New Artist Alert - Cris Cab

It's the typical Youtube fairytale! This 18 year old Miami kid filmed himself covering songs with his guitar and posted them on his Youtube account. Then bam, non other than Super Star producer Pharrell Williams discovered him and signed him up to his Billionaire Boys Club label.

With support and guidance from a musical genius such as Pharrell, the results are bound to be blinding. Cab's new EP 'Echo Boom' features the likes of Melanie Fiona, Mavado, Shaggy and Pharrell himself; not bad for a kid who hasn't had a record out yet!

'Echo Boom' contains an infusion of instruments, quality production, bluesy vocals, and impressive lyrics. This is a summer EP that you'll be playing out loud with your shades on and car windows down. 

Reggae sounds echo throughout the mixtape and his voice is reminiscent of new UK artist Maverick Sabre. 

My favourite tracks on the EP are 'Cross Your Fingers' and 'Rihanna's Gun'. 

'Rihanna's Gun' is real mixture of Reggae plus Drum & Bass, a mixture very rarely dabbled with by artists but Cab smashes it and I'm sure it will propel Cris Cab miles ahead of new up and coming artists.

Watch the video below for 'Rihanna's Gun'. This song in a nutshell is what this fresh, young artist is all about.

Cris Cab feat Mavado & Wycleff - 'Rihanna's Gun Music Video

Rebecca Ferguson covers Drake – 'Over'

There is nothing I love more in Music than an artist who covers a song from a completely different genre and makes it their own.

I recently posted some of my favourite covers including Jessie J, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding and more.

During her current UK tour it seems the Xfactor singer proved just how talented and versatile she is as an artist by covering Drake's song,'Take Care' featuring Rihanna.

This collaborative emo-hop anthem seems popular amongst artist covers. Check out an earlier post of Florence and The Machine’s magnificent rendition of the track.

Watch Rebecca Fergusson cover 'Take Care' and decide which cover is the best.

Rebecca Ferguson sings 'Take Care' on UK Tour

Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner – It’s a boy!!

Hollywood couple Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have become proud parents for the third time. A source confirmed to US Weekly that Garner gave birth to their first son in Santa Monica but the name is yet to be revealed.
Affleck later posted on his Facebook page the pair are "happy to announce" that "Jennifer gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Samuel Garner Affleck."

Proud Parents: Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck 

The pair who met in 2003 on set of their movie ‘Daredevil’ have welcomed the male addition to the growing Affleck family. The newborn joins older sisters Violet, 6, and Seraphina, 3; so Daddy Ben is no longer the man of the house.
During her interview on the Ellen DeGeneres show, Garner spoke about the possibility of having a baby boy in September. She said "It would be so weird to have a boy," adding that it would be “cool and different”. She also shared with DeGeneres that her daughters had already picked out a name for the baby if it were to be another girl.

Garner told E! Online, "Our girls are working on names. At first they were definitely Disney. It was like, Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse Affleck. And then they've moved on. Then it was Peter Pan, Captain Hood, Smee."
Congratulations to the Affleck family!

Tyra Banks Graduates from Harvard

Model Behaviour: Tyra Banks 

Miss Tyra has always had her fingers in many pies over the years, and successfuly at that.

Starting her modelling career at the tender age of 15 and moving into acting with features in Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Coyote Ugly; the multi-talented lady went on to create, co-produce and host one of the biggest shows on tv to date, America’s Next Top Model. 

As if that prime time television slot was not enough she went on to produce and present her very own show The Tyra Banks show. It was in this show that girls and women got to see the real Tyra and relate to her on so many levels as she shared her insecurities, fears and issues with females all over the world.

The 38 years old supermodel has decided to add some qualifications onto her every long CV and has graduated from Harvard University with a diploma from the Harvard Business School Executive Education Owner/President Management Programme.

Banks kept this all very hush hush until she tweeted “Smiling ear2ear on the Harvard Business School campus w/ my diploma! Tnx 2 my fab photographer mama 4 the pic!”

What an inspiration! Congrats Miss Tyra!

 

Tyra tweeted this picture with her Diploma certificate

The Oscars 2012

The legend that is Meryl Streep bagged herself her 3^rd, yes her 3^rd Oscar award for her depiction of Margarat Thatcher in Iron Lady. Fair to say, the other Actresses in the same category must have known they didn’t stand a chance against the 62 year old acting veteran. 
As she accepted her award she joked, “When they called my name I had this feeling – I could hear half of America going, ‘Oh no, oh come on – why her? Again?’ But, whatever....” But whatever indeed Meryl! 

Watch Meryl Streep speak about her Oscar win below.

Meryl Streep after winning Best Actress Oscar 

As I predicted, The Artist won big at last nights glamorous Oscars. The black and white film which is the first ever silent movie to win an Oscar scooped a triumphant 3 awards.

The 3 awards won are arguabley the biggest awards of the night which included Best Film, Best Director and Best Director.

Michel Hazanavicius won Best Director for the film, beating Hollywood favourite Martin Scorsese. In his acceptance speech he paid tribute to his wife, Berenice Bejo, who lost out on the award for supporting actress award won by Octavia Spencer.

 Michel Hazanavicius & wife Berenice Bejo have a dance before the ceremony

Of course it would be criminal not to post some of the best dressed at last nights awards. Check out the red carpet royalty below!

Golden Girl: Meryl Streep

Jennifer Lopez & Cameron Diaz present an award

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie work the red carpet

All white on the night

Power couples: Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes and The Beckhams

Sof's Song of the week - David Guetta feat Sia 'Titanium'

David Guetta has been churning hit after hit after hit with some of the best artists featuring on his tracks such as Rihanna, Akon, Kelis, Usher, Estelle, Kelly Rowland...the list is endless.


My song of the week proves that David Guetta doesn't need a well known artist to feature in order to have a hit, as his new track 'Titanium' is vocalled by unknown singer/songwriter Sia. 
Titanium which was written by Sia is infectious! Guetta's signature pop/house track was originally offered to Katy Perry but she turned it down and there is an original version of the song floating around online sung by Mary J Blige.


The vocals plus lyrics like “I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose, fire away, fire away. Ricochet, you take your aim, fire away, fire away. You shoot me down, but I won’t fall, I am titanium” bring a strong and power declaring element to such a Urban-dance song.


The Australian singer Sia has kept her identity secret as she does not make an appearance in the video. Sia seems to enjoy clouding herself with mystery as she also doesn't appear in the Flo Rida - Wild One's video which she too sings. Considering this singer is relatively unknown she is currently featured on 2 songs which are both riding high in the Top 5. 


This empowering track is taken from Guetta's upcoming album 'Nothing But The Beat' which will be released in August.


Watch the 'Titanium' video below.

David Guetta feat Sia - 'Titanium' Music Video

Watch Flo Rida's 'Wild Ones' video sung by Sia

Flo Rida feat Sia - 'Wild Ones' Music Video

Gerard Butler out of rehab

The 42 year old actor has 'completed a successful course of treatment and has returned home in good health' told his spokesperson.

Butler reportedly made the decision to seek help for his problems by checking into the Betty Ford clinic three weeks ago when he decided he had become too reliant on pain medication. 

The Scotts man who is  is best known for his lead roles in 300, P.S I Love You and Law Abiding Citizen, has been battling prescription drug abuse since suffering from severe pain following shooting action movie 300 back in 2006. 

Butler who is also a trained lawyer, has recently been filming "Of Men and Mavericks", a biographical film about the life of American surfer Jay Moriarity . While playing the role of surfer Jay Moriarity, Butler experienced an injury which may well have been a catalyst in thrusting him back into substance abuse.

