Mega Music Talent

Archive for September, 2008

When hip-hop legend, Nas, began promoting the title of his latest CD, I was one of the many that thought that hip-hop had finally taken it too far.

I believed Nas was using the N-word as the CD title as a mere publicity stunt to gain more attention for the project. After months of political pressure and protest by civil rights leaders such as Rev. Al Sharpton, The Island Def Jam Music Group and Columbia Records forced their artist to release the project as a self-titled CD after many retail stores made it clear that they would not stock an album called (N-word).

Despite the controversy that erupted over the original CD title and the negative lyrics of some rappers, what we received from the NAS CD was not the ignorance that many critics thought we would get, but the most intelligent and thought provoking hip-hop CD in over 20 years. Not since Public Enemy’s heyday has a musical artist presented an entire album dedicated to the struggles and the triumphs of African Americans, and caused those who are very critical of rap music to take a critical look at themselves and realize that many rappers are willing to be the leaders of tomorrow if we took the time to understand their struggles and their solutions to the problems plaguing the Black community.

NAS is hip-hop’s version of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, and introspective look at the problems confronting the African American community from unhealthy eating habits, sub-par schools and self-hate.

In the song “Sly Fox,” the Queens, N.Y. native takes aim at Bill O’Reilly and Fox news for their conservative slant on the news we see and their tumultuous history with the hip-hop community. Nas rhymes:

“They own YouTube, MySpace

When this ignorant sh*t gon’ stop?

They monopolizing news

Your views

And the channel you choose

Propoganda

Visual cancer”

On “Fried Chicken,” he collaborates with Busta Rhymes for unprecedented depiction of unhealthy eating habits among African Americans, which is the main culprit in the Black community’s battles with high blood pressure and heart disease.

“Mmm, Fried chicken

Fly vixen

Give me heart disease

But need you in my kitchen”

On the track “(N-Word)(The Slave and The Master)”, Nas discusses issues from outdated school books in Black schools to self-hate, while arguing that we are the problem and the solution to the ills plaguing the Black community.

In the chorus Nas raps:

“They say we (N-word)

We are much more,

Still we choose to ignore,

The obvious.

Man this history don’t acknowledge us.

We was scholars long before colleges …

We are the slave and the master,

What you looking for?

You the question and the answer.”

And in the timely track, “Black President,” states:

“I think Obama provides hope and challenges minds

Of all races and colors to erase the hate

And try to love one another, so many political snakes

We in need of a break”

Although the profane lyrics might go too far at times and offend some non-hip-hop heads, the climate is changing in the hip-hop culture from focusing on the frivolous (i.e. materialism) to focusing on the future (i.e. politics). Barack Obama’s presidential bid has done a lot to destroy the stereotypes of African Americans, especially the younger generation. Many television and record company executives (i.e. Black Entertainment Television) believe that the young hip-hop generation is not intelligent enough for socially conscious rappers. However, with the success of Nas, Common and Lupe Fiasco and the attention placed on politics in the Black community, maybe the rappers are the intelligent ones and those in suits and ties are the ones not intelligent enough to appreciate the brilliance of some in the hip-hop community.

Todd A. Smith is the publisher of http://www.regalmag.com, an online magazine dedicated to issues affecting African American men. The website tackles such topics as social and political issues, health, relationships, business, sports and entertainment.

Article Source: www.megamusicsite.com

In August 2006 a sixty year old, bald, stocky bachelor with a face at once stern and sensitive died of diabetes. He was living on his own in his home-town: the genteel city of Cambridge, England, world widely known for its university, which, in the UK, is rivaled only by the equally venerable one in Oxford.

His name was Syd Barret. Or was it? No. His name was Roger Keith Barret, known as Rog to the few people he bothered to see, mostly his family. Syd Barrett is the name the world will remember him by.

He was a living legend. Now he is a dead legend.

