Neither Rihanna or Bruno Mars dropped an album in the last twelve months, but still found themselves to be the number one victims of online piracy. These findings come courtesy of a new analysis of illegal file sharing by industry analysts Musicmetric.
After performing her butt off during a year long world tour and counting, I know Beyoncé must be pleased as punch that she has the highest grossing female tour of 2013, only coming second to Bon Jovi overall. 2013 really was King B's year. Highest selling sales for a female album and highest grossing female tour of 2013. Bitch is bad.
The importance of loved ones being taken care of prior to his success is visualised in the Payne Lindsay directed clip for August Alsina's new single ‘Don’t Forget About Me’. The visuals show off his eventful year such as performing at sold out shows, collaborating with high profile artists and receiving love from the fans.
Back in the day, 50 Cent's G-Unit and Ashanti's old label Murder Inc. were feuding. The beef was mainly between 50 and Ashanti's then label mate Ja Rule. But because of association, Ashanti was considered collateral damage, which is why 50 started dissing her on songs. She recently visited Shade 45 for an interview with DJ Whoo Kid where she tells of the moment 50 ate humble pie and apologised. Nice for her.
Buh bye R. Kelly! And good fucking riddance. After several sexually-fueled performances with the Pied Piper, Lady Gaga looks to have ditched him for her one-time pop nemesis Christina Aguilera. In my honest opinion, she should never, ever have entangled herself with R. Kelly to begin with, but blame DJ White Shadow. Gags is releasing a new studio version of her latest single 'Do What U Want' featuring new vocals by Christina. Good way to pick up them sales.
It was only a matter of time before Beyoncé would catch flack over a sample. Come to think of it, I don't think there's been an era where she hasn't caught flack over a sample. This time, it's over one she used for her current pop single 'XO'. Former NASA astronauts are deeming her ‘insensitive’ because she sampled six seconds of real audio pulled from 1986′s ‘Space Shuttle Challenger’ disaster.
Kang Michael blew everyone away when he had intense sex with his microphone during 'Dirty Diana'. A mic that had to be the envy of millions back in the day. But when Bruno Mars performs it, he gives good vocals, though not quite having the same impact.
New series has Beyoncé defending her brash in-your-face provocativeness prior to giving birth and losing 65 pounds."I don't at all have any shame about being sexual. And I'm not embarrassed about it and I don't feel that I have to protect that side of me", she says. Pow, pow, pow! And there you have it.
Some of Beyoncé's peers would be too proud to admit inspiration or they're probably seething that they didn't come up with what she just pulled off. Although Britney's album was biggest flop of the year, she is still grounded enough to express admiration. Backstage at her Vegas kickoff, Britney tells USA TODAY that she "looks up to Beyoncé" and that "what she did with her (surprise release) album was genius, really brilliant". But what about HER album?
Club night! Beyoncé looks all foxy in red leather, while joining Jay Z in Atlanta at his 'Magna Carta' world tour afterparty. The celebrations extend to news of her self-titled new album set to remain at the top for a third consecutive week. She's on course to score her longest-running #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart.
Urban J.Lo slays. And it looks like 'Jenny From The Block' is making a comeback of sorts. Her upcoming new single 'Same Girl' is reported to have been written by J. Lo in collaboration with Chris Brown and Cory Rooney! Apparently, they shot a music video for it in The Bronx where Jenny was raised. The visuals were shot yesterday by directors Steven Gomillion & Dennis Leupold, so an upcoming 'American Idol' premiere/performance definitely awaits us.
Back in September, Britney Spears and her team had made strong declarations that she was going to sing live. However, rich fans that forked out hundreds of dollars to watch the opening show of her 'Piece of Me' Vegas residency certainly didn't get the live singing that Britney had promised. Instead, they were treated to unflattering leotards, painted abs, and stiff movements/awkward transitions, although this is the best she has moved since that tragic 'Femme Fatale' mess.
According to Billboard, Beyoncé would have earned $3.8 million if illegal downloaders paid the $15.99 for her record-breaking new album. According to Musicmetric's data, the self-titled project has been downloaded illegally 240,000 times since its release on December 13th. Um. EVERY major pop star has been a victim of online piracy so I don't even know why this is making headline news. It's not like the album flopped. She's been enjoying the best sales of her entire career. Almost a million sold in just 10 days (Stateside) and counting. I have to give it to Bill Werde though. His stanism lately, has been absolutely phenomenal.
Showtime! Peep Britney Spears at her final dress rehearsal for this evening's opening night in Vegas. Although not as slender as her recent music videos (airbrushing), most women who have birthed children could only wish to look as good as she does. The problem is, the contoured abs just aren't fooling anyone, and to be honest, they really weren't needed.
