In The Meantime... What Happened in August?

Let's continue with the recap of the biggest music news to have occurred during my bloggeritis. Welcome to August 2011! August has one major popular music moment and that's the VMAs, and with such an awards show comes quite a lot to blog about. Here's what we (or rather I) missed.

August 19: On the evening of August 18th, blogs all over America (and some Billboard aficionados from across the globe) were wondering if Katy would do it. What would "it" be, you might be wondering? Well "it" is the only album other than Michael Jackson's Bad to score five Billboard Hot 100 number ones. Come the next day, it was officially confirmed when Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" rose to the summit to take the honor as the fifth number one from Teenage Dream and the first time in Billboard history for a female's album to secure five chart-toppers. Would Ms. Perry break the record?

In The Meantime... What Happened in July?

As you have probably noticed, I have taken some time away from posting (243 days to be exact). Who would have thought so much in music would have changed between July 2011 and March 2012. But it has, both for good and bad. Below are the biggest news stories to have occurred in my blogging absence.

Let's begin with July...

Beyonce "4" The Win; Tops Billboard 200

Beyonce's fourth-studio album, appropriately titled 4, has taken the honors of debut atop the Billboard 200, becoming only the second female artist to collect four consecutive top spot notches in BB history. The album's 310,000 copies sold last week put her in a dead-tie with Britney Spears whose streak of four number one albums ended in 2007 when Breakout came in at number two.

The album's sales were more than triple the nearest contender, Adele's 21, and also are the third best sales week of 2011, ahead of Spears but behind Lady Gaga and Adele. This marks some good news after rumors swirled that a pushback of the album's release was imminent. However, while the sales are good, they do mark her lowest first week numbers in her career as a solo artist, coming just 7,000 short of her debut album Dangerously In Love.

Wonder what next week sales will look like...

Beyonce Storms UK Charts With Album + Single

Although early rumors suggested Beyonce's album would underperform its first week, a recent promotional blitz and growing buzz surrounding the album has derailed those claims as 4 becomes the first album of Beyonce's since 2003 to debut at number one in the UK. This comes after headlining Glastonbury and performing a series of promo concerts in the British Isles. In addition to its success in the UK, the album also debuts atop the Irish and Scottish charts while the album's number two debut in Australia matches the best charting album of her career there with Dangerously in Love.

This from an album whose lead singles became the least successful singles as of late. However, the exception is the UK, where the second single "Best I Never Had" exceeded the midweek prediction of a number six debut to arrive at number three. A congrats is in order.

REVIEW: "4" by Beyonce

Every previous release from the superstar songstress Mrs. Knowles-Carter has had its own personality. Dangerously in Love was that swirling concoction of soul jams and contemporary R&B with subtle elements of pop and funk. B’Day laid the funk on much thicker, with songs like “Déjà Vu” and “Suga Mama” piercing the airwaves with a contemporary twist on signature bluesy melodies. I Am Sasha Fierce revealed a pluralistic Beyoncé, one who could propel your average ballad to new heights on one track and transform a dance instrumental into an anthemic rallying call on another. So, what’s so special about 4?

This album is for the most part her most cohesive effort. Largely dominated by rousing ballads and mid-tempos, this is her first release to exclude a slew of sasha-fied tracks. From “Best Thing I Never Had” to “1+1,” it is an undulating portrait of the emotional toil of love and the source of pleasure and pain it proves to be. Each track is a different position along the rollercoaster, projecting snapshots of the various phases of attachment and detachment with which Beyoncé is constantly struggling.

Watching the "Throne" - When Will Kanye & Jay-Z's Album Get Released?

The number of push-backs Jigga and Yeezy's collaboration album has experienced are too numerous to count, but rumor has it that a digital version may hit the web on the 4th of July. The Source magazine was the first to hint at this date and sources close to the label are suggesting the early release as well. This comes after the physical release date for the album was pushed back further to January 2012, ten months later than the original release date in March 2011 and a year after the lead single "H.A.M." was released.

