Music In Ya Ear!: Rihanna – “A Child is Born”

Rihanna gets into the Christmas spirit with her new reggae-inspired Christmas song, “A Child Is Born.” Christmas is still roughly two months away, but Rihanna had released a snippet of the new reggae-flavoured Christmas song back in September and let me start off by saying that it really got me into the Christmas spirit. It’s a huge change from the usual festive ballads, Rihanna has gone for an upbeat sound on the track.

The song is featured on a compilation album titled ‘Now That’s What I Call Christmas, Vol. 4,’ which was released yesterday (Tuesday, October 12).

The new album consists of 36 tracks, which will be split on 2 discs (No you don’t have to go out and buy two separate albums, they are both in one album).  As for the other tracks included on the album, will include, Lady GaGa‘s “Christmas Tree”, Britney Spears‘ “My Only Wish (This Year),” Christina Aguilera’s “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” Kelly Rowland’s “Wonderful Christmastime” and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”.

Rihanna had also recently announced that the song “Only Girl (In The World)” will be the first track to be taken from her next album “Loud”, which will be released in November.

‘I didn’t want to go backward and remake [2008 album] ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’. I wanted the next step in the evolution of Rihanna,’ she said during a webchat on her official website Rihannanow.com.

‘I’m gonna miss the [2009 album] ‘Rated R’ era too, but NOTHING compares to the album I just made.’

Listen to the song below….

Get into the Christmas spirit by going out to buy, “Now That’s What I Call Christmas! Vol. 4″ which is in stores NOW!!

Audio via YouTube

Music News: Kelly Rowland Sang “National Anthem” at NY Giants vs. Chicago Bears Game

R&B singer Kelly Rowland sang the National Anthem before a game at Sunday’s New York Giants vs. Chicago Bears game at the New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Rowland almost pulled out after suffering from a cold but stuck to the gig and did very well I must say. She was joined on the field by 125 Breast Cancer survivors dressed in pink T-shirts who formed a giant ribbon during her performance. Rowland, along with both teams, were showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Giants invited the women as part of “A Crucial Catch: Annual Screening Saves Lives Initiative” that encourages women over 40 to obtain an annual mammogram.

Breast cancer is the second-most common form of cancer in women behind non-melanoma skin cancer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 191-thousand woman were diagnosed with it in 2006, the last year for which numbers are available.

Check out the video of Kelly’s performance below…

Music News: Brandy enlists Rico Love & Bangladesh for New Album

R&B singerBrandy has now been confirmed to be working with producers Rico Love and Bangladesh for her upcoming new album, “Human”.

Rico states that he’s looking to deliver “timeless music” for the singer’s anticipated project.

Bangladesh states: “I just got a call from Brandy. She wants me to do her album—hard stuff”

Rico Love’s most noted songwriting credits include Kelly Rowland’s ‘Commander’ and Beyonce’s ‘Sweet Dreams’. He also worked on Usher’s ‘There Goes My Baby’.

You can currently catch Brandy on ‘Dancing With The Stars’. Brandy will be teamed with professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy. The pair have been practicing hard. Brandy is not really known for her dancing skills, but more for her beloved voice and acting gigs, it will be interesting to see if Brandy can keep up with some of the athletes on the show.

I have high hopes for Brandy‘s new album, “Human”. Here is a new track called, “Lifeguard”. The track will most likely not be on her upcoming project, but it is a cool treat for any Brandy fans. Let see what she has in-stored for us, and if she comes out with a bang and wins the dance ball trophy.

Listen:
Download It: “Lifeguard”

Photo Source: toyaz-world.net

All On The Cover: Kelly Rowland Covers YRB Magazine

Kelly Rowland covers the Fall Fashion Issue of YRB magazine and is ready to make her mark with her new album which releases in early 2011. She is looking super fierce in animal prints, a newly cut bob, and oh and we can’t forget those pink shoes…Woot Woot!

In her interview she talks about feeling good and being ready for her new album, breaking ties with Matthew Knowles, and how she feels about a Destiny’s Child reunion.

Check out some excerpts below from her interview…

About feeling confident and ready….

“I truly believe that what I have is special, and when they recognize, they will recognize, period,” she states, clutching her knees to her chest after slipping into a towel and taking a seat. “It’s not like I haven’t conquered it before. I’m going to do it again. I’ma get it.”

About her album….

“[We did] so many remixes. Ones you would never even really think to put a sound to an urban record,” she reflects on her early tango with dance. “I think that’s what’s so interesting to me about the dance remixes. Somebody takes on a whole different life of the song. I love that.”

About breaking ties with her manager Matthew Knowles…

“It was a decision years in the making for me, and finally getting to that point and doing it,” she says of her split from Daddy Knowles. “Don’t let anybody dictate who you are and what you want to do. Like, it’s so easy to. You have to know how incredibly incredible you are. And that goes without the music industry. Everything that we do in life, we have to know what we’re bringing to the table.”

Talking fashion….

“I got involved with because they asked me,” exclaims Kelly, who describes her style as “casual chic with a funky twist” and counts Jennifer Lopez and Sophia Loren as her fashion muses. “I’ve thought about starting my own fashion line, but I haven’t had the time to sit down and flush out an idea. It takes a lot of work and proper planning, and as of now, music is my main focus.”