Let me outline the birth of this legend in a few words.
Do you know the magnolia?
What makes its beauty so special is not only its features, but also that it blooms very early, and very short. In those seminal years of pop/rock music, the mid sixties, Barrett’s songs and music shared the same properties. As founding father and undisputed leader of a band called Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett was a pivotal figure in the emerging psychedelic scene in London, and, via his records, the rest of the world.

It was a time when the world, in the words of Keith Richards, suddenly turned from black and white into Technicolor. And Syd Barrett was a most colourful being indeed, to the ear, to the eye and to the mind in equal measures. Brought up quite liberally, with well to do parents, and a particularly doting mother, young Syd was as gifted as he was attractive, and a humorous, impish fellow at that. Experimenting with a few things almost no one had heard of in these days, like LSD –until the sixties mainly used by the CIA as sort of a truth serum drug- and the ancient Chinese Book of Changes, the I Ching, his main occupations were painting and music. Painting came first, the music and songs that would make him famous came second in those early days.

In the music industry many things had changed in the slipstream of the Beatles fame. Musicians were no longer puppets on a string of shady, cynically-minded Tin Pan Alley-types, churning out product for whoever laid the money down. There was a new playfulness and originality in the music of the Beatles and also a completely un-self-conscious integrity, mainly brought about by the fact that the Beatles wrote their own songs, and became a role model for that. It was the Kennedy era. People were in some ways starting to be encouraged by the authorities to think for themselves and not to do simply what the same authorities expected them to do, which, of course, implies a paradox with a vengeance, but, lucky for those times, it took a while for us all to realize.

Back to our story. So the Beatle phenomenon became a trailblazer for a whole gamut of gifted young bands, all into writing their own material: The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Who, who does not know their names.

Barrett’s Pink Floyd rose to fame a few years after the first batch of post Beatles bands. And in those heady days a few years made an enormous difference. Swinging London was already turning psychedelic and of that era Barrett was, is, and always will be one of the finest relics. It all went by so fast…

Syd Barrett was an almost devout non-believer in discipline, and had a frame of mind and body not heavy duty enough for the rough life of a rock star. Within two blasting years his behavior had become so erratic that he could not rationally function anymore in the band that was his brainchild. Forgetting guitars everywhere, sometimes refusing to speak to anyone, standing on stage like a statue, playing just one chord. Roger Waters, Rick Wright and Nick Mason had to incorporate guitarist David Gilmour, a good friend of the whole band, and already a highly rated session player. A short while the band was a five some, David Gilmour delivering the sonic good, and Syd Barrett as a sort of far-out ornament. Then the idea was that he would be the home staying genius, with the other boys on the road a la Brian Wilson, but it al expired, Syd being so deranged that he temporarily became an inmate of the Terrapin Asylum, after which followed a few years in London, living in various trippy bohemian settings. During that time he did manage to create two albums that are still enjoyed by quite a few good ears: “The Madcap Laughs” and “Barrett’s” quirky, very asymmetrical songs with strangely evocative lyrics about almost nothing/everything, after which he stopped making music altogether. He ended up where he started, in Cambridge, living with his mother, and after her death on his own, picking up painting again and writing a history of art for his own enjoyment, without the slightest idea to let others read it, let alone publicize it.

All his life he had the status of a cult hero, also because his old band, Pink Floyd, became hugely successful in the line-up with David Gilmour, and the standard bearers of, let’s say, adult rock: always competent, creative, even poetic, skilfully performed on state of the art hardware, but with the elusive x-factor, which makes things creep under your skin, considerably reduced.

A short career and a long retirement.
He regained his inner balance sufficiently to live as a quiet, withdrawn, strange but not crazy citizen, sustained by the royalties of his compositions on Pink Floyd’s and his own records. According to his family he could even be said to live with his very own brand of satisfaction. Syd Barrett will always be remembered as one of the most enigmatic characters in the pantheon of modern Western popular music.

Harry Rackers writes for File Sharing the site to visit if you want to download music, movies and/or games from the Internet.

You could find more info on pop stars at Music Movies Download where you will find lots of entertainment articles, and a directory of entertainment sites.

