It’s time to ‘Do It Like A Dude’

I think I really owe VEVO. Honestly. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have come across the shot of vodka that is Jessie J. This woman is one of those artists that make you want to get up and jump about. Is she a unique addition to the music industry? Not really. Is the music something we haven’t seen before? Err… But do we love her anyway? The answer is a resounding YES!

The first song of her’s I heard was ‘Price Tag’ featuring rapper B.O.B., and let me tell you: I loved it. Yes it’s a bit of a cliche and yes we’ve heard songs similar to this about happy times and the goodness of man and such, but then again, why complain when happiness knocks at the door?

This woman has the right amount of attitude as well as a bright personality. She started off as a songwriter for musicians including Miley Cyrus and Chris Brown, having partly written the lyrics of ‘Party in the USA’ . She finally started her solo career in 2011 with her debut album Who You Are. The songs are about individuality ['Who You Are', the title track],  independence ['Who's Laughing Now'] as well as feminism ['Do It Like a Dude'], and she has joined the ranks of the women in the music industry that are icons to young girls all over the world. Her success in the UK with ‘Do It Like a Dude’ propelled her into stardom, and she made her debut in the USA with ‘Price Tag’ which established her as an international celebrity.

She does remind me of Pink to be honest, especially if you look at how similar the songs ‘Perfect’ by Pink and ‘Price Tag’ are… She also channels a little bit of Katy Perry, and I think you’ll see what I mean after you watch a couple of her videos.

All said and done, Jessie J is what I’d like to call a ‘happy pill’. When I’m down in the dumps and need something to take my mind of things, I  log on to YouTube and tune in to one of Shane Dawson’s videos or listen to Jessie’s song ‘Domino’. I’m not a big fan of the video, because while she does look stunning, it’s nothing but a few shots of her in different outfits with a giant projector screen behind her. But I absolutely love jamming out to the song. I usually dance around my bedroom in my underwear lip-syncing ’Domino’ [or 'Marry the Night' by Lady Gaga, but that's another story]. While Jessie may not be someone as ground-breaking as Gaga, she definitely has brought a special spark into music, and life wouldn’t be the same without her.

If you ever have a day where the sun don’t shine and you need a pick me up, Jessie J is definitely someone you can turn to. Key tracks you have to listen to are ‘Price Tag’, ‘Domino’ and ‘Who You Are’. I do love her look which is sort of Katy Perry met a flapper from the 1920′s and then bumped into Rihanna. One thing I always notice about her are her nails and lipstick which are both flawless and creative. I love the way she involves so much colour and life into her appearance, every video, and every performance. She’s energetic, talented, lovable and beautiful and has a brightness about her that no one seems to be able to match up to.

So check out Jessie J and brighten up your day!! … That half-rhyme was ridiculous wasn’t it? But you guys love  me anyway! ;D

Peace out!

Ridz <3

Girls Run The World

Women are the strongest pillars of anybody’s life. When I look at all the women in my life, my heart swells with pride, because I know how wonderful each and every one of them are. My mother, my aunts, my grandmothers [all three], my teachers, my girlfriends… They all give me courage, strength, encouragement and inspiration. Women have boundless patience and the very fact that they can stand in one place to tolerate constant flows of energy, positive and negative, is proof of that. There is not even one thing that men can do that women can’t, but there are endless things men cannot do but women CAN. I would like to think there is no superior sex, but being a woman myself, I do tend to have a biased viewpoint.

The multitude of emotions a woman can hold is astounding. We run on a frequency a whole lot different from men, and therefore can rarely be understood by them. There are countless times when a woman can be there for another. Break-up: she’s there with a tub of ice-cream, a box of tissues and a soul full of empathy. When you have the perfect dress but not the perfect accessories, you know she’ll let you borrow. When you see a cute guy at the mall and burst into giggles, and she starts giggling too, because she knows EXACTLY what you’re looking at. When you need understanding and encouragement, knowledge and faith, she’s there, her hand in yours.

When it comes to the music industry, women have definitely established themselves. whether its Tina Turner or Bette Middler, Adele or Lily Allen, women have become a strong focal point and an inspiration for women and girls around the world to be bold and step out, conquer new boundaries.

Tina Turner

Beyonce is a woman who has achieved the impossible. She is one of the most powerful female icons in the world today and has proved to be a woman worthy of the role. I have written a piece on her before and I will be putting up a link to it of you would like to have a look.

Her latest music video for the single ‘Run the World (Girls)’ from her upcoming studio album ’4′, was released two days ago, May 18th 2011, and let me tell you, if there is a testament to the power of women this is it!

The video is extremely powerful: Women dancing furiously in the middle of the desert while men cower from them does impose a rather impressive image. The song is about the strength and independence of women and rather than women ruling the world, it’s about women running the world, the difference being in the fact that men would be unable to cope if women shut them out. It’s about the fact that women through the generations have EARNED respect and have had enough of being oppressed and being made targets. Women are ‘strong enough to bear your children then get back to business’, is a line from this song that sticks to my mind and refuses to leave.

