‘Caged Lion’  Alicia Keys

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Upcoming Releases, Pop, R&B / Soul,

Alicia Keys felt like a "caged lion" before starting new album Girl on Fire.

The "New Day" singer had lots of tension built up inside her before she started work on her fifth record, which she is now releasing in the studio. "I'm in the studio right now working away on my new album and I am SO excited!!! I'm ignited!!! I'm like a match to a flame! Before making this record, in some ways I felt like a lion locked in a cage... I felt like a girl misunderstood that no one really knew, I felt like it was time to stop making excuses for any part of my life that I wanted to change. Once I made that choice I became a Girl on Fire, the lion broke free!! (sic)" she wrote on her site.

Alicia mostly recorded the album in her hometown, New York, but traveled to other locations to meet with collaborators. "During the recording process, I mostly stayed in NY but on some cool and memorable occasions, I traveled to different places, and worked with many collaborators, (some old friends, some new).

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DJ Earworm Mashes Up 2010’s Biggest Hits

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Collaborations, Music Videos, Videos, Country, Dance, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop, R&B / Soul,

You can look back at 2010 and think about the Gulf Oil Spill, the Tea Party movement or the Chilean Mine incident.

Or, you can fondly remember the year for a whole new round of infectious music.

Can’t recall the tracks you were introduced to over the past 12 months? Then check out the latest creation from DJ Earworm above.

Billboard’s Top 25 Hits of 2010 – which are all incorporated in the mashup -- are listed in full after the jump.

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Read More | College Humor

Gallery: DJ Earworm Mashes Up 2010’s Biggest Hits

Kanye’s all-star album line-up for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Collaborations, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap,

M.I.A, La Roux and Alicia Keys, among others, are set to appear on Kanye West’s new album. The ‘Runaway’ rapper announced his fifth album will be called ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ earlier this week, and while Kanye has previously confirmed certain stars will appear - including Jay-Z, RZA and Beyonce Knowles - it seems his guest list is much longer than previously thought. As well as those previously mentioned, Kanye said he’s also been in the studio with Kid Cudi, Mos Def and Santigold and that indie musician Justin Vernon is “all over” the album.

One track which has already been leaked, ‘Lost In The World’, features Justin’s vocals. Kanye’s celebrity album cast could be part of his striving to fill the gap left by ‘King Of Pop’ Michael Jackson’s sudden death last year, a role he sees himself in line to fulfill. He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “With the passing of Michael Jackson, I feel a responsibility to bring things to our generation that can inspire and bring real culture to pop culture. I don’t sleep anymore thinking how we are going to fill this gap, and create something to inspire on the level he did.”

Although Kanye has mentioned a large number of people involved with ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’, he lines are blurred between which artists will appear on the commercially released album and who will appear in his G.O.O.D Fridays series, which has so far seen mainly extended and remixed versions of tracks from the albums featuring a number of rappers and producers. ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ will be released on November 22.

Gallery: Kanye’s all-star album line-up for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

VIDEO: Pregnant Alicia Keys Falls on Stage

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Performances, Videos, R&B / Soul,

“Fallin’” isn’t just something Alicia Keys sings about. During a performance Saturday night, the 29-year-old worried a crowd in New Orleans when she stumbled backward on stage.

Although falls during concerts seem to be commonplace these days, this incident was slightly different. Alicia is currently expecting her first child with fiance Swizz Beatz.

Fortunately, Keys - who managed to keep on performing without missing a beat - and her unborn child are both reportedly fine.

Read More | People

Gallery: VIDEO: Pregnant Alicia Keys Falls on Stage

LISTEN: Leona Lewis, Jennifer Hudson Duet for SATC Soundtrack

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Collaborations, Pop, Soundtracks,

Two of the biggest female artists to cross Simon Cowell‘s path in recent years have collaborated for a new duet.

In this audio clip, The X Factor‘s Leona Lewis and American Idol‘s Jennifer Hudson combine their big voices for “Love Is Your Color,” a song from the upcoming Sex and the City 2 soundtrack.

Other artists featured on that CD include Alicia Keys, Dido, Erykah Badu and Liza Minnelli (who apparently does a cover of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”).

The SATC 2 soundtrack becomes available on May 25, just three days before the sequel hits theaters.

Read More | Just Jared

Gallery: LISTEN: Leona Lewis, Jennifer Hudson Duet for SATC Soundtrack

Alicia Keys Would Like Kings of Leon Collaboration

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Collaborations, Gossip, Alternative, Electronic, R&B / Soul,

Alicia Keys - who teamed with Jay-Z on “Empire State of Mind” - has named a few other artists she’d like to collaborate with.

“Working with other people is definitely something I want to do more of. I love it a lot. It takes me out of my element into a whole other world. I’d love to collaborate with Kings Of Leon and M.I.A. I think would be crazy,” she said.

Alicia has previously worked with Whitney Houston, co-writing her hit single “Million Dollar Bill,” and Jack White on the James Bond theme “Another Way To Die.”

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VIDEO: Stephen Colbert Has an Empire State of Mind

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Collaborations, Performances, Videos, R&B / Soul,

There was a time when Stephen Colbert worked alongside Jon Stewart as a correspondent for The Daily Show. Now, he’s got his own show. So what’s next for the funnyman? How about rapping?

On last night’s broadcast of the The Colbert Report, the host joined Alicia Keys for a rendition of “Empire State of Mind.” Does Jay-Z have anything to worry about? Watch for yourself.

Read More | The Colbert Report

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Michael Jackson Wins Four American Music Awards

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Awards, Country, Pop, R&B / Soul,

The late Michael Jackson was honored with four American Music Awards (AMAs) last night. In addition to wins for Favorite Soul/ R&B Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Male Vocalist, the singer won Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Album for his Number Ones compilation.

Jermaine Jackson, who accepted the prizes on his brother’s behalf, paid tribute to Michael while praising his life philosophy.

Wearing a single white glove in tribute to Michael, Jermaine said: “It’s not just about the winnings, the awards. It’s mainly the message. The message Michael had will live on forever. He saw good in everyone. Start with love and let’s love each other.”

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New Alicia Keys Album Delayed

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Release Dates, Upcoming Releases, R&B / Soul,

The follow-up to Alicia Keys’ As I Am has just been pushed back a few weeks.

The Element of Freedom, which was originally set for a December 1 release, will now hit stores a bit closer to Christmas. The new drop date was announced by the singer through her Twitter account yesterday.

“Luv having the freedom to create beautiful music, so I’m pushing the album back to DEC 15th. So many more amazing songs!!! Pls RT,” Keys wrote.

The CD’s first single, “Doesn’t Mean Anything,” is already available for purchase.

(FYI - You can also follow Albumista on Twitter.)

Read More | Billboard

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TLC Reuniting for Timberlake Concert

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Performances, Reunions, Hip-Hop & Rap, R&B / Soul,

In the past year, Tionne Watkins (a.k.a T-Boz) has kept herself busy with appearances on both The Celebrity Apprentice and The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Now she has an even bigger project in store.

Later this fall, the musician will reunite with another former TLC member for a concert in Vegas. The show with Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas will be their first in the US since 2002. That’s also the same year Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes - the third member of the Grammy-winning R&B/Hip Hop group - was killed after a car accident in Honduras.

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Read More | Entertainment Weekly

Gallery: TLC Reuniting for Timberlake Concert