Swift Defense for Taylor

Who wouldn’t have heard of the singer-slash-songwriter with a red lip classic in a tight little skirt? In between her music career and crazy love-life, Taylor Swift has been a household name for music enthusiasts and even those who are not. And as by popularity rule, the songstress’ life has more than just “bumps-on-the-road” with bashers left and right.

Topping yet again another category, Taylor’s bashers seemed to have another topic to rant about. DoSomething.org hailed her for the third time as the “Most Charitable Celebrity” for years 2012 to 2014. Some people commented about her winning the title when in fact there are better-suited celebs for the particular position.

Taylor Swift donated to Red Cross a total of $100,000 for the Lowa flood victims in 2008. She also donated $1,200 to DonateMyDress.org. Another donations are the $500,000 flood relief to Nashville and the recent $50,000 to NYC public schools that came from her latest hit “Welcome to New York.”

This are just some of Taylor’s past contributions and while it may be true that there are other who did donate or started a charity movement that raked more than what she ever gave, Taylor is certainly not at fault here. She did say “Pick Me! Pick Me!” for that position. It is not even the most important point here. People should give her some slack. The bottom line is, she gave something and not for title.

Yes, it is true that Taylor is a few octaves short to go toe-to-toe with the industry’s next Whitney Houston’s and yes, her romantic relationships always made it to the tabloids, but don’t the other artists, too? She may have started at the wrong foot at her first try in love affair doesn’t mean it is fair for people to call her “boy-crazy.” And don’t get started on her music because it would be a lie if you deny that you haven’t belted out — or rather tried — one of her songs in your very own concert hall, the bathroom.

http://laurenceourac.com/swift-defense-for-taylor/

Musicians’ could-have-been-fairytales

The music industry is a vast affair of diverse people interacting with each other at a daily basis. Most connections grow into something much deeper and profound; however, not all can survive the crazy business of love, and yes, music! Music enthusiasts or not, a little glimpse at the stories of these man-and-wife team would leave you thinking for their could-have-been-fairytales.

Ike and Tina Turner

King of Rhythms leader Ike Turner met young nurse’s assistant Anna Mae Bullock, whom later become the Tina Turner of the famous “The Ike and Tina Turner Revue.” Starting off as tight friends, their relationship progressed into romantic affair where the duo was eventually inducted into Rock and Roll of Fame in 1991 with their Grammy-winning hits of “It’s Gonna Work out Fine” and “Proud Mary.”

However, their love story turned sour with Ike being a cocaine addict and wife-beating rock star. Their relationship, from being friends to hottest man-and-wife team ended with Tina Turner filing a divorce in 1996 with a year of court visits on who takes which money and properties. Ike and Tina went in their separate ways not exchanging a single word to each other for 30 years up to Ike’s death at cocaine overdose at December 12, 2007.

Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears

Who haven’t heard of America’s cutest couple? JustNey love affair started in a tour with association of Ex-Pop Princess, Britney spears, to former NSYNC front man, Justin Timberlake, in 1999. However, the sweet, cute, romantic relationship did not make it to the altar when the couple broke it off in 2002 as Britney turned a new leaf. (And yes, the new leaf isn’t fresh.)

Justin released his single, “Cry Me A River” subsequent to their break-up, which led to rumors about Britney’s unfaithfulness. Eventually, Justin Timberlake married Jessica Biel in 2012 while Britney carried on her girl-gone-wild antics and only recently recovering.

Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love

Perhaps one of the most talked couple of all times even after two decades it happened. Cobain and Love’s love affair is surrounded with negative labels and theories. Founded through bonding of alcohol and substance addictions, theirs was never the fairytale from the very start. Both musicians of the grunge genre, where it was the hype of that time, it did not take long for the two to cross paths.

It was Love who made the first advances and Cobain, despite wanting to remain a bachelor, couldn’t resist Love’s – insane? – Charm. The two finally uttered I do’s at the Wakiki Beach where Cobain was donned in a charming (?) pajamas and Love in her pretty (another?) hand-me-down dress.

It was during this time that Cobain’s addiction to heroin worsened. However, in-between substance abuse, concerts, rehabilitations and chaotic marriage, their love has borne fruit, whom they named Frances Bean Cobain. The couple was first deemed unfit parents by the court, but then later gained custody through compromises that Cobain should undergo rehabilitation and Love ceasing her addiction with monthly social welfare visits.

They did and all is getting better until Cobain committed suicide in 1994. Mourners from around the world paid tribute for the rock deity. Cobain died burning out and not fading, fulfilling his wish. The embers of grunge start fading out and Courtney Love was being plagued by fans and conspiracy theorists as the murderer of her husband, Kurt Cobain.

http://laurenceourac.com/musicians-could-have-been-fairytales/

See You Again, Yeah?

Are you a die-hard fan of Fast and Furious? No? Fan or not, this song, See You Again, recorded by Wiz Khalifa featuring the vocals and piano playing of Charlie Puth would move you in tears — ahem! Manly tears for others — and would make you want to watch the series. (Yep, from the first installment down to the last!)

