New Beyonce DVD ,,,

If Beyonce is on hiatus, you'd never know it. She's putting out another live DVD, "I AM," after Thanksgiving, and in case you wanna see what you're getting before shelling out your $20, it will also be on TV as a Thanksgiving special on ABC. Of course, you can get a sneak peak here as well ...

New Black Eyed Peas ... here it go ...

Found out the album is dropping Nov. 30 ... this takes, um, liberties, with the classic "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing.

CANNOT. STOP. WATCHING.

Mary J. And El Debarge at Radio City

So I went to the Mary J. Blige and El DeBarge show the other night, and to be honest, I wasn't all that excited. It's not that I don't love both _ especially Mary _ but I'd seen Mary quite a few times, and honestly, didn't think that seeing her again would be all that different from previous concerts.

But I was wrong. Even though she sang many of the same songs and had even some of the same moves, she changed things up. More importantly, the passion of Mary that lifts you up remained the same. Seeing Mary is like going to church to see your favorite pastor: It's the same messenger, but the message always stirs your soul.

Check out the highlights here:

Doggies! Cute Doggies! and OK Go!

Kanye... Always interesting, always entertaining ...

Kanye and the lovely ladies of your local ballet school turn it out on "SNL" yesterday.

I Can't Front, this was hot ...

NEW KELLS!

Or should I say, new R. Kelly that we can take seriously!!! His new song, "When a Woman Loves," is just a gorgeous, amazing retro groove that makes us remember there is talent behind the raunch. Check it out!

MJ'sBirthday Celebration in Brooklyn!

Every day should be MJ day, but on what would have been his 52nd birthday, we really had to do it up _ and BK did MJ proud with Spike Lee's second annual celebration in Prospect Park. It was a six-hour party, with special guest Snoop Dogg (who was unnecessary with his crudeness, if you ask this MJ fan). But it was mainly family fun that brought out the inner MJ in all of us. Check out this chick doing MJ proud!

Cody Chestnutt at Weeksville

I'm crazy late on my postings ... it's hard to keep up this blog and work! But I try, I try ... here is video of Cody Chestnutt performing at Weeksville in Brooklyn. Weeksville is a great cultural center and has great events in the summer that only asks for a small donation. Among those who have performed include Martin Luther and Tamar-Kali. Cody was great!!! Check it out!!

Shyne feat. Malcolm X - There Will Be Blood (Curtis Diss)

Really? Has it come to the point where we are using inspirational black leaders in diss tracks? I can't ... I really can't ...

Shyne feat. Malcolm X - There Will Be Blood (Curtis Diss)

This video would have been so much better ...

Had R. Kelly taken my suggestion and made it the theme song for Tiger Woods ... and interspersed images of Tiger and his alleged skanks. Instead, Kells looks like he crashed somebody's spring break freakathon to make this one ... if I had a college-aged daughter, I'd be a little worried. At least it's better than "Echo!" LOL ... check it out!

VV Brown at Ann Taylor Fashion Preview ...

Ann Taylor had a swank party Thursday night at the ACE hotel, and stars like Rachel Bilson and that curvy redheaded chick from "Mad Men" were out to peruse the clothes, jewelry and other accessories that the fashion chain has in store for later this year.

But there was also some music to keep the guests entertained, courtesy of British singer VV Brown, whose debut album comes out in April. She only sang about three or four songs, but she made me curious to hear more ... good thing there was a CD in the gift bags they gave out!

Here's a little bit of her performance (and I do mean a little bit :)

Court Yard Hounds first NYC performance!

Emily Robison and sister Martie Maguire brought their band to NYC on Monday night for an intimate performance at Joe's Pub, which was just perhaps their second or third public performance as the Court Yard Hounds. They are perhaps better known as two-thirds of the Dixie Chicks _ and will be performing with fellow Chick Natalie Maines this summer as part of the Eagles tour.

But their debut CD as the Court Yard Hounds comes out in May, and they proved Monday. that the duo is just not a side gig for them, but a true passion.

Here's a snippet of them performing ...

T-Pain, stop denying your true self!!!

When this video first started, I thought T-Pain was joining the Red One bandwagon and doing something very Euro, hence the arty video. But this is classic, T-Pain, expressing his sexual longings via song much like his idol, R. Kelly. So make a "Trapped in the Closet"-like video, T-Pain! This is way too classy! These models, artistic vision ... so not T-Pain (Although he did get his Nuvo ad in there, ever so discreetly ...).

This song is so not subtle, and kind of crass ... which of course means I am going to put this on my iTouch immediately.

Lady Gaga and Beyonce's new video ... epic??

That was the question put to Concrete Loop readers this morning, and I was surprised that even one person _ let alone 33 percent of folks _ agreed.

I think not. I love both Gaga and Beyonce, but ... I'm not sure I get this one. It's not something I'd ever want to watch again. But maybe that's the point, and maybe, with true art, there is a level of confusion and bewilderment and annoyance after viewing it. If so, this is a masterpiece.

Justin Bieber makes the girls scream ... again

Nickelodeon had its annual upfront showcase to preview the hot projects it has upcoming, including its M. Night Shyamalan-directed movie, "The Last Airbender," and the new TV series about a performing arts high school, "Victorious." But really, who cared about all that when Justin Bieber was in the house?