Now that Justin Bieber has broken the hearts of his fans with his premature retirement announcement (bitch please), Lady Gaga may be able to win over some new supporters prior to this underwhelming 'ARTPOP' era. Check out her acoustic and vocally on point performance of 'Gypsy' on Japanese TV show Sukkiri inside.
Well, this is interesting. Michael Jackson's nephews 3T, Damage and Eternal have all signed up to star in season two of ‘The Big Reunion′. Outside of massive lead single 'Anything', their 'Brotherhood' album sucked donkey balls. And after releasing three top five singles, they didn't really come back (successfully) after that. It's been 18 years.
The slayage continues. The 'Beyoncé' album has sold 374,000 copies in the week ending Dec. 22nd, according to Nielsen SoundScan. She occupies the #1 spot again this week on the Billboard 200, as well as on the Digital Albums chart and just about misses the 1 million mark in her sophomore week. Following her Platinum certification, 991,000 copies has been sold in the States so far and in 10 days only. As for her singles...
We aim to please! Rita Ora and her sister Elena celebrate Christmas with the family. Rita's mom even got 'Fifty Shades of Grey' for Christmas, seeing as though Rita has an actual role in the movie now. That's still hilarious to me.
A sickly looking Usher and his band hang out (yeah I know he was ordered to lose over 30 pounds for a movie role but still). And is this suppose to be the new Bruno Mars and gang? Look out for that upcoming singles release soon. Usher tells MTV News we're going to "hear some new music at the top of the year."
Sharing his love of sex, women and marijuana is nothing new to Chris Brown. He debuts new cut ‘Wildcat’, produced by his right hand man Drumma Boy. The song sees him bringing back his rapping persona to the fold while going in over some hard trap beats. His much-delayed sixth studio album 'X' is due sometime next year. Verdict: Crap song. Chris Brown's music has had no growth in the last few years, and just when we thought 'Fine China' was a turning point for him.
The paltry 6,000 copies Alexandra Burke sold with her last album is something she's striving to move on from. Now she's taken to Facebook to debut two LQ snippets off her third studio album. 'Shine' and 'No More' serve as today's Christmas gift to those 6k fans. They sound positively mature/R&B. It's just too bad she did a JLS by waiting five years too late. Click here to listen.
This has to be the most overtly promoted Christmas album in recent years, but it's working. I mean, even my own mam actually went out and brought the CD so we have to put up with listening to it throughout the day. Other than that, Christmas has been a blast. Check out Leona's vocally appeasing performances of 'Winter Wonderland' and 'One More Sleep' for 'A Fox & Friends Christmas' and at the Today Show Toyota Concert Series, respectively.
Beyoncé reveals that she recorded 80 songs for her self-titled visual album during part three of her documentary series called 'Run ‘N Gun'. Hopefully, she pulls a Justin Timberlake so that we get to hear a few of them through a part two or something. She always records enough songs to release five albums only for us never to hear 'em!
A rover is a girl's best friend when those wheels can take her towards a night of sensual lovemaking with her man. Elle Varner drops her sexxxay new single, 'Rover' which features a poetic verse from Wale. The (red hot) seductive number was written by Elijah Blake and produced by Eric Hudson! Elle's vocals soothingly glide over the track, which has a heavy 90s R&B influence. This is one for the oldschool heads!
Ooh na na na. Trey Songz drops this DJ Mustard produced cut, lifted off his app, the Trey Angels Network. The catchy club banger entails minimal, yet infectious production built on abundant background chants and ongoing hand claps. Trigga Trey is preparing for a wild night out, crooning over a catchy hook that samples The Fugees’ classic 'Fu-Gee-La'. He has a good one here. Merry Christmas, from Trey Songz!
I know everyone has been waiting for this review, but I wanted to give 'Beyoncé' more listens before expressing an opinion on it. I'm glad I did though. The visuals really do bring the songs to life and I may not have liked half of the songs had I not watched the visuals. That's the beauty of a visual album. It tells a story and draws you in. Besides, I needed a distraction after Paul Walker's untimely death knocked me for six. The review is very lengthy (it took me several days to write) but that's because I commented on some of the visuals and there are several stuff I feel strongly about. I hope you enjoy reading it.
Diva Queen Mariah Carey is still talking about that serially delayed new album on 'Watch What Happens Live'. She states that 'The Art Of Letting Go' (or should that be 'The Art Of Letting Go Of An Injury'), will now feature an anonymous collaboration with someone she's worked with previously. Mimi, who favours being filmed and photographed from her "good side" (the right side) looks to have told Andy Cohen to move his ass along so that they could swap sides. Guests on his show always sit on the right. Oh Mims. Some things never change.
It looks like Britney really is putting in the work during those "intense" dance rehearsals. She really wants the world to know she's back in action when her two-year Vegas residency kicks off in three days time. In the past, footage from her intense dance rehearsals never seems to match what we see at her shows, so I hope she somewhat delivers this time around. We also get to see her juggling motherhood and a new relationship while promoting a new album. Check out the entire documentary inside.
Beef, beef, beef! Original Danity Kane singer D. Woods is now telling TMZ that she did not receive the invite to reunite with the group. Though she's happy they're still having success with "the sound she helped them create". Womp womp! Aubrey's response? "Do you spend your time taking interviews, or do you work?" An angry D. Woods charged back with: "That was cute @aubreyoday my attorney will be coming for my cut off that WORK #stillusingmyvocals". Oh why oh why did it have to end like this?!?!?Actually, let me go sip some hot tea.
Déjà vu?! It will be 'One More Sleep' too soon before I see another festive Leona performance with that same recycled sequined dress. Fetish much? Sure looks that way. But saying that, it's good Ms. Lewis is getting some solid promo on the other side of the pond. It wasn't her best vocal but kudos to her for singing live despite having laryngitis. Check out her latest performance on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' in Burbank, Calif, inside!
For the first time ever, a cleavage-baring Ashanti performed 'Christmas Love' off her 'A Wonderful Christmas With Ashanti' EP on Good Day LA this week. She looked nice. Sounded nice too. I see her and Monica are rocking similar cuts for the Xmas season. The interview portion saw her speaking about being an entrepreneur before indulging singing and acting. She also discusses how she goes out and hustles with her team to build her brand. She tries! Gotta give her that.
I'm a little on the fence about Monica's Mellie blue pant suit but it was nice seeing a debut televised performance from her since the birth of daughter Laiyah in September. The Grammy Award winning singer kicked off the weekend, by hitting up the stage on BET’s 106 & Park for their Christmas special. Check out her hair raising performance of the holiday classic 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' off 'The Best Man Holiday' soundtrack live inside!
I want JT's 3D laser rave machine. It would really inspire me to host some kick ass weekend parties! The coolest in the UK in fact. The 'Saturday Night Live' favourite stepped up his laser game when he returned to the show for the second time this year. His trippy laser light presentation should have come with an epileptic warning. So, be warned! Check him out performing 'Only When I Walk Away' and 'Pair of Wings' off his Grammy-nominated album 'The 20/20 Experience', inside!
This boss bitch hosted a director's screening for her self-titled visual album at New York’s School of Visual Arts last night. Bitch was killing it in that mosaic black by Tom Ford. The way her body sculptures this dress is quite something! Bey answered questions from fans, who submitted them via the #AskBeyonce hashtag on Instagram. Everyone ate custom made 'Beyoncé' popcorn and drank huckleberry juice and sodas. All 17 of her new music videos were played into the night.
Does she still have it? Britney’s upcoming E! documentary special, 'I Am Britney Jean' debuts tomorrow and after years of rubbish performances, Ms. Spears wants the world to know she is back. The singer is seen rehearsing a "demanding" routine with her choreographer Antony Ginandjar. The footage does not give us enough to determine the full extent of her energy levels but it's unrealistic to expect her to move the way she did during her magnificent 'In The Zone' era. How much she's improved, only time will tell.
She don't need you! Top retailers Amazon and Target are refusing to carry the physical release of Beyoncé's new album due to the exclusivity that she awarded to iTunes. No biggie! Second week sales projections are at 300K. Though, not all retailers are boycotting the project. Bey arrived at a Walmart in Boston last night to celebrate the physical release of the mega smash. She awarded 750 customers in the branch $50 gift vouchers to spend in store ($37,000 in total). Now that's something to tell the gran kids!
Simplicity works when done correctly, but this video was painfully basic to watch. In an industry ruled by your Beyoncé's right now, K. Michelle could have invested more time and effort into a storyline visual. A story with a plot showcasing lost love at Christmas. Round one goes over to Tamar, apparently. The live performance video for K's holiday single 'Christmas Night' premiered on '106 & Park' earlier tonight and can be watched inside.
Tis time to celebrate the mega success of that record-breaking new album, eh Beyoncé? The game-changing songstress hosted a private party at Dave & Buster’s in New York following her concert at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Music from the project was blasted as guests (such as Luke James, J. Cole, and Drake) played arcade games, drank champagne, and snacked on cupcakes. As unappealing as it is to eat cake void of milk and eggs, I sure hope those were Vegan cupcakes!
