Ciara Discusses "Fantasy Ride" + More

Ciara updates her fans on the status of her third album Fantasy Ride in this new clip. Assuring that the project is still on track, Ciara gives us a sneak peek at the artwork for the album. I'm really glad Fantasy Ride is still being planned for release because I'm into the direction CiCi is going with it & I'm sure she will bring it in '09. Check out a first look at the outcome of the featured sessions below:

Keyshia Cole "Upscale" Magazine Covers

Keyshia Cole is featured on a special double cover of the latest issue of Upscale magazine. She looks good, though I'm not sure what the point of the double cover is if the two pictures look practically identical. Nonetheless, I'm glad Keyshia's putting herself out there so people will know that her third album A Different Me drops December 16th.

*UPDATED* Brandy Performs On Tyra

Long Distance

Right Here (Departed)

Brandy was on The Tyra Banks Show yesterday & she performed her first two singles "Right Here (Departed)" & "Long Distance" off the new album Human (out now!) The "Long Distance" performance was outstanding. I don't think I'll ever get tired of B-Rocka performing "Right Here (Departed)" either. I'm very sad that the interview hasn't hit the net yet, but I'll post it as soon as it does!

UPDATE: Brandy opens up about it all in her interview with Tyra. I have even more respect for Brandy than before. I forgot to mention this yesterday, but she looked really good on the show. During the last two segments, Tyra & Brandy are joined by Patti LaBelle & some cooking insanity ensues--

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

The Caffeine Patch: Cars Toons Update + More

Here's a MQ preview of "Tokyo Mater," an extended fourth Cars Toon that will debut in theaters beginning this weekend with "Bolt" (yes, in 3D!) Looks cool. Also, check out all three of Mater's Tall Tales that have already premiered: "Mater The Greater," "El Materdor," & "Rescue Squad Mater." They're great!

In related news, "Cars 2" now has a release date of June 24, 2011. Definitely looking forward to it.

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New Brandy Promo Pics

Here are a couple newer stunning promotional photos of Brandy. Be sure to pick up your copy of her new album Human, which is out today!

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New Stuff Tuesday

^Click To Purchase^

December 9th is finally here, which means that it's time to get Brandy's new album Human! Without exaggerating, I can say that Human is my favorite album of all time, so you'll understand why this day is such a big deal to me. As can be seen throughout my beyond complimentary album review for it, there are few things I love more than Brandy. At least a healthy 60% of you have heard my cries ... or the incredible album ... whichever. If you have yet to jump on board, feel free to check out the singles "Right Here (Departed)" & "Long Distance," then click on the cover above. Also available today is "Horton Hears A Who!" It's one of my favorites movies of the year, so definitely check it out.

Beyonce Performs "At Last" On Ellen + More

Beyonce performed "At Last" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today. Flawless as usual. I didn't get a chance to see "Cadillac Records" over the weekend, as it opened in so few theaters that it wasn't showing where I live. Hopefully it will expand sometime soon.

In related news, the release date has been set for Beyonce's next movie "Obsessed." The PG-13 thriller will open on April 24th.

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Mariah Carey "Right To Dream" Video Premiere + Single Cover

"Right To Dream" is Mariah Carey's song from her new movie "Tennessee," which will hit theaters in March. I love the video & can't wait to see the film. To download "Right To Dream," click on the single cover below:

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Brandy Performs On CW11 Morning News

Long Distance

Right Here (Departed)

Yay! The first full live performance of "Long Distance!!" Amazing. Flawless. Outstanding. Need I say more? Brandy also did an interview on the show, which can be seen HERE. Just in case you've been living under a soundproof rock on Mars, Brandy's new album Human drops tomorrow!

Toni Braxton "Autism Speaks" PSA

Toni Braxton has filmed a public service announcement for Autism Speaks, as the condition is near & dear to her. Toni is such an inspiration. I'm definitely looking forward to her return to music next year.

Shontelle On Who's Next? + More

"T-Shirt"



Interview

Here's something fresh. Check out Shontelle's first live performance (that I know of) of her first single "T-Shirt" as well as an interview done on Yahoo's Who's Next? The first chorus & the bum note at the end (no clue what happened) aside, she sounded really good. Not quite the performer Rihanna is yet, but it's a start. In fact, in the interview, she says she knew Rihanna when they were little. I guess Barbados is pretty small! You can watch Shontelle lip-synching "T-Shirt" ... & falling over(!) on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade below:

Shontelle's debut album Shontelligence is available now. Btw, am I the only one who expected her to have a much stronger accent?

Keyshia Cole ft. Lil' Wayne "I Love You" Song Premiere

As previously reported, Keyshia Cole has covered "I Love You," originally by Mary J. Blige, with the help of Lil' Wayne. Listen to the final product HERE. It's good, but I looked up the original, & MJB's version is better. I love Keyshia to death though. This just isn't her best. I do wonder, however, why we keep getting all this random new material from Keyshia when she is supposed to be dropping her new album A Different Me next week (December 16th). Shouldn't the songs from the album be leaking instead? Just wishful thinking I guess...

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Brandy "Sister 2 Sister" Magazine Cover

Brandy is the cover girl for Sister 2 Sister magazine's latest issue. Despite the awful quality of the scan, B-Rocka looks awesome. When does her new album Human drop? Tomorrow actually! Thanks for asking.

Ryan Leslie "How It Was Supposed To Be" Video Premiere (1 of 3)

"How It Was Supposed To Be" is the new single off Ryan Leslie's upcoming self-titled album. Ryan Leslie is one of the few guys in urban music that doesn't bore the crap out of me. Well, except for his videos. The song doesn't really scream single material to me either. I still look forward to what he has to offer musically though.

Album Review: Brandy "Human"

It may have been four years of waiting, but for huge Brandy fans like myself, it has all been worth it. Simply being able to get my hands on an album as magnificent as Human is unbelievable to me. I say this mainly because I never knew music could be this good. Brandy is raising the game with Human & I couldn't be more pleased. If the flawless first single "Right Here (Departed)" didn't quite win you over, wait until you hear the entire album.

The first thing that has to be said about Human is that the vocal arrangements on every single song are mind-blowing. Some of the most notable tracks with excellent sections of vocal display are "The Definition," "Torn Down," & "A Capella (Something's Missing)," which is in fact acapella, has Brandy vocalizing all of the background music, &, all by itself, should gain her all the respect in the world. That's not to say the production isn't top notch. My personal favorite lies in "Piano Man," which is actually a dedication to the major contributor to Human, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins.

Another very special attribute of the album is the deep subject matter. Brandy displays emotion like only she can best on "Camouflage," title track "Human," & "True," a signature beautiful ballad. My pick for third single has to be the wonderful "Warm It Up (With Love)," not only because it's winter, but because it's radio friendly & perfect for the time. More tracks on Human include the exquisite "Shattered Heart," catchy "1st & Love," & album closer "Fall," which is co-written by Brandy & makes for the usual perfect ending.

Brandy is on another level--almost spiritual--with Human. With every listen, not only can you find something you haven't heard before, but the album gets better. In light of the recent Grammy nominations, it would be an absolute crime is Brandy didn't pick up the awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her second single "Long Distance" & Best Contemporary R&B Album for Human in 2010. Basically, the world would be a much darker place without Brandy.

Rating: INFINITY (/5) Stars