JESSIE J AT PRIVATE SHOWCASE IN TORONTO

Jessie J in Toronto - April 2011

In a stunning display of Showmanship, Soulful British Siren Jessie J wowed a lucky invite-only Crowd at The Mod Club. Despite canceling various Radio appearances due to a Migraine, Jessie J would not let her Fans (known also as her Heartbeats) down, resting-up and powering her way through a four-song performance on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live and an electrifying six-song at the Club in Little Italy.

From the crotch-grabbing bravado of Do it Like a Dude to an all-out tour-de-force rendition of third Single Nobody's Perfect and finally a sunny six-minute version of her biggest Hit yet Price Tag, Jessie J had the Crowd begging for more of those flawless Vocals. Many onlookers were shocked to see Universal Music Canada label mates Far East Movement also in-town for a Show, in the audience supporting their Girl Jessie.

Taking breaks to sign Autographs between Songs on-stage, she also passed the Microphone into the Audience, allowing Fans to ask questions. One Fan asked, "When are you coming back to Toronto?", to which she replied "That depends on the label Big Wigs!", adding "the same serious ones who just stand and never dance!".  During her performance of Nobody's Perfect, she snatched a Fan's Camera and recorded herself singing right into it, drawing cheers from the audience.

Watch Jessie J perform Price Tag in full below:

FAR EAST MOVEMENT IN TORONTO

Kev Nish (Far East Movement) & Mr. Will-W.

The first-ever Asian-American Act to top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with massive Hit Like a G6, will forever and always be Far East Movement. The Electropop/Hip-Hop Quartet rolled into town on Sunday after having only recently replaced their faulty Tour Bus. All is well now and the Boys are ready to roll again and I learned they are actually in-town for a Private Show organized by Ryerson University at Kool Haus on Tuesday night, plus some Press.

I crossed paths with Frontman Kev Nish (né Kevin Nishimura) twice actually - once at  a private Showcase for Jessie J. who also is in town and another time out grabbing some Middle Eastern fare on-the-go. Humbled with one hand by offering a handshake ( ...and holding Hummus in the other), he told me how much it meant that I was a Fan of Far East Movement, their Free Wired easily one of my favourite Albums of 2010.

JESSIE J ARRIVES IN TORONTO | SIGNED CD CONTEST

Jessie J in Toronto - April 2011

The absolutely gorgeous and immensely-talented Jessie J arrived in Toronto this Easter Sunday morning to embark on a Media Blitz for her debut Disc from Universal Music Canada, Who You Are. Already a Pop sensation overseas, Jessie J is in-town to do Radio Press and also an appearance on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live is slated. She will be capping it all off with an invite-only appearance at The Mod Club, performing a six-song Set.

The Singer/Songwriter has already been awarded the distinction of winning the 2011 BRIT Awards Critics  Choice Award, an honour in prior years bestowed upon the likes of Adele. Above this, her promise has translated to actual commercial success, debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart, also a respectable number six on the Canadian Albums Chart and number eleven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Chart.

Jessie J was all smiles today as she head out to grab some Groceries with her Manager. Most stores however were closed today due to the Holiday but that didn't stop her in her determination to prepare a delicious meal for her Band and Management.  Even with light Makeup, the 23 year-old Firecracker looked stunning in her Toque.

Despite it being rather chilly, she made some time to hang-out with her Toronto Heartbeats (her term for her Fans), signing Autographs and offering to take Photos too. It appears after a bit of a search, she was able locate a nearby Convenience Store to do her Groceries, resolving her problem of what to eat for Easter Dinner.  Earlier in the day she had pondered the matter for a while on Twitter, able to locate only a package of McVities HobNobs in her grasp.

More Photos and Video will come from Jessie J's The Mod Club Show, so remember to check back. And yes, I'm giddy like a School Girl.  Huge Fan.

ALBUM REVIEW: JESSIE J - WHO YOU ARE

Although the first taste she gave us with Do It Like a Dude wasn’t a good indicator what she’s all about, UK import Jessie J (née Jessica Cornish) definitely has a word or two of advice for us on her debut, Who You Are. In fact, the 23 year-old Singer/Songwriter Londoner’s feel-good vibe has already infiltrated airwaves Stateside. If you loved Miley Cyrus’ Party in the U.S.A. – and I know many of you do – chances are, you’re already a Fan of her work without even realizing it.

Expectations admittedly are high and although this debut Disc is a mixed bag of Songs, the raw talent Jessie J possesses is v. present. If not this Album, she is on the verge of something spectacular. Her vocal tone, range and styling are clear proof of the legacy which the likes of Beyoncé, Fergie and Alicia Keys have left on this generation of young Divas, but furthermore she really pulls out every single trick and bit of inspiration she has within her on Who You Are. There is nothing understated about Jessie J – she goes all-out because she can.

I have not been shy about expressing my love for Dr. Luke-produced hit Price Tag (ft. B.o.B.) which despite repeating a vibe heard on Hits like No One (Alicia Keys) and Where is the Love (The Black Eyed Peas), I cannot deny its standalone appeal. It is a proper introduction to the uplifting vibe she truly wants to deliver. Sunny tracks like L.O.V.E. and Stand Up promote positivity and teach us Pop Listeners a lesson or two on Reggae - her way.

JESSIE J ON "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE"

Jessie J on SNL

Now that's what I call singing Jessie J was devastatingly good on last night's episode of Saturday Night Live as Musical Guest. She performed two tracks off her forthcoming debut Disc Who You Are (due April 12, 2011), Price Tag ft. B.o.B. and Mama Knows Best.

