Last night, like a BILLION other people around the world, I watched the phenomenal memorial service of Michael Jackson live on television. Celebs and close friends of the King of Pop paid emotional tributes in front of 19,000 mourners and Michael’s glittering coffin at the Staples Centre in LA.

Michael’s brothers made a moving tribute to the star by wearing his trademark white glove. Songs dedicated to the tragic superstar were sang by legendary artists including Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie and teary-eyed brother Jermaine who’s rendition of Smile, Michael’s favourite song, was extremely moving . Mariah Carey, Usher and even our very own Shaheen Jafargholi, aged 12, also performed at the memorial. 

Last night was also the first time ever Michael’s daughter Paris was heard. In the heart-rending finale, the teary 11 year old went on stage and told the world: “Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.” At that point, I’m pretty sure that there wasn’t a dry eye in the stadium, let alone in my own living room.

The memorial couldn’t have ended more perfectly. The backup singers, who rehearsed with the late music icon just days before his death, performed Michael Jackson’s favourite number (”We are the World/Heal the World”) of his would-of-been 50-cencert comeback tour in London. The Japanese/Black lead singer Judith Hill, has a noticably great voice. It was an overwhelmingly touching performance. Just an insight of how amazing the show would’ve of been adding more to the heart break. But like his close friend songwriter, Smokey Robinson said, “He’ll never really be gone.” Because his music will live on forever and ever.

This year has certainly been an exciting time for the music business; with the revivals and returns of the best of yesteryear, here at baitmag we decided to take a look at all those celebrities who took a crack at the music business but didn’t quiet make the cut.

So from embarrassing videos to tuneless tunes let’s take a look at why these celebrities should just stick to their day jobs:

Hayden Panettiere: yes Hero’s sweetheart Hayden is one of the many few celebrities who thought her blonde locks would guarantee huge success in the charts. Her single Wake Up Call is admittedly catchy but the Caribbean beat and the club night mix just don’t really work. And the costume changes and ‘disguises’ are just a little to similar to Britney’s signature video theme (how can we forget Womanizer and Toxic). Basically its Britney Spears meets Paris Hilton…. can someone please save the cheerleader here!

Wake Up Call

Tyra Banks: Any fan of America’s Next Top Model will remember that during season 2 the model mogul decided to release her first single Shake Ya Body but not even the appearances from the top models and Jay Manuel could save this single from Chart disaster. It’s a catchy number that perhaps didn’t get the credit it deserves- let hope Oprah doesn’t follow suit.

Shake Ya Body

Paris Hilton: forever keen to branch out her empire (and spread her unique brand of philosophy and self motivation ‘that’s hot’) Paris decided to release a single of her own entitled Stars are Blind. Thankfully she had enough sense not to release ballads like Celine Dion, but leaned towards a beach tune which arguably did see some success. Her follow up single Nothing in this World is a catchy dance number, paired up with a video that proves staying on Paris’s good side guarantees huge popularity. A fair attempt but the songs (and videos for that matter) just showcase her pout and self gratifying nature- guess she didn’t really branch that far out then.

Nothing In This World

J C Chasez: After watching Mouseketeer and fellow NSYNC member Justin Timberlake excel in his solo career- Chasez probably believed he was destine for the same success- think again. Despite his collaboration with Basement Jaxx his singles Plug It In and Girls Dance with Women didn’t really create a huge stir in the charts- guessing from the names the former Boy Band Bopper probably saw this as an opportunity to shake off his neat clean image but with songs like ‘Slept with my Best Friend’s girlfriend’ he wasn’t likely to become a Grammy winning artist was he!

Plug It In

Nicole Ritchie: oh yes she and her BFF have both been victims of the music monster- her single Dandelion is more mellow and sombre in comparison to Stars are Blind- comparably her single is more likely to appear on our ipod playlists- but not something that could blow the charts away- good attempt by Little Ritchie.

Dandelion

Britney Murphy: former clueless star has seen huge success in the film industry- her single Faster Kill Pussycat (turn me out) was a decent attempt at a dance track and is incredibly catchy- the actress didn’t follow on with an album but this is a venture that she doesn’t have to cringe at.

Faster Kill Pussycat (Turn me out)

So here is our list of just some of the few Celebrities who have tried and failed in the music industry- if we started venturing through every failed solo career we could see ourselves looking through an endless list of techno-pop disasters. Doesn’t it make you feel good to know celebrities are not perfect at everything!

Famed for being prim, proper and rich, Lady’s carry a hefty burden. But this Lady is anything but.
Philipa ‘Pip’ Brown aka Ladyhawke is bringing the 80’s back.  Not to be confused with Lady GaGa (Pip does not consider a tea cup to be an accessory, and is far too grounded for that nonsense), this New Zealander native is a fresh and welcomed addition to electro- pop music scene and boy doesn’t she do it well.

