2011 MTV EMA nominees announced

The 2011 MTV EMA nominees are coming. On the 6th of November, Belfast will light up with some of the bigget names in music being honoured by one of the world’s leading music channels. Who’s up for awards this year? Well Lady Gaga leads the pack with six nominations, followed by Katy Perry and Bruno Mars with four each and Adele has three nominations too. This year’s African artists Wizkid, Black Coffee, Fally Ipupa and Cabo Snoop have also garnered nominations too.

The EMAs will introduce a new category this year called the World Wide Act category. Fans will be able to vote for an artist/group within five different regions around the globe including Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Africa/India/Middle East and Europe.  The nominee from each region with the most votes (to be announced the week of 24th October) will then battle for the “World Wide Act” distinction – to be bestowed at the show in Belfast. Africa unite… Just saying Find the full list of nominations below:

BEST SONG

Adele – “Rolling In The Deep”

Bruno Mars – “Grenade”

Jennifer Lopez ft Pitbull – “On The Floor”

Katy Perry – “Firework”
Lady Gaga – “Born This Way”
BEST LIVE

Coldplay

Foo Fighters
Katy Perry

Lady Gaga
Red Hot Chili Peppers

John Legend interview ahead of his tour to SA

If you know me, then you’ll know that John Legend is one of my favourite artists of all time. I have all of his albums and a DVD. I just think his voice is so soulful, his lyrics so meaningful and I love the perfect mix of soppy ballady-type songs to uptempo R&B hits like Green Light. So when I got the news that I was given an interview with him, I was ecstatic and nervous too! So reinforcing the fact that he is only human and that I interact with other humans all the time made me feel better. The interview went well (I think) and i thoroughly enjoyed talking to him so take a listen below and let me know your thoughts. Don’t forget he, together with Keri Hilson will be touring SA as of next week, so be sure to get your tickets yeah!

John Legend in concert at Sun City back in 2007:

"Crush" singer Jennifer Paige- new album details

Do you remember that smash hit, “Crush” from Jennifer Paige? Well I’m glad to announce the news that she is returning to the music industry with a brand new album. Her new album will be released this October and is titled, Best Kept Secret. Paige believes that by keeping it real, the emotion she is trying to convey will be expressed through her musical talent and the songs that are included on the album. Billboard Magazine says, “Paige succeeds in the nearly impossible task of oozing smoldering sensuality without resorting to typical groans and moans. Instead, she uses her notably flexible vocal range to convey the emotion of the tune. As a result, she breathes a refreshing intensity into the song.”

The first single off the album called “Underestimated,” has already been playlisted to several radio stations across the country. Here is the video:

Sean Kingston – Face Drop – Official Music Video

I still maintain he’s one of the most boring performers I’ve ever seen, but this new track is catchy… Never thought I’d say it but alas, it’s Sean Kingston’s new video “Face Drop”. On the single he says, “The musical journey for me has been crazy. A lot of people try to fight me out. The industry people judge you on your outer appearance. Because I’m a big kid, dem say I am overweight. Mi fight me way to the record label to put out the first album. I am blessed now and I’m taking care of my family, which is the most important thing”. Ah nah, it’s not that you’re big, it’s just that you’re arrogant son. Having said that though, I do respect his musical success to the top of the charts!

Joss Stone new album details

AP Photo/Matt Dunham

UK star singer/ songwriter Joss Stone will release her fourth studio album, Colour Me Free, on October 20th in the US and the 2nd of November in other territories across the globe. The first single from the album is “Free Me.”

The album was written and recorded at Mama Stone’s, which is a live music venue Stone’s mother runs in Wellington, England. She’s teamed up with producers Jonathan Shorten and Conner Reeves, with whom she worked with on her 2004 platinum-certified album, Mind, Body & Soul.

On the album she says, “I woke up one morning and wanted to make an album. It’s very, very raw — basically a bunch of musicians, writers, and myself just jamming. The album was not dictated or forced. It was an organic process where each musician was given the freedom to create their sound. It’s an honest and accurate representation of where I am as an artist and person right now. I am really proud of the music and excited to have people hear the songs.”

The album features the Jeff Beck and Sheila E. Raphael Saadiq, rapper Nas and saxophonist David Sanborn.

The track-listing for Colour Me Free is as follows:

Free Me
Could Have Been You
Parallel Lines (featuring Jeff Beck and Sheila E.)
Lady
4 And 20
Big Ole Game (featuring Raphael Saadiq)
Governmentalist (featuring Nas)
Incredible
You Got The Love
I Believe It To My Soul (featuring David Sanborn)
Stalemate (featuring Jamie Hartman)
Girlfriend On Demand

Check out this video I did with Joss back in 2007:

Not so sweet in Sugababes-ville

WTF is going on with the Sugababes? They’ve one of the longest commercial girl groups around, but they’re also barring Destiny’s Child a band that has lost and subsequently replaced several members. The latest member in the group… Amelle Berrabah, who has also done some solo work. Check it, she actually scored herself a number 1 hit with her collaboration with Tinchy Stryder on the song Never Leave You. Now there’s beef, loads of it. Here’s what’s going on now and doing the rounds n the web:

1. Keisha Buchanan- the only original member is “jealous” of Amelle and Mutya, who are both “more talented”
2. Amelle disappeared for four days claiming a good friend was in an accident and that she was by her friend’s side.
3. Amelle broke up with her BF and is now distraught, a mess
4. Amelle wants to leave the group and go do her solo thing. (She’s been there a minute) She’s apparently since left….
5. Kesha is “bullying” Amelle.
6. Keisha was booted out of the band.
7. Eurovision star Jade Ewen is joining the group

I mean seriously, where do some of these stories come from? This group is cursed it would seem. Here’s a statement from their official site:

The current line-up of the Sugababes has disbanded.

Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah will continue as the Sugababes and will be joined by new member Jade Ewen. They release their album ‘Sweet 7’ on November 23rd through Island Records.

Keisha Buchanan will continue to record for Island Records as a solo artist.”

Perhaps it’s time to call it quits, move on and do something else ladies…All of you.

Music Chart News

Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 Single:
I Gotta Feeling- The Black Eyed Peas

BBC Radio 1 Number 1 Single:
Break Your Heart- Taio Cruz

Nokia Music Store Number 1 Singles download:
I Gotta Feeling- The Black Eyed Peas

Billboard Hot 200 Number 1 Album:
The Blueprint 3- Jay-Z

BBC Radio 1 Number 1 Album:
The Resistance- Muse

Nokia Music Store Number 1 Album download:
One Love- David Guetta

Rihanna- Te Amo… unofficial

Found this track on youtube earlier… it sounds like RIRI, but I can’t seem to find any official word. Anyone know deets about this track? Holler. She’s due for new music now, if this is the direction she’s taking, I’m looking forward to it!

Whitney Houston- "Million Dollar Bill" official music video

This is the second single from Whitney‘s platinum selling album. On this track, she’s enlisted the writing and producing duties of Grammy winner and star in her own right, Ms Alicia Keys and you can definitely hear Keys’ influence. Dig it and y’all know by now that I’m digging Whitney’s vibe!

Look who's in town: Vanilla Ice

No idea why, but I presume there’s a performance of some sorts… anybody know about Vanilla Ice and his visit? Holler…