My unashamed admiration and respect for Shakira was further solidified last night while atending the "secret show" taping of her performance for an upcoming feature on the iheartradio web site and mobile application.
Playing to an intimately rabid fan base of 250 contest winners and special guests, the Columbian superstar was in town to perform a handful of hits, old and new, to be included on the Clear Channel owned and operated site. iheartradio has been making this exclusive content available through the online and mobile outlets, recently nabbing artists like Green Day, Jonas Brothers and Weezer.
But this night was all about Shakira. Opening on a set befitting of a middle eastern hookah harem, complete with embroidered pillows and mood lighting, she began the set, seated, with Gypsy, from new album, She Wolf. After that, it was all about the hips and dips and taking advantage of every inch of the stage.
Ever the consumate professional, Shakira played it up for her fans with a smile on her face the entire time. This is one artist/show I never would have imagined myself at, but after attending, it's one I was glad I was able to witness. Viva Shakira!
Songs performed: Gypsy, Give it Up to Me, She Wolf (english), Hips Don't Lie, Loca (spanish).
mp3: Shakira (featuring Kid Cudi) - Did It Again (Benny Benassi Remix)
You may have noticed a lot of poppier music coming out of Camp Beaston lately. And you know what, we're going to continue on with it, seeing as how the fall of 2009 seems to be driven by the ladies who are redefining the genre with new albums, tightly produced videos and, well, then there's Britney.
But for now, we've got another majorly theatrical and super emotional video from the queen of r&b, urban radio pop: Rihanna. We were knocked off our rockers when we first heard single Russian Roulette, a dark and brooding downtempo ballad. You know we totally swooned when we heard these remixes too, but with the release of the video, we are now accepting our need to give her just praise.
Drama! Gunshots! Messy hair that looks like mine on a good day!
We're in love. Epic week coming to a close before the most radical weekend ever kicks off. Happy Friday the 13th indeed!
mp3: Rihanna vs Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem - Russian Roulette Forever (Mashup)
This might be one of the first indirectly non-music related post titles here, but never fear, cause we can tie it in a la "six degrees of Kevin Bacon" style. Actually, it only takes ONE degree. Tim Burton directed the music video for The Killers' 2006 song, Bones. Ta-dah!
Ever since we caught wind that visionary cinematographer, director, and all around mad genius, Tim Burton, would be exhibiting at MoMA, we've searched high and low for sneak peeks at what could only be considered a walk through the wild side.
Check out the Burton-esque trailer for the Burton curated and created exhibit below.
Accompanied by the film exhibitions Tim Burton and Tim Burton and the Lurid Beauty of Monsters, the exhibit will run from November 22, 2009 through April 26, 2010.
mp3: The Killers - Bones (Tiga Remix)
Last month, we caught Swedish songbird, Jenny Wilson, during CMJ at The Fader Fort. Sadly, I somehow lost the pictures from her set, but never fear, because trusted buddy boy, Anthony, has the goods and some kind words about Ms. Wilson over here.
With that having been Wilson's debut NYC performance, our love for her, along with her finely crafted songs, was renewed, and we've had her latest album, Hardships, on pretty consistently over the past three weeks.
Standout track, Pass Me the Salt, was a pleasure to see live, and today, we're pretty excited, because the song has been worked up, down, back and forth in the form of some new remixes!
One comes from Frenchman, MaJiKer, and the other comes from Stockholmians, Front of House, in the form of a fight mix. Completely different takes on the already amazing song, yet both are produced with equally respectable outcomes.
mp3: Jenny Wilson - Pass Me the Salt (Front of House Fight Remix)
mp3: Jenny Wilson - Pass Me the Salt (MaJiKer BPM Remix)
Back in July, we brought you the video for Serpentine, the 4th visual output from Peaches' latest studio album, I Feel Cream. With a bangin' beat and pretty gnarly licks to boot, the vid captures the essence of all that is badass.
Ever the electronically fueled show-woman, Peaches lets us in on some exclusive "making the video" behind-the-scenes footage from the Serpentine shoot. Warning: lots of shimmying, sashaying, and sweet ass leotards within.
Oh, and in case you were unaware, Peaches is back in NYC tomorrow, November 14, at Terminal 5. She'll be joined by Jessica 6 and Amanda Blank as openers, for what will surely go down as one of the creamiest, dreamiest, sweatiest nights of the year!
PS: Happy belated birthday to Peaches. She celebrated her 43rd on November 11.
mp3: Peaches - Operate
