Amy Winehouse Found Dead In London Home

A very, very sad day for music fans. Amy Winehouse, a singer who was as tortured as she was talented, was found dead by London police in her home Saturday. She was 27 years old.

"Everyone who was involved with Amy is shocked and devastated. Our thoughts are with her family and friends," said Chris Goodman, a spokesman for her publicity representatives. He said her family will issue a statement when they are ready.



The British singer's record label, Universal, confirmed her death on Saturday.


"We are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer," the statement read. "Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans at this difficult time."


Singer and actress Kelly Osbourne, who helped Winehouse check into a drug addiction treatment facility in 2008, was one of many who grieved for the singer on Twitter.


"I cant even breath right now im crying so hard i just lost 1 of my best friends. i love you forever Amy and will never forget the real you!" she tweeted.


Personally, I loved Winehouse's music, from the light jazz of Frank to the 50's/60's soul revival that was Back To Black. Besides her obvious vocal talents, her lyrics managed to gut-wrenching, witty, sarcastic and vulnerable all at once. But honestly I am also not surprised at this news, as Winehouse seemed to struggle with severe drug addiction from the moment she became famous. It's so sad that we won't be able to get anymore amazing music from her, because I believe she had at least a few more great albums in her if she could've conquered her demons. I guess we'll never know. Rest in peace Amy. Watch and/or listen to a few of my favorite Amy Winehouse songs/live performances below.

WATCH: Jade Alston Cover's Beyonce's '1+1'

Up and coming R&B singer Jade Alston does a great job covering Bey's romantic jam '1+1,' adding a view new runs and bends while still retaining the tender vulnerability of the original. Watch below.

Random Question: Will A Black Gay Male Superstar Ever Break Through?



Note: this pic is not intended to throw tea or shade about MJ's orientation. Just an example of the level of success I'm talking about! Plus it's a cool pic lol!


This question came to me after reading Rolling Stone's top 10 Queen of Pop list (a list where Madonna sat at number one, where she rightly belongs. But I digress). One of the 'queens' on the list was none other than Ms. Elton John herself. Now while we can debate whether or not Sir Elton belongs on this list (after I think the editors meant queen as in woman, but, hey the fans voted!), it got me to thinking: Will there ever be a time when an openly gay, black male artist will infiltrate the mainstream to the point where he could be considered a contender for such a list? Do you feel that American pop culture is ready for a black gay male superstar in the vein of Elton, George Michael or Adam Lambert? Do you think the mainstream pop audience, the larger black community, and we as a black LGBT community are at the point where we would embrace such an artist? Yes I know we have the legendary and fabulous Sylvester, but I'm talking Prince/Michael Jackson-level, pop culture icon status.

After all, it's easy to pop and snap along with Beyonce, Ri Ri, Janet and the rest of the diva brigade: they're glamorous, flamboyant and larger-than-life, and they fit into preconceived notions of what a female artist should be. But would we be as quick to support a male artist singing songs about loving and sexing another man? Showing affection in videos and bumping and grinding with other guys onstage? Walking the red carpet with their lover and talking about their relationships in interviews? Or would that be "too gay" for some of us?  Lastly, out of all the LGBT artists bubbling underground at the moment (B. Slade, Kaoz, etc.) which do you believe have a realistic chance of blowing up?

Discuss.

Random Jam: Beyonce "Yes"

One of my favorite tracks from Dangerously In Love, I was so surprised this never became a single, because it's way better than "Me, Myself and I." But I guess with sure fire bangers like "Crazy In Love," "Baby Boy," and "Naughty Girl," some gems had to be sacrificed. Watch Bey's performance of the song from her Live At Wembley DVD below.

Vezi mai multe peTeava.ro

Randon Jam: Aaliyah "Back And Forth"

It's Friday (Heeeeey!), and I'm in the mood to hear a little Baby Girl. Even though I can't swing, pick up my girls and hit the party scene (work calls lol:). Anyways, listen and let the mid-90's goodness wash over you below.

50 Cent To Write Anti-Bullying Book For Teens

Say what?  Despite building a career by starting beefs with other rappers (although I will grant that grown men rapping on records is slightly different than kids being systematically bullied by other kids), Fiddy is planning to pen a novel for young adults entitled Playground that takes a stand against bullying. The book is semi-autobiographical and is set to be released in January.

"I had a strong desire to write Playground because I wanted to explore how a kid becomes a bully," the rapper said in a statement announcing the book's release. "I drew on events from my own childhood and adolescence, but was excited to see the story take on its own life. This book would have been very helpful for me growing up and now that I have a teenage son, it is my goal that this will have a positive influence on all teenagers."

