Grammy Awards 2016 Review

2016-Grammy-awards
 
VRO Hosts Brancey and Kristin got together to discuss all things Grammy’s. Tune in as they rate the performances and go through the list of winners from the show which aired on Monday, February 15th on CBS.
 
Be sure to comment on who your favorites were!  🙂
 
 
 

 
Grammy Awards 2016 Review
 
 

Twitter: @TheVRO

Facebook: Variety Radio Online

Tumblr: Variety Radio Online

Grease Live: Review

grease-live1

Hey everyone!  If you’re a fan of the original “Grease,” I’m sure you were tuned in to the live, musical event that aired on Sunday, January 31 on FOX!  Brancey, Keisha and I got together to talk about what we liked, what we didn’t like (and all of Aaron Tveit’s thrusting) and how we thought this event did in comparison to other recent musicals.

In case you’re not familiar with the original production, here’s a quick synopsis:

After enjoying a summer romance, high school students Danny and Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High. There Sandy must contend with cynical Rizzo and the Pink Ladies in attempt to win Danny’s heart again.

 

So check out our podcast review below, and let us know what you think!


 
Grease Live: Podcast Review

 

***And remember kids…don’t sing and drive (like this guy)! Hahaha!

 

200

Zayn Malik’s Debut Solo Single “Pillowtalk” Has Arrived!

IMG_2709It’s the moment all One Direction fans dreaded!  The moment when the 23-year-old would drop his first solo single since leaving One Direction mid-tour in March 2015.

Now, as a woman in her 30’s, I’ve had my share of boy band heartbreaks!  Nsync broke up.  Need I say more?  Ok, maybe I can.  NKOTB split up for years (and got back together so maybe there’s hope for a reunion when they’re in their 40’s Directioners!), Backstreet Boys lost Kevin for a while (and got him back), etc.  It happens, and it stinks, but we saw this happen with Justin Timberlake, didn’t we?  He needed something more than the cookie cutter boy band image, so he went off on his own and he’s done amazingly well!  Don’t get me wrong…I’m still holding out hope for a reunion though…

With Zayn’s debut single, it’s definitely edgier than we’re used to seeing from him.  WAY EDGIER!  I actually really like it…with the exception of knowing that my 11-year-old niece will end up watching it and have a million questions (like why it’s called “Pillowtalk” in the first place lol).  The video was released on January 29, just 2 days after band released their nostalgic video for “History.”  Coincidence?  Quite possibly.

In any case, check out One Direction’s newest video and then check out Zayn’s debut as a solo artist.  Let me know what you think!  Tweet me @kristin0409!

 

 

 

People’s Choice Awards 2016 Podcast Review

2016-peoples-choice-awards

Hey everyone!!

Brancey and I recently got together to discuss the People’s Choice Awards, which aired Live on January 6, 2016 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California.  If you missed the show, never fear!  We got you covered!

Listen to our podcast review and let us know what you thought of the crazy moments!  Did you agree with the winners?

OR click the link here: People’s Choice Awards discussion for The VRO!

Jackie & Ryan – Movie Review

jackieandryan_slide.jpg

Hey movie fans!! So, I decided to check out this film that was featured on Netflix and decided to write my first review of 2016 on it! Check it out:

Directed By: Ami Canaan Mann
Written By: Ami Canaan Mann
Starring: Ben Barnes, Katherine Heigl, Clea Duval, Emily Alyn Lind, Sheryl Lee
Rated: PG-13

SYNOPSIS:  A modern day train hopper fighting to become a successful musician, and a single mom battling to maintain custody of her daughter, defy their circumstances by coming together in a relationship that may change each others lives forever. 

 

REVIEW:  As a HUGE music fan, I have to say I enjoyed watching this movie.  Ben Barnes definitely surprised me with his vocal abilities, as he provides the majority of the vocals on the soundtrack.  The acting by Barnes and Heigl were great as well.  People can say what they want about Heigl as a person on set, but no one can deny that the girl can act!  Either way, Barnes plays a tattooed drifter who will play whenever and to whoever will listen.  Heigl, a conservative ex-recording artist, meets him by chance and the two opposites help each other in ways they couldn’t imagine.  The movie was shot in just 20 days and has a raw, gritty feel to it.  Personally, I enjoyed it because it wasn’t a complete sappy love story, but others might see a lack of content.  If you love folk music and small production, indie films, you might want to check this one out.

 

 

You can find the ‘Jackie & Ryan’ soundtrack on iTunes HERE

“PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION” LIVE THURSDAY, DECEMBER, 31, ON FOX

pit

PUFF DADDY AND THE FAMILY AND “EMPIRE’S” TIMBALAND, YAZZ AND JUSSIE SMOLLETT TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR ON “PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION” LIVE THURSDAY, DECEMBER, 31, ON FOX

TERRY CREWS AND WENDY WILLIAMS TAPPED AS CO-HOSTS

MULTI-PLATINUM ARTIST SHAWN MENDES, CAMILA CABELLO, PRINCE ROYCE, AUSTIN MAHONE, R. CITY, PIA MIA AND THE LEGENDARY EARTH, WIND & FIRE ALSO SET TO PERFORM

METROPCS AND FIAT RETURN AS SPONSORS

 

Featuring an epic performance by Puff Daddy and the Family, PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION – airing LIVE from Miami on Thursday, Dec. 31 – will be co-hosted by Terry Crews and Wendy Williams.  In addition to Pitbull performing his chart-topping hits, the celebration will feature EMPIRE’s Timbaland and Yazz – sharing the stage for the first time on television – as well as Jussie Smollett, performing songs from the Golden Globe- and Grammy Award-nominated series. The LIVE event also will feature performances by Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Prince Royce, Austin Mahone, R. City, Pia Mia and the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire.

