MUSIC INSPIRED ME

Rihanna Announces Official Second Single

Rihanna will continue her reign into 2013 with the announcement of her new single "Stay," lifted from her seventh studio album Unapologetic.

"#STAY is the new and second single from #UNAPOLOGETIC ..... #PourItUp has also been officially sent to U.S. Urban radio!! #hello2013," Rihanna confirmed on Twitter.

The piano and guitar-driven R&B ballad "Stay," was co-written and co-produced by Ekko, Elof Loelv and Justin Parker, and features guest vocals from Mikky Ekko. Rihanna received mixed reviews over the song when the album dropped, but many praised her vocal performance. In addition, "Stay" charted in several countries after the album's release, so it was only right that the tune was selected as a secondsingle.

Fan and stripclub favorite "Pour It Up" will be stepped up at radio as well.

Listen to "Stay":

Chris Brown Deletes Instagram, Bows Out on Social Media

Blame that pic of Jesus on the cross. Chris Brown is officially off social media, including Instagram.

Following his fight with Frank Ocean over the weekend and a controversial Instagram post that drew some to say he was comparing himself to Jesus, Chris Brown bowed out on social media late Tuesday night.

"Social media takes away the essence of why we are even special or icons," the "Don't Judge Me" singer wrote in a brief post. "So with that, I'm detaching myself from that world."

While he could be serious, this isn't the first time Chris Brown has told the world that he's done or is pulling back from social media.

In an interview with XXL late last year, he talked about Twitter and learning to use social media effectively. To an extent he lived up to what he said, parting with Twitter and posting a lot of ideas and pictures on Instagram.

"I haven’t been as mature and thought out in the past, so, me growing now, it’s showing my progression. I used to use my Twitter account to vent, but now I mostly use it for marketing and promotions. Even if the media asks me something, if it’s cool then it’s, ‘What’s up?’ But if it’s anything that’s too negative, I don’t care to respond," he told XXL.

L (엘) is a Korean Pop singer. He is a sub-vocalist of the group Infinite. In 2011 he debuted as an actor on the Japanese drama Jiu.

Profile

Stage Name: L (엘)
Real Name: Kim Myung Soo (김명수)
Birthdate: March 13, 1992 (age 20)
Height: 180cm (5'11")
Blood Type: O
Skills: Photography, acting, playing guitar
Hobbies: Reading comics, cooking, fashion

Works

Digital Singles

[2012.03.12] Shut Up Flower Boy Band OST Part.5 (닥치고 꽃미남밴드) (L & Kim Ye Rim)

Dramas

[2011] Jiu (Japan)
[2012] Shut Up Flower Boy Band
[2012] Salamander Guru and The Shadow Operation Team (cameo)
[2012] What is Mom?

Music Videos

[2010] Epik High - Run
[2010] Strawberry Fields - Starlight March
[2012] Kim Sung Kyu - 60sec

credit : http://www.generasia.com/wiki/L_(Infinite)

Bruno Mars Reveals 'Unorthodox Jukebox' Album Cover & Tracklisting

As the release date draws closer, Soul crooner Bruno Mars has revealed the album art for his upcoming LP, 'Unorthodox Jukebox'. For the artwork, an Ape is shown on the cover flipping through a classic jukebox.

'Unorthodox Jukebox' is set to arrive December 11th and is led by the catchy first single, "Locked Out Of Heaven."

Listen to Locked Out Of Heaven

According to Mars, Unorthodox Jukebox represents a freedom to produce whatever type of music he wants whether it is soul, pop, rock or R&B.

"This is me going into the studio and recording and writing whatever I want," Mars says confidently. "This album represents my freedom."

'Unorthodox Jukebox' Track Listing

1) Young Girls
2) Locked Out Of Heaven
3) Gorilla
4) Treasure
5) Moonshine
6) When I Was Your Man
7) Natalie
8) Show Me
9) Money Make Her Smile
10) If I Knew

ReVaughn: Talks Signing to Ne-Yo, Her Music, Dream Collaborations and more

From the music he writes to the songs he sings, Ne-Yo has become a purveyor of all things R&B. He’s able to sing for the ladies while representing for the men and write songs that speak to and for both sexes with knockout singles like “So Sick” and “Let Me Love You”, while penning classics “Irreplaceable.” A three-time Grammy winning artist, who has worked with the best of the best artists in the industry, (Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, and more) delivering them hit after hit, it’s safe to say he knows talent when he sees it and he definitely knows how to craft it. So after hearing about his new protégé RaVaughn Brown, Singersroom had to learn more about the new artist to find out what makes this new songstress a perfect fit for Ne-Yo’s label Compound University/Columbia Records.

