And You’re Gonna Hear Me Roar

Pop singer Katy Perry released her latest single “Roar” on the very same day Lady Gaga unveiled her song “Applause” three weeks ago and both stars have been under constant comparison ever since. While Perry’s song is about female empowerment and standing up for yourself, Gaga’s seems to be more about telling her fans how loud to cheer for her. Gaga premiered the video for her first song in two years last week with her singing, dancing, and in alien form. Her performance at the 2013 Video Music Awards was just as interesting as she opened the show with a close view of her face with her eyes closed followed by numerous on stage costume changes. And just this past weekend, Mother Monster re-tweeted a hysterical fan made video which recreated her performance. Her latest record titled “ArtPOP” is set to debut in November and fans have been highly anticipating her return to form ever since undergoing hip replacement surgery last winter. Meanwhile, Perry performed the first single off of her new album “Prism” at the very end of the awards show in a boxing ring under the Brooklyn Bridge. Her record is set to debut in October and has already been given the green light for the second single to be released titled “Dark Horse.”

I’ve Had A Shit Day, You’ve Had A Shit Day, We’ve Had A Shit Day

Punk-pop star Pink scores another summer hit with the appropriately titled “Blow Me (One Last Kiss),” a spunky new single off her sixth studio album “The Truth about Love,” which is set for release on September 18, 2012.  The up-tempo pop song debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and although a music video for the song has not been released yet, the track debuted last week after a demo of the song was leaked. The 32 year old singer, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore, grew up in Doylestown, Philadelphia and has credited Janis Joplin and Madonna as her biggest musical influences, the former of which she once wished to be cast as in a biopic.  Pink made her debut on the music scene sporting short, pink hair in 2000 with her first single “There You Go” off the album “Can’t Take Me Home.” She garnered a lot of success in her early career, singing songs about acceptance and being different, which her teenage audience could often relate to.

After taking a break from music following the somewhat failure of her third album “Try This,” Pink made a triumphant return to the music scene when she parodied many of Hollywood’s socialites in the music video “Stupid Girls.” Never afraid to speak her mind, the talented singer-songwriter was awarded with three Grammy Awards within her career. Pink remains an activist and wants to be seen as a role model for young girls, including her daughter Willow with whom she had with her husband Carey Heart last year. Pink even went as far as to sing about her husband, who she had divorced at the time, and asked him to make an appearance in her music video for the song “So What.” One of her most memorable moments was when she sang the song “Glitter in the Air” all the while performing acrobats at the 2010 Grammy Awards. “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” is being compared to the singer’s previous hits including “Raise Your Glass” and “So What,” while also being weighed against the likes of singer Kelly Clarkson’s recent hit “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).”

You Make Me Feel Like I Could Live Another Day

Up and coming British singer songwriter Jessie J debuts a catchy techno track just in time for the start of summer that allows fans to hear a different side of the singer with a little help. The song echoes the similarly titled “Firework,” which was sang two summers ago by the American doppelgänger of the singer: Katy Perry. French DJ David Guetta is featured on the track which is a change of pace from the singer’s previous top ten hits. This is the sixth single off of Jessie J’s debut album “Who You Are.” The song “showcases a completely different side of Jessie, with David Guetta’s club beats providing the perfect background for Jessie’s vocals to soar, similar to Guetta’s previous productions with Kelly Rowland’s number-one single on the UK Singles Chart with “When Love Takes Over.” While the music video was recently released, the song has yet to premiere in America but is set for next month.

This Is A Heartbreak Hotel

Troubled pop star Whitney Houston was found dead yesterday in her hotel bathroom on the eve of the Grammy Awards, which airs tonight on CBS and will feature a special tribute. The singing sensation was once considered an American Sweetheart from her touching ballads to her performances in movies like “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.” Unfortunately, her career seemed to dwindle from her abuse of drugs starting in the late nineties to her tumultuous relationship with husband Bobby Brown, of the R&B group “New Edition,” with whom she had a daughter.

Houston first came onto the music scene in 1985 with her self-titled debut album, “Whitney Houston,” after she was discovered by music producer Clive Davis who has continuously tried to help revitalize Houston’s career. The album’s third single, “How Will I Know,” gave Houston her first number one single and introduced her to MTV’s audience thanks to its accompanying video paving the way for many female African American singers. Houston continued her success with two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards and 22 American Music Awards throughout her career.

With America entangled in the Persian Gulf War, Houston performed “The Star Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV on January 27, 1991. Due to overwhelming response to her rendition, it was released as a commercial single and reached the Top 20 on the US Hot 100, making her the only act to turn the national anthem into a pop hit of that magnitude. Her film debut in the 1992 movie “The Bodyguard” gave her immense recognition playing a troubled pop star who hires Kevin Costner to protect her from a crazed fan. Perhaps most notably is the film’s ending in which Houston’s character attends an awards ceremony much like she was supposed to tonight.

In 1998, Houston famously ripped off pieces of her dress alongside fellow singer Mariah Carey, with whom she sang a duet with, at the MTV VMA’s. But her personal life overshadowed her success during the new millennium from her odd behaviors in public to her notable absence on the radio. The reality show “Being Bobby Brown” seemed to make matters worse, showcasing the once iconic star as a distressed, out of work drug addict. Houston saw somewhat of a comeback in 2009 with a new album and tour to follow, but many fans complained that her voice was not the same as it once was due to her chaotic lifestyle.

Houston was also one of the world’s best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos worldwide. At 48 years old, this tragedy could have most likely been prevented like so many other stars that have died from drug addictions from Amy Winehouse to Michael Jackson. Her death has cast a prominent shadow on tonight’s awards, leaving many fans shocked and broken hearted. Several radio stations have begun to play Houston’s songs since the news of her death broke yesterday afternoon, as well as music networks airing her videos in remembrance of the troubled star.

Missed My Ride Home, Lost My iPhone

Pop-Rock band Hot Chelle Rae strings another hit with “I Like It Like That,” the second single off their new album “Whatever,” which was released on November 29, 2011. The song has peaked at number twenty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and features hip-hop group New Boyz rapping throughout the song. The music video that was released with the single in October features a behind the scenes look at what’s happening while the band is on tour, partying and looking very hipster in their tight jeans and Ray Bans.

The group formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2005 and includes Ryan Follesé, Nash Overstreet, Ian Keaggy and Jamie Follesé. The band, which was originally named “Miracle Drug,” got the idea for their name after a MySpace stalker provided the group with entertaining online activity until her false identity was discovered and brought to light. While Follesé are brothers, Overstreet is the son of country music singer-songwriter Paul Overstreet and the brother of “Glee” actor Chord Overstreet, who was also featured in a music video.

Their debut album, “Lovesick Electric,” was released on October 27, 2009, but it wasn’t until last summer when the band gained widespread attention for the single “Tonight Tonight” that Hot Chelle Rae was made a household name. Fueled with catchy one-liners and a fun, fresh beat, the song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and it’s been a blast ever since.

We Found Love

Pop princess Rihanna delivers a controversial music video with a message attached to her former flame for her techno song “We Found Love.” This is the distressed singer’s first single off her sixth album “Talk That Talk,” which hit stores this week.

The music video was shot in County Down, Northern Ireland in late September and depicted Rihanna in an abusive relationship with a blonde black man. The video not only paints ex-boyfriend Chris Brown in a negative light, but also shows Rihanna drinking, smoking, and attempting suicide.

The unhappy couple is shown engaging in sex while disturbing images flash across the screen including drugs, various pills, and dilated pupils. The love-hate relationship ends when Rihanna walks out the door of her “hopeless place” and is seen huddled in a corner, crying at the end of the music video.

The music video generated controversy for its depiction of violence and drug use, as well as when Rihanna took her clothes off during filming, which led to one local farmer famously telling the Barbadian that she needs to “find God.” It was also described as a “disgrace” by an anti-rape campaigner and was not what some fans had in mind when listening to the upbeat song.

“We Found Love” debuted at number sixteen on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one in its sixth week on the chart, giving Rihanna the record for an artist to have twenty top-ten singles in the shortest amount of time. With the song becoming the singer’s eleventh number one single, the twenty-three year old singer is tied with fifty-three year old Madonna.