Article Source: http://bb-articles.com

Can a heavy metal rock group release a CD without having ever being in the same room together or to have never met face to face? Amazingly, it is being done; and quite remarkably. Project-43 is one of the first “Internet” groups to record, mix, produce and engineer a CD from three different countries and five locations around the world.

Meet Project-43, five exceptionally talented musicians from different parts of the globe. After band mates Charlie Wardick (who hails from the state of Arizona, USA) and Steve M. Mann (from Wisconsin, USA) hooked up on Usenet in the alt.guitar newsgroup, they knew that they had happened upon something special.

Using this framework, the two enlisted other musicians to join in their cyberspace journey. When Antti Heikkinen (Finland) was added on vocals, things began to gel. The group then added Scotland’s Scott Wallace to play drums and the NYC guitar virtuoso Christopher Bell-Boudreaux to complete the quintet.

Their debut CD “Silence The Quiet” was released and met with rave reviews. But it is their follow up CD called “Ticket To Infinity” that proves that this is not a novelty act and that creating intoxicating heavy metal music in this unique process can not only be done, but accomplished with awe inspiring adventure.

Logistics make it difficult to all get together, but that is not an obstacle. As Steve explains:

“We have really progressed on this new CD; it shows our growth and improvement as a group. One person may come up with an idea for a song, then the others download this ‘model’ and start to add their parts and the mixing process begins. We don’t have some of the personality issues or conflicts that other bands have; our process is very accommodating to growth and helps us move forward. We feel we are on the cutting edge of recording and marketing and like to feel that we are moving forward in the right direction; kind of a modern spin as well as a new model of music creativity.”

After a listen to their new CD, one can hear elements of some of the band member’s influences, such as the Scorpions, Judas Priest, Queensryche or even a heavy set from Foreigner. But what Project-43 does so eloquently is meld these aforementioned groups, classic rock qualities, and heavy guitars and move them progressively into the new millennium.

The cut, “Bye Bye” has a classic blend of eerie lyrical content blended perfectly with instrumental mastery, fast guitar licks and the powerhouse pipes of lead singer Antti Heikkinen. “Secrets Never To Be Told” would be right at home on any classic rock album by Uriah Heep, complete with rich vocals, heavy rock guitars and a rapid-fire lead that adds a unique harmony to the lead vocals.

The cut “In Exile” could remind some if Alice In Chains unplugged, with smart lyrics and crisp acoustics, with tasty contributions from all five musicians. “Silence The Quiet” is full of classic Scorpions-like riffology, with complex instrumental structures and superlative vocals and I could see it bolting to the top of the heavy metal charts.

Their whole CD is full of energized music, heavy guitars and bass lines and expert musicianship. Comparing Project-43 to other bands may be a compliment, but it is their unique methods of making emotionally charged rock and roll that makes them genre defining and captures the essence of their collective musicianship.

Could Project-43 be called musical experimentalists? If so, the group has definitely laid the groundwork for others to attempt to make music in this intuitive manner. But I doubt that any group can match the hard-edged, slashing guitar riffs and seminal melodic invention that Project-43 has already mastered. Cyber group, novelty act? Not a chance- their songs are a musical collective of hard, heavy rock that will soon take the music world to a whole different level.

Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and operates http://www.collectingvinylrecords.com, where you can pick up a copy of his ebook called “The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting.” Have your vinyl records appraised at http://www.vinylrecordappraisals.com

Article Source: http://bb-articles.com

If you are a fan of Steely Dan, you’ll understand that one aspect of Walter Becker’s music is that he’s always been a perfectionist. In much the same way that a top author ensures there are no extraneous words; with Becker, no notes are ever wasted.

It has now been 14 years since Walter Becker – one half of Steely Dan – last offered us a solo studio recording – 11 Tracks of Whack.

It was back in 1994 that 11 Tracks of Whack, Becker’s debut solo outing, was released. It proved that the songwriter and musician had more to offer than he could through the medium of Steely Dan. And that is despite the idiosyncratic nature of the band’s music.

“When I write a song, it matters very much whether it’s intended for me,” Walter explains. “If it is, I can do what I want, within my own frame of reference. I take full responsibility.”

Yet, despite this, the 12 tracks that comprise Circus Money were a collaborative endeavor. During the three years of the album’s creation, he was working with Larry Klein, who produced and co-wrote all but one track.

“Writing songs with Walter Becker,” says Klein, “is like playing tennis with John McEnroe. It keeps you on your game.”

Also on top form were the musicians assembled for the recording sessions. Drummer Keith Carlock and guitarist Jon Herington, have both toured widely with Steely Dan, while keyboardists Ted Baker and Jim Beard were newcomers.

Walter is responsible for all the lead vocals as well as playing bass. “The bass gave me a more powerful position to define the direction I wanted the music to take…I became something of an expert on various sub genres (of Jamaican music), such as songs about motorcycles and/or featuring motorcycle sound effects; songs about the barbers versus the dreads, and songs about various judicial procedures.

It has been noted that the Jamaican influence started on 11 Tracks of Whack. Becker explains, “I had started listening to that (Jamaican music) way back in those days and at one point Donald (Fagen) and I actually experimented with the idea of doing an album with reggae-type beats on it in the Eighties…It’s always fascinated me the way they use the same elements of rhythm and blues playing, but they turn them around in a way and yet they still get a great feel on it, you know? And as a rhythm section guy, those rhythm sections are sort of the ultimate – the tightness of it, the complexity of the feels.”

John McLaughlin Discography:

11 Tracks of Whack – 1994
Circus Money – 2008

Circus Money Track Listing:

Door Number Two
Downtown Canon
Bob Is Not Your Uncle Anymore
Upside Looking Down
Paging Audrey
Circus Money
Selfish Gene
Do You Remember The Name
Somebody’s Saturday Night
Darkling Down
God’s Eye View
Three Picture Deal

Artists performing on the album:

Walter Becker – Bass guitar
Keith Carlock – Drums
Jon Herington – Guitar
Jim Beard – Keyboards
Ted Baker – Keyboards

Marek Norvid has been in the music business since he was the entertainment officer at Newcastle Uni in the 80s. In the late 80s he set up RPM Music – one of the few independent records stores still in existence in the UK. Visit http://www.cdxpress.co.uk to check out the latest classic rock releases.

Article Source: http://bb-articles.com

Avril Lavigne started off as the punk rock rebel who was the apple in every mother’s eye. Tired of the relentless overuse of sex and the skimpy outfits and wild habits of wayward pop stars and celebrities like Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan, parents were all too eager to embrace the tomboy-esque persona of Avril Lavigne.

That is until she got sexy. As she’s matured, which is often the case as teenagers grow out of their rebellion stage, Lavigne has donned a prissier image, electing for revealing dresses and body-clinging attire rather than the lace up Doc Martins and baggy cargo pants. With the ultra-short skirts and the high heeled red shoes comes scorn from parents who were blissfully hopeful that Lavigne would remain that punky teenager well into her fifties. It was about time for a reality check.

Recently the Malaysian authorities got a bit of a wake up call when they learned of Lavigne’s journey to perform there. Initially the authorities canceled the concert out of concerns that the experience would be too sexy. Apparently the decision has been reversed, with Avril Lavigne getting the go ahead for her “too hot” concert. Part of the initial concern revolved around the traditions of the Malaysian culture, which dictates that certain apparel and behavioral acts are not in accordance with the rules the culture and the religion. Another concern was that the concert is scheduled to be held two days before the country’s independence day and potentially could disrupt the celebrations. But Lavigne fans in the region need not fear. The show will go on and you can decide for yourself whether it is all to hot to be seen in public when you get your own pair of Avril Lavigne tickets.

