VMA 2009 Post Coverage

Another September, another MTV Video Music Awards broadcast. I'm sure MTV execs long for the days when an audience can be shocked by a pop star in a wedding dress writhing on the floor making sexually suggestive moves. Or even for the days when that same pop star can wow audiences by kissing two women. Alas, those days are gone. Our generation is perpetually unimpressed. But, here's what might have caught your attention this year.

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Of course, no award show could have ignored the biggest thing to happen to pop culture this year: Michael Jackson's death. The tribute to the King of pop was thorough and momentous including a grand speech by Madonna, choreography to some of Michael's greatest hits including Thriller and Bad, and, an icon in her own right, Janet Jackson performing Scream alongside Michael. Say whatever you will, and much has been said, but there will never be another.


The night took a negative turn shortly thereafter when Taylor Swift was awarded Best Female Video. Kanye West took Taylor's win over fellow nominee Beyoncé as a personal affront and took it upon himself to interrupt her acceptance speech, grab the mike from her hands and proclaim that Beyoncé had one of the greatest videos of all time. While what he said was 100% right, how he went about it was 100% wrong: it was incredibly disrespectful to everyone involved, but especially to 19-year-old Taylor. Kanye is an insufferable piece of shit.


Beyoncé later went on to win Video of the Year for Single Ladies and allowed Taylor another shot at her acceptance speech. Leave it to Kanye to make me feel sympathetic towards Taylor Swift (I really don't like that little girl very much).


The Twilight cast (who all looked absolutely miserable) was in attendance to premiere the extended trailer for their impending sequel, New Moon. Not gonna lie, it looks great. Can't wait to see the scenes with the Volturi. And, dear me, did you SEE Edward with his shirt off?! Good heavens.


Finally, Lady GaGa's performance, even after all the hype, was absolutely incredible.
Her vocals were the best I've ever heard them, the set was amazing, the concept brilliantly executed. Awesome, awesome. It's crazy to think that this is her first VMAs and she's only been in the spotlight for a year's time. She's so ahead of the game.

That's pretty much it for this year. Not the worst, not the best. Kinda meh. Below is a list of winners.

Video of the Year: Beyonce Knowles – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Best New Artist: Lady Gaga – Poker Face
Best Hip-Hop Video: Eminem – We Made You
Best Male Video: T.I. ft Rihanna – Live Your Life
Best Pop Video: Britney Spears – Womanizer
Best Rock Video: Green Day – 21 Guns
Best Female Video: Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me
Best Video (That Should Have Won A Moonman): Beastie Boys – Sabotage
Breakthrough Video: Matt And Kim – Lessons Learned
Best Art Direction: Lady Gaga – Paparazzi
Best Choreography: Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Best Cinematography: Green Day – 21 Guns
Best Direction: Green Day – 21 Guns
Best Editing: Beyoncé - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Best Special Effects: Lady Gaga – Paparazzi

B Marvels - Beyoncé Performs Halo

Beyoncé looks and sounds lovely singing current single Halo at the NAACP Awards. I've been waiting for her to perform this song live and I'm relieved that she didn't give into her baser instincts and start thrashing that weave around. Beyoncé definitely teared up at one point during the song. Perhaps she was thinking about Etta James' harsh words? But you know that android is incapable of crying. She doesn't know how! "What is this moisture?" Ha, it really was v. nice, though. Let's hope she never decides to perform that other single...

'At Last' the claws come out!! - Etta James Blasts Beyoncé!!

It appears even living legends aren't above feeling bitter!! The web is abuzz with news of 71-year-old soul singer Etta James lashing out at Beyoncé for being the one to sing for President Obama at his inauguration instead of her!! 

Beyoncé portrayed Etta James in last year's Cadillac Records and has taken to performing Etta's most famous song At Last, most notably at the Inauguration Ball for Barack and Michelle's first dance. Etta claimed she was happy with Beyoncé's portrayal and even paid the 'Diva' a compliment or two, but apparently it was all an act and the praise was forced through gritted teeth! Etta has come out with the truth: she "can't stand Beyoncé!" Check out the rant:



OMG yes! This has literally made my day! I almost feel sorry for Beyoncé. She probably thought it was all gravy. But then I think about the songs she's snatched (ex. Smash into You), beats she's stolen (ex. Diva) and s*** she's taken credit for that she knows she had nothing to do with (ex. writing credit for Silent Night). Beyoncé just gets on people's f***ing nerves!! The b**** had something like this coming!

On the other hand, Etta James needs to go sit down. I can understand feeling snubbed; it is her song after all. But, Beyoncé is current and you're not, sweetie. Fall back. Christina Aguilera has been singing At Last for ten years now and Etta James has sat down to interviews with Chris, praising her version of the song. I bet Xtina is wondering if that old hag was faking that, too!!

Smash vs. Smack!! - Jon McLaughlin's Version of Smash Into You

Before Beyoncé got her hands on the lovely track Smash Into You, Jon McLaughlin recorded it for his sophomore album, OK Now. It didn't end up making the final tracklist and so Tricky and The Dream ended up giving it to B for I Am... Sasha Fierce. (How she ended up with a writing credit escapes me). Check out Jon's (who is smokin' hot!) Smack Into You:



I really like Jon's version. Maybe it's sexist, but I feel the lyrics have more potency coming from a man. And, you know, because he's not a weave-thrashing android, he's capable of emoting. I'm not going to downplay Beyoncé's version just because Jon did his first, because I still think hers is beautiful. But, a part of me wishes Jon could have kept it; this would have been an excellent addition to his album. What do you guys think?

Pumpin' Em Out - Beyoncé Halo Video

Beyoncé is apparently committed to the double single approach. The video for Halo dropped shortly after Diva. If I'm being honest, this video is whack. There's absolutely nothing engaging about the clip. It's a shame because Halo is definitely the better of the two singles. And sadly, neither of the new videos are as good as the first pair. Seems the Beyoncé train is losing steam.

She's A, A Diva - Beyoncé Diva Video

Beyoncé went ahead and released Diva as her next single from I Am... Sasha Fierce whilst the entire world was screaming at her to release Radio instead. I actually really like the video, even if it could use some color. Memo to Beyoncé: the black & white concept is officially tired. But, it's definitely diva-licious. The song, however, is still garbage. I even tried stepping to it in the club last night and I couldn't get into it. It's just whack. What do you think of the video?

Another Skip Across the Pond - Beyoncé Performs on X-Factor

It would seem that going to the UK to sing on X-Factor is becoming the standard these days. Beyoncé snagged the finale, though, so tough noogies for the artists who didn't make it on the show in time. Check out yet another performance of If I Were a Boy:



As tired as I am of seeing her perform this song and Single Ladies, I have to say this is one of the best I've seen. I liked the late-80s/early 90s rock arrangement, Beyoncé's vocals were on point, and I actually found her band engaging for once. Another check in the 'Success' column, B can sit comfortably next to Leona and look down upon Mariah and Britney of the 'Hot Mess' column. Beyoncé also performed a duet with this year's winner Alexandra Burke. Have a look at Listen below:



Props to Alexandra -- that girl was emotional and she still handled business. Lovely, overall. That was probably the best Beyoncé ever sounded singing that song; every performance I'd seen prior was underwhelming. Alexandra really reminds me of Jazmine Sullivan. Like a lot. They look alike and their voices are similar as well. While that's not the worst thing in the world -- Jazmine is up for five Grammys next year and generally awesome -- it limits Alexandra's crossover potential. One thing Americans can't stand is a look-alike. (Leona's haters still brand her a Mariah wannabe). I don't think she'll see the type of worldwide success Leona enjoys but she's definitely talented.

More Restrained Divaness - Beyoncé sings "Ave Maria"

Beyoncé sang Ave Maria at the tree lighting ceremony in Rockefeller Center. Check it out.



Lovely. I'm really excited to see Beyoncé sing tracks from the first disc on her new album and hoping that she'll promote this album with her talent rather than her shenanigans. Her next single is rumored to be Diva, unfortunately, but if it comes packaged with Halo, I'll be happy. Can't wait to see her perform that.

Can you handle more Sasha? - I Am... Sasha Fierce Deluxe Review

I reviewed the standard edition of Beyoncé's new album back when it first leaked, but I didn't give my impressions on the seven new tracks included in the deluxe edition. So, here we go.

Smash Into You nudges its way in between Ave Maria and Satellites to make for a welcome addition to the better of the two discs. It's an almost saccharine sweet ballad, but Beyoncé sounds earnest enough that you believe the emotion. The chorus is just a touch reminiscent of Whitney's Run to You; a masterful touch. Unfortunately, the other additions to disc one are not as impressive. That's Why You're Beautiful and Save the Hero, while inoffensive, do little to better the album. Compared to the rest of the first disc, these songs are basically unnecessary filler.