I'm not sure what to think of this. On one hand, it's great that the book will potentially reach so many kids. On the other hand, is he doing this because he's truly sincere, or is he, ever the shrewd businessman, just trying to ride the anti-bullying wave? So what do you think of 50's new project? Discuss.

Random Jam: Tony! Toni! Tone! "Whatever You Want"

Ahhh, 90's black radio. A magical time when it was possible to hear both creative, expansive hip hop and R&B (Mary J's "Real Love," Outkast's "Elevators," Aaliyah's "One In Million," and so on) alongside the revolving door of whatever booty poppin' track was the flavor of the month ("Tootsie Roll," "My Boo"). Not that I don't love a good disposable dance track, but in moderation, which radio today seems to have completely forgotten. But I digress. Among those tracks in the former category was Tony! Toni! Tone!'s mid-tempo jam "Whatever You Want." I love how the acoustic chords mesh with the super heavy bass line, as well as the weirdly romantic keyboard sounds that crop up during the bridge. Anyways, listen below.

Random Diva Tribute: Alicia Keys

Being that 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of Ms. Key's debut Songs In A Minor (wow time really is flying:), I thought I'd post a few of my favorite Alicia songs/performances/moments. Long before everyone bowed at the altar of Lord Gaga for playing piano, Alicia was tickling the ivories on such R&B classics like "You Don't Know My Name," "Diary" and "If I Ain't Got You." While she may not be the freakiest (the aforementioned Gaga, Rihanna) or the most glamorous (Her Creole Majesty, a.k.a Beyonce, takes that crown for this generation), she's definitely the most consistent--four albums in 10 years, each delivering a string of hit singles. So let's take a stroll down memory lane shall we? Get into the clips below.

Review: Lady Gaga ‘Born This Way: Special Edition’

It took two years, five advance tracks and an oh-no-she-didn’t Madonna-related backlash, but Lady Gaga’s Born This Way has finally(officially at least) been unleashed on the world. Whereas her debut smash The Fame and the follow up EP The Fame Monster dealt with the upside and dark underbelly of celebrity, Born This Way deals in identity, religious metaphors, individuality and letting your freak flag (or in this case little monster) fly.


Born This Way was recorded on the road, and it definitely shows in the album’s frantic pace. Opener “Marry The Night” starts both the four-on-floor party and the grandiose declarations, with Gaga singing “I won’t give up on my life/I’m a warrior queen/Live passionately tonight.” “Hair” manages to wring new life out of the age old follicles-as-freedom metaphor, while “Bad Kids” self-deprecating pronouncements of “I’m a brat/I’m a jerk” sound a like a brighter version of Marilyn Manson’s “Disposable Teens.”

Club-ready bangers “Born This Way” and “Judas” may not have been earth-shattering singles, but they sound a lot better when played in the context of the album. The latter takes a lyrical detour from self-empowerment to metaphors for bad love and betrayal. Religious figures and imagery pop up through much of the album. While The Material Girl may have once kissed a black Jesus (well a saint actually, but work with me people!) Gaga tells him to work the runway in the name of compassion on “Black Jesus/Amen Fashion” while in “Bloody Mary” she plays the martyr, ready to die for love just like JC.

Fashion, faith, love and sex all bleed together on tracks like dance-rocker “Electric Chapel” the aforementioned “Marry The Night” and the giddy, mechanical pop of “Fashion Of His Love.” Musically the album continually looks back to the 80′s. There’s the obvious “Express Yourself”-rip of the title track, while the bombastic drums on “Hair” recall Pat Benatar’s “We Belong.” Meanwhile E. Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons gives Gaga her Springsteen fix on closing track “Edge Of Glory.” "Scheibe” works itself into an early 90′s house frenzy, providing a burst of mindless fun.

The relentless, sledgehammer style can get excessive, to the point where mid-tempo cuts like “Bloody Mary,” with its Gregorian “Ga Ga” chants, feel like taking a gasp of air before plunging back into the abyss of pummeling drums, floor-rattling bass and razor sharp synths. The bigger-is-better approach doesn’t always work: “Americano” comes off as Latin music-by-numbers despite tackling the topic of immigration, and all the stuttering synths and raunchy come-ons in the world can’t help “Government Hooker” and “Heavy Metal Lover” (“Put your hands on me/John F. Kennedy” in the former, “I want your whiskey mouth/All over my blond south" in the latter) rise above catchy but average dance pop. “Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)” probably sounded good on paper, but gets crushed under the weight of its own ambition.

Ironically, Born This Way is at its most emotionally resonant when Gaga slows the tempo and tones down the zaniness, as she does (albeit slightly) on the last three tracks. “The Queen” starts off as a rock-tinged rafter raiser before switching to a 50′s style pop romp. Gaga gets full-on lovestruck on piano-power ballad “You And I,” leading to the pure pop adrenaline rush of “Edge of Glory,” an ode to the singer’s late grandfather.

Perhaps now that she’s conquered clubland, Gaga will strip things down and pull back the curtain to explore new territory.

3.5/5

Random Jam: Afrobeta "Play House"

Listen to this hilarious (but insanely catchy) electro track railing against the pressures of "playing house and making babies" (snaps for childless by choice:) from Miami-based dance duo Afrobeta. The video's pretty cool too.

New Music: Beyonce "Till The End Of Time"

Doing a stylistic 180 from the jittery delirium of first single "Run The World (Girls)," Beyonce slows things down a bit for the new track "Till The End Of Time," rumored to be included on her new album 4. While still traveling in the same electronic-meets-organic instrumentation vein of "Girls," the song takes a slinky, sexier approach than its predecessor.


Starting with pounding tom-tom drums, a the track expands into a midtemp, old school house groove, with flourishes of horns shimmying over a rolling bass line. Bey's rapid-fire vocals are still intact but sound more at ease this time around. The whole thing comes off ten times better than her previous release. I pray this is will be the second single and video. Listen HERE.

Caught Up In The Rapture....

Oops, guess not! Although another doomsday prediction has bit the dust, that doesn't mean we can't have a soundtrack to the aborted apocalyspe. In any event, if people were going to raptured up to meet Jehovah (not to be confused with Hova), why not have Ms. Anita serenade them smoothly as they begin their journey into the light. Mayans, your're up next. Listen below.

Kid Fury Reviews Beyonce's "Run The World (Girls)"

Watch this gurl's (a.k.a Kid Fury) hilarious review of Beyonce's "Run The World (Girls)" video. His comment on Bey's hand symbol at 5:34 is particularly LMAO.

Random Jam: Spice Girls "Too Much"

Don't act like you didn't love this (and many other Spice Girl songs) back in the day. Honestly I'm surprised so many of their songs hold up when I listen back to them now. I guess disposable pop isn't always so disposable. But this R&B-style track was definitely one of my favs. I planned to post this last week, but Blogger was in the clutches of darkness. Watch below:

New Music: Lady Gaga "Edge Of Glory"

Dispensing with the frenzied, club-ready nastiness of her first two offerings “Judas” and “Born This Way,” “Edge of Glory” goes for a more straightforward, dance pop approach, with Gaga belting out the lyrics ’80s power ballad style over a mid-tempo, pulsating groove. My anticipation for Born This Way has been slightly renewed.

Hopefully she'll also change her mind about the album cover and use this photo instead. I mean I'm all for getting dark and arty, but a having your head attached to a motorcycle? Gwarl......NO. Aim more for David Bowie/Alice Cooper/Marilyn Manson and less for Slaughter/Warrant/Judas Priest (Love Ms. Halford and the gang--"Hell Bent For Leather" and "Breaking The Law" are my jams, but I'm just sayin') okay? But I digress. Listen below.

Master Mix: Mother's Day

With this being Mother's Day and all, I thought I'd add a little maternal spin to the master mix by compiling tracks dealing with the subject of mothers in some capacity. Some song choices are sweet, others are somber and some are just plain silly. Get into the clips below.

1) Tupac-"Dear Mama"

Totally cliche? Perhaps, but this track is definitely one of the all time mother tributes.



2) Lenny Kravitz-"Thinking Of You"

One of Kravitz's lesser known songs, this track from 1998's 5 was an ode to his mother Roxie Roker, who died of cancer in 1995.


3) Kanye West-"Hey Mama"

One of the Louis Vitton's most personal tracks (and for Yeezy that's saying something), "Hey Mama" from 2005's Late Registration is a celebration and tribute to Donda West.



4) Madonna-"Inside Of Me"

While Madonna had previously broached the subject of her mother's death on "Promise To Try" from 1989's Like A Prayer and again with the visceral "Mer Girl" from 1998's Ray Of Light, this track from '94's Bedtime Stories is my personal favorite.



5) Boyz II Men-"A Song For Mama"

I guess this falls in the same cliche category as "Dear Mama," but a good song is a good song. And I know I'm the only one who immediately thinks of Soul Food whenever I hear this:).



6) B. Slade-"Queen"

This track about the singer's late mother and her battle with cancer was one of A Brilliant Catastrophe: Beta Version's standout cuts.



