Shah - This Is Day One

Shah is an emerging recording artist whose sound has broken free from the constraints of modern hip-hop. His debut EP is an expression of triumph and growth; a monument to self-expression and youthful defiance. Shah’s distinct style is created through a combination of his confidence-saturated and bass-heavy voice, with production samples ranging from orchestral to electronic. Despite his refusal to compromise his music for the sake of broader appeal, the demo has been praised locally and abroad. A member of his production team stated, “We were able to attract talent from all over the globe just based on Shah's music. As soon as anyone heard his tracks, they wanted in. It wasn’t long before we realized we had built something special.”

Shah’s story begins like that of so many other rappers on their rise to fame. A defiant adolescent, raised in a forgotten neighborhood, he lost some of his closest friends to violence. It does not take long, however, for the similarities to end.  The same boy, expelled from high school, would graduate from medical school and travel the world several times over. The same boy, who had constant run-ins with the law, would go on to create an international non-profit organization.

In spite of the success Shah has already achieved in fields such as finance, sports, and medicine, he describes music as his only true calling. His story will compel you, but it is his music that will addict you. In Shah’s words, “This is just day one.”


Listen to his debut EP here:

Can the ACMs go any lower?

The ACMs (Academy of Country Music Awards) this year ended with a lot of controversies and disappointments.

Right from the very beginning, Blake Shelton made such an inappropriate joke about Britney Spears. He said in the monologue with Luke Bryan: "If you don't like live music, you need to go down the street and see Britney Spears." Seriously Blake? That joke is not even funny. Many audiences who were also Britney fans booed him. Even worse, Jamie Lynn Spears was there too! Needless to say, she immediately got offended and left the show. The shocked look in his face said it all. What a way to start the show Blake! This, in addition with the fact that Blake is homophobic, he's 100% out of my iTunes library.

I will not go on about how stupid the ACMs nominations were. After years and years snubbing Carrie Underwood, finally they gave her a "special" award this year. But that award was given to a bunch of other people, and there's no one mentioned about it at the main award show. You can say Carrie is so over their shit by the look in her face and the fact that for the first time ever she didn't perform at the ACMs.

The hosts are just lame. If you compare Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan to Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, you will see clearly who can do a better job at hosting an award show.


The award result was completely predictable. Not deserving AT ALL, for the fifth year in a row, Miranda Lambert won Female Vocalist of the Year. George Strait won Entertainer of the Year for... getting retired. But hey, the general public aka anyone with conscious mind knows Carrie Underwood and Kacey Musgraves are the true Entertainer and Female Vocalist this year. At least Kacey won Album of the Year and The Band Perry won Vocal Group of the Year - but that doesn't make the ACMs any less shitty.

None of the performance was good enough. Even though I hate to admit this - Blake Shelton and Shakira delivered the best performance of the night with "Medicine."

The only good thing was after the show, all the songs that won/ were performed had a great jump on iTunes. Must be nice to see crap music of Florida Georgia Line slaying on top 10 iTunes I guess.

The 2014 ACMs result:
Entertainer of the Year
George Strait

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean

Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert

Vocal Duo of the Year
Florida Georgia Line

New Artist of the Year
Justin Moore

Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry

Album of the Year

Same Trailer Different Park – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
Record Label: Mercury Records

Single Record of the Year

Mama's Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville

Song of the Year

I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice
Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary
Publishers: Beattyville Music (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Great Day At This Music (BMI), Happy Tears Music (ASCAP), Vistaville Music (ASCAP), Watch This Girl Publishing (BMI)

Video of the Year

Highway Don't Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
Producers: Tameron Hedge, Chandra LaPlume
Director: Shane Drake

Vocal Event of the Year

We Were Us – Keith Urban And Miranda Lambert
Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban
Record Labels: Capitol Records Nashville, Hit Red Records, RCA Nashville

2014 JUNO Awards

The 2014 JUNO Awards happened last weekend: the gala and awards on Saturday, and the main award show on Sunday which was hosted by Serena Ryder, Johnny Reid and Classified.

Unfortunately I couldn't watch the show so I would not say about it, but here we goes, the results of 2014 JUNO Awards... *drum rolls*

The biggest winners were the lesbian twin sisters Tegan and Sara (makes the LGBT community proud girls!!!!) and the incredible host of the show Serena Ryder. Needless to say, 2013 was a great year for both talented artists, since they started to draw some attention from the States while scoring many hit singles in Canada our home and native land!

After winning the awards, their albums sky rocketed on iTunes, with Harmony by Serena even reached #2! Other nominees/performers such as Walk Off the Earth or Sarah McLachlan also scored great jumps on iTunes chart!

The biggest loser? Justin Bieber didn't come to the show to pick up his JUNO Fans Choice Award - probably he knew he would be booed by the crowd when his name was called (and it actually did happen). Oh the irony...

