TOYA'S WORLD// YOUR R&B FIX STARTS HERE....

Monday, 6 October 2008

PERFORMANCE ROUND-UP: ALICIA KEYS, LEONA LEWIS, JENNIFER HUDSON & DANITY KANE.....

Alicia Keys performed her latest single 'Superwoman' earlier this morning live on Regis and Kelly:

Niiice.

Danity Kane performed their smash 'Damaged' at the Declare Yourself event last month:

Remember to tune into Making the Band 4 Season 3 Season Finale tomorrow at 9 pm on MTV.

Jennifer Hudson performed her latest single 'Spotlight' Live on Jimmy Kimmel last week:

If I posted this already then mad apologies.

Leona Lewis performed 'Better In Time' last week on the talent show America's Got Talent:

Yes. I know all about her brand new performances that she did for Stripped. I was going to post them but all the vids were taken off YouTube. I'll post them once they become available again.

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NEW TIFFANY EVANS PROMO'S // NEW ALBUM ENTITLED 'PONYTAIL KRUSH'.....

It was only earlier this year that 16-year-old Tiffany Evans released her self-titled debut album. I even did a review for it. With lukewarm sales and lack of promotion, Tiffany has been given a second chance to come correct. She will release her sophomore album 'Ponytail Krush' in the first quarter of 2009. Here are some brand new promo's for the new album:

Here's what she says can be expected from the forthcoming project:

"When I sat down with my manager and the record label, I told them I did not want to be limited in the type of songs I recorded this time around. I want to make music for everyone. I describe this album like turning a radio dial and no matter what type of music the station plays, you can find a Tiffany Evans record on the playlist".

I think it's cool she wants to experiment with her sound outside of the commercial R&B-pop she's known for but can't see anyone taking her seriously with an album title like 'Ponytail Krush'. Apparently, she came up with the name because: "Anybody can wear a ponytail. No matter the age, male or female—ponytails are for everybody—just like my music is for everybody". Hmmmm....It sounds like the title of a poem written by a 13-year-old school girl. Variation is definetely good and I'm all for new music from the fiercly talented Ms Evans.

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BEYONCE COVERS OCTOBER ISSUE OF 'ESSENCE'.....

Beyonce Knowles has an exclusive feature with Essence magazine where for the first time EVER, she finally breaks her silence about her marriage and relationship to Jay-Z. The magazine hits stores on Oct 12th and here's the blazing front cover courtesy of YBF:

I wonder why she chose to break her silence to Essence and not PEOPLE? Um, forget I asked, I don't want no trouble, lol. As well as the marriage, she also talks about the new album as well. Unfortunately, quotes aren't available at this time but you know that once I get hold of them, they'll be posted along with the photoshoot. Smoooookin'!

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R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT: BEYONCE, RIHANNA, ALICIA KEYS & AUBREY.....

Beyonce was spotted in Miami yet again over the weekend. She was seen making her way to lunch with hubby Jay-Z at the Biltmore Hotel nearby Coral Gables:

BEYONCE WORLD

Looking good as usual. Be prepared for a huge Beyonce blitz in the coming week or so because it's about to go down.

Rihanna was spotted catching a flight at LAX International Airport last night:

GOSSIP GIRLS

It was reported that UK fans had mistaken the singer for Prince during her promotional trip recently. They do look alike but Prince isn't a handsome man. Prince is a BEAUTIFUL man so Riri should take that as a semi-compliment. Though I would think folks would realise that the 'Purple' one is pint-sized in comparison to Rihanna's tall and sleek physique.

Alicia Keys performed at the 2008 Bermuda Music Festival on Saturday. She was reportedly paid $750,000:

It still doesn't beat Beyonce's $1 MILLION DOLLARS, but close enough. I'm glad two of the biggest heavyweights in R&B are getting their dues. Alicia's new movie 'The Secret Life of Bees' hits theaters October 17th. CHECK OUT A DANITY KANE STARLET AFTER THE CUT.

