Random Musings: The Bruno Mars Dilemna

Bruno Mars is on FIRE right now. Not only did he have a Billboard number one hit “Nothin’ On You” with rapper B.O.B., but he’s currently riding high at the number one spot with his own song “Just The Way You Are”, a sweet ode to his mesmerizing girl-next-door. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old up-and-comer has also been riding high with drugs apparently, as he was arrested on Sept. 19 for alleged cocaine possession. Now, is Bruno the first musician to do drugs? No, not by far. To be arrested for drugs? No, again not by far. In the last month, rapper T.I. and his wife Tiny were arrested for drug possession. Lady Gaga admitted in a magazine interview to doing cocaine on occasion (SHOCKER!). Amy Winehouse (whose voice is a treasure) seems to visit rehab more than Lindsay Lohan.

But in Bruno’s case, I am a bit biased. I am a songwriter at heart, and his songwriting skills are phenomenal. After hearing his song “Grenade”, I was completely sold on the guy. I’ve been eagerly anticipating his album and what else he may have in store, BUT after these allegations, what now? Do I still buy the album, and potentially support his drug habit? Or is it even that serious? Am I just supporting a good musician and his problems are his business?

Ongoing thought…

Random Musings: Can Kelly "Command" America to Dance?

Former Destiny's Child first mate Kelly Rowland now wants to be your commander with the release of her new single "Commander". The dance-club-friendly track was produced by French DJ David Guetta, with whom Kelly had a huge international hit last year with "When Love Takes Over". But the U.S. is not known to be as heavy on dance music as other countries, especially those in Europe. Can Miss Kelly step out of the R&B shadow of Beyonce' and take over as America's "Queen of the Night"? Her record label might not be so sure, as an "urban" (read "black") mix of "Commander" is already being prepped. So what do you guys think? Is America ready?

Listen to "Commander" HERE

Random Musings: Who's "You're So Vain" Really About?

So reportedly, Carly Simon's leaked out a first name of the allusive man that "You're So Vain" was written about back in the 1972. Don't know why I find this mystery so intriguing... I will now walk around singing this song all day, you know, like I'm walking onto a yacht. ;)

Find out who "You're So Vain" was actually about HERE.

Random Musings: Sade's New Album "Soldier of Love" In Stores Today!!

Do yourself a favor, and go pick this album up ASAP.

REAL MUSIC IS NOT DEAD.

If you can't get to the store, or you're an mp3 kind of listener, Amazon.com has you covered.

Album review coming soon... make sure you guys listen too, so you can tell me what you thought about it. :)

Random Musings: Corrine Bailey Rae FIRST LISTEN and Interview

Click here for a FIRST LISTEN of Corrine's new album The Sea.

AND

Click here to check out a pretty interesting interview Corrine did with Billboard Magazine.

Her long-awaited sophomore project hits stores in the US on Jan. 26th.

Random Musings: Ladies to Watch for in 2010...

2010 will see the returns and debuts of some spectacular ladies of music. Here's who I'm checking for and why...

Tweet - Love Tweet

Release Date: TBA

Reason(s) To Anticipate: Tweet's honey-sweet vocal tone and sirenlike harmonies are icing on her musical cake of true-to-life lyrics and beautiful melodies.

Listen To: "Love Again" (first single)

Corrine Bailey Rae - The Sea

Release Date: Jan. 26, 2010

Reason(s) To Anticipate: After the surprising death of her husband in early '08, Corrine all but disappeared, leaving us listening to "Like A Star" on repeat and wondering if, when, or how she would re-emerge. Well, if the first single is any indication, the new Corrine is tried, tested, and has an even deeper musical story to share with us (not to mention longer hair).

Listen To: "I'd Do It All Again" (first single)

Richgirl

Release Date: TBA

Reason(s) To Anticipate: Super-producer Rich Harrison (Beyonce's "Crazy In Love", Amerie's "One Thing") presents to you En Vogue meets Destiny's Child with a touch of Spice Girls.

Watch: "He Ain't With Me Now (Tho)" (buzz single)

Sade - Soldier of Love

Release Date: Feb. 9, 2010

Reason(s) To Anticipate: Because she's one of the most distinctive voices of the past three decades backed by one of the best bands of the past three decades with hits that span, well... three decades!

Listen To: "Soldier of Love" (first single)

Toni Braxton - Pulse

Release Date: March 2, 2010

Reason(s) To Anticipate: Unlike some of our other 90's divas, Toni's husky contralto voice is still in fine form (as SHE is) and after listening to some of the material that has leaked, she's ready to show these new kids how you put together a REAL R&B album.

Watch: "Yesterday" feat. Trey Songz (first single)

The Queen Project

Release Date: TBA

Reason(s) To Anticipate: Three of the best voices in R&B/pop music unite for an album helmed by hit-maker Shep Crawford. Can't miss.

