Brandon Jenner and fiancé Leah (collectively known as - wait for it - "Brandon and Leah") are an acoustic-pop duo from Malibu, California. Inspired by the likes of Ben Harper, Bob Marley, Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson, they're making some easy breezy summery music, of which "Life Happens" is the first official release.
As for the album (and I quote): "Produced and co-written by Brandon and Leah, the new album showcases the duo's high, bright sound: plenty of ukulele and upfret acoustic guitar, Caribbean-flavored beats and Leah's honeyed lead vocals. They tend to write about the myriad connections and disconnections between people, but the mood is always light and fun."
Whilst I don't see this troubling the Top 40 within my lifetime, if Brandon & Leah can continue to make music of equally high calibre as this, I have no doubt they'll find an eager niche fanbase and forge a very decent career in music (provided they're good live and book a whole lot of festival gifs, if not they're screwed).
Stream and download Eric Turner's banging mixtape, "Stylechanger", fresh off the press, below. Includes a fantastic rework of smash hit "Written In The Stars" and some smoking hot collabos. You can also view the music video for "Angels & Stars" with Tinie Tempah and Lupe Fiasco right after as well.
Be sure to keep an eye out for Eric's official debut album later this year.
Jennifer Hudson's career continues to go from strength to strength. Looking more amazing than ever, her new single "Think Like A Man", a collaboration with R&B crooner Ne-Yo and rapper Rick Ross which serves as the lead single from the soundtrack of the same name.
Song's grown on me a lot, although I think I'd prefer it sans Ne-Yo. Nice music video; as you'd expect J-Hud's hot new bod steals the show.
Aura Dione (born Marie Louise Joensen) is already a pretty big name all over Europe. The mixed Faroese-Spanish-French-Danish singer broke through back in 2008 with debut album "Columbine", which spawned the Platinum-certified chart-topper "I Will Love You Monday (365)".
"Geronimo" is the lead single from her second album "Before The Dinosaurs" and has already gone to #1 in Germany, Austria and Denmark. The quirky electro-pop-folk track is still charting high in other European countries and has been certified Platinum in Denmark and Germany (Gold in Austria and Switzerland).
Having loved the track for a while now, I've finally come across the official music video.
Wretch 32 hook singer and up&coming vocalist Josh Kumra performed new track "The Answer" live at St Pancras International for the Station Sessions. Sexy Josh will be touring as Delilah's support act in April, as well as performing at festivals and the like throughout the year, so be sure to check out his Facebook for all the latest dates.
That Katy B and Diplo are both boss in what they do there's no questioning. Whilst Diplo has become something of a king of ethnic beats and warbling drum freakouts, Katy B has become the poster-child of our day's effortlessly cool fusion-pop (hence all the comparisons to early Sugababes, who played that same role last decade, eventually becoming THE most played artist on UK radio of the whole decade). That the two should work together in any capacity is amazing of itself; fingers crossed this remix is a sign of more to come in future.
In my personal opinion, it's not up quite up to par with the bewitching original edit, but damn good nonetheless. Enjoy and download:
Recently signed to Roc Nation/Columbia Records, Rita Ora (pictured above) is releasing two debut singles: "How We Do (Party)" in the US, and "R.I.P." (featuring Tinie Tempah), out May 6th in the UK. Rita was signed after just one phone call by rap legend and empresario Jay-Z after featuring on the #1 smash "Hot Right Now" - just a few weeks ago he publicly presented her at Z100 (one of the most influential radio stations in the US).
Written by superstar "Drizzy" Drake (bonafide rap royalty) and co-produced by Chase & Status (dubstep royalty) and Stargate (pop royalty), the track features leading UK rapper Tinie Tempah, without a doubt the most successful UK hip-hop artist to break the US in quite some time.
I'll be honest - with such an illustrious pedigree, my expectations for this were sky-high. It's far from bad, but it's not exactly brilliant either. Nevertheless, with so many uber-talented collaborators involved, "good" simply doesn't cut it; it almost seems as if everyone involved just went through the motions, without actually giving the track any real thought or effort. Interesting that this is being pushed first in the UK, where this sound is already washed out and played out, instead of the US, where it'll probably translate a lot fresher.
Disappointing above all is Tinie's contribution, which sounds like a parody of himself.