At the start of the song, Charlie Puth’s hopeful crooning vocals for that chance of a next time to reunite with a friend will instantly put you into that sense of nostalgia where the feeling is a mixture of sadness, hopefulness, and something completely unknown. The verses, rapped by Wiz Khalifa is a story between two major perspectives: Paul Walker’s and his Fast and Furious family. The gentle accompaniment of piano at the chorus and bridge contrast to that of the verses with rhythmic beats that pulls the song from going into depressing tone.

The music video is a simple shots of Charlie Puth playing piano with a scenic view while Wiz Khalifa performed his rap in a hill. There are old clips from past Fast and Furious movies that pervades the music video. The sequence, while simple, quite easily captured the meaning of the song. It is one of those music videos that would make you pause for a while, go back to the basics and maybe, if you’re really feeling it, tie the loose knots.

This single by Wiz Khalifa was used in Fast and Furious 7 as a tribute to the movie’s late cast — and family — Paul Walker who died a tragic and sudden death in November 2013 after his car crashed and burst into flames in Valenica, California.

This is Wiz Khalifa’s second single used as a soundtrack for the movie, but definitely not any lesser. The song was released last March 17, 2015 in the United States and outside the country last April 3, 2015. It marked Wiz Khalifa’s second top single and Charlie Puth’s first when it kicked Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk from the Hot 100 after claiming the place for 14 weeks. The song topped not only in the United States, but also outside alternating mostly at first and second places.

So yes, fan or not, one would not go wrong checking out this song.

http://laurenceourac.com/see-you-again-yeah/

Madonna’s Ghosttown

This past years has been the time of new music and comeback from bands to solo artists, usually hoping for a legacy to remember their names in the music history to addressing social issues that plagues the society today.

The hype of creating something new and socially-relevant music applies from small, starting artists to already big names in the music industry such as – of course! – The “Material Girl” performer Madonna.

Madonna’s thematic album, Rebel Heart, was her thirteenth album. It finally released its second single, “Ghosttown,” after a lot of troubles caused by leaks. It was released last March 2015 that delves into post-apocalyptic scene.

For an Armageddon-like theme the lyrics did not dwell much into vivid imagery, but much more on the narrator’s feeling on that particular time. However, the climax of the song made up for the lack of description as it stirred heavy emotions on one’s soul towards something light and hopeful when Madonna sung the chorus.

Despite of being an apocalyptic theme, the song leans towards the positive side of the scenario. During the chorus, Madonna sung the words:

“When it all falls, when it all falls down 
I’ll be your fire when the lights go out
When there’s no one no one else around, 
We’ll be two souls in a ghosttown”

The lyrics, coupled with her voice, is enough to reassure you that things will pull through not just after the Armageddon, but even to your personal battles.

However, despite the positive response Madonna’s Ghosttown received from critics, it did not received the same warm regards as her other singles did when it comes to chart standing. The single failed to bag any place in the US Hot 100.

Stolen demos that turned in the internet are said to be the culprit. It is a shame not only because the single did not get what it deserted, but also because seemed to have forgotten the word etiquette.

http://laurenceourac.com/madonnas-ghosttown/

Weirdly Amazing and Whimsically Pleasing: Regina Spektor

Admit it or not, we all have this inner craving to like the weird stuff. We normally dismiss this as a phase, but once our attentions have been caught-off by something different, it’s so much like a selfish black hole that sucked us in. We wriggled free, but to no avail. Long before you noticed, you are not the only one trapped to this adoration, there are hordes of fanatics screaming the same mantra as you have.

I can classify Regina Spektor as weird. Weird in a very enjoyable way. It’s like drinking a freshly squished orange juice with bits of lime. She is mainstream yet indie. She is the kind of artist that you can put under the real artist class. She looked naïve yet well-aware, her voice soft yet bold at the edges. She is the living testament of that saying ‘less is more’ but her talent is overflowing to its brim that you don’t mind being splashed off of the excess.

One cool fact about Regina Spektor is that she is a full-bred Russian lady. Born Regina Ilynichna Spektor, this 35-year old singer-songwriter and adept pianist had moved the world to love her sound, and sight, which focuses on anti-folk scene on East Village, New York.

Upbringing had played a vital role on enriching Regina’s musicality. With an amateur violinist for a father and a music professor for a mother, it is no wonder that she will be soon a musician of her own kind. Growing up in a musically-inclined city of Moscow, Russia plus the 1980’s music scene, she had been exposed to various artists like The Beatles, Queen and the Moody Blues. She also had been saturated with classical sound through listening to Vladimir Vysotsky and Bulat Okudzhava, both of Russian origin.

After her family’s migration to New York City, the great Regina Spektor’s travel to become a well-known worldwide artist had started.

Like most of the artists we have come to love nowadays, Regina kicked-off her singing career by performing to small-time clubs surrounding her neighborhood. New York City is a catch basin for independent bands and artists alike and so Spektor took advantage by listing to numerous cafes and clubs such as East Village’s Sidewalk Café, Living Room, Tonic, Fez and CB’s Gallery to name a few.

It was in 2004 that she signed with Warner Brother’s record label Sire Records for her third album Soviet Kitsch which she originally self-released a year before. Being the self-sufficing artists that she is, Regina Spektor had also self-released two albums on 2001 and 2001, 11:11 and Songs.

We heard her song Fidelity way back in 2006 which peaked at number 20 at the Billboard 200. 

