Monday 11 July 2016

Ariana Grande Throws Her Weight Behind #BlackLivesMatter With "Better Days"


Ariana Grande is a Diva who isn't afraid to make others uncomfortable by speaking her mind. So it's little wonder that she's speaking up on a touchy subject for many, addressing the ongoing treatment of African Americans in her home nation.

Teaming up with Victoria Monet, the pair have written and recorded a new song titled Better Days in support for the Black Lives Matter movement. But just in case there was any ambiguity about her feelings after this release, the Diva also posted the following statement to her Instagram account:

Friday 8 July 2016

With The Spice Girls Reuniting, Let's Talk about Their Individual Voices



Notice to all of you who survived the '90s: the Spice Girls are reuniting!

Not all of them mind...but more than half! Geri Halliwell ("Ginger"), Emma Bunton ("Baby") and Melanie Brown ("Scary") have sent out the proclamation that they are planning a "party" to celebrate twenty years since the group's inception.

Knowing it would perhaps be cheeky to perform under the Spice Girls banner with only three members, the trio are tentatively going with the new name: GEM. (Anyone who needs explaining as to "why that name?", please see yourselves out.)

Sporty Spice - "the one with the voice"- could potentially still join the trio's celebration, saying, "I am keeping tight-lipped. There are lots of discussions going on." But it seems unlikely that this wavering will be seen from Best Spice Posh, who recently, shadily said: "They used to turn it off and just let the others sing. I got the last laugh – and now my mic is well and truly on, finally.”

Am I really bothered by this announcement? No. But let's use it as an excuse to talk about the Spice Girls and their voices

Friday 1 July 2016

[Free For All Friday]


Pinch, punch, first of the month.

If you don't know the score, here be the rules:
  • Try not to get too perverted- this site needs to basically be "safe for work".
  • If somebody starts a controversial subject, try keeping it civil when dealing with it. If things get out of hand please flag the conversation.
  • It would be nice if it stuck to music, but it's not a requirement! So talk about news, current events, how you're getting your hair done next time you hit the hairdresser! Whateves, really!
  • No nasty comments aimed at other users.
Inappropriate hugs to all of y'all (hi-fives to the underagers), and wishing you an awesome weekend!

Thursday 30 June 2016

Sia-penned "Sledgehammer" Visuals hit Rihanna's Vevo Account



Apparently a fan of Star Trek since a little nipper, Rihanna must have thought Christmas had come early when she was asked to record the theme song for the new film, Star Trek Beyond. Entitled Sledgehammer, the Sia-penned track seemed (on paper) an odd replacement for the orchestral score  movie trailers usually go for. However, it works  really well, being dramatic enough to support the intergalactic visuals.

Wednesday 29 June 2016

Can You Guess What Patti LaBelle Does During This "Isn't It a Shame" Performance?



Patti LaBelle is the Diva that just keeps on giving to me.

She is that rare kind of performer who gets so into her craft that wherever the music takes her, she is going to go; she is living her life at that moment, enraptured in the music. Unlike other Divas, it doesn't just get communicated through her voice, her physicality also gets caught up in the whirlwind. And it's this total expression that makes her a joy to watch.

Monday 27 June 2016

JoJo Covers Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby"



JoJo is much revered for her voice. In fact, it's often claimed she's slept on, as even though her voice is A* she doesn't get much attention from the mainstream. I'd argue that that's the fault of her material, but that's a different post.

Alicia Keys Don't Need NO ONE, performs all Instrumentation for "In Common" @ BET Awards 2016


Alicia Keys is clearly over the polished styling of the Girl On Fire era. Taking to the BET Awards to perform latest single In Common, the Diva impressively handled the entire production herself. How's that for stripping things back!

Encased by various gadgets and gizmos, Alicia cleverly tweaked, pushed and strummed the surrounding instruments to create the track's backing. It was a novel experience that kept the audience's (and my) interest right till the final note. But, maybe more importantly than that, it served a second purpose. In choosing to forgo the conventional, she set herself apart from all others who performed at the award show. And that was something she needed to do, given that Beyonce and the Prince tributes would be guaranteed to grab those column inches.

Much respect, Alicia.