This easy going Kiwi was recently nominated in the Best Solo Artist category at the NME Awards. Pitted against music heavyweights such as Jay- Z. She also recently appeared in ITV’s offbeat comedy based on a radio show, FM, in which she played herself.

Her self titled debut album infuses synth and funky electro guitar riffs melodically. Her sassy, sexy synthful beats will have you toe tapping and humming for hours.
 Although it is reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac, Ladyhawke is no copycat; she has cemented her own modern sound.

‘Paris is burning’ is a stand out track on the album, written by her about her first experience of Paris. It’s a song that chops and changes in tempo and rhythm from verse, to chorus to bridge. It’s pounding drum beat and addictive guitar riff encapsulates the excitement and urgency of Paris.

Ladyhawke wrote and played instruments on all the songs on her album. Not a hard press for someone who aged 14 taught themselves how to play the guitar, bass and synthesizer in addition to the drums which she learnt aged 11.
This album is far from run of the mill. It mixes more melancholic love songs such as track six, ‘Love Don’t Live here’, describing a slow break up. And then she changes the mood with the synth laden newest single ‘Back of the van‘, the oldest track on the album written three years ago about young love, summer and the anticipation amped up elation that ensues.
The only burden this Lady is carrying is the need to surpass the success of her current album.

Her Album is out now and next single Back of the Van, is released next month

'just right'

He is a singer, songwriter and producer. He will be 31 in September of this year. He graduated from Harvard University at the age of 19 and has so far had over 14 million hits on You Tube.

His first major breakthrough was with the song, “Me & U” by singer Cassie which he wrote, produced, and recorded in his living room. It became number three on the American billboard charts and also topped the charts in the U.K, getting lots of airplay and growing to be one of the biggest singles of 2005.

Even though Ryan Leslie has produced and written songs for many famous artists including Britney Spears, Beyoncé and Snoop Dogg, the Harlem based singer has yet to reach the masses in this country. However that is all about to change because this RnB sensation has finally made his mark, in a big way.

His self-titled debut album, which was released in February this year, is already a hit in America, so much so that the Virgin Megastore in New York ran out of copies seven minutes after it went on sale.

After years of having only You Tube as a source of his music, I am honoured to finally review his first album, and it is safe to say that it is by no means a disappointment. In fact it has taken the position as one of my favourite albums, and that is no mean feat. Leslie shares the smooth tone of John Legend and the soul of Robin Thicke, as a producer he has also been compared to The Neptunes. But it is unfair to compare him because in some ways he is in a league of his own. With strong lyrics and original beats, his sound is like no other artist around at the moment.

There are 12 songs on his album and each one shows off his skills as a gifted artist that up to now has been criminally under-rated. He has something to offer most people with hints of soul and a little rap to accompany his RnB sound. The second track on his album, Addiction, features Cassie and rapper Fabolous and has become a big hit with many fans posting re-makes of their own versions on You Tube. Other songs on the album have a softer sound such as Just Right, which was the first Ryan Leslie song that I heard a good few years ago and was ultimately what made me fall in love with him.

His work is unique and stands out as real talent, for when others sing over a generic pop, Leslie does everything himself even down to playing the instruments.  

Next time you’re online check out his work on www.ryanleslie.com where you can listen to his album.

Fact: Robin is the first white artist in almost 20 years to top the U.S R&B charts. The last person to do it was George Michael in 1988.

Fact: He writes and produces his own songs.

Fact: He taught himself to play the piano at the age of 12.

 In the words of Sade, Robin Thicke is one smooth operator, in fact to steal a term from Michael Jackson he is one hell of a “Smooth Criminal” because it has to be illegal to be that talented. Ok enough with the cheesy metaphors. Me and my city chicks went to see Mr. Thicke Live in Shepherds Bush Empire on Saturday Night, it was the best concert I’ve been to since Prince, and I’ve been to a few blinders.  

   The Empire was packed out, with both sexes waiting to listen to the sexiest voice in music period. People often dismiss Thicke as Justin Timberlake’s older brother from another mother but let’s not go there because JT aint got shiz on RT.  Robin Thicke is more than a singer, he can dance, he produces, he’s an accomplished musician, a Grammy winning songwriter, and he has been in the industry for 14 years. What excites me about Robin’s music is his lyrical content, as honest as you can get, interesting singing style, those falsetto notes will be the death of me someday.

As a songwriter myself, I cannot stress the importance of original fresh lyrical content/style and he executes both with such ease and finesse that I don’t even get jealous of his songs, I just lose myself in them, sit back enjoy and spread the word of this great singer.