Shot live from Miami’s Bayfront Park, the show kicks off on New Year’s Eve between 8:00-10:00 PM ET live (MT/PT tape-delayed). Then, following local news, PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION returns from 11:00 PM-12:30 AM ET live (CT/MT/PT tape-delayed) for the final countdown to the New Year.

For the second year in a row, MetroPCS will sponsor PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION and host behind-the-scenes content from the event via Periscope (https://www.periscope.tv/MetroPCS).

Also joining for a second year, the FIAT brand will partner with PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION, with a presence on the main stage at Miami’s Bayfront Park.

Film and television star Terry Crews is perhaps best known for his roles in an impressive resume of film and television work, which includes “Everybody Hates Chris,” “The Expendables,” BROOKLYN NINE-NINE and WORLD’S FUNNIEST. Additionally, Crews stars in the wildly popular series of Old Spice commercials. After several years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles, Crews turned his talents to the performing arts, where his hard work, character and dedication have made him one of the most sought out and respected talents in the industry. A devoted father of five, and fan of great food and fitness, Crews is a positive and impressive force in entertainment, business and the community.

Daytime talk show host, media mogul and best-selling author, Wendy Williams is best known for her long- running and nationally syndicated talk show, “The Wendy Williams Show.” Williams also hosted “The Wendy Williams Experience,” which was her top-rated, daily radio show. One of the most popular personalities in radio, Williams was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in November of 2009 – one of only a handful of women with that honor. In 2013, Williams and her husband, Kevin, launched the non-fiction television programming company Wendy Williams Productions (WWP), which works to find, develop and produce original programming, including the Lifetime original movie “Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B.” Williams’ television credits include appearances on “30 Rock,” “One Life to Live,”  “Drop Dead Diva,” Season 12 of “Dancing With The Stars” and host of “Love Triangle.” Williams has also appeared in the major motion pictures, including Steve Harvey’s “Think Like A Man,” and took center stage as “Mama Morton” in the Tony-winning revival of the musical “Chicago.”

Sean Diddy Combs, AKA Puff Daddy, is the definition of a mogul. As director of A&R at Uptown Records, he was integral in launching the careers of Mary J. Blige and Jodeci, and later started his own label, Bad Boy Records, which has fostered talent that includes Mariah Carey, Method Man, Boyz II Men, Lil’ Kim and more. Combs’ solo music career began in 1997 with his first single, “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,” which shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, quickly followed by a No. 1 debut album that has gone Platinum seven times. This Grammy Award-winning debut was just the start of Combs’ massive career, which has garnered countless No. 1 records, three Grammy Awards and ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year honor.  Recently, he took the internet by storm with his sonic motion picture, “MMM.” Combs has also become an established actor and executive producer in both film and television, appearing in more than a dozen films, including “A Raisin in the Sun,” for which he won an NAACP Award for Best Actor; partnering on TV series such as “Making the Band II;” and executive-producing the Academy Award-winning documentary “Undefeated” and the Academy Award-nominated “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” In 2013, he launched his own music television network, REVOLT, a driving force in music and culture. Combs will release his next full-length album, “No Way Out 2,” in 2016.

Timbaland is an artist, record producer and songwriter who has had over 20 Grammy nominations and four wins for Beyonce’s “Drunk In Love” and Justin Timberlake’s “Love Stoned,” “Sexy Back” and “Pusher Love Girl.” Timbaland’s production credits include work with Jay-Z, Madonna, Missy Elliott, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Lovato and countless others. As a rapper, he released several albums with Magoo, but later released his debut solo album, “Tim’s Bio,” in 1998. In 2007, Timbaland released “Shock Value,” which was followed by “Shock Value II” in 2009. In 2013, he served as the main producer of Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience,” and also recently produced Beyoncé’s “Grown Woman” and “I Don’t Have To Sleep to Dream” by Cher. Timbaland is currently the music producer for the Golden Globe- and Grammy Award-nominated EMPIRE.

An accomplished musician, Bryshere “Yazz” Gray currently stars as “Hakeem Lyon” on the Golden Globe-nominated series EMPIRE, for which he has received a nomination in the NAACP category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He has performed at Jay-Z’s 2013 Man in America Festival, Sunoco’s Welcome America 4th of July Celebration, the annual Roots Picnic Festival, Philadelphia’s signature annual ODUNDE Celebration and Power 99’s 2013 Powerhouse concert. He also has opened for rappers Fabolous and 2 Chainz. Gray spent last spring on the “YTG Tour” of juvenile facilities to help kids at risk.