Born and bred in Los Angeles, California, the R&B newcomer isn’t new to the entertainment industry. Before signing, she appeared on several TV shows and made a name for herself as a voice over artist at only 16-years-old. Stepping away from the cameras, towards the stage and studio, Brown began to establish herself as a “demo” artist and backup singer. She’s worked with the likes of industryheavyweights Rico Love and Kara DioGuardi and lent background vocals for her idol Brandy (going on tour with her as well), Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson, Celine Dion, and Keyshia Cole, to name a few. With dreams of one day singing at the forefront, RaVaughn kept her eyes on the prize, stayed focus, and kept on singing until her big break came at the hands of her mentor Ne-Yo.

After working with Brown in the studio recording demos, Ne-Yo quickly saw a star in the young demo artist and was ready to ink a deal with her a few demo sessions later. With her laid-back style, vocal talent, and women empowerment ambitions, RaVaughn Brown is an artist to look out for.

Learn more about the artist, signing with Ne-Yo, her new single “Better be Good” featuring Wale, future collaborations, her shopping habits and more.

Her inspiration to sing professionally...I decided I wanted to sing or be a singer when I heard the “Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”. I was like 'up this is it, this is what I want to do.'

Musical Influences...I used to listen to Anita Baker, I played the piano too so my parents were always like, ‘this is what you could do,’ so I listened to Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, and Brandy. Brandy was like a huge influence, just because I know in my later years she helped when I was trying to find my own vibe; she’s from Carson, I’m from Carson too.

Her Idol Brandy’s new album “Two Eleven”...I was actually on tour with her when she did the Human tour and I love this album… my favorite, favorite Brandy album is “Full Moon.” I think that she, when we were on tour with her, came in and said that “Full Moon” is one of her absolute favorite. I really like this, I was super excited when this one came out and I was like ‘this is the Brandy that I know.’

Meeting Ne-Yo for the first time...Meeting Ne-Yo for the first time was really crazy actually because I didn’t know I was going to meet him. I got called in to do a demo for a producer I had worked with before and he asked me if I could do a demo for him. I was just leaving another session so it was pretty late and he was like, ‘the writer won’t be here tomorrow can you please come tonight,’ and it was like 11 o’clock and I was like ‘okay I’ll come in.’ He didn’t tell me who the writer was and I walk in the kitchen of the studio and Ne-Yo’s sitting at the table and I was like ‘wow’ and he was like ‘hey mama,’ and I was like ‘wow’ so it was just so unexpected, so dope, and I love him as a writer and an artist so it was just crazy to actually be in a studio singing the songs that he actually wrote.

Signing to Compound University...It was actually not like a set day, he called me in to do a couple more demos after the first time I worked with him. The third demo that I did for him my mom actually went to the studio with me and I remember being in Westlake in L.A., and he told my mom ‘I’m getting ready to congratulate your daughter on being the newest signee on Compound off the record’, because it wasn’t done yet, but he was like ‘we’re going to make it happen.’

Advice from Ne-Yo...I don’t know if he’s given me actual verbal advice, I mean he’s definitely given me tons of advice, but what speaks to me the most is just in his actions. Just like what he does and his work ethic is so incredible and he’s so humble and so dedicated and he just loves to do what he does. It doesn’t matter if he can’t sleep for days, you know, he’ll go to the studio, do something with me, and do something for himself and then get on a flight and go somewhere else and get ready for a show. It’s just incredible to me that he can do that. You know, be away from your family and still be dedicated, have a good time, and actually enjoy what it is that you’re doing. I think his work ethic is what keeps me going and to be able to just watch him and know that I’m his protégé is like incredible so that does it for me.

RaVaughn the artist...I am fun, I’m relatable, I think I tell every woman’s story in every one of my songs. I think that everyone can kind of tap into a place and time in their life that I’m actually singing a song about. I feel like when I listen to music, if I hear a song that I can relate to I fall in love with the song because it’s like, ‘this song is talking about me, this is my song.’ I think that for me as an artist, I want to have fun and be an advocate for women and just women empowerment. I want to start a women’s movement so all the women can come together and be friends instead of hating on each other all the time.

What she brings to the table...I feel like history always repeats itself and I feel like anytime someone comes into the game it’s just a revamp of something else. I just feel like I’m giving something fresh and I’m taking from Brandy and Mary J., and Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Alicia Keys; I’m taking something that I’ve learned from all of them and kind of bringing it together and making it my own.