   This is a man who signed up to a major record label at the age of 16, was able to play anything he heard on radio by the age of 12 and was writing songs for artists such as Usher, Michael Jackson, Pink, Marc Anthony, Brian McKnight, Brandy, Christina Aguilera and  the list goes on.  His early career as a solo artist started slowly, he released his first album “A Beautiful World” in 2003 and received little mainstream attention however Robin made a big impression on Nerd’s Pharrell Williams and earned some famous fans.    2005 saw the collaboration of himself and Pharrell with the smash hit “Wanna Love U Girl” which topped the charts.  Soon after Robin signed to Pharrels’s label “Star Trek” in association with Interscope records, and the rest is History. Out came “The Evolution of Robin Thicker” an album so rich in value and depth that you could play it from start to finish.

   The smash hit “Lost without U” which accompanied a video in which his beautiful African American wife, Actress Paula Patton appeared in. “What makes you special, what makes you different to John B, Justin Timberlake,”? A radio host once asked Thicke, he cheekily but bluntly replied with “I’ve been with a black woman for 10 years, and they haven’t, how bout that”?     

   Back to his only London show in his world tour, what amazed me was Robin’s natural dancing ability, the man can move! The set was simple, the live band played were awesome, his energetic style, his hybrid musical energy, he was a rock star in one song, then an r’n'b soul singer the next, a piano man the other and in the encore he had a swagger and movements of hip-hop artist. The songs he played were a mixture of new album material and the chart topping songs from his second album. As a long time admirer of Thicke’s style and music, I was desperate to hear classics, original material from his first album purely because those songs bring back memories of an eclectic, fresh discovery of a star in the making.  Songs like “Cherry Blue Skies” and “I’m A Be Alright”, my personal favorite is “Beautiful World” an absolute classic.

   The highlight for me was his soulful rendition of “Lost without U” which made every female audience member melt with lust. Robin’s stage presence was immense and this has nothing to do with his 6″2 frame, he connected with the crowd, he engaged the crowd, he spoke to us during performances and touched upon the presidential elections showing his support for Barrack Obama, and spoke of racism being the number one problem in the world. And to top the evening off, Robin almost slipped on a thong thrown at him from a female fan!

   It was breathtaking to watch a true star on stage shining so bright that I was temporally blinded. I just wished he played my favorite track, ”Something Else”, a Michael Jackson esque feel good dance track!   I wholeheartedly recommend Robin’Thicke’s latest album “Something Else” because it’s truly something else.  

   I salute you Mr. Thicke. Keep making great music. Something Else is a fantastic album and I strongly reccomend it.

(Robin Thicke is currently touring the US with Jennifer Hudson, hopefully he’ll arrive in the UK soon)

Caleb wowing the crowd with his incredible vocals

 Top American band Kings of Leon cemented themselves as rock royalty on 11 December 2008 as they performed a spectacular set of songs at their sold-out show at the O2 arena in London.  I had the enjoyment to observe the Followills live again after my first gig back in December 2007 at Wembley Arena which was quite easily the best concert I’ve been to.

  Their 14 date UK tour kicked off back in November 2008 in Brighton and ended at the Wembley Arena on  December 22.

The Kings of Leon crew had the O2 arena rocking in the city that first discovered them and made them known to the world. Not including their Glastonbury headlining show this summer, this was the biggest gig of their lives in front of 20,000 fans, after selling out the O2 arena concert in under an hour, (faster than Led Zeppelin) there was huge anticipation ahead of the show and the Kings didn’t disappoint.

They played a vast array of songs, old classics, from their first two raw and explosive albums Youth and Young Manhood and  Aha Shake Heartbreak and the best from their last two albums Because of the Times and Only by the night.  The concertt was kicked off with the slow lingering track Closer and ended with the thunderous Black Thumb Nail, front man Caleb’s voice was echoing in my ear long after the encore. During a sound check for the song Manhattan, Caleb, a man of a few words said: “Its good to be home, if it weren’t for you guys, we wouldn’t be here, god bless you” and of course the crowd went wild.

The Kings of Leon clan have proved to be a pretty prolific band, since their emergence into the indie-garage rock in 2003 they have released four world class albums in 5 years. Their unique blends of genres, brutally honest lyrical content and Caleb’s distinctive vocals have made them international superstars.

The band’s sound derives from southern rock, garage rock, hard rock and blues.They have been touring the world consecutively for the past five years and now are the only modern band that sell out from all corners of the world, from New Zealand to the U.S to London in record breaking times.  The highlight of the night was for me was to hear their old classics from the first two albums, The Bucket, King of the Rodeo and the awesome Slow night, so long. Theirr first mainstream chart hit Sex on fire was an unforgettable and amusing. Hearing 20,000 people sing “youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, your sex is on fire” was a moment to remember.

