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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Music News: The Charts (10/31/13)

I just wanted to report that TLC's 20 moved 50 spots on the Billboard 200 to # 12 this week. They have now redeemed themselves, as their last greatest hits album did not peak in the top 30!  Now then, the top 5 of the Hot 100 is the same as last week:

Hot 100
  1. Lorde- Royals
  2. Katy Perry- Roar
  3. Miley Cyrus- Roar
  4. Avicii- Wake Me Up
  5. Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home
So is the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay:

R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
  1. Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home
  2. August Alsina featuring Trinidad James- I Luv This
  3. J. Cole featuring TLC- Crooked Smile
  4. Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake- Holy Grail
  5. Robin Thicke featuring T.I., Pharrell- Blurred Lines
Youtube
  1. Miley Cyrus- Wrecking Ball
  2. Katy Perry- Roar
  3. Avicii- Wake Me Up
  4. Romeo Santos- Propuesta Indecente
  5. Mike Will Made-It featuring Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J- 23
Go over to Billboard to read about Katy Perry debuting at # 1 with her new album or to see complete chart listings: http://www.billboard.com/

(Thursday) Morning Rewind (10/31/13)

Its Halloween, so here's a special Thursday Morning Rewind for you!


Rihanna- Disturbia (2008)


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Just Vids: Melanie Fiona- Cold Piece

Melanie Fiona has left her record label and is now partnered up with Pepsi to produce her music from now on.  Her first offering from this deal is Cold Piece.  Here is the video. 



Monday, October 28, 2013

Braxton Family Values Returns (10/28/13): Promo # 3

Part II of Season 3 is coming in November. Here are the promos. I wanted to post them all together but the site won't let me.


Braxton Family Values Returns (10/28/13): Promo # 2

Part II of Season 3 is coming in November. Here are the promos. I wanted to post them all together but the site won't let me.


Braxton Family Values Returns (10/2813)

Part II of Season 3 is coming in November.  Here are the promos.  I wanted to post them all together but the site won't let me. 





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday Morning Rewind (10/28/13)

Special Halloween Edition!


Michael Jackson- Thriller (1982)


Thursday, October 24, 2013

CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story Movie Review

     If you are a reader of my blog, you know that I have been talking about all things TLC for several months now.  It was all for this movie.  The movie has been released now, and I have been thinking about it ever since, and now I have finally decided that I should give my take on it.  I usually focus strictly on music on my blog, but this pertains to music, so, why not???  I am no movie critic, so don't expect me to give you an Ebert & Roper review.  I will try my best, though (work with me). 


CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story (2013)
 
 
     The movie, is of course, VH1's Original Movie CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story.  The film is a biopic.  Its chronicles the female R&B super-trio TLC's rise to stardom, and the many speed bumps along the way.  The films depicts its heroines (Tionne "T-boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes, and Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas) as they battle bad relationships, legal issues, financial issues, health problems, and tragedy.  TLC's tale is one of truly overcoming adversity, no matter what the odds.
 
 
Image from the movie
 
     The casting, in my opinion, is a good fit.  There is Drew Sidora playing the T in TLC, T-boz.  Left-Eye is played by rapper, Lil' Mama, and to round out TLC, Keke Palmer playing Chilli.  Lil Mama (Left-Eye) is undoubtedly the standout performance of the film.  Her resemblance to the late Lopes is uncanny.  On top of that, Lil' Mama has Left-Eye's mannerisms and facial expressions down-packed.  She captured her spunky, free-spirited, and rambunctious energy very well.  The other major characters, TLC's record label executive and manager, L.A. & Perri "Pebbles"  Reid, and producer Dallas Austin, were played by Carl Anthony Payne II, Rochelle Aytes, and Evan Ross respectively.   Aytes'  Pebbles was another one of my favorite performances in the film.  Even though Pebbles is not one of the best people in the film, Aytes really pulled off her "not so nice" behavior very well.   Prior to watching the movie, I watched an interview with Pebbles.  Aytes had her down-packed as well.  Pebbles is now in consideration for a modern-day Joe Jackson.
 
 
Now in this picture, the resemblance is scary!
 
 
     The timeline of the film basically starts with the formation of the group and ends in the present day.  We (the viewers) are only showed a quick glimpse at each of the girls childhood as an introduction and then it fast forwards to when the ladies are adults.  That was a problem for me.  I would have to say my biggest problem with CrazySexyCool is that it was not long enough.  Maybe its just that I am TOO much of a  fan, but I felt like they should have went more in depth .  The movie was about two hours long.  That's fine, but TLC had so much to cover it could have easily been a 3-4 hour long movie (or like they said in interviews, a mini-series), but since it was the time that it was, I think they did a good job on outlining their career.  They reviewed everything briefly.  If it was just maybe 30-45 minutes longer, they could have showed some more.  I would want to see more about their childhood, more about their bankruptcy battle with Pebbles (didn't that take over a year), more of them recording their albums, (especially!) more about their life after the death of Left-Eye (which they completely skipped over) and a host of other things. I did not realize how many different events took place in their lives.  That movie could have been super long!   I am starting a petition to have this movie deemed as just a pre-quel, outlining a miniseries coming in 2014.  Please sign up for support of this to be set into action down below. (haha) 


TLC 20 Album Art + Track Listing

     TLC's biopic movie did very well.  It was one of the highest rated premieres of the year on cable television.  In conjunction with the film, TLC has released a soundtrack to the movie.  The soundtrack contains TLC's greatest hits and the new song penned for the movie, Meant to Be.  Please support our R&B legends.  I just looked on Billboard, it said the album debuted at # 72.  Not cool. On this same chart, Pearl Jam (which is a rock band, also popular at the same time as TLC) debuted at #1...  I'm not trying to be "in your face", I'm just saying, please don't forget about the legends...
     The album cover is a nice recreation of the cover to CrazySexyCool (the album)!  I dig it...



20 (2013)
 
 
Track Listing
  1. Ain't 2 Proud to Beg
  2. What About Your Friends
  3. Baby-Baby-Baby
  4. Hat 2 da Back
  5. Creep
  6. Waterfalls
  7. Red Light Special
  8. Diggin' On You
  9. Kick Your Game
  10. No Scrubs
  11. Unpretty
  12. Silly Ho
  13. Damaged
  14. Meant to Be

Music News: The Charts (10/24/13)

Hot 100
  1. Lorde- Royals
  2. Katy Perry- Roar
  3. Miley Cyrus- Wrecking Ball
  4. Avicii- Wake Me Up
  5. Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home
R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
  1. Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home
  2. August Alsina featuring Trinidad James- I Luv This
  3. J. Cole featuring TLC- Crooked Smile
  4. Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake- Holy Grail
  5. Robin Thicke featuring T.I., Pharrell- Blurred Lines
Youtube
  1. Miley Cyrus- Wrecking Ball
  2. Katy Perry- Roar
  3. Miley Cyrus- We Can't Stop
  4. Avicii- Wake Me Up
  5. Alison Gold- Chinese Food
Please visit Billboard for complete chart listings: http://www.billboard.com/

Happy Birthday Drake!

It's Drake's Birthday Today!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Monday Morning Rewind II (10/21/13)

Since TLC's movie is premiering on VH1 today, I am doing a special Monday Morning Rewind.  Here's another album gem.  It was released as a radio airplay single back during the release of Fanmail.


TLC- Silly Ho (1999)



Monday Morning Rewind I (10/21/13)

Since TLC's movie is premiering on VH1 today, I am doing a special Monday Morning Rewind.  This is an album gem from TLC classic CrazySexyCool.


TLC- Kick Your Game (1994)


Sunday, October 20, 2013

Saturday, October 19, 2013

T-Boz Singing Fanmail

I love this video!  T-Boz's speaking voice is adorable to me.  It's so tender.  Wouldn't you just want her to rub all on your head and comfort you speaking like that? Her singing voice is also soft and sweet too.  P.S. this is NOT by Drake!!!  Its by TLC...  Drake remade it.



Friday, October 18, 2013

Stars Celebrate Brandy!

Brandy recently celebrated 20 years in the entertainment industry and True Exclusives, a website that supports her to the highest level, put together a video for her with many celebrities congratulating her as well as confessing their admiration for her.  After watching, we get to see Brandy's tearful, heartfelt reaction.


Brandy Singing Amazing Grace

Giving you some early Sunday Morning Inspiration.  Yes, two whole days early.  Friday Morning Inspiration!  Brandy humming some Gospel for the kids.



Thursday, October 17, 2013

TLC CrazySexyCool Mini Trailer III (10/17/13)

VH1 released several short trailers to the TLC Biopic Film, CrazySexyCool this week. Here's one of them.



