Bring Da Beat Back

Amerie ft. Fabolous "More Than Love" Video Premiere

2009-12-24T03:37:00.000-08:00

"More Than Love," featuring Fabolous, is the third single lifted from Amerie's new album In Love & War. "More Than Love" is neither my favorite nor my least favorite song on the album, so its being chosen as a single is fine. This video is much better than I thought it would be. I really like videos like this that have a storyline & are interesting to watch. I really hope Amerie finds some success with this single or that'll probably be case closed, so somebody request this somewhere or something! lol

Angels & Airwaves "Hallucinations" Song Premiere + FREE Download

2009-12-24T03:14:00.000-08:00

In news that makes me especially giddy, Angels & Airwaves have just premiered the first single "Hallucinations" off their forthcoming third album Love, which, as you can see, is set to be released on Valentine's Day 2010. As you can also see via my Songs Of The Moment, I kindasorta LOVE it! This is such a perfect opportunity for you to jump on board as well because AVA are offering a FREE download of "Hallucinations" right HERE. In other words, get to listenin' & feel the LoVe!

David Archuleta & Katharine McPhee Perform On Larry King

2009-12-24T03:03:00.000-08:00

David Archuleta "Pat-A-Pan"

Katharine McPhee "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

Both with new albums to promote, David Archuleta & Katharine McPhee performed Christmas songs during Larry King Live's holiday special last night. So, who's stalking who here? (jk!) They both did well, but I'm particularly excited about having a televised performance of "Pat-A-Pan" from Mr. Archuleta. David's Christmas From The Heart is out now, while Katharine's sophomore album Unbroken drops January 5th. Thanks for reminding me that I need to listen to your album, Kat!

Mary J. Blige Performs "I Am" On A Home For The Holidays

2009-12-24T02:55:00.000-08:00

Mary J. Blige gave her millionth performance of "I Am" off Stronger With Each Tear at the 11th annual A Home For The Holidays special. A million times, yes, but still doin' it well!

Countdown To 2010: The Top 10 Videos Of 2009

2009-12-24T02:42:00.000-08:00

#6) The Black-Eyed Peas "Meet Me Halfway"

"Fantasia For Real" Trailer

2009-12-24T02:28:00.000-08:00

Our first look at Fantasia's upcoming reality show "Fantasia For Real" has arrived. The show looks like it'll be quite entertaining & is one not to miss. Keep an eye out for it in January on VH1.

David Archuleta Performs "Angels We Have Heard On High" On FOX & Friends

2009-12-24T02:25:00.001-08:00

David Archuleta sang his rendition of "Angels We Have Heard On High" beautifully on FOX & Friends in support of his Christmas album Christmas From The Heart. Will ya look at that? Yay for 100 David Archie posts!

Watch "Words & Music With Mary J. Blige"

2009-12-23T02:05:00.000-08:00

Mary J. Blige performed five songs during a BET special dedicated to her entitled "Words & Music With Mary J. Blige." In support of her new album Stronger With Each Tear, MJB sang "Good Love," "In The Morning," "I'm Goin' Down," "Enough Cryin'," & "I Am." As if I need to tell you, Mary killed it. It was wonderful, but I sure would've liked for "The One" to have been thrown in the mix...

Plies ft. Keri Hilson "Medicine" Behind-The-Scenes

2009-12-23T01:28:00.000-08:00

Keri Hilson helped administer Plies' "Medicine" during their recent video shoot for his new single off the forthcoming Goon Affiliated. Keri absolutely kills this hook! She looked fine too. It's too bad the video looks painfully horrid. I also happen to despise Plies; a 'goon' indeed.

JoJo "All I Want Is Everything" Update

2009-12-23T01:33:00.000-08:00

JoJo sat down with Rap-Up to discuss her tumultuous past (see below) & bright future (see above). She name-dropped several people who've been helping her work on her 2010 album All I Want Is Everything; among them, Chad Hugo (of The Neptunes), Jim Beanz (Keri Hilson, Ciara), & Kenna (Ashlee Simpson). Also, after working on Shock Value II, JoJo revealed that she will be hitting the studio in January with Timbaland to work on some material for her project; she also hopes to put some studio time in with Pharrell in the near future. JoJo is also planning to release a mixtape, which she has started working on with Clinton Sparks & Chester French. Personally, I'm very excited for both JoJo's long-awaited third album as well as her upcoming mixtape. We've waited so long, it's cool to have so much to look forward to here pretty soon!