Rising YouTube stars Revel Alliance are on a winning streak with their increasingly popular cover videos. The latest is an exceptionally well executed medley of all of 2011's number one songs in the UK, which you can check out below. In chronological order the last year's chart-toppers are:
7. Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer - Give Me Everything
8. Pixie Lott - All About Tonight
9. One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
10. Nicole Scherzinger - Don't Hold Your Breath
11. DJ Fresh - Louder
12. Nero - Promises
13. Wretch 32 feat. Josh Kumra - Don't Go
14. Example - Stay Awake
15. Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris - We Found Love
16. JLS - She Makes Me Wanna
17. Jason DeRulo - Don't Wanna Go Home
18. LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem
19. Sak Noel - Loca People
20. Bruno Mars - Grenade
21. Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull - On The Floor
22. X Factor Finalists 2011 - Wishing On A Star
23. Example - Changed The Way You Kiss Med
24. Bruno Mars - Lazy Song
25. Olly Murs - Dance With Me Tonight
26. Jessie J feat. B.o.B. - Price Tag
27. Adele - Someone Like You
28. Professor Green feat. Emeli Sandé - Read All About It
29. Little Mix - Cannonball
30. Military Wives with Gareth Malone - Wherever You Are
The guys are emphatic no auto-tune was used, other than the Jason DeRulo "vocal solo at 3.33 which we downloaded a free demo of Auto-Tune Evo for, and we hope you will agree it was #totes worth it."
If you like it as much as I do, be sure to click that "Subscribe" button and share with your friends.
Having recently inked a new major label record deal and released her first official single in years, the self-styled "Queen Bee" Lil Kim showed up with some friends at Winter Fetish 2012 and twerked for her life to Chris Brown's controversial remix of Rihanna's latest single "Birthday Cake".
She was accompanied by some equally bootylicious friends, although it must be said that - barring the sister on the far right - Kimmy Blanco's ass (which is looking far bigger than anyone can remember - jus' sayin') stole the show.
Up'n'coming UK singer-songwriter Vince Kidd has been buzzing around on the blogosphere for a while now. His latest is the highly infectious "Sick Love", co-written by himself with producers The Royal Palms and X-Factor UK winner Leon Jackson. As far as I can recall, it's the first I've heard by him, despite having heard of him previously...without a doubt, one of the new (I say "new" although he may well have been slaving away for years now, I have no idea) artists to watch for 2012.
Amazing voice, slick video, lip piercing and platinum blonde hair...
With her own comeback album (her first in six years) due out June-time, Missy Elliott joins Lil Wayne 'Weezy' on the official remix to fellow rap legend Busta Rhymes' latest hit, "Why Stop Now", featuring Chris Brown.
Just in case you were wonderin' - she still got it.
Despite the singer's protestations that all was well with his marriage, his wife of three years and partner of six Ana Carolina Lago (pictured beside him above and below) announced on her oficial Facebook the legal end of their union. The dentist wrote:
"Vim esclarecer algumas dúvidas e boatos que estão circulando na rede são verdadeiros. Eu e o Michel Teló estamos legalmente divorciados."
Which translates as;
"I'd like to clarify some doubts and rumours that are doing the rounds on the web are true. Myself and Michel Teló are legally divorced."
The divorce was made official this Friday (10th), confirming months of rumours - vehemently denied by Teló - that their marriage was in dire straits due to Teló's constant touring and newfound international success with "Ai Se Eu Te Pego/If I Catch You". The couple met six years ago, when Ana was a fan of the Brazilian country-pop ensemble Tradição (fronted by Teló), and married three years later.
Teló is yet to officially confirm the news. His English-language debut - rumoured to include participations from the likes of Shakira and Pitbull, amongst un-name others - is expected sometime later this year.
You know that new Taio Cruz song with what sounds like Akon the chorus you've been hearing on the radio? It is in fact R.I.O. and former US soldier U-Jean's bouncy club-ready collabo "Turn This Club Around", which is already shaping up to be a huge hit all over Europe.
Signed to London Records/Universal, the song is out in the UK at the end of February and has already been playlisted by the likes of Capital and various other major radio stations, so far peaking at #36 on the UK Official Charts.
