"BATTLESHIP" OPENS AT #1 IN 26 TERRITORIES

Battleship Promo Photo

Believe it or not, Battleship is pulling-in some major numbers overseas as per Deadline.  The Action/Fantasy based upon the Board Game by Hasbro has debuted at number one in 26 territories, earning $58 million in its debut already. And even though it doesn't open in North America until May 18, 2012 via Universal Pictures, the $200-million Film starring Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker and Alexander Skarsgård is expected to debut huge here.

The odd thing however, is that its Star Kitsch seems to be veering more towards success overseas when he actually is known best in these parts for his work on Football Series Friday Night Lights - about as American as it gets. Case in point, Disney's John Carter already has made over $200 million out of the total $269 it has earned thus far at the Box Office, has come from foreign territories.

Even I had to re-watch the Trailer to see what the fuss was all about! Will you be seeing Battleship next month?

Watch the Trailer below:

RIHANNA & CHRIS BROWN REUNION

Artwork for Birthday Cake

Okay, can anyone please explain this to me? How is it that the Dixie Chicks can speak out against George W. Bush back in 2003, sparking an outrage from people burning their records and boycotting them, yet Rihanna reunites with abusive Ex-Boyfriend Chris Brown - even if just "musically" for now - and no one seems to mind?

On Rihanna's new Remix for Track Birthday Cake featuring Brown, timed to coincide with her Birthday yesterday, we hear him sing: "Girl I wanna f*** you right now. Been a long time, I've been missing your body. Let me turn the lights down, when I go down it's a private party. Ooh, it's not even her birthday but I wanna lick the icing off. Give it to her in the worst way. Can't wait to blow her candles out.".  This is just one of two collaborations to surface, the other being a Remix of Brown's Turn Up the Music featuring vocals by Rihanna.

Is anybody else disturbed by this?  Are we expected to sweep under-the-rug the horrific abuse Rihanna experienced at the hands of Brown back in 2009 and turn a blind eye at the price of Publicity for both Brown and Rihanna? Although it is presumptuous to assume that they are reuniting romantically at this point, let us look to the wisdom of Oprah Winfrey who warned Rihanna back in 2009 stating, "If a Man hits you once, he will hit you again". 

Forgiveness doesn't have to be this overt, does it? Many people move-on in their lives and experience closure without being Friends with those who hurt them.  What kind of an example is Rihanna setting for her Female Fans?  

Honestly, I fear that those on Rihanna's Payroll aren't speaking-up and being honest to her about what v. blatantly is a bad move.  Maybe if Whitney Houston listened to the advice of those who had her best interests in mind at the height of her Fame...

 And no, I won't be posting a link to the two Tracks.  I refuse to support this, as much as I am a Fan of Rihanna.

(Photo credit: Universal Music)

BILLBOARD & NIELSEN REVEAL TOP-SELLING ALBUMS AND ARTISTS OF 2011

Adele in Toronto - March 2011

CNN reveals a bit of interesting news on Digital Music Sales versus Physical Music Sales based on a Billboard/Nielsen Report conducted recently.  For the first time ever, Digital Music is outselling actual Physical Music, with the former increasing 8.4% from the previous year and the latter declining 5%.  In fact, Digital Music accounts for 50.3% of all Music sold in the U.S.

Adele came out on-top in 2011 accounting for Best Selling Artist, Album and Digital Song by a landslide, besting Lady Gaga and Canada's own Michael Bublé who ranked in second despite his Album being released only in November.  Katy Perry however, beat Adele as Best Selling Digital Artist with 15.1 million units sold.

For those curious, these are your Top Ten Selling Albums of 2011:

RIHANNA: TALK THAT TALK - REVIEW

Rihanna - Talk that Talk

Rihanna's sixth Disc arrives just as quickly as it can be forgotten. The Collection of eleven Tracks showcase the Barbadian Pop Princess vocally at her best, but her tireless ambition to remain relevant makes me question the necessity of releasing Talk that Talk this quickly.  It's clear that Music is a  Numbers Game with the Rihanna Navy, their being dead-set on whatever Milestone it is that they are trying to obtain in the Billboard ranks.

