ARTICLE: The Art of 'Shade'...

The Art of 'Shade'...

(credit for the above photo goes to Patti La Helle's 'Got 2B Real' series)

What springs to mind when someone utters the word 'shade'? Is it a definition, or perhaps examples that spring to mind? Either way, shade is a term that has become one of the most often used on popular music blogs, sites and social networks such as Twitter. This article intends to explore the truth behind shade and its different forms, as well as the art itself.

SERIES: First Instalment In 'Vocal Summer Summary' - Beyoncé, Christina, Mariah, Rihanna, Whitney...

'I think today far too many young singers are out there in front of audiences "doing it" before they are, actually, in control of a basic (singing) technique'

Joan Sutherland - Legendary opera singer (1926-2010)

With the arrival of summer came the realisation that we finally have the time to discuss the vocal abilities of the top artists of today in detail. Then we wondered: 'Why should we stop there? Why not dissect the vocal abilities of the great (or otherwise) singers of the last twenty or so years?'.

So, after the jump is our first instalment in our 'Vocal Summer Summary' series, and a vocal dissection of Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Whitney Houston. 

Discussing, range, vocal technique, vocal ornaments and their various strengths and weaknesses, we have done extensive research on the above. 

Enjoy...

ARTICLE: What Does It Take to Become a Legend?

Icon: a person regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of 

        veneration. 

Legend: an extremely famous or notorious person, especially in a particular                   
             field - the man was a living legend

                      a screen legend

With the digital era and its corresponding increase in single sales, has come the misuse of various terms. Previously used to indicate the superiority of certain videos, shoots and musicians, words such as 'epic', 'legendary', 'legend' and 'icon' have become commonplace; used to refer to the most base in the music industry. This has led to such words, in essence, being rendered completely meaningless and it has become quite clear to many that their true meanings must be re-established. 

This article intends to reinforce the meaning of both 'icon' and 'legend', as well as determine the necessary criteria for an artist to realise both statuses. It shall also hypothesise the musicians of today who could potentially see the attachment of the aforementioned words to their resume in the near future. 

CHART: Top Ten of UK Singles Chart - 17th June 2012...

1) Call My Name - Cheryl Cole


2) Whistle - Flo Rida


3) Sing - Gary Barlow & the Commonwealth Band (feat. Military Wives)


4) Princess of China - Coldplay & Rihanna


5) Feel The Love - Rudimental feat. John Newman


6) We Are Young - fun. feat. Janelle Monae


7) The Power - DJ Fresh feat. Dizzee Rascal


8) Scream - Usher


9) Payphone - Precision Tunes


10) Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen

ARTICLE: How Do You Solve A Problem Like Chris And Rihanna?

It is the summer of 2007 and a song called Umbrella is dominating airwaves around the world. The singer responsible is more popular than she has ever been, featuring on the cover of several iconic magazines and fast becoming one of the world's biggest stars.


Another star who emerged in 2005 is also enjoying a career high. Chris Brown, the all American boy-next-door, is set to release his much-anticipated sophomore record, Exclusive, and is secured to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards.


Sunday 7th September 2007. Rihanna and Chris Brown surprise the world by performing the latter's celebrated remix of the song of the year, Cinderella, at the VMAs, unofficially announcing their debut as a couple. Over the next few months, the two persist in denying a romantic relationship, with Rihanna oft describing Chris as her 'little brother'. The union, that saw the two drawn as the 'younger Beyoncé and Jay-Z', is never actually confirmed, a fact that has since been forgotten. Indeed, it took a tragic event to verify the existence of the relationship that had long been suspected; something that shook the very foundations of the pop industry and had lasting ramifications. 

ARTICLE: Why Does Madonna Resent Other Female Pop Artists?

Madonna. The definition of legendary. The undisputed Queen of Pop. She who has inspired countless careers, videos and shoots since her debut, and has successfully reinvented herself many times over.

Yet, time and time again Madonna has found herself in the midst of a self-inflicted feud with a newcomer. The latest star to bear the brunt of the Material Girl's considerable wrath the arguably the biggest pop artist to surface in over a decade, Lady Gaga. But she is far from the first. Every few years, an artist emerges and changes the landscape of pop music in a way that takes the industry by storm. Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Teena Marie; these three, and many more, have all felt the lash of Ms. Ciccone's acerbic tongue. This article intends to discuss and examine the Madonna's apparent resentment of other prominent female pop artists and determine the possible reasons for her numerous attacks on them and their careers.

INTERVIEW: Leighton Meester Sits Down With Jimmy Kimmel...

Gossip Girl actress Leighton Meester recently sat down with Jimmy Kimmel. Watch the interview after the jump.

INTERVIEW: Kim, Kourtney & Khloe Sit Down with Jimmy Kimmel...

The three core members of the Kardashian clan recently sat down with the hilarious Jimmy Kimmel. Discussing love, fashion and their famous family, check out the interview after the jump.

ARTICLE: The Problem With 'Stans'...

In the years since Eminem's infamous hit Stan was released, the term the rap juggernaut coined has since become synonymous with the qualities mentioned in the track itself: obsession, irrationality and implied illiteracy. The internet has since become overrun with denizens who proudly proclaim their 'stan' allegiance; most often given to the most popular female artists of today - Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, though Nicki Minaj is now gaining stans as quickly as she does fast-food hits.


Do not be under the assumption that only the most popular artists have stans. Indeed, even alleged 'has-beens' the likes of Ashanti, Ameriie (the extra 'i' seeming to stand for her admittedly ill-deserved 'irrelevancy') and Christina Milian. One even encounters those who stan for models and video vixens. 


Essentially, questionable though their reasons for 'stanning' for a particular artist or celebrity might be, 'stans' will do their best to justify those reasons and uphold the perceived achievements of those they 'stan' for.


However, with that often crazed allegiance comes some serious issues; several of which this article intends to discuss as well as the 'stanbases' that best exemplify each.

SNEAK PEEKS: Two Sneak Peeks from 'Pretty Little Liars' Next Ep - 'Blood Is The New Black'...

With the triumphant return of the hit show Pretty Little Liars having been on Monday, ABC Family has released two new sneak peeks from next week's offering: Blood is the New Black.


With a look at how gruesome the new A is willing to get, watch both after the jump.