Danity Kane's Aubrey O'Day attended "Body of Lies" New York premiere last night:

Still not quite there but I guess this is one of her better days. She looked, as the Americans would say "aight".

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RIHANNA: "NEW ALBUM WILL BE MORE TECHNO-ROCK & LESS R&B".....

Reportedly, Rihanna stated in a new interview with All Music that her forthcoming new album will be a lot more edgy as she takes her sound up a notch. She reveals that her new music will be a lot less R&B-influenced as she experiments with a rockier/techno direction.....

Here are a couple of quotes from the interview:

"I'm currently working on record number four and I'm having so much fun. I'm having so many new experiences and meeting so many new people, it's amazing".

"I want this album to head in the same direction as Good Girl Gone Bad but with even more edge. The tracks will be less R&B influenced and will have a feel closer to that of, Disturbia, Shut Up & Drive and Breakin’ Dishes".

I think we all saw this coming. At least I did. It seems she really is becoming a full flegded Fefe Dobson/Pink. Not that I'm complaining. I think it's a smart marketing strategy because people are eating it up and the pop/rock route is obviously working for her. Why fix it if it aint broke? I'm excited for the new album, which is expected to drop in the first quarter of 2009 (between March and April).

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♫ ALESHA DIXON: 'THE BOY DOES NOTHING' [OFFICIAL NEW SINGLE].....

A full radio rip of Alesha Dixon's official new single 'The Boy Does Nothing' has hit online shores. With her last solo effort 'Fired Up' being shelved, the former Misteeq singer is giving the music thing another go. The Boy Does Nothing is produced by UK pop/rave/dance duo Xenomania and is the first single taken from her forthcoming album 'The Alesha Show'. The new album will be released on Nov 17th via Asylum Records.....

The Boy Does Nothing is a funky-'Mambo no 5'-styled pop record which criticises a boyfriend for his lack of domestic chores. The chorus is kind of catchy but the song is as corny and stale as mouldy cheese. There's nothing really all that fresh about it. If anything, it sounds like a rejected cut from 'Fired Up'. I don't even know why she's distancing herself from the house-fused R&B and Garage that Misteeq were successful with initially. It is what made her a name for herself and those are the type of songs that suit her the most. I think she should lean more towards the R&B/synth pop direction. Anyway, in more Alesha randomness, the singer celebrates her 30th birthday tomorrow.

♫ ALESHA DIXON: 'THE BOY DOES NOTHING'

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PERFORMANCE: RIHANNA & T.I: 'LIVE YOUR LIFE'.....

Over the weekend, Rihanna performed with T.I on their latest collaboration 'Live Your Life' at the rapper's MySpace show in West Hollywood. The two have already shot the video for the song which should premiere before the end of the month. Meanwhile, here's the actual performance:

Riri didn't sing live but it doesn't really matter to me since I feel the song is hot garbage. For me, it's one of those songs where you instantly put the TV or radio on mute or turn the channel whenever it comes on. It's just really irritating. Rihanna's vocals dubbed in with the auto-tune is a bit much for me but putting that aside, she did look good.

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VIDEO COMMERCIALS: CIARA'S 'GO GIRL' & BRITNEY'S 'WOMANIZER'.....

This week, there will be two exciting video premieres taking place. Ciara's 'Go Girl' video will premiere tomorrow on Access Granted and Britney's 'Womanizer' video will premiere on ABC's 20/20 this Friday. You can check out the commercials for both vids inside this post. Here's Brit's commercial below:

We don't get to see much from the vids except a first look of the images and costumes that were used. I reckon both vids will be hot. I hope neither of them disappoints but both vids do look interesting from the itsy bitsy previews they're teasing us with. You know a vid is in another class when you actually get a commercial for it. Check out Ciara's after the cut.

Ciara's Access Granted Commercial

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Sunday, 5 October 2008

WILL.I.AM: "DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH ON NEW MICHAEL JACKSON RECORD".....

Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am has been working on the new Michael Jackson record for over five years, but it's finally coming to his realisation that the King of Pop may never release another studio album.....