Fidelity is part of her Begin to Hope album which debuted at number 70 under the same record chart. Fidelity, with its catchy tune and fresh lyrical composition had been heralded by Sirius Radio as the number 1 song of 2006. Numerous citations had been given to Spektor after Fidelity’s imminent success such as being a part of VH1’s Top 20 countdown, getting the 33rd spot of Blender Magazine’s Top 100 of 2006 and so much more.

You can also hear Regina Spektor’s The Call on The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian as its original movie soundtrack.

Currently, there’s so much to expect from Regina Spektor after lying low on the music scene after she released her sixth studio album What We Saw from the Cheap Seats on May 2012.

Fidelity, Regina Spektor

http://laurenceourac.com/weirdly-amazing-and-whimsically-pleasing-regina-spektor/

A Thousand Miles of Musical Fame: Carlton

I’ve come to bump with Vanessa Carlton’s music after watching White Chicks. The sad truth is, I have known her brilliance a bit too late and I have missed out a huge chunk of her career because of old inclination to not watch movies because it’s mentally tiring.

Thousand Miles is a song that I can sing whenever and wherever I feel like to. With its catchy tune and the no nonsense lyrics had sealed its position as one of my most liked songs during the entire course of my lifetime.

What Vanessa Carlton sets apart from the singers her time is the coincidental timing of the songs that she released in line with the things that’s currently happening on my mediocre life.

As how many would succinctly put it, Carlton literally, and weirdly, write and sing songs that are just so in tune with what I want to express. She’s like the singer songwriter who have described and depicted my life through music.

But where is Vanessa Carlton right now?

After Carlton’s brave act of admitting that she is bisexual last 2010, she garnered mixed reactions by her followers and haters alike.

All the while, many have predicted that this admission would hugely affect her continuous rise to stardom but it had resulted otherwise.

Carlton continued to release albums and songs as the years passed. Concerts and wide-audience performances had kept her busy and she just skyrocketed to fame even more.

Three years later, Carlton got married to Deer Tick’s band member John McCauley on December 2013 which shattered my life to pieces.

On January 2015, Vanessa and John gave birth to their first girl and both had been active on social media about this blessing. Both never let go of music as both had still plans of continuing with their respective genres. Liberman, Vanessa Carlton’s fifth studio album is set to be released until the summer of 2015.

After establishing her career as Billboard’s Music Award for New Artist of the Year on 2002, Carlton never knew how to stop and made the world watch her in awe.

She easily snatched some coveted awards for American Music Awards for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist and scoring three Grammy’s for the same year for her hit single A Thousand Miles for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).

She managed to seal her stardom by releasing chart-topping albums namely: Be Not Nobody (2002); Harmonium (2004); Heroes and Thieves (2007) and Rabbits on the Run (2011).

I must state here that your liking of Taylor Swift is so much the same as how I liked Vanessa Carlton.

They are both brilliant artists who sing songs about love and the absence of it, of mistakes, of first times and all that’s being encompassed by the talks of the heart.

She is my Taylor Swift. Her edgy voice, her ability to play the piano (which is a staple for every music video that she had) and the wordplay that she used on her songs amplifies so much about the talent that she innately has.

Songs like ‘Pretty Baby’, ‘White Houses’ and Ordinary Day are some of the tracks that pretty much would give you a hint on how flexible an artist she is. Nolita Fairytale, Hands on Me, and Carousel are some of her tracks throughout the course of her career that are worth listening to.

http://laurenceourac.com/a-thousand-miles-of-musical-fame-carlton/

Singing Your Heart Out to an Audience

Just because you are a good singer, doesn’t mean that you already know how to perform in front of an audience.

As for me, I still do get a bit edgy sometimes when I am doing a solo singing number in front of other people.

Growing up, I was part of our local church’s angels’ choir. I sang in school fairs and programs and joined a few amateur singing competitions, with my choir or my group.

But singing in a choir is far different from singing by yourself in front of many people.

A karaoke singing club is undeniably a good practice venue. For those who have never experienced a karaoke club before, it is basically a spot which has a number of rooms and in each room there is a TV monitor, a player with remote control, sets of microphones and comfy lounge chairs.

You can sing your hearts out in private with your family and friends.

By singing in front of people you are familiar with, you are strengthening your self-confidence and this will somehow boost you to sing in front of an audience.

Your next step will then be singing in front of a live audience.

By preparing before going upstage, you will need to have an unblemished mind, free from all distractions and just visualize yourself nailing your piece.

It will be imperative for you to overcome your anxieties in order to sing well. Before going up on stage, take some lukewarm water to ease your throat.

Choosing the correct song is the key. When you will be singing on stage in front of a crowd, choose a song that is easy to render and not vocally perplexing.

Singing in front of an audience will definitely boost your confidence and will you provide you more involvement when it comes to singing in front of people.

You still might get the agitations each time you get up on stage but after a few attempts, you will get the hang of it.

The first time is at all times the hardest but the more practice you take, the more confidence you will have.

http://laurenceourac.com/singing-your-heart-out-to-an-audience/

Life without Music is Nothing

Music plays an important role in our everyday lives. It is a form of expression. It has no limit, no boundaries and follows no guidelines.

I can describe music as to air. It has no true shape or definition, yet we need it to live. Imagine a world without music – no birds humming around, no car beeps, nothing but silence.