Are any of the Tracks on this Set remarkable?  In all honesty, no.  Anyone trying to convince me that first single We Found Love is Rihanna's  best work will be met with stiff resistance from me as I am a firm Believer that the Track is the product of a rushed Studio Session together with Calvin Harris. The Homage to early '90s House Music is recurring Motif on stronger potential Single, Where Have You Been, produced together with Dr. Luke and Harris.  The Track sounds v. much like where Pop  is right now in this David Guetta-dominated Era.

Despite catering much to a Dance Music-loving audience of late, Rihanna never forgets her Urban roots in bringing-out Jay-Z for the Titular Track (co-written with Diddy).  She wears her Caribbean Colours proudly on opening Track You Da One, another contribution from Super-Producer Dr. Luke.  Meanwhile, Watch n'Learn gives us that Sex-obsessed Rihanna whom we have grown to love, her commanding: "Just because I can't kiss back/Doesn't mean you can't kiss that" ...not really leaving much to the imagination.  Beyoncé-esque Birthday Cake clocking-in at 1:18 serves no real purpose other than proving that perhaps with a little less hastiness, something great could have come out of these Sessions.

Longtime Collaborators StarGate keep things sounding a bit familiar on Drunk on Love and Roc Me Out, relegated later in the Sequence and sounding a bit like that harder-hitting Rated R Album which I never loved in all  honesty.

Talk That Talk likely will garner that requisite Hit or two needed before Rihanna heads back to the Studio to churn-out yet another Album, rendering all of this all the more disposable.  Clocking-in a just-over 37 minutes, even her most loyal Fans would have to question whether or not they truly are getting the value they deserve.  The Disc will be released via Universal Music Canada on November 18, 2011.

MEET DRAKE AT HMV QUEEN ST.

Drake at HMV Queen St.

After what seems to have been a drought of Star Power these past few weeks, Drake "takes care" of us hungry Toronto Fans! The Hip-Hop Star will be promoting his new Disc Take Care with an Autograph Signing at HMV Queen St. (272 Queen St. W) in Toronto next Monday, November 14, 2011 at 5:30 PM Unfortunately there will be no posted Photographs, but you can take Photos of Drake! 

The first 500 Fans to pre-order Take Care that day at the Queen St. Store will get Wristbands to meet Drizzy himself. Wristbands will be handed out after 10:00 AM.  Get there early!  Have fun, Mavenati!

Listen to Take Care ft. Rihanna in full below:

VIDEO PREMIERE: RIHANNA FT. CALVIN HARRIS - WE FOUND LOVE

Official Artwork for We Found Love

Wow.   So Britney gets slapped and Rihanna gets high.  The Princesses of Pop are pulling out all the stops to amp up the controversy of late with their new Videos.  Rihanna just unleashed her new Video for Single, We Found Love (ft. Calvin Harris) and while it would appear to be making a case about the negative effect of Drugs on your Love Life, it also reunites Rihanna with Director Melina Matsoukas.  Matsoukas worked her prior on S&M and also delivered us the recent Gem I'm into You (Jennifer Lopez ft. Lil Wayne).  

A little like Papa Don't Preach, yes? .. and in case you're wondering, the male Actor is Boxer Dudley O'Shaughnessy.

Watch the Video in full below:

VIDEO PREMIERE: RIHANNA - CHEERS (DRINK TO THAT)

Still from Cheers (Drink to That)

Not that she's endorsing excessive consumption of Alcohol or anything, but this new Video for Rihanna's latest Single Cheers (Drink to That) has just premiered and Girl even managed to get Avril Lavigne to do a quick Cameo. The Weekend Jam samples a Vocal Hook from Canadian's Hit I'm With You.

You know you've really made it when you can make a Music Video surrounding clips of screaming Fans.

The Track has peaked so far at number 17 on the U.S Billboard Hot 100 and also number 37 on the Canadian Hot 100 charts.

See the Video in full below:

RAPPER DRAKE IN YORKVILLE FOR BUSINESS MEETING

Drake & Mr. Will-W.