The full list of 2014 JUNO Awards winners:

JUNO FAN CHOICE AWARD (PRESENTED BY TD) 
Arcade Fire
Avril Lavigne
Céline Dion
Drake Cash
Hedley
WINNER Justin Bieber
Michael Bublé
Robin Thicke
Serena Ryder
Walk Off the Earth

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Reflektor, Arcade Fire
Inner Ninja, Classified
It’s a Beautiful Day, Michael Bublé
What I Wouldn’t Do, Serena Ryder
WINNER Closer, Tegan and Sara

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
WINNER Unorthodox Jukebox, Bruno Mars
The Marshall Mathers LP 2, Eminem
Night Visions, Imagine Dragons
Take Me Home, One Direction
The Truth About Love, P!nk

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY MUSIC CANADA)
WINNER Reflektor, Arcade Fire
Loved Me Back to Life, Céline Dion
Nothing Was the Same, Drake
To Be Loved, Michael Bublé
Harmony, Serena Ryder

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Céline Dion
Drake
Michael Bublé
Robin Thicke
WINNER Serena Ryder

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Arcade Fire
Blue Rodeo
Hedley
WINNER Tegan and Sara
Walk Off the Earth

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY FACTOR AND RADIO STARMAKER FUND)
WINNER Brett Kissel
Florence K
Tim Hicks
Tyler Shaw
Wake Owl

BREAKTHROUGH GROUP OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY FACTOR AND RADIO STARMAKER FUND)
WINNER A Tribe Called Red
Autumn Hill
Born Ruffians
Courage My Love
July Talk

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY SIRIUSXM CANADA)
Arcade Fire
Henry “Cirkut” Walter
Ron Sexsmith
WINNER Serena Ryder
Tegan and Sara Quin

COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Started With a Song, Brett Kissel
WINNER Crop Circles, Dean Brody
Country Junkie, Gord Bamford
Small Town Pistols, Small Town Pistols
Throw Down, Tim Hicks

ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Shut Down the Streets, A.C. Newman
Tall Tall Shadow, Basia Bulat
Us Alone, Hayden
WINNER Forever Endeavour, Ron Sexsmith
Internal Sounds, The Sadies

ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY LONG & MCQUADE)
WINNER Reflektor, Arcade Fire
The Poet’s Dead, Rah Rah
Today We’re Believers, Royal Canoe
Warring, The Darcys
Uzu, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan

POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY TD)
Wild Life, Hedley
To Be Loved, Michael Bublé
Blurred Lines, Robin Thicke
WINNER Heartthrob, Tegan and Sara
R.E.V.O., Walk Off the Earth

ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY MUSICIANS’ RIGHTS ORGANIZATION CANADA)
Love + Fury, Headstones
WINNER Coyote, Matt Mays
Arrows of Desire, Matthew Good
Furiosity, Monster Truck
Transit of Venus, Three Days Grace

VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Stealing Genius, Amy McConnell & William Sperandei
Courage, My Love, Erin Propp with Larry Roy
My Funny Valentine – The Chet Baker Songbook, Matt Dusk
WINNER Notes On Montréal ft. Sienna Dahlen Mike Rud
Triades, Sonia Johnson, Charles Biddle Jr. & Annie Poulain

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Gratitude, Brandi Disterheft
WINNER Habitat, Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra
Brooklyn Babylon, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
Mirror of the Mind, Earl MacDonald
Le refuge, Trifolia

TRADITIONAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Nine, Carn Davidson
The Ian McDougall 12tet LIVE, Ian McDougall 12-tet
Our Second Set, John MacLeod & His Rex Hotel Orchestra
WINNER Ripple Effect, Mike Downes
Look for the Silver Lining, Phil Dwyer and Don Thompson Triplet

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
New History Warfare Vol.3: To See More Light, Colin Stetson
WINNER Dalmak, Esmerine
Senna, Mahogany Frog
Down Home, Petr Cancura
Invitation, The Peggy Lee Band

FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY FESTIVAL DU VOYAGEUR)
Himalaya mon amour, Alex Nevsky
Omniprésent, Damien Robitaille
Chic de ville, Daniel Bélanger
WINNER Fox, Karim Ouellet
Punkt, Pierre Lapointe

CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Sing As We Go! Charlie Hope Little
What’s the Big Idea?!? Gary Rasberry
WINNER Colour It, Helen Austin
Mon coffret à surprises, Marie-Claude
Coconuts Don’t Fall Far From the Tree, Splash’N Boots

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOLO OR CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
WINNER Prokofiev Complete Works for Violin, James Ehnes
Chopin: Études Op. 10 & 25, Jan Lisiecki
Mozart: Concertos Nos. 13 & 14, Janina Fialkowska / The Chamber Players of Canada
Liszt at The Opera, Louis Lortie
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas, Stewart Goodyear

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LARGE ENSEMBLE OR SOLOIST(S) WITH LARGE ENSEMBLE ACCOMPANIMENT
Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 17 & 27, Angela Hewitt
WINNER Britten & Shostakovich: Violin Concerti, James Ehnes
Canadian Concerto Project, Volume One, Nadina Mackie Jackson and Guy Few with Group of 27
House of Dreams, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances & Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: VOCAL OR CHORAL PERFORMANCE
Berlioz: Les nuits d’été – Palej : The Poet & the War – Rorate Coeli Group of 27, Eric Paetkau -
Conductor, Shannon Mercer – Soprano Centaur*Naxos
Ravel, Sayat-Nova & Kradjian: Troubadour & the Nightingale Isabel Bayrakdarian MCO*HM
WINNER Lettres de Madame Roy à sa fille Gabrielle Marie-Nicole Lemieux & André Gagnon Audiogram*Select
Handel: Orlando, HWV 31 Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Alexander Weimann, Owen Willets, Karina
Gauvin, Allyson McHardy, Amanda Forsythe, Nathan Berg ATMA*Naxos
A Quiet Place: Music for Healing III Vancouver Chamber Choir Grouse*Independent

CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR
WINNER Field Notes Allan Gordon Bell GRAVITY AND GRACE
Isomorphia for Orchestra and Electronics James O’Callaghan MAHLER SYMPHONY 9
Quatuors à cordes No. 12 R. Murray Schafer QUATUOR MOLINARI ATMA
Magnificat Stephen Chatman MAGNIFICAT: SONGS OF REFLECTION
Atacama: Symphonie No. 3 Tim Brady ATACAMA: Symphonie No. 3 ATMA

RAP RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Classified, Classified
WINNER Nothing Was the Same, Drake
In My Opinion, Rich Kidd
Flying Colours, Shad
Everywhere We Go, SonReal

DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
WINNER This is What it Feels Like, Armin van Buuren & Trevor Guthrie Armada*Sony
>album title goes here<, deadmau5
Tsunami, DVBBS & Borgeous
Locked Down, Jacynthe
Heartbreaker, Mia Martina

R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Kaleidoscope, Joanna Borromeo
WINNER Can’t Choose, JRDN ft. Kardinal Offishall
There’s Only One, Kim Davis
Gone, Melanie Durrant
Kiss Land, The Weeknd

REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Mandela Akustix, Independent
Baby It’s You, Ammoye Flava
Love Collision, Dru
Rebel Massive, Dubmatix
WINNER Strive, Exco Levi & Kabaka Pyramid

ABORIGINAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY ABORIGINAL PEOPLES TELEVISION NETWORK)
Keep a Fire, Amanda Rheaume
Small Town Stories, Desiree Dorion
WINNER Surrender, George Leach
Burn Me Down, Inez Jasper
Road Renditions, Nathan Cunningham

ROOTS & TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOLO
Come Cry With Me, Daniel Romano
So Say We All, David Francey
Don’t Get Too Grand, Donovan Woods
WINNER Valleyheart, Justin Rutledge
Tin Star, Lindi Ortega

ROOTS & TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: GROUP (SPONSORED BY WINNIPEG FOLK FESTIVAL)
The Folk Sinner, Lee Harvey Osmond
Bison Ranch Recording Sessions, Little Miss Higgins & The Winnipeg Five
Volume One, The Devin Cuddy Band
WINNER We Still Move On Dance Floors, The Strumbellas
Island of Echoes, The Wilderness of Manitoba

BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY GALAXIE, YOUR MUSICAL UNIVERSE)
Come on Down, David Gogo
WINNER Can You Hear the Music
Soulscape, Harrison Kennedy
My Guitar’s My Only Friend, James Buddy
All Frequencies, MonkeyJunk

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Search the Heavens, Fraser Campbell
Jordan Raycroft, Jordan Raycroft
Heart The City, Harmonic
Lost & Undone: A Gospel Bluegrass Companion, The High Bar
WINNER Trees, Tim Neufeld

WORLD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS)
Sabor A Café Adonis Puentes Tumba
Lamentation of Swans – A Journey Towards Silence Azam Ali and Loga R.Torkian
WINNER Walk to the Sea David Buchbinder & Odessa/Havana
Jumbie in the Jukebox Kobo Town
Lume, Lume Lemon Bucket Orkestra

JACK RICHARDSON PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY SLAIGHT MUSIC)
Brian Howes and Jacob Hoggard
Eric Ratz
WINNER Henry “Cirkut” Walter
Ryan Guldemond and Ben Kaplan
Thomas “Tawgs” Salter

RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
David Travers-Smith
WINNER Eric Ratz
Kevin Churko (co-engineer Kane Churko)
Randy Staub

RECORDING PACKAGE OF THE YEAR
Bones, Bodhi Jones
Lullabies and Wake-Up Calls, Dinah Thorpe
White Paint, Hollerado
WINNER Arts & Crafts: 2003-2013
La Mort Pop Club, We Are Wolves

VIDEO OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY MUCHFACT, EXCLUSIVELY FUNDED BY BELL MEDIA)
Je t’aime comme tu es, Agathe Bray-Bourret (Daniel Belanger)
Friend of Mine, Briin ‘Briin?’ Bernstein & Daniel AM Rosenberg (D-Sisive)
Anything, John Poliquin (Hedley)
King and Lionheart, WeWereMonkeys (Of Monsters and Men)
WINNER Feeling Good, Matt Barnes (The Sheepdogs)

ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY ROLAND)
Nation II Nation, A Tribe Called Red
Untogether, Blue Hawaii
Graze, Graze
Third Culture, Noah Pred
WINNER Guilt Trips, Ryan Hemsworth

METAL/HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Heart of Oak, Anciients
Colored Sands, Gorguts
Entrench, KEN Mode
WINNER Volition, Protest the Hero
Dead Language, The Flatliners

ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
In My Head, Alysha Brilla
Loved Me Back To Life, Céline Dion
Dream Catcher, Chloe Albert
The Year He Drove Me Crazy, Coral Egan
WINNER A Christmas Gift To You, Johnny Reid

G.U.Y. (Gaga Under You)

I admit that I've been waiting to write about Lady Gaga since when I started this blog. Finally, the chance has come with Goddess of Love's latest video "G.U.Y." (abbreviation of "Girl Under You").

It's Gaga's handwriting on the single cover of G.U.Y.

"G.U.Y." is served as the third single from ARTPOP. Even though ARTPOP failed to achieve the previous commercial success of Born This Way and the second single "Do What U Want" missed a great opportunity to be a big hit worldwide due to its Terry Richardson-directed music video was shelved, "G.U.Y." still had a big budget to bring Gaga back to the top.

