Adele storms the UK charts…
Feb 21st
Soulful songstress Adele has much cause for celebration tonight; for following her spine-tingling BRIT Awards showing this week, she today scored four placings in the UK’s Big Top 40 Chart. Topping the tally is the 21 year old’s live BRIT’s rendition of “Someone Like You“, which was made available on iTunes immediately following Tuesday’s performance. Meanwhile, ”Rolling In The Deep“ and the studio version of “Someone Like You” occupy positions #4 and #9 respectively. Over on the Official UK Singles Chart, the singer’s sophomore LP “21” sits at #1 for another week, whole her debut “19” rests comfortably at #4. Read the rest of this entry »
Usher doing his last minute Christmas shopping
Dec 18th
Usher spent the day off from his “OMG Tour” shopping for clothes for his sons in New York City’s SoHo district. A scruffy Ursh was snapped at the Diesel store, picking up pricey pants and jackets for Usher Raymond V and Naviyd Ely Raymond, making sure they look just as sharp as their dad. He will play Madison Square Garden on Monday.
When Usher chose a fan to serenade at one of his concerts, we bet he didn’t expect to get kicked in the face! But that’s exactly what happened when a fan got a bit to excited and tried to whip her leg over Usher.
With the footage caught on video, the fan who nearly knocked Usher out, must be under a rock, dying of embarrassment right this moment. However, Usher is seeing the funny side of things telling the fan through:“Wherever you are baby, don’t feel bad. No hard feelings.”
He continued: “In all my years, this is one of the most interesting experiences. I got a kick out of it! It looked worse than it actually was. My audience and I got a good laugh.”. Usher is expected to play in the UK this February to a sold out venue. Although fans where disappointed to find out that no further extra dates were added to the “OMG Tour” – that still won’t stop them from doing anything to get their kick out of Usher! Read the rest of this entry »
Drake kicks off tour at Miami as crowd lights up!
Sep 24th
Drake turned up the Miami heat when he kicked off his “Light Dreams and Nightmares” tour at the James L. Knight Center on Monday night . Drizzy upped the ante for his headlining trek in support of his debut album Thank Me Later, adding more lights, background singers, and additional time on stage. His Young Money labelmate Tyga replaced Clipse as the opening act and Birdman helped hold it down for Lil Wayne.
“This is my first time ever being able to create a world,” Drake told MTV News of his new stage setup. “Prior to this, I’ve had to create my world through performance. You literally have to get lost in the music to make you feel like you were somewhere else.”
The night before the opening show, Drake was seen celebrating his father’s birthday at upscale Asian eatery Philippe. The “Light Dreams and Nightmares” tour travels across the country, stopping in New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, wrapping Nov. 6 in Las Vegas, the day after Weezy is expected to be released from jail. As we speak, developments on Drake‘s world tour are in the final stages and we could see tickets for his UK tour hit the shelves as soon as a this year. Alongside that Drake has also dropped a few hints now and again that his second album which is as yet untitled is almost finished…so I’ll guess we’ll all have to wait! Read the rest of this entry »
Ne-Yo’s album gets pushed back…yet again!
Aug 22nd
Ne-Yo will have to wait to tell his story. The R&B crooner’s storybook-themed album “Libra Scale” has been pushed back a couple weeks.
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter’s fourth studio effort will now arrive at retailers on October 19, a day after his 31st birthday, The MoMo Show has learned. It was previously scheduled to drop two weeks earlier on October 5th 2010.
The sci-fi-influenced album was inspired by Ne-Yo’s passion for acting. “The songs on the album are all songs inspired by this story I wrote,” he told us, “Libra Scale is a question of morality. Weighed out on a libra scale, if you had to choose between money, power, fame, or love, which one would you put the most value on? Which one would prevail in your life?”
The father-to-be is riding on the current success of his dance single “Beautiful Monster,” which hit No. 1 in the U.K. His follow-up single, the inspirational “One Life,” surfaced last week. Ne-Yo is set to follow-up the chart-topping success of “Beautiful Monster“, with “One Life” later on next month
Though a competent enough effort, the song sounds like it’d be at home on Ne-Yo’s earlier albums. At this point, releasing a single with a little more ‘kick’ wouldn’t go amiss. Still, the Stargate produced cut is radio friendly enough (which seems to be the aim of the game with most of Shaffer’s releases), hence should be a hit. – Well…it better be! Read the rest of this entry »
Eminem ft. Rihanna “Love The Way You Lie”
Aug 6th
You know, I’m not usually a huge fan of Eminem (for personal reasons) nor am I a fan of Rihanna (for obvious reasons) – but without a bout this track really showcased the substance of both of these artists. Although an unsafe partnering of these two, I must of been hard to imagine how people where going to react to “Love The Way You Lie“. Never the less the track is now working it’s way onto every chart across the globe and stacking up the youtube visits. “Love The Way You Lie” is a rap ballad, written originally for Ashanti to take the lead female vocals.