Disc two nearly doubles in size between the standard and deluxe editions. Listening to Hello and Why Don't You Love Me, you start to wonder why Beyoncé bothered to release a deluxe edition at all, as again you're overwhelmed with the feeling that while these songs aren't awful, they aren't necessary either. But, then you hear Ego and Scared of Lonely. These tracks really redeem the second disc as a whole, even though Scared of Lonely sounds like it belongs to Beyoncé rather than Sasha.

Ego portrays Beyoncé's alter ego extremely well; finally Sasha Fierce is someone we care to know. The lyrics, like those in Diva and Video Phone, are cocky, but they actually work this time. "I don't need no beat, I can sing it with piano" is the kind of tongue-in-cheek line that makes Sasha personable and it's nice to know that the whole split personality gimmick has a solid foundation in at least one song. Scared of Lonely, while better suited to the first disc, is lovely. The strings are hypnotizing; leaving about a minute at the end of the track for just the instrumentation alone may have been the best decision Beyoncé made in regards to this album. While Beyoncé's restraint on the other tracks on the first disc is welcome, the instrumentation builds into such a grandiose production on Scared of Lonely, I wish she would have stepped it up a notch vocally. When she does try to inject more emotion into the lyrics, she growls, and it clashes with the delicacy of the lyrics and strings. Beyoncé likes to say she's a singer before she's a dancer or a performer or an actress, but throughout the entire CD she never really shows us what she's capable of as a vocalist. I think it's regrettable.

Oh, and bad news. Diva is the next single. Apparently that dumb b**** Sasha is driving the car.

American Music Awards 2008

I can't tell you the last time I watched the AMAs, but this year's show had a lineup I couldn't miss! Just about every big name in pop music performed (and I'm sure you noticed, most of them were divas). Unfortunately, just about every performance was negatively affected by incompetent sound people, and many performers were competing with the music to be heard. That blip aside, it was a great show and next year's Grammys will have a hard time coming up with something better. My girl Christina opened the show with a medley of hit songs from her career.



I know she's promoting the greatest hits CD, but I think I would have preferred her to do just one or two songs, even if it was Keeps Gettin' Better. The medley was fun to watch for me as a fan, but because she only sang each song for a minute, I feel like she never really got into any of the songs and caught a stride. The costume was versatile and awesome, though. And while it wasn't the best day she's ever had vocally, plenty of artists still wish they had her pipes.



P!nk was awesome. Her mike wasn't loud enough, but her voice is still amazing. While not a powerhouse, that raspy quality adds that uniqueness to her music and gives her a signature sound. Her duet with Sarah McLachlan later in the show was beautiful, as well. Still not exactly feeling Sober, though.



Leona Lewis looked great and sounded great. She did all the riffs I thought she should have done in the studio version of Better In Time. I still think the song, while pretty, is rather bland and didn't make for an engrossing performance.



Now, I really don't care much for Miley Cyrus. But, this was a great performance. She's clearly not the most talented vocalist, but she played to her strengths and engaged the audience. I loved the billboard people. Kudos, Miley.



I am officially a Beyoncé fan again... but not because of this performance. I've seen the video for Single Ladies so many times and seen a few live performances, and now it's just kinda boring. Case in point: I know the choreography so well that I noticed her f*** it up at one point. Also, is it me, or did her legs look weird? All that said, it was still a great performance. She wielded that ponytail like a deadly weapon. Though, I do wish Justin could have replaced one of her dancers.



PCD has fallen off. They seemed determined to stay relevant with When I Grow Up, but ever since then the ship has been slowly sinking. While I Hate This Part has definitely grown on me, the live rendition wasn't exactly impressive. And then Nicole went on to that incredibly long, incredibly sour note before the dance breakdown. Back to the drawing board, ladies. Away. I LOVED Nicole's dress on the red carpet, though. Fabulous, Christian, just fabulous.




Finally, a "merit" award recipient that doesn't put me to sleep! Annie Lennox is so f***ing awesome. Like, seriously. Enough said.



Natasha shut it down. Her voice is incredible. My only complaint is that she didn't sing enough of Soulmate, my favorite (and her favorite) track off of her most recent album. But, damn, she was amazing. She killed Pocketful of Sunshine. Best vocals of the night, IMO. And that's saying something because it's me and Christina performed. OK.