Countdown To 2010: The Top 10 Videos Of 2009

2009-12-23T01:50:00.000-08:00

#7) Rihanna ft. Young Jeezy "Hard"

David Archuleta Performs "Melodies Of Christmas" On Regis & Kelly

2009-12-23T01:53:00.000-08:00

The machine known as David Archuleta kept that Christmas promotion going, err, spirit alive with a performance of his very own "Melodies Of Christmas" on Live With Regis & Kelly. He sounded great & with all that recent touring & it being a morning show, I simply don't know how! (lol) I'd also like to mention that I finally got (my mom to sit down long enough) to finish David's Billboard concert & WOW! That second half with the classic Christmas songs & those strings accompanying him was simply breathtaking. I'll for sure be pulling out my Christmas From The Heart CD to enjoy as many more listens as possible before Christmas!

David Archuleta On Today

2009-12-22T03:47:00.000-08:00

"Angels We Have Heard On High"

Interview

David Archuleta did right by his holiday album Christmas From The Heart with this appearance on the Today show, which included a showstopping performance of "Angels We Have Heard On High." Let's see, Archie... by my count, you went on three full-fledged tours, recorded this album, & began writing for your sophomore pop album this year. Sir, I believe you have earned the right to relax & enjoy your holiday!

Mary J. Blige On 106 & Park

2009-12-22T03:40:00.000-08:00

"I Am"

Interview (Pt. 1)

Interview (Pt. 2)

Mary J. Blige stopped by 106 & Park to perform "I Am" from Stronger With Each Tear & sit down with Terrence & Rocsi. The performance was another solid one & it was nice as always to see MJB's personality shine through during her interview.

Vonzell Solomon Releases Holiday Tunes

2009-12-22T02:57:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Christmas, the amazing Vonzell Solomon has presented a trio of holiday songs with the launch of her new official site. You can listen to them below...

Silent Night

Winter Wonderland

Baby, It's Cold Outside

...& download them for FREE on her site! It's also worth noting that she is offering a FREE download of a snippet of her new single "D.I.R.T.B.A.G." as well. What a perfect opportunity to (re)discover the outstanding talent that is Vonzell Solomon! I was so very pleasantly surprised when I discovered these tunes today. God bless you, Vonzell!

[Source]

Countdown To 2010: The Top 10 Videos Of 2009

2009-12-22T02:55:00.001-08:00

#8) Beyonce ft. Lady Gaga "Video Phone (Extended Remix)"

Listen To Mary J. Blige's "Stronger With Each Tear"

2009-12-22T02:34:00.001-08:00

I've tried to convince you, but don't take my word for it. Head on over HERE & experience the soulful joys of Mary J. Blige's new album Stronger With Each Tear for yourself!

Adam Lambert On Jay Leno

2009-12-22T02:23:00.000-08:00

"Whataya Want From Me"

Interview

Adam Lambert made a refreshing appearance on The Jay Leno Show, where he performed "Whataya Want From Me" off For Your Entertainment & sat down for an interview. I say refreshing because while ABC was again discussed, the majority of the interview was about *gasp* Adam's background & passion for music! I also must say that despite initially sighing at the thought of watching yet another "WWFM" performance (I do think they pounced on this song too soon & should've promoted the title track here & there instead; heck, it was doing better than his new single for quite a while on iTunes with no promotion whatsoever), this one was very impressive! Not that they aren't all... I also have to mention that I think his hair looks phenomenal!

Jennifer Lopez "Love?" Update

2009-12-22T01:36:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Lopez recently held a listening party for her upcoming album Love?--seemingly despite its newly pushed-back release month of April--where she played the majority of the album's tracks, which means several new details have emerged! The inclusion of the Wynter Gordon-penned "What Is Love" (see below) was confirmed, while a "What Is Love (Part 2)" exists, but may or may not make the final cut; Wynter also wrote an uptempo called "Everybody's Girl" for the album. Another leaked track, "One Love" (see below), will be included on the album, as will a ballad entitled "Beautiful," which is being considered for use in Jennifer's April 16th film "The Back-Up Plan" as well. Danja produced "Keeper," another track set for inclusion, as well as "Love & War," which may or may not make the final tracklisting; a song that has now been confirmed for inclusion though is "Fresh Out The Oven." I love both "What Is Love" & "Fresh Out The Oven," so that's definitely good news. I'm also liking their idea about coinciding the release of the album with the movie, but with "Louboutins" having just been released digitally (download HERE), April seems much too far away. Ah well; if this leaked material & producer names like Danja are any indication, Love? will be worth the wait!