Rihanna was approached because Eminem convinced the producer of the track that (for some odd reason) that RiRi’s voice would fit. An insider close to the UK producer “Alex da Kid” told us he said “They reached out to us directly and they just said, ‘We have this song and we just think Rihanna would be perfect to sing it.’ And, of course, I was like, ‘OK, if I love it, I’ll definitely do it, because I love Eminem.’ And I love the song. It’s really beautiful, and it really stands out. It’s a really unique record. I’m really excited about it.” . I have to admit that “Love The Way You Lie” must of been hard on Rihanna, when you listen to those lyrics it in a way reflects her past year…maybe something to think about? The track does warn many people of the cycle of abuse, is that why Eminem invited Rihanna on the track? Read the rest of this entry »
N.E.R.D. talk about UK talent and Dubstep
Jul 25th
“I think the last time I was listening to dubstep it was Chase & Status.” Pharrell Williams said when he and N.E.R.D. member Shay Hayley were asked about the UK’s music scene. When asked if there would be anyone in particular that Pharrell Williams would like to work with in the UK, he said that it would take him a while to figure out whom because the UK music scene is doing so great right now.
Needless to say, the new movement of R&B, House, Indie and a fusion movement of music from the UK has caused huge fuss over in the states, with R&B at an all time love the market is now looking for something so different that no one will have any idea where it came from. Examples of success like that are Little Boots who’s sales in the US stormed at a him with her track “New In Town“.
N.E.R.D. who are working on their new album “Nothing” and is set for release this September went on to say “It would take me a minute to come up with a good list because there are so many people over here, there’s loads and loads of talent here. I mean, here’s the good news, the world is changing and so when the world changes, so does art, you know?” they then continued to say about their music “There’s just new music coming and we’re just as excited about what you guys have coming out over here as well.”. Read the rest of this entry »
Exclusive behind the scenes of “Last Girl On Earth Tour”
Apr 16th
With Rihanna‘s “Last Girl On Earth” tour set to kick off tonight in Europe with supporting acts like Ke$ha the finishing touches on the tour are being put in place. With Rihanna‘s “Last Girl On Earth” tour being estimated as Universal Music Group’s most expensive tour of this year everything seems to be going to plan. Rihanna has already sold our 19 of her 27 shows and in some locations management are considering to add further dates.
With a twenty song set list, and acts such as Pixie Lott and Tinchy Styrder opening for UK dates, this tour is going be off the record. Comparing to Alicia Keys‘ “Freedom” tour, production on this tour had gone to the extent of a large gun that Rihanna sits on whilst being lowered to one of three stages being used during the tour. Random fact an estimated 14,00 LED screens are being used on this tour! For tickets please visit GigLocator.
Chipmunk Feat. Esmee Denters “Until You Were Gone”
Mar 23rd
So this is an interesting collaboration for up and rising UK grime and urban superstar Chipmunk , who now after the success of his début (commercial) album “I Am Chipmunk” he’s already adding the finishing touches for his next LP set for release in the UK for summer 2010! Featuring to the track and co-wrote it is Esmee Denters who’s recent success in the UK was at a low; her album “Outta Here” peaked at #48!
From what I can see it’s two clever moves by both artists! Chipmunk needs a huge break in the US thus using Esmee to do so, and Esmee Denters needs a huge (not just a top 10 single this time!) break in the UK thus using Chipmunk to do so. In all fairness thus song isn’t that bad, however i’m not seeing this as a number one! With a lot of European Techno Pop in the charts at the moment it’s going to be hard for both of them to compete with that. Having said that, the late release of the single will not help the circulation of the single (people will get bored!).
May I add, the change that Esmee Denters has gone under – she’s gone for a more Nelly Furtado look and sound (is that a good thing!?) and the whole waving of the hair every new shot on screen cannot be good! Although Chipmunk seems to be going for a different style also – i’ll let you guys check it out! I think it’s a song that will stick around (until spring is over!), and it’s not a bad effort from both of them. I’d never think these two would get together and make a tune…I wonder who’s idea that was!?
Cash Money, No Money!
Feb 28th
To everyone’s surprise Jay Sean was bought out of Cash Money Records (below his estimated market value) and his entire management team switched over the Island Records. With many music critics in the states claim that Jay Sean was a one hit wonder have already started talking about shelving his next album which is currently under production.
With that aside, Jay Sean in the UK has a huge fan base – however that still doesn’t answer the question why he failed get his album “All or Nothing” to even certify copper (let alone platinum). Cash Money Records seemed to put on a poor promotional tour, and with only experience in hardcore rap artists, they’ve lost their only “pop” act. I think there has been a break down between the fans and the artist, ever since Jay Sean left his original home (Rishi Rich Productions), meaning since signing to Cash Money some one got a little too big for their boots! Hopefully Island will re-brand and calm Jay Sean down, competition is tough out there! Bring on the come back album!
Chip-Diddy-Chip: I Am Chipmunk (4 stars)
Oct 14th
Chipmunk’s long awaited album hit stores this October. Far from the early mix tapes that Chippy used to push out, this album (yes i’m going to say it) is off the hook!
WOW! is this really Chipmunk? The album is split into to with a short interval which breaks up the two meaning of this album. The first part of the album playing home to huge tunes like “Diamond Rings”, “Oopsy Daisy” and “Chip Diddy Chip” – shows us the fun that Chipmunk is having with his music as he sates “14 when he entered the game” I think we can all see that he’s definitely on top of it.
The second part of the album has more soul feeling, with Chipmunk singing over soul covers (something only Jadakiss tends to do) on tracks like “Dear Family” and “Role Model”, has proven that Chipmunk can do those “Rap Ballads” (if there is such a thing). Although the album is short compared to raising Stryder Man’s “Catch 22″ and Bashy’s “Bashy.com”, it’s shortness is what makes it it’s own success, and in away a reflection of Chipmunks journey into the UK Urban music scene.
Recommended Tracks: “Diamond Rings”, “Chip Diddy Chip”, “Oopsy Daisy” and “Dear Family”