Actor, singer and songwriter Jussie Smollett currently stars as “Jamal Lyon” on EMPIRE, and can be heard on the Grammy Award-nominated, Billboard 200, No. 1-selling album, “EMPIRE: Original Soundtrack from Season 1.” He has received NAACP nominations for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series” and “Outstanding New Artist,” among others. His film credits include “The Mighty Ducks,” “North,” “Born to Race: Fast Track,” “The Skinny” and more. He also starred with his five real-life siblings in the network comedy “On Our Own,” and has appeared on “Revenge” and “The Mindy Project.”

Singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes has transformed from teen viral sensation to major best-selling artist almost overnight. Mendes’ debut single, “Life Of The Party,” broke records, topping the iTunes Charts and selling more than 150,000 copies in its first week. The song made him the youngest artist ever to break into the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 25 with a debut single. Mendes’ self-titled debut EP also hit the No. 1 spot on iTunes and entered at No. 5 on the Billboard album charts. In April 2015, Mendes released his debut album, “Handwritten,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and includes and includes #1 at Top 40 Radio certified triple platinum single “Stitches” as well as certified platinum single “Life of the Party,” and certified gold “Something Big.” In addition to joining Taylor Swift on her The 1989 World Tour, Mendes has been on his own sold out headlining tour including a sold out shows at LA’s Greek Theatre and Radio City Music Hall.

Camila Cabello got her start as a part of the pop group Fifth Harmony, which has released multiplatinum hit singles “Worth It,” “Bo$$” and “Sledgehammer.” In 2015, Cabello released a collaboration with her friend, multiplatinum-selling artist Shawn Mendes, “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” which is currently Top 20 at Pop Radio. 2016 will see Cabello and Fifth Harmony release their highly anticipated sophomore album, the follow up to 2015’s “Reflection.” The talented vocalist and musician has grown from teen songwriter crafting emotional ballads in her bedroom to arena-rocking, chart-topping pop star.

Prince Royce wowed audiences this summer with the release of his first-ever English language album, “Double Vision,” featuring Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Snoop Dogg, Tyga and Kid Ink. He performed his Latin Grammy Award-nominated hit single, “Back It Up,” featuring Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez, at the Latin Grammys, AMERICAN IDOL XIV, Good Morning America, The View and The Talk. “Double Vision” also features Royce’s hit single, “Stuck On A Feeling,” featuring Snoop Dogg, which quickly topped the charts. After an action-packed year, Royce wrapped his first U.S. tour with Ariana Grande in October 2015. His brand new Spanish-language single “Culpa Al Corazón” is out now and quickly climbing the charts.

Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the world’s top-selling musical groups of all-time. Inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, Earth, Wind & Fire has earned eight Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and was presented with the prestigious Soul Train Legend Award. The band has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and is still after five decades one of the world’s top touring bands. The band’s signature sound transcends all musical genres and has a groove as deep as the soul of the planet. In 2014, the band released its 23rd album, “Holiday,” which included classic and new songs for the season. In April 2014, lead singer Philip Bailey released his memoir, “SHINING STAR: Braving the Elements of Earth, Wind & Fire.” “Shining Star” is a story of triumph and challenges, chronicling the band’s iconic rise to the top.

Nineteen-year-old singer-songwriter Austin Mahone is back with the funky new single “Dirty Work,” the first track off his upcoming, debut full-length album. The single became a worldwide trending topic, shot Mahone to the top of the Billboard social charts and spawned a music video that racked up more than one million views in its first 24 hours of release, with more than 18 million views to date. Last May, his debut EP, “The Secret,” landed him a Top 5 chart position on the Billboard 200, and his previous hit singles, “What About Love” and “Banga! Banga!,” have collectively garnered more than 200 million views on YouTube. In 2013, he won the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, was named MTV’s “Artist to Watch” and was awarded the MTV Europe Music Awards for “Best Push Artist” and “Artist on The Rise.”

R. City is comprised of St. Thomas-born brothers, Theron and Timothy Thomas. The duo has collaborated with and written hits for artists including Usher, Justin Bieber, and Nicki Minaj, among others. R. City recently released their debut album “What Dreams Are Made Of” featuring their Platinum-selling hit single “Locked Away” which has been downloaded over 1.4 million times, and streamed over 166 million times in the U.S.  The debut single hit #1 on both the Shazam Worldwide Top 200 chart and Billboard’s Pop chart. Their new single “Make Up” is at radio now and already has 2 million streams on Spotify and approximately half a million views on Vevo. Their music, which they dub “Caribbean hip-hop,” embraces cinematic storytelling and their island roots.

Island girl Pia Mia is a recording artist, entrepreneur, songwriter, fashion icon, dancer, actress and Krav Maga instructor. At the age of 17, she formed Wolfpack Entertainment, signing herself as the record label’s first artist, and then signed with Interscope Records. In 2014, Billboard magazine named Mia one of eight “acts who will help define 2014.” That same year, she released her debut EP, “The Gift.” In early 2015, Mia released her first official single, “Do It Again,” which has sold more than 600,000 copies.  The rising star is set to do it again with her second major label single, “Touch.”

PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION is a presentation of Endemol Shine North America and Honey I’m Home. “Like” Pitbull at www.facebook.com/pitbull and follow him on Twitter @pitbull. “Like” FOX at www.facebook.com/foxtv and follow FOX @FOXTV.

