What Was Going on With Ariana Grande's Voice @ 2016 VMAs?

Who in their right mind thought it would be a good idea for Ariana Grande to start a live performance taking part in a spin class?

[Music Video] Madonna - "B!tch I'm Madonna"

Anyone expecting a big budget extravaganza, akin to that Taylor Swift created with her celeb-rich Bad Blood video, are going to be disappointed today. Sure, B!tch I'm Madonna does deliver on the hinted at A-list cameos- with Beyonce, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus all popping up- but they're in no way integrated into the spectacle, as was the case with Tay's video.

[Review] Watch Ariana Grande Deliver Her 2015 NBA All-Star Half Time Show

Christina Aguilera may have opened the NBA All-Star Show, but the honor of performing at its half-time fell to Diva in training, Ariana Grande.

Starting her ten minute-plus extravaganza with Problem, the Diva delivered  a slightly sloppy rendition- with issues in her breath control being evident from the outset. However, she did hit a G#5 like it was nothing at the song's climax, so yay her.

Next followed The Weeknd-assisted Love Me Harder, which only highlighted the issues with her breathing further. The sparse opening was particularly unforgiving, leaving nowhere for her voice to hide. Things improved considerably when it came to her debut single, The Way.

Divas Rule YouTube's Most Peeped Music Videos of 2014

The top ten most viewed YouTube music videos of 2014 has been released by the internet giant. On the list there are a few surprises -namely Enrique Iglesias and Sia- but it'll come as no real shock that all the visuals were for pretty big chart hits.

The real good news though, 8 out of the 10 entries are female singers! Divas getting money!

[Watch] Divas Rock the 2014 AMAs

The 2014 American Music Awards happened yesterday at the Nokia Theater in LA. Amidst the boring award giving, there was a peppering of Divas who took to the stage to entertain and amuse.

The standout of which had to be Jessie J, who absolutely smashed it with Bang Bang. Even though she was sharing a stage with two- arguably more famous- Divas, Jessie remained unbothered, out shining both with nothing but voice and charisma. This woman was born to be on stage.

(Also, Taylor Swift takes a little bit more of my heart every time I see her getting her life at an award show. I'm worried soon they'll be no more to take!)

[Watch] Ariana Grande Attempts Jessie J's "Bang Bang" climax! Sucessfully or Not, You Decide!

Jessie J is a vocal beast. I can't deny that- can you?! Case in point, the vocal during the bridge of her latest single Bang Bang.

[Watch/Review] Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj and Jessie J Open 2014 VMAs

Opening the 2014 VMA's was a trio of lovely Divas.

First out on stage was Ariana Grande, who arrived in a UFO to perform new single Break Free. It was a noticeably less nasal (than usual) vocal from the Diva, and change was also seen in her confidence levels, which seem to have grown. Though a little out of breath at some points, I can't deny Ariana delivered the goods on the night, opening the VMAs the right!

Following her came rapper Nicki Minaj, who delivered exactly no surprises with her performance of latest, Vevo record-breaking, hit Anaconda. Much like the video, Nicki served up bootay. It wasn't something the "celebrity" crowd the camera panned to (The Kardashian Klan/ Rita Ora) looked unimpressed with, but the audience seemed to go wild for it.

[Review] Jessie J Feat. Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj - "Bang Bang"

Jessie J kind of fell off with her second album Alive.

Hoping to reclaim former success with album number three, the Diva has released its lead single, the much hyped Bang Bang. A song that should make her relevant alone with its featured artists: vocalist Ariana Grande and rapper Nicki Minaj.

With a gospel influence and two capable singers at its helm, I was expecting one helluva vocal show from Bang Bang. It's an expectation that never really fulfilled, with the song peaking after halfway with a throat-busting (A Cappella) run from Jessie that should see the singer blow out her voice box sometime this year when attempting live. After that "moment", it's a noisy stumble to an unsatisfying conclusion.

[Watch] Ciara And Nicki Minaj Perform @ BET 2013 Awards

Crunk&B Queen Ciara is consistently slept on, even though she has got to be one of- if not THE- best female performer out there right now. Part of the problem, other than people perceiving her voice as being "weak" (which I don't agree with), has to be the inconsistent material she keeps coming with.

This era seems to be the most unfocused to date, with the dancing Diva grasping at previous sounds to try and regain relevance. It's a strategy that clearly isn't working! CiCi needs to stop looking backwards for inspiration and instead be pushing forwards, setting new trends with her music and choreography, because she is more than capable of leading.

[Watch] Nicki Minaj Objectifies Herself And Sets Back Female Rappers Everywhere With Performance @ Billboard Awards 2013

It's Nicki Minaj's and some surgeon's body and she can do whatever she wants with it, that's feminism right? But still, this performance of High School was so ergh to watch. Was it really necessary to perform that stripper routine on top of, and for, someone considered to be your mentor, Nicki? It just makes me feel all sorts of uncomfortable, especially considering the power dynamics and the subtext- Lil Wayne also discovered her- at play here. This wasn't empowerment, and the comment at the end proves just where her mentor's attention was. (I'll give you a hint, it wasn't on her lyrical talent/skill.)