While out for a walk earlier hobbling along with my one injured foot, I crossed paths with the hottest name in Hip Hop - our v. own Drake!  I've actually met the Toronto native on multiple occasions in the past, but this time I had my Camera ready and was able to get a proper Photo.  Despite many others feeling that he is a difficult one to get a Photo with, I must say I've been lucky both times I've tried.

The former Degrassi star tells me that he was on his way to a business meeting at Hazelton Hotel's ONE Restaurant.  Lately there has been much speculation that he is rekindling a romance with Rihanna after being seen together on multiple occasions, including her recent Toronto visit in June.  Still no confirmation from both camps but really, is it any of our business?  Surely both their Fans would have little reason to object!

The last time I got a Photo with Drizzy this past December, our Photo was an #EPICFAIL:

RIHANNA GREETS FANS ON TORONTO STOP OF "LOUD" TOUR

Rihanna & Fans in Toronto - June 2011

She certainly loves Toronto!   After opting to spend her day off here instead of Baltimore, Pop Princess Rihanna arrived in the City yesterday afternoon. Despite spending much of her time in her Yorkville Hotel Room, she did get a chance to go out and enjoy Dinner with Friends last night. Upon arriving, one Fan was lucky enough to score an Autograph from the currently fiery Redhead, who opted not to stop for Photos after noticing Paparazzi in-sight.

Earlier today she had spent a quick moment with Fans outside her Hotel, posing for a couple Group Photos en route to Air Canada Centre. Rihanna's Handler initially had denied her Fans a chance to get close to her and upon his being handed a Camera to take a Group Photo of them one Fan noted, "he was pretending to take a Photo, purposely pressing the wrong button".  The Singer finally intervened however, urging her Hander to co-operate, urging him "Please take the Photo!".  Despite a growing number of Fans crowding around her for a Photo, Rihanna headed straight into her SUV, immediately locking her door.

BEYONCÉ RUNS THE SHOW AT 2011 BILLBOARD AWARDS

Beyoncé at 2011 Billboard Music Awards

Absolutely stealing the show tonight at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards was Beyoncé, performing her new Single Run the World (Girls).  Tonight's show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas marked the big return for the Awards Show after a five-year hiatus.  Performing alongside Video Projections of herself for most of the performance, things reached a high point when hundreds of Female Dancers were unveiled on stage, marking what could be called a Brevolution.

Shortly afterward, her Mother Tina Knowles presented Beyoncé with a Millennium Award as former Bandmates Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Husband Jay-Z applauded proudly in the Audience.  She even took the time surpsingly to thank former Destiny's Childresses LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson.

Despite not nabbing any Awards, Britney Spears was another highlight this evening, performing S&M alongside Rihanna earlier in the broadcast and also a Remix of her current Single Til the World Ends with Nicki Minaj.

JENNIFER LOPEZ - LOVE REVIEW

In what is easily her best work since 1999 debut On the 6, Jennifer Lopez gives it her all on this her seventh studio effort. She proves once again that she can do it all despite her impossibly hectic itinerary - a Mother of Twins, Wife, Designer, Entrepreneur, Television Personality, Actress and oh yeah, a Singer. Lopez's surprising switch last year to Island Def Jam/Universal Music has played a pivotal role in her sudden musical resurgence after spending some celebrated years at Sony Music - some years not so celebrated. And after spending over two years on this Disc Love?, expectations are heightened but fear not - she delivers.

We all know how infectious On the Floor (ft. Pitbull) is with that Lambada sample it features. In fact it has already reached the top of the Charts in Canada, but on this Disc are a few more missiles waiting to fire thanks to Super-Producer RedOne who not only oversaw that mentioned first Single, but also the thematically similar Papi with its dramatic synths and big choruses; an outstanding piece of Pop. Invading My Mind and Hypnotico also have the Swedish-Moroccan's signature sound imprinted and interestingly, Lady Gaga is credited on both these Tracks. Admittedly they are more telling of her The Fame era rather than her current Born this Way era.

