Beyoncé wants you to ‘Bow Down bitches’

Beyoncé’s new track has arrived. It’s called Bow Down/ I Been On. It’s completely, extremely and very, very different to what you would expect from arguably the biggest star in the game. It’ll take some time to get into because the voice you’re expecting is only there for about forty seconds. The rest of the track has her voice heavily manipulated and full of effects (the kind of ish you’d expect from Will.i.am). I can’t imagine this is the first single though. Surely?

Maybe it’s an intro to the new album yes, but not a single that everyone’s expecting. And just when we’re all like, wtf B, she’ll drop the track we’re hoping for… Am I asking for too much? Your thoughts?

Catch Beyoncé: Life Is But A Dream in Nu Metro cinemas

I was wondering when, where we would get to see this. Well here’s the answer. Beyoncé’s Life is but a dream will be shown in select Nu Metro cinemas from Friday 1 March to Thursday the 7th. Full press release below:

CATCH BEYONCÉ AT NU METRO CINEMAS FOR ONE WEEK ONLY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Johannesburg, 20 February 2013 – Multiple Grammy Award winner, entrepreneur and actress Beyoncé is the focus of an intimate feature-length documentary film releasing for one week only in select Nu Metro Cinemas around the country from Friday, 1 March till Thursday, 7 March 2013.

BEYONCÉ: LIFE IS BUT A DREAM, directed by the superstar, is a fusion of video that provides raw, unprecedented access to the private entertainment icon and her high voltage performances. Along with electrifying footage of Beyoncé onstage, this unique special looks beyond the glamour to reveal a vibrant, vulnerable and unforgettable woman.

Beyoncé: The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour – dates

After three years, it’s official. Mrs Carter aka Beyoncé Knowles is hitting the road again. Live Nation will be putting on The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, which kicks off this April. You can see all the tour dates below. Now I love me some Beyoncé, but I’m really bummed that this ‘world tour’ doesn’t include any dates in SA (or Africa for that matter).

The tour is her biggest undertaking to date and the second half of the tour will include Asia, Latin America and Australia. Sadly, I have word that there are no plans to bring B to our part of the world at this stage. Sob – and WHY???? We’ve had Gaga, Kanye, Coldplay, Jigga. we’re getting Bieber. Surely we can get Beyoncé? So we look ahead and I’m thinking maybe it’s time to go back to the US for a holiday and make sure it’s around the same time as her tour. Who’s game?

Beyonce Super Bowl Halftime Show

Time and time again, Beyoncé proves she is the business – the best female performer out there. Check out her performance at last night’s Super Bowl Halftime Show. #Winning.

Beyoncé gearing up for Super Bowl

Will Beyoncé‘s Super Bowl performance outdo her Billboard Music Awards performance? I have a feeling she might just blow it out of the water. Add Destiny’s Child to the mix and I think you have a #winning combination. Will you be up watching Ravens taking on the 49ers in New Orleans? Or are you just getting up to watch your girl Bey? If this little teaser clip is anything to go by, I think I might just have to pull yet another all-nighter

Oh and if you’re looking for a bit of a laugh and some fun, check out some of the players talking about King B here.

Don’t forget to catch the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show this Sunday/ Monday.

Did Beyoncé lip-sync her way through The Star-Spangled Banner?

I don’t think so – and here’s why:

Beyoncé Knowles has been accused of lip-syncing her way through her performance at President Barack Obama’s inauguration on Monday. The star had the duty of singing the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. What an honour and there is no better person in my opinion to have than Beyoncé, to sing it.

The Halo singer does the anthem, and true to form, she nails it. On stage it looked like the star was having some issues with feedback or interference, so she removed her earpiece mid-set. She carried on like a true pro and in my opinion, it was the best version of the anthem I have ever witnessed. Then someone from the Marine Corps puts out a statement saying both the band and Beyoncé weren’t live and that the Grammy winner lip-synced her way through the song.

So here are a couple of questions for you:

- Do you care?

If you don’t care, that’s cool but I do. I’m an entertainment journalist, a lover of music and I admire and respect Beyoncé like no other.

- Is it a big deal?

Yes, it is a big deal. With a global audience focused on you for that performance and the trust the President has in you to sing the anthem, it is a big deal. While many artists don’t sing their songs live (we know this), the one time an artist really shouldn’t lip-sync is during the national anthem. It is possibly the highest honour one can get and it means you have the talent to pull it off. It is also the one time you really get to show that talent off in a raw, but impressive way.

I can understand artists having a back-up recording available for a number of reasons; be it stage fright, forces of nature or being sick, but come on. This is Beyoncé, one of the greatest singers and performers of our time.