The video portrays a change in time, women gaining power over men as the world evolves… Women shift from becoming rebels to the actual governing body of the planet.

Beyonce looks incredible and the dancing in this video is absolutely sick and out of this world. The way bodies move in perfect unison leave a viewers mouth open in awe; I was certainly blown away by the sheer energy in the entire video. There is drive, determination, discipline, sexiness, and plenty of sex-appeal to go around. With lions and horses and blown-up cars, there is an edge of masculinity that is immediately balanced out by the fact that Beyonce is on the horse, Beyonce stands next to the lion and Beyonce blows up the car with a thrust of her fist in the air.

The video has received negative views from men claiming all kinds of funny things like women ‘taking away their masculinity’ and such. Personally I think its ridiculous to think that. Women pride ourselves with the strength we were born with, the FEMALE strength within. We aren’t looking to take anything from men; in all honesty we need them in our lives to love, to hold, as partners, as fathers, as friends and brothers… We need them as equals to be a stronger and smarter race. Personally as a woman I do need and love the men in my life very much. I have 3 brothers, who are an incredible source of strength and support [not to mention fist-fights], my dad is my hero, and my best friend Jason is a guy, too.

Jason and I.

There needs to be balance and equality and I think what Beyonce is getting at is the fact that women should rise up and meet the challenge of ensuring they are not underestimated. I don’t think she deserves to get slandered for standing up and saying women should take control of their own lives. After all, everybody’s life is their own.

My post on ‘Halo’ and Beyonce—> http://midnightheartbeat.wordpress.com/2009/12/30/heartsong-halo-by-beyonce/

A New Meaning to the Word ‘FABULOUS’: Jeffree Star

Many a time in life there comes a moment, place, object or person who grabs our attention and refuses to let go. This has happened to me only a few, rare times, but the one who really grabbed my reins and steered me towards themselves was Jeffree Star. Is there any doubt about how he did it? Maybe just looking the way he does, and walking the way he walks and gives me such a bitchy glare from his new music video, ‘Beauty Killer’ enraptured me. Who knows? All I know is that I can’t stop watching the dam vid!

Yes, before you ask, I know that he is man in woman’s clothing and make-up, but you know what? He’s got guts. I’m a girl and I couldn’t pull off his look. He does it with a certain grace and flamboyance I have never seen before, not even in Adam Lambert, and that’s saying something! I’ll admit he is a bit startling to look at and take in at first, but in while one learns to appreciate his crazy taste and dazzling contacts.

It’s true the look that Star has going on shocks most people and gives countless more heart attacks, but the point is that they can’t criticize him, because they wouldn’t have the daring to do it themselves.

I find myself utterly addicted to his video for ‘Beauty Killer’ from his first studio album ‘Beauty Killer’. The song has this eccentric feel to it which is perfectly complemented by Star dressed in different wigs and make-up, and also in a gorgeous, tight, minidress [not to mention high-heels to die for]. I love the contact lenses that give him a slightly ethereal look, and watch out for the pink wig which completely highlights his beauty. The video also has Star’s best friend Daniel Lucas in an extremely hot cameo… naked. Star is definitely a flavor to beware of, and spicy one at that. Mix in a huge dose of cotton candy, and you have yourself a rare and delectable treat!

I love the song’s electro beat, and especially the part where he goes ‘I may be easy/ Easy to hate/ But you’re so f***ing easy/ Easy to break.’ It’s got attitude, and team that with Star’s racy look, exquisite tattoos and addictive voice, you have yourself a true STAR.

Jeffree Star was born  Jeffrey Lynn Steininger and gained fame on Myspace by posting outrageous photos and comments and blogging about his life. He calls himself ‘the Queen of Myspace’ and was officially recognised as the most connected personality on Myspace in 2007. He knew from a very young age that he was gay, and started wearing make-up and women’s clothing in junior high. He would frequently go out and party during the weekends, wearing tight minidresses and ‘nine-inch heels’. This led to Star receiving a lot of attention and began getting hired as a celebrity make-up artist and model. Star’s debut ‘Plastic Surgery Slumber Party’ topped the iTunes’ dance and electronics charts, way above Justin Timberlake and Cascada. After that came ‘Cupcakes Taste Like Violence’ and then the outrageous and delicious ‘Beauty Killer’.

I definitely look up to Jeffree Star and admire the way he has built up his career to such heights at such a young age. He’s only 24. [It also helps that our birthdays are on the same day. Nov 15th. :) ] He inspires me to be strong and reminds me everyday that being different is BEAUTIFUL. Love you, Jeffree. <3

He has also been in many music videos, including Good Charlotte’s ‘The River’ and Metro Station’s ‘Shake it’. He has lots of tattoos adorning his lithe body, many of which have been done by the captivating Kat Von D of LA Ink. They are in fact fast friends.