About a Destiny’s Child reunion….

“If they want to do that, then I’m all down. But the thing is that it would have to be a unified decision,” she says of the reunion chatter, claiming that bloggers have put words in her mouth about wanting to re-spark the flame. “It’s not a decision that I can make by myself. So unless people hear all three of us say it – shut up! The three of us have to make that decision.”

The pictures were taken by famed photographer Mike Ruiz who also shot Kelly’s album cover. He is the male model in the picture above.

For more on her interview check out YRB Magazine.

Just In: T-Boz Speaks Out About Beyoncé

T-Boz (of TLC) had a few things to say about Beyonce after Kelly Rowland ditched Matthew Knowles as her manager.

They get mad when I say this, but I don’t give a damn. It was all about Beyonce anyway. She was my favorite, too, but come on. Her parents are over everything. Who do you think they were going for? It’s always Beyonce. It was supposed to be exactly the way it is now, Bey is on top. I love Beyonce, and I am a fan of hers. She was my favorite in the group even before they were Destiny’s Child and they were the Baby Dolls. She was so cute and pretty. I like all of them, and I wish Kelly the best. …That would have been a hard group for me to be in, because I would have been like your mommy and daddy are running things and they’re gonna have you at heart the most. That’s just how I feel.

Source:NecoleBitchie.com

“I agree but her dad plays a major role in everything that’s going on. What are your thoughts?”

Tune In: Kelly Rowland Got A New TV Show

Kelly Rowland: Proving To Be ‘Survivor’ and Bouncing Back With New TV Show…

Just two months ago, Kelly Rowland shocked some – but not many – when she announced she would be professionally parting ways with long-time manager Mathew Knowles.

On March 31, 2009 — after the black gossip website Young, Black & Fabulous broke the news that the Destiny’s Child singer was dropped from the legendary Columbia Records — Rowland and the label home she’s been signed to for close to 15 years released a statement saying they amicably agreed to split.

“As a solo artist, I felt the need to explore new directions, new challenges, and new freedoms outside my comfort zone and my friends and family at Columbia have been incredibly understanding about my evolution,” Rowland stated, confirming the rumors.

“Kelly Rowland is one of our finest contemporary artists and a musical force to be reckoned with,” said Rob Stringer, CEO, Columbia/Epic Label Music Group. “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Kelly and we will continue our working relationship with her under the Destiny’s Child moniker. The decision for Kelly to seek other opportunities for her solo career was agreed upon mutually, and any reports to the contrary are false.”

But don’t count her out just yet. In a sharp move — and just when some in the blogosphere were ready to dismiss the 28 -year-old Grammy-winning superstar — she bounced back a few days later announcing a new television gig with Bravo.

Rowland has been tapped to host the new Bravo series ‘The Fashion Show,’ which is set to premiere May 7.

Joining her will be acclaimed designer Issac Mizrahi, who in recent years has fashioned more budget-friendly duds for Target. Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion, Fern Mallis, who presides over Olympus Fashion Week and has appeared on the hit series ‘Project Runway,’ has been chosen to help judge the designs of the 15 professional designers who will compete to have their clothes sold in the retail market and win a $125,000 prize.

As if the new show wasn’t enough to keep Rowland busy, she’s still a huge success in Europe. Nike chose her to appear in one of their commercials abroad, where she’s strutting her stuff and singing her international hit ‘Work’ alongside a runner.

And, in a recent interview for ‘The Fashion Show’ series, Rowland, who cites Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren and Roberto Cavalli among her favorite designers, declared she’s that she is still recording and will be working on a new album soon.

No word yet on if she is working on a new major record label deal or if she plans to drop her future releases independently, but either way the woman Beyonce Knowles once referred to as her sister, is standing tall as a real music industry ‘Survivior’ — as the group’s hit song stated.

Source: BlackVoices

“Do you think Kelly Rowland is better off not having ties with Mathew Knowles? How do you think the show will do?”

Music News: Destiny’s Child Reunion?

In light of recent events, it seems unlikely that the “Bootilicious” trio will join forces again, but then again contracts are legally binding. And so despite Beyoncé’s solo assent, Michele Williams’ relative anonymity and Kelly Rowland’s apparent suicide scare, split from manager Matthew Knowles and fall out with Columbia Records, Destiny’s Child is slated to return.

I hope the reality show circus is ready to capture every moment, because drama is anything but new to Destiny’s Child. Anyone remember original members LaTavia Roberson and Latoya Luckett? What about replacement Farrah Franklin?

I won’t be surprised if Williams is booted and replaced with Beyoncé’s baby sis Solange while Kelly is relegated to back-up duty. I think the writing is on the wall, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Here’s what happened…

Former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland has parted ways with Columbia Records after recording two solo albums for the label.

The R&B singer’s latest release, 2007’s “Ms. Kelly,” sold a modest 219,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

“As a solo artist, I felt the need to explore new directions, new challenges, and new freedoms outside my comfort zone,” Rowland said in a statement.

Columbia, for its part, said Rowland‘s departure was a mutual decision, “and any reports to the contrary are false.”

The label continues to handle the Destiny’s Child catalog, as well as the solo output of alumnae Beyoncé and Michelle Williams.

Source: GIANT/Reuters

“Your thoughts, should Desitiny’s Child reunite again?”