Yawn, yawn, and yawning some more. The DJ White Shadow-produced remix to Lady Gaga’s new single 'Do What U Want' features an opening verse from Rick Ross and some new vocals from R. Kelly. It's one of those lazy, cut 'n' paste remixes, where Ross's brief but subtle verse is added to the original production. Even Ross's verse sounds lazy as f*ck. Moving on.
Oh, good. Interscope finally acknowledges that Candice Glover won 'American Idol' last year. Jazmine Sullivan-penned ballad 'Cried' assists black and white visuals, directed by TAJ. Candice reflects on painful childhood memories such as coping with an abusive daddy. Sadly, I think her debut album 'Music Speaks' will flop when it drops February 18th. Though, nothing beats receiving the Melanie Amaro treatment. So...
Holy crap! Pop icon Madonna and her daughter Mercy were in the house at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center last night to watch Beyoncé's showstopping 'Mrs. Carter Show' world tour. You know you're an icon when Madonna refers to you as the 'Queen'. That's right Madge. Pass on that torch with grace.
These days, Mimi's vocals are either hot or shot but she certainly made up for the poor vocals delivered during the National Tree Lighting performance earlier this month. The Christmas Queen herself was there to spread some of that festive cheer during 'Michael Buble's 3rd Annual Christmas Special'. Watch Mariah and Buble perform her Christmas classic ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’, inside.
The problem with being a global one hit wonder is that sometimes an artist doesn't know when to stop milking their breakthrough hit. Sure, it's often compulsory to perform your biggest hits on tour. But on X Factor USA? Well, I suppose it IS the Finale. And hopefully the last one we see from this failing series. Check out Leona Lewis performing 'One More Sleep', as well as 'Bleeding Love' with winners Alex & Sierra, inside.
Dressed in formal wear, Britney Spears found herself tiptoeing around the sedate tea rooms of London’s Savoy Hotel. She was bracing herself to surprise massive fan James Colbourn for ITV's 'Surprise Surprise'. Lucky James gets to see the singer perform at her two-year Vegas residency which kicks off Dec 27th. Well, luck entirely depends on what type of show she gives. Crap show or not, I think he'll just be pleased to freely breathe the same air she's breathing in.
This video was not only emotional but delivered such an inspiring and powerful message to young women. A message that was implemented through a really good song, and one that says young women can be whatever they want to be. Everyone deserves a future, so positive encouragement is always the right step forward. In deed, Little Mix have become the perfect poster children to convey that message.
So it's official! Beyoncé has made history with her self-titled visual album. It debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making her the first woman to hit #1 with her first five studio albums. In just 3 days, she also earns the highest sales week of her career, with 617,000 copies sold in the States and 828,773 copies sold worldwide. On top of all this, she has now set a record for the largest sales week for an album in its US iTunes Store. Well deserved!
For years, Ashanti has always avoided talking about her then relationship with Nelly. I notice that these days, she appears more open to discussing their break-up. I never quite understood her reasoning for not "claiming" him despite all the PDA. But maybe I'm the weird one. Anyway, she dropped by The Arsenio Hall Show last night to bring in the holidays with the comedic host. She discusses her upcoming album, love life, ex Nelly and more before taking to the stage to perform the holiday classic 'Let It Snow', below.
“Enjoy ya life. It’s short. That’s the message.”
Part two of Beyoncé's mini 'Self-Titled' documentary sees the singer reflecting on losing 'Star Search' as a child. She looks back on sacrificing some of her childhood for superstardom, the message behind her new music and how she discovered Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. Last but not least, she pinpoints the most important things in her life such as daughter Blue Ivy and husband Jay Z. Watch parts 1 and 2, inside!
Last night’s finale of 'The Voice' saw Ne-Yo teaming up with Celine Dion to perform their uplifting collaboration 'Incredible' live for the first time. There's no doubt Celine still sounds good, but I'm a little uncertain about that Atelier Versace dress. The much younger Selena Gomez wore the same dress at this years MTV VMAs and rocked it better. Methinks Britney Spears in Vegas maybe has Ms. Dion a little shook!
Slaaaayed! Is this life? Feuding pop stars Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera put aside their rivalry like grown woman to perform TOGETHER on the same stage! During last night's season finale of NBC’s 'The Voice', the gals performed Gaga's new single 'Do What U Want' and delivered an amazing vocal. Yes! There was also a touching moment where they held hands, cuddled and drank champagne. It was eye-boggling stuff but brilliant! That ol "swine" Perez must be pissed!