TLC CrazySexyCool Mini Trailer II (10/17/13)

VH1 released several short trailers to the TLC Biopic Film, CrazySexyCool this week. Here's one of them.



TLC CrazySexyCool Mini Trailer I (10/17/13)

VH1 released several short trailers to the TLC Biopic Film, CrazySexyCool this week.  Here's one of them. 



TLC CrazySexyCool Super Trailer (10/17/13)

VH1 released another trailer to CrazySexyCool this week.  The movie premieres Monday (10/21/13).



Music News: Miley Cyrus Debuts # 1 + The Charts (10/17/13)

Miley Cyrus' latest album, Bangerz, puts the young star back on the top of the Billboard 200.  Cyrus has been to the summit on several different occasions as both her famous role as Disney's Hannah Montana, and as herself. 


Bangerz is # 1 this Week
 
 
Over on the Hot 100 Lorde is still #1 with Royals.
 
Hot 100
  1. Lorde- Royals
  2. Miley Cyrus- Wrecking Ball
  3. Katy Perry- Roar
  4. Avicii- Wake Me Up
  5. Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home
Drake
 
 
 
Over on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Blurred Lines has been de-throned after (I'm not sure) 15+ weeks of being #1.  I know for certain it tied a record for the longest run at the top over on the newly calculated R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with Mary J. Blige's Be Without You...

R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
  1. Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home
  2. Robin Thicke featuring T.I., Pharrell- Blurred Lines
  3. August Alsina featuring Trinidad James- I Luv This
  4. Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake- Holy Grail
  5. J. Cole featuring TLC- Crooked Smile
Right now, Youtube is showing me the same listings from last week (sorry). They will probably change this  later on during the week.  Make sure to visit Billboard, for this update, as well complete chart listings: http://www.billboard.com/

Here is a direct link to the article about Miley Cyrus' history on the Billoard 200: http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5755773/miley-cyrus-bangerz-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200

Monday, October 14, 2013

Just Music: Alicia Keys- Better You, Better Me

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (2013)



This is music from the soundtrack to The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete.  The movie was released in theaters this past weekend and includes Jennifer Hudson and Jordin Sparks. 


Just Music: Fantasia- Side Effects of You

Fantasia releases the title track to her 4th studio album.  This is a different version than what can be heard on the album.  If you love the album version, don't worry, this one is beautiful too. 


Side Effects of You (2013)
 
 

Random Rihanna (10/14/13): Updates + Cory's Song Passing 20,000!!!

???
 
 
 
     No need to ponder Rihanna...  Yes, its true!!!  CS has passed 20,000 visits!!!  My Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-P8mO4H8gXQJIKdtMWi_Q  is approaching 30,000 views! That means Cory Ballad has been viewed more than 50,000 times on the web!!!  Thanks everyone.
      I am now on Twitter.  You can follow me here:  https://twitter.com/CoryBallad 
I post additional videos and such there.  Check me out.  I will continue to bring you the latest music news.  Once again, Thank you for visiting!

Just Vids: Toni Braxton & Babyface- Hurt You

Toni and Babyface are breaking down the walls and letting go of some baggage as they try to mend their love.   Never meant to break your little heart.


Monday Morning Rewind (10/14/13)

TLC's movie is 1 week away so I am going to hit you with this song from their 3D album.


TLC- Damaged (2003)






Thursday, October 10, 2013

Music News: The Charts (10/10/13)

Hot 100
  1. Lorde- Royals
  2. Katy Perry- Roar
  3. Miley Cyrus- Wrecking Ball
  4. Avicii- Wake Me Up
  5. Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home
R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
  1. Robin Thicke featuring T.I., Pharrell- Blurred Lines
  2. Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home
  3. J. Cole featuring TLC- Crooked Smile
  4. August Alsina featuring Trinidad James- I Luv This
  5. Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake- Holy Grail
Rihanna's new video for her very old song, Pour it Up is # 1 this week on Youtube.

Youtube
  1. Rihanna- Pour it Up
  2. Ylvis- The Fox
  3. Miley Cyrus- Wrecking Ball
  4. Britney Spears- Work B**ch
  5. Katy Perry- Roar
For a complete list of charts this week, visit: http://www.billboard.com/

Just Music: TLC- Meant to Be

TLC just released a new song called Meant to Be.  The song will be featured on the soundtrack to their biographical movie, which premieres October 21 on VH1.



Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Brandy Performs When You Touch Me Live

More Brandy!  Brandy recently performed When You Touch Me, which is a song off of her album Full Moon (in my opinion, her best album ever), for the first time ever.  Dear Brandy: Please keep singing these album gems.  Let this be the first of many. 


 
Full Moon (2002)





Just Vids: August Alsina featuring Trinidad James- I Luv This

August Alsina



August Alsina is a 21year old singer, who started out posting videos on youtube back when he was 14.  He then released his first mixtape last year.  He released this single and a second mixtape earlier this year and it is now receiving heavy rotation.  It is now in the top 10 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.  P.S.  I really just want to slap Trinidad James.






Monday, October 7, 2013

Just Vids: Jaheim- Age Ain't A Factor

Jaheim enlisted classic black beauties Lisa Raye and Vivica A. Fox to star in his video about women that get better with time. 


Just Vids: Solange- Lovers in the Parking Lot

Solange Knowles releases another visual from her EP, True, which was released last year.  The music video features Knowles dancing in what I will call a "pawn shop" just because that is my best guess...


Brandy Sings 1+1

I don't have a MMR for this week...  I have something even better!  Some new Brandy!  This is just Brandy having some fun before a show. 


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Sunday Morning Inspiration (10/6/13)

One of my favorite tunes of the year.  Miss Tamela Mann with a soul-stirring, live edition of her breakout hit, Take Me to the King, at the 2013 Stellar Awards.


Best Days (2012)
 
 

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Just Vids: Keyshia Cole- I Choose You

Keyshia Cole is back with a follow-up to Trust and Believe.  Another song off of her Woman to Woman album.  This song has Keyshia delivering a great,  old school soul performance. 


Woman to Woman (2012)
 
 

Friday, October 4, 2013

Just Vids: Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home

This video is done as a short film.  In it, Drake gets his Miami Vice thing going on...  A$AP Rocky is in it (randomly) as well...


Just Vids: John Legend- All of Me

John Legend goes back to the basics with a nice piano ballad.  I love it!  John Legend shines bright behind the keys.  The video is black and white.  It's  nice and simple, just like the song.


Music News: Drake Debuts # 1 + The Charts (10/4/13)

Nothing Was the Same debuts at # 1
 
 
     Drake notches his 3rd straight # 1 album on the Billboard 200 this week.  Nothing Was the Same opens with first week sales of 658,000 copies, a career high for the rapper.  This is also the second highest first week sales total of the year, after Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience sold over 900,000 back in March. 
 
 
Royals (2013)
 
 
 
     Over on the Hot 100 their is a new # 1 song:  Lorde's Royals moves 3-1.  This accomplishment makes her one of the youngest artist in history to score a # 1 on that chart (she's 16).  Also, on the strength of his new release, Drake's Just Hold On, We're Going Home moves into the top 5.  It's Drake's  first top 5 since Find Your Love in 2010.  The top 5:
 
Hot 100
  1. Lorde- Royals
  2. Katy Perry- Roar
  3. Miley Cyrus- Wrecking Ball
  4. Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home
  5. Avicii- Wake Me Up
     Drake has also taken the top spot on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, but over on Airplay, Blurred Lines is still # 1.
 
R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
  1. Robin Thicke featuring T.I., Pharrell- Blurred Lines
  2. Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake- Holy Grail
  3. Drake featuring Majid Jordan- Hold On, We're Going Home
  4. J. Cole featuring TLC- Crooked Smile
  5. Miguel- How Many Drinks?
     Miley has 3 videos in the top 5 on Youtube this week:
 
Youtube
  1. Miley Cyrus- Wrecking Ball
  2. Mike Will Made-It featuring Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J- 23
  3. Ylvis- The Fox
  4. Katy Perry- Roar
  5. Miley Cyrus- We Can't Stop
 
 
Read about up-in-coming singer Lorde and her accomplishments this week: http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5740767/lordes-royals-crowns-hot-100
 
 
Full chart listings here: http://www.billboard.com/
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Just Vids: Jason Derulo- Marry Me

Jordin Sparks is getting her grown and sexy on in this video.  I just found out last week that her and Jason Derulo have a love thing going on (damn!).  It seems in this video he has not yet popped the question, but vows to one day.  This means there still might be a shot!  I'll keep my fingers crossed.


Random Rihanna (10/1/13)

Happy October!