Yes! Yes! Amazing way to close the show. Uh, LOVE Queen Latifah! (I'd love her more if she just CAME OUT ALREADY, but still). What a performance. I was like "Who the hell is Kathleen Battle?" And then she came out and my roommate and I were like "Oh, opera singer." It was awesome. Way to go, Alicia, repping for the sistas. She had too much make-up on all night, but I still love her to death. She can do no wrong.

Other performers:

New Kids on the Block: More like Old Farts on the Stage. They looked, sounded and moved like s***. Please retire. Forever this time.

Taylor Swift: What's the big deal with this girl? The most interesting thing about her is that she dated a Jonas. And, trust me, she knows. That's why she can't stop talking about it. I don't get it.

Coldplay: Chris Martin was loopy like always, but it was awesome. Love their sound.

Mariah Carey: How about this, Mimi? How about you just put up a cardboard cut-out of yourself up on stage and save the trip. I mean, it's not like you're going to move or sing anyway.

Rihanna: While Rehab will definitely be another notch on Riri's belt of hits, she still needs to learn a thing or two about stage presence. She looked hot, though.

Kanye: I'm sorry, I tried, but I'm not feeling any of his new music. And while watching him give an acceptance speech is a nail-biter, watching him perform is a yawn.

Sasha Fierce is a dumb b**** - I Am... Sasha Fierce Album Review

Beyoncé’s new album leaked a couple days ago, as I mentioned, but caught up in all the election greatness as I was, I’m just getting a chance to listen. The way the songs were transferred to my iTunes, I listened to disc two first. That was a mistake. I’m going to go ahead and say that the second disc, as a whole, is garbage. Straight-up rubbish. The lyrics are inane, the beats uninspiring, and it’s hard to believe that this is the best that Beyoncé, the biggest woman in the game, can produce. This could only be the work of that dumb bitch, Sasha.

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The disc starts with Single Ladies. The song has definitely grown on me, but it’s one of those Beyoncé songs that I don’t really care to like. It’s like, this song is kinda stupid, but damn this beat is catchy, and she keeps saying “Single ladies” and “Put a ring on it!” and “Whoa-oh-oh” and yeah, I’m kinda feeling it now, play it again please. Radio, on the other hand, is a Beyoncé song I do care to like. It’s different and a step out of her comfort zone, but you can tell she still had fun recording the track. It’s easily my favorite song on the second disc.

Moving along into the muck that is the remainder of the disc. Diva is so wiggity-whack. Why is she rapping? On this whack a** beat? Moreover, since when is Beyoncé cocky? Oh, right. It’s that dumb bitch Sasha. Sweet Dreams, better known as Beautiful Nightmare, leaked quite some time ago and it’s pretty much the same track. It’s not awful, but it’s not exactly proof that Beyoncé can be successful pushing the envelope and experimenting with different sounds either. She reportedly recorded some 70 songs for this album and I won’t be convinced that there isn’t a track that better deserved a spot on the album.

And the last track on the disc (thank you, sweet Jesus) is Video Phone. Video Phone sounds an awful lot like the track Stupid from Raven-Symoné’s latest album. Except not as good. Now, when Raven is rocking a style harder than Beyoncé, something is wrong. Honestly, Beyoncé’s song should have been called 'Stupid,' because that’s how she sounds. The lyrics are mind-numbing, and it becomes crystal clear that Sasha belongs on the stage and not in the studio. If that’s what you have to call yourself to get in the zone and rock a performance, so be it. But keep that mess to yourself.

So just when I’m ready to write the album off and the disappointment starts to sink in, I start the album from the beginning. And talk about a 180 degree roundabout. Disc one is awesome. It’s the album I was hoping she’d put out. I’ve listened to each track a few times a piece now, and I’ve never been more impressed with her artistry. It’s just sad that it’s tainted by Sasha Fierce’s input.

If I Were a Boy is the album opener, and it really is a great song. I’m surprised she didn’t have a hand in writing the track, but she sounds great on it. An emotive Beyoncé is an engaging Beyoncé. Halo is super dramatic, but in a good way. Beyoncé never gets drowned out by the big instrumentation and she doesn’t even yell. By the end, you’re bopping your head and wondering why it’s over. Disappear is one of those pretty songs you can leave on repeat. Beyoncé rides the soft beat expertly and you start to see the potential greatness of Beyoncé, stripped down, accompanied with a guitar and nothing else, doing a set and shutting it down.