The-Dream and Tricky Stewart who have been rather hit-or-miss since finding meteoric success with Rihanna on her star-making Good Girl Gone Bad Disc from 2008, yield a result leaning more towards  the "hit" side with the aptly-named Good Hit. The Track is defined most by its experience-altering Breakdown complete with a Key Change. Villain and Run the World are met with mixed results and easily could have been eliminated here without much impact.

NEW MUSIC: BRITNEY SPEARS FT. NICKI MINAJ & KE$HA - TILL THE WORLD ENDS REMIX

Although I'm not really sure it qualifies as an actual Remix, we are surprised with this new version of Britney Spears' Till the World Ends featuring an Intro by Nicki Minaj and Choruses by its Writer Ke$ha; also heard is a new Breakdown.

It appears that Minaj recorded her part in the Studio and Ke$ha's Demo Vocals were incorporated into the mix.  Nonetheless, it's pretty cool  to hear three of the hottest Ladies of Pop together on one Track.  Hopefully this will be enough to help its rise up the Billboard Hot 100, as it has been hovering at the bottom-end of the Top Ten for a couple weeks now.

This week alone, Spears scored another Billboard number one on the Chart with her S&M Remix with Rihanna, helping the latter reach a record for the shortest span of time an Artist has achieved ten number one Singles  in the Chart's history.

Listen to the Till the World Ends Remix below (Audio content owned by Sony Music):

 

NEW MUSIC: LADY GAGA - JUDAS

Lady Gaga in Toronto - March 2011

With news of Lady Gaga's new Single Judas being rush-released for today on iTunes, Monsters everywhere have been clamoring to get to their Computers.

Does it live up to its hype?  Well, it is a bit of a Grower admittedly.  One part Bad Romance and one part pre-Glam Kylie in its "wo-oh-oh" bits, Judas delivers Gaga's promise of Avant-Garde Techno Rock, with tons to listen to.  Its arrangement is quite busy and this obviously is much darker fare than prior Single Born this Way, which I'm still absorbing in all honesty.  Most interesting of all is her decision to go Reggae in her Rihanna-like delivery of the Verses.

And how about that hook, "I'm just a horny fool/And Baby it's so cruel/I'm still in love with Judas, Baby"?  Unforgettable.

Here - you tell me what you think below (audio content owned by Universal Music):

RIHANNA PERFORMS "CALIFORNIA KING BED" ON "AMERICAN IDOL"

Rihanna on American Idol

Yes! Rihanna put on one of her best performances yet on American Idol last night. Looking stunning and almost Mermaid-like in a dress and her rockin’ some big red waves in her hair, she proved not only that she is a much-improved Vocalist, but also that she has another potential number one Hit on her hands. California King Bed’s release comes hot on the trails of her just-released collaboration with Britney Spears, a Remix for S&M which already has reached number one on the iTunes Singles Chart – making it a likely candidate for number one also on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart next week.

Watch Rihanna in all her glory below:

NEW MUSIC: RIHANNA FT. BRITNEY SPEARS - S&M (REMIX)

After rumours surfacing this weekend that a Rihanna and Britney collaboration existed, the Girls delivered this morning with a Remix of the former's new Single, S&M.  

Each Pop Princess gets her own Verse and it's actually even more eye-opening to understand some of the Lyrics I couldn't decipher before on Rihanna's original version.  "Shut me up, gagged and bound", Britney commands her Lover.  Woh.

Although the bright timbre of Britney's voice doesn't necessarily make this Track any sexier per say, it breathes some much needed new life into the Song as I grew tired of listening to it admittedly a while back.

Stream the naughtiness below (audio content owned by Universal Music):

ANTONIO "L.A." REID POSSIBLY BRINGING MARIAH CAREY BACK TO SONY MUSIC?

Mariah Carey in Toronto - March 2010

Antonio "L.A." Reid, who has been responsible for shaping the careers of many a great Pop Star including P!nk, Usher, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Bon Jovi, TLC and Avril Lavigne, announced today that he will be leaving Island Def Jam effective immediately as its Chairman. He will be working again with Sony Music, having prior overseen the careers of Artists under that label.  There are speculations that he will be a Judge on Simon Cowell's U.S. version of The X Factor.