This was my second time seeing the Kings live and as a die hard fan, it was a pleasure to watch them again and to witness the growth of the greatest band in the world at their peak. I’ve already purchased tickets to see them in June at the O2 arena; rumours of a fifth album have been sparked by Nathan the drummer’s revelation that the band have already written six or seven songs whilst on tour. I wouldn’t put it past them. The Kings of Leon are accomplished and potent musicians and songwriters who take their music very seriously. They are natural born performers and I would love it if they had another album to release by June 2009.   

What a stunning and memorable concert, can’t wait for the next show in June.

.

Ida Maria on the cover of her debut album

“Fortress around my heart”

 ’Fortress Around My Heart’, is Norway’s quirky and exuberant 24 year old vixen, Ida Maria Borli Silvertson debut album and gave those who like their music “out of the box” a authentic feast of the obscure, quirky, self-possessed and passionate.

Now, ‘Oh My God’, one of the potent pop pearls concealed within this album, displays all of the seventies guitar turning, slightly eerie yet strangely crisp new wave vocals that reveal soul-exploring and defiance. Ida Maria uses this to provoke and captivate in equal measures.

What is most noticeable in this single is the sheer independence that this Norwegian oozes. Despite coming from an obscure little town, Ida is suddenly realising that there is a great deal of universal appeal in the outlook that has grown out of her solitary upbringing.

What initially endeared me to Ida Maria are her vocals, her raspy growl and wail have prompted some critics to have stated that her vocals are the weakness of the album, and on the song “Morning Light” I realized that her voice is the best instrument on the record. My highlights from the album include the ever rocking remorseful single “Oh My God” and the punk-fuelled “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” however songs like “Morning Light ” and “Queen of the World” have had me jumping and jiving on more than one occasion.

The only down point is the rest of the album doesn’t quite live up to the expectation the first few tracks create and the record seems to calm down as if her tales of drunken despair have left her in a soberly  state of sadness.

Tracks like “Forgive Me” and “Keep Me Warm” and “See Me Through” reveals Ida Maria softer side both vocally, lyrically and spiritually. And although offers the album a relief from all the drunken sexual escapades she unashamedly drones about, perhaps the Norwegian spends too much time dwelling in a world of self-pity. 

She’s been dubbed a cross between PJ Harvey and the Pixies and according to some dimwit reporter for NME…. Amy Whinehouse too? This is rather ridiculous.  

I find myself struggling to find any British female artist to compare Ida Maria with and that is a feat in itself. I suppose you could say KT Tunstall shares her vocal assortment.

 I’d strongly recommend this album to anyone who likes rock music period. Whether you’re into indie, punk, garage, grunge, pop rock, blues, this album contains elements of all these genres and I found it to be one of my favorite albums of 2008 and I’m always tempted to overplay it on my IPod whilst out and about in London.

I regrettably missed out on a chance to see Ida Maria live in February at Camden’s KOKO venue  however I’m certain with her ever growing British fan base, Maria will be back.  

Check out the deluxe version of her album, available on ITunes. 

Original Track Listing

1.       ”Oh My God”

2.      “Drive Away My Heart”

3.      “Louie”

4.      “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked”

5.      “Keep Me Warm”

6.      “Forgive Me”

7.      “Stella”

8.      “Morning Light”

9.      “Queen of the World”

10.    ”See Me Through”

 

Can’t wait!

On the front cover the Kings don cowboy gear which automatically reminds me of their great song “King of the Rodeo”

“Cowgirl King at the Rodeo, let the good times roll, let the good times roll”

The good times certainly roll when your on the cover of rolling stone, congratulations to the Followills for what has truly been a stellar year, they finally break the US, win a Grammy, two brit awards, fastest selling single in British charts history, number one album, sell out world tour, headlining all major festivals including Glastonbury.
The list goes on, a hard working brotherhood which has seen four albums in six years, amazing and they deserve all the plaudit in the world.

The exclusive features, pictures and interviews as well a ten page spread, family photos and funny facts are all on the rolling stone site.
Any KOL fans…check it out now

http://www.rollingstone.com/issue107 7

The next big thing

V V Brown, or Vanessa Brown to her family and friends is definitely one to watch for 2009. With a genre-bending sound of what she describes as “musical mashed potatoes” VV is unique and self-admittedly a little bit bonkers. Her eclectic mix makes refernces to old school blues,doo-wop and good old fashioned rock and roll. She is a refreshing change from all the bling and booty elements of black musicians to date.Her debut single Crying Blood is out soon.