You might not know the name but you will know the voice. Back in 2009 Scottish singer, Emeli Sandé featured on Chipmunk's hit single, 'Diamond Rings', and has been on the up ever since.
Sandé also boasts collaborations with Wiley (Never be your woman), Tinie Tempah (Let Go) and Professor Green (Kids that love to dance). The singer/songwriter has proved pretty useful behind the scenes too as she has written songs for the likes of Cheryl Cole, Susan Boyle and Alesha Dixon.
This time, the soulful songstress is going out alone with her debut single, 'Heaven'. With Sandé's immaculate vocals and Naughty Boy's lavish strings, bombastic horns and drum and bass instrumentation, this soulful banger is certainly a great start to what I'm sure will be a long career for the Scot.
The song will be released on 14 August. To check out the Jake Nava directed (of Beyoncé's 'Crazy in Love') clip, click below:
Arguably the star attraction of pop rap group N Dubz, Dappy, has stepped out on his own for his debut single, 'No Regrets.'
The controversial rapper stopped by Trevor Nelson's 1xtra show to introduce his first single since the group announced they would take a break back in May.
This could easily be another N Dubz song, with it's catchy hook and chorus. The only thing missing is the their trademark 'Na Na Niiiiiiii' and some unnecessary ad libs from Tulisa. It's a catchy pop driven, diluted rap number that is sure to appeal to N Dubz' core market - teenagers.
Dappy, or Costadinos Contostavlos, has already experienced moderate success with Tinchy Stryder on their single 'Spaceship' but this time he is searching for his own solo success.
As his debut single, 'A Team', continues to ride high on the UK itunes chart (#2) Ed Sheeran is back with a more upbeat number for his second single, 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You.'
The tracks accompanying video sees the song performed in sign language for deaf fans.
Kanye West and Jay Z delve into the classic soul archives to revive legend, Otis Redding, for the second cut off their collaborative “Watch the Throne” album, due out next month.
On “Otis”, West reminds us why he’s renowned for his juxtaposition of classic soul beats with raw hip hop, as the pair go bar for bar over the top of Redding’s, “Try a little tenderness”.
This track has definitely made me more eager to hear the rap duo’s joint effort in full.It will be interesting to see how the album plays out as Jay certainly has the lyrical edge on this track.When Jay and Kanye go bar for bar, you know you can always expect something special.There’s an air of competitiveness between these two that makes greatness almost inevitable.
The circus surrounding the UK X Factor and its judging panel is now over. Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, Tulissa Contostavlos and Kelly Rowland arrived in Birmingham today to kickstart this years auditions process.
Here are some pics of the new line up arriving at the LG Arena:
The only constant in this years X Factor, Louis Walsh, was the first to arrive. He urged viewers to get over Cheryl and Danni and to give Tulissa and Kelly a chance on the show. Take That frontman Gary Barlow said he would liked to have seen Cheryl back on the panel. Be careful Gary! You don't want to offend Kelly and Tulissa on your first day.
After coming to the realisation that "Who Run The World?" was not catching on with listeners, Beyoncé has gone back to the drawing board and come up with, "Best Thing I Never Had".
This time round Beyoncé has opted to play it safe with another "Irreplacable" type pop number. The song is a definitive break up mid tempo which sees the diva "dodging a bullet" and escaping a bad relationship.
I am sure the track will garner much more support than it's predecessor but I think it's a bit of a cop out if I'm honest. At least "Girls" was innovative and showed a little change in direction from the superstar. This, on the other hand, makes me feel like i've stepped back into to 2006 and found a hidden track on the "B'Day" album. Generally, I feel like Beyoncé has to switch it up a little and try something new because this new era has got off to a such a shaky start, and if she wants to keep up with the Lady GaGas and Rihannas of the world she'll have to come a lot harder.
The album, '4', is due out on June 28th. Check out the song below:
Twenty year old Ed Sheeran stunned online fans with a stunning acoustic performance of his single, "The A Team".
While the track has been doing the rounds on the internet for more than a year, it is finally receiving the promotional push that will hopefully propel the uber talented singer/songwriter to new heights.
"The A Team" sees Sheeran beautifully narrate the story of prostitute who is addicted to heroin. A poignant topic that is explored brilliantly by his slick songwriting and smooth tones.