So the big question then is did she or didn’t she? I really don’t believe she did. I’ve watched the clip a number of times and it looks clean to me. Sure, she had a bit of a hiccup with her earpiece and it sounds like there’s a bit of an echo or some feedback (maybe the recording), but she really looks to be singing – and well. If she did lip-sync, it is by far the best lip-syncing performance I have ever seen in my life. The famous Beyoncé-isms were there and it was a well rehearsed and flowed really nicely. It was incredible.

There is no official statement from Beyoncé’s peops, but E! Online has a statement from the US Marine Corps Media Officer. Read it here. So there you have it, I don’t believe she lip-synced, but I guess time will tell.

Your thoughts?

 

 

Relive Beyoncé’s inauguration performance.

Beyoncé Knowles the incredible. She wins… again!! It’s going to B a big year for Bey no doubt. The Star-Spangled Banner at President Obama’s inauguration and the Superbowl next month. Destiny’s Child album coming next week and her much-awaited solo album since the birth of her daughter, Blue Ivy… 2011 might have been the Year of 4, but 2013 is definitely going to be the Year of Bey (and JT)

Listen: Justin Timberlake – Suit and Tie ft Jay-Z

YES! YES! YES! This is how you start a Monday morning… Justin Timberlake has released his new single called “Suit and Tie”. Getting a little bit of help on the track from Jay-Z. Winning!

Read his open letter below:

An Open Letter to you (the fans):

I hope this gets to you the right way. It’s the only way I know to do it. Some people may criticize me for the last 3 days. But it was fun, right?? Right?!?! Besides, I’d rather speak directly to all of you. And, who can knock me for having a little bit of fun with it?

Well… No more teasing. Although, it was A LOT of fun. (Did I mention that I’m having fun with this?? Ha!)

*Makes a serious face*

So, here goes:

This year is an exciting one for me. As you probably have heard through the “grapevine,” I’m gearing up for a big 2013.

Back in June of last year, I quietly started working on what is now, my next journey with that thing I love called MUSIC.

The inspiration for this really came out of the blue and to be honest, I didn’t expect anything out of it. I just went into the studio and started playing around with some sounds and songs. It was probably the best time I’ve had in my career… Just creating with no rules and/or end goal in mind and really enjoying the process.

What I came up with is something I couldn’t be more excited about! It is full of inspiration that I grew up listening to and some newfound muses that I’ve discovered along the way.

I’m calling it “The 20/20 Experience,” and it’s coming out this year.

I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it.

That’s all I’m giving you for now… I know, I know! Again, with the teasing!!!

Get ready. This is going to be fun (well, at least it is for me).
Justin

2013 – The year of DC, B and JT

Is it too soon to dub this the year of Destiny’s Child, Beyonce Knowles and Justin Timberlake? I feel like it isn’t, my opinion The news is true. Destiny’s Child are back. Beyoncé Knowles announced to the world yesterday that her, Kelly and Michelle will be releasing a compilation album soon. The album is called Love Songs, which will feature new song “Nuclear.”

Taking to Facebook, Knowles said, “I am so proud to announce the first original Destiny’s Child music in eight years!” Nuclear was produced by NERD frontman, Pharrell Williams and was written by him, James Fauntleroy and Lonny Bereal. The rest of the album will feature songs from the girls and their hits from as early as 1997. Nice.

I must admit when I heard that they were teaming up again, I was a little shocked. They’re so established as solo artists now and I was secretly hoping for a post-baby album from Beyonce, but I’m sure that’ll come. Looking forward to hearing Nuclear and what else they have in store for us this year. Beyoncé will be performing at the Superbowl Halftime show this year, so that will no doubt blow our minds. CAN’T WAIT!

Then… another bombshell. Justin Timberlake is “ready”. The star has been quiet for several years now, musically that is. He’s been exploring the acting world and do well in it I might add, but he’s ready to give us some new music. I am expecting something out of this world… It’s weird. In the last three weeks I’ve been listening to his other albums, Justified and FurtureSex/LoundsSounds and I was wondering when on earth he would release something new. Well this video dropped online yesterday:

“Someone asked me the other day, ‘so are you just done with music?’ It means more to me than anybody else in the world. Look, I’ve only done two albums in ten years. That’s the way I really look at it. What does the next decade mean to me? I’m the one who sits and is obsessive about it even before you get to hear it. As close as I get to it, I don’t know that I could physically torture myself that much year in and year out and expect it to fulfill me the way that is does and the way that it is right now. I don’t want to put anything out that I feel like is something I don’t love. You just don’t get that every day. You have to wait for it. I’m ready.”

He’s ready… so are we. Bring on 2013

 

Beyoncé writes a letter to President Obama

 

Today my favourites nation, besides SA of course, goes to the polls to vote in the Presidential Elections. Will President Barack Obama be voted into the Oval Office once again? I wont even entertain the idea of an alternative here Do the right thing America, vote Obama! Oh and VOTE!!  Check out the lovely Beyoncé’s letter to the president above.