The teenage heartthrob performed two songs for media, execs, and more important, a gaggle of young kids brought in for the event, and like Pavlov's dogs, they shrieked on cue when he appeared (though, thankfully, not as loud as they did at the Z100 Jingle Ball last year; my ears are still recovering).

Here's video of his performance, and some pictures!

Janelle Monae's New Music Dazzles

So many artists are hyped, but few deliver on all the excitement when their music is finally unveiled. Janelle Monae is the exception. On Thursday night at the Rubin Museum, the pompadoured chantuese showcased the music on her debut album, "Archandroid," out May 18.

She didn't perform, but she did introduce the tracks, looking stylish in a black cape and white pants.

There were VIP's like Lyor Cohen in the packed house to hear the tracks, which are a psychedelic mix of funk, rock, soul with a Disney-esque slant. It's hard to describe, but amazing to hear.

Check it out yourself here! This is one of the first singles, "Cold War."

Forget Ticketmaster. If you wanna see a hot show, the Apple store in Soho is a great bet. They have lots of top names, and on Tuesday, Corinne Bailey Rae graced their upstairs stage, performing to an audience that flowed over their seated area; there were lots of people standing up in the back as well.

Corinne did about a 40-minute set, mainly from her new CD, "The Sea," and enchanted the audience with songs like "I'd Do It All Again." She even had groupies _ well, very eager fans who kept squealing with every move she made.

The performance is going to be posted on iTunes soon, so check it out! This is a pic I shot from that night. :)

New Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson is coming out with a new album in June _ but he came to NYC this week to play some of the music for a few lucky folk, and I was among them!

Jack previewed several songs from the album, titled "To the Sea," and later played a few songs, including "My Little Girl," dedicated to his newborn daughter. It's signature Jack Johnson music, with that beachy, mellow feel ... I'll post new music when it is released!

(note ... this is not a Celeb Clutter photo!)

Fishbone at Irving Plaza

Fishbone has been around for over two decades _ in fact this year marks their 25th anniversary _ but I've never paid these pioneers too much notice, despite my husband's undeniable love for their music. But to broaden my horizons (and make the hubby happy) I went to their show Saturday night at the Filmore at Irving Plaza, and I gotta say, I really enjoyed it! I was up in the balcony so luckily I wasn't in the mosh pit getting pushed around, but it was as exciting from above as it seemed from below.

Here's a clip from the evening.

Black Eyed Peas Concert!

Had a great time this week at the Black Eyed Peas concert ... MSG may never have vibrated so much!!! It was like a giant club, and a great party. Say what you want about their music, the BEPs know how to move a crowd.

Here's a snippet of the show!

New Black Eyed Peas ... Transform This!

I am loving this new Black Eyed Peas video! how much did this cost to produce????

We Are The World Redux

OK, since it's taking me forever and a day to post Grammy and Super Bowl stuff, I need to move forward and post what's happening now ... and that is the "We Are The World" sequel, featuring like 300 celebs. LOL. What is your take? Not sure I'm feeling this one as much as the original ...

Grammy Recap!!!

I was so hectic during Grammy week I couldn't post! But there were some wonderful moments I'd like to share, so here is the first of a few! Jennifer Hudson performed a wonderful tribute to Barbra Streisand at Clive Davis' annual party ... here is a snippet of her singing "The Way We Were" as Babs was in the audience.

Corinne Bailey Rae's "The Sea" out today!

Corinne Bailey Rae has been really open when talking about the death of her husband, Jason Rae, and how she has been trying to deal with his grief. When we spoke, she had many thought-provoking things to say:

"It just sort of takes ages to sink it. You feel it and then you don't feel it; you know what's happened and then you don't really know what happened. ...
"Somebody wrote me a letter saying that you need to surrender to it, which I was like, 'Well, how do I surrender?'"

Check out the rest of the interview here.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100126/ap_en_mu/us_music_corinne_bailey_rae

And enjoy a recent TV performance here!

Hope For Haiti Now _ Recap

Although I stayed home to watch the two-hour "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, I am sure a lot of people went about their normal lives on a Saturday night, which is too bad, because if so, you missed some amazing, though somber performances. Justin Timberlake's was among the most moving, but also amazing was Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Bruce ... I could go on and on.
Check out my article on it.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010868399_telethon23.html?syndication=rss

I already purchased the live CD via iTunes, which goes to Haiti relief. Check it out (and go to hopeforhaitinow.org if you still haven't made that donation!)

Prince Fumble?

Prince went to a Minnesota Vikings game for the first time in like, forever, and he was so inspired by his hometown football team he wrote this anthem in advance of their NFC Championship match-up with the New Orleans Saints.

I don't imagine this will inspire Brett Farve too much _ the chatter I've heard from Prince fans ranges from horror to embarrassment. I'm waiting to hear Weezy's Saints' anthem ...

Lady Gaga Owns Radio City

Lady Gaga gave her first concert at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday night, but it wasn't your typical concert _ call it more of a cabaret/visual art extravaganza. I saw her at Terminal 5 last year, and while her disco beats seem more suited for that small venue, it was on one of New York's grandest stages where Gaga truly shined. With a brashness to rival Madonna, a voice reminiscent of Christina A. and a charming vulnerability, Gaga owned the frenzied crowd from her first expletive (and there were many). This photo captures the fierceness of the night!

Happy New Music!!

It's 2010, but Mos Def and Talib Kweli are going retro, reteaming for his new song, "History" ... check it out! And Happy New Year!!

Mos Def - New Music - More Music Videos