All you’re left with is dust. Music is life itself.

What would life be without music? The world would be a very quiet place. Music is in many ways the fabric of our lives and the definition of society.

It is a reminder of how things once were, an indication of how things are, and a view of where society is headed. Music is a direct reflection of the picture of society.

Music can be a way to deliver messages, a poetic medium, a fine art, or nothing more than a source of entertainment.

No matter what it is used for, music is the perfect art and our lives would be that much less complete without it that life as we know it would not at all be the same without music.

Music is the perfect art. It has movement, because it progresses over a set period of time. All musical works have a beginning and an end.

However, music does not restrict the audience in the way that movies or graphic art does. The listener can create whatever image she or he wants to when listening to music.

It is an art that appeals to the conscious mind, but the best music also appeals to the subconscious.

No thought is required to enjoy good music, though it is often thought-inspiring.

Instrumental music does not bind the listener into a fixed template in the way that literature and poetry do: the reaction to music is different from person to person.

Music is one of the few things that can help you escape your reality. No matter how bad things are, music has the potential to make you forget all about it.

Music can spark any emotion. It can hold memories. It can tell stories. It will always be there. It will never vanish. It will always be life. You can’t touch music, but music can touch you.

http://laurenceourac.com/life-without-music-is-nothing/

The Resurgence of Vinyl Records

Artist Christian Marclay had a retrospective, at the White Cube Gallery, in Bermondsey, London.

Portion of the White Cube exhibition is levelled up with a show space for artistes and a vinyl pressing machine – the notion being that specially custom-built live presentations are chronicled then constrained on the spot onto vinyl records.

Remember those classic, big cd type records during the 70s and 80s?

This appears like a precise impression of the traditional fever around recorded music. Vinyl is a classic which definitely soars high recently.

Vinyl sales have improved ominously over the years and any self-respecting music lover will be keeping up on a 180 gm pressings or crate-digging in antique shops for 12 inch records and oddities.

It’s recurrent like a chant these days that records have a deeper sound, and the sound of compact discs is simulated and stiff, proving that analogue is much enhanced than digital.

But the cost of this is just mere condescension, preferring older know-how over the new and contemporary?

Supposedly, digital MP3 music may sound appealingly rowdy, but a well mastered cd, played back on a sensibly notable hi-fi, bids the kind of precision and enhanced listening involvement that at a certain point you could only possibly attain with vinyl, except if you had the money to spend for a absurdly luxurious sound system.

So what’s the renaissance of vinyl truly about? Reminiscence is in the air, and in the circumstance of vinyl, it comes concealed as a forte, maven arrangement for unswerving audiophiles that’s swinging on a prevalent impetus.

Ultimately, it’s still about the music. My own piece of melancholy, some of my warmest recollections are of listening to cassette tapes on a monophonic tape player, with a lone earphone part.

The truth is, it doesn’t really matter how you playback or rerun the types of music you revel in. It’s the passion, how you internalize, and lastly, it’s what you’re listening to that really counts.

http://laurenceourac.com/the-resurgence-of-vinyl-records/

Sia’s Alter-Ego: Maddie Ziegler

With the music industry’s growing number of talents, artists and their handlers, together with the company they are signed up with had been finding ways to market their singers in the most unique way possible.

Many of them bank on their artists’ looks, others on countless tours reaching even the remotest of towns and some use airplay through music videos in promoting the singer and their newest release.

Music videos are technically accessible to anyone with a television set and this is one of the major ways that’s being used to showcase a single.

Speaking of which, we can all agree that Sia’s songs won’t be as smash as it should be without the help of the creative music videos accompanying it.

With SIa’s extraordinary voice and intellectual musicality, it is just and deserving that her label would do all things possible to furnish her singles with a breathless and noticeable video.

Chandelier had been memorable because of its simple yet astounding and hair-raising music video.

The song which talks about the melancholy and joy of being ‘drunk’ and independent would surely assume a storyline of a teenager, disheveled and losing it.

And yet, we were presented with a kid, of white hair and dance calisthenics only a professional would be able to name.

Just a small room with tattered walls, the most basic of furniture, an unmade bed, the normal dim you’d find on a shabby motel across the country.

And the kid used the room as her dance floor, flailing about and doing some incredible dancing that left us in gaping awe.

The kid on the video is Maddie Ziegler, an American child actress, dancer and model that had been Sia’s alter-ego on almost all of her released music video.

Aside from Chandelier, Ziegler also showed up on another Sia single, Elastic Heart with seasoned actor, Shia Labeouf.

Ziegler’s talent in dancing had been cultivated since she was two years old. Born Madison Nicole Zielgler, September 20, 2002, this 12-year old wonder had been around the industry by visible through numerous music videos and television shows.

Ziegler had been a spawn of the infamous Abby Lee Dance Company in where she had mastered some complex dances including tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, acro, jazz and aerial dance.

Aside from Sia, she also participated on music videos for artists Alexx Calise and Todrick Hall.

Last 2011, she and her mother were also featured on a reality show which documents lives of young singers from her dance school which is called Dance Moms.

Maddie Ziegler’s participation in Chandelier had been widely acclaimed and praised worldwide due to her impeccable talent in ballet and interpretation. Her short stint with Sia had been succeeded by doing two more songs from the same singer.

