Catching up with Natasha Bedingfield

Music network MTV made names like Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag instant celebrities when the reality show The Hills premiered in 2006. The show chronicled the lives of the two besties who moved to Los Angeles to start their careers in the ‘City of Angels’. While the two were trying to make a name for themselves in LA, someone who was also aiming for the same thing was Natasha Bedingfield.

The starlet, who was born in New Zealand and raised in the UK, had enjoyed huge success in Europe. Her goal now was to try and crack the US market and so when the opportunity arose for her song to be used as the official soundtrack for The Hills, her American dream turned from being Unwritten to written in the stars.

Fast track five years and Natasha Bedingfield returns with a new album called Strip Me Away. This album sees her working with OneRepublic’s front man Ryan Tedder as well her “secret weapon” Wayne Wilkins; whom she worked with on her previous albums NB, Unwritten and Pocketful of Sunshine.

I got the opportunity to chat to the star from her Malibu home for DStv.com, the star said this album is one for everyone. “It’s all about how wonderful I think we all are as human beings. It’s an album very much for other people. The basic theme is less is more.”

With the “less is more” sentiment in mind, the star has stripped down her live performances somewhat. On her recent US tour, the star was accompanied by a three-piece band. She says the simple, raw musicianship is what she was aiming for and it seems to have hit the right note with her fans.

“What I love about songwriting is that the song takes on a life of its own and you can’t really control what happens to it,” she said. “The online environment is great because you get instant feedback. Sometimes I’ll do a show and one of the songs I’m doing will land up on Youtube because my fans loved it and they want to share it.”

Hollywood also seems to love what she does. Her track Pocketful of Sunshine has been used in the soundtrack to Easy A, which was recently on DStv’s BoxOffice. She said she loves hearing her songs in a movie. “It’s always been a dream to have my songs in the movies.” In the beginning of the film, Emma Stone’s character dances around her room to the “annoying” song. Natasha giggled when the scene appeared on camera, “I was dancing around in my room, so I know the verse is a bit annoying, but it’s a true pop song. It sticks in your head. It becomes part of your life.”

Tracklisting for Strip Me Away:

1. Pocketful Of Sunshine

2. Little Too Much

3. All I Need (Featuring Kevin Rudolf)

4. Strip Me

5. Neon Lights

6. Weightless

7. Can’t Fall Down

8. Try

9. Touch

10. Run-Run-Run

11. Break Thru

12. No Mozart

13. Recover

14. Weightless (Less Is More Version)

15. Put Your Arms Around Me

16. Unexpected Hero

The album is in stores now and available for download at the Omusic store too.

James Blunt returning to SA

Singer songwriter James Blunt is returning to South Africa. Big Concerts announced the news yesterday. He’ll be performing two shows in August, as part of his ‘Some Kind of Trouble World Tour’. He’ll be performing tracks from his latest album, “Some Kind of Trouble” as well as the hits from “Back To Bedlam” and “All The Lost Souls”.

Tour Itinerary

Durban – presented by East Coast Radio
Wednesday 24th August 2011
ICC Durban Arena
Tickets from R221 – R426

Johannesburg – presented by Jacaranda 94.2
Friday 26th August 2011
Coca-Cola Dome
Tickets from R272 – R529

Jennifer Hudson to release ‘I Remember Me’ album this March

Yes please. How’s this for good news and an awesome way to start your Tuesday. Grammy and Academy Award winner, Jennifer Hudson is set to release her sophomore album on the 22nd of March. It’s called I Remember Me. The album title is based on a poem written by Jennifer and composed into a beautiful song co-written by Ryan Tedder of One Republic fame, which will feature on the album. She’s also worked with the likes of Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, Swizz Beatz and Stargate on this one

“I’m excited about this album because it’s almost like a renewal for me, reflected through the chapters of my life,” says Jennifer. “I’ve called it ‘I Remember Me’ because of the journey I’ve been on. I’ve learned that life constantly surprises you, no matter your plans. My fans have been so loyal, I feel like they have been on this journey with me and I can’t wait for them to hear the new album.”

Have a listen to the first single Where You At below. It was written and produced by R Kelly and it hit the airwaves and Internet yesterday. She can’t do anything wrong and Clive Davis of Sony Music Entertainment agrees, “Jennifer is the voice of the new generation and she literally soars on her second album ‘I Remember Me.’ Jennifer fulfills all of her promise and all of the prophesies that she will be on that short list of great vocalists of our time.” I doubt there will be that notorious sophomore slump for Ms Hudson when she releases this album. Can’t wait to hear it. For more on the album, check out here official website
http://www.jenniferhudson.com

Leona Lewis- Amazing!

One of the best singers to come out of a reality singing contest, Leona Lewis is hard at work putting the finishing touches to her sophomore album. The album, titled “Echo” will be released on the 16th of November. This is the follow up to debut album, “Spirit,” which sold 6 million copies globally and it also scored her several Grammy nominations. One more accolade with this album is that it was the best selling album of 2007 and 2008 in the UK and USA respectively. Big up.

On this album she’s worked with executive producers Simon Cowell again and Clive Davis. David is famous for making several huge stars, including Whitney Houston. As far as songwriters go, she’s worked with Ryan Tedder (one Republic- Bleeding Love writer) and Justin Timberlake… nice one! Visit http://www.leonalewismusic.com for news, updates and more. But for now, here is the first single off the album, “Happy” which she performed recently at America’s Got Talent recently:

Kelly or Beyonce- Whose is better?

Photo by Johannes Simon/Gallo Images

So when I first heard Beyonce‘s song Halo I was like, hang on a sec this sounds like something I’ve heard before… hmmm. I then decided to listen to my Kelly Clarkson album and there it was, the song that sounded like “Halo”. Kelly’s song is called “Already Gone” and if you listen closely below, I’m sure you’ll hear what I hear… I think Especially at the beginning.

So you want to know what went down? Well Ryan Tedder of One Republic fame co-wrote both songs. Then someone had a similar feeling to me about both tracks. This is what Kelly told the CBC News:

“We wrote about six songs together, four or five of them made the album. It was all fine and dandy. I’d never heard of a song called Halo. Her album came out when my album was already being printed. No-one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyonce and Kelly the same track to write to.’ No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?’”

Then Ryan responded to Entertainment Weekly saying:
“‘Already Gone’ is one of the best songs I’ve written or produced since ‘Bleeding Love’ and stands tall on it’s own merits apart from ‘Halo.’ They are two entirely different songs conceptually, melodically, & lyrically and I would never try to dupe an artist such as Kelly Clarkson or Beyonce into recording over the same musical track, the idea is both hurtful & absurd. I think when people hear ‘Already Gone’ they will hear what I hear — one of the greatest female vocalists on earth giving her most haunting and heart-breaking performance on a song she helped write. I challenge people to listen and form their own opinions.”

No word from Beyonce….

Here is Kelly’s ‘version’

And Beyonce’s:

So who dunnit it (better)? I like both artists, I love their voices. It’s unfortunate that Kelly’s song has only just been released because she will (no doubt) bear the brunt of this story. I loved her song Because Of You, but this one really makes her shine, makes her worthy of the Grammy’s and success she’s received in recent year. What are your thoughts on this scandal? Who do you prefer? Like both equally