The Zedd-produced track has always been a fan favorite, received acclaim from music critics as a true ARTPOP standout and a potential huge hit. There was a dilemma whether to release "Gypsy" - another standout track, fan favorite and label's choice, or "Venus" - a controversial song and Gaga's personal favorite, but in the end "G.U.Y." - critics', fans' and Gaga's darling had been chosen as the third single.

"G.U.Y." music video starts with Gaga as an angel that was shot down in the middle of nowhere. There're man all around Gaga, but no one helps her because they only care about the money falling all around her. The album title track "ARTPOP" is playing in the background (I love the slightly remixed audio in Gaga removing the arrow from her chest scene).

Gaga makes it on her feet to a palace (the breath-taking Hearst Castle, California), where she collapsed at the front door. "Venus" begins as she is carried to a magical pool to heal. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stars make a cameo - which is said to imply the music industry in which some artists that can't even play their own instruments but still get famous of their looks.

"G.U.Y." plays as Gaga rises again from the water as a Greek Goddess (is that Venus - Goddess of Love?)! I'm not gonna go into any more details because you HAVE TO watch this incredible video yourself. Just know that Mother Monster looks absolutely stunning in each and every look in the mv. And the storyline is pretty cool (even though it's pretty hard to understand just like most of her other videos), featuring famous Youtuber SkyDoesMinecraft, Lisa Vanderpump and Kyle Richards, and special cameo by Michael Jackson, Gandhi, John Lennon and Jesus (sort of).

"G.U.Y." is like the best gift Mother Monster gives to Little Monsters this year (so far). It's beyond EPIC! And it's a pretty smart marketing strategy actually.

After leaving fans hung up and disappointed over "Do What U Want", "G.U.Y." was highly hyped and expected as a come back - the true beginning of ARTPOP. And surprisingly, the mv turned out better than expected, and contained not only one but four songs from the album (hey, I forgot "MANiCURE" on the long ass credit). What a way to promote for ARTPOP! And with the streaming rules of Billboard, ALL four of them will receive streaming points and therefore chart on Billboard Hot 100 next week. Brilliant to be honest.

Now all we need to see is what Interscope plans for "G.U.Y." beside the gorgeous music video. Meanwhile, Little Monsters, don't forget to stream the video on Youtube as well as the song on other streaming platforms such as Spotify... And request the song on radio too! Buy the song on iTunes here, or gift it to your beloved ones!

Watch the amazing music video of "G.U.Y." here:

Canadian Artists to Watch

Even though the American music literally dominates the world, I've always loved and been proud of our Canadian music. Since we talked about our very own Canadian multi-platinum recording artist Alyssa Reid last week, this week, we're gonna talk about the latest coming hits from some of our other native artists.

First of all, let's talk about Alyssa again. The golden girl of Wax Records teamed up with a brand new artist of the label - Virginia to Vegas - in his debut single "We Are Stars". Well, despite that all-American name, Virginia to Vegas is a Canadian singer, for sure. He's a Toronto-based handsome young men whose real name is Derik Baker.

Upon its release, "We Are Stars" immediately received large attention. The song quickly climbed up on iTunes, and has reached top 20. With strong digital sales and quick-rising airplay, the song has so far peaked at #24 on Canada Hot 100 to date. Virginia to Vegas is having a great chance of having a top 20 hit with his debut single - a great achievement that not all Canadian artists can get.

Another song that is about to smash coming from the Best New Artist at JUNO Awards 2011 Meaghan Smith - "Have a Heart". "Have a Heart" is the title track from her third studio album, to-be-released on April 22, 2014.

Unlike her previous singles, "Have a Heart" is more pop mainstream, accompanied with an awesome music video that brings back Bicentennial Man (Robin Williams - 1990) vibe. In the video, Meaghan is in love with a heartless robot, so she decided to give it a mechanical heart. I'm not gonna say how the video ends, you have to watch the great music video to find out! Thanks to such awesome video and addictive melody receiving a lot of airplay from AC radio stations, the song debuted and has yet peaked at #94 on Canada Hot 100. With "Have a Heart", Meaghan is on her way to have her biggest hit to date.

 The last song we're gonna take a look (listen) today is "In Better Hands" from the one and only Fefe Dobson. "In Better Hands" is the second single from the Canadian superstar's upcoming album Firebird.

Fefe Dobson never fails to satisfy her fans. "In Better Hands" is simply just another perfectly perfect song from the JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter. While the lead single "Legacy" was an undeserving commercial flop, "In Better Hands" is expected to bring Fefe back to the top chart. The song reminds me of her biggest massive hit "Stuttering" a lot. Now all she needs is another perfect video to promote for the song.

Don't forget to check out and support our talented Canadian artists by buying their songs on iTunes. And request your favorite songs on radio if you can!
Buy "We Are Stars" by Virginia to Vegas featuring Alyssa Reid here. You can also buy Alyssa's latest album Time Bomb here.
Buy "Have a Heart" and pre-order album Have a Heart by Meaghan Smith here.
Buy "In Better Hands" by Fefe Dobson here.

Get Your Satisfaction Guaranteed with Alyssa Reid

In celebration of Alyssa Reid following me on Twitter (yay!!!), let's take quick look at her new album Time Bomb.

Time Bomb is the second album from multi-platinum Canadian recording artist Alyssa Reid. It's a follow-up of her highly successful debut album The Game. Supported by two amazing singles - buzz single "Running Guns", and the hit lead single "Satisfaction Guaranteed", fans expected a great album from Alyssa, and she didn't disappoint us.

Just like what it's said in the intro, this album is made for airplay success. It's full of radio-friendly hit potential songs. "Satisfaction Guaranteed" indeed has been a huge hit on the radio in Canada. You can turn the radio on and hear this song every hour. Imagine how much she could do if she released the song in the US! "Hurricane" - the second single (third single overall) is on its way to be another hit. Other songs such as "See Me" (spot the similar with "Presh Out the Runway" by Rihanna?), "Radio Silence" (hope the radio will NOT be silent with this song), "Change Your Mind", "Let It All Go" (the intro is everything) and "Last Chance" (feat. JRDN) all have big potential.

And as I always say, if J.Lo is the Queen of Samples in the US, Alyssa Reid is probably the Queen of Samples in Canada. Maybe you still remember her huge hit "Alone Again" - sampling Heart's "Alone"? Time Bomb also has another amazing sampling song - "Gravity" (yes, you guess it right, the sample is from "Defying Gravity").

Another moment from the album is when she steps out of radio-friendly songs. While "Clyde" is probably not the most easy-listening song to open the album, the title track "Time Bomb" is a perfect way to end the album (well, I don't count the acoustic bonus tracks). "Clyde" can either make you love or hate it (I don't blame you), and "Time Bomb" is such an emotional track that it could be very difficult to listen to - but hey, that's what the closing track should do.

To date, the album has sold 1,352 copies in Canada, peaked at #56 in Canada Albums Chart. While it's not a great number at all, one can still hope with the upcoming hit singles such as "Hurricane", she can boost the album sales a little bit more. This is a great album and deserves more success.

You can watch the mv of "Running Guns" (it was filmed in Japan!) and "Satisfaction Guaranteed" below and buy Time Bomb here (support Canadian talents everyone!)

Turn the Music Louder with Lea Michele

One of the most anticipated album of the year - Louder by Lea Michele - is finally here!

The Glee star finally dropped off her debut studio album this week, on March 4, 2014. With no surprise, Louder turned out to be an amazing album, showing off Lea's incredible vocals through many catchy, hit-potential songs. The album is a perfect combination of up-tempo pop smash, lovely mid-tempos and heartfelt ballads.

The lead single - "Cannonball" - is a perfect start for the album. "Burn with You", "You're Mine" (dedicated to Cory Monteith), "Cue the Rain" and "Gone Tonight" are notable mid-tempos also.

Louder also two biggest hit-potential up-tempo pop songs: the title track and "On My Way". If she releases these songs as singles, they will surely dominate the charts worldwide!

But the strongest point of Lea has always been the ballads. The heartbreaking songs that dedicated to her late fiance Cory Monteith - "Battlefield" and "If You Say So" - can make you cry any minute. "Thousand Needles" is also a great track, and "What Is Love?" is a totally flawless song that should've been in the standard track list.

With flawless vocal performance and absolutely amazing songs, Louder is certainly one of the greatest albums this year. All the music geeks should go and get your own copy now!

Louder is now available on iTunes or any music retailers. Listen to lead single "Cannonball", title track "Louder" and "What Is Love?" here:

"Dark Horse" - The Dark Horse Of A Song

"Dark Horse" by Katy Perry is probably one of the most impressive songs this year.

Originally released as a promotional single from her latest album PRISM, "Dark Horse" has proved itself to be quite a dark horse of a song. While the official second single "Unconditionally" surprisingly became a chart stumble, failed to reach the top 10, "Dark Horse" has an impressive original run of 14 weeks, based on huge digital sales which out peaked "Unconditionally", before even being released as a single. The song was a obviously a fan favorite, and both pop and urban radio picked the song up before any official add date which results in the song making its way to top 40 Pop Songs beforehand.

In mid-December, following the unexpected success as a promo single, "Dark Horse" was chosen as the third single from PRISM. On January 29, the song reached #1 on Hot 100, and so far has stayed on the top position for 4 weeks in its amazing 28-week chart run. "Dark Horse" is her 9th number one, and her 10th song to reach the 3 million sales milestone.

Not only being praised by its soaring hooks and sleekly sculpted production, "Dark Horse" was also praised by its colorful music video. Robert K. Ritner, Professor of Egyptology at the University of Chicago, praised the video for the accuracy in using ancient Egyptian symbols and stories references.

Source: Time Magazine 

With over 21 million views on Youtube in just 3 days after being released, "Dark Horse" could probably spend another week atop Hot 100. In Canada and Netherlands, the song also reached the top spot.

Watch the stunning music video below:

Jenny from the Block Is Back!

Ok JLOvers, we finally have what we wish for! Urban J.Lo is back!

She's still the same girl from the block, and better than ever. The first buzz single from her highly anticipated upcoming album has just been released, titled "Same Girl." This is such a wonderful come back to the 2002-2004 urban-styled J.Lo from the generic dance J.Lo featuring Pitbull. The song, written by Jennifer Lopez herself and Chris Brown, receives high praises from the critics and her devoted fan base.

But not only the record is praised - the music video for this buzz single is much praised as well. This time, the "On the Floor" singer takes a trip back to her old neighborhood, the Bronx, again. Even though there're no special effect or ground breaking scenes, it's just Jenny going around the Bronx (she's on the 6 train again!), meeting up fans and friends and having fun, but at one point in the music video, the background sounds come up and an older woman in the street looks at the singer, exclaiming "Jenny from the Block"! So much love and emotions in this laid-back and personal video. 

It's even more amazing when you find out she did this video without planning for it. "This was probably the craziest thing I've done in my career of music and movies," she said about making the video. "I like just being able to do things spontaneously, and not have everything so planned out. It's fun, it's creative, it's what art should be." 

Not sharing as much spotlight as "Same Girl", another buzz single from J.Lo, titled "Girls" also catches attention from music fans. It's a fun collaboration with DJ Mustard, and a true banger. While "Same Girl" is an R&B influenced pop song, "Girls" is a true urban smash. It reminds a lot of Cassie's music back in the day. Surprisingly, even though it's just a buzz single with zero promotion ("Same Girl" even gets a music video), "Girls" is still getting early airplay from urban radio stations. It seems like everyone, not just the fans, are craving for the come back of urban J.Lo. With all of the early success for an yet unnamed album, we can totally expect more from the Latina diva soon.

Watch the music video for "Same Girl" and listen to "Girls" here:

Grammys 2014 - Hits and Misses

The Grammy Awards last night was such a huge success, scoring 28.5 million viewers - their largest audience in 21 years. To be honest, that's not one of the best Grammy shows I've ever seen, but there're still quite few memorable moments.

Let's start with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. They're a big winner of the night (even though Kendrick Lamar clearly deserves more than them in some categories). With some help from Mary Lambert, Queen Latifah and Queen of Pop Madonna, they gave us such a wonderful and touching performance of the #1 hits "Same Love"/"Open Your Heart". The mass wedding of 34 couples - gay and straight, of all races - is the clearly the best moment of the night, showing all the bigots out there that all love are the same. I seriously cried while watching it.
Another off-the-scene fun: Katy Perry got the bouquet from one of the couples! She will become Mrs. Mayer soon I hope!

Source: Katy Perry Instagram

Came in the second place is the "Get Lucky" performance from Daft Punk - the biggest winner of the night - featuring Pharrell Williams (another big winner) and the legendary Stevie Wonder. The song is dope, and the crowd totally went crazy and dancing throughout the whole performance.

Imagine Dragons also blew up the stage with the biggest snub this year Kendrick Lamar in "Radioactive". Everyone was on fire and singing along. Right after the performance, a new studio version of the song featuring Kendrick Lamar was released on iTunes.

Remember the time when P!nk perform "Glitter in the Air" while literally hanging in the air at the Grammys? This year she did it again, and even better. The fierce singer opened up with the top ten hit "Try" with serious choreography on air. And after that, she still had enough energy to deliver the flawless vocal performance of the #1 hit "Just Give Me A Reason" with Nate Ruess. Once again, with no doubt, P!nk proved that she's the best singer and entertainer at the moment!

If you're The Beatles' fan, you will be totally knocked up by the "Queenie Eye" performance of Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr! Even Yoko Ono was dancing to it. I just wish John Lennon and George Harrison could've been there.

And last but not least, it's the amazing "Dark Horse" performance from Katy Perry and Juicy J. While obviously live singing is her weakness, her incredible stage presence usually saved the day. This time, Katy transformed into a dark witch, with brooms and dark horse. At the end, she burned up the stage - just like witches being burnt in the past. Just wonderful!

Of course, there're still some bad moments at the show. First of all, it's Katy Perry going home empty-handed for a countless time being nominated. Better luck next year! Or it's a horrible mash up of Metallica with a random Chinese pianist. Don't forget the boring and forgettable opening performance of Beyoncé and Jay Z. And of course we have to count the red carpet fashion. There was absolutely no amazing, breath-taking dresses in the red carpet this year. We seriously need the fashion icons like Rihanna and J.Lo, and even Lady Gaga, back next year.

Some other funny moments go to Katy Perry, Lorde, Pharrell Williams and Taylor Swift.
Bringing home two Grammy awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, Lorde also gave a funny performance of her Grammy-winning hit "Royals". That performance is compared to an exorcism, bringing tons of new memes on social media.

Source: tumblr

Source: tumblr

Katy Perry and Taylor Swift became the latest troll victims - when the presenters intentionally pronounced the winner "ROOARRRoyals" (Katy's nominated with the song "Roar") and "RRRRandom Access Memories" (Taylor's nominated with the album Red). The reactions of Swift (plus the men around her) and Perry quickly became new internet phenomenons.

Source: tumblr

And while none of the ladies made it with fashion, Pharrell Williams' weird hat stole the spotlight. To be quite honest, no one could understand how a stylist man like him could choose such an ugly hat for a big award show like this. But no matter what, 4 Grammy awards he brought home last night is all that matters.

Source: Twitter

2014 Grammy's Winners 

Album of the Year: ‘Random Access Memories’ by Daft Punk
Record of the Year: ‘Get Lucky’ by Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
Song of the Year: ‘Royals’ by Lorde
Best New Artist: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Best Pop Solo Performance: ‘Royals’ by Lorde
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: ‘Get Lucky’ by Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
Best Pop Instrumental Album: ‘Steppin’ Out’ by Herb Alpert
Best Pop Vocal Album: ‘Unorthodox Jukebox’ by Bruno Mars
Best Dance Recording: ‘Clarity’ by Zedd featuring Foxes
Best Dance/Electronica Album: ‘Random Access Memories’ by Daft Punk
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: ‘To Be Loved’ by Michael Bublé
Best Rock Performance: ‘Radioactive’ by Imagine Dragons
Best Metal Performance: ‘God Is Dead?’ by Black Sabbath
Best Rock Song: ‘Cut Me Some Slack’ by Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear
Best Rock Album: ‘Celebration Day’ by Led Zeppelin
Best Alternative Music Album: ‘Modern Vampires of the City’ by Vampire Weekend
Best R&B Performance: ‘Something” by Snarky Puppy with Lalah Hathaway
Best Traditional R&B Performance: ‘Please Come Home’ by Gary Clark, Jr.
Best R&B Song: ‘Pusher Love Girl’ by Justin Timberlake
Best Urban Contemporary Album: ‘Unapologetic’ by Rihanna
Best R&B Album: ‘Girl On Fire’ by Alicia Keys
Best Rap Performance: ‘Thrift Shop’ by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: ‘Holy Grail’ by JAY Z featuring Justin Timberlake
Best Rap Song: ‘Thrift Shop’ by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Best Rap Album: ‘The Heist’ by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Best Country Solo Performance: ‘Wagon Wheel’ by Darius Rucker
Best Country Duo/Group Performance: ‘From This Valley’ by The Civil Wars
Best Country Song: ‘Merry Go ‘Round’ by Kacey Musgraves
Best Country Album: ‘Same Trailer Different Park’ by Kacey Musgraves
Best New Age Album: ‘Love’s River’ by Laura Sullivan
Best Improvised Jazz Solo: ‘Orbits’ by Wayne Shorter
Best Jazz Album: ‘Liquid Spirit’ by Gregory Porter
Best Jazz Instrumental Album: ‘Money Jungle: Provocative In Blue’ by Terri Lyne Carrington
Best Jazz Ensemble Album: ‘Night In Calisia’ by Randy Brecker, Włodek Pawlik Trio & Kalisz Philharmonic
Best Latin Jazz Album: ‘Song for Maura’ by Paquito D’Rivera and Trio Corrente
Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance: ‘Break Every Chain’ (Live) by Tasha Cobbs
Best Gospel Song: ‘If He Did It Before… Same God’ (Live) by Tye Tribbett
Best Contemporary Christian Music Song: ‘Overcome’ by Mandisa
Best Gospel Album: ‘Greater Than (Live)’ by Tye Tribbett
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album: ‘Overcome’ by Mandisa
Best Latin Pop Album: ‘Vida’ by Draco Rosa
Best Latin Rock Urban or Alternative Album: ‘Treinta Días’ by La Santa Cecilia
Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano): ‘A Mi Manera’ by Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
Best Tropical Latin Album: ‘Pacific Mambo Orchestra’ by Pacific Mambo Orchestra
Best American Roots Song: ‘Love Has Come For You’ by Steve Martin & Edie Brickell
Best Americana Album: ‘Old Yellow Moon’ by Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell
Best Bluegrass Album: ‘The Streets 0f Baltimore’ by Del McCoury Band
Best Blues Album: ‘Get Up!’ by Ben Harper With Charlie Musselwhite
Best Folk Album: ‘My Favorite Picture of You’ by Guy Clark
Best Regional Roots Music Album: ‘Dockside Sessions’ by Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience
Best Reggae Album: ‘Ziggy Marley In Concert’ by Ziggy Marley
Best World Music Album: ‘Savor Flamenco’ by Gipsy Kings / ‘Live: Singing for Peace Around the World’ by Ladysmith Black Mambazo (tie)
Best Children’s Album: ‘Throw a Penny In the Wishing Well’ by Jennifer Gasoi
Best Spoken Word Album: ‘America Again: Re-becoming The Greatness We Never Weren’t’ by Stephen Colbert
Best Comedy Album: ‘Calm Down Gurrl’ by Kathy Griffin
Best Musical Theater Album: ‘Kinky Boots’
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: ‘Sound City: Real to Reel’ by Dave Grohl & Various Artists
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: ‘Skyfall’
Best Song Written for Visual Media: ‘Skyfall’ by ADELE
Best Instrumental Composition: ‘Pensamientos For Solo Alto Saxophone And Chamber Orchestra’ by The Clare Fischer Orchestra
Best Instrumental Arrangement: ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): ‘Swing Low’ by Bobby McFerrin & Esperanza Spalding
Best Recording Package: ‘Long Night Moon’ by Reckless Kelly
Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: Wings Over America (Deluxe Edition) by Paul McCartney and Wings
Best Album Notes: ‘Afro Blue Impressions’ (Remastered & Expanded) by John Coltrane
Best Historical Album: ‘Charlie Is My Darling Ireland 1965′ by The Rolling Stones / ‘The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums’ by Bill Withers (tie)
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: ‘Random Access Memories’ by Daft Punk
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Pharrell Williams
Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: ‘Summertime Sadness’ (Cedric Gervais Remix) by Lana Del Rey
Best Surround Sound Album: ‘Live Kisses’ by Paul McCartney
Best Engineered Album, Classical: ‘Winter Morning Walks’ by Dawn Upshaw, Maria Schneider, Australian Chamber Orchestra & Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Producer of the Year, Classical: David Frost
Best Orchestral Performance: ’Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4′
Best Opera Recording: ‘Adès: The Tempest’
Best Choral Performance: ‘Pärt: Adam’s Lament’
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance: ‘Roomful of Teeth’ by Brad Wells & Roomful of Teeth
Best Classical Instrumental Solo: ‘Corigliano: Conjurer – Concerto for Percussionist & String Orchestra’ by Evelyn Glennie & David Alan Miller
Best Classical Vocal Solo: ‘Winter Morning Walks’ by Dawn Upshaw
Best Classical Compendium: ‘Hindemith: Violinkonzert; Symphonic Metamorphosis; Konzertmusik’ by Christoph Eschenbach
Best Classical Contemporary Composition: ‘Winter Morning Walks’ by Maria Schneider
Best Music Video: ‘Suit & Tie’ by Justin Timberlake & JAY Z
Best Music Film: ‘Live Kisses’ by Paul McCartney
MusicCares Person of the Year: Carole King
Lifetime Achievement Award: The Beatles, Clifton Chenier, The Isley Brothers, Kraftwerk, Kris Kristofferson, Armando Manzanero, Maud Powell
Trustees Awards: Rick Hall, Jim Marshall, Ennio Morricone

Is Adele Gonna Set Fire to the Rain Again?

