Rihanna's new album is Rated R
She’s finally put down that umbERella folks! With brilliant vocals and tracks that herald in a darker edge, Rihanna’s fourth studio has a more creative feel than previous offerings and will be launched on November 20th 2009.
Showcasing the single written by Ne-Yo and Rihanna, Russian Roulette, the album is the Barbadian R&B singer’s first to receive a Parental Advisory label. There’s also much speculation as to whether it will include any tracks written about Chris Brown – Rihanna’s ex-boyfriend with whom she was involved in an altercation before the 2009 Grammy Awards. With angrier songs carrying titles on the subject of love like Stupid in Love and Cold Case Love and Rude Boy, this could well be the case.
The CD sees Rihanna working with many prestigious song-writers and producers including Chuck Harmony, Tricky Stewart, the Norwegian record producing team Stargate and Justin Timberlake. Ne-Yo has co-written many of the songs and has described Russian Roulette as a “different direction for both of us.” Rihanna specified that she wanted dark songs that had some kind of meaning “a little more morbid,” Ne-Yo says, commenting that she also says some things on this album that you’ve never heard her say before – could he be referring to the inclusion of swear words on some of the tracks? Several recordings feature iconic performers like Velvet Revolver’s Slash who plays guitar on the suitably named track, Rockstar 101 and Hard features the American rapper Young Jeezy.
Rated R reflects Rihanna’s growth as an artist and also as a songwriter but although some of the songs are dark they’re combined with more uptempo club beats and heartfelt ballads. Fans who pre-order Rates R will receive an instant download of Russian Roulette but there’s another reason you need to add this album to your collection – it’s seriously stellar… ella…ella.
Where to get it >>
Beyonce
Tickets are now available for what has been billed as “the hottest show in town” as contemporary R&B star Beyoncé girds her loins in preparation for a series of keenly awaited concerts at various venues in the UK and Ireland.
The Texas-born singer, songwriter, actress, model and record producer is famed for her dance, funk and soul music delivered in a voice that has been described by Jon Pareles of the New York Times as “velvety, yet tart, with an insistent flutter and reserves of soul belting.”
Beyoncé first shot to fame as lead singer with the girl band Destiny’s Child but it was wasn’t until she released her solo debut single, Crazy in Love and album Dangerously in Love that she became a household name in many countries across the world almost overnight.
Having sold more than 75 million records in her whole career, her second album B’Day went straight to number one in the Billboard charts and with a total of 37 weeks at number one slots from 2000 to 2009, Beyonce is recognised to be the top female artist of the moment. She was also recognised as Songwriter of the Year in 2001 by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Pop Music Awards.
Her new album I Am…Sasha Fierce has been recently released to critical acclaim, featuring gutsy, yet emotional songs that celebrate female empowerment with upbeat themes, including If I Were A Boy and Single Ladies.
Expect her to perform in a show full of raw energy, ranging vocals and tightly choreographed dance, Beyoncé is noted for putting her all in to every single performance, so the only prospect of disappointment would be if tickets sold out before you managed to get one.
Where to get it >>
Wireless Festival 2010 Release Dates
The definitive festival for dance, urban, hip hop and R&B kicks off in July 2010 in London’s Hyde Park. Tickets will soon be available so we’ll get the details as soon as possible.
Wireless 2009 saw world class acts playing across four stages with some truly awesome performances from performers like Dizzee Rascal, Jack Penate, Alesha Dixon and Calvin Harris and Noisettes that sent the crowd into a veritable frenzy with more spine-tingling sets provided by the headliners Basement Jaxx and Kanye West.
But this year’s festival offered even more than music with food and drink at The Serpentine Bar and Dominos and a host of entertainments including a Victorian funfair speed dating, a treasure hunt with cool prizes, video games at the EA Hub. There was even a mock-up beach for those who wanted to soak up the rays.