only two days away from Billboard Music Awards first televised show in 5 years.

Truthfully, between the Grammys, American Music Awards, Country Music Academy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards (goodness, you get the point), were we really even missing Billboard’s presence on the awards show scene?

Mmmm…probably not so much.

But another awards show does give us an excellent excuse to cozy up in front of our televisions on a Sunday night as our favorite artists entertain us…for free!

Now, unlike some awards ceremonies, there are no nail-biting moments when it comes to who’s taking home the interestingly shaped thing-a-ma-jig of a statue. And this is because, Billboard, in all of its record sales authoritative glory, awards artists based on actual sales and on air play in each respective category.

Weird concept, huh?

Simply put, we’ll be watching the BMAs for the performances. Kinda like reading a book for the pictures.

Excited about performances from R&B crooner, Ne-Yo …

… Relatively newcomers, Far East Movement …

… The teddy bear of “The Voice,” Cee-Lo …

… and, of course, girl-power goddess, Beyonce’ …

Since my handy little record-sales tabulator device isn’t functioning, I’ll be sitting in “pretend” suspense with all of you as Rihanna, Eminem, and Justin Bieber rack up during this year’s BMAs telecast.

Enjoy the show.

Check www.billboard.com for detailed info on all the nominees!!! 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.

My nickname is Coco and I’m nuts about Vita Coco so I’m very happy to see that Rihanna is set to be featured in their advertising campaign launching this summer!

Endorsing big campaigns is nothing new to Rihanna (who has previously endorsed several products including Cover Girl, Nivea and Doritos) as well as launching her own line of Totes Umbrellas following the success of her number 1 song “Umbrella”.

The natural beauty is a big fan of the all-natural nutrient packed fat free drink that delivers 100 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin C. Rih-Rih was quoted as saying  “I love Vita Coco! It’s real coconut water from hand-picked coconuts. It’s delicious and so good for you!”

“Rihanna is a natural fit for the Vita Coco brand and I’m so happy to have her on the team” says Madonna. It seems that the whole of celeb-land is bananas about this super drink!

New York-based Vita Coco is one of the fastest growing lifestyle beverages brands in the U.S. and is not shy of celebrity attention. Madonna and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers are both investors in the privately owned coconut water company.

Demi Moore enjoyed Vita Coco during the Super Bowl 2011 with Ashton Kutcher, along with former first couple President George and Barbara Bush.

The beverage is enjoyed by many A-listers because of it’s super-hydrating and nutritious properties. The company founded in 2004 has an impressive celebrity list of brand loyalists including Demi Moore, Matthew McConaughey, Sienna Miller and Kate Bosworth!

Available in six great tasting flavors – Pure, Açaí & Pomegranate, Tangerine, Passion Fruit, Pineapple and Peach & Mango – Vita Coco contains the five essential electrolytes and more potassium than two bananas.

I am hooked! As my mother said recently, “What did we drink before we had coconut water?”

Be sure to check back for more of the latest celebrity news from Coralie Rose right here on Positively Celebrity!

Never has there been a Pussycat sexier than Scherzinger – as in Nicole.

After years of subscribing to Dr. Dre’s Detox philosophy -teasing fans with the possibility of a solo project then repeatedly postponing its release date  - the former PCD front woman finally took the plunge with Killer Love.

Consider yourself lucky if you’re in Europe since Killer Love was officially released there mid-March. America, we get to play the waiting game because the hot body bombshell still hasn’t disclosed the date of her American debut.

Don’t fret. We can still indulge in Nicole as she has already premiered the video for “Right There,” featuring 50 cent.

Rihanna must be seething because “Right There” could have totally been a hit of hers. And Beyonce’ has gotta be amazed that another starlet can do the “Crazy in Love/Uh Oh” dance as well as she.  And me…well, I’m jealous because I’m dying to get feather extensions, and Nicole’s blue ones in this video are positively fly.

I’ve always been a fan of Nicole’s “swag” (pardon me for writing the most overused word of the past year) but there’s no other way to describe Scherzinger’s appeal.

While her vocals aren’t off the charts, her confidence is. Even though critics slam her music – from Pussycat Dolls to solo tracks – she’s continually working at finding her personalized niche of entertainment success.

Whenever you start thinking, “I wonder where that Nicole ‘what’s her name’ girl is” she’s right there in some national commercial or on Dancing With The Stars or cranking out some hot new pop track.

Cats really do have 9 lives.

Rappers rule the world these days! See who made my Hip Hop Hot List this week!

The undisputed champion of my Hip Hop Hot List is Travis Barker with his new album, “Give The Drummer Some.” Popularly known as your “favorite rapper’s favorite drummer,” don’t be shocked that the Blink-182 musician’s first solo effort has hip hop oozing out of every track. Rick Ross, Luda, and Twista are a few rappers making appearances on Barker’s hard-hitting, rhyme mixed with rock, debut.

Snoop Dogg adds his West Coast flare to “Knockin,” and “If U Want To” boasts Pharrell’s signature sound in a collaboration featuring Lupe Fiasco. Reminding me just a little bit of Masta Ace’s “Born to Roll,” “Jump Down,” featuring the Cool Kids, is my fave song on the album.

March has been a busy month for Chris Brown. An explicit sext pic of the singer surfaced earlier this month, he tells Page Six Magazine he’s not apologizing for the Rihanna incident anymore, and his song, “Look At Me Now,” is climbing the charts. The song features Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne, and its recently released video is just as hot as the track itself. C Breezey is back in the building. Comeback, anyone?

Who knew pop starlet Katy Perry had some hip hop running through her veins? Now that Mrs. Russell Brand has teamed up with Kanye West for the remix of “E.T.,” the California Gurl officially has earned her street cred.

“Real Gs move in silence like lasagna” is the most positively awesome lyric of the year so far, and no one other than hit maker, Lil Wayne, could design a line so clever. Actually, Wayne’s latest single, “6 Foot 7 Foot,” is full of witty verses, and its chart performance (it peaked at #9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs) is proof that even a stint in prison can’t stifle Lil Wayne’s success.

Hip Hop heads have been anticipating Dr. Dre’s Detox for years. And now that Dre has dropped the album’s 2nd single, “I Need a Doctor,” fans are one step closer to the April 20th release.

Skylar Grey’s hook is haunting, Eminem’s verses are provocative, and Dre’s last verse is perfection.  Love the video and the nostalgic flashback photos of Dre’s life that are seen throughout.  It still gets my Hip Hop Hot List vote…even if the track is basically a love song between Em and Dre!

Who’s on the top of your Hip Hop Hot List!?! Comment below, and be sure to check back often for more music news from Erica Renee Davis right here at Positively Celebrity!

When it comes to my television watching habits, I proudly fashion myself a sports, news, and of course, music junkie. But occasionally – and I do mean, almost never – I succumb to doing to my mind what eating empty calories does to my diet.

I watch reality television.

And at the top of that guilty pleasures list are Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney and Khloe’ Take Miami. Kourtney and Kim Take New York and the rumored Khloe’ and Lamar Odom spinoff are pending additions.

Kudos to Kris Jenner for being an over zealous stage mom a marketing genius.

Yes. I’m slightly obsessed with the Kardashians. Yes. 90% of Kris Jenner’s ideas are brilliant. But the idea to have Kim Kardashian embark on the path of a singing career?

Hmmmmm…

The rumors of an upcoming, Kim K. music project have been floating around for several weeks. The buzz has been supported by paparazzo snapshots of Kim and Kanye West leaving a Culver City, CA recording studio and by twitpics and hints from Kimmy herself. At the NYE party the celebutante hosted at TAO nightclub in Vegas, she revealed one of her songs, “Turn It Up.”

Reality star turned songstress. That story sounds familiar.

Remember Paris Hilton’s brief singing encounter?  Apparently, the heiress decided that starring in “The Simple Life” wasn’t “hot” enough and recorded her first album named – what else – Paris.

Lead single,  “Stars Are Blind,” ranks high on the cheese meter, but in Paris’s defense, the single actually reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart back in 2006.