Chandelier received several accolades like being nominated at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year and winning Best Choreography.

The aforementioned genius brought about by Ziegler in Chandelier had been recognized by the 57th Annual Grammy Awards as a nominee for Grammy Award for Best Music Video.

Maddie Ziegler is also featured on another Sia classic, Big Girls Cry, just released this year.

http://laurenceourac.com/sias-alter-ego-maddie-ziegler/

Mika’s Playfulness and Grande’s Artistry

We’ve all have known him when he caught our interest through his song Grace Kelly released almost a decade ago on 2006.

Born Michael Holbrook Penniman Jr., Mika, as he was widely known, is a Lebanese-British songwriter most noted through channeling his musicality on genres like pop rock, glam rock and power pop.

Little had been known about Mika because he chose to keep his career below mainstream after just releasing three albums from early career era up to present.

Simply said, Mika is definitely and extensively missed.

In relation to an artist that we’ve missed, Ariana Grande had been riding the tidal wave of success since her first solo album, Yours Truly being in public on 2013.

With a huge talent and second to none passion to boot, she is now one of the many young stars that’s hard not to notice.

This American singer and freelance actress had validated her fame through constant releases of smash hits and continuous visibility on radio, television and social media.

To keep things short, Ariana Grande is a superstar in the making.

With Mika and Ariana Grande collaborating on a song would be deemed impossible.

Aside from their common ground which is pop, nothing can be noted to connect these two talented singers.

But even before your nod your head in agreement, we’ve all been proven wrong as they already had released a single at the outskirts of 2013.

Popular Song is Mika’s second single from his third studio album, The Origin of Love.

Released in 2013 as an improved version with Ariana Grande’s angelic vocals, Popular Song is an upbeat and lively song which talks about seeking revenge to a once popular kid.

The song title had never been this fitting as the two created a jumpy tempo and an easy to memorize melody which screams pop on every musical note.

This ingenious collaboration of Grande and Mika originally is based on the song Popular from the musical Wicked.

Inspiring for the bullied and the unpopular people to stand-up, the Popular Song is a single to be noted.

The song had been compared to Mika’s approach on his past single to have a peppy beat, catchy melody and the always playful lyrics.

Grande’s interpretation and contribution to the song had been her flawless vocals.

Noteworthy of a throwback, The Popular Song is one of the few songs that we all should listen to. Mika plus Ariana Grande on it is really an ear treat.

 http://laurenceourac.com/mikas-playfulness-and-grandes-artistry/

“Rock in Rio” will rock the U.S. in May 2015

The mother of all festivals. Rock in Rio will head its first stateside edition in Las Vegas in May 2015. Rock in Rio is considered as the legendary music festival.

It reinvents the modern music festival experience with its immersive combination of the biggest names in music and a massive entertainment attraction for fans and families.

Rock in Rio is considered as the most important festival in Brazil founded by Roberto Medina and one of the most notable in the world.

Since its inception in 1985, Rock in Rio has been a cultural phenomenon. Launched as a way to return joy and confidence to the people of Brazil at the end of a military regime, Rock in Rio’s inaugural event broke music festival records with 1.38 million attendees – five times larger than Woodstock.

Since that monumental concert, 13 Rock in Rio festivals have taken place across three countries with more than 7 million people attending and 1 billion more watching at home around the world.

More than 1,120 musical acts have heat up Rock in Rio stages over the years including Bon Jovi, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Paul McCartney, David Guetta, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Shakira and Muse.

 And is expected will grow this summer at Rock in Rio Lisbon (Portugal) where The Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake, Lorde, Arcade Fire, Queens of the Stone Age, Linkin Park and Ed Sheeran are expected to perform.

“In May 2015, World’s legendary music festival will touch down in the heart of Las Vegas, creating a magical experience for music fans, brands and the local community,” said Roberto Medina, founder, Rock in Rio. “After 30 years of entertaining audiences around the world, the time is right to bring the Rock in Rio experience to the United States, the biggest stage in the world.”

So Las Vegas should get ready to rock—in a big way! Located at a new, 37-acre custom outdoor festival area at the intersection of Sahara Avenue and the Las Vegas Strip, the festival will take over Vegas for two weekends in May.

A rock music weekend will run May 8 – 9 and pop music will take center stage May 15 – 16. On a scale like Las Vegas has never seen, Rock in Rio will build a permanent open-air concert infrastructure, custom-made to host the festival.

The massive music and entertainment venue, called the “City of Rock,” will be equipped to receive around 80,000 people a day. The City of Rock will feature five stages, including Main Stage and EDM Stage; streetscapes representing Brazil, U.S.A. and the U.K.; amusement park rides like roller coaster, Ferris wheel, zip line, etc. and a VIP area – all celebrating the global flavors of music, food and drink, art and more. Whoa! Sounds FUN, BIG and EXCITING!!!

To date, the City of Rock has been permanently constructed in three Rock in Rio host countries – Brazil, Spain, and Portugal – a mission that no other music festival has attempted. The impressive scale of the City of Rock provides ample entertainment experiences for fans – beyond the music – and welcomes sponsorship opportunities for brands looking to reach thousands of families and festival-goers.