 

About Endemol Shine North America

Endemol Shine North America delivers world-class content and compelling storytelling to multiple platforms in the U.S. and across the globe. Endemol Shine North America is part of Endemol Shine Group, the newly launched global content creator, producer and distributor with a diverse portfolio of companies in the U.S. that are behind some of the most prominent hit television formats and series in the world. Its Endemol Shine Latino division oversees all Spanish-language sales and development in both the U.S. and Mexico. And subsidiary production companies include Authentic Entertainment, Original Media, True Entertainment and 51 Minds Entertainment. In addition, Endemol Shine North America has a strategic partnership with Ryan Seacrest Productions.

Endemol Shine Group’s companies in North America are behind hit series, including ”Below Deck” (Bravo), ”Big Brother” (CBS), ”The Biggest Loser” (NBC), BULLSEYE (FOX), “Hell on Wheels” (AMC), ”Ink Master” (Spike), ”It Takes a Church” (GSN), “Kingdom” (DirecTV), ”Knife Fight” (Esquire),  MASTERCHEF (FOX), MASTERCHEF JUNIOR (FOX), ”Restaurant Startup” (CNBC), “Swamp People” (History), “The Island” (NBC), ”The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (Bravo), ”Steve Harvey” (NBCU),”T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle” (VH1), ”Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge” (CMT) and many more.

 

About Armando Christian Perez (Pitbull)

Armando Christian Perez, known around the world as Pitbull, is an internationally successful musician, performer, business entrepreneur, fashion icon and actor. His rise to popularity exemplifies the American Dream: He began on the streets of Miami and now commands stages around the world. Away from the spotlight, he is also an education advocate. From Mr. 305 to Mr. Worldwide, he transforms challenges into positive experiences and lives by a personal code that balances hard work with enjoying life. Pitbull’s career sales have exceeded six million albums and 70 million singles worldwide. He has scored No. 1 hits in more than 15 countries; his videos have over eight billion views; and his social media reach matches audiences of some television networks. Pitbull continues his ascent in the era of streaming music. On Pandora, his all-time metrics include 3.34 billion streams, 14.5 million stations created and 11.2 million active listeners per month, with “Give Me Everything,” his most streamed song at 368 million. In addition to the United States, his sold-out world concert tours have taken him to North and South America, Europe and the Far East. He has also completed headlining tours in China and Japan. Learn more at www.pitbullmusic.com.

 

About the FIAT Brand

The FIAT brand stands for discovery through passionate self-expression. That philosophy is embodied by the iconic Fiat 500 or Cinquecento – a small car that lives big. Italian at heart and rooted in a rich heritage, the 500 is sold in more than 100 countries around the world and is synonymous with modern, simple design blending form, function, technology and a pride of ownership that is genuine. In North America, the Fiat 500 was introduced in March 2011 and was soon followed by the Fiat 500c (Cabrio), the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio, the fully electric Fiat 500e and the five-passenger Fiat 500L. The FIAT brand continues to expand with the introduction of the Fiat 500X, an all-new crossover that combines Italian style with functionality, performance and available all-wheel drive confidence. For more information on the FIAT brand, visit the FIAT Facebook page (www.facebook.com/fiatusa) or Twitter account (www.twitter.com/fiatusa).

Adele Reveals Release Date & Tracklist for New Album, ’25’

We finally received the news we’ve been waiting for!!

According to her Instagram, Adele is back with a new album, ’25,’ that will be released on November 20!

View this post on Instagram

25 out November 20th

A post shared by Adele (@adele) on

 

Her first single, “Hello,” was released today, October 23, along with the video and tracklist for the new album.  Are you excited yet???

Here is the tracklist for the album*:

1. Hello
2. Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
3. I Miss You
4. When We Were Young
5. Remedy
6. Water Under the Bridge
7. River Lea
8. Love In the Dark
9. Million Years Ago
10. All I Ask
11. Sweetest Devotion

A deluxe version of 25 will be available at Target and will include three bonus tracks

1. Can’t Let Go
2. Lay Me Down
3. Why Do You Love Me

 

So…do yourself a favor and check out the new single, “Hello,” watch the video below, and prepare yourselves for that incredible voice to be back in our music-loving lives!

You can find more information about Adele’s new album, 25, HERE.

 

ARTIST TO WATCH: @Pentatonix

1

For some people, a cappella music is an acquired taste.  For others, like myself, I can get lost in it.  As someone who spent middle school and high school in chorus and drama, I know how difficult it is to perform songs a cappella…especially if someone is off!  For Pentatonix, they make it seem so incredibly simple.  Their arrangements and covers of songs are so intricate and flawless.

They won the third season of The Sing-Off and have been working non-stop ever since.  With a chart topping Christmas album, That’s Christmas to Me and a handful of EP’s, we’re finally getting a full-length album with original songs!  Check out their first original song off the new album and also a cover of Where Are U Now below?

 

 

You can find more about Pentatonix by visiting the following links:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Official Site

ARTIST TO WATCH: RAY BOUDREAUX

Ray-Boudreaux-b2-01-580

Hey there!!