What Is Love

One Love

[Source, Source]

New Music Monday: Mary J. Blige "Stronger With Each Tear"

2009-12-21T01:30:00.000-08:00

Mary J. Blige releases her new album Stronger With Each Tear today. The album features the Drake-assisted "The One" as well as "I Am." As you can see, I gave the album a pretty positive review, so I would recommend getting your copy. You can do that one of two ways: Either purchase the CD using the widget to your right or click HERE to buy the digital album for only $3.99 (with two bonus tracks)!

Countdown To 2010: The Top 10 Videos Of 2009

2009-12-21T01:15:00.000-08:00

#9) Janet Jackson "Make Me"

Countdown To 2010: The Top 10 Videos Of 2009

2009-12-20T22:14:00.001-08:00

#10) Whitney Houston "Million Dollar Bill"

Usher & Mary J. Blige Perform On Christmas In Washington

2009-12-21T00:45:00.000-08:00

Usher "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

Usher "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"

Mary J. Blige "O Holy Night"

Mary J. Blige "The Christmas Song"

Usher & Mary J. Blige performed holiday songs for President Barack & Michelle Obama during this year's Christmas In Washington special. They both did a great job & displayed that true talent does still exist! Mary's new album Stronger With Each Tear is out today, while Usher's Raymond Vs. Raymond comes out on March 1st. In fact, with the leak of his song "Little Freak" with Nicki Minaj, he has begun to restore my faith in him, thank goodness!

Little Freak (ft. Nicki Minaj)

Album Review: Mary J. Blige "Stronger With Each Tear"

2009-12-20T22:40:00.000-08:00

Stronger With Each Tear is Mary J. Blige's third studio album in a row to be released at the last possible second right before Christmas. I remember this because every other year, December means it's MJB time! Mary especially 'broke through' to me with 2005's The Breakthrough & offered a solid follow-up in 2007's Growing Pains. Now, after a very busy fall of mostly soundtrack appearances, Mary is back with a new effort all her own, but how does it measure up to her previous work?

The album kicks off with "Tonight," a cool track that seems to fit perfectly as the opener. Her ill-fated first single, the Drake-assisted "The One," is still blazing & still terribly underappreciated. Ryan Leslie then hits the keys for "Said & Done," which is pretty good & works well in between "The One" & the T.I.-featured "Good Love." Although it's been leaked for a while, this Stereotypes-produced song is one of my favorite tracks on the album. The uptempo has a very nice past-meets-present vibe to it thanks to some live instrumentation.

MJB calms down a bit on "I Feel Good," an appropriately feel-good song. The album's second single "I Am" has managed to find some success, which the signature-Mary ballad is worthy of. Next up is (sorta) the title track "Each Tear," a strong slow jam. As much as I like it though, it's no excuse for leaving off the original title track "Stronger." I really like the groove of "I Love U (Yes I Du)." Mary gets it with the vocals on this song too!

So far, Mary has covered both the ups & downs tempo-wise on Stronger With Each Tear without faltering. It's the last few songs before an album's closer, however, that often make or break an album as a whole imo & unfortunately, that is where this album falls off a little. There's nothing really wrong with the Trey Songz-assisted "We Got Hood Love" (well, besides Trey...), but it's kinda ancient. Surprisingly, while solid & not at all bad, "Kitchen" finds production duo The-Dream & Tricky Stewart, who have been doing their thing lately, not meshing quite as well with Mary. Yet another ballad, "In The Morning" is just alright, but has Mary delivering vocally as always. Lastly, we all know the album's closer "Color" from the "Precious" soundtrack. Obviously it's a different breed of song--& a good one at that.

Stronger With Each Tear is a good album. There aren't even any bad songs, which has me wondering... why isn't it longer? Mary typically serves up more & incredible tracks, such as the Jazmine Sullivan-featured "Gonna Make It," were left off for no apparent reason. That, along with the fact that this album doesn't quite live up to its predecessors, is all the criticism I have to offer though. Mary brings it across the board & if you're looking for a good R&B album, as can be expected, you've come to the right place.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Britney Spears "3 (Director's Cut)" Video Premiere

2009-12-15T21:00:00.000-08:00

A director's cut of Britney Spears' video for her #1 single "3" off The Singles Collection emerged today. It's quite an improvement over the original!