Rock in Rio was the first event in the Americas recognized for its justifiable efforts.

http://laurenceourac.com/rock-in-rio-will-rock-the-u-s-in-may-2015/

JoJo, A New Single and A Hopeful Comeback

She had kept it low over the years. Fans from all over the planet just knelt and prayed for a comeback to happen the soonest possible time.

As of one the most notable names in the R&B genre, she had been terribly missed by a horde of music lovers and hearing her voice to air again just makes every follower frenetically hopeful.

The idiosyncrasy of her approach to R&B had been a refreshing douse of water. Her vocal ability is beyond compare. The songs that she released had been rather relatable.

One must surmise that her superstardom might have been on the likes of Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift had she been active all of the years past.

Instead of praying for a comeback, fans can now pray for a longer stay as R&B wonder daughter JoJo is on the surface again with a brand new single.

After being recognized through several musical awards which teenagers as the major market, JoJo had made her name known last 2003.

And she was 12 years old at the time when certified-gold debut single “Leave (Get Out) had been released. JoJo had been one of the chosen few examples that young age make a talent seem prodigal.

Being on low-key of the music industry had been a very risky endeavor as some infamous artists weren’t able to pave a comeback.

But with a huge heart and a talent to be recognized again, JoJo is an exemption to the rule. Just recently, this brilliant then-young artist had proven her worth to be heard again with the single, Far From Heaven.

Far From Heaven is said to be a part of JoJo’s third album. After a long hiatus of procrastination since last 2006, JoJo and her music label had decided to take forth a new offering from this singer, now 24 and equipped with a lot of things about life and maturity.

Since talent is just an innate wonder that she has, JoJo’s incredible vocals and undeniable skill in musicality are said to be once again showcased.

This song that’s assumed to hit the charts in no time is a ballad which displayed JoJo’s impeccable range which she had been known for.

Little had been known and released about the composition of the upcoming album but leaks had been said that this third studio compilation from JoJo would focus on songs about mature stuff.

It was in May 2014 that JoJo had been interviewed regarding plans of being back in the industry. She said, “It’s just been so long since I’ve released an album that really what I wanna bring is just quality. 

I wanna bring big songs. I want them to touch a wide range of people and I really want it to represent my very best work. I’m really not thinking about what other people are doing. I’m thinking about representing my personal best, delivering powerful vocals, and being honest and as raw as possible.”

With JoJo on the rise again, the palpability of us hearing her through the waves is probable. And with this kind of natural talent and undying passion, it is just and right to give JoJo another chance of being patronized again.

http://laurenceourac.com/jojo-a-new-single-and-a-hopeful-comeback/ 

A Quick Look on A. Keys Discography

The music scene as what it is right now won’t be the same without the effervescent presence of the great Alicia Keys.

You will surely not miss out on this tanned, fine lady with a noticeable affinity with piano when she starts singing.

The edge that Alicia Keys had been giving-off is just what a seasoned artist must exude.

Her talent is beyond positive and the love for music that she always exemplifies is what makes her a well-respected artist of her generation.

Born on January 25, 1981, 34-year old Alicia Augelio Cook had taken the center stage after the release of her first studio album, Songs in A Minor on 2001.

With a wide range of genre to rock, Alicia Keys didn’t find it difficult to pave her way to success even with numerous amounts of competitors at her side.

Her soulful release in music had been channeled through genres like R&B, soul and jazz with a backdrop of her skills in classical piano.

Her style is cut-out from the rest as her ability to incorporate piano on almost all of her songs had lunged her as a talented artist with her sweet and deep vocals.

Not all artists during her rise to fame moment can beat Key’s adept talent in playing the instrument.

With her first single, Fallin’, which spent the next six weeks on Billboard 100, critics had praised Alicia Keys’ approach on displaying her vocal ability in such an old-sounding tune.

Songs in A Minor had easily garnered Alicia Keys an astounding five awards at the 2002 Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, Best New Artist and Best R&B Album.

It can be surmised that Alicia Keys’ first attempt on securing a spot on the industry had been indeed a fruitful one after the said win.

Songs after songs and Alicia Keys had been an unstoppable rising superstar. It was in 2003 when The Diary of Alicia Keys had been released as a follow-through of her debut showcasing songs that displayed the artist’s other unrealized talents out in the open.

Certified a Four-Time Platinum album by the RIAA, the commercial success of this second album is a clear validation that Alicia is one of the most famous female artists of all time.

Songs like You Don’t Know My Name, If I Ain’t Got You, Diary and Karma had been put forth as singles of the album and generally received affirmative raves from critics all around the planet.

As I Am is Alicia Keys’ third studio album which earned her another set of Grammy Awards last 2008. The song No One harnessed her Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.

Songs like Superwoman and an all-time favorite Teenage Love Affair had shown Alicia Keys’ maturing talent as a well-respected and multi-awarded female singer.

Selling a whopping 417,000 copies on its first week, The Element of Freedom is released on December 2009 as her fourth official album.

Hot songs had been included on this album like Doesn’t Mean Anything, Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart, Put it in a Love Song (with Beyonce) and Empire State of Mind.

Like a wolf craving for more, Girl on Fire was released on November of 2012. As usual, this fifth album peaked at countless record charts and sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide.