The single can be downloaded on itunes now and will be officially released on June 12th. His debut album '+' is due for release in September.
Chamillionaire has added his two cents to Lupe Fiasco's, "All Black Everything". Following Lupe's lead, the Texas native ponders his own alternate reality where 'a Muslim sits at a table with the Methodist' and everyone is an optimist - even Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj are friends in this reality. Far fetched maybe, but a great listen nonetheless.
"Beyoncé is more than a pop star or an icon.....she represents the dream!"- Lady GaGa
"She makes songs that will live forever" - Bono
"Beyoncé has made history and she's not even 30 yet" - Stevie Wonder
"She's an entreprenuer, she inspired me to be more of an artist" - Babyface
Queen Beyoncé was tonight crowned "Artist of the Millennium" at the Billboard Awards in Las Vegas and was there to prove just how much she deserved that accolade.
Before giving a truly EPIC performance, the singer was praised by First Lady, Michelle Obama, Lady GaGa, Stevie Wonder, Babyface, her sister Solange and her mother Tina, for her musical achievements and humility in a touching video tribute. She then took to the stage for a ferocious performance of her new single, "Who Run The World" and did not take any prisoners! Attacking the stage with serious conviction, she mastered the complicated choreography which was made more difficult by the interactive nature of the performance and effortlessly nailed the vocals to perfection. It was feisty, energetic and had all those Beyonce-isms that makes her live performances such a spectacle. The finale saw her joined on stage by hundreds of female dancers and epitomised what Beyoncé has come to represent - female empowerment. Whether you love or hate the song, i guarantee you will be sold on the performance.
She was then presented with the award by her teary mother, Tina Knowles and nephew, Juelz. A heartfelt acceptance speech followed where she thanked her family, Destiny's Child (including the original members) and her husband, Jay Z. In a rare public acknowledgement of their relationship, she said "I'd like to thank my best friend.....I love me some Jay Z."
Watch the video montage, as well as the performance and her acceptance speech below:
Here's a pic of a reunited Destiny's Child at the ceremony:
No shade but I hope the Rihannas and Lady GaGas of the industry were taking notes because this is how it's done ladies! No hype, no gimmicks just pure, raw talent.
"Easy Please Me" was produced by electro/dub-step Gods, Magnetic Man, and serves as the fourth single from the Brit School graduate's debut album, "On a Mission".
Her beautiful tone flows effortlessly over a subtle dub step beat as she vents her frustrations about the lack of decent men out there (I hear you Katy, HA). This is definately my favourite track from Katy's album so I'm delighted that it has been given the single treatment but was hoping for a little more from the video.
The low buget video takes place around a pool table and is mildly amusing but the song is fantastic, so check it out anyway:
As Young Money alum, Drake, continues work on his sophmore album "Take Care", he is wetting our appetites with this new teaser, "Dreams Money Can Buy" on which the Canadian native discusses the joys that come with his newly found fame and wealth.
Drakes flow is always ridiculous and this one is no exception, it has certainly made me more eager to hear his new album.
New York rapper, Mickey Factz has gone in over Dirty Money's "Ass On the Floor" instrumental for the thought provoking "Genocide". I'm always a sucker for a rapper with a social conscience but the fact that he is using this Dirty Money club banger beat seems to almost trivialise the songs content. That said, he goes in hard on the war in Afghanistan, the deadliest war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and America's exploitation of Africa's natural resources.
He's no Lupe Fiasco but this track is definately worth a listen:
"I think I need a barber coz none of these bitches can fade me"
Beyoncé finally dropped the hotly anticipated visual for her brand new single, "Who Run The World (Girls)" on tonight's American Idol.
The debut single from her upcoming album,'4'which is due for release on June 28th, has got off to a shaky start thus far but the superstar diva will be hoping that this no expense spared video will rescue it from the depths of chart irrelevance. Having already plummeted down itunes and out of its top 100, the track is in desperate need of revival. But as soon as Bey's promo campaign gets into full swing I am sure the charts will reclaim their queen. After its premiere on American Idol and ahead of her performance on the FINAL Oprah Show next week, I am confident 'Girls' will soon become another tally on Knowles' hit list.
The Francis Lawrence directed clip shows a militant Beyoncé and her kick ass female army ruling the world and battling the opposite sex with their ferociously slick and sexy dance moves.
