Posts Tagged ‘Rihanna’

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!

If you’re like me, a typical day is never “typical,” and because the unexpected occurs frequently, in one day, you can go from feeling as if you’re on top of the world to feeling like downing three vodka martinis in as many minutes.

Yesterday, for me, was one of those days.

I thought it was only appropriate that I choose some of my favorite songs to represent each highlight of my day.

Mood: Sexy Reason: MY JEANS FIT!!! Song: Rihanna’s, “What’s My Name?”

So seductive and oozing with fiestiness is Rihanna’s sultry “What’s My Name?”  The Barbados-born hottie collaborates with Drake on the track, and in the video, the two superstars play each other’s love interests. I wonder what Rihanna’s Dodger boyfriend, Matt Kemp, thinks about Drake getting ready to round the bases.

At any rate, Rihanna proves that, even dressed in wacky, Cyndi Lauper-esque gear, she still manages to pull off sexy. And, yes, I danced around in the mirror asking myself, “What’s My Name?,” as I effortless zipped my pants.

Mood: Giddy Reason: Sweet texts from my sweetie Song: Sugarland’s, “Stuck Like Glue”

It may be #17 on Billboard’s Hot 100, but at the top of my list is Sugarland’s new single, “Stuck Like Glue.” Even before they performed on this month’s CMA Awards, the song was already being repeated frequently on my iPod.

It’s such a cute, quirky song that reminds you how sweet being in love really is! I can’t stop singing, “there you go making my heart beat again, heart beat again, heart beat again.” You should just hear me singing right now! Well, maybe you shouldn’t. Just listen to Sugarland sing it!

Mood: Not wanting to go to work Reason: Not wanting to go to work Song: Christina Aguilera’s “Something’s Got A Hold Of Me”

For everyone who regularly performs in front of imaginary, sold-out audiences in their living rooms, and for every server and bar tender who’s ever wanted to close the restaurant and put on a one-man show atop the bar – Christina Aguilera’s video for “Something’s Got A Hold Of Me,” is for you.

Maybe I chose this song because the “something” that got a hold of me was work when I didn’t feel like going. Or maybe I chose it because of how Ms. Christina ends her workday in the video by breaking it down to some old school Etta James.

I won’t be dropping $16.00 at ArcLight to see Burlesque, but I was motivated to jump on a bar stool at work and break out into a song and dance.

Mood: Confused Reason: Random man standing in front of my car in traffic Song: Pink’s, “Raise Your Glass”

Pink has always been a champion for all things weird, and there’s no other way to describe a man who runs into the middle of the crosswalk and starts performing tricks with a wooden stick in front of on-coming traffic. This really happened.

The easy thing to do would have been to judge (which I didn’t do) and to honk my horn angrily (which I did eventually). But after I saw how impressed the man was with himself as he ran back to his shopping cart piled high with plastic bottles and cans, all I could do was smile.

I thought of Pink’s “Raise Your Glass” and how the song and video revel in the glory of being misfit underdogs. Pink makes being an underdog seem pretty freaking trendy, and the stick-twirling man made it seem pretty cool, too!

Soooo maybe I didn’t down three martinis…the one shot of tequila did the trick. And maybe a crazy LA day is a little less crazy when you find the perfect songs to get you through it!

Be sure to check back for more of the latest music news and fun features from Erica Renee Davis right here at Positively Celebrity!

Unless your first name is Lady and your last name Gaga, then you probably walked away from this year’s MTV Music Video Awards moon man-less. Aside from the extremely obvious news – Gaga’s virtual VMAs sweep, Gaga’s white carpet entrance, Gaga’s meat dress – let’s quickly recap some other highlights from this year’s VMAs.

Nicki Minaj treated fans to a pink and purple performance in which she and her dancers were life -sized, robotic Barbies. Punctuating Nicki’s first live VMAs performance was Will-I-Am as he joined Ms. Minaj for their single, “Check It Out.”  Though I feel that Nicki Minaj, her butt implants, and her nursery rhyme style are this year’s biggest gimmick, she is a fascinating little fireball. Lots more of Minaj to come.

30 Seconds To Mars won Best Rock Video for fan favorite, “Kings and Queens. ” I picked Jared Leto and crew to take home the statue for Video of the Year, but all moon men are created equal, so I’m sure they’re just as pumped for their victory.

Recovery dominated the charts all summer, so it was only appropriate that Eminem christen the 2010 VMAs as the opening performer. No elaborate stage props. No hot-to-trot back up dancers. Just Em, his black hoodie, and a red haired Rihanna was all Marshall Mathers needed to cement himself as the undisputed, comeback King of the year. Thumbs up to Em.

Previously, I admitted to you guys that I was recently struck by a mild case of Bieber Fever. I have also tried to encourage other closet Justin Bieber fans to come forward and discuss their complications from this disorder. His VMAs performance – his dancing, his singing, his attempting to play the drums -could not have been any cuter. I’m sure that his all guy dance crew was proud to sport the “B” on their school boy cardigans. How old is he again?

The Biebs might be a minor, but his mentor, Usher, is definitely of age! Complete with a futuristic set, break dancing b-boys, and an out of breath Mr. Raymond, the “OMG” singer’s performance of his 2010 mega hits was an early VMAs highlight.

Flanked by technically perfect dancers was lead singer Florence Welch in Florence + the Machine’s refreshing performance of “Dog Days Are Over.”

And though her vocal talent is clearly not her strong suit, Taylor Swift’s song writing abilities and her angelic presence shined through as she sang “Innocent.” Kanye wouldn’t have dared interrupted Miss Swift during this one.

Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J, Mr. Alicia Keys Swizz Beats, and VMAs newcomer, Drake, re-enacted  a classy, 40s jazz club complete with a dapper white coat and a piano. Drake has told us before that his name means Do Right And Kill Everything, and each time he takes center stage,  he does just that.

How do you like your douche bag? Donned in a vibrant red sport coat and matching pants? If “yes” is your answer, you’re in luck because that’s how self-proclaimed d-bag, Kanye West, appeared as he performed “Runaway” for the VMAs closing act.

In another self-indulgent, only-Kanye-would gesture, Mr. West toasted to all the world’s a**holes (including himself, I suppose) and blamed “good looks” and “talent” as culprits for bad behavior.  Oh, Kanye. How you’ve mastered so well the art of manipulation.

A positively successful awards show. For now, it’s back to making music and hot videos to prep for next year!

Be sure to keep up-to-date with the latest music news from Erica Renee Davis right here on Positively Celebrity.

Original Television Soundtrack: The Vampire Diaries serves up a biting mix of exclusive tracks unavailable elsewhere – including songs by Smashing Pumpkins and Gorillaz - plus favorites from season one of the hit TV show, including “Sleep Alone” by Bat for Lashes and “Running Up That Hill” by Placebo.

The collection’s focus track is “Obsession” by 18-year-old Internet sensation Sky Ferreira, who’ll release her eagerly anticipated debut CD in early 2011.

The Soundtack drops October 12, while the new season of the hit CW network show (in case you don’t know – about two vampire brothers obsessed with the same beautiful girl, who are battling to control the fate of an entire town, duh!) launched its second season Thursday.

And the tv series is just as popular as the film.  In fact, The Vampire Diaries’ first season premiere generated the largest audience in network history for a series debut with 5.7 million total viewers, and is The CW’s most-watched show.  The enormously-addictive series stars Nina Dobrev

Paul Wesley (“Fallen”)

Ian Somerhalder (“Lost”)

Steven R. McQueen (“Everwood”), Sara Canning (“Smallville”), Katerina Graham (“17 Again”), Candice Accola (“Juno”), Zach Roerig (“Friday Night Lights”), Michael Trevino (“Cane”) and Matt Davis (“Legally Blonde, Blue Crush”).

Asides from the adorable all-star cast, there’s a powerhouse production team behind the tv drama as well.  Executive produced by Kevin Williamson (“Dawson’s Creek,” Scream), Julie Plec (“Kyle XY”), Leslie Morgenstein (“Gossip Girl,” “Pretty Little Liars”) and Bob Levy (“Gossip Girl,” “Privileged”), the series is from Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios.

Of the 16 songs on the album, all were heard in the first season of The Vampire Diaries or will be featured in Season 2. Like the hit show, the soundtrack also has a hip yet darkly compelling and sensuous vibe.

From cool cover songs, including Placebo doing Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” and Digital Daggers taking on Tears for Fears’ “Head Over Heels,” to the gorgeous vocals of “Sleep Alone” by Bat for Lashes to Sky Ferreira’s edgy dance-pop “Obsession,” this new soundtrack proves irresistible.

“Obsession,” produced by Dave Tedder (OneRepublic, Beyoncé, Rihanna), is heard in the upcoming season of The Vampire Diaries, and is perfect for the show’s intense visuals and storylines, as Ferreira sings: “Here’s my confession, I don’t just want you to love me, I wanna be your obsession.”

Ferreira, an LA-based Portuguese-American singer-songwriter and actress (Putty Hill), is currently working with Paul Epworth, Bloodshy & Avant, Dallas Austin and Linda Perry on her debut CD.

“Obsession” The Original Television Soundtrack: The Vampire Diaries is Ferreira’s first international single release.

If you can’t wait to get your hands on the CD (I know I can’t), here’s the Track Listing:

1. Stefan’s Theme – Mike Suby

2. Running Up That Hill – Placebo

3. Currency of Love – Silversun Pickups

4. Hammock – Howls

5. Sleep Alone (909s in the DarkTimes Mix) – Bat for Lashes

6. Bloodstream (Vampire Diaries Remix) – Stateless

7. We Radiate – Goldfrapp

8. Obsession – Sky Ferreira

9. Head Over Heels – Digital Daggers

10. Down – Jason Walker

11. Beauty of the Dark – Mads Langer

12. Cut – Plumb

13. All You Wanted – Sounds Under Radio featuring Alison Sudol of A Fine Frenzy

14. The Fellowship – Smashing Pumpkins

15. On Melancholy Hill (Feed Me Remix) – Gorillaz

16. 1864 – Mike Suby

When I was 14, my 8-year-old friend got a tattoo…so of course I wanted one!  I was going to my Horse-riding Camp in France for two months and knew my “badboy crush” would also be attending, so thought I would be cool and get a tat. At 14!  OH dear the memories.  I went ALONE to get it (that’s how much I really wanted it), and decided just hours before jumping on the Eurostar to Paris.   I didn’t have a design in mind, instead choosing the general area and pointing at a random picture on the wall and… Ta Daa!

I’m now 26, and I have nine tattoos in total…all hidden.   Eight of them I LOVE and would never get rid of, but that one “tramp stamp” has to go.

So welcome to my first official “Tried and Tested” blog.  I just purchased Wrecking Balm, a product that promises to fade my tattoo.  Over the next eight weeks, I’ll do a weekly summary of how it’s going — complete with pictures and genuine feedback (Since they have a 60-day money-back-guarantee, we’ll get to see if I’ll need to take advantage of that!) 99 bucks online is so pricey, but I’m hoping very worth it.

If it works, this product is GENIUS.  I’ve heard of people going to laser and it working, but with my skin tone and my lack of funding, it just doesn’t appeal to me really.  I’m just plain tired of lasers in general!  They hurt so much for my underarms and upper lip, I’m saying no more to invasive lasers!

Out of nine tattoos, disliking one is ok I guess…I’m sure there’s a tattoo on everyone who has one that they now question.  Even Rihanna (who has many tattoos that all seem to be very well thought out, intricate and stunning) would probably erase one if she could.  She quite possibly is regretting the matching stars her and ex-boyfriend Chris Brown got together!

That just sparks me how many people out there have gotten their ex-boyfriend or ex-husband’s name on a tattoo and now regret it!  I hope this is a solution for you all.

But don’t get me wrong — some tattoos in the lower back area are stunning and well thought of, so I am by no means dissing anyone with a so-called “tramp stamp” — but mine is BAD.  I’m going to leave the suspense for you guys to see my “tramp stamp” until next week — for the first application of Wrecking Balm.   I’ll also reveal all the tattoos of mine that I love during this weekly tried and tested blog so look out for those!

So…till next week!

Make sure to check out my other beauty blogs here on positivelycelebrity.com and make sure to check out my website www.emilyrosetv.com

Imagine breaking up with one of the industry’s most beautiful women following a violent domestic dispute, and then imagine having to hear her sing about it everywhere you turn. Literally. You have just walked one step in Chris Brown’s high top sneaker.