Currently, Alicia Keys is a mother of two beautiful kids and is happily married to Swizz Beatz.

 http://laurenceourac.com/a-quick-look-on-a-keys-discography/

A Decade Back: 1995 in Music

The year 1995 is a very prolific year in the music industry.

Great genres are all present on the music mainstream and fans from all over the planet had been exposed to different types of sounds and tunes.

Groups from pop and R&B had been circulating the airwaves at this year so as genres Rap and Rock.

The imminent rise of boy groups are also on the works and soloists are making a huge turn with collaborations and endless attempts to release singles after single and so forth.

Famous artists like Tupac Shakur had been bannering the headlines same as well-respected bands like R.E.M. Soloist Selena’s death also happened during this year as one of her former personal assistants took advantage of the young diva’s fame and fortune.

Alan Wilder left Depeche Mode and Robbie Williams stayed away from Take That. Rancid released their third studio album … And out Comes the Wolves.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame had been opened in Cleveland, Ohio. Def Leppard set a new world record of performing three shows in three different continents in a single day.

Artist Cher had made a comeback by releasing an album after four years. Enrique Iglesias is a singer on the rise.

At the Billboard Hot 100 during this year, Boyz II Men had made an early impression by being at the number 1 spot for On Bended Knees on the first three weeks of the year.

Coincidentally, they had closed the same year with Mariah Carey for reigning at the highest peak for the last five weeks of 1995. The song was One Sweet Day.

The infamous girl group TLC had placed two songs on the Billboard Hot 100 with Creep for four weeks (January 28, February 4, 11 and 18) and Waterfalls for seven straight weeks (July 8, 15, 22 and 29 and August 5, 12 and 19).

The Batman soundtrack Kiss from a Rose by Seal made a topnotch week on August 26. Queen and King of Pop had led the charts for songs Take A Bow and This Is How We Do It with seven weeks apiece.

Bryan Adam’s soulful song Have You Really Loved a Woman? reigned for five straight weeks. 

Mariah Carey, as a single performer, made Fantasy on top of the charts for eight weeks covering most of October and November. The late Whitney Houston also contributed a song on the charts for a week entitled Exhale.

Albums that were relatively the most famous during this year are as follows: Foo Fighters’ self-entitled album, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ One Hot Minute, wonder Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, Bjork’s Post, Matthew Sweet’s 100% Fun, TLC’s CrazySexyCool, Pearl Jam’s Vitology and Moby’s Everything is Wrong.

On 1995 Grammy Awards, Alanis Morissette snatched Album of the Year with Jagged Little Pill while Seal closed the awards with Song and Record of the Year for Kiss from a Rose.

Hootie and The Blowfish is dubbed as the Best New Artist. Alison Krauss, the most number of Grammy’s earned by a female artists secured her spot on the title for Baby Now That I Found You for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female. Turbulent Indigo, an album by Joni Mitchell won Best Pop Album.

http://laurenceourac.com/a-decade-back-1995-in-music/

Music x Fame x Fashion = Coachella 2015

When music and fashion and fame are mixed together, it is with assurance that the result will be something glittering or fun or visually-pleasing.

It is with rare opportunities that we have seen these three canopies merge as one single black hole, because if it happens, we know that we will be sucked into it.

We have been partygoers and music lovers and fame monsters at the same time and we are all united to acknowledge that Coachella is the best festival to experience everything hip and fancy.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (commonly referred to as Coachella or the Coachella Festival) is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, located in the Inland Empire’s Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert.

It was founded by Paul Tollett in 1999 and is organized by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Live. The event features many genres of music, including rock, indie, hip hop, and electronic dance music, as well as art installations and sculptures.

Across the grounds, several stages continuously host live music. The main stages are: Coachella Stage, Outdoor Theatre, Gobi Tent, Mojave Tent, and the Sahara Tent; a smaller Oasis Dome was used in 2006 and 2011, while a new Yuma stage was introduced in 2013.

Normally, the festival will run for two separate weekends with two sets of fresh artists gathered from all around the globe.

It is with Coachella that people have come to witness one famous artist going next to another famous artist and the cycle of fame just goes on and on.

Coachella is the very testament that music is still alive and kicking and it is with this festival that you will experience various genres being showcased like a dinosaur mixtape.

Coachella have announced that the 2015 festival will be held at these dates: (1) April 10 – 12 and (2) April 17-19. Expectedly, the tickets for the two sets of shows had been sold-out nearly after 30 minutes upon release.

Aside from the music that Coachella has in store, art installations are dotting the field. Attendees from all around the planet also adorn the grounds with their up-to-date fashion schemes, brave style approaches and the hippest ensemble you’d ever lay your eyes on.

For Weekend 1, the line-up of artists include band icon AC/DC, Alesso, upcoming artists Angel Olsen and Annie Mac, Bad Religion, Clean Bandit, world-famous DJ David Guetta and Drake, ‘Take Me To Church’ artist Hozier, Jungle, Justin Jay, DJ Kaskade, Ruen Brothers, Ryan Hemsworth, Trippy Turtle, Yelle and Yellow Claw to name a few.

