Tag Archives: News

Buzz: The BET Experience 2013

5 Feb

The BET Experience at L.A. LIVE is a three day celebration of music, entertainment, and Black culture scheduled to coincide with the 13th annual BET Awards. Each day, attendees at the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE will enjoy great performances, participate in TV show tapings, attend thought-provoking seminars, interact with sponsor exhibits and connect with their favorite BET programs. Each night, attendees will have the opportunity to attend concerts in the world famous STAPLES Center featuring superstar iconic artists and party the night away in a variety of clubs and after parties at L.A. LIVE. So far the lineup consists of: Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, Miguel, R. Kelly, Kendrick Lamar, Kirk Franklin, The Roots, The Jacksons, New Edition and Snoop.

via Festival-Outlook

Buzz: Beyoncé Holds Pre-Superbowl Press Conference @ NFL Network

31 Jan

Beyonce-Superbowl

Beyoncé stepped to the microphone at her Super Bowl news conference on Thursday, asked the hundreds in attendance to rise, then launched into a two-minute and three-second version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” No musical accompaniment. Not a note out of place. She pretty much killed it.

After the applause died down, Beyoncé asked, “Any questions?” Well played by the Super Bowl XLVII halftime performer.

Will it cease the (relative) furor over her lip-synched National Anthem performance at President Obama’s inauguration? Probably not, but it was a savvy move by a pop star who plays the game at an expert level. Beyoncé has been very famous for a long time now. Being a great entertainer is only part of the reason why.

Some other takeaways from our end …

» Asked who she was rooting for on Sunday, Beyoncé replied, “I can’t say that.” This was baffling at first, before we realized: If she upsets one fan from Baltimore or San Francisco, that might be one less fan to buy her album or attend her concert. Again, you don’t stay famous this long without calculation.

Deion Sanders interviews Beyonce

 

Beyonce singing National Anthem Acapella

 

» Beyoncé said she plays fantasy football and knows “every little detail.” I like to imagine her in a dynasty-style league with a detailed auction process. She still has her fingers crossed on that Jacquizz Rodgers developmental pick.

Continue reading 

Buzz: Justin Timberlake To Perform @ the 2013 GRAMMYS

30 Jan

Justin Timberlake is set to make his first televised comeback performance at the Grammy Awards next month.

Timberlake will appear at the awards on 10 February, in support of his upcoming new album The 20/20 Experience, and it will be the first time in four years that Timberlake has been on the Grammys stage.

The singer is expected to perform his new single ‘Suit & Tie’, which is a collaboration with Jay-Z – although it’s unknown whether Jay-Z will also perform. However, Timberlake isn’t nominated for any awards.

The Grammys Twitter account tweeted the news today (30 January), writing, “We are happy to announce Justin Timberlake will make his return to the GRAMMY stage Feb. 10th on @CBSTweet! #GRAMMYs #TheWorldIsListening”

Other acts performing include Jack White, Carrie Underwood, The Lumineers, The Black Keys, Taylor Swift and fun. Ed Sheeran is also set to perform a duet with Sir Elton John, on one of Sheeran’s own songs.

Continue reading 

Buzz: Alicia Keys to Perform National Anthem at Super Bowl XLVII

24 Jan

Alicia Keys has been promoting her new #1 album, the independent film “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete” that she produced and screened at Sundance and recently she performed at President Obama’s inaugural ball. Now the 14-time Grammy winner has been selected to sing the national anthem at Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, February 3rd.

Keys stated, “Oh my goodness, I’m crazy excited about it. Being able to do the national anthem and actually set the whole game off is a dream come true. It’s really exciting. It’s a historical moment, that day, so I’m looking forward to really doing it my style and my way, and I’m looking forward to really making it great.”

This year’s Superbowl will definitely be one to remember with Beyoncé headlining the halftime show, which reportedly will include the reunion of Destiny’s Child and the first live performance of their new song “Nuclear.” So get ready to be entertained!

Behind the Scenes: Tamar Braxton’s 1st Video Shoot

7 Jan

Rap-Up TV was on the front lines as Tamar Braxton shot the video for her hit single “Love and War” in Los Angeles last week. With her husband/manager Vincent Herbert by her side, the youngest Braxton sister got intimate for the cameras while cozying up to her hunky co-star at a mansion overlooking the Hollywood Hills.

“The concept is just about me and my man at home, and we’re just trying to figure out our relationship because it’s been so tumultuous,” explained the WE tv reality star. “We’re so in love and we wanna fix it, but we can’t escape all the obstacles that we’ve been going through. The video is all of those things—it’s passionate, it’s soft, it’s sexy, it’s sweet.”

Within 12 hours of its release, the R&B ballad shot to No. 1 on iTunes, something Tamar doesn’t take for granted. “I’m just so fortunate,” she said.

Her new album Love and War is due February 12 via Streamline Records. “It’s the music that I’ve always wanted to do,” shared Tamar. “It’s a true definition of who I am as a person. It’s upbeat, it’s fun, it’s opionated, it’s raw, and it’s great.”