7) Ozzy Osbourne-"Mama I'm Coming Home"

Thought the Prince Of Darkness was all about biting the heads off birds, drugs and "Shaaaaaaaaaaaron!"? Well, you thought wrong, as this rock classic from 1991's No More Tears proves. Technically the song's about Sharon, but she is the mother of his kids, so that's close enough.


8) Outkast- Ms. Jackson

Not all mamas make it easy for you to "give them their flowers" as Outkast showed in this ode to baby mama drama from 2000's Stankonia.



9) Queen-"Tie You Mother Down"

For the record don't tie your mama down. But maybe both of you can rock out to this song instead. Watch Queen destroy this during a 1985 performance at Live Aid.



10) Green Day-"Welcome To Paradise"

Singer Billie Joe Armstrong grapples with the fear of leaving home and Mom behind for the first time in this ironically titled tribute to young adulthood from their 1994 smash Dookie.

Divine Revelation Or Holy Terror? Lady Gaga's "Judas " Video

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Lady Gaga's new clip for her single "Judas" was set to premiere today on the E! Channel. Fortunately (for us anyway) it's leaked about eight hours early. Much tongue wagging has been made of the video's religious subject matter, as Gaga takes on the role of Mary Magdalene and sings of her love for the treacherous Judas.

When talking about the clip and its concept, the singer explained  "Well the video, in essence, suggests that [pauses] forgiveness and betrayal are hand in hand and that... how do I say this? The video puts destiny above all things and postures that the mistakes in your life are in fact not mistakes at all, they are just part of your overarching potential and your destiny."

"I want to allow the video to speak for itself but I will say that the theme of the video and the way that I wanted to aesthetically portray the story was as a motorcycle Fellini movie where the apostles are revolutionaries in a modern-day Jerusalem," she said. "And I play Mary Magdalene leading them into the town where we meet Jesus and I will leave the rest for you to see. But it's meant more to celebrate faith than it is to challenge it."

Personally I feel that the video is good, but not great. It contains many Gaga motifs--surreal theatrics, over-the-top outfits, garish makeup, dancers (the lipstick gun gets a definite thumbs up)--but the whole product doesn't come off with a bang the way previous epics like "Paparazzi," "Bad Romance," "Telephone" or "Born This Way" did. Casting the disciples as a modern-day biker gang  was a nice twist, but she should have scrapped the dance sequences and concentrated more on the overall storyline, which could have provided some great visual scenes. Perhaps the fact the video was being filmed on the same stage as Janet Jackson's "Escapade" inspired her to bust a move.

But a good Gaga video is still better than 85 to 90 percent of other music clips that are out there, so it's definitely worth watching. Maybe when the uncut version premieres later today, it'll contain some new surprises. Watch "Judas" HERE.

Random Jam: Whitney Houston "My Name Is Not Susan"

I don't know why, but for the last week or so I've been playing I'm Your Baby Tonight-era Whitney performances and music nonstop, especially this particular track. Of course Nippy rips the track (I personally feel 1990-1991 was her peak era vocally) with a little assistance from Monie Love. Although having a female rapper guest star on the song was probably a calculated move to win back black fans at the time, it still holds up. Listen and watch Whitney/Susan below.

Lil B Receives Death Threats For "I'm Gay" Album Title

I'll be honest. I'm not exactly up on Lil' B's music. I've heard a song here and there--"Pretty Bitch" for example--but that's about the extent of it. But I have to admit he does have heart (and nuts) after announcing at the Coachella festival that his next album would be called I'm Gay. Since then the news has exploded over hip hop blogs and website, with rappers from Killer Mike to Talib Kweli giving their thoughts. Now the rapper says that he's been receiving death threats for his bold album title.

"People been hitting me up like, 'I'm gonna bash your head in,' 'you f----t,' 'I'm gonna kill you,' " Lil B told MTV News. Despite the Twitter-fueled backlash, Lil B, who insists he's straight, remains undaunted and claims he is supportive of the LGBT community. "I'm not gonna stop and I'm not scared of anybody on earth, he said. "I'm very gay, but I love women. I'm not attracted to men in any way. I've never been attracted to a man in my life. But yes I am gay, I'm so happy. "I'm a gay, heterosexual male. I got major love for the gay and lesbian community, and I just want to push less separation and that's why I'm doing it."

So do you think Lil'B is an ally or an opportunist? Listen to the clip of him defending I'm Gay and discuss.

MTV Shows

Random Jam: Janet Jackson "Luv"

Audio proof that Janet's Discipline is a very underrated album. Seriously that disc was loaded with potential hit singles--"Feedback," "Rollercoaster," "What's Your Name," "Rock With U," "All Nite"--and of course, this bouncy jam. Listen below if you don't believe.