I am utterly and totally in love with this woman and her voice. Her name is Asa (pronounced Asha). She was born in the city of lights aka Paris and after living there for two years, her parents decided it was time to head back to their home turf; that of Lagos Nigeria where she has been based ever since.

Asa is influenced by artists like Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley and Aretha Franklin among others, and her first single "Jailer" is burning up the charts. I love it, and when you hear it you'll love it too... if you don't well then I'm sorry for you :) Now I predict big things for this lady. With the MTV Europe Music Awards coming up and the MTV African Music Awards coming too, I reckon she'll be nominated in numerous categories. For the EMA's specifically, she'll be in the Best African Act category and if she doesn't win, then I'll be surprised. As for the MAMA's... I aint sure what the categories are yet- the info is due soon I'm sure. So basically what I'm trying to say is that you should watch out for Asa... go out, support an artist like her and her beautiful music. Here's the video to Jailer for you listening/watching pleasure:

Labels: Asa, Jailer, MAMAs, MTV, MTV EMAs, music, Nigeria

Posted by jvonblog at Wednesday, September 24, 2008 | Permalink | Comments

Wow, so things are really going down in South Africa. This blog is usually dedicated to music and entertainment news, but it's good to get serious at times. South African 'president' Thabo Mbeki officially resigned as president of the republic on Sunday night. This comes just one week after Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Chris Nicholson indicated that Mbeki had interfered in the prosecution of ANC president Jacob Zuma. Well I don't profess to be a political expert and so I wont delve into it too much, but there are many arguements both for and against the ousting of Mbeki. I think this is good for our democracy, but unlike Mbeki I worry about the incoming administration... I can't help but feel a little sceptical and somewhat worried.

I know I shouldn't do this but I am going to anyway. Barack Obama is a hero, he signifies change, hope and a breath of fresh air for the American public. If I could get my green card, or my world vote on my candidate would be Obama- Yes I can :) Does anyone know where I can get one of those team Obama shirts, key rings, badges or any sort of Obama paraphernalia? Our incoming president is a hero to many here. I do not dispute the fact that he will be a people's president, but I can't help but question his alleged involvement in fraudulent activities. Anyway I found this really cool video on youtube (as always), done by Dave Stewart (famous for working with the Eurythmics). Like many others 'campaign' videos, this one has many stars pledging their support for Obama... Love it:

Labels: Barack Obama, celebs, Mbeki, Politics, South Africa

Posted by jvonblog at Monday, September 22, 2008 | Permalink | Comments

News just in... Ms Britney Spears will release her 6th studio album on the 2nd of December, which also happens to be her birthday. The album will be entitled "Circus" which is probably fitting for all that she has been through in the last two years. I'm glad she's bouncing back (3VMAs), looking super-fly and I reckon this album will put her back at the top where she belongs. GO BRIT.

More on the album:
- the first single is called "Womanizer" which will be released sometime next week in the US (Apparently the 22nd)
- The new album features collaborations with Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Danja, Bloodshy & Avant And More

There are also rumours about Britney calling on Pharell and Ne-Yo to help produce some tracks too, but more on that to follow.

I'm really stoked for Britney... I think many were counting down the days until the end of princess Brit. Luckily she's back, safe and ready to take on the world again! Maybe Amy "nUtty, druggie" Winehouse can learn a thing or two about Brit... time will tell. In the mean time, here's a little video of Britney rehearsing with her dancers for your viewing pleasure :) Oh and Brit has topped the list of most searched celeb in the world (again).

Labels: Back, Britney Spears, Circus, entertainment, MTV, music, VMA's

Posted by jvonblog at Wednesday, September 17, 2008 | Permalink | Comments

A good song to start off the week, Neyo's latest track. AWESOME!!

Labels: entertainment, Jvonblog, music, Neyo

Posted by jvonblog at Monday, September 15, 2008 | Permalink | Comments

So Ms Lindsay Lohan is hanging out with her B(g)F DJ Samantha Ronson and the rumour mill is buzzing saying they're happily in love, moving in together blah blah blah. If the girl is happy then let her be. I must admit though, I thought all the Hollywood star could do was party, act and sing, but clearly she has more to her then meets the eye... On her myspace account, LiLo lashes out at Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, which again will get the rumour mill going. Here's a little extract:

"I really cannot bite my tongue anymore when it comes to Sarah Palin.

I couldn't be more supportive of a woman in office, but let's face it, it comes down to the person, and their beliefs, male or female.

Is it a sin to be gay? Should it be a sin to be straight? Or to use birth control? Or to have sex before marriage? Or even to have a child out of wedlock?

I find it quite interesting that a woman who now is running to be second in command of the United States, only 4 years ago had aspirations to be a television anchor. Which is probably all she is qualified to be..."

Ms Lohan makes some interesting points, yes she does :) To read the full post, check it out here

Posted by jvonblog at Monday, September 15, 2008 | Permalink | Comments

Put 14 of the best female artists on one stage and you get? WOW... What a performance. Below you'll find the video, check it out, but here's a bit of info about the performance. Artists like Beyonce (sporting a new cropped hairdo), Mary J Blige, Ashanti, Leona Lewis, Miley Cyrus, Natasha Bedingfield, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Keyshia Cole, Fergie and Nicole Sherzinger all took to the stage to raise money for the Stand Up To Cancer initiative. The money goes straight into Cancer research programmes. What a fantastic cause. Take a look at this video:

Posted by jvonblog at Wednesday, September 10, 2008 | Permalink | Comments

Here's some more info on Beyonce's new album:

Music World Music/Columbia Records will release the superstar's third full-length studio album on the 18th of November. The album is her follow up to the multi-platinum selling, Grammy Award-winning Dangerously in Love and B'Day. Currently the album has no name, but whether it has one or not, I have a feeling it's going to be a chart topper. Of course the star will do something unique, ahead of the big release. So you might be asking what that is? Well she'll release two key tracks on the 7th of October simultaneously onto radio playlists and word has it the songs are called "If I Were A Boy" and "Single Ladies". I reckon one of these songs will 'conveniently' and/or 'be leaked' onto the Internet, so keep a look out.

Another interesting event happening on the South African front is the Virgin Festival, going down in December in Cape Town and Johanneburg respectively. Bands will be announced tomorrow on National station, 5fm, but rumour has it Maroon 5 and One Republic will be making their way to South African shores. I'll have more details on this tomorrow. Song and Video of the day:

Rihanna- Disturbia... check it out:

Posted by jvonblog at Wednesday, September 10, 2008 | Permalink | Comments

I love this time of year.... it's warm out, summer's around the corner and the vibe is great. There's also a stack of new music coming out. Check it out; Pink, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend and hopefully Ms Britney Spears (who by the way looked awesome at Sunday night's VMAs). So stay tuned, lots to come like

The Emmys
The MTV Europe Music Awards
The MTV African Music Awards
The US Elections (loads of entertainment, music and stuffs going on there)
The Channel O Video Music Awards

So like I said, stay tuned, and for your viewing pleasure, here's Pink's new music video called So What, love it? I do!



Be well,
Von

Posted by jvonblog at Tuesday, September 09, 2008 | Permalink | Comments