New music from Lady Gaga was released early yesterday morning called "Do What U Want", and features R&B singer R. Kelly. Take a listen below:
Personally, I like "Applause" better, but you can be the judge of that.
Be sure to check out Gaga's newest album "Artpop" when it's released November 11th.
Thats right: today is the day that Miley Cyrus’ new album, “Bangerz” is released. This is the singer’s debut album (more on that below) and it doesn’t disappoint.
Credit: RCA Records
The thing is, “Bangerz” is actually Cyrus’ 4th studio release, with this one being the first one with RCA Records. The reason I call this her debut album is because it's the first album with the real Miley Cyrus. With all of her other albums, she was still under contract with Disney, and was forced to create the music that agreed with the “Disney image”, and the difference is evident with this album.
Below is a run down of three of my favorite tracks:
Wrecking Ball:
This is one that I had to start out with because I think it is one of the deepest, most meaningful songs on the list. Some may watch the video and say “Wow, how messed up is Miley Cyrus, licking a hammer and swinging around naked” and they couldn’t be more wrong. The song is all about how stripped and bare Cyrus is. Her swinging and the walls breaking is symbolic of her breaking through the “wall” of her old image, going back and forth until it is fully broken. The media gives her such a hard time for her trying to be herself that she is in turn empty, and naked. Why the wrecking ball and hammer? This is the only way she can truly show us who Miley Cyrus is, by coming in with a ‘bang’. There, now you can watch the video with the right state-of-mind.
Miley also performed “Wrecking Ball” when she hosted SNL last weekend:
Still can’t get enough of “Wrecking Ball”? Watch the extremely emotional directors cut below:
Another very meaningful song off of the album is “Maybe You’re Right”. In this track, Miley sings about how perhaps her significant other’s opinion (Liam Hemsworth?) is correct. Cyrus argues that “You can’t blame me for who I am”. Could this be about the breakup of her and Liam?
Perhaps the most liberating track on the album is the first single, “We Can’t Stop”. While there are references in the song about drugs “tryin to get a line in the bathroom”, there is an underlying message, “we won’t stop”. Miley is going to keep doing what she is doing, and keep being her self, and it is clear that nobody can stop her, no matter what they say.
Unfortunately, because of the fact that Miley has had to grow up under the media’s constant watch, we as the consumers have much more material to use in comparison. While I do agree that her VMA’s performance was raunchy, nobody would have thought anything of it if Nicki Minaj or Lady Gaga performed something like that. The fact that it’s Miley Cyrus, the once fake and bubbly Hannah Montana, makes everyone think she is going crazy. Well, this is the real, uncensored Miley Cyrus.
Sunday night, the biggest names in the music industry gathered at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn NY for the 2013 MTV VMA’s. Missed it? Don’t worry, Roman’s Rap-Up has a “Rap-Up” of the night. Below, find some of the best and most talked about performances of the night.
Performances-
Pre-show:
Austin Mahone performed his newest hit, “What About Love” during the “All Access” preshow outside the Barclays Center. Right after Mahone’s performance, Ariana Grande took the pre-show stage to perform a medley of her two big hits, “Baby I”, and “The Way”.
Main Show:
Then it was time for the main show, where Lady Gaga performed her new single, “Applause”. This performance marked the first time she has performed this song, as well as the first time she had a large live audience since her hip surgery mid winter.
The next perfromance was perhaps the most talked about one of the night... Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke. The former disney star entered the stage via a large teddy bear, then proceeded to twerk and, well... “dance”. This strange dancing then turned into her song “We Can’t Stop”, and it became apparent that no, Miley really can’t stop. Cyrus danced sexually around the stage, before joining Robin Thicke in singing “Blurred Lines”, and twerking up on him. Find the performance video below. Proceed with caution.
I mean, just look at Rihanna's face...
Later in the night, Justin Timberlake performed some of his best hits in a 15-minute set. In the middle of his performance, JT brought out the members of 'N Sync to sing "Bye Bye Bye". Unfortunately, 'N Sync was only onstage for 1-2 minutes, but it was still entertaining.
Other memorable performances include Macklemore and Ryan Lewis- "Same Love", Drake- "Started From The Bottom", Bruno Mars- "Gorillaz", Kanye West- "Blood On The Leaves", and Katy Perry- "Roar".
Winners List-
Video of the Year: Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”
Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award: Justin Timberlake
Best Hip-Hop Video: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton – “Can’t Hold Us”
Best Male Video: Bruno Mars – “Locked Out of Heaven”
Best Female Video: Taylor Swift – “I Knew You Were Trouble”
Artist to Watch: Austin Mahone – “What About Love”
Best Pop Video: Selena Gomez – “Come and Get It”
Best Collaboration: P!nk feat. Nate Ruess – “Just Give Me a Reason”
Best Rock Video: Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Up in the Air”
Best Video with a Social Message: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Same Love”
Best Art Direction: Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu – “Q.U.E.E.N”
Best Song Of the Summer: One Direction – “Best Song Ever”
Best Choreography: Bruno Mars – “Treasure”
Best Visual Effects: Capital Cities – “Safe and Sound”
Best Cinematography: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton – “Can’t Hold Us”
Best Editing: Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”
Best Direction: Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z – “Suit & Tie”
Here is a Rap-Up of some of the new music videos that premiered over the past couple of days. "Almost Is Never Enough"- Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes
New music from singer Ariana Grande, and it's a duet with Nathan Sykes from The Wanted! See it below.
Make sure you preorder Ariana's album "Yours Truly", which is set to be released on September 3rd. I was lucky enough to hear some of the music from the album at one of her "Listening Sessions" and I can promise you it's going to be a #1!
Credit: Republic Records
"Applause"- Lady Gaga World Premiere
The video for Gaga's new single "Applause" premiered yesterday on Good Morning America and Vevo. