BRIAN FRIEDMAN IN TORONTO FOR 2012 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS

Brian Friedman & Mr. Will-W.

You might remember him from So You Think You Can Dance, but Dancer/Choreographer Brian Friedman has long been making a name for himself helming the Dance Moves in some of your favourite Britney Spears, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé Videos. 

Friedman made a visit to Toronto to lend his talents to Justin Bieber at the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards.  The Teen Pop Sensation treated the Queen Street Audience to performances of his two latest Tracks, Boyfriend and All Around the World.

I caught-up with Friedman quickly earlier today along with Bieber's Team of Dancers as they headed off to New York, where Bieber is headed to next for a Performance tonight.

Follow the handsome self-professed Workaholic here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BEYONCÉ IS "WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN"

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Of course it's her! People Magazine has selected Beyoncé as their World's Most Beautiful Woman of 2012. The Actress/Singer/Model/Mom tells the Magazine, "I feel more beautiful than I've ever felt because I've given birth". "I have never felt so connected, never felt like I had such a sense of purpose on this Earth.".

Read more here and see who else made the cut here.

(Photo credit: People Magazine)

WHITNEY HOUSTON FUNERAL TO BE BROADCAST ONLINE 12 PM EST

A Hearse arrives at Whitney Houston's Funeral

Fans have adorned the exterior of New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey with their own personal tributes to their beloved Diva, just one week after she was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.  

Said to attend the Funeral today are the likes of Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Elton John, Alicia Keys, David Bowie and more. Mentor Clive Davis and her The Bodyguard Co-star Kevin Costner are to speak at the Service.  Ex-Husband Bobby Brown has been invited by Houston's Family to attend.

CNN will be broadcasting live from the site of the Funeral, which begins at 12:00 PM EST. 

Click here to watch.

(Photo credit: CNN)

FIRST PHOTOS: BLUE IVY CARTER

Beyoncé & Blue Ivy Carter

Blue Ivy Carter, better known as the Future of Hip-Hop/R&B, made her debut online today and in a generous move which didn't involve a negotiation with US Weekly or People Magazine, Jay-Z and Beyoncé have released some gorgeous candid photos of the special little Girl via Tumblr.

You can visit Blue Ivy Carter's own Tumblr Page here.

(Photo credit: Beyoncé Knowles)

NEW MUSIC: JAY-Z - GLORY (FT. BLUE IVY CARTER)

Beyoncé in Toronto - July 2009

Talk about Proud Parenting! Jay-Z fired-up a new track today to commemorate the birth of his Baby Girl, Blue Ivy. The Track titled Glory features a sample of seven-pound B.I.C. (Blue Ivy Carter) herself, in which she can be heard clearly towards the end. "My greatest creation is you", the Proud Papa raps. We learn that she was conceived in Paris on the Track and that also the Couple had experienced some difficulties conceiving prior.

US Weekly cleverly helped us figure out what it might be that Jay-Z and Beyoncé chose Blue Ivy for a name. Jay-Z has long declared his love for the colour Blue and above this has even named one of his Discs, Blueprint released on September 11, 2011. Numerologists will say that Roman Numberal "IV" (Ivy) - four - has been important for the Couple. Beyoncé is born on September 4th, while Jay-Z is born on December 4th. They even married on April 4, 2008. Beyonce's latest Album 4 also is her fourth solo Disc.

Check out Glory in full below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W. | Audio content: Universal Music)

BEYONCÉ DELIVERS BABY GIRL: REPORTED NAME "BLUE IVY CARTER"

Beyoncé in Toronto - July 2009

Staff at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City are already taking precautions reportedly for their big Celebrity Patient, starting first with taping-up Security Cameras.  Also, it is said that Staff are being asked to check-in their Cell Phones at the beginning of their shifts.  The Hospital annually delivers 4,000 Babies but none are as high-profile as this one!

One Staffer tells New York Daily News that Jay-Z and Beyoncé have paid $1.3 million (US) to have the fourth floor allocated for their own private use and the biggest telltale sign that she plans to deliver her Baby there is that Security Guards have been seen patrolling outside the Hospital. 