For Weekend 2, A Tribe Called Red, Action Bronson, Adam Freeland, Atish, Bad Suns, Azalea Banks, Caribou, Chet Faker, DJ Harvey, DJ Snake, Father John Misty, FKA Twigs , Florence + The Machine, Interpol, Hunger Leggitt, Kimbra, Kygo, Kraddy, Marina and The Diamonds, Phomo, Ratatat, Royal Blood and so much more are expected to give Coachella-goers the eargasm that they long to experience.

http://laurenceourac.com/music-x-fame-x-fashion-coachella-2015/

The Reggae Master: Bob Marley

Adored and idolized by millions, Rastafarian reggae figure Bob Marley dazzled crowds worldwide. Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley OM Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945, in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica.

He was a reggae singer-songwriter, musician, and guitarist who attained international popularity and recognition. Bob Marley served as a world ambassador for reggae music and sold more than 20 million records for the duration of his career forming him the first international superstar to develop from the so-called Third World.

From the age of four it was discovered Bob Marley could read palms. When Cedella (Bob’s mother) first heard of this from relatives and neighbours she took it as a joke.

Bob Marley began his career with the Wailers, a group he created with Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston in 1963.

His songs of faith, allegiance, and rebellion made a legacy that lasts to exist on not only through the music of his extended family but also through generations of artists the world over touched by his genius.

Marley sought a solo career which concluded in the release of the album Exodus in 1977 which settled his worldwide fame and caused his position as one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, with sales of more than 75 million records.

It was a season of extreme victory for Marley, and he began an American tour to attain blacks in the US. He played two shows at Madison Square Garden, but fainted while jogging in NYC’s Central Park on September 21, 1980.

In July 1977, Marley was found to have a type of malignant melanoma beneath the nail of a toe. After uncovering cancerous cells in his toe, doctors advised amputation.

Marley dismissed to have the surgery, nevertheless, because his religious beliefs forbid amputation. On 21 May 1981, Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga expressed the final funeral eulogy to Marley.

http://laurenceourac.com/the-reggae-master-bob-marley/

Kanye be my West?

Kanye Omari West or Kanye Omari is few of those lucky ones who gained popularity within just few years of his debut.

He left college to pursue a musical career, producing tracks for Jay-Z and released his first album “The College Dropout” in 2002. It won him the Best Rap Album award and he overnight became a star.

West created his beats with tongue-twisting raps, flamboyant personality and his distinct fashion sense set him apart from the other rappers.

In 2009 Kanye West debuted the line of shoes he designed for the luxury goods brand Louis Vuitton. Although he is a confident man but quiet often lands in some or the other controversies due to his straightforwardness.

Kanye’s parents got separated when he was just three and he and his mother moved to Chicago, Illinois. His mother was a professor and fathers a photojournalist.

Apart form being a rapper West is also a famous producer as he rose his fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records. Roc-A-Fella Records belongs to Jay-Z and West started recording in 2002 in the studio.

With the net worth of $120 million he owns some of few most luxurious homes around the world and been to most exotic places for holiday.

Earlier than he become one of the most familiar names in music, rapper was the anonymous engineer of some of the biggest songs in rap music history.

In 2007 November Kanye loss his mother in a complications from cosmetic surgery but like great artist he dedicated his first concert following the funeral to his mother.

Being one of the richest rappers in world, he utilizes his money in philanthropy as well.

He is associated with charitable organizations like Dr Donda West foundation, Doctors without Borders and The Art of Elysium.

Although he is not married yet but, West and designer Alexis Phifer began dating in 2002 and got engaged. It didn’t work out.

The artist is now married to Kim Kardashain with whom he has a daughter named North West.

http://laurenceourac.com/kanye-be-my-west/

Jack and son

Born Janet Damita Jo Jackson has an estimated net worth of $175 million. Janet Damita Jo Jackson also known as Janet Jackson is an American actress and singer, who, thanks to her acting skills and singing career, has become one of the most cherished and looked-up-to personality.

Janet was considered as role model to many singers because of her unique style of dancing and choreography.

Janet is the youngest member in the Jackson family. Initially she took refuge in her elder brother Michael’s shadows but later moved out of it to make her own mark.

She started off her career in the year 1984 where she signed a contract with A&M and it was in her third album that she hit the peak. Janet was so amazing on and off the stage that she had and still has many fans. Janet has been on stage since was 7 years old. She first appeared on stage a ‘Las Vegas Strip’ with her siblings and then starred in quite a few shows, ‘The Jacksons’, ‘Good Times’, ‘New Kind of Family’ and so.

Janet Jackson, in the year 1991, signed two multi-million dollar contracts with Virgin Records and back then she was the only one who was getting highest payment in the music world.

She acted in her first starring film, ‘Poetic Justice’ and ever since then she starred in a series of films. Moreover, Janet rose higher after her release of ‘Control’ as it sold 5 million copies in the states of US whilst ‘Rhythm Nation’ sold 9 million copies making her one of the richest personality in the Hollywood world.

Janet among many spectacular mansions and houses owns a 4,636 square foot called ‘Drive Henderson’, Janet is also a proud owner of an almost 3000 square feet apartment in Trump Towers, a world class condominium.

Among other posh cars, Janet Jackson has an Aston Martin Vanquish which is one of a kind since it is known for starring in the flick ‘Die Another Day’ and driven by the ever-so-famous, Pierce Brosnan. Janet Jackson confirmed that she is officially married to the billionaire businessman Wissam Al Mana.

http://laurenceourac.com/jack-and-son/