Kelly Rowland’s lift from Destiny’s Child and beyond

We’ve known her as part of a girl group that once dominated the music scene. Who would ever forget the legendary Destiny’s Child that had the world singing with their catchy songs and real deal singing prowess?

We know we are looking at girl power in its truest sense whenever we see them perform. After the fall off though, like any other sight after disbandment, some continued to rise while others take the other side of the road.

Born Kelendria Trene Rowland on February 1981, this Atlanta, Georgia singer started humming and belting songs at the age of four. She was then a choir member until at seven years old, her mother, Doris Rowland Garrison decided to move to Houston, Texas with her, leaving Kelly’s father Christopher Lovett due to alcohol problem.

Their move to Texas seemed to be a road of success that’s about to unfold as there she met the Knowles family. Kelly first met Beyoncé at the age of eight. They created a girl group named Girl’s Tyme. They joined a talent show called ‘Start Search’ but apparently lost.

Changing the name to Destiny’s Child seemed to place things in proper place as they were able to bag a signed contract from Colombia Records back in 1997. The then six member group was downsized to four. The success of the band went on – enough for them to obtain several Grammy nominations and awards.

After the group has bowed their last goodbye, Kelly tried to make it on her own. In 2002, she collaborated with Nelly in the song ‘Dilemma.’ This brought a successful result. The said song was even hailed as one of the most successful records of that said year. October of the same year, Kelly’s first album named ‘Simply Deep’ was released.

Well enough, this was received by the listening fans with open arms and even sold around two million copies within and outside United States. Her second album in 2008 didn’t make as much though. Other appearances include being a judge on the eighth season of X Factor and starring in a romantic comedy project called ‘The Seat Filler.

http://laurenceourac.com/kelly-rowlands-lift-from-destinys-child-and-beyond/

Classic goodness: Reminisce with the golden Shania Twain

In an era ruled by belting divas and glass breaking musical capabilities, there came another girl in the person of Shania Twain. Armed with good looks and undeniable talent, the Canadian born songstress was able to make it to the world stage and shower the history of music with nothing but pure flair and amazing share of good music.

Eileen Edwards by birth, this singer had showed promise even during her early years. She began exhibiting her passion for music at the age of three, learned playing musical instruments at the age of eight and started weaving lyrics at the age of ten. She was adopted alongside her other siblings by her stepfather Jerry Twain. This singer understands how it is to experience difficulty in life.

Growing up in Timmins, Ontario, the young Shania came from a struggling family. But this failed to hinder her and her mom about her passion for music. Shania’s mother showed support by sending her to lessons and gigs even if it was hard for them to meet ends that time. The motivation did her good because she continued thriving by singing in clubs and events.

She then moved to Toronto however luck wasn’t on her side yet. She was able to find work, but not mainly in the field of music. She even worked as a crew for a fast food joint McDonald’s.

But the dream lived on. The hurdles didn’t stop her from following her north star. After her parents passed away due to car accident, Shania took the responsibility of raising her three younger siblings. 1993 was the year the singer had waited for because it was the time she signed up for Polygram Records.

Her self-titled release grabbed the attention of Robert John Lange, who would eventually play a big role on her worldwide stardom. Shania’s second album ‘The Woman in Me’ earned the masses. Her single ‘Any Man of Mine’ even climbed to top 1 on the country charts. The second album was no doubt a success as it reached 12 million US sales.

Come 1999, Shania won the Grammys through her song ‘You’re still the one.’ The single was seconded by another hit called ‘Come on Over.’ The song is definitely one for the books because it managed to stay on the hit list for fifty weeks. The list spoke for itself as it amazingly reached 40 million sales worldwide. The tour around the globe, then followed and that made her a certified international star.

Several albums and a memoir later, Shania stepped out of the spot light. It is said that the tour started last March was Shania’s last as she plans to bid her final bow before reaching the age of 50.

http://laurenceourac.com/classic-goodness-reminisce-with-the-golden-shania-twain/

Beyond Sacred Ears – Take a journey with Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Music

Perseverance versus disability is the theme of the life of Sir Ludwig Van Beethoven, despite all the dilemmas he faced; he proved that success could never be barricaded with life’s trials. Ever heard of an Ophthalmologist who is blind? Or a writer without fingers? Or to make things lighter, a Photographer losing his camera. 

This situation is easy to solve with just one snap of a finger; go to a store and buy another one. But for an all-time pianist one lived and breath thinking all about notes and different finger drills on the white and black keys, which trained day and night. One who loves and is very much passionate in writing, and hearing Musical scores, then suddenly loses his hearing is such a huge loss and a total wreck of vision for life.

Though most of the younger generations would only see him on the net between the four corners of a portrait, yet his compositions have made a huge transition mark for pianists to pattern their musicality. It has been a breakthrough for the classical musicians to transition to romantic type of Music as Beethoven is the promoter of it, the normal Forte for a music sheet would be 3 fortes theoretically, but for him whose creativity and breakthrough started all in his encapsulated mind has formed four to five Fortes in One Libretto.

His Brilliance as a compositor and an artist has stricken many hearts, making Music his source of earning in all his lifetime. Sir Ludwig Van Beethoven is considered as the greatest composer of all time, born on December 16, 1770. He is then considered and aspired by his father as a “Mozart prodigy”.

First of Beethoven’s life challenge is to have mild dyslexia. Having this, he became an average student in class and due to this, Beethoven dropped out from school to pursue formal training in Music at an early age. Another dilemma that arose in his mid 30’s is losing his hearing abilities, which really struck him but it did not sever.

Instead, he made it as his footstool for success. He made variations, and made it even more complicated after the other without having to hear it; only by feeling its vibrations and trusting his creative mind to formulate the beautiful harmonies all together. What a display of talent that it is!

Although he encountered the most severe challenge later his life when his brother died and having left to fight for the custody of his nephew, Beethoven still stood to the test of making him a Music Genius and his life and works as an inspiration for many rising musicians and aspiring artists to pursue their dreams despite their disabilities and complications.

So no matter how dark situations may come, Beethoven’s Music sheds a light for people to follow and be captivated with his astounding compositions, which will stir your emotions upside down having heard his life’s entire journey.

http://laurenceourac.com/beyond-sacred-ears-take-a-journey-with-ludwig-van-beethovens-music/

Years and Years’ “Shine”

The world recognized Years and Years on their first UK chart-topping single, “King.” However, they started way before the release of the famous single.

Years and Years are composed of the trio Olly Alexander, Mikey Goldsworthy, and Emre Turkmen with Olly Alexander serving as the vocalist. Initially composed of five people, the group was founded in London with their music heavily oriented in electronica with touches of R&B and other elements here and there.

Only three of them remained, however, when they signed under Kitsuné Records, a French label, last 2013 with past members Noel Leeman and Olivier Suburbia no longer part of the group.

Before signing, and since signing under a recording label, Years and Years already produced EPs and singles with some charting while some did not. It was a rough path since their formation in 2010, yet the quintet turned trio-composed group most likely got an understanding that paths leading to success are mostly more than a little bumpy.

In 2015, years of drive and hard work were reaped when they first got their name listed on the top when their single, “King,” charted number one in the UK Singles Chart. Brewing in the underbelly of mainstream music, Years and Years got their talent recognized worldwide, winning and receiving applause along the way.

While it is an undeniable that “King” was their breakthrough, the following single lifted off of their debut album Communion was the one to hammer the nails instating them permanently in their current position.

The track, entitled “Shine,” gives us a list of reasons on why these guys will have the sun “shining” in their career path for “years and years” only if the streaks the like of this song is not broken.

“Shine” will always bow down to their previous single “King” when it comes to charting position. However, there is a certain allure their latest track is packing, which makes it hard not to fall to.

Years and years went easy and a little bit subtle compared to their last track. On the outer shell, you will notice how it is an easy to digest danceable pop music, which will have you belting out the chorus together with Alexander. Yet, beneath the instant charm is the reason why “Shine” got us in a hook (and probably our playlist in a loop).

The excellent instrumental, played by Goldworthy and Turkmen set the foundation for the song. 

However, it is with Alexander’s raw vocals that had us stopping (or bopping) when it comes up on a radio.

Alexander has sung with vulnerability, while still delivering each notes with power. The track was built up on emotion helping retain the rough edges of Alexander’s vocals, making it as natural as possible despite of synth-heavy production.

http://laurenceourac.com/years-and-years-shine/

Ella Eyre’s “Good Times:” A shot at the top

Ella McMahon or we have all better known as “Ella Eyre, the girl with the crazy hair” keeps the mood festive with her fourth single, “Good Times” lifted off of her debut album Feline.

The top ten-worthy track was dropped in the middle of June. Could it finally break through the top, though?

If you’re the kind of listener who keeps track of the new hottest music through keeping tabs on the international charts, chances are, this is how you first got to know Ella Eyre.

The English singer slash songwriter first had her entry In the top ten with her collaboration with Rudimental’s “Waiting All Night.” It peaked at number 1 in UK Charts going toe-to-toe with the likes of Wiz Khalifa.

Thus, when Ella debuted her single “If I Go” followed by “Comeback,” we’re waiting for at least one of them to make it to the top ten. Not only with the basis of her previous team up, have the two singles had the right of their own worthy of a spot in the top ten.

That is not the case, though – the singles faired at the 16th and 12th place, respectively. Taking a break from releasing solos, Ella went on collaboration with DJ Fresh releasing “Gravity,” which played at top five.

Again, expectations went higher with the release of her single “Together,” yet it failed with the track peaking at 12th. And with Ella’s recent track, “Good Times,” fans are keeping their fingers crossed.

Despite of the previous tracks, Ella Eyre does not change much of her formula with “Good Times.” It has the festive mood complete with the upbeat tempo, the usual drum-bass-beat, and the grand vocals of Ella.

However, like the other singles from her, it isn’t just the happy vibes you’re going to get in “Good Times.” Her raw vocals and how she delivered each note and lyrics has their own certain character.

If in “Together,” she tempered down the fierceness in place of playful mischief, we can see it rising up in this track, but not so much it compares to her “Comeback.”

The dose of ferocity plus the happy vibes is enough ingredients to keep the track falling flat with nothing to boast but upbeat rhythm and not much personality.

With danceable rhythm, catchy lyrics, and strong melody, we might have a chart topper in our hands.

An unofficial music video was released the end of June featuring the good times of Ella and her fans and the track will be released a week ahead of her album Feline.

http://laurenceourac.com/ella-eyres-good-times-a-shot-at-the-top/

Why RiRi Stayed on Top

You are sure to have lived under a huge boulder of rock if you don’t know a thing about Rihanna. And you’re a complete waste of a man if you haven’t known any song that Rihanna released during her vibrant and well-received career. At an early age of 27, Rihanna had been one of the most influential and prominent female singers of the last decade, and through her sheer magnetic musicality, she had captured the hearts of millions as a respected singer and overall performer.

Robyn Rihanna Fenty, a Barbadian singer who has catapulted the seemingly impenetrable music industry with her undying passion to sing, is one of the most celebrated artists of all time, and her songs are just oozing with appeal that we are gaping whenever a new single had been released. Below are some of the most memorable Rihanna tracks that you should be putting on your easy listening playlist or you’re doomed to miss how great an artist she really is.

Shut Up and Drive might not be Rihanna’s best song to date, but the very tune of this “woman in the car” classic had been something that we thump our fingers and bobs our heads on every single time it’s in play. This song had been frequents of a lot of chart-topping systems like the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Top Hits Chart.

Unfaithful is one of the first few songs that made Rihanna for how we see her now. Proving her flexibility in not only singing songs with upbeat tunes, she had belted this ballad about being the bad end of a supposedly working relationship. Rihanna’s vocal range and the risk of taking a different genre had sent fans drooling for more.

One of the best collaborations that she had, Hate That I Love You is an anthem for lots of people in confusing and toxic relationships. With Ne-Yo’s more than R&B vocals, and Rihanna’s impeccable take of the song, it is no wonder that this song had spent quite some time in staying on Billboard Top 100 peaking at the 7th spot in 2007.

We Found Love is more of an experience rather than a song as the resulting track with infamous DJ Calvin Harris take pleasure in giving listeners a real ‘beat’ to listen to Rihanna’s voice as a backdrop. From Rihanna’s 2011 album Talk That Talk, this is the singer’s 11th Hot 100 Chart Toppers, which are rare occurrence on the Billboard Hot 100. With the inescapable reality that Rihanna is so frigging famous at the time of the song’s release, it easily placed and cemented itself to be on the charts for 10 weeks straight.

No one had expected that Disturbia is such a disturbing piece of music as Rihanna have exceeded her limits and stepped out as an artist who can basically do everything for the craft. Disturbia is an avenue for Rihanna to show her many facets not only in singing, and weird singing on this specific track, but also in producing suitable music videos that will do justice to the song.

Some of the other songs that you might want to revisit and add to your playlist are Love The Way You Lie with Eminem, Live Your Life with T.I., Umbrella, her women-empowered song Take A Bow, the cheesy You Da One in a very head bobbing tempo, the melancholic We Ride with her vocal prowess again in full display, Rude Boy and see her with a live lion on the music video, one of her first tracks like S.O.S and S&M, Don’t Stop The Music and Pon De Replay.

http://laurenceourac.com/why-riri-stayed-on-top/

Spotify decides for your summer playlist

Online music streaming had been one effective way of hearing the freshest songs on this modern time and day. Now that Apple upgraded their music streaming through iMusic and Spotify continuing its lead as the most used streaming outfit, more and more music aficionados have relied on these streaming systems in unmistakably predicting which songs and artists would stay afloat. Now that summer is just around the corner, Spotify revealed sets of songs that are sure to be smash hits for the season and for you to add it up on your playlist as early as now.

Spotify has released three leading songs to have dictated the course of the approaching summer music which are I Know It’s Gonna Be (Jamie XX ft. Young Thug and Popcaan), Can’t Feel My Face (The Weeknd) and Maroon 5’s This Summer’s Gonna Hurt Like a Mother******. With Spotify’s up-to-date tracking of which music are being streamed most of the time and their intrinsic way of communicating with music labels, they were able to produce a playlist that should be famous in the course of the summer season. Spotify Music also have used their best ‘ears’ in identfying songs that are suitable for the sunny days head in retrospect to sound, lyrics and tempo.

Following the top three picks are The Night is Still Young by Nicki Minaj, Leon On by Major Lazer ft. MA and DJ Snake and Cheerleader by Felix Jaehn. Spotify frequents Tove Lo ranked at 7 for the single Talking Body, Good Thing followed, which is performed by Sage the Gemini and Jealous artist Nick Jonas. World-renowned DJ Zedd and Jon Bellion got Beautiful Now on the ninth spot while music neophyte Alessia Cara gets the tenth post for her single Here.

Humongous artists like Carly Rae Jepsen (I Really Like You), Hunter Hayes (21), Waiting For Love (Avicii), Trap Queen (Fetty Wap), Where Are You Now (Jack ft. famous pop superstar Justin Bieber), Fun (Pitbull and Chris Brown) also made it to the list. Some of the other songs that you might want to include on your list as early as now includes Bad Girls (MKTO), Shut Up and Dance (Walk The Moon), Flex (Rich Homie Queen), Dreams (Beck), Want to Want Me (Jason Derulo), Smooth Sailin’ (Leon Bridges), Stole the Show (Kygo ft. Parson James), You Don’t Own Me (Grace ft. G-Eazy) and Hold My Hand (Jess Glynne).

http://laurenceourac.com/spotify-decides-for-your-summer-playlist/