Avril Lavigne burst on to the music scene with her debut album, Let Go which was released in 2002. She was known for her punk-rocker style and her laid back attire, a far cry from the pop-infested nature of the music world today. Let Go was an immediate success among fans and critics and spawned such notable hits as “Complicated,” “Sk8er Boi” and “I’m With You.” Lavigne was able to relate to her fans, offering them a much needed dose of punk rock into a music world that has often been criticized as being inflated with too much hip hop and pop music. Lavigne followed up her debut appearance with Under My Skin and The Best Damn Thing, both records did well internationally and before long, Lavigne had established a dedicated following of fans.

As Lavigne has grown up, the sound of her music has changed and her appearance has developed more of a womanly appeal. But underneath, many of her fans argue, she is still the same Avril Lavigne, more comfortable in those trusty Doc Martins than a pair of stiletto heels any day. Malaysia has paved the way for Avril’s show and no matter what her present style she is likely to charm even her most skeptic critics.

This article is sponsored by http://www.StubHub.com and was written by Alexa Trotta. http://Stubhub.com is a leader in the business of selling sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and special event tickets. Pick up your own Avril Lavigne tickets at http://www.stubhub.com/avril-lavigne-tickets/

Article Source: www.megamusicsite.com

Whenever I hear any Bon Jovi songs I am reminded of the time that I went to a Bon Jovi concert on Saturday 6th July 1996. The concert at the Milton Keynes Superbowl was towards the end of the mammoth These Days tour that started on 26th April 1995 at the Andheri Stadium Bombay, India and ended on 19th July 1996 at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.

It took my boyfriend and myself over 3 hours to drive to Milton Keynes and we had to queue for 4 hours until 2pm to get into the Superbowl. It was one of those quirky English weather days, one minute the very hot sun was beating down on us and the next there was torrential freezing cold rain.

When we got into the arena we were able to get a spot at the front of the stage but as more fans arrived and blocked us in I became claustrophobic and worried that I wouldn’t be able to escape to the loo during the next 8 hours. I left Mark hugging the front of the stage and escaped to sit on a hillock where I got a pretty good view of the proceedings as the support bands Seven, Gun and Joan Osborne performed.

The most memorable being Joan Osbornes performance, she was great but the weather was still being quirky and it became pretty uncomfortable sitting on grass while soaked to the skin. I wandered round for a few hours and became more uncomfortable as a bloke took a fancy to me and started to harass me despite being told that I was with my boyfriend.

Seeing my discomfort a group of Bon Jovi fans told the bloke to leave me alone and asked me to join them. That was lucky for me in 2 ways, one that it got rid of my stalker and the other in that we were in a marvellous position to watch the show, close to the stage but to the right – away from the main crush of fans.

It was just before 7.00pm and I was feeling tired, very wet and shivering from the cold. I couldn’t have been wetter if I had stood in a pool fully clothed. As I tried to warm my by now numb blue hands I was miserably wishing that I hadn’t agreed to go to the concert.

A few minutes later a helicopter arrived and shortly afterwards I could see the band climbing up the steps to the stage. I did a double take at seeing Jon, he was dressed in a tight tan leather jumpsuit which gave the impression of him being naked from a distance.

The band started up and for 2 hours my discomfort was forgotten as Bon Jovi launched into a string of their hits including Always, It’s My Life, You Give Love A Bad Name, Someday I’ll Be A Saturday Night and my long time favourite Living On A Prayer.

Imagine a sea of over 60,000 fans joining in with the choruses, swaying, waving and punching the air together. It was a spectacular sight on and off stage as Bon Jovi rocked the Superbowl. I was enthralled with the bands performance and stirred by the music and the interaction from the crowd.

I felt disappointed when a fireworks display ended the magnificent performance 2 hours on, but afterwards Bon Jovi reappeared for an air punching encore to round off the show.

I was still very wet and cold but warmed by a magnificent performance from the entire band. I absolutely recommend seeing Bon Jovi in concert and despite my discomfort I would go through it all over again – it was worth it.

As for my boyfriend I dumped him after the show. I don’t rate a guy that lets a woman he is supposed to care about wander off on their own for hours in a strange place and in a 60,000 plus crowd. He cared more about getting a place close to the stage than my safety. I probably ended up with a better view than he did and I was able to go to the loo when I wanted!