It is fair to say that 2010 was all about Tinie Tempah.
The anthemic "Pass Out" earned him his first Number 1 single in the UK and it was all uphill from then on with hits such as ,Frisky, Written In The Stars and Invincible. He took UK rap music to new levels and now he is embarking on US domination. His "DiscOvery" album saw its stateside release today and Tinie is hoping to replicate the success he has already experienced throughout Europe.
But let us not forget that Tinie was on the scene for a while before he garnered mainstream success with "Pass Out". I would like to take a moment to look back at one my favourite Tinie tracks.
In what seems like the 500th single from her "Loud" album, the red headed siren gets sexy for the "California King Bed" visual. Not your typical booty shaking, dutty wining Rihanna video but it works all the same. Simple yet effective.
Still gushing over Lupe's "Lasers" album, I'm glad one of my favourite tracks has been given the single treatment.
"Words I Never Said" features raps new go-to-girl, Skylar Gray and is definitely a stand out track from his new album. A politically conscious video accompanies the lyrically thought provoking track perfectly. It's an intense song and the video serves to complement his conviction and draw attention to some of the issues Lupe discusses on the track. From the Middle East, Obama, Islam and Africa, Lupe's never short of an opinion.
If you didn't read my review of the "Lasers", you can read it here
More Fire Crew alum, Lethal Bizzle is coming hard with his brand new single "Mind Spinnin".
Dirty baseline with a filthy dubstep twist, it might not have that signature grime sound that we have come to expect from Bizzle but it's a scorcher nonetheless. Seems like everyone is jumping on the dubstep bandwagon, but when it sounds like this, who are we to complain? Complete with a clean catchy sing along hook contrasted perfectly with the immense dub step production, this is definitely a move in the right direction for Bizzle.
British urban music has been experiencing a massive resurgence of late but it seems to be the men who are running the show. Luckily I'm here to shine a light on some the UK's most talented young females.
First up it's British songstress and part time rapper, Estelle. "Break My Heart" (featuring Rick Ross) is the debut single from Estelle's third album, "All of Me", due out later this year. It's a smooth neo soul jam that ponders whether or not a relationship will end in heartache. Rick Ross usually irritates the life out of me but his bars prove surprisingly complementary on this one.
Check out more from Ny and Cherri V after the jump:
Chipmunk first appeared on our radio's with his own Slim Shady type anthem, “Chip Diddy Chip” back in 2009 and now he's back with his brand new album, “Transition”
Preceded by his massive hit single “Champion” featuring Chris Brown, hopes for Chipmunk's second album were certainly high.
Having recruited a plethora of US superstars for the album – Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, Kalenna Harper (of Diddy's Dirty Money) – the album has a definitive formula. First you get yourself a smooth radio refined beat, then you add a couple self indulgent bars and finally, call up every American RnB singer whose number you can find on your blackberry and ask them to lay down a highly infectious chorus. Successful formula, maybe, but it certainly doesn't show any growth on Chipmunks part.
It's as if he is being primed for world domination but not by standing out in his own lane. Instead, by becoming part of the “music by numbers” brigade that swamp the US billboard chart on a weekly basis.
For the most part, it sounds like he's been lyrically restrained. His cheeky rhymes and brash delivery seem to have been watered down for commercial purposes.
Everyones favourite diva has returned with the epic new single, "Run the world" (Girls).
Sampling Major Lazer's "Pon de floor" Beyoncé's upbeat floor filler is sure to set dance floors alight in the coming months. Having kept us waiting a while since the release of "I am...Sasha Fierce" in 2008, the hotly anticipated first single from her as yet untitled fourth album, does not dissapoint.
In true Beyoncé style, it's pop music with an innovative urban edge that draws you in and makes you want to dance. Beyoncé likes to take risks and this one is no exception. The production is creative and doesn't sound like anything she's done before, the extra drums on top of the "pon de floor" beats makes it all the more gritty.
She's exercising major swag on this ode to girls who rule the world and I for one, never say no to a good ole ladies anthem. Queen Bee is dishing out props to the girls who are "smart enough to make these millions, strong enough to bear the children, then get back to business." POW. Another female empowerment anthem that will certainly propel her back into her rightful place - at the top of the charts.
Rihanna, take a seat, the queen wants her thrown back.