Jessie and The Toy Boys have revealed the music video for new single "Runaway", which they are offering for free download as well. The music video is inspired by the overturning of Proposition 8 (an American law banning gay marriage, for you international readers) and sends a beautiful message in support of gay marriage.
YASSSS. Rap legend Lil Kim's got another Paypal chart-topper with this latest effort, her long awaited comeback single "If You Love Me". The track features slight traces of auto-tune used to enhance the track's futuristic love ballad-for-the-streets tone.
"God blessed you, when He sent you to me" You better preach it Kimmy Blanco!
London electro-pop duo I Am A Camera put a new, slightly sinister spin on Lana Del Rey's current single "Born To Die". I'm not quite sure what to make of it - it's certainly not an improvement on the original, and the highlight is still her serene vocals. Still, the pounding drum beat and B-side horror movie vibe are an interesting take on the piece, which really picks up in the second half.
No, it's not Regina Spektor, it's singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalist St. Vincent! Who has nothing to do with Saint Saviour or Saint Etienne and does look a bit like she could be Spektor's kinswoman in some way. Anyway, here's the utterly non-cheery "Cheerleader" video clip, which features St Vincent as a living giant exhibited in a museum? I mean, I don't even...ok.
Mother of hair-whipping Willow and Bieber-collaboratin' Jaden, actress and occassional singer Jada Pinkett-Smith has stepped out with a new piano-lead track, "Burn". The piano-lead track showcases her love for husband Will Smith with a more than competent vocal performance.
Produced by ethnic-beat superstar Diplo, here's Usher's new single, "Climax". The track serves as the first single taken from his as-of-yet untitled new album out later this year.
The King's back for his throne bitches. All we need now is a Kelly Rowland featuring remix and I shall be DONE.
Another day, another "Lights" remix video conjured up from some rehashed and re-spliced footage of Ellie with her tambourine. The remixer of choice this time around is Fernando Garibay of Gaga-producin' fame.
For crying out loud, ENOUGH - WE WANT SOME ACTUAL NEW MUSIC ALREADY.
Trina repays the favour done ten years ago (!!!) when young Brianna Perry (then 'Lil Brianna') featured on her 2002 LP, "Diamond Princess", by featuring alongside Future on new cut "Hey Ho".
The track is taken from Brianna's new mixtape "Face Off", and it goes HARD. Both Trina and Brianna's swag are on point, and Future..well, he's unremarkable, but he does his thing too.
Mr Original Pop Idol, Will Young, has just premiered the music video for new single "Losing Myself", taken from his chart-topping comeback album "Echoes", recently certified Gold for shipments in excess of 100,000 (although I'm now informed it has actually been certified Platinum with sales in excess of 420,000). The track's official release date is March 18th and the classy, artsy accompanying visual can be seen below:
A digital promo of Madonna's latest smash hit "Give Me All Your Luvin'", featuring M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj, has been released, including the Radio Edit, Party Rock Remix (featuring new labelmates LMFAO) and multiple harder, club-orientated remixes.
It's been a mighty long time since Bad Boy's First Lady Cassandra Ventura - known as Cassie - scored her single chart hit, "Me & U". Since then we've had no end to leaks and pushbacks as Cassie turned a multitude of tricks in search for that elusive second chart hit.
Finally, after what seems like a decade, Cassie has revealed the music video for comeback single "King Of Hearts", which has simultaneously been released on iTunes and sent for radio adds this Valentine's Day. It's as generic as they come - disappointing considering how long Cassie's had to cook up something truly amazing. That said, it's a solid track and if her label give her the push she deserves - after such a ridiculously long period of nothingness - it might be able to do well enough to permit her a follow-up release.
Eugene McGuinness has apparently been around for a good few years now, but is yet to make the commercial impact needed to allow one to live off one's music. He is currently working on his third studio album, apparently for release via Domino (although his page has been removed from their site so he may have been dropped).
The track here spotlighted is "Shotgun". It's good, but as many have noted on YouTube, it's one of those songs that's already been done a billion times by various artists.
Here's hoping Eugene makes a tidy sum from this being used in some movie's ending credits or car commercial:
Watch the main (that is, non-mind-numbingly boring) performances from last night's 54th Grammy Awards ceremony, which drew in an audience in excess of 40 million. The huge ratings were most likely due to almost universal antecipation for the last-minute Whitney Houston tribute - from which confirmed performer Chaka Khan (for whom Whitney had once sang back-up) withdrew last minute. The highlight performance of the night was black Lady Gaga wannabe Nicki Minaj and her see how I'm controversial and offensive performance of new track Roman's Holiday; a highlight not so much from being fantastic, but for being the single truly engaging performance of the night (tribute excepted).
Check 'em below:
Bruno Mars:
Chris Brown:
Kelly Clarkson
Alicia Keys (Etta James Tribute)
Rihanna and Coldplay
Katy Perry
Adele
Jennifer Hudson
Nicki Minaj - The Exorcism of Roman/Roman's Holiday
As she plots her return to the top of the Billboard charts, early 00's R&B sensation and businesswoman Ashanti has been hard on her grind, making a string of public appearances and laying the groundwork for a full-on assault on mainstream media this coming year.
Back in the days when she making chart history and scoring hit after consecutive hit, Ashanti was often critizised for sub-par live vocals and became known as something of a "poor woman's Beyoncé".
Perhaps as part of a general plan to counter-attack this negative image, she took to the center of the court this past week during the Knicks vs Lakers game and sang the American national anthem "Star Spangled Banner" surprisingly well.
According to The Lava Lizard, Ashanti will be performing next at Good Morning America, as part of the Winter Series, this February 13th. Until then, check her out below as she shows off her greatly improved vocals:
Given yesterday's tragic events, I can't help but also post Whitney Houston's now definitive take on the American national anthem. Released as a charity single after the 9/11 attacks, it was certified Platinum and became Whitney's last release to make the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, charting at #6 - also making Whitney the first - and so far, last - artist to take the national anthem to the top of the charts.
Indomitable Gospel-Pop diva Whitney Houston has been confirmed dead by her publicist, Kristen Foster, who reported the news to the Associated Press. The exact time, location and reason of death have not yet been revealed. It is likely that years of drug addiction and other personal issues took a toll on "The Voice"'s health and caused unknown complications leading to her unfortunate, premature passing.
The most awarded female artist of all time, she amassed 2 Emmy Awards, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards (as of 2010), and established herself as one of the world's best-selling music artists of all time, with album and single sales exceeding the figure of 170 million. Houston was also the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1. Billboard Hot 100 hits and produced the best-selling Gospel album of all time, The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack, a deeply personal record for me - the first I ever owned and listened to, start to finish, over and over again. These are just some of the many records she holds, excepting the great success she enjoyed in various other fields - from modelling to acting, in which field she holds particular note and is guaranteed an unextinguishable place in history for opening the door - by her now classic role in "The Bodyguard" - for the following generation of black actresses to play female leads in major Hollywood productions.
I'm in absolute shock and still can't believe this. Just..wow. Absurd, shocking, so unexpected and undeserved - whatever you may say about the woman's personal troubles, her talent and charisma were incomparable and there was still SO SO SO much for her to share with the world. R.I.P.
Affectionately known as "Nippy" to her family, friends and fans, Whitney had been working on a new album and a number of film projects. She is survived by her young daughter, Bobbi Kristina, an aspiring singer herself, and her 78 year old mother, gospel legend Cissy Houston. Be sure to keep them and the rest of Whitney's extended family in your prayers during this time of inconsolable grief.
Rapper, social media mogul, record label and fashion line owner, dancer, producer, songwriter, etc etc, Soulja Boy sits down for very insightful interview below. Definitely worth a watch by fans and music industry types equally.
Surprisingly talented Popstress and "Selena Gomez & The Scene" frontwoman Selena Gomez has just announced on her official Facebook page: "Just to clear up my last instagram post, my band and I are going our separate ways for a while. This year is all about films and acting and I want my band to play music wherever with whoever. We will be back but, it will be a good while. I love them and I love you guys :)"
The prospect of no new music from Selena And The Scene for "a good while" (which translates to aeons in the world of Pop) is daunting to say the least, especially when they have provided us with such delicious Pop gems like the ones below :'(
One can only hope The Scene will be pushed by the label to put out their own album, with another vocalist, whilst Selena contributes a song or two to the soundtracks of whatever movies she puts out.