12 years on I am still a big fan of Bon Jovi songs and hope that I get a chance to see them in concert again, but perhaps an indoor concert!

The author Patricia Jones writes for several websites including Articles Abroad Travel Articles.

She is also the co owner of Mega Music Videos where bands can upload their videos and audios free and music lovers can freely listen to or download the videos or audios.

Article Source: www.megamusicsite.com

By the late ’90s, the influence of grunge had worn its welcome. Rap-rock, hard rock and pop were the top sellers on the charts. But that period didn’t stay long, either-by the early ’00s, indie-rock was reaching the mainstream through catchy hooks and a more scratchy, dancey sound.

While The Strokes, The Killers and Franz Ferdinand opened the door to this trend, eventually bands more influenced by the post-punk period of the late ’70s and early ’80s (Gang of Four in particular, but also Joy Division, Wire, and Sonic Youth). Maximo Park, Interpol, and The Futureheads were counted among the many devotees that would develop a skronky brand of dance-rock, but of the entire revival, few had the substance and chops of Bloc Party.

The band formed in London with Kele Okereke on vocals and guitar, Russell Lissack on guitar, Gordon Moakes on bass, and Matt Tong on drums. It was their single “Banquet” that launched their star, drawing in raving music journalists were desperate to hear more, especially after a dance-club ready remix was offered on an EP. They were not disappointed. In 2005, the band released their first full-length album, Silent Alarm, receiving critical acclaim in both the United States and their native United Kingdom.

Many of their songs took an explicit political stance, in particular the abrasive “Helicopter,” which took aim at the Bush administration and the War on Terror:

“Stop being so American/There’s a time and there’s a place/So James Dean/So blue jeans/He’s gonna save the world/He’s gonna…/Are you hoping for a miracle?” Other songs served as beautiful, heart-aching ballads, such as “This Modern Love,” with its sad lyrics about being afraid to fall headlong into love (“What are you holding out for?/What’s always in the way?/Why so damn absent-minded?/Why so scared of romance?/This modern love breaks me/This modern love wastes me”).

Their follow-up, A Weekend in the City, offered up more focus, more depth, and more sadness with songs like “Waiting for the 7:18.” It was clear the band was evolving, adding more electronic fiddling on songs like “Hunting for Witches,” marrying the scratchy guitar-work the band had become known for with samples. Their lyrics were still powerful, commenting on the paranoia after the London tubeway bombings (“1990s, optimistic as a teen/But now its terror, airplanes crash into towers/The Daily Mail says “the enemy is among us!/”Taking our women and taking our jobs”/All reasonable thought is being drowned out/By the non-stop baying, baying for blood”).

With their third record, the band has transitioned from the guitar and drums-based post-punk that opened the new decade to the electronic/rock fusion that it seems to be closing out with. With deep bursts of horns and synthesizers playing through their new single, “Mercury,” it’s clear the band is sliding farther from conventional rock and toward electronica, though their feet are still firmly ensconced in the rock camp.

If you haven’t heard their new music, get a hold of their new record, Intimacy. Better yet, hear it live by getting Bloc Party tickets.

Written by Andrew Good and sponsored by www.stubhub.com. StubHub sells sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world. Don’t miss Bloc Party at http://www.stubhub.com/bloc-party-tickets/.

Article Source: www.megamusicsite.com

Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter. Kathy Perry was born in Santa Barbara, California, USA. The middle child of two pastors, she grew up listening to gospel music and singing in church. After Steve Thomas and Jennifer Knapp signed Perry to their label Red Hill Records, she released her first CD Katy Hudson in 2001, a Christian gospel album.