So I have another suggestion for new music!!  If you’re a fan of The Voice (team Blake), you might have heard the name Ray Boudreaux.  If you’re not, and you haven’t…you should!!

Ray is a Louisiana native and has an incredibly soulful voice.  A true talent, in my opinion.  I always find it refreshing to come across an artist who is all about the music, and this one is no exception.

Please check him out and get ready to buy his single, “Even If I Tried” once it’s released! I’ve attached a YouTube video of him singing the song live, so enjoy it!

 

You can find Ray at the links below:

facebook.com/RayBoudreauxOfficial
twitter.com/rayboudreaux
instagram.com/rayboudreaux

 

Hollywood Vampires: A New (Old) Musical Super Group

hollywood-vampires

Question for all of you…what do Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp have in common???

Answer: They’re all part of a new musical super group called Hollywood Vampires!  Yes, you heard correctly!

It was brought to my attention yesterday that this trio started a cover band, paying tribute to those members who belonged to a drinking club formed in 1972.  Alice Cooper was a founding member of this club that would get together on the Sunset Strip and drink, drink, drink!  Original members included John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Keith Moon, Bernie Taupin, Jim Morrison and Mickey Dolenz.

On September 11, 2015, Hollywood Vampires released a self-titled album that includes covers belonging to members of the drinking club and two original songs penned by Alice Cooper himself (See track listing below).  The album also features several amazing musicians (Paul McCartney, Slash, Dave Grohl) and a spoken intro by Sir Christopher Lee, which was recorded shortly before his death.

So fire up your Apple Music, Spotify, etc. and give the album a listen!  I mean you can’t really go wrong with Alice Cooper, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and Johnny Depp, who happens to be a phenomenal guitarist!  Let me know what you think!

Hollywood Vampires, Hollywood Vampires Track Listing:

1.   “The Last Vampire” (Intro)
2.   “Raise the Dead”
3.   “My Generation”
4.   “Whole Lotta Love”
5.   “I Got a Line”
6.   “Five to One” / “Break on Through”
7.   “One” / “Jump Into the Fire” (Ft. Dave Grohl)
8.   “Come and Get It” (Ft. Paul McCartney)
9.   “Jeepster”
10. “Cold Turkey”
11. ” Manic Depression”
12. “Itchycoo Park”
13. “School’s Out” / “Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2” (Ft. Slash)
14. “Dead Drunk Friends”

You can find more information about the super group HERE

Check It Out: Justin Timberlake pays a visit to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on 9/9/15

Check It Out: Justin Timberlake pays a visit to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on 9/9/15

jtjf

Hey everyone!!

If you’re a huge fan of Justin Timberlake and can’t control your laughter when he’s with Jimmy Fallon, you’ll love this post!  Justin paid a visit to The Tonight Show last night and it was nothing short of hilarious!  There was even an epic lip sync battle segment with Jimmy and Ellen DeGeneres.  Those three together are definitely trouble!!  I gathered some of the videos and posted them below…in case you missed it OR want to see them again!   🙂

AND…check out the short clip below of Justin and Jimmy taking a dance break at the US Open!

If that wasn’t enough…feast your eyes on Justin’s adorable son, Silas! (Photo courtesy of: Fallon Tonight)

timberlake-baby-600x450

You can find the full episode as well as all of these clips HERE

How I Lost 3 Hours of my Life…

1Anyone remember when MTV used to actually be Music Television?? You know…where they actually showed music videos, and the majority of their other shows included some sort of music trivia? Gone are those days.

I tweeted out yesterday that I was going to avoid watching the VMA’s last night until MTV starts going back to their roots. Unfortunately though, my niece wanted to watch the show to try and catch a glimpse of 5 Seconds of Summer or One Direction (no such luck for her). Instead, I lost three hours of my life watching a show that was absolutely embarrassing.

It all started with Nicki Minaj basically having sex on stage with her dancers. Watching that performance with an eleven-year-old had me speechless….and not in a good way. Now, if you follow the music industry drama or have social media, you know that Nicki went on a Kanye 2.0 rant on Twitter recently about how people only get nominated for awards if they’re a certain “color” or body type. This sparked comments from Taylor Swift, who apparently took it as a personal attack on her. Now, Nicki Minaj has every right to say what she wants about this topic…anyone does…BUT, it’s not because she’s black and it’s not because of her body type. It’s because of performances like the one she put on last night. Music is no longer about music. It’s about how shocking your performance can be. That being said…I think Taylor Swift is a great artist, and she basically wins at life, but I don’t necessarily think she should be nominated for every single award she could possibly be nominated for. I mean, why in the world is she still winning country awards?? However, Taylor Swift doesn’t talk shit about any other artist, and she’s classy in general. Same with Beyonce. Artists like them focus on their own music and don’t sit there worrying about who’s winning what or who’s going to be the most obscene just to get people talking. Beyonce and Taylor Swift could sit on stage in their pajamas singing Christmas Carols and it would have people talking about how amazing they are. Same with Tori Kelly and The Weeknd last night. Make it about the MUSIC!!!