And if this was Rihanna rolling around in the sand in a skimpy bikini and singing the exact same song, I guarantee it would spend 52 weeks at #1.

Attention: All “Real Housewives of Atlanta” addicts (I’m included in this group but am excluded from judgment because I’m from Georgia). You have abhorred and adored Kim Zolciak’s flirtation with the music industry, but unfortunately, ”Tardy For The Party,” never made it to the Billboard charts party.

However, all the comedy surrounding the beginnings of Zolciak’s singing debut made the reality star one of the most recognized Housewives.

Okay. So maybe “Jersey Shore’s” Pauly D dreamt of conquering the music industry as a DJ long before any of us knew what GTL meant. I’m just not convinced that being a “guido” will be as cool in 2011 as it was in 2010.

From the sounds of Pauly D’s ”Beat dat Beat,”  David Guetta need not lose any sleep worrying about the competition.

Judging from other reality stars’ experiences with dabbling in music, it doesn’t seem that a chart-topping music career is in Kim K’s future.

Then again, maybe Kim Kardashian has some trick tucked away in one of her cinch-waist belts that has thus far gone unused by her reality star cohorts. Afterall, everything the Kardashians do – except for their fraudulent holiday debit card and their Bebe clothing line – results in big bucks.

I cannot wait to get a good listen to her first single and to the album when it arrives.

But whether or not we appreciate Kim’s musical abilities, I promise that we all will be watching closely as she transitions from reality tv to MTV.

If you didn’t know before, I am here to reconfirm some not-so-breaking-news: Social networking has officially conquered the world.

Billboard, one of the industry’s most trusted authorities in tracking music charts, launched a new chart whose sole purpose is to tally artists’ popularity on social networking sites.

I introduce to you the “Social 50.”

The Social 50 started this December and gathers data based on the following criteria:

• Weekly additions of followers, friends, and fans on sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, iLike, and MySpace (wait…people still have MySpace pages…yikes)!
• The number of artists’ page views and song plays on the listed sites

Considering there are 500 million Facebook users, a host of (closet) MySpace users, tons of YouTube junkies, and a growing population of “Tweeps,” ranking popularity in the music industry with a chart like the Social 50 makes perfect sense.

Here’s Social 50’s current top ten.

10. Michael Jackson

Posthumously, MJ breaks records that artists strive to accomplish in a lifetime. With a little help from Akon, the Gloved One keeps rocking our worlds.

9. Shakira

8.  Linkin Park

7. Nicki Minaj

Soooo I still won’t admit that I actually like Nicki Minaj, but I pretty much have liked every single she has either released or has been featured on this year. Her beef with Lil’ Kim, her animated personality, and her close affiliation with Young Money make Ms. Minaj a constant trending topic. “Tell me how you do that ish…”

6.  Katy Perry

5. Lady Gaga

4. Eminem

3. Justin Bieber

Really, Justin Bieber. Why, oh, why are you such a little heart throb?!?  Bieber was discovered from his YouTube video performances, so the Biebs is an old pro at this whole social networking, popularity contest. And with touching songs and videos like, “Pray,” his star is destined to keep on rising.

2. Rihanna

1. Black Eyed Peas

Parliament front man, George Clinton, is suing the Peas for copyright infringement for sampling one of his tracks in their 2003 hit, “Shut Up.” Well, shame on them for plagiarizing, but good for them for being in the news. They (whoever they are) say that, “bad publicity is better than no publicity,” and I firmly believe that Social 50 will reflect increases in artists’ popularity in times of good press and in bad.

I mean, I totally listened to “Shut Up” 20 times on YouTube and compared it to a handful of George Clinton songs just to try to hear the alleged infringement.

You’re welcome, Black Eyed Peas, for those extra YouTube views.

If your favorite artists haven’t cracked Social 50’s top ten yet, then my advice to you is this: Spend less time Facebook stalking former friends, uploading bikini Twit Pics, or sharing elementary school picture collages on YouTube and opt, instead, to spend more time following your favorite band or singer.

Remember, with social networking, you, too, can be the change you want to see in the world.

For more of the latest music news and reviews by Erica Renee Davis, check back to Positively Celebrity!