After signing to Capitol Records, Perry began recording for her official mainstream debut album, released in 2008, working with Greg Wells, Dr. Luke, Butch Walker, Max Martin, Cathy Dennis, Dave Stewart, and Ted Bruner. The full length album titled One of the Boys was released in the USA on June 17, 2008. Katy was an act in the 2008 Vans Warped Tour to promote the album. The album was preceded by a digital EP in late 2007, entitled “Ur So Gay”, produced by and co-written with Greg Wells. A video for the song premiered in early 2008, and brought Perry to the attention of Madonna, who mentioned her on KISS FM & KRQ’s JohnJay & Rich morning show in Arizona, stating that “Ur So Gay” was her “favorite song right now,” as well as another mention on Ryan Seacrest’s Morning Show. “Ur So Gay” has been criticized for alleged homophobia.

On April 29, 2008, her first official single from one of the Boys, “I Kissed a Girl”, debuted on the iTunes Store. The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #76, climbing to #1 as of June 25, 2008. It has peaked on iTunes Top 100 at #1, as of June 3, 2008. The music video for “I Kissed a Girl” was released on May 21, 2008 on MySpace. The song has generated controversy due to its popularity with children and its depiction of sexuality, homosexuality, and promiscuity. In contrast, an essay in Slant Magazine argues that the song “isn’t problematic because it promotes homosexuality, but because its appropriation of the gay lifestyle exists for the sole purpose of garnering attention-both from Perry’s boyfriend and her audience.” As an actress, she made a cameo appearance on Carbon Leaf’s video “Learn to Fly” and on Gym Class Heroes’ video “Cupid’s Chokehold”, playing the eventual love interest for her real life boyfriend, lead singer Travis McCoy. On March 10, 2008, she appeared as herself on ABC Family’s Wildfire. She has appeared in advertisements for Too Faced Cosmetics’ spring 2007 line. On June 12, Perry appeared as herself on the popular daytime soap opera, The Young & the Restless, who poses for the cover of the fictional magazine Restless Style, and on MTV’s TRL.

This year her single “I Kissed a Girl” has become a worldwide hit, topping Billboard Hot 100, Canadian Hot 100, the UK singles chart, the Australian ARIA Charts, and peaking at #2 on the Worldwide Charts. This single is second single from the album “One of the Boys” produced by Dr. Luke. The music video for the song was directed by Kinga Burza features a Moulin Rouge and burlesque-type setting with scenes containing Katy, along with many other flamboyantly-dressed women, dancing to the song. The video made its television debut on June 12 on TRL with the visit and interview by Perry in set show. And on June 24, 2008 it became #1 on TRL. It debuted at #20 on VH1′s VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown on June 28, 2008. On June 30, 2008 the video was premiered on MTV Latin America.

On July 6, 2008, it rose all the way up to #4 on VH1′s VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown and the video was nominated for Best Female Video for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. A second cover version, by Barnicle, entered the UK Singles Chart (published 3 August 2008) at position #116. There is no doubt that Katy Perry’s provocative & sexy new hit single will end up being one of the most popular single of 2008 in the United States and around the rest of the world.

Check out more New Single, Lyrics, Music Video, Download Ringtone please visit http://www.musicsmania.com/

Article Source: www.megamusictalent.com

In case you’re a fan, here are some interesting facts about Nelly Furtado, her career, and how she came to be where she is today. You’ll discover all the facts you want to know about this talented celebrity.

Nelly Kim Furtado is a well known singer, songwriter, record producer and instrumentalist. Born in the Canadian city of Victoria, British Columbia on December 2nd, 1978, she also holds Portuguese citizenship.

Her father is Antonio Jose Furtado and her mother is Maria Manuela. They were born in Sao Miguel Island and in the late 1960′s, immigrated to Canada. Nelly Furtado was named after the Soviet gymnast, Nellie Kim.

In the year 2000, she gained stardom when her debut album “Whoa Nelly” was released. Needless to say, the album was a massive hit and by August 2006, five million copies were sold.

Nelly Furtado is known for experimenting with different instruments, genres, sounds, languages and vocal styles.

Nellie Furtado gave birth to a daughter, Nevis in Toronto on September 20 in the year 2003. Her father is DJ Jasper Gahunia. For several years, Furtado and Gahunia were friends and remained together for 4 years until their breakup in the year 2005.