In a brand new interview with BBC's 1Xtra, he's quoted as saying the following:

"There's all these artists in the world like Ne-yo, Chris Brown and Usher, Justin Timberlake, Fergies and Rhiannas and then there's Michael Jackson.

"Michael Jackson has a different pace and you can not put Michael Jackson in that category especially when a lot of those artists have been inspired by Michael Jackson.

"So Michael Jackson is gonna release his record when he releases his record."

Will.i.am comes off as pretty dismissive with a 'I give up on MJ' sort of tone. It's really sad to see one of our biggest legends fall so hard. I just don't think he has the energy and motivation anymore to put out another album or have an explosive comeback, not with the way he's been looking lately. The man is rotting away, needs a wheelchair for guidance and has just about enough energy to raise his kids. It's sad that the last thing MJ will be remembered for is that 2005 trial where he was accused of child molestation yet again.

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R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT: MARIAH CAREY, KEYSHIA COLE & KAT DELUNA.....

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon were spotted on the red carpet of The Bank nightclub at the Bellagio hotel in Vegas last night:

As reported yesterday, the couple are in Las Vegas to shoot Mariah's third video 'I Stay In Love'. MORE CELEBS AFTER THE CUT.

On Thursday night (Oct 2nd), Keyshia Cole attended a birthday bash at LQ for rapper Foxy Brown:

Still no news on her new album or a future single. I'm thinking we probably won't hear anything until next year. Maybe we'll hear something by next week, otherwise I can't see it happening.

Kat Deluna was spotted this week whilst shooting yet another music video for Darin's new single 'Breathing Your Love' at Maru on October 2nd in New York City:

She is just featured on the song. Darin is the one that is pictured with her in the last photo.

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KAT DELUNA ON HER VIDEO SHOOT FOR 'IN THE END'.....

Check out these set of new pictures taken from Kat Deluna's video shoot for new single 'In The End'. The song is taken from her latest album '9 Lives' and the single is a European release only:

The pictures come across as very high-fashion. There's no word on when the video will premiere. I'm surprised she's still releasing songs from the album. Anyway, you can check out behind-the-scenes footage after the cut.

PART ONE

PART TWO

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R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT: BEYONCE, RIHANNA, CIARA, BRANDY & ASHANTI.....

Last night, Beyonce attended the Children's Hospital Foundation Diamond Ball and Private Concert at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida:

BEYONCE WORLD

Beyonce was looking stunning in a long red gown. The singer was recognised for her charity work and was guest of honour at the glitzy Florida gala to raise money for the Miami Children's Hospital Foundation. In recognition of all her hard work for others, Beyonce was being inducted into the centre's Hall Of Fame. Beyonce was also entranced by the skills of seven-year-old pianist Ethan Bortnick, who was playing to thank the hospital for treating his younger brother's heart defect.

Rihanna performed 'Live Your Life' with rapper T.I during his MYSPACE.COM Album Release party for 'Paper Trail' this weekend. The gig took place at the Key Club in Hollywood, CA:

RIHANNA DAILY

Riri looked fly in a golden leather jacket and some cool shades. Just before the gig, Rihanna was spotted with boyfriend Chris Brown (not pictured) as she departed Le Montrose Hotel in LA. The couple have been spending most of the weekend rehearsing for their upcoming tour. They are doing a tour in Australia and New Zealand which begins in late October and ends in the first half of November. This week, new dates were published on Rihanna's official site, Rihannanow.com. It appears the extra dates are all down to the success of ticket sales. MORE CELEBS AFTER THE CUT.

Ciara attended "Young Jeezy Presents THE Presidential Affair" in Atlanta, GA this weekend:

SINCERLY CIARA

I'm not really feeling the weave, but who cares, lol. Tuesday is the day where we'll finally get to see her new video for 'Go Girl'.....

Brandy was spotted arriving at 100.3 The Beat in Philly on Friday where she did more promo and chilled with her fans: