[Happy Fourth Of July] Lady Gaga Sings The American National Anthem

I know a lot of you guys wanted me to post this video earlier, but since I hadn't had anything planned to commemorate the Fourth of July, I thought I'd save it for today! So get your mini-flags ready my American friends as Lady Gaga delivers her version of The Star-Spangled Banner!

I should mention that this performance actually took place last week, a few days after the royal smack-down the Supreme Court gave Prop 8 of the Defense of Marriage Act. Being such a momentous occasion for the LGBT community, it was unsurprising Mother Monster decided to make this her first public appearance since her hip-operation in February. In addition to the Star-Spangled Banner, Gaga also gave the New York crowd a little speech thanking the community for their support.

Check out Lady Gaga's speech, and theatrical performance of the American National Anthem (which starts at 1.04) below. "Land of the Gay", eh?

[Music Video] Fantasia (Feat. Kelly Rowland & Missy Elliot): "Without Me"

I was not expecting such levels of seduction from Fantasia, but it looks like serial smut peddler Kelly Rowland -who co-stars in the video, alongside Missy Elliot- has been spreading her saucy gospel amongst her peers.

I'm only joking! Despite the dark and seedy vibe of both the music and the visuals, the reality is, Without Me is actually a feisty break-up track. Co-written by the singer, the song speaks of an ungrateful and lying ex who, if one reads between the lines, might have been gay ("Boy, I know the real you (ga, ga, yay, ga)"). Well, he better have been because being gay should never be used as a slur, Franny!

I'm actually surprised at how much I like Without Me. This and Lose to Win might just have swayed me into picking up her latest album, Side Effects of You. Now if only Kelly and Franny could have a word with Michelle Williams, we might be able to get Destiny's Child mark 2 up and running. 

[New Music Video] Mariah Carey (ft. Miguel): "#Hermosa"

The video that you were all gagging to see has arrived: Mariah Carey and Miguel's new one for the Spanglish remix of #Beautiful(!) That was sarcasm, by the way.

Unsurprisingly (and smartly), due to it being a piss-poor remix, the budget wasn't really there for these visuals. But even still, it manages to include staples from the Mariah Carey school of video making. Cue shots of Mariah's shoes/feet/and legs; of her in the studio (because she's a writer and producer, damn it!); of her spinning gracefully like a beautiful sycamore seed; and her being dramatically seductively!

And if those visuals, shot in Capri, weren't enough to dazzle on their own, they've smeared them all in a liberal application of hipster filter to give it that distractingly "vintage" feel.

Enjoy!

[Watch] Tamela Mann Soars To The Heavens With 2013 BET Performance

I have no idea what the name of the song that Gospel superstar Tamela Mann was singing, but I do know that she was vocal a beast; bringing class, emotion and voice to the 2013 BET awards. Me and organised religion aren't exactly friends, but that didn't stop even me feeling the conviction of this performance.

Keeping the vocals tight, Tamela refrained from the embellishment and melisma that is often synonymous with the genre, and leaned on the power of her voice to spread the "good word". The result was a rousing performance that had many in the audience on their feet.

[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.