Watch: "True Colors" - Cyndi Lauper cover (live performance)

Random Musings: Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

This song is storytelling at it's finest and catchiest. I see this being a pop crossover hit for these rising country stars, mark my words. Click here to listen to it and for some interesting reading I'm sure my songwriters can relate to, check out the story behind the song here.

Random Musings: The Queen Project

Tamia + Deborah Cox + Kelly Price = three "sangin' sistas" in one group = 'nuff said.

Check out their live performance of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" here.

Random Musings: Why I Think RichGirl Has Next...

Lyndriette, Brave, Seven and Audra make up the new girl group RichGirl. Here's five reasons I'm all about this group right now, and really believe they have what it takes to make a mark on the mainstream music scene.

1. They all fine! Just look at the "fashion" shot above. Yeah... wow. But a lot of girl groups can take good pictures... but still... man... ok... moving on to my next point...

2. They can all sing! It's been a while since there was a girl group where you would listen to the parts of the song to pick out who was singing where. Not to bash Electrik Red, but you can obviously tell only two of the girls "sing", and honestly it's not that impressive. But in this group, Seven and Lyn will take it to "chuch" and Audra and Brave give you those crisp, pretty vocals.

3. They're opening up for Beyonce. Yes, they are the opening act for Beyonce's "I Am" Tour. Lyndriette in particular is reminscent of an early Beyonce and the entire group recalls the magic of Destiny's Child, so it's safe to say that B's crowd might just appreciate these girls.

4. They've got a super-producer on their team. Rich Harrison is responsible for Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" and Amerie's "One Thing" among other hits... he knows how to craft catchy hits and how to make females sound good against his bombastic backdrops. First single "He Ain't With Me Now Tho" is evidence that Rich has tricks up his sleeve just for his girls.

5. They can harmonize! Okay, yes, I already said that they can sing individually, but a lot of great singers aren't so great at harmonizing. In the vein of En Vogue and, yeah, Destiny's Child, these girls will break it down for you a capella.

Random Musings: Whitney's Comeback Gets Official Release Date!

Finally folks, after months of rumors and speculation,

Whitney Houston's comeback album has an official release date: September 1, 2009

(it's already up for pre-order on amazon.com).

Can't wait to hear some new music from one of American music's greatest voices.

Random Musings: Wayman Tisdale (1964 - 2009)

Just wanted to acknowledge the passing of jazz great Wayman Tisdale. 

My condolences go out to his family. 

For more info, click here. 

Random Musings: Vivian Green Returns!

Thanks to Wikipedia, I dug up this gem of a press release... nice Friday news - Vivian Green has a new 3-album record deal!

For those of you who don't remember Viv, take a trip down Memory Lane (or "Nice To Meet You" Lane, whatever) by clicking here: "Emotional Rollercoaster"

Random Musings: The Dream and Christina Milian

So, for the last few months, speculation in the blogosphere has run rampant that singer/actress Christina Milian and singer/songwriter/producer Terius "The Dream" Nash are a couple. They've been spotted at basketball games sitting courtside, side-by-side, and they've been seemingly inseparable, making all kinds of promotional appearances together. All of this was explained away by the fact that Milian is the newest signee on Radio Killa Records (The Dream's label). However, just this weekend, pics have surfaced showing the two enjoying a kiss during a weekend getaway. Now while celebrity couples come and go and I normally don't really care beyond finding them funny, this couple demonstrates what seems to be becoming a new reality for the music industry.

Some would suggest that Milian is, to be PC about it, having sex in exchange for production from Nash and his hitmaking partner Tricky Stewart. That may be the case (another famous Christina was suspected of doing the same with producer Scott Storch for her breakout second album Stripped), and if so, there's one very sad music industry reality. But that has honestly been going on for years, and frankly demonstrates the moral decay of society as a whole. What is new is how "celebrity status" is playing an increasinly pivotal part in the success of one's music career - the music doesn't make an artist famous anymore, but that artist's fame can make their music career viable. Now, this is not always the case (consider Paris Hilton... oh, poor Paris). But this is obviously what's happening with C-Mili and The Dream. The Dream has publicly said that he would like to do a joint project with Kanye West, but Kanye told him that he needed to increase his celebrity stature. Insert hot chick - but not just any hot chick - the musical underdog with the looks of superstar, Christina Milian. After having been dropped by Def Jam only weeks after the release of her second album, this is arguably her last chance to win over the fickle American audience. So what does she need, but to increase her celebrity status. Insert tacky blonde hair (lol). Seems silly, but her hair got Usher talking about it in a video that gained national media attention. And so now begins the whole are they/aren't they speculation, which can be a boon to any celeb's career.

All these facts put together seem to indicate that this whole "relationship" is at least in part a clever publicity stunt... we'll see if it works...