The reasoning behind it is to prevent an early leak of the tracks from cutting into sales, a fear that has plagued virtually every artist in the digital age. In particular, Jay's wife Beyonce witnessed her entire album leak nearly a month before the album's release date this past Tuesday, but first week sales seem to not be taking much of a tumble from first-day sales predictions.

Do you think we'll get an Independence Day treat from the two?

Beyonce Dominates Both Sides of Atlantic with "4"

Beyonce may not have shattered the charts with her lead singles from her new album, but that doesn't mean her album would suffer the same fate... and indeed will not! According to midweek figures in the UK and Hits Daily Double, Beyonce is poised to take the top spot on the album charts in America and Britain in its debut week.

VIDEO PREMIERE: "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyonce

Beyonce has finally premiered the video for the first single off her fourth studio album. Check out the video below:

Beyonce Delays "Run The World" Video Premiere

Although all eyes were patiently awaiting the premiere of Beyonce's "Run The World" video today on VEVO, its premiere has been postponed indefinitely. This is disappointing news for the 29-year-old singer whose song has performed quite poorly thus far, peaking at number 33 and falling down the chart. The reasoning behind the delay has not been released, but it does make us wonder, why?

The recent extended trailers have been successful in riling up support and intrigue for the video. In all honesty, the teasers have greatly enticed my curiosity and I can't wait for the video. But here are just a few hypotheses as to why the video has been postponed. One of the floating reasons on the internet for the video postponement was that Columbia records is considering scrapping all promotional efforts for the single. But is it true?

Beyonce Reveals Title of New Album + Video Teaser

Beyonce's new song "Run The World (Girls)" may be not be performing as strongly as many had anticipated, but that does not mean that the promotional tour and traditionally high-budget single treatment has been abandoned. Quite the contrary as the singer plans to hit the Good Morning America stage for their Summer Concert Series. Beyonce has also revealed the title of her new album. Simply titled "4," the new album will see a release this summer. As for the reasoning behind the title? Aside from it being her fourth studio album, it is also her birthday (the inspiration behind the title of her sophomore effort), her mothers birthday, her wedding anniversary and the birthdays of several friends. Interesting!

In addition to the release of the album title, Beyonce has released a nice teaser to the video for "Run" (watch below). It looks to be quite the production but will it save the song from its crippling descent down the charts? We'll have to see.

Beyonce's "God Bless America" Debuts on CNN

Beyonce premiered her version of "God Bless America" on CNN's Piers Morgan tonight, a charity single whose proceeds will all benefit New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fun. A very selfless gesture indeed as the song will provide assistance to families who lost a loved one during the 9/11 attacks.

Undoubtedly, the song is beautifully sung and truly displays Beyonce's strengths as a vocally powerful songstress. It makes me question why her lead single was chosen for this album as it doesn't do the singer justice. That doesn't necessarily mean that a pop/dance song wouldn't work well with her as "Sweet Dreams" was successful. But, c'mon Beyonce! I speak for everyone as we want another "Single Ladies."

Check out the performance below:

Katy Perry's 5th Week at Number One; "Judas" & "Girls" Tumble

Katy Perry' "E.T." spends a fifth week at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 after selling another 300,000 copies this week. This is the fourth week the song has pushed 300k or more and its seventh week atop the Hot Digital Songs chart. Equally impressive is the song has spent a second week atop the Radio Songs chart, making it even less likely that the song will be overtaken atop these charts anytime soon.

Although Perry's reign atop the charts is impressive, a charging late-bloomer is rapidly catapulting up the charts in the form of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep." Although the song was released in late November, the song has steadily risen up the charts. This week the song, who undersold "E.T." by just a few hundred copies, rises to number two on the charts.

Interestingly enough, some of the most highly anticipated songs have not performed as many might have expected. Lady Gaga's controversial "Judas" falls out of the top ten Digital Songs chart from 9-16 (81,000), while Beyonce's lead single from her upcoming fourth album falls 23-39 with 47,000 sold. Their exact spots on the Billboard Hot 100 will be released tomorrow.