Chris’s ex, Rihanna, belts the chilling hook on Eminem’s “Love The Way You Lie,” a song whose lyrics tell the story of an abusive relationship. Rihanna recently shared with Accesshollywood.com how having been a victim in an abusive relationship helped her relate to the song.

In addition to serving as a constant reminder of their love story’s nightmarish end, the track gives the Caribbean cutie her 7th #1 hit and reconfirms that, post break-up, Rihanna’s star is rising while Chris’s is virtually non-existent.

Chris’s 2009 release, Graffiti, hardly qualified as a comeback album, so the music world was anxious to witness his Michael Jackson tribute performance at this year’s BET Awards.

Even people of Team Rihanna persuasion were completely impressed as Mr. Brown’s dancing silhouette mimicked identically the King of Pop’s unique moves. And then it happened. All the magic of reliving Michael was drowned out by the water department Chris Brown’s uncontrollable tears.

Authentic or not, the water works and emotional breakdown seemed like a self-indulgent, public plea for sympathy. Operation Comeback #2: Unsuccessful.

Rihanna, on the other hand, is having a VERY successful year. With her hottie MLB arm candy, Last Girl on Earth tour, and platinum album, the grass on Rihanna’s side is looking really green. So what can Chris do to make his comeback?

Chris Brown became increasingly more irrelevant by not giving the public enough time to forgive and forget. Instead, he opted to release a compilation of subpar tracks and give a host of “post incident” interviews in which he came across as combative and defensive. His latest singles, “Deuces” and “No B.S,” have potential to be good songs, but the content and language is VERY mature and is a bit risqué for someone (allegedly) trying to repair his image.

Come back with confidence and with quality hits like  “Excuse Me, Miss” and “Say Goodbye.”  The work will speak for itself and will leave no need to beg for fan support. CBeezy is super talented. He just needs a bit of a hiatus to regroup.

Be sure to check out more great articles from music editor Erica Renee Davis right here on Positively Celebrity!

Singer Chris Brown was sentenced in the assault case involving then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna on August 25, 2009. Brown received a sentence of five years’ probation and six months’ community labor, and was ordered to stay away from Rihanna for the next five years…which could be a problem if the latest rumors are true.

As recently as two weeks ago, sources reported that the couple was spending time together. But the judge made it clear that a violation of her ruling could send Brown to state prison.

In fact, Brown was ordered to stay 100 yards away from Rihanna unless they are attending “music industry events.”

Further facts show that the February incident was not the first domestic violence episode between the two singers. In addition to the sentencing, Brown must also attend a year of counseling. Let’s hope it helps.

With a lineup like this, one has to wonder. On September 14, Jay Leno unveils his new prime-time show on NBC with guest Jerry Seinfeld, and (wait for it!) musical guests Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West. Trifecta!

Clearly, Leno’s taking no prisoners and making it known he is still the king. Leno also says his show, which will also feature up-and-coming comedians, will also reflect America’s diversity and not “a bunch of white guys doing standup.” Sounds like the show to watch…and I can still make it to work the next morning.

Win-win, Jay. Win-win.

With 2009 here – what a better time to reminisce over 2008’s big celeb trends?

These are not your mother’s pearls. Double Strand Pearls made a statement in 2008, adding a classic piece to edgy looks like Ashlee Simpson, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow.

She’s all legs. Though some of us might run screaming in the other direction from wearing skin tight leggings- Not Rihanna, Heidi Klum and Ashley Olson. These fashionistas show off their good fortune in shiny, latex leggings that leave hardly anything to the imagination.

Navy Dresses. Always sleek and sophisticated, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon and Claire Danes sparkle in these sapphire dresses.

I love scarves, pashminas and this trend! Heidi Montag, Jennifer Aniston, Eva Longoria Parker amped up the basic tote with fun and useful patterned scarves. Take note 2009-this trend is to stay!

Gladiator heels were a big 2008 trend.  Ashley Olsen, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Heidi Klum wear a stylish of the strappy heel.

Blazers over dresses offered a chic and stylish way to cover up flirty dresses.  Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow and Whitney Port still look cool and fashionable in their fitted blazers.