Her latest single “Better Be Good.”...I think that people will love it for one because Wale is on it, which is so dope, it’s one of the reasons I love it, but just the story that it’s telling. It’s telling a guy you know, if I’m going to give you me and if I’m going to give energy and everything I have to offer then great you better treat me right because so many times guys want us to give them the world and they don’t want to give anything back to us, so it’s like no ‘you better be good to me too. You not getting anything if your not good to me.’

Listen to "Better Be Good" featuring Wale

Putting Wale on the track...Actually, we went down a line of people we were considering and I have two managers, my mom co-manages and then Lenny F. also manages me and he has a really good relationship with Wale and Wale has done a feature on another song that I have and he has always come through and Lenny was like ‘Wale for this record.’ We sent it to him and it was during hurricane Sandy and he was traveling and touring and stuff so for him to find the time to actually get on the record through all the drama that was going on and with his busy schedule and he sent it back to us in like two days so it was like super dope.

Working on her debut album...It’s been amazing, it’s like surreal. I’ve done backgrounds for Kerri Hilson, Keyshia Cole, and Brandy, and demos for a whole bunch of people so I’m used to going in and doing stuff for other people, so now that it’s actually for me, I have to remind myself like, ‘wait a minute this is my record, like I’m keeping this.’ So it’s just a wonderful experience after singing for so long, it’s just the dream that has come true, what I’ve worked so hard for and now it’s here so sometimes I have to remind myself this is really happening.

Working in the studio with J.Cole...He is the coolest guy ever. So laid back, really down to earth. We vibed out and hung out and my team was there, his team was there and we just worked. Marsha Ambrosius came and Elijah, he used to go by Redd Stylez, Elijah Blake, he came in and we got four songs done, but now the hard part is choosing which one of those songs is going to be on the record.

Dream collaborators...J.Cole was definitely one, when I signed with Columbia they asked me who I wanted to work with on this album, if I wanted to get any features and one of the people I actually requested specifically, outside of Ne-Yo, was J.Cole so to actually get in with him was …and weird because it was so close to the end of recording so I was super excited about it. But who would I like to work with outside of that? Alicia Keys, I think she’s just extremely talented and I feel like all her songs tell stories, Brandy because I’ve looked up to her and actually got to work with her so to actually sing a song with her would be dope to.

Acting in her future...Yeah, actually before I started singing, I danced and I acted so I definitely want to tap back into that, but I want to focus on music because I don’t want to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. I’m going to focus on one thing and as this develops and it gets better and I get a good fan base and people are loving the music then I can take it into the next realm of acting. I feel like when I do shows on the road, I use what I’ve learned from the acting and dancing. I want people to leave my show feeling like they've experienced something, I want to give people an experience. I want people to leave like ‘wow’. I feel like Beyonce does that in every element.

RaVaughn Brown’s latest single “Better Be Good” featuring Wale is out on iTunes now.

After The Fight: Frank Ocean Talks Being 'Jumped,' Chris Brown Hits Studio with Mario

By now you've heard about Frank Ocean and Chris Brown allegedly scrapping at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles early this morning. While the investigation is still ongoing, Frank Ocean and Chris Brown have been busy tweeting and sharing pics via social media.

Addressing the fight directly, Frank Ocean says he got "jumped" by Chris and some other guys.

"Got jumped by chris and a couple guys. lol. i only wish everest was there," Frank Ocean tweeted this morning. "Cut my finger, now I can't play with two hands at the grammys."

Focusing on their music, Chris Brown and Mario, who were in the studio together, tweeted pics and a few words separately.

"Working on my album. Not working on negativity. Focus on feeding ya family. Bullshit will forever be in the shadows," Chris Brown wrote before sharing a picture of Michael Jackson on Instagram (he wrote "Inspiration" next to the picture).

Sharing a picture from the studio, Mario wrote "You'll never have all the answers...Nothing but TALENT! #drive #focus #2013"

As of right now, no one has pressed charges when it comes to the alleged fight...

Justin Timberlake and Jay Z 'Suit Up' For New Music Video

Justin Timberlake is wasting no time when it comes to his single "Suit & Tie."

The Grammy winner suited up with Jay Z this weekend to shoot a music video for the hit single, which leaped 84-4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the last week.

Connecting in Redondo Beach, CA, the duo donned tailor-made black slacks, white shirts and black ties for the shoot.

As previously reported, "Suit & Tie" leads Justin Timberlake's forthcoming third studio album, "The 20/20 Experience."

While a tracklist is not available as of yet, T.I. and Beyonce are said to have worked with Timberlake on this anticipated album.

No word on when this video will premiere...

Saturday, February 2, 2013