It's not often that an Artist is done justice on that fickle SNL stage, but the fact that Jessie J, let alone be asked to perform as a guest when she doesn't even have an Album out in North America yet is well.... v. impressive. 

Witness the magic below:

Follow Jessie J on Twitter here.

(Photo/video credit: NBC)

NEW MUSIC: JESSIE J - PRICE TAG FT. B.o.B.

I'm completely obsessed with this Track right now. As some of you recall, I was singing the praises of UK import Jessie J earlier but this looks like it will be the one that breaks her into the North American market properly. Produced by Dr. Luke (Britney Spears, Katy Perry, P!nk) and co-written by Jessie J herself this fun little Island-inspired R&B/Pop speaks to the masses with its anti-Materialistic vibe. Musically similar to Jason Mraz's I'm Yours, The Black Eyed Peas' Where is the Love and Alicia Keys' No One, Price Tag proves we can never grow tired of the same old Chords.

Let's be real though, it is about the Money sometimes.  I can't exactly go to Starbucks and pay for my Americano with Love as Jessie J would like, now can I?

Price Tag has peaked so far at number 88 and 65 on the U.S. and Canadian Billboard Hot 100 Charts respectively, but you can expect this to improve v. soon.

Check out the Video for Price Tag below:

RIHANNA, ARCADE FIRE, CEE LO AND JUSTIN BIEBER AMONG WINNERS AT 2011 BRIT AWARDS

Rihanna was the Queen of the Red Carpet last night at the 2011 BRIT Awards, honouring the UK’s finest in Music. The fiery Redhead looked a vision in a Peacock Blue, Green and Purple number from Christian Dior Couture which only the Only Girl (in the World) could pull off.  The two-time Grammy Winner also wound up winning the Award for International Female Solo Artist. The quirky and sassy Cee Lo Green won International Male Solo Artist.  I had the honour of meeting both Cee Lo and Rihanna in-person last year and have been championing both of them all the way!  Amazing.

Canada’s Arcade Fire was given the honour of International Album and Best International Group for their 2010 release Suburbs, which just won Album of the Year at the Grammys on Sunday. Above this, Justin Bieber also represented Canada well in winning the Award for International Breakthrough Act after a heartbreaking loss for both him and his Fans at the Grammys in the Best New Artist category.

Jessie J who just topped the Charts with second single Price Tag in the UK, was awarded Critics’ Choice Award which is given annually to the Artist who shows the most promise. Despite not winning any Awards, previous Critics’ Choice Winner Adele stunned the audience with a stirring rendition of Someone Like You from her soon to be released sophomore effort 21.

NATALIA KILLS IN TORONTO - PICS, VIDEO & AUTOGRAPH GIVEAWAY

Natalia Kills & Mr. Will-W.

British import Natalia Kills has been burning-up the Blogs over the past year and she is now on the verge of Stardom with her debut Album Perfectionist slated for a release shortly.  I caught up with the Actress/Singer/Songwriter out and about on her Press Tour in Toronto earlier today, before her performances tonight on MuchMusic's NML and an opening stint on Swedish sensation Robyn's show at the Sound Academy.  Signed to The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am music group, in partnership with Akon's Kon Live, Interscope  and Cherrytree Records, the support is there for this label mate of Lady Gaga.

Her debut single Mirrors, a finely crafted piece of dark Electropop is now beginning to pick-up in terms of Airplay in Canada and today Kills visited Top 40 Outlets like Z103.5, KISS 92.5 and PROUD FM 103.9 to promote the track.

The pint-sized Songstress was styled immaculately, dressed in Leather Pants and a Faux Fur Jacket. Her Hair was perfect with neatly-trimmed Bangs; her Make-up eye-catching with mismatching faux Lashes.  "Check out her shoes", her Publicist from Universal Music pointed out to me and so I did, snapping a quick shot of her D-Squareds in their Spine-heeled glory.  The Girl likes to have fun.

Genuinely surprised at the sight of Fans in Toronto, Natalia Kills should enjoy the peace and quiet now as industry insiders are tipping her hotly as the next big thing alongside another British import, Jessie J., who also is launching her career stateside this year.  Kills despite the edgy stage pseudonym was extremely sweet in-person, confirming for me that Perfectionist will be hitting stores at the end of March even still with no official confirmation from her Label. 

NEW MUSIC: JESSIE J - DO IT LIKE A DUDE

Jessie J.

She's only 22, but Essex native Jessie J is already creating quite a splash on the Internet and overseas. A labelmate of Amy Winehouse on Universal Republic Records, the likes of Justin Timberlake have sung her praises, calling her "the best singer in the world". And she hasn't even released her album stateside yet.

Jessie J is a storied one. She made her stage debut in Andrew Lloyd Weber's Whistle Down the Wind at age eleven and at the age of 18 tragically suffered a minor stroke, then focussing on Songwriting. She actually co-wrote Miley Cyrus' catchy hit Party in the USA with Dr. Luke.  She currently is at work on a new track of Britney Spears' forthcoming album.

Her debut single is performing well in the UK right now, Do It Like a Dude, with little promotion. The gritty track Reggae-infused vocals was originally written for Rihanna, but kept for herself decidedly.  Its Video has garnered well over 5 million views on VEVO already.

See what you think of Jessie J below, courtesy of Universal Music. A name to look out for in 2011. Visit her official website here.