Check out the rest of the top five on the Hot 100 below.

REVIEW: "Run The World (Girls)" by Beyonce

With songs like "Diva" and "Upgrade U," Beyonce has the vocal power and swagger strut to translate lyrics on the page into forceful anthems. While it has proven to be a successful recipe for her on number of occasions, "Run The World (Girls)" is not exactly one of them.


The song, which samples the instrumental of Major Lazer's "Pon De Floor," does get some positive points for the beat. With a thumping, marching band style percussion, the energy of the song is largely influenced by the heavy drum rolls and thunderous chants. Add to that an opening chorus of resounding "Girls, we run this mother," Beyonce effectively introduces the songs as equal parts anthem and club banger.

NEW MUSIC: "Girls (Who Run The World)" by Beyonce

Beyonce's lead single off her upcoming fourth studio album has leaked in full on the internet and here it is. I will give my opinion in a few. Check below the cut for the song.

Gwyneth Paltrow: "Beyonce Is The Most Talented Human Being On The Planet"

Picture Source

Gwyneth Paltrow is in absolute awe of the talents of her close friend and R&B superstar Beyonce. The actress, who has recently taken her first step into music with her episode on Glee and her film Country Strong, has showered the "Single Ladies" singer with compliments before, but not with the strong words she has used today.

Usher and Protégé Bieber Win Big at NRJ Awards

France's NRJ Awards were presented to the winners at last night's ceremony and there's nothing like a superstar and his protégé superstar-in-the-making taking home some big wins. Usher, who's currently on his OMG Tour, took home one of the biggest awards of the night after winning International Male Artist of the Year. His album Raymond vs. Raymond and the accompanying EP Versus have spawned the massive hits "OMG" and "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love," respectively.

Beyonce to Star in Clint Eastwood-Directed "A Star is Born" Remake

Working on one of the most anticipated albums of 2011, Beyonce seems to be establishing herself as the music star of this upcoming year(s). This really seems to be the case now that the singer/actress has been selected as the star of Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood's remake of the fourth version of the 1937 film, A Star is Born.

53rd Annual Grammy Awards Predictions

It is January and that means Grammy prediction time! The nominations, which were revealed last month, have been dominated by Eminem's staggering 10 nods, followed by Bruno Mars at seven, Jay-Z, Lady Antebellum, and Lady Gaga with six, while B.o.B and John Legend share five nominations each. With so many big names in music competing against each other, it will be very interesting to see who ends up the big winner of 2011. But until February 13th arrives, here are some predictions of mine for the winners of the upcoming ceremony.

Record of the Year

Nothin' On You - B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars

Love The Way You Lie - Eminem featuring Rihanna

F*** You - Cee-Lo Green

Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys

Need You Now - Lady Antebellum

Sean Garrett: "Beyonce's Album...Biggest Yet"

Picture Source

Producer and songwriter Sean Garrett, who has been a frequent collaborator of Beyonce's, has dished some minor details about Beyonce's new album. Actually, he really only said one thing, but it is what he's said that has provoked greater anticipation for the 16-time Grammy Award winner's fourth studio album. When speaking with younghollywood.com, Garrett said, "She don't like me to say much about her record but I will tell you this: Beyonce's new album is going to be, in my opinion, her biggest album ever."

While that statement is not much of a detailed revelation, the calibre of what he has said is enormous considering the incredible successes she's had in her career. She is the only female artist to earn six Grammy awards at last year's ceremony and has had a very illustrious solo career, not to mention her time with Destiny's Child.

Beyonce's new album remains untitled, but she has also been in the studio with Ne-Yo and The-Dream, two artists who have penned some of Beyonce's largest hits of her career. Check out Sean Garrett's brief insight on her new album below.

Gwyneth Paltrow Eyes Potential Music Career

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After marrying superstar Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, guest-starring on Glee, and earning the starring role of a country star scorned by fame in her latest flick, Country Strong, Gwyneth Paltrow has the itch to perhaps begin a career in music. The 38 year-old reveals that she used Beyonce as inspiration for the film. She said,