He has also released a fragrance called ‘Fierce’ which I am DYING to buy and try!!Here’s to the ‘Queen Bitch’ who’s taking over young hearts and giving them a hell of a make-over. Jeffree Star doesn’t need to prove anything. He is music royalty without even trying. Sure gives Lady Gaga a run for her money, doesn’t he? With that eye-make-up I’m saying hell yeah, bitches! >.< 

 

This is the link to the music video for ‘Beauty Killer’, my favourite—->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLBHooqolaw

Watch out for the Princess Diana tattoo! :D

You can link up with Jeffree on Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and Buzznet.

Cheers <3

Ridz Chakraborty

P.S- I would like to thank Jeffree Star directly for some of the photos from his Facebook profile. Love you, Jeffree. :)

Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’ Takes Us For a Ride ♥

Hey guys,
Heeeerre I am with my second time doing this blog, and this time around I have a very special, FAMOUS and rather dazzling star to talk about. With Eccentricity as her middle name, here’s my section with Lady Gaga and her new single, ‘Bad Romance’ from her latest album, ‘Fame Monster’.

To get the drift:

The song was produced by RedOne [Who also produced ‘Just Dance’, btw. At the beginning, she actually says “RedOne”. :O ] and was inspired by the love monster (paranoia) that she had faced while touring through the previous year. [Nuts, much? Kidding.] The demo version of the song leaked, but Gaga premiered the song at Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2010 Paris Fashion Week show on October 6, 2009, followed by the release of the cover art.

The official Cover Art for ‘Bad Romance’

Deeper into it:
The song talks about exploring the joys of a bad romance while referencing Alfred Hitchcock films in some of the verses. [Don’t really know why she did that though. Significance of barbarism, maybe?? O_o]
The accompanying music video takes place in a white bathhouse where Gaga is kidnapped by a group of supermodels who drug her and then sell her off to the Russian Mafia for sexual slavery. :O The video received positive response for its innovation; Its a moral statement against selling women for sex abuse. [Way to go, Gaga!]. However, critics continue noting more its craziness and symbolic plot [Feh].  Critics really harp on, dont they? ;)

Looking really elegant for a change.. ;)

What I think:

Well, it’s definitely Lady Gaga, that’s for sure, but this time, you can’t help but notice a new flavor to her. Honestly, the song is incomplete without the video; if you don’t watch it, you won’t understand the story behind the entire shazzamm. I admire Gaga’s guts for making such a bold public statement through this song, because seriously, we women ought to start looking out for each other. The beat is DEFINITELY infectious, even though it is pretty similar to her other singles, but then look at the other songs; they’ve all reached #1 on most charts! :P
I especially love the “Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah/Roma-roma-mah/Gaga-oh-là-là” bits of it at the beginning and end. SEXEH! Not to mention that she looks great, and this is a song where you can actually note Gaga’s vocal capability. DAMN, girl!! XD

I give it a three out of five and five ♥’s!!! Great song overall, beautifully ‘gift wrapped’ with the video and its message, topped off with Gaga’s outrageously sexy style when it comes to her appearance. [TIP: Also note the sexy models, male and female, and the Great Dane she uses in every one of her vids.  :D]

What other critics said:
Bill Lamb from About.com commented that “Lady Gaga’s singing is at its best so far here as she moves from threatening to floating sweetness and back again.”

Tim Stack from Entertainment Weekly compared some of the dance choreography of the video with the music video of “Thriller”. He said, “I don’t think Gaga has ever looked prettier than in the close-ups where she’s more stripped down. On the flip side, I love those crazy dilated pupils she sports for much of the video.”

The Wall Street Journal noted that Gaga “seems to be one of the few pop stars these days who really understands spectacle, fashion, shock, choreography—all the things Madonna and Michael Jackson were masters of in the 1980s”

OOHHH LALA: —>
‘Bad Romance’ debuted at number nine on the November 14, 2009 chart of the Billboard Hot 100, making it Gaga’s highest-debuting song on the chart, selling 142,000 paid digital downloads in its first week.[23]

After two weeks the song reached a peak of two, making it her third highest peaking song on the Hot 100 behind “Just Dance” and “Poker Face”.

The song has sold 807,000 digital downloads in the United States.[25] “Bad Romance” debuted on the Pop Songs chart at thirty-eight[26] and moved to a peak of twenty-five.[27]

On the Canadian Hot 100, it debuted at number fifty-eight.[28] The following week it reached number one, making it the third song by Gaga to top the Canadian chart.[29]

After being replaced by Ke$ha’s single “TiK ToK” for two weeks, “Bad Romance” again claimed the top spot on the chart.[30]

Talk about SUCCESS!!! XD

Well, that’s it for me!! All I can say is Gaga is in on some great action here! Imagine being compared to the likes of Madonna and MJ.. That’s when you know you’ve hit it big!! *_*

To see the video, hit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsthwTUTylQ

To just hear it on Billboard:
http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/hot-100

Check out some cool pics I got of Gaga…. Gotta love her…

With Akon. ♥

Hehe…. Comment if you have any opinions!
Luv you guys!! <3

ALSO
Next Time……. BEYONCE!!!! <3 :D

Next time, Beyonce with ‘Halo’… ;) ♥