UPDATE: Who run the World? GIRLS!  It has been confirmed by none other than Rihanna that Beyoncé indeed has delivered a healthy Baby Girl.  The Baby was born earlier this evening and proud Auntie Rih was among the first to break the news!  Finally, we can put all speculation to rest!

BEYONCÉ & JAY-Z SPOTTED IN BROOKLYN NEW YEAR'S EVE

Buttermilk Channel confirms Beyoncé  & Jay-Z spotting

With all the rumours of Beyoncé having gone into labour last week, all that amounted to little as Queen B herself was spotted in Brooklyn last night at famed Buttermilk Channel eating Foie Gras and Lobster with Jay-Z. Decadence.  This was confirmed by the Restaurant's resident Tweeter.

The Restaurant was named as the "Best New Restaurant in Brooklyn" by Time Out Magazine and has a hearty Menu known best perhaps for its Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Waffles and Seafood options.  Diners who partook in their three-course $85 New Year's Eve Menu last night might even have gotten a glimpse of the famous Couple.

That then raises the question, who is the high-profile Mystery Patient at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital?

COCO LEE WEDS CANADIAN BUSINESSMAN BRUCE ROCKOWITZ

CoCo Lee, Bruce Rockowitz & Ne-Yo

Congratulations to one of Asia's biggest Superstars CoCo Lee, who just wedded Canadian Billionaire Businessman Bruce Rockowitz.  Festivities took place in Hong Kong at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Kowloon.  Lee, a Singer-Songwriter who was raised in San Francisco and is based out of Taiwan, met Rockowitz in Hong Kong eight years ago.  For those who were wondering, Vera Wang custom-designed her Wedding Dress.

The lavish Ceremony, witnessed by 300 of the Couple's Friends and Family,  was followed by a lavish Reception where guests dined on Italian fare including Wagyu Beef Cheek & Sole, Burrata Cheese Ravioli, Tiramisu, Vanilla Panna Cotta and much more. A private Jewish Ceremony also took place yesterday.

Although there was much extravagance at the Rockowitz-Lee Wedding, the Entertainment perhaps was the biggest thing they had in-store.  Major Stars Bruno Mars, The Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo performed before the intimate audience, with Lee joining them on-stage at points.  It is said also that Oprah Winfrey and Jennifer Lopez (some are saying Beyoncé too!) were flown-in privately for the occasion too... still awaiting Photos to confirm this. All this rang-in at a whopping total $20 million US!

INTERVIEW: GAVIN DEGRAW ON "SWEETER"

Gavin DeGraw

In the early hours of Monday, August 8, 2011, Singer-Songwriter Gavin DeGraw was heading home after a night out in New York City's East Village. DeGraw at the time been gearing-up to promote his third release through RCA Records (Sony Music Canada) - Sweeter - with a scheduled stop-off here at Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre on August 22, opening for Maroon 5.

Nobody could have foreseen what would transpire that night - an unprovoked attack by several unknown individuals, resulting in DeGraw being listed under stable condition at Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital. He suffered a broken nose, a concussion, two black eyes and lacerations to his face.   In addendum to the Assault, he had also been struck by a Taxi moments after. Now less than two-months later, he is back and ready to give it his all with the Album which he says, "shook him up".

DeGraw calls me from St. Louis, mine being among the first batch of Interviews he has done to promote Sweeter since his Recovery. Noting how quick his Comeback has taken flight, he tells me "I've been so focused on performing Music I want to play and that's what's carried me through this.". Known best for some of his earlier Hits like I Don't Want to Be and Chariot, he had been torn between making a Pop Album and the Album he truly wanted to make after two years of over-thinking. "My Record Label finally told me, 'fuck everything and just make the Album you want to make and we'll champion it'", bringing him a great sigh of relief. "Sweeter is far better than anything I could've done by myself. It feels like a real collaborative effort because I'd never co-written before it", he admits.

