Vote on Who Sang it Best? and New Releases for Today and Michael Jackson's Doctor Sentenced

  

New releases for today include the latest EP from R&B up-and-comer Trey Songz entitled Inevitable.  Rumor has it that the party songs are a bit weak, but the more sophisticated efforts are Trey's strongest yet.  Other new releases include:

Smoov-E Addicted

The Cure Bestival Live 2011
Kylie Minogue Aphrodite Les Folies
Soundtrack In Time
Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream (Deluxe Re-release)

Also in music news, Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray, who was found guilty last month of involuntary manslaughter, was sentenced today to four years in prison.  Because of prison overcrowding, it is unlikely he will serve more than two of those four years.

Now it's your turn to vote on Who Sang It Best with covers of Chris Brown's "With You".  You'll find the voting box to the far upper right of today's post.

First up is 14 year old Austin Mahone.

And the challenger, Hafiz Zainal (keep in mind, English is his second language).

X Factor Elimination and Justin Bieber Accuser Wants Another DNA Test

I don't think anyone was seriously shocked Wednesday night when Lakoda Rayne received the lowest number of votes in the competition, meaning on the double elimination night they would automatically be sent home.  While they performed better than usual the night before, they have struggled since the competition began.  They were Paula's last act for the season.  Groups are tough sells these days.  Surprisingly, Marcus Canty was up against Leroy Bell for elimination in the the second half of the show.   After singing for their lives, the judges deadlocked on who to send home, so the home audience vote dictated Leroy Bell would be eliminated.  The 60 year old had a hard time connecting with the audience at times and lacked the dynamic personality of Marcus Canty.  Competition continues next week with 7 singers left.

After Justin Bieber stood up and attempted to do the right thing last Friday by taking a DNA test voluntarily to prove he's not the father of accuser Mariah Yeater's four month old baby (even though she dropped the case days before) the accuser is now demanding he take ANOTHER test because she wasn't present during the last test.  Is this a sick attempt to get the young superstar's attention or is Yeater seriously considering reopening her case?  At this point, it's unknown whether or not Bieber will retake the test.  Since the case has not been reopened, he's certainly under no obligation to take one.  The drama continues. 

X Factor "Thanksgiving" Night and Justin Bieber Sings With Usher, Mary J. Blige on Daytime TV

Last night on X Factor it was Thanksgiving night and the final nine sang about gratitude before facing tonight's double elimination.  Melanie Amaro was the gave one of the most inspired and memorable performances of the evening singing R. Kelly's "World's Greatest" and Josh Krajcik was also a showstopper singing the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses".   Astro was apologetic (reluctantly) for his attitude breakdown on last week's elimination show before and after a somewhat forgettable performance of his original lyrics to a Jay Z. track.  I give him props for his original lyrics, but the song was forgettable.  Leroy Bell was strong singing Sarah McLachlin's "Angel" and Marcus Canty gave a decent performance doing Boys II Men's "For Mama".  Drew sang Demi Lovato's "Skyscraper" and did an adequate job, but she's yet to give a truly memorable performance.  Lakoda Rayne sang Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" and did a nice job.  Rachel Crow was lovely as usually singing Yolanda Adam's "I Believe" and Chris Rene did a mash up version of the Beatle's "Let It Be" and his own "Young Homie".  He may struggle this week.  We'll see on tonight's elimination show.

Justin Bieber appeared on The View shortly after his appearance on The Today Show and surprised the audience by doing a duet with Mary J. Blige on "Mistletoe".  He also spoke about taking a DNA test to prove he's not the father of Mariah Yeater's baby, as she has claimed up until dropping her case suddenly about a week ago.  He says he wants to set the record straight.  It's currently unknown if the accuser will have her 4 month old son take a DNA test.  Justin will appear on Late Night With David Letterman tonight.

Here's a nice cover of "Mistletoe" by Adam Stanton.  Happy Thanksgiving!

New Releases For Today-Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert and Justin Bieber TV Appearances

  Today's new releases include the much-anticipated new one from Rihanna Talk That Talk as well as Adam Lambert's newest Beg For Mercy and Lady Gaga's Born This Way The Remix.  Rihanna appeared on the Ellen Degeneres Show yesterday talking about the album and her busy life and denying rumors regarding her friendship (romance?) with "We Found Love" video costar and boxer-turned-model Dudley O'Shaugnessey.  Rihanna maintains she's still single.

Other new releases for today are as follows:

Charlene Soraia – 'Moonchild'
Chris Cornell – 'Songbook'
Emmy The Great & Tim Wheeler – 'This Is Christmas'
Erasure – 'Be With You'
James Durbin – 'Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster'
Kate Bush – '50 Words For Snow'
Mary J.Blige – 'My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act 1)'
Mortal Sin – 'Psychology Of Death'
Nemesea – 'The Quiet Resistance'
Nickelback – 'Here And Now'
Oh Land – 'Oh Land'
One Direction – 'Up All Night'
The Saturdays – 'On Your Radar'
Seal – 'Soul 2'
The Swellers – 'Good For Me'
Westlife – 'Greatest Hits'
Yelawolf – 'Radioactive'

  Justin Bieber will appear on Late Night With David Letterman tonight, and in the early morning tomorrow will be doing a concert on the plaza on the Today show.  He'll then dash over to ABC to appear on The View, all in support of his Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe.  Wow.  Hopefully, his management will insist on some downtime for the holidays before the 17-year-old suffers exhaustion.

Here's a look at simpler times for Kidrauhl.  Love this.

                                                                               

 

                                                                               



Taylor Swift Sweeps AMA's and LMFAO Steal the Show

Taylor Swift took home three awards last night at the American Music Awards, one for Artist of the Year, one for Country Female, and one for Country Album for her latest, Speak Now.  It's amazing  she can still feign surprise when they call her name.  Adele was a big winner also, taking home awards for Pop/Rock Female, Pop/Rock Album and Adult Contemporary.  Rihanna won for Soul/R&B Album for Loud and Nicki Minaj won for Rap/Hip Hop Album for Pink Friday and Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist.  Bruno Mars beat out Justin Bieber and Pit Bull for Best Male Performer and Maroon 5 took home an award for Favorite Band.  The Foo Fighters received the award for Favorite Alternative Rock Band.  Hot Chelle Rae won for the Sprint Best New Artist.

     The show was performance-heavy with Nicki Minaj opening the show dressed as a boom box.  Kelly Clarkson sang beautifully and Chris Brown gave an awesome dance performance of "Say It With Me".  Justin Bieber performed "Mistletoe" from his new Christmas album Under the Mistletoe.  Mary J. Blige was great as usual and ended her performance by paying tribute to old friend Heavy D.  But the best performance of the night was the finale with LMFAO singing "Party Rock Anthem" and being joined on stage by Justin Bieber in tiger-sriped tights, and finishing up with "I'm Sexy and I Know It"  complete with breakaway pants and David Hasselhof.  It was epic.

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Heavy D Funeral and American Music Awards 2011

Hip Hop artist Heavy D was laid to rest in Mount Vernon, New York yesterday following a star studded funeral.  President Obama sent a letter of condolence to the family.  The event highlighted the scope of the artist's influence on American pop culture and the hip hop world.  Toxicology reports are pending.

The 2011 American Music Awards will be tomorrow on ABC Network and will air at 8:00 pm EST.  Set to perform will be Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, and Chris Brown.  Adele is the most nominated artist of the evening.  The winners have been decided by the fans and voting is now closed.  There will be a red carpet preshow at 7:00 pm EST hosted by Lance Bass.  It should be a great show.

I'm loving this remake of Frank Ocean's "Thinking About You" by Jaden Smith and Justin Bieber.  Hope you do, too.

  





X Factor Shocker and a Nice Rihanna Cover

   I'm about to tell you what happened on X Factor's elimination show last night so you may not want to read this if you recorded it.  I think it was a surprise to most people when the two performers with the lowest scores were announced and Lakoda Raynne was not one of them.  It came down to Stacy Francis and (shock) Astro.  While Stacy did not give her best performance on rock night, she was certainly more exciting that Lakoda Raynne (although I admit, they're almost harmonizing now).  Also, crowd and L.A. Reid favorite Astro was in the bottom two.  I thought his performance was weak, especially compared to his awesome rendition of "Lose Yourself" the last week.  He was admonished by L. A. Reid for reluctantly singing for survival and Simon told him he needed to be an adult.  Maybe not so easy-considering he's 14.  This is why we don't have 14 year old superstars.  However, a little grace and humility would serve him well, especially considering he's losing favor with the voters.  In the end, it was Stacy Francis who went home with all judges but Nicole voting against her.  Sad to see her go...she's a great singer.  Hopefully, Astro can get his swag back and conquer again next week. 


     On a happier note, Rihanna performed her hit song "We Found Love" last night on the show.  Here's a great cover of that song by Robbie Jay.