The Daydreamers (Adele's fans) are on fire this week. Amazing news has been coming non-stop for anyone who loves the amazing 9-time Grammys, Oscar and Golden Globe winner!

First of all, let's talk about all the exciting big-name collaborators she's gonna have in this album. She has continued to work with Ryan Tedder - who had worked with her in the diamond-selling album 21. She has also gone out and worked with the amazing Diane Warren ("Un-Break My Heart", "How Do I Live", "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing"...) and the legendary Phil Collins. As if it's not enough, the new diva will also have a writing session with the Queen of Pop Madonna! Rumour has it that Maddie and Adele are gonna write several songs for each other's up-coming album! There's also a possibility that she's gonna work with Paul Epworth - she mentioned at the Grammy last year that she wanted to work with him.

Secondly, she recently registered a new song on ASCAP! The song is named "Devil on My Shoulder", written by Adele herself and Greg Wells!

Moreover, she's planning to go on tour next year! There've been discussions about a 2015 tour in the UK and North America at least, and possibly a world tour! Finger-crossed that Adele will go to Toronto soon.

And last but not least, a music insider has told us fans about her new album: "Her voice is in great shape and she is looking forward for the tour. She is also working on a new CD, that will shock some people. It is very different but with a voice like that, she can do anything."

Are you excited for Adele's new album (named 25 maybe)? I know you are. After all, who doesn't love this super-talented, funny and so down-to-Earth British woman? Let's wait and see how she's gonna set fire to the rain again!

See Phil Collins talking about Adele at 8:06:

JoJo - Sleeping Beauty Finally Breaks Off The Blackground Curse

Breaking news came today: JoJo is finally free from her contact with Blackground Records, and she also inked a new deal with Atlantic Records!

JoJo's exhaustive multi-year battle with Blackground Records - the battle that almost no music fan doesn't know about - finally came to an end. Due to bad management and many wrong business decisions, Blackground Records went almost-bankrupt after the release of JoJo's hit album 'The High Road'. However, because it was still barely alive on papers thanks to money coming from selling Aaliyah and JoJo's old materials, she still couldn't break off her contact. Even without any money to release her new album, Blackground still kept holding her back, didn't allow her to sign with any other label or release any new album for seven years until now. She was in a pretty fucked up situation which she didn't "legally own her voice."

After many times trying to sue her bankrupt former label without success, this time, JoJo claimed that the Blackground failed to release her third album despite delivery and acceptance of recordings and that the label neglected to pay producers and other vendors she collaborated with. But the most important thing is that her contact was signed in 2003 when she was only 12, which means she could not be bound to a contact after a period of 7 years.

JoJo's loyal fans, as well as all other music fans who have been watching and supporting her are now celebrating. The campaign #FreeJoJo which was launched by her fans last summer on social media such as tumblr and Twitter caught a lot of attentions from mainstream media. Meanwhile, along with fighting for freedom, JoJo did sate fans by independently releasing two mixtapes - 'Can't Take That Away from Me' and 'Agápē', as well as a bunch of collaborations and leaked songs. Both the mixtapes and unreleased songs were highly critically-acclaimed, showing her transformation from a teen singer to a sexy, grown pop star.

Free at last, and with a new contact with Atlantic Records which was signed in December last year, 2014 is a promising year for JoJo. Let's wait and see how the "Too Little Too Late" singer come back and claim her rightful position in the music scene.

Watch her latest music videos "In the Dark" and "André" here

Britney Spears - The Queen Is Back!

Oh my Godney! (BritneyArmy's favorite exclamation FYI). After all these years, the iconic legendary Miss Britney Spears finally won her very first People's Choice Award!

Despite being late for an hour (which is rumored to be her attempt to avoid Justin Timberlake), Britney still made it to the stage and received her first People's Choice Award for Favorite Pop Artist.

This is her 9th nominations at People's Choice Awards. Previously, she was nominated in 2001 for Favorite Female Musical Performer, in 2005 for Favorite Combined Forces (sharing with the Queen of Pop Madonna), in 2010 for Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Pop Artist, in 2012 for Favorite Album of the Year with her both critically and commercially success 'Femme Fatale' and in 2013 for Favorite Celebrity Judge with her work in the second season of The X Factor US. This year, among with the Favorite Pop Artist nomination, she was also nominated for Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Fan Following (BritneyArmy). She lost both nominations to Demi Lovato and her fans - the Lovatics.

The "Work Bitch" singer stole all the spotlights with her nude-colored Mikael D number with sparkling silver floral embellishment, accessorizing with a pair of matching Giuseppe Zanotti heels.

It has been only a few days in the new year, but Britney has brought home a new major award. With more of her highly-acclaimed Las Vegas residency shows, and two new singles - "Til It's Gone" and "Alien" - from her new album 'Britney Jean' on the way, we can totally expect more from the Princess of Pop!

PS: Today, 12 Jan, is the 15th year anniversary of her legendary album ...Baby One More Time.