Based on Blender magazine reports, Furtado has stated that she continues to remain friends with Gahunia and have also taken joint responsibility to raise their daughter, Nevis.

In the year 2003, Nelly Furtado’s second album, Folklore, was released. She dedicated the final track of the album “Childhood Dreams” to her daughter, Nevis.

In the year 2006, Nelly Furtado was asked by Genre magazine if she had ever felt an attraction to women. Furtado gave an affirmative response saying that “Women are beautiful and sexy”. This kind of bold statement made people wonder about her bisexuality, but Furtado clarified later that she was very straight forward and open about her statements.

Nelly Furtado also said that she rejected half a million dollars offer to pose nude in Playboy, an offer not give to just anyone.

In the year 2007, Nelly Furtado was engaged to Cuban sound engineer, Demacio “Demo” Castellon, who had worked with her on her album “Loose”.

On September 9th 2007, Nelly Furtado performed at the MTV Video Music Awards with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake.

Her music has been greatly influenced by Toronto, her current city. Furtado calls Toronto “the most multicultural city in the entire world”.

When Furtado was in middle school, she had a stint in acting. . She featured in the episodes “Some Buried Bones” of CSI: NY and “ONE LIFE TO LIVE”.

In the year 2006, Nelly Furtado along with Enrique Iglesias, Kelly Rowland, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson teamed up with MTV, BET and NIKE to perform an AIDS awareness concert in South Africa.

Teaming up with world renowned celebrities, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado has hosted a program about AIDS on MTV.

Nelly Furtado is a great talent and not expected to disappear any time soon. Her singing career continues to flourish and has already become a staple in the world of contemporary music.

About the Author: Juliet Monkish is a celeb fan who loves getting all the dirt on female celebrities. For more information on the Nelly Furtado biography and other Celebrity females, visit http://www.chickipedia.com/.

Article Source: http://www.megamusicsite.com

There are few places New York City based singer/songwriter Derek James hasn’t been. Performing live for the very first time in Australia, James soon found himself paving his way through the streets and clubs of Southern France with an assembled band of French musicians in toe, playing these catchy original compositions that were constantly bouncing around in his head.

His music encompasses his experiences, and his experiences have been anything but ordinary. Stray, James’ debut album, was written in the basement of a family’s home in the suburbs of New York, where he worked as a live-in nanny after returning from Europe. Unusual job yes, but you name it and he’s probably done it – bar mitzvah and wedding video’s editor, spa package salesmen, and once even passed out bottled water at malls to name a few.

Unwavering persistence, and focus, in his pursuit to create the best music possible combined with a genuine sheer love to perform and have fun while doing it, was the bases for recognition in 2005 when James was a finalist in the Williamsburg Singer/Songwriter Competition. The talents of Godfrey Diamond (Aerosmith, Lou Reed) and drummer Nir Z (John Mayer, Genesis) also saw this ability and passion exuding from James and lent their skills on Stray.

James has been called, “a bluesy, ballsy Buddy Holly for the iPod generation” with a “sultry voice is enough to make anyone’s mama blush” (SilverSpringPenguin.com). James now makes his local rounds at NYC premier venues such as Pianos, Arlene’s Grocery, and The Knitting Factory. With a consistently growing buzz and crowds growing with every show, he’s now able to prosper from his first love: music.

Derek James is one of my absolute FAVORITE artists in today’s indie scene! His music takes on a playfulness that is guaranteed to lift your spirits even on the rainiest of days! Today he premiered his brand new music video for “Smoky Light”. This is perhaps my favorite tune in his songbook, so I am thrilled that he chose to turn it into a video.

James is a true showman, and he makes this quite obvious within the 3 minutes of this video, which features FANS as extras! It is absolutely charming and fresh, and it will definitely make you want to excitedly run and put the kettle on! (Watch the video and you will understand.)

News provided by Red Banana Media

Article Source: www.megamusicsite.com