Today we lost an icon, someone who fought so hard for freedom for all in South Africa. Someone whose voice touched not only local audiences, but people from far and wide. Today we lost Miriam "Mama Africa" Makeba. I'd like to call on all of you who loved and adored her to remember the wonderful woman that is Miriam Makeba, celebrate her life, her music and may she rest in peace!
Here it is, a first look at Britney's album cover. The album, entitled Circus will be released in just under a month, on Brit's birthday (2 December). The first single has already reached the top of the charts on Billboard, moving a whopping 96 spots to reach the top spot and she sold over 286 000 downloads in the first week
Here's the track listing for Circus
1. Womanizer 2. Circus 3. Out From Under 4. Kill The Lights 5. Shattered Glass 6. If U Seek Amy 7. Unusual You 8. Blur 9. Mmm Papi 10. Mannequin 11. Lace and Leather 12. My Baby Bonus Track: 13. Radar
It's amazing how you can be on top of the world, in the best space and place ever and one incident can ruin that all. Jennifer Hudson, who has just released her debut album, my heart, prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family. Her mother and brother were gunned down in their home on Friday, allegedly by Hudson's brother-in-law. Her nephew Julian King is now missing, and Hudson has pleaded with fans, friends and anyone to come forward with information if they know anything. In fact she's offered $100 000 to anyone who knows of his where abouts. Lets hope he comes back safe and sound.
My deepest condolences go out to the Hudson family.
The MTV Europe Music Award Nominees are out. The awards, will be held at the 'music mecca' of the world aka Liverpool. They'll be hosted by newcomer, girl kisser :) Katy Perry. Pink, Duffy, Coldplay and Beyonce will all perform at the awards... sigh. I wanna go. I love these awards. Anyways here are the nominees:
1. ROCK OUT: 30 Seconds To Mars Linkin Park Metallica Paramore Slipnot
2. ULTIMATE URBAN Alicia Keys Beyonce Chris Brown Kanye West Lil Wayne
3. ACT OF 2008 Amy Winehouse Britney Spears Coldplay Leona Lewis Rihanna
4. NEW ACT Duffy Jonas Brothers Katy Perry Miley Cyrus OneRepublic
5. BEST ACT EVER Britney Spears Christina Aguilera Green Day Rick Astley Tokio Hotel U2
6. MOST ADDICTIVE TRACK Coldplay- 'Viva La Vida' Duffy- 'Mercy' Katy Perry- 'I Kissed A Girl' Kid Rock- 'All Summer Long' Pink- 'So What'
7. HEADLINER Foo Fighters Linkin Park Metallica The Cure Tokio Hotel
8. BEST ALBUM Alicia Keys- 'As I Am' Britney Spears- 'Blackout' Coldplay- 'Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends' Duffy- 'Rockferry' Leona Lewis- 'Spirit'
BEST AFRICAN ACT still to come... my predictions? South Africa's In-Cha will be nominated alongside Asa. Well those are just two of my predictions, the rest I have no idea.
I must admit I'm a bit surprised by some of these nominees. Amy 'Crackhead" Winehouse has done nothing but show the world how completely addicted to drugs she is. Don't get me wrong, she is so talented but the album's been out for a while now and she walked away with an award last year. I would've thought Rihanna and Ne-Yo would crack more and at least one nomination respectively. Beyonce has just released two new tracks, but her album isn't out and she hasn't done anything but marry her boo Jay Z this year. She'll be performing I'm sure. Now onto Katy Perry... that song is annoying now, it's old but damn was it big. If she doesn't win then I'll be surprised. Coldplay, Duffy and Leona Lewis all deserve to be there so good on them. I love these awards... I was privileged enough to go to the awards in Munich last year. If I had my way, I'd go be on the plane to Liverpool tonight... ANYONE OFFERING??????
The MAMA's are coming, quick and fast and what would the awards be, without the biggest names in the music industry being nominated... so without further ado; the nominees are:
BEST FEMALE Wahu (Kenya) Asa (Nigeria) Dama Do Bling (Mozambique) Sasha (Nigeria) Zonke (South Africa)
BEST MALE Jua Cali (Kenya) 2Face (Nigeria) D’Banj (Nigeria) DJ Cleo (South Africa) HHP (South Africa)
BEST LIVE PERFORMER Samini (Ghana) D’Banj (Nigeria) P-Square (Nigeria) Cassette (South Africa) Jozi (South Africa)
BEST GROUP P-Square (Nigeria) Freshly Ground (South Africa) Jozi (South Africa) The Parlotones (South Africa) East African Bashment Crew (Uganda)
BEST ALTERNATIVE Buraka Som Sistema (Portugal) Goldfish (South Africa) Seether (South Africa) The Parlotones (South Africa) Coldplay (UK)
BEST HIP-HOP 9ice (Nigeria) HHP (South Africa) Professor Jay (Tanzania) Lil Wayne (USA) The Game (USA)
BEST R&B P-Square (Nigeria) Akon (Senegal / USA) Loyiso (South Africa) Alicia Keys (USA) Rihanna (USA)
ARTIST OF THE YEAR Asa (Nigeria) D’Banj (Nigeria) P-Square (Nigeria) HHP (South Africa) Seether (South Africa)
BEST NEW ACT Kwaw Kese (Ghana) Wahu (Kenya) 9ice (Nigeria) Naeto C (Nigeria) Da L.E.S. (South Africa)
BEST VIDEO Movaizhaleine (Gabon) – Nous Ikechukwu (Nigeria) – Wind Am Well P-Square (Nigeria) – Roll It Freshlyground (South Africa) – Pot Belly Pro Kid (South Africa) – Uthini Ngo Pro
The winners of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain will be unveiled at The Velodrome, Abuja, on Saturday, 22 November 2008. Remember if you want your favourite to win, you have to vote, so go to mama.mtvbase.com.
Jennifer Hudson is somebody I would love to meet, interview, share a coffee date with. This talented young lady is high up on my list of inspirational people and this is why:
- She's a virgo, like me. We rock :) - She, at 27, has an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and a SAG award for her brilliant performance in Dreamgirls. Hudson played Effie White is the feature film, alongside beautiful Beyonce, funnyman Eddie Murphy and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx. Have you seen this movie? I own a copy... I don't usually enjoy musicals, but this one was brilliant. - She might not have won American Idol back in 2003, but damn that doesn't matter. Jennifer has just released her self-title debut album. Now I don't have a copy yet, it hasn't arrived on South African shores yet, but the first single Spotlight is fantastic. I love it, she looks beautiful and Ne-Yo wrote it... recipe for success. I also love the chorus lyrics: Well, I don't like Living under your spotlight Just because you think I might find somebody worthy Oh, I don't like Living under your spotlight Baby, if you treat me right You won't have to worry
The context of the song might differ from my experience, but nobody likes to live in somebody else's spotlight... something I can relate to now. Here's a promo vid for y'all to look at:
Now more about the album. It's a sixteen track album and the star has worked with get this, Ne-Yo, Timbaland, Robin Thicke and Stargate to name a few. It was released last week and I haven't found any info on how sales are going, but it will be interesting to see how sales go this week. The reason I say that is because when Oprah invites you onto her show to discuss a new movie and your album, you know you're doing something right and with Oprah's pull, things tend to escalate in a positive way!!! I also reckon there'll be a few Grammy nominations coming her way. Here's to hoping, I love this lady and as soon as I get my hands on the album, I'll give y'all a break down of all the tracks... Oh congratulations to Ms Hudson too, she just recently got engaged :)
I also bought Ne-Yo's new album yesterday. Year of the Gentleman. Brilliant, fantastic and worthwhile! go get it!
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:
Posted by jvonblog at Wednesday, September 24, 2008 |Permalink | Comments
September 17, 2008
Britney's back
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).
I am 23 years old and I live in Johannesburg. I work in entertainment media, as a multimedia producer. Music, entertainment and travelling are my three passions. Combining those three= a happy Jason. I would love to work on MTV on air or as a producer or director and I still crave a career in radio. I best be making it happen