NEW MUSIC: WATCH THE THRONE (FT. BEYONCÉ) - LIFT OFF

Watch the Throne Album Cover

We have a Lift Off!  After having successfully thwarted illegal downloads, Watch the Throne, the collaborative project between Hip-Hop Royalty Kanye West and Jay-Z have unleashed their new single Lift Off ft. Beyoncé. Their self-titled Disc was released earlier today versus what is traditionally known as New Release Tuesday.  The Track is the third single off the Album and likely will be the biggest hit so far off of it.

The Track certainly has all the theatrics and anticipation needed for a pairing this great ...including a Countdown!

Watch the Throne will be touring soon and visiting Toronto on September 24, 2011 at Air Canada Centre.

Listen to the Track in full below:

DRAKE'S "OVO FESTIVAL" BOASTS SURRPISE GUESTS ON CARIBANA WEEKEND

Drake at the 2011 JUNO Awards

Drake's OVO Festival at Molson Amphitheatre has secured its place as one of the biggest highlights of Caribana, now known as the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival in Toronto.  Now in its second year, some are anticipating some big names to show-up tonight to the Show. Last year, the Audience were wowed by surprise performances from Jay-Z, Eminem and Beyoncé.

Expected to perform this year are acts like The Weekend, Rick Ross, NAS and Travis Porter but leave it to Drizzy himself to throw in a few surprises.  For one, Stevie Wonder was spotted flying in from Los Angeles yesterday and was seen by several Diners at Fusion hotspot Spice Route, known for its enticing Appetizers and $20 Chow Mein. I "wonder" though if he knew that he could get perhaps better and cheaper Chinese food over in Chinatown? Could the R&B/Soul legend himself be making an appearance at the OVO Festival?  We'll soon know!

Although some members of the Young Money Entertainment family, including Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne are due here in August, there also are rumours that they too might be lending their support.  Minaj surprised at Jay-Z show on Friday night, but it should be noted she is opening for Britney Spears tonight at Verizon Center in Washington, DC and likely won't be able to make it back to Toronto in-time tonight.  She will definitely be here on August 13th and 14th though.

KATY PERRY SCORES NINE MTV VMA NOMINATIONS

Katy Perry & Mr. Will-W.

Congratulations to Katy Perry who just nabbed a total nine nominations for this year's MTV Video Music Awards, to be aired live August 28, 2011 at 8:00 PM. Among those categories for which Perry is nominated include: Best Pop Video, Best Collaboration, Best Direction, Best Special Effects and the most prestigious honour, Video of the Year.

Perry upon finding out the amazing news Tweeted, "OMG! I just got word that I'm nominated for 9 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS!!! I'm kinda speechless/nervous/turned on! NOW it's up to YOU to VOTE!". She is currently still touring in Seattle.

VIDEO PREMIERE: BEYONCÉ - BEST THING I NEVER HAD

Still from Best Thing I Never Had

Oh, Beyoncé - Voice of Reason to so many Women!  Check out the Siren's new Video for Single Best Thing I Never Had.  Scaling back significantly from her last big budget-production for Run the World (Girls), she does things clean and simple with Director Diane Martel.  The Ode to a past Boyfriend who failed to appreciate her is a veiled (pardon the pun) celebration of present happiness.  Or is it really, considering how she still looks so hurt in this Video?  Hmm.  

Watch the Video in full below:

BEYONCÉ HEADLINES 2011 GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL

Beyoncé at 2011 Glastonbury Festival

England got a special treat this year with Beyoncé headlining the Glastonbury Festival, spanning three days over the past weekend. 170,000 Music Lovers were in attendance live, while Fans internationally were able to watch the broadcast via the BBC.

Beyoncé wowed the Crowd, zipping through her Set which included a Destiny's Child Medley, If I Were a Boy/U Oughta Know, Single Ladies, Crazy in Love, a Cover of Kings of Leon's Sex on Fire, Run the World (Girls) and new Single Best Thing I Never Had.  

Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyoncé's Husband Jay-Z were spotted even cheering her on in the Audience.  And if you want to win a copy of her new CD 4, in stores next Tuesday, you can still do so by entering my Giveaway right here.