You can expect more ballads and some other surprises including the R&B-flavored “The One,” the ratchet “Hot Sugar,” and a slow jam entitled “Finally,” which she wrote about her husband. Continue reading 

Buzz: Boyz II Men Sign On For Vegas Residency

4 Jan

The R&B group Boyz II Men is headed to Las Vegas.

The 1990s slow-jammers announced a headlining residency Thursday. They will perform weekend shows at the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage starting March 1.
Organizers say the show will feature the band’s biggest hits, including the 1991 smash “Motownphilly,” as well as some surprises.

Boyz II Men has won four Grammys and claims the title of most successful male R&B group in history. Continue reading 

Buzz: Maxwell Teases with SUMMERS’ Preview

4 Jan

We have been anticipating Maxwell’s next release since his acclaimed return with the ‘BLACKsummers’night album in 2009. While, we were expecting his new album in 2012, it was delayed partly due to damage he did to his vocal cord, but with the new year here, the R&B vet is promising his return and the release of the second part in his album trilogy series. The new album SUMMERS’ is on the way, no date yet, but Maxwell has teased fans and started the buzz right up by revealing an early look at the tracklist.

Check the list out below! Continue reading 

Buzz: Michelle Williams Joins FELA!

4 Jan

Destiny’s Child star Michelle Williams will join the national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical Fela! as Sandra Isadore when the production returns to Washington, D.C. Jan. 29th at the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

In addition to her work in the Grammy-winning pop trio Destiny’s Child, Williams appeared in the title role of Broadway’s Aida and as Shug Avery in the national tour of The Color Purple.

“I am thrilled to join the cast of Fela!,” Williams said in a statement. “This musical journey is one that I’ve wanted to be a part of since first seeing it on stage in 2008. The sounds, the passion and the politics of Fela Kuti have long intrigued me and speak to my heart. I am simply honored.”

The tour currently features Adesola Osakalumi and Duain Richmond alternating in the role of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, with Melanie Marshall as Funmilayo. Visit FelaBroadway.com. Continue reading 

Buzz: Common Announces EP, Mixtape and Album for 2013 Release

3 Jan

Common his big things in store for 2013. During a visit to “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” to promote his coming-of-age film LUV, the rapper-turned-actor announced his plans to drop an EP, mixtape, and album all in the next nine months.

First, his EP will arrive at the end of January to accompany the release of LUV, which opens in select theaters on January 18. It will be followed by his first-ever mixtape in April and a full album in September.

“I’m coming out with an EP at the end of this month that will be accompanying the movie LUV,” said Common. “And then I got a mixtape, my first mixtape I ever done in my life, will be coming out in April. And then an album in September.” Continue reading 

Buzz: Beyoncé Kicks Off New Year @ Wynn

1 Jan

Beyoncé bid farewell to one epic year and welcomed in what is sure to be another last night, as she performed a top secret show in Las Vegas.

In fact it was so top secret that the only proof in existence is a few photos on Instagram.

She apparently performed in front of just 700 people at the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas, according to Global Grind.

It’s just a month to go until she performs in front of an audience of hundreds of millions at the Superbowl Half Time Show – and this seemed a nice little warm-up.

Before taking to the stage, she posted a quick hand-written note on her website to inspire her fans into 2013.

It read: “In our perfect ways, in the ways we are beautiful, in the ways we are human – WE ARE HERE. Happy New Years. Let’s make it OURS. Beyonce”

Is anyone else ridiculously excited for the Superbowl set? View the photos from King Bey’s electric show last night!

Continue reading 

METY’s 50 Best Albums of 2012

31 Dec

Best of 2012 Collage

From Late 2011 to Present…

Based upon creativity, critical acclaim, sales and of course, whatever my ears loved most of all! Once again, this was a VERY difficult list to assemble because I listen to EVERYTHING. It was much more difficult this time around because 2012 saw numerous albums that were amazing from all genres! {Note: You must press the “continue reading” tab in order to view albums 50-31, 30-11 and 10-1}

50. Meek Mill – Dreams & Nightmares

49. Chris Brown – Fortune

48. One Direction – Take Me Home

47. SWV – I Missed Us

46. Linkin Park – Living Things

45. The XX – Coexist

44. Flying Lotus – Until the Quiet Comes

43. Alanis Morissette – Havoc and Bright Lights

42. Rascal Flatts – Changed

41. Kimbra – Vows

40. Trey Songz – Chapter V

39. The Fray – Scars & Stories

38. Michael Kiwanuka – Home

37. Grizzly Bear – Shields

36. Rihanna – Unapologetic

35. Usher – Looking for Myself

34. Gotye – Making Mirrors

33. Jason Mraz – Love is A Four Letter Word

32. Kanye West & G.O.O.D. Music – Cruel Summer

31. Yuna – Yuna Continue reading 

METY’s Top 10 EPs of 2012

31 Dec

Best EPS 2012

Here is METY’s Top 10 EPs of 2012:

All of the extended plays selected were exceptional, in fact, most were cohesive power-packed jam sessions and it proves that at times the artist can get out whatever needs to be said without being lengthy.

10. Wynter Gordon — Human Condition EP: Part 1 Doleo

9. Lana Del Rey — Paradise EP

8. JoJo — Agápē EP Continue reading 

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