Category: Music



The new Britney Spears single has finally been released. The song, “Perfume,” is a heartfelt ballad appearing on “Britney Jean,” Spears’ new album slated for release on December 3rd. Spears has been known for her dance-floor club bangers in recent years. It’s been a while since she’s released a proper ballad as a single. The new single is a welcome change of pace. It raises anticipation for what Spears has called her most personal album yet.

Britney Spears has released her new single, “Work Bitch” a day early after it leaked this morning. The song is believed to be the first single from Spears’ upcoming studio album. Another Spears/will.i.am collaboration, “Work Bitch” is a club anthem that makes you want to move instantly.

NEW VIDEO: Steve Grand – “Stay”

Steve Grand is back with a new song and music video that follows his viral sensation, “All American Boy,” this past summer.  The new track, “Stay,” is a love song with an equally romantic video.  There’s also a fun party atmosphere and its happy love story is a nice contrast to the unrequited nature of the previous video.  Keep an eye out for some hot moments between the sheets with Grand and his leading man.  Those sweet kisses and Grand’s open shirt at the end help add to the video’s eye candy.

Steve Grand is a man with extraordinary musical talent and good looks.  Hopefully, he signs to a major record label who will allow him to be the artist he is and help his career soar up the charts!


Lady Gaga premiered her new single, “Applause,” this week after an early leak. The song wasn’t supposed to be released until August 19, a week before Gaga’s scheduled performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Brooklyn, NY. “Applause” is the first single from “ARTPOP,” Lady Gaga’s forthcoming studio album, slated for release on November 11.

However, Gaga’s new single doesn’t come without it’s share of controversy. When I first heard the song, I thought the first ten seconds sounded very familiar. I knew it was from a Madonna song, I just couldn’t think of which one. Then, I realized it was the beginning of “Celebration,” Gaga’s song is just sped up a bit. Some Madonna fans are also saying it sounds like “Girl Gone Wild.” I agree, and I also hear elements of the Benny Benassi remix of “Celebration” in there as well. Now, this would be all well and good if only Gaga gave credit where credit is due. If you ask Gaga about her influences, she will never voluntarily say Madonna’s name. She has to be asked about Madonna in order to talk about her. And while it was nice of her to mention Madonna in the “thank yous” of her debut album, it’s just not enough. Lady Gaga does her best to ignore Madonna. Britney Spears always talks about how Madonna influenced her, and she remains a successful icon over a decade after her first single was released! Saying Madonna is an influence of her’s won’t hurt her, so what is Gaga’s problem?

Britney Spears premiered the video for her song “Ooh La La” from “The Smurfs 2” today. The video features her sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James. The clip is super cute and offers a rare glimpse into the relationship Spears has with her kids.


The highest-grossing tour of 2012 and the second highest-grossing tour by a female artist, otherwise known as Madonna’s “MDNA Tour,” premiered tonight on Epix. The concert film was filmed mostly in Miami, Florida along with many other locations used for the final edit. This made for a great opportunity to create the best version of the show possible. And while the film, for the most part, lives up to that expectation, there are some inevitable imperfections. Such imperfections include a lack of continuity in some areas. During “Like a Virgin/Love Spent,” there’s a shot where Madonna had a tattoo that said “Eva” on her back, but the rest of the shots show that her tattoo said “Psyche.”

The edit did a great job at capturing the cinematic nature of the show. I was pleased to see the venue was indoors, as it added to the “theater” feel of the show. This was much more of a theatrical production. The show told a story and, at times, felt like you were watching a movie. I was particularly impressed with the visual gun shot effects used during “Gang Bang” as well as seeing “Like a Virgin/Love Spent” in black and white. The audience shots were great, too. One guy was dressed in the same Gaultier bustier that Madonna wore during “Vogue,” and another girl was dressed in a nun’s habit. This tour has earned a reputation as Madonna’s most controversial tour ever. From the violence to the nudity to the swastika, this tour had many memorable moments. It was so important that this film did the tour justice. And, after viewing the special twice, I can say that it definitely meets that challenge!

The Princess of Pop, Britney Spears, debuted her new song, “Ooh La La,” this morning on Ryan Seacrest’s KISS FM radio show. The track, featured in “The Smurfs 2” film, is a bright, happy, pop tune that resembles Madonna’s song, “Superstar” from her “MDNA” album. The song is a definite hit, filled with infectious melodies and a dub-step breakdown that hints at the sound of Spears’ 2011 album, “Femme Fatale.”


Madonna and Jennifer Lopez were just some of the big starts who came out for the “Chime For Change” benefit concert this weekend. The concert was spreading the importance of female education all around the world. Madonna gave a speech and introduced two brave women who help educate women in places where it is dangerous to do so.

Jennifer Lopez performed her hits “Live It Up,” “On The Floor,” and The Beatles classic “Come Together” with Mary J. Blige. The latter song was a highlight of her 22-minute set. Lopez sounded great, however, it would’ve been nice to hear Blige sing the song the way it was meant to be sung, rather than trying to impress the audience with her vocal ability. Whenever I see Jennifer performing live lately, I’m always pleasantly surprised. I always expect her to lip-sync and have pretty lackluster choreography. It seems to be what inevitably happens to entertainers who have been in the business for a while. However, Lopez defies my expectations every time and blows me away. This woman deserves so much respect for not only dancing her ass off, but singing live at the same time and sounding good doing it! She is one hell of an entertainer.


Mariah Carey performed live in New York City’s Central Park this morning. She was there to kick off Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series. She was also there to promote her forthcoming album. The pop diva performed three songs, “Always Be My Baby,” “We Belong Together,” and her new single “#Beautiful” with Miguel. Complete with a near-wardrobe malfunction and an accidental expletive heard on live television, this made for one interesting morning. Miguel, who was billed as a “surprise guest,” surprised nobody as he graced the GMA stage with his presence. He sounded brilliant as always. Mariah definitely upgraded from her last televised performance on the “American Idol” finale. Carey was actually singing this time without the help of a pre-recorded track. She didn’t sound “perfect,” but a live performance isn’t supposed to be perfect. It’s supposed to be real. Towards the end of “#Beautiful,” it sounded like Mariah was trying her best to hit that trademark high note, but to no avail. However, I would much rather hear that as opposed to hearing her pretend to hit it while a backing track plays the background. Mariah’s voice sounded great for the most part and she should continue singing live without pre-recorded vocals.


Ray Manzarek passed away on May 20, 2013 after a long battle with bile duct cancer. He was the founding member of The Doors, after a chance meeting with Jim Morrison on Venice Beach in California. After Morrison sang some lines from “Moonlight Drive” to Manzarek, the beginning of The Doors was in full swing. The Doors became a pivotal rock band in the late 1960s, standing out from the usual hippie-themed music of the time. Death was a frequent theme in their songs. There was a darkness to their work that was unusual and unique at the time. “I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and band mate Ray Manzarek today,” said Manzarek’s former band mate Robby Krieger. “I’m just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him.” “There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison’s words,” former Doors drummer John Densmore wrote on his Twitter page following the news. “Ray, I felt totally in sync with you musically. It was like we were of one mind, holding down the foundation for Robby and Jim to float on top of. I will miss my musical brother.” Their hits include, “Break On Through (To The Other Side),” “Light My Fire,” “The End,” and “L.A. Woman.”