Broken-hearted Girl succeeds more on the merit of its instrumentation rather than its lyrics. The song builds really nicely, and we already know Beyoncé can lace a midtempo but she shows just the right amount of restraint. Ave Maria and Satellites have much the same feel. Both songs showcase Beyoncé’s vocals and she delivers. Satellites in particular is very pretty. Both are very chill and you’re lulled into this nice, relaxing place until Single Ladies rudely interrupts and you remember who you’re listening to.

Overall, I have to say I’m proud of B. This is the material I’m excited to see her perform. This is the next step Beyoncé needed to take to stay on top. It’s still Beyoncé, but it’s a reinvention. She’s vulnerable and you get a sense that the songs actually mean something to her. We really could have done without Sasha’s contributions, though. That dumb bitch really ruined a good thing.

I’m very curious as to how this album will be received by her fans. I think we all expected Sasha’s tracks to knock, but they don’t even manage to accomplish that. And the first disc is such a departure from her usual sound. Let me know what you guys think.

Early Birthday Present?

So, Beyoncé's new album drops on my birthday, Nov. 18, but the standard edition leaked today. Oops, someone f***ed up. If I Were a Boy just made its first major move on the Hot 100, jumping up to the #3 spot. And I have to say, Single Ladies has grown on me. It's catchy and great to dance to. I guess there's something to be said for being able to make a technically bad song viable.

I'll be leaving my impressions of the album tomorrow most likely, as I'll be constantly hitting refresh on the New York Times website for the remainder of the day. Go vote, if you haven't done so already!

Beyoncé/Sasha Fierce

Well, well. Perhaps I should first explain that while I’ve done my fair share of Beyoncé hating, I was definitely a fan up until B’Day. After seeing Beyoncé’s two new videos for upcoming album I Am…, I can say that I’m on my way to fandom again. Judging the songs on their own, If I Were a Boy is clearly the stronger of the two. That being said, it’s not the type of single Beyoncé is known for (a plus, in my opinion) and that’s probably the reason it’s part of a set – placating the fans who can’t understand why a lead Beyoncé single doesn’t knock. So, it would seem that she’s willing to take some risk, but Daddy Knowles isn’t leaving anything to chance. Beyoncé yelling coupled with hand claps will never disappoint in the club, but Single Ladies sounds like B’Day’s old, recycled trash. There’s absolutely nothing special about it, unless you count Super Mario jumping in the background.

My disappointment in Single Ladies aside, I am impressed with the length of time Beyoncé has spent on this effort (a year, easily overshadowing the measly two weeks spent on B’Day) and the two accompanying videos for her singles clearly demonstrate that she’s coming hard. Not even haters can cry foul against If I Were a Boy. The video plays like a mini-movie, Beyoncé looks flawless, and the concept is executed expertly. Single Ladies is what you’d expect from a Beyoncé video, only taken to the next level. The choreography is some of the strongest of her career and the one-shot effect highlights it all too well. The song still sucks, but you can appreciate the artisanship.

If B’Day taught Beyoncé anything, it’s probably that you can’t please all your fans at the same time. After all the backlash she suffered over her single choices and videos, it would appear that she turned inward and tried to create something hot by her standards. The double-disc approach is ambitious, but less risky for an artist like Beyoncé. Especially since she's designating an entire disc to club-knockers. Even though we're sure to have Beyoncé's weave thrashed all up in our faces for the next two years (at the least), she's doing something interesting and I probably won't be sick of her for a few months. If she continues to hone and embrace her own artistry, I Am… can easily become a career-best. Even if she did swipe the double-disc, alter-ego thing from Nelly.

That Clumsy B****!

Beyoncé and Tina

I'm sorry. So sorry. But, do my ears deceive me? Or did Beyoncé just lip-synch that intro? And look very tacky while doing so? "Inacceptable!"

I couldn't muster a single negative word regarding Tina Turner. She is old, and she is moving and looking good. And I love her smile, so full of life. Her performances are always enjoyable.

Beyoncé just came back. I will give her this: her hair is cute, good move getting rid of some of that weave. She's singing live now, so I know she wasn't before. Truly unacceptable, this is the Grammys! Have you no respect? How'd she even get away with that?!

Shoot me in the ear...

According to former bandmate, Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé is in the studio, recording her next album. She just can't sit down, can she? Rumors abound regarding the upcoming album -- Timbaland's producing; she wants to make a "dance" album (to which I ask, 'What was B'Day?'); she wants to do a country album -- but, all I want to know is when I can get a break. Whatevs. Let's hope she spends more than two weeks on this one.