This seems to be just the beginning of a flourishing career for Rihanna, who has been non-stop since the debut of her first break-out hit “Umbrella” back in 2006. Throughout the years it seems the singer’s taste in music has changed just as quickly as her hair, which was last seen a firey-red not two months ago.

Both of her last albums, “Rated R” and “Loud ,”debuted in November of 2010 and 2009, respectively, and while they spawned several hits, the singer seems to not take a break from recording or the spotlight. Although critics have said that the latest album is a departure from the dark theme of her previous two records following Chris Brown’s assault, her video says otherwise.

Not Over You

Gavin DeGraw returns to radio with his new single “Not Over You” off his album “Sweeter,” which offers a bittersweet story of break up. The thirty-four year old singer-songwriter is best known for his songs “Chariot,” “Follow Through,” and “I Don’t Want to Be,” which has been featured as the theme song for the television show “One Tree Hill” since 2003.

Armed with an old fedora and new Ray Bans, DeGraw’s new music video has him singing about an ex who happens to be a beautiful, mostly naked, model. The split screen music video was shot in New York City and should be featured on VH1’s reboot of “Pop-Up Video” any day now.

Since his days of “I Don’t Want To Be,” DeGraw has debuted two albums prior to the release of his fourth studio album “Sweeter,” which premiered at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in late September. The album was pushed back after the singer was hospitalized over the summer.

The mope-pop singer was assaulted by several people in New York City early on a Sunday morning and was subsequently struck by a taxi. DeGraw suffered a broken nose, a concussion, two black eyes, and lacerations to his face, forcing him to cancel shows as well.

DeGraw defined the new album as “more refined yet edgier sound; funkier and more sexy than the albums I’ve made in the past.” DeGraw will be touring with David Cook this fall and after such a horrible ordeal, it looks like his life will get a little “sweeter” after all.

Since You’ve Been Gone

Outspoken feminist singer Kelly Clarkson debuted her latest single “Mr. Know It All” last week, which offers her personal opinions on what people think of her. This is the first single from Clarkson in almost two years and is off her fifth studio album, “Stronger,” which is scheduled to be released on October 24.

The album has been described as a “vocally raw record” with less auto tune in the songs and more of a standalone voice. “Mr. Know It All” offers a fresh, fun, pop feel that is reminiscent of the old Clarkson from her “Since You’ve Been Gone” days.

The female empowered vocalist playfully sings “you think that you know me?” which is later answered with “you don’t know a thing about me.” After low record sales from her 2007 “My December” album, Clarkson found success with 2009’s “All I Ever Wanted,” but never saw as much popularity or radio play as the track list from 2004’s “Breakaway.”

“Mr. Know It All” debuted at number eighteen on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 15, 2011 marking Clarkson’s highest single debut on the chart since “Never Again,” which debuted at number eight in 2007. Clarkson is set to perform “Mr. Know It All” on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” on September 20 and on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on September 22.

The video is set to premiere on September 26 and features a “wall of doubt,” which displays the negative headlines that have been written about Clarkson. These include “Why So Single Kelly?” “Sponsors Drop Kelly Clarkson,” “Too Fat,” and “Kelly has no style” among others.

In an interview, Clarkson expressed that the video displays “basically all the crap that’s been said about me that’s kind of funny or ridiculous.” The first “American Idol” winner has battled bad press throughout her career, but will she prevail and return to the top of the charts? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Sparks Fly

While Taylor Swift’s latest music video, Sparks Fly, off her 2010 album “Speak Now” gives an inside look of her 2011 tour, the video just does not do the song justice. The compilation of concerts shown in her video was shot during her tour, which concludes at Radio City Musical Hall in November before heading to Australia in March.

Critics of Taylor Swift argue that the singer comes off less like a country sweetheart and more like a pop star, but her fans adore the wide-eyed blonde as she jumps around on stage. Perhaps some people are still bitter over Swift’s win for “Entertainer of the Year” at last year’s CMT awards, a very distinguished honor that takes some country singers decades to achieve.

While this video’s version of the song seems nice to listen to, the original version, was recorded live and includes the line “I fall in love at an empty bar.” Taylor Swift has all the makings of yet another hit on her hands, if only she knew how to correctly market it with press releases, radio calls, and a real music video. Find tickets for Taylor Swift’s tour at ticketmaster.com!