Butler told of the incident, "In the movie, I put in a scene about a 'two wave hold down,' when you are down for so long that the next wave comes over before you get back up, and that's what happened to me"

I hope Gerard makes a full recovery!

Gerard Butler filming new Movie "Of Men and Mavericks"

The Oscars - Sof's Predictions..

The 500 foot long red carpet has been rolled out and the stars are flocking into Hollywood as the 84^th Annual Acadamy Awards are fast approaching. 

The Oscars will be held in just over 24 hours at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California where the best Movies of 2011will be honoured and every Actor/Actress/Writer and Director will want to get their hands on a Golden Statuette award.

Traditionally, each year there is a clear winning Film which scoops the majority of the awards on the night. Slumdog Millionaire won big in 2009 winning 8 awards including gongs for Best Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography & Film Editing.

The King's Speech reigned in 2011 winning 4 Oscars out of a huge 12 Nominations. The British film was crown Best Picture with Colin Firth taking home Best Actor.

However, this year there are few fighting competitors and it's anyone's guess who will scoop up big. 

Nevertheless, I will go ahead and make my predictions! 

Best Picture - The Artist

Best Director - Martin Scorsese for Hugo

Best Actress - Rooney Mara in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Best Actor - Gary Oldman in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Best Supporting Actress - Octavia Spencer in The Help

Best Supporting Actor - Kenneth Branagh in My Week With Marilyn

I have a personal love and admiration for acting legend Meryl Streep who is no stranger to winning Oscars. Although I would love her to win Best Actress for her incredible emulation of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, I think new young Actresses such as Rooney Mara and Viola Davis should be given a chance for their fine performances.

Meryl Streep is nominated for Best Actress

Half the excitement of the Oscars is down to who is wearing what designer dress and don't the stars know it! Check out some of the gowns worn on the red carpet in recent years.

Hollywood's fine A-List Actresses 

The Oscars wouldn't be complete without a few emotional and teary acceptance speeches. Who can forget Halle Berry and Gwenyth Paltrow's Best Actress Award acceptance's.

Watch their infamous speeches below.

Gwyneth Paltrow wins Best Actress for Shakespeare In Love

Halle Berry wins Best Actress for Monsters Ball

Jamie Foxx wins Best Actor for Ray

Kourtney Kardashian - It's a Girl!

As if the Kardashian family isn't already dominated by females, Kourtney Kardash is about to add to the female camp as she is expecting a baby girl in the Spring with long-term boyfriend Scott Dissick. The couple who are already parents to 2 year old Mason announced their news on E! "We feel so blessed to be having a little girl and to be able to share this new experience with Mason" 


I'm sure the new Kardashian diva will be spoiled rotten! Muma Kardashian, Kris Jenner tweeted "Hey twitterfam!! Kourtney and Scott are having a Girl!!! Can't wait to go buy something Pink! What a blessing!"

Family Portrait: Kourtney Kardashian & Scott Dissick with son Mason

Adele flips the bird at the Brits....

The Brits just wouldn’t be the Brits without a little controversy! And last night...controversy is what viewers got as the awards aired live onto ITV2.

An unimpressed Adele reacts to her interruption by James Corden

Adele and Ed Sheeran won big at the ceremony winning 2 Brits each and both giving stunning performances.

As Adele was emotionally accepting the biggest award of the night for Album of the Year, by telling us all how proud she is to be British and how happy it makes her flying the British flag in the U.S out popped non other than the awards host James Corden to burst her bubble!

"I'm so sorry and I can't believe I'm about to cut you off, I'm so sorry" apologised Corden in order for Blur to perform their medley of hits before the show ended.

How could they do this to our Adele?! Just as I echoed the nations ‘Awwww’ while the audience booed at James Corden, Adele reminded us all just how much of a tough cookie she is by sticking her middle finger up at the Brits for cutting her off. That’s our girl!!

Watch the embarrassing altercation below.