Bringing the shock factor brings me to another person at the VMA’s last night…Miley Cyrus. Can someone please explain to me WHY she hosted that show last night?? When my niece used to watch Hannah Montana and we’d see interviews with her, she always seemed like a sweet, wholesome girl. Now, don’t get me wrong, I know very well that it was a character she was playing, but even in recent years when she was dating Liam Hemsworth, she had her little edge but was still decent. I respected that she expressed her freedom of speech, but don’t do it just to get people to talk about you. Who admits that anyway?? MTV knew what they were doing when they asked her to host, and judging by her “nip slip,” questionable beef with Nicki Minaj and ridiculous outfits on stage…they got exactly what they wanted from her. Even in her little monologue to open the show she said she hasn’t done anything in her career to warrant hosting an awards show. Got that right!

I’m only 31 years old and I have always been in love with music. I used to really look forward to watching the VMA’s, and now I could honestly care less if they’re on or not. Music is about creativity and expressing yourself through this incredible medium that not all of us get a chance to experience. We experience it through the artist. I’m sorry, but as a lover of music, I would much rather watch a simple and powerful performance with an artist singing live than watch someone pushing a dancer’s face into their crotch and grinding like nobody’s business.

Oh…and for all of you tweeting out that you’ll be voting for Kanye West for President in 2020…please stop. Stop it forever. Kanye West is an amazing artist. There’s no denying that. It’s everything else about Kanye West that makes me want to bang my head on a desk. Again, stop complaining about who’s winning or losing an award. If you would’ve won, someone else would’ve lost! It’s how it goes. You don’t have to agree with it, and sometimes they get it wrong. In fact, a lot of the time they get it wrong! Just like giving him the platform to rant…rant…rant by giving him the video vanguard award last night (which was presented by Taylor Swift). Come on now, MTV. Talk about trying to up the ratings by promoting that the award would be presented by the one person he went up on stage to interrupt because she won over Beyonce. I’m just over it. I WANT MUSIC!!

**Side Note: This was literally me through the parts I watched of this show last night

rr

I don’t give three shits about who has beef with whom and who said what about whom. I want to hear music. I want to watch their videos. I want to see what they’ve been working on while those of us in the real world are busting our asses 9-5 at a job that gets us nowhere. You have this incredible platform to inspire others and to leave your mark on the industry. Wouldn’t you rather make your career about the actual music instead of having people say, “OMG, did you see how vulgar Nicki Minaj’s performance was at the VMA’s?” or “Wow…so Kanye went on another random rant last night and couldn’t seem to finish a single thought during his speech?” I would rather people talk about how they’re tired of my surprise face when I win an award (Taylor Swift).

Now that I just went on a Kanye 3.0 rant, I think I’ll get back to my job and try to pretend I didn’t watch the show last night. Especially because it lacked Justin Timberlake’s presence. Get it together MTV. Go back to your roots and play some damn music. What you SHOULD’VE done was have Motley Crue on the show to give a farewell performance to the industry. Bring back TRL and other similar shows. If YouTube and Vevo have taken your music video viewers, then please consider changing your name to RTV (Reality Television) because that’s exactly what the channel has become. I don’t care to watch a show about teenagers being pregnant. I truly used to love you, but we need to break up. It’s not me, it’s you.

Thank you and good night. LOL!!

Artist to Watch: @MattMorris – “How Many Hours?”

2

Hey everyone!

So, admittedly, I’m one of those people who likes to steer clear of the news due to the immense amount of negativity that seems to be reported lately.  Especially the odd headlines that come out of my lovely state of Florida.  However, it’s hard to ignore the headlines about the amount of black lives that are taken by the hand of white cops.

Now, I’m a white hispanic (who doesn’t look hispanic in the slightest), and racism is one thing that I detest against ANY race.  Why should you be looked at differently because of the color of the skin you were born with?  The color of your skin should NOT determine the treatment you receive from others.  Your actions and behavior should be the deciding factor, and there are shitty people in EVERY race.

With that being said, as today marks the one year anniversary of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, I heard a song that was released last night via Twitter and SoundCloud by one of my favorite artists, Matt Morris.  You may not be familiar with him (yet), but let me tell you why you should change that.  Matt Morris is mostly known as a producer and songwriter for many well-known artists.  He has also released solo projects on Justin Timberlake’s label, Tennman Records, as the two have been friends since their days on the Mickey Mouse Club.  Matt is honestly one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter because he’s not afraid to speak his mind on so many issues we face today.

So, first and foremost, head over to his Twitter page and hit the ‘Follow’ button, and you can thank me later!  Second, press the play button on the SoundCloud box below to hear “How Many Hours” and then tweet me to let me know what you think!  You can also check out his official site HERE, and Flock of Geese, when it’s completely up and running.  Don’t forget, you can also hear his solo music on iTunes/Apple Music HERE.  😄

It’s sad that a song like this had to be made, and Matt’s words are haunting, but his voice is truly beautiful.  I can’t wait to hear more from him. 🎵

https://soundcloud.com/flockofgeese/how-many-hours

ARTIST TO WATCH: @halsey

1

Halsey was introduced to me by my niece and we were lucky enough to see her live when she opened up for Imagine Dragons here in Ft. Lauderdale earlier this month.

Although she doesn’t have a full length album out just yet, never fear…it’s on the way!  Halsey’s first LP, entitled Badlands is set for release on August 28, 2015 and I’m sure it will do extremely well.

