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.

TRAILER: Another Trailer For The CW's 'Beauty & The Beast' Released....

In addition to the earlier Arrow trailer, the CW has released another trailer for the already much-maligned Beauty & The Beast. 


We, ourselves, haven't bothered to watch it. If you're still checking for Twilight Lite, though, feel free to peep the visual after the jump.

TRAILER: Third Trailer for the CW's New Series 'Arrow' Released...

The CW definitely isn't playing around.


With the network's new series not set to premier until October, a month later than usual, they have seen fit to release yet another trailer for one of next season's most anticipated new shows: Arrow.


Starring Stephen Arnell and our girl, Katie Cassidy, check out the visual after the jump.

TRAILER: First Trailer For 'Django Unchained' Released...

After months of anticipation, the Weinstein Company has finally released the first trailer for Quentin Tarantino's new film, Django Unchained. 


Starring the incredible Leonardo DiCaprio and the Oscar-winning Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz, peep the visual after the jump.

TRAILER: First Trailer For 'Flight' Released - Denzel Washington...

His first live-action film since 2000's 'Cast Away', director Robert Zemeckis returns with 'Flight'. Starring the Oscar-winning Denzel Washington, this drama is about a commercial airline pilot raised to hero status after saving the lives of 98 passengers on a damaged plane. 


Watch the trailer after the jump.

FILM CLIPS: Three New Clips From 'The Amazing Spider Man' Released...

With the release of The Amazing Spider Man being less than a month away, Sony Pictures has released three new clips from the feature.


Watch all three after the jump. 

CHART: Top Ten of Billboard Albums Chart - 16th June 2012

1) Born & Raised - John Mayer


2) 21 - Adele


3) What We Saw from the Cheap Seats - Regina Spektor


4) Up All Night - One Direction


5) Here - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros


6) Blown Away - Carrie Underwood


7) Valtari - Sigur Ros


8) Now 42 - Various Artists


9) Tailgates & Tanlines - Luke Bryan


10) Tuskegee - Lionel Richie

CHART: Top Ten of Billboard's Hot 100 - 16th June 2012

1) Somebody that I Used to Know - Gotye feat. Kimbra


2) Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen


3) Payphone - Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa


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


5) Starships - Nicki Minaj


6) What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction


7) Wild Ones - Flor Rida feat. Sia


8) Boyfriend - Justin Bieber


9) Where Have You Been - Rihanna


10) Glad You Came - The Wanted

CHART: Top Ten of UK Albums Chart - 3rd June 2012...

1) Sing - Gary Barlow


2) Fall To Grace - Paloma Faith


3) Boys Don't Cry - Rumer


4) Magic Hour - Scissor Sisters


5 Anthems - Russell Watson


6) Our Version of Events - Emeli Sande


7) Number Ones - Bee Gees


8) Valtari - Sigur Ros


9) Talk That Talk - Rihanna


10) 21 - Adele

CHART: Top Ten Of UK Singles Chart - 3rd June 2012...

1) Feel The Love - Rudimental feat. John Newman


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


3) Euphoria - Loreen


4) When She Was Mine - Lawson


5) Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen


6) Where Have You Been - Rihanna


7) Too Close - Alex Clare


8) R.I.P. - Rita Ora feat. Tinie Tempah


9) Drive By - Train


10) Chasing the Sun - The Wanted

LIST: Rihanna's 15 Best Songs...

As requested, in addition to the earlier five instalments of our 'Best Songs' feature, we also listed our fifteen favourite songs from pop star Rihanna's hit-heavy discography.


Check out the results after the jump.

LIST: Michael Jackson's 15 Best Songs...

The fifth instalment of today's 'Best Songs' feature, we have posted a list of our  fifteen favourite Michael Jackson's songs after the jump.

LIST: Mariah Carey's 15 Best Songs...

The fourth instalment in today's 'Best Songs' feature, check out our fifteen favourite songs from the legendary Mariah Carey's extensive discography after the jump.

LIST: Lady Gaga's 15 Best Songs....

As promised, we have posted Lady Gaga's fifteen best songs after the jump. From Paparazzi to Beautiful Dirty Rich, check out our choices and offer your opinion as to what should come in at #6.

LIST: Britney Spears' 15 Best Songs...

In addition to the earlier Beyoncé post, we have put our list of Britney's fifteen best songs after the jump.


Enjoy.

LIST: Beyoncé's 15 Best Songs...

A few weeks ago, we listed the fifteen best songs for Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson and Rihanna on Twitter. However, we figured it might prove interesting to post the lists in their entirety on here; if only for ease of reference. 


After the jump, take a gander at which songs from Beyoncé's extensive discography have made the list and post a comment letting us know if you have any additions.


Also, stay tuned for the other five lists to be posted later on today.