According to Roger Friedman at Showbiz411, Mariah Carey whom Reid aided in scoring one of the biggest comebacks ever seen in Pop Music in 2005 with The Emancipation of Mimi, will be headed back to her original label Sony Music.  She must however first complete her contractual obligations to Island Def Jam (Univeral Music) with just one more album left, due some time later this year.

Although Island Def Jam did an amazing job with Carey, perhaps indeed it is time for a change with the lackluster performance of her last few releases under the imprint, including E=MC² and Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.  Could be great!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

NEW MUSIC: WILLOW SMITH - 21st CENTURY GIRL

She's a star without a doubt.  Willow Smith's second Single 21st Century Girl pays homage to her - I don't believe I'm saying this - "elders", Rihanna and Ke$sha.  Gosh, I'm v. old.  Nothing but some fun Dance-Pop and perhaps even catchier and Radio-friendly than debut single Whip My Hair. It won't be a Chart topper, but it's enough to continue building that ever-growing Fan base of hers.  She's won me over!

Give it a listen below (audio content owned by Sony Music):

RIHANNA AND CIARA TAKE FEUD TO TWITTER

Ciara's Tweets to Rihanna

Yikes!  It looks like Pop Princesses Rihanna and Ciara might be feuding.  Both Singers have Tweeted each other some subtle jabs at one another this evening with Ciara threatening at approximately 11:15 PM EST, "Trust me Rihanna u don't want see me on or off stage".  Rihanna then Tweeted back, "My bad ci, did i 4get to tip u?  #howrudeofme", followed by "U gangsta huh?  Haaa" and an even harsher "Good luck with bookin that stage u speak of".  Ouch.

What's interesting is that the two were known at one point to be v. good Friends, attending Award Shows together even.  Neither follows the other on Twitter now, nor did they address their Tweets with the other's Twitter Handle denoted by the @ symbol, taking this feud to a public forum.

Rihanna's Tweets to Ciara

On February 8, 2011, Ciara Tweeted a v. telling statement which might give us some clues as to why the two might be sparring: "People really do reveal who they are over time.You dont even have to question them about there intentions, just watch how they move".  She then added, "& that was not a subliminal jab at anyone..just the disappointment in the people that say theyre your friends and that theyre there 4 U."

But watch this Fashion Police Clip from E! TV with Joan Rivers where Ciara reveals how much Rihanna has changed, slighting her recently at a Party.  It is said this Clip had hurt the Bajan Beauty deepest.

By 12:00 AM EST, the two had apologized and Ciara had proposed they both chat about this in-person.  "Rhi u know its always been love since day 1!", she clarified to Rihanna.

Well what did you expect Ci? Ri's a busy Girl now.  This isn't 2005 anymore!  Stop fighting and focus on making a hit, Girl!  Success is the strongest shield.  Ask Rihanna, she'd know.  Oh wait - you hate "love" each other.  Oops, sorry!  And besides that, people haven't been this interested in Ciara in quite some time.  Couldn't this be career rejuvenating?

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.

2011 GRAMMYS RECAP

Lady Gaga at the 2011 Grammys

The Grammys tonight were all about Lady Gaga and her egg-hatching and eye-catching debut performance of Born this Way.  It is reported that a Prop malfunction had occurred during her Red Carpet arrival, preventing her from making a planned grand entrance for the Paparazzi out of a Cocoon/Egg-like structure, as she was carried-in by scantily-clad Men and Women.  Gaga went on to win Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Bad Romance and also Best Pop Vocal Album for The Fame Monster.

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance went to newcomer Bruno Mars' Just the Way You Are.

Other big Winners tonight include Canadians Arcade Fire for Album of the Year, The Suburbs.  The Award is considered the most coveted of all.  Michael Bublé also represented Canada well in winning Best Traditional Male Pop Vocal Album for Crazy Love and Neil Young finally nabbed his first Grammy for Best Rock Song with Angry World. Our Justin Bieber didn't fare so well as Best New Artist, losing out to Esperanza Spalding.