The world really needs for some strong female rappers who aren't about the body and their hyper-sexuality to add balance and variety to that which is being offered. I worry about the next generation of aspiring female rappers, and the state of the industry itself, if this is what they think they have to do and look like to make it big in the male-dominated industry of rap/hip-hop.

Enjoy......

[Watch] Nicki Minaj Attacks Mariah Carey During American Idol Auditions

OMG. I'd read about the supposed fight between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey during the American Idol Auditions but straightaway brushed it off as a publicity stunt. That was until I saw the footage.

If Nicki is acting here then get that girl an Oscar, because to me it looks like she is clearly annoyed and off on a rant. According to TMZ the argument got so out of hand that it ended with Ms Manaj telling Mariah, “I’m gonna knock you out”.

I'm hoping that this clip has been released totally out of context, because if it hasn't, Nicki Minaj is going to suffer from it going public. It totally contradicts the sweet and accessible image that has allowed her to cross over into the mainstream.

Divas take over "T in The Park" [Watch]

BBC's T in The Park 2012 took place this weekend in Balado, Kinross-Shire, and was choke-full of Divas. So instead of posting separately on each of them, I thought I'd just spam you with all of them in one go, and just pray none of you become too overwhelmed with the glut of aural and visual stimulation.

Honesty time, I haven't had a chance to watch these all myself. I had a busy weekend, which included seeing Katy B at Somerset House yesterday (was amazing!). So I thought I'd post them for you guys now, because by the time I manage to watch and evaluate them it would most likely be time for T In The Park 2013.

Let me know if there was anyone in particular you enjoyed in the comments!

Review: Watch Madonna's 2012 Super Bowl Extravaganza

Madonna at the 2012 Super Bowl

Madonna clearly set out with the intention of making the 2012 Super Bowl half-time show the biggest the sporting event had ever hosted, and we wouldn't expect anything less from our Madge! Wanting to impress and grab headlines in ways that did not involve the flashing of body parts, a la a certain other Diva *cough* Janet Jackson *cough*, Madonna's plan was simply to overwhelm and impress with a gigantic budget and good old nostalgia!

Review: Madonna Feat Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. "Give Me All Your Luvin'". Yes, It's as Bad As The Leaked Demo Suggested It Was Going To Be

I'm conflicted about the new Madonna release. I really don't want to be ageist, or push on to her expectations of what someone in their fifties should be doing, or how they should be dressing, but its hard when you watch the new video for, or indeed just hear, the new single, Give Me All Your Luvin. In fact, scratch that. On second viewing its not that I take issue with the skimpy clothing or the suggesting dancing, because I actually don't. Its more the immaturity of the whole thing that gets to me. From the obnoxious cheerleader chants of the music itself, to the faux breastfeeding and discarding of a doll, it just all feels extremely tacky.

Review: Nicki Minaj feat Rihanna "Fly"

 

New single, Fly, finds rapper Nicki Minaj showcasing a softer, more personal side, chronicling her own life's struggles and triumphs. The track also features Barbadian singer Rihanna, who offers up her vocals on a chorus that lyrically seeks to give the song a more inclusive feel than the verses by remaining general and broad with its imagery and empowering message. Its a combination that works well;  allowing the song to be both personal to Minaj while also being universally accessible to anyone listening.

OMG Britney Spears slicker than the remix "Till the world ends" featuring Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha. (Preview)

I can not believe the remix that is heading our way on Monday!! Everyone's favourite multimillionairess tramp Ke$ha- who is also the co-writer of the song- and rapper du jour Nicki Minaj have teamed up with Ms Britney Spears on a Dub-step inspired remix of the already stellar Till the world ends! OMG! Hopefully this is the shot in the arm the song needs to send it rightfully to the top of the charts!

Nicki Minaj - Vocal Profile/ Range

Nicki Minaj

Vocal Type: Soubrette
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Range: 2 octaves, 4 notes  D3- Bb5
Vocal Strengths: Although classed as a rapper, has demonstrated the ability to carry a melody aptly. Her voice is full of character and energy: able to switch between a thick and heavy timbre to a light and bright one quickly providing brilliant contrast. Her midrange is solid and her chest is capable of hitting the fifth octave.
Vocal Weaknesses: Her chest voice is thin and becomes weaker very quickly as it gets higher.
Recommended Listen: Super Bass, Fly

Nicki Minaj & Rihanna Perform "Fly" Live

Rihanna has a little cheeky
squeeze of Niki Minaj's butt!

Rihanna and Nick Minaj
on the set of "Fly"

Rihanna was one of Nicki Minaj's guests at her concert to promote the release of her new album Pink Friday. The duo performed a speedy rendition of the track Fly, after which Rihanna gave Nicki's famous ass-et a cheeky squeeze before leaving the stage.