Tag: Beyoncé Knowles

MTV VMA’s Recap: WATCH PERFORMANCES NOW

For a pocket of time each year, MTV enters a time machine to celebrate the music that once drove its channel. Last night’s VMA’s brought out the industry’s best players, who executed some unforgettable (and forgettable) performances. Enjoy the most notable videos below, along with my thoughts on each.

Sam Smith was an evening standout, with his vulnerable, monster-hit, “Stay With Me.” The refreshing performance reminds us all that not everyone needs a sparkly leotard to get noticed.

Nikki Minaj, Ariana Grande, and Jessie J joined together for their performance, with Nikki stealing the show. As for Minaj’s wardrobe malfunction, I have an extremely low tolerance for her unprofessional antics. Had the dress simply snapped open, I’d be more forgiving, but she clearly knew during dress rehearsal that she’d have an issue with time, and she chose to take the risk. As a result, she trumped her female counter-parts in the press, who have solely chosen to cover the mistake. And though this may be mean to mention, a music industry insider has pointed something out to me about Jessie J, and it’s worth repeating. It’s just not going to happen, despite the enormous push from her label. To quote my friend, “She’s pop’s Grouplove,” and it’s time to abort mission.

Beyonce brought down the house with a standout medley of hits, proving once again through professionalism and vocal prowess that she deserves her reigning title as Queen Bey.

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2014 VMA, Artists.MTV, Beyonce, MTV VMA Video Vanguard (Medley), Music, More Music Videos

I’ve recently discovered 5 Seconds of Summer, and though I’d love to hate on the boy band, much like One Direction, I simply can’t. They are good, their songs are catchy, and they’re adorable. Watch their sweet song below. It will pull at your heartstrings.

For a guy who bad-mouthed the VMAs last year, it’s interesting to see him perform, but given that Adam Levine has sold his soul to secure his billboard status, I’m not surprised. It’s also worth mentioning that this is a professional show, and the guy is wearing a jersey. Remember when Maroon 5 wore suits? Yeah . . . so do I.

This was not the best night for Usher, who looked noticeably winded. I usually love the guy, so that’s all I will say.

Taylor Swift Debuts “Shake It Off” — LISTEN NOW

As celebrity worlds become small, so does their material, and Taylor Swift’s new single shines a light on that exact issue. Instead of her typical love-lost lamenting, it appears as if she’s traded it in for a single-girl celebration that takes aim at her critics, with lyrics like, “haters gonna hate” and “players gonna play.” The new found, non-country genre is a confusing cross between Katy Perry and Beyonce, with far less vocal prowess or convincing choreography. If you want to forgo authenticity and song quality for party music, then the production value of the presentation has to drastically increase. Unfortunately, that did not happen here. Swift is nothing if not cute, fun, and a little crazy, but perhaps she’s in need of some new inspiration.

Tabloid News Review — The Gossip You Missed

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian got married. E! Online

Rachel Bilson is pregnant. Us Magazine

Katy Perry and Diplo are done. Wonderwall

Despite denying it, Lea Michele dated Matthew Morrison. HuffPo

Teen Mom’s Catelynn and Tyler are having another tot. Wet Paint

Chris Martin and Alexa Chung were seen on a dinner date? Pop Suger

Sherri Shepherd’s divorce might get nasty. People

Cameron Diaz is dating Benji Madden. ICYDK

Charlize Theron opened up about her romance with Sean Penn. Just Jared

Nikki Reed filed for divorce from Paul McDonald. TMZ

Jason Patric won a huge victory in his custody battle. Contact Music

Cheryl Hines is engaged to a Kennedy. What’s New

Solange, Jay-Z, and Beyonce had a lot of drama. Radar Online

Jennifer Esposito opened her angry Bradley Cooper ex-files. NYDN

Jay-Z and Beyonce Release Statement — Explain Elevator Incident

It’s unfortunate and sad that the price of one’s soul is $250,000, but I suppose that’s a few years pay for a security job, and that money is certainly enticing. That being said, it sure is interesting to see Solange Knowles attempt to kick the crap out of Jay-Z. Anyhow, the power couple released a statement. Read below.

“As a result of the public release of the elevator security footage from Monday, May 5th, there has been a great deal of speculation about what triggered the unfortunate incident. But the most important thing is that our family has worked through it. Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologized to each other and we have moved forward as a united family. The reports of Solange being intoxicated or displaying erratic behavior throughout that evening are simply false. At the end of the day families have problems and we’re no different. We love each other and above all we are family. We’ve put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same.”