Until then, you can check out her Vevo channel and you can also preview some of her previously released singles from her Room 93 EP as well as a few singles from the upcoming LP.

Looking for suggestions?  I’m loving ‘Hold Me Down’, ‘Ghost‘ and ‘New Americana.’  Another song of hers to look out for is called ‘Castle’ which has yet to be release, but it was incredible live.

ALSO…keep an eye out for more tour dates for the Badlands Tour coming soon!

Find her here:

Official Site
Badlands Tour Dates

ARTIST TO WATCH: @XAMBASSADORS

If you think you haven’t heard of this band yet, chances are you’re wrong.  Some of their songs have been featured in video games, commercials, TV show promos and movies.  If, by some odd chance, you haven’t heard said songs, I can guarantee you will soon.

xambassadors

X Ambassadors consists of members Sam Harris, Casey Harris, Noah Feldshuh (Update: Noah Feldshuh took an indefinite hiatus from the band in 2016) and Adam Levin.  They’re an alternative band from Ithaca, New York who have an amazing, authentic sound to them.  Blending rock, soul and hip hop vibes that create an unconventional sound is what draws you in, and their lyrics get you hooked.  Thankfully (for us), they were discovered by Imagine Dragons lead singer, Dan Reynolds, after he heard an acoustic version of “Unconsolable” on the radio.  What makes them extra unique is that lead singer, Sam, and pianist, Casey, are brothers and Casey was born blind.  This didn’t stop him from living the dream and helping to create this dynamic sound.

Luckily, X Ambassadors recently released their first full album, entitled VHS (track list below) and it definitely doesn’t disappoint.

On a personal note, prior to the release of their album, my eleven year old niece introduced me to their song, Unsteady.  I immediately loved it, but a few weeks later, my dad was diagnosed with end stage liver cancer.  As we sat in hospice waiting for him to stop fighting, I found comfort in the song.  I tweeted about it and found that other fans had similar experiences with the song, and I even got a response from the band showing support for my family and I.  So, not only is their music great to listen to, the band itself is humble enough to show support to those of us who support them!

Here’s the track listing for VHS and you can buy the album on iTunes here:

1. Y2K Time Capsule (Interlude)
2. Renegades
3. Moving Day (Interlude)
4. Unsteady
5. Hang On
6. Gorgeous
7. First Show (Interlude)
8. Fear (feat. Imagine Dragons)
9. Smoke (Interlude)
10. Nervous
11. Low Life (feat. Jamie N Commons)
12. Adam & Noah’s Priorities (Interlude)
13. B.I.G.
14. Feather
15. Superpower
16. Loveless
17. Jungle (feat. Jamie N. Commons)
18. Good News On the Remix (Interlude)
19. Naked
20. VHS Outro (Interlude)

Also, check out this video of an acoustic version of one of my favorite songs on the album:

X Ambassadors Official Site

Xfinity Delivers Ultimate Fan Experience as Lead Sponsor of Taylor Swift’s U.S. Tour

Taylor Swift 2

XFINITY OFFERS TAYLOR SWIFT BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR CONTENT AND EXPERIENCES AS PART OF “THE 1989 WORLD TOUR” SPONSORSHIP

Comcast’s XFINITY Brand Becomes Lead Sponsor of All U.S. Tour Dates

 Customers Get Access to Behind-The-Scenes Videos, Plus Chances to Win Tickets, Meet & Greets, Backstage Tours, and Tour Merchandise

 

Comcast today announced that the company’s Xfinity brand will become the lead sponsor of Taylor Swift’sThe 1989 World Tour, offering its customers benefits such as access to behind-the-scenes video footage from tour rehearsals as well as the chance to meet the seven-time Grammy winner and win backstage tours, tour merchandise and concert tickets.

Xfinity will become the lead sponsor of all U.S. tour dates on The 1989 World Tour, starting on May 20 in Bossier City, LA and ending on October 31 in Tampa, FL.

“Taylor Swift is a global superstar and her fans have an unrivaled passion for everything she touches,” said Todd Arata, VP, Brand Marketing, Comcast Cable. “And now, Xfinity and Taylor Swift are coming together to bring Taylor fans an experience they can’t get anywhere else.”

As a part of the sponsorship, Xfinity will build an unprecedented Xfinity On Demand experience including videos that give viewers a backstage pass to what goes into preparing for each show of The 1989 World Tour. Customers also will get On-Demand access to a curated collection of movies, TV shows and talk show appearances featuring Taylor as well her music videos.

“Throughout the tour we’ll also surprise fans with ticket giveaways, signed merchandise and more,  including a lip sync competition among fans for the chance to meet Taylor herself,” added Arata.

At each U.S. concert venue, Xfinity will host a backstage “vibe room” where select Xfinity customers and concertgoers will have an opportunity to go on backstage tours and attend a meet-and-greet with Taylor. At select tour locations, the brand will also create an “Xfinity Zone,” where concertgoers will have an opportunity to experience the best of Xfinity, including the X1 Entertainment Operating System. Visitors can also have fun with a photo booth that enables fans’ photos to be super-imposed onto backgrounds featuring the singer.