Check out her performance of Best Thing I Never Had below:

NEW MUSIC: BEYONCÉ - BEST THING I NEVER HAD

Already onto her second Single, Beyoncé unleashes this pleasant listen co-written by '90s R&B King Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.   Best Thing I Never Had is in the same vein as Irreplaceable, telling a Lover who scorned her how she's better now without him.

I admit it - I have yet to wowed by any of the Tracks off of 4, but Queen B rarely disappoints.  I'm sure she's got a few missiles ready to fire.  This is sequenced coincidentally as the fourth track on the Disc, due June 28, 2011.

Have a listen to Best Thing I Never Had in full below:

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.

VIDEO PREMIERE: BEYONCÉ - RUN THE WORLD (GIRLS) | ALBUM COVER REVEALED

Album Cover for Beyoncé's 4

Beyoncé is definitely here and in a whack of updates tonight about her, we are presented with this glamsexy new Album Cover for her fourth Disc 4, due on June 28, 2011. A Listening Party already has been held and apparently '90s R&B King Babyface contributes a track to the Collection!

While we're waiting on more to come, we're treated to the Premiere of the Video for new Single Run the World (Girls) and although it certainly doesn't beat her performance in Obsessed, Beyoncé has unleashed some serious ferocity in the Clip directed by Francis Lawrence.  In what looks like a Riot about to ensue, watch Sargent Beyoncé show the Boys who's Boss with some incredibly choreographed dexterity.  With a  Gold Mirrorball Dress and Platform Shoes, Flags declaring a Brevolution, Llamas, an Explosion and a Swat Team, clearly there is nothing to look at here.  So just move along now...  LOL.

Watch Run the World (Girls) in full below:

NEW MUSIC: BEYONCÉ - RUN THE WORLD (GIRLS)

Beyoncé in Toronto - July 2009

Although I'm not quite sure to make of this new Beyoncé Track, Girls (Who Run the World), a lot of her up-tempo numbers have been Growers for me in the past. At first I despised Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) but low and behold, I wound-up loving it after the Overkill.

This first bit of new material from her as-yet untitled fourth Disc, due in June, is produced by Switch.  She veers further away from Melody and more towards Ethnic Rhythms again here as she has in recent years. The manipulated loop of her voice I admit is a bit jarring - yet at the same time difficult to purge from my mind.  What do you think of it?

Stream the Track in full below:

Run The World (Girls) by Beyoncé

To see Photos from the Video Shoot for Run the World (Girls), click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W. | Audio content: Sony Music)

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.

INTERVIEW: MINDLESS BEHAVIOR (PICS & VIDEO)

Mindless Behavior - Toronto, March 2011

It's been over two years in the making, but Pop Music will soon be embracing the debut of a new Teen phenomenon, Mindless Behavior. The Boy Band, three parts Los Angelenos and one part Philadelphian, have won the praise of industry Icons like Diddy and Janet Jackson, the latter who has handpicked them to join her on twelve key dates for her NUMBER ONES: Up Close and Personal Tour. Just having landed in Toronto after their first stop-off in Chicago earlier this week, I caught up backstage with the Boys of Mindless Behavior - their first ever Canadian interview - at a venue Midtown, a private Showcase organized by Faze Magazine.

Prodigy

Starting off our session with a quick Photoshoot, I was amazed firstly by the level of seasoning these Boys showed, comfortably throwing poses at the Camera - each defining who they were on a personal level. Prodigy, decidedly the lead Vocalist of the group, is confident and understated, giving me full-on Diddy. Princeton is colourful and outgoing, his hair actually reminiscent of a young Prince. Roc Royal is grounded and approachable. Ray Ray although the quietest and perhaps most endearing, is by no means shy on-stage.

The Boys explain to me the process of how they came to be Mindless Behavior with Princeton telling me, "Roc Royal and I were chosen out of 600 kids by Walter Millsap (Beyoncé) and Vincent Herbert (Lady Gaga) first, then came Prodigy from Philadelphia who was discovered on YouTube by our Choreographer. Ray Ray joined our group last.". Life hasn't been all Escalades and Red Carpets though since being signed to Interscope Records by Jimmy Iovine. He adds that "for two years we have been going to classes for Vocal Lessons, Media Training and Choreography. We're all being Homeschooled now.".