American Idol Does Hollywood — Ratings Climb

American Idol is up in the ratings, and all the credit goes to the current judging panel, who traded the word “pitchy” for a vocabulary full of other critiques, with Harry Connick Jr. leading the pack. When one contestant asked for a reason he got axed, Connick clarified Jennifer Lopez’s very generic feedback to explain how the contestant, “Looked at the floor the entire time.” As for another group who felt they killed it, Connick squashed their hubris with a very heated critique, explaining that ‘Say My Name’ by Destiny’s Child has “no melody.” Ouch! I wonder what Beyonce will say. Watch a few of my favorite moments below.


3 Mo Days – Group Round – American Idol 13 by IdolxMuzic


Terrica Carmen Emmanuel – Group Round… by IdolxMuzic


Jessica, Nica, Stephanie & Cara – Group Round… by IdolxMuzic

Beyonce & Jay-Z Are ‘Drunk In Love’ — Open Grammy Night

She was wet, she was wild, and she has her beau by her side. In a daring performance of ‘Drunk in Love’ Beyonce challenged Clint Eastwood’s reigning chair-master title. You have to hand it to Bey Bey, when she’s asked to deliver, she defies your expectations. Watch her very sexy performance below.

NASA V. BEYONCE: Is Queen Bey Disrespectful?

Can art ever intersect with tragedy? Is it possible to remind others of a devastating event while simultaneously boasting of beauty? If you’re Beyonce, the answer is yes. Queen Bey released ‘XO,’ which samples a heart-wrenching recording from NASA’s Steve Nesbitt, during the moment of the 1986 space shuttle Challenger explosion, where all seven crew members lost their life in the second minute of liftoff. Though I was only 4 years old when this happened, I spoke with someone once who recounted his shock, explaining he was just a child watching beside his classroom peers with excitement as the shuttle ascended, and he vividly remembers the horrific result. NASA predictably pounced on Beyonce, calling her “inappropriate,” and demanding an apology. While this heartbreaking event should be treated with care, kindness, and sensitivity, it still begs my original question. Beyonce brought attention to a tragedy that can incite dialogue for generations of ignorant youngsters. Though one might argue her method was disrespectful, it it possible to gain anything positive from her move?

Kanye West Rants to Ryan Seacrest — He Still Doesn’t Get It

Kanye WestAt some point in our lives, we’ve all had moments in time when we’re free of the world’s restraints. Then suddenly, after skipping through the clouds impervious to criticism, we put on our jeans and realize they no longer fit. Soon enough — Kanye West’s jeans will no longer fit, and he’ll be too bloated to recover. Sure he can get away with his prophetic proclamations and narcissistic rants now, but before he knows it, the public will flee.

And if you’re curious what inspired my musings, you need only listen to the interview below, in which West once again gives himself unconditional accolades, followed by the canned laughter from the sycophantic Seacrest. The most startling part of the interview is West’s recap of the Taylor Swift incident, and his insistence that his own daughter would have agreed with the idea that Beyonce’s video was superior. It’s absolutely astounding that this guy still doesn’t get it, but I’ll summarize this once again for sport. The issue is not who had the better video. The issue is that you pounced on a young girl’s moment to scream for an arbitrary injustice. And the massive irony is that West himself cannot accept criticism on any level, and yet he felt free to fire it out with ease. Perhaps the reason his creativity is no longer commissioned by high-level designers has more to do with his personality than his abilities. And while that might seem like a grave injustice by the standards of Kanye West, I’ll close with a very annoying yet appropriate statement that my father used to say to me at a young age. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD.

Weekend Gossip — The Tabloid News Rundown

 

  • ‘Teen Mom’s’ Farrah Abraham is nuts. Pop Bytes
  • Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are on . . .. again. TMZ
  • Denise Richards and Mother Theresa have a lot in common. Contact Music
  • Chris Brown and his ex might be back together. Hollywood Life
  • Another Demi Moore boytoy bites the dust. GossipCenter
  • Kim Kardashian still can’t dress. NYP
  • Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson broke up. Wet Paint

Oprah Interviews Beyonce — Ass-Kissing Craziness

Howard Stern eloquently attacked the absurdity of Oprah’s ass-kissing Beyonce interview, and I will now take-part in the radio-titan’s tirade. Watch below to see Oprah so far up Beyonce’s ass she barely took a breath of air. I’d also like to add that it’s unnecessary to speak in lyric form when not song-writing, by using phrases such as, “She is fire.”

Beyoncé: “My Daughter Introduced Me to Myself”

Beyoncé on Finding Balance Between Her Public and Personal Lives