Xfinity is Comcast’s residential service brand and the nation’s largest video and high-speed Internet provider and more information about the Taylor Swift sponsorship can be found at xfinity.com/1989.

 

1989

About Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is the only artist in history to have three albums selling over one million copies in their first week of release (2010’s Speak Now, 2012’s RED and 2014’s 1989), is the all-time leader on RIAA’s digital singles chart, the only artist to have two singles hit No. 1 on Billboards HOT 100 Chart in 2014 and 1989 was the highest selling album of 2014, to date selling over seven million albums worldwide. Taylor, a seven-time GRAMMY winner, is a singer, songwriter and the youngest winner in history of the music industry’s highest honor, the GRAMMY Award for Album of the Year and the inaugural recipient of AMA’s Dick Clark Award for Excellence.

Taylor has an album on Rolling Stone’s prestigious The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time (by women) list, she is Billboard’s youngest-ever Woman of the Year and the only artist to have been awarded this honor twice, Time magazine has named her one the of the 100 Most Influential People in the world and one of only eight candidates for their most prestigious honor, 2014 Person of the Year. Taylor has career record sales of over 40 million albums and more than 130 million song downloads worldwide, and has had singles top the pop and country radio charts around the globe. 1989 sold almost 1.3 million copies in the U.S. in its first week making it the highest selling album release since 2002 and the only album to go platinum in 2014, topping Billboard’s Top 200 charts and iTunes’ sales charts in 97 countries on its release. 1989 has sold seven million copies globally and continues to top Billboard Top 200.  Her current No. 1 single, “Style,” is the third consecutive chart-topping release from 1989.

 

About Comcast Corporation:

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Artist to Watch: Amber Run – “I Found”

With a true passion for music, I’m always excited to hear new music.

Thankfully, my niece has the same trait and sometimes introduces ME to new artists. She recently introduced me to a new band, Amber Run, based out of the UK. One song in particular that I can’t stop listening to is called “I Found.” It has a sort of haunting sound to it and is beautiful in its simplicity.

7

While they don’t have a full length album out just yet (it will be available on April 27, entitled 5AM), they do have two EP’s available on iTunes (track listings below):

Pilot EP

1. Pilot
2. I Found
3. Thank You
4. I Found (Acoustic)

Spark EP

1. Spark (Radio Edit)
2. Heaven
3. Chamber
4. Hide & Seek

You can also check out their website here: Amber Run

Zayn Malik leaves One Direction

I’m pretty certain the internet broke today with the news that Zayn Malik has officially left One Direction. I have a ten year old niece who’s currently on the verge of tears, wondering who will be the one to hit those high notes now.

One would think he’s crazy for leaving such a popular band, but, I mean, can you really blame him? As I said, I have a ten year old niece who I’ve taken to several One Direction shows and they’re actually very good. I love music in general, and I grew up on New Kids on the Block, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, etc. so I understand the appeal these guys have on young girls. After being put together on the X Factor, they were catapulted into stardom and that can’t be easy for everyone to digest so quickly. Going from being a normal, everyday person to someone with millions and millions of fans stalking your every move, using social media to put down your fiance and family, and just not even being able to go to a store without a full security team.

I sure as heck wouldn’t be able to deal with the lack of privacy.

Some people, as with this particular group, are able to handle the fame and lack of privacy easier than others. If you followed One Direction’s history, however, you can tell from the beginning that Zayn wasn’t one who really enjoyed the spotlight. My only question is…what will he be able to do now that he’s left one of the biggest groups in the world at the moment? Go work at a store? How long will his financial savings give him before he really has to figure out a gameplan for the future?

Either way…I strongly suggest steering clear of any pre-teens/teens for the next week or so as they continue to attempt processing this information. I leave you with a picture of one of the most normal guys formerly of One Direction. Now let him live his life in semi-privacy!

Here’s the official announcement from One Direction’s Facebook page:

Zayn leaves 1D

 

6

Artist to Watch: Hozier

Artist to Watch: Hozier

1

As a lover of music, I’m always excited to find an amazing artist who not many people have heard of. Enter Irish musician, Hozier.

Although you won’t hear his music on mainstream radio stations just yet, I strongly encourage you to check out his EP’s on iTunes. With a full-length album on the way, it’s only a matter of time before Hozier explodes onto the music scene.

Hozier’s music has a very heavy blues influence and pushes the boundary with his lyrical content. He’s a supporter of equal rights and is just a breath of fresh air. He was recently a featured musical guest on The Ellen Degeneres Show and The Late Show with David Letterman.

Please see a list of songs from his previously released EP’s and keep your eyes and ears open for his upcoming self-titled debut album, which will be released on September 22, 2014. You can also find him on Twitter ( @Hozier ).

 

Take Me to Church – EP

1. Take Me to Church

2. Like Real People Do

3. Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene

4. Cherry Wine (Live)

 

From Eden – EP

1. From Eden

2. Work Song

3. Arsonist’s Lullabye

4. To Be Alone (Live)

 

If you’d like to read more about Hozier, please check out the links below:

http://hozier.com

http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/03/qa-hozier-on-gay-rights-sex-good-hair.html

http://deviatemagazine.com/hozier-releases-new-single/