Adele's acceptance speech is interrupted by James Corden

Ed Sheeran won Best Male Artist and Best Breakthrough Act. Watch Ed Sheeran’s guitar performance of ‘Lego House’

 Breakthrough Artist Ed Sheeran performs 'Lego House' Video

Although I think Ed Sheeran is a breath of fresh air to the music industry, I feel Jessie J was robbed of ‘Best Breakthrough Act’ award. She tweeted after the ceremony ‘A winner is a winner before they win #living the dream’ Got to love her positive attitude and the spirit. This is why she will go far. Surely she could have at least received an award for best dressed artist in her show stopping see through lace dress!

Jessie J poses on the Red Carpet before the awards

Amidst the controversy of her musical reunion with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown on 2 songs, Rihanna scooped Best International Artist for the second year running.

Watch the songstress have fun with paint on stage as she performed ‘We Found Love’

Rihanna has a splash performing 'We Found Love'

Shakira signs deal with Roc Nation

Singer Shakira 

 It was revealed last night that the ‘Whenever,Wherever’ star will be joining the likes of Rihanna, Mark Ronson, and Santigold on the record label Roc Nation founded by Jay-Z by signing a management deal.

The half Columbian, half Lebanese beauty is no stranger to success over 60 million records sold, packing out arenas internationally and working with musical geniuses such as Pharrell Williams and Beyonce. 

The pint sized star has been away from the charts since 'She Wolf' was released in 2009, which hasn’t been her greatest record to date.

I hope she stays true to her festive, carnival-esque and spirited music that she is known for such as the 2010 World Cup theme tune song 'Waka Waka' feat Wycleff. 

Watch the fun filled and vibrant video below.

Shakira - 'Waka Waka' Music Video

Jay-Z & Kanye announce European Tour 

Hip Hop heavyweights Jay-Z and Kanye West announced this afternoon the dates of their Watch The Throne tour.

The dynamic duo collaborated on an album project entitled Watch The Throne in 2011.

Regardless of the fact that they used no promotion or advertising and somehow managing to avoid any online leaks before the release date, it stormed to Number 1 in the U.S Billboard charts and reached Number 3 in the UK.

Jay-Z & Kanye West in Music Video 'Otis'

The tour is expected to feature songs from their collaborative album as well as never before heard catalogued songs. The single ‘Otis’ from their album won them Grammy last week for Best Rap performance, although both rappers failed to show up to the ceremony, and they are nominated tonight at the Brit Awards for Best group. (a bit of a random category i must admit)

The 3-day UK tour will start off at the London’s o2 Arena on May 20^th followed by Manchester’s Evening News Arena 11^th June and ending at Birmingham’s LG Arena 13^th June before jetting off to continue the tour through Europe.

Believe me, I will be there at the London show! I have wanted to see one of these Rap icons live in concert for so long and have not had the chance. Since they will be sharing the same stage, it would be criminal not to get a ticket!! Tickets go on sale 9am Feb 24^th and are guaranteed to sell like hot cakes.

Watch their latest video ‘N**gas in Paris’ below.

Jay-Z & Kanye West - 'N**gas In Paris' Music Video

Rihanna rides the Circle line tube!

It was only a few months ago RiRi said she was looking for her perfect pad in London Town, now it seems like she is really settling with London Life as she was seen hopping on the tube to make her way to the o2 for her Brit rehearsal.

Rihanna casually on the tube today in London next to a passenger

Today Rihanna turned 24 but didn't quite celebrate the rock 'n' roll way. She tweeted that she spent her birthday setting up a studio in her hotel room to record new music then made her way to the Brits rehearsal for tomorrow nights show. The singers twitter was flooded with birthday mentions from fellow tweeters including ex-boyfriend Chris Brown who tweeted 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBYN' she replied shortly after 'Thanks!'

Recently Rihanna said "I spend more time over there (in London) than I spend in LA, and that's where I live. London is more like my home" 

Watch this space, Rihanna could be moving into your neighbourhood and asking to borrow some sugar soon!

Rihanna rides the tube in October 2011 on her way to her 'LOUD' Tour

BRIT AWARDS 2012 - Sof's Predictions

Less than 24 hours until the live Brit Awards take place at the o2 Arena.

I have looked at the nominations and it is going to be a TOUGH battle for a win, particularly within the British Single category and Best Female solo artist!

So here goes. I predict:

Best Male Solo Artist - Ed Sheeran

Best Female Artist - Adele

Best Breakthrough Artist - Jessie J (although I think Emile Sande has a fighting chance)

British Single - Adele 'Someone Like you'

Internation Artist - Rihanna

Expect performances on the night from Rihanna (rumoured to perform with Coldplay), Florence & The Machine, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Adele, Blue and Olly Murs.

I remember there was a time when the Brit Award performances were heavily dominated by U.S artists. This is no longer the case. UK artists are standing strong as real competition in the music industry and its a great thing!!

Coverage of the live awards show tomorrow night starting with Red Carper from 7pm!

ADELE denies quitting music (Hoorah!)

Adele with her Grammy awards & graces the cover of Vogue

Ever since my ears heard the deeply emotional ‘Chasing Pavements’ from Adele’s debut album ‘19’, I knew I was listening to a star.

However it wasn’t until 3 years later, following the release of ‘Someone Like You’ from her ‘21’ album, that Adele received the recognition that she deserved. So much so that it was only then that people paid attention and decided to go back and listen to her debut album. This too proved to be an album her new fans fell in love with. 

3 years on ‘19’ re-charted in the album charts at the same time as ‘21’. As people discussed how much they loved and could relate to ‘Someone Like you’, particularly Adele’s live BRIT performance of the song in 2011, which consisted of nothing more than her, a piano and a spotlight,  I couldn’t help but say ‘told you so’ (if only people had listened to me 3 years ago) *rolls eyes*

The star who is born and bred in London has taken her voice to the U.S and her success has spread globally. At one point ‘Someone Like You’ was Number 1 in an astonishing 17 countries. While ‘21’ was officially the best selling musical release of 2011. With sale figures revealing that during 2011 a copy of her ‘21’ album was sold every 8 seconds!

Adele performs 'Someone Like You' at Brit Awards

2012 has started off on a real high for Adele, as she stole the show at the Grammys with her performance of ‘Rolling in the deep’ and scooping 6 awards in the night! This has only ever been done before by a female solo artist in 2010 by non-other than Beyonce.

Following this triumph Adele revealed in an interview with Vogue Magazine that she would take a break from music to focus on love and her relationship with new beau Simon Konecki. "I am f---ing off for four or five years. If I am constantly working, my relationships fail. So at least now I can have enough time to write a happy record. And be in love and be happy” said the 23 year old singer.

Needless to say my heart sank and I’m almost certain a tear came to my eye.

On first reaction I was distraught and even a little raged! Then after giving it deeper thought I realised, I was being rather selfish to wish unhappiness on the girl! After all she deserves to find love right? Well, ok maybe she does. But what about us? If she is happy in love, will she be able to write her songs which we know and love her for. Songs which are drowned in heartbreak, anger, revenge and forgiveness? She delivers time and time again songs that get us through heartbreaks and get us over cheating boyfriends. She delivers song that every single one of us can relate to somehow and effortlessly tells each one of our stories.

Just days after her Vogue interview she dismissed quitting music and revealed that she is in fact due to get back into the studio this month!!! Hoorahh!! A sigh of relief all round. The comments she had made in the interview were dismissed as "off-hand comments"

Well thank goodness for that! *does a dance* 

The question still stands. Will Adele make the same quality compelling music if she is happy in love or will she be able to draw from other inspiration for her new music? We'll have to wait and see.

Adele performs 'Rolling In The Deep' at The Grammys