Saturday, October 13, 2012
Brandy Allows Her True Self to Shine on “Two Eleven” – In Stores Tuesday
UrbanBridgez.com:
After four years away from the music game, multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning R&B/pop singer, songwriter, and actress Brandy has come roaring back with the fearless and inspired TWO ELEVEN — a thoroughly modern R&B album that Rolling Stone has called “Brandy at her most realized: romantically shaky, vocally sharp, and musically sound.” Billboard has hailed it as a “strong return to Brandy’s multi-layered impassioned vocals.” With its unforgettable melodies, glorious harmonies, edgy beats, and Brandy’s sultry voice front-and-center, TWO ELEVEN sounds like an artist reborn. “It’s an honest album,” she says. “It’s relatable. It’s sexy and vulnerable. I really let my true self come through on every song. It has so many different colors, but at the same time, it represents the artist I am now.”
The Mississippi-born daughter of a gospel singer father, Brandy became one of the most successful multi-media stars of the ’90s, thanks to her constant presence on both the pop and R&B charts, as well as star turns on the hit sitcom Moesha and the classic made-for-TV movie phenomenon Cinderella, which attracted more than 60 million viewers and broke new ground with its multi-cultural cast. Since emerging with her 3x-platinum self-titled debut album in 1994 (released when Brandy was 15), this trail-blazing pioneer has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide (including the 5x-platinum selling Never Say Never) and is ranked one of the best-selling female artists in American music history by the RIAA. She has earned scores of awards, including a Grammy, an AMA, two Soul Train Music Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, three Billboard Awards, four MTV Awards, six Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, two Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, and three BMI Awards. Brandy also currently stars on BET’s top-rated scripted series The Game and will appear in Tyler Perry’s upcoming film The Marriage Counselor.
Yet with all of her success, Brandy wasn’t sure she’d ever make music again after the release of her last album Human in 2008. “I didn’t really know what type of music I wanted to do or if anyone would even give me the opportunity,” she says candidly. “You start to doubt whether this is still the path that you’re supposed to be on.”
That struggle is what makes Brandy’s return with TWO ELEVEN all the more triumphant. “It definitely feels like a comeback to me because I know I’ve been gone,” she says. “The fans will say, ‘You never left.’ No, I left. I’ve been gone. I’ve been down. I’ve struggled. I’ve failed. I’ve been through so much, so just making this album is a comeback for me.”
Brandy was coaxed into recording again after meeting Breyon Prescott — the CEO of Chameleon Entertainment whose A&R and production credits include Jamie Foxx, Angie Stone, and Kanye West — in May 2010 after she performed an intimate concert at the Key Club in West Hollywood, belting out her own hits like “Almost Doesn’t Count” as well as a smoldering cover of Etta James’ “At Last.” “Breyon told me I needed to get back to my R&B roots, but needed a fresh, new sound,” Brandy recalls. “He said my core fans really wanted an R&B album from me and I didn’t give them that the last time. So that became the center of what we were trying to accomplish with this album. Breyon has an incredible ear for music. He was able to bring together all these amazing people to help me achieve that vision.”
Friday, October 12, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Paula Abdul to guest judge on 'Dancing with the Stars'
CNN.com:
Paula Abdul is returning to the judges' panel — but not on a singing show. The former judge of American Idol will sit alongside Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba on "Dancing with the Stars" Oct. 15.
"Dance has always been my first love and Dancing with the Stars epitomizes what dance can do to the human spirit," Abdul said in a pretaped package that aired during Monday's show. I've been sneaking into the show for years, and now I get to be a guest judge. It's a marriage made in dancing heaven."Abdul's been out of work since bugging out of "The X Factor."
Usher, Mary J Blige, Chris Brown Lead R&B 2012 American Music Award Nominations
SingersRoom.com:
Nominations are in for the 2012 American Music Awards. Leading in the fields of Soul/R&B are Usher, Mary J. Blige and Chris Brown.
The official list of nominees was revealed during a press conference with Christina Aguilera Tuesday. Aguilera is also confirmed as the first performer set to take the stage November 18.Usher leads the pack of R&B artists nominated with three nods in total. His nods include Favorite Album - Soul / R&B for "Looking 4 Myself." He shares that field with Rihanna ("Talk That Talk") and Chris Brown ("Fortune").In addition to having "Fortune" nominated, Chris Brown shares the field of Favorite Male Artist Soul/R&B with Usher and Trey Songz.The Favorite Female Artist category includes Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna.Drake, Nicki Minaj and Tyga lead in the Hip Hop categories.The 2012 American Music Awards are due to air Sunday, November 18 on ABC.
Vivian Green Returns To R&B With New Album, 'The Green Room'
HuffPo.com:
Longtime fans of singer-songwriter Vivian Green won't be disappointed with her new album "The Green Room" as she returns with a more R&B sound on a record that oozes growth and creativity.
Stepping away from heartbreak ballads such as her 2002 hit single "Emotional Rollercoaster" and the pop sound of her previous album "Beautiful," it seems the Philadelphia-born Green has made a conscious effort to focus on the happier side of love. That's a decision sure to satisfy fans.
"Anything Out There" is the first single and Green gets straight to the point professing her love for her man. It's a smooth, contemporary vibe and she sounds mature showing off a classy, sultry side.
"Remedy" is a sweet, uplifting song about love making everything better and "Still Here," featuring Brian Culbertson, captures a perfect match between his smooth jazz and her soulful melody.
Fans wanting to hear more upbeat sounds will relish Green's collaboration with guest rapper Freeway on "X." "I'm Not Prepared" offers a groovy start, but becomes one of the album's few disappointments when the track somehow fails to take off completely and turns tame.
This record demonstrates a positive response to critics of her last album. Green shows she's listened to and answered any doubts regarding her ability.
Exclusive Super Teaser Trailer: "The Houstons On Our Own"
“Lifetime’s all-new docuseries “The Houstons: On Our Own”, premiering Wednesday, October 24, at 9pm ET/PT with back-to-back episodes, will chronicle those closest to the pop music icon, Whitney Houston, including her daughter Bobbi Kristina (Krissy); Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and manager; Pat’s daughter Rayah; Whitney’s brother Gary; mother, Grammy® Award-winning singer Cissy Houston, and family friend Nick Gordon, as they try and pick up the pieces after her untimely death.”
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Monday, November 14, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
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