Archive for October, 2009

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

If you’re a fan of American Idol you probably remember Allison Iraheta as the teen from last season with the bright ass hair. But what you will also recall is how that same girl with flaming head could sting your heart with depth & stage presence beyond her sixteen years of living. <--Allison Iraheta, Flaming Head, the debut album. No? Fine. AND NO, NOT LIKE THAT! You guys are sick!!!

Now, the 17-year-old is out with the premiere of her debut single, the hyper hooked FRIDAY I’LL BE OVER U. <--Produced by Max Martin--sounds like a Lavigne track meets Kelly Clarkson's SINCE U BEEN GONE.

“You got me/ To forget me/ So Friday I’ll be over you.”

The song is catchy as hell but why the overproduction? This isn’t Heidi Montag. Iraheta can sing her fiesty little Hello Kitty heart out. I understand it’s all about marketing and finding a niche for Iraheta to squeeze into and the song undoubtedly was produced for radio (blending in perfectly with the likes of Demi Lovato) but here’s to hoping there’s some soul-wreching gutsy ballads on her debut to showcase her rough pipes.

Check out Iraheta’s FRIDAY I’LL BE OVER YOU here.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Maybe it’s just me but London rap is where it’s at!

Interesting fact: After a falling-out with her mother at the age of 19 Speech Debelle left her home and lived in homeless hostels for four years.

Check out SPEECH DEBELLE (winner of the 2009 Mercury Prize) on Spinnin’ below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Yo Kanye, it’s called karma.

The Kanye West / Lady GaGa FAME KILLS Tour is officially dead. <--Go ahead West, eat a piece of the humble pie. It won't hurt you, my friend.

When I first heard that it was official that West & GaGa were planning a tour together (of course with the word FAME in the title, since that’s all they both seem to be obsessed with), I immediately thought it was a bad idea. At the core, Kanye West & Lady GaGa have two very distinct fan bases. I respect and admire the idea of trying to do something different but in the world of mainstream music, the idea of different isn’t generally well received. These are commercial artists acting as if their contributions to music is on an artistic level with that of someone like Bjork. I have mad respect for artists who are passionate about what they do and this is one thing that I actually admire about West & GaGa, but at the end of the day, what is just as important is a personality behind the passion that isn’t warped, drenched in ego, or douchetastic. And as we all know, Kanye has had a hard time of proving to the world that he’s a “good guy” (as Lady GaGa referred to him recently, claiming he felt horrible about his rude plea for attention when he shit on Taylor Swift’s VMA moment).

According to Rolling Stone, speculation of poor sales may be the reason for the tour’s cancellation.

I think Kanye is an incredible lyricist (that is undeniable) but perhaps this will be a lesson to the rapper–don’t kill someone else’s ego just to blow up your own, because what goes around, comes back around. And in this case, FAME (when it goes to your head) DEFINITELY KILLS.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Christina Aguilera feeding the hungry.

That a girl!

Christina Aguilera (with husband Jordan Bratman) helping to fight hunger with the World Food Programme in Guatemala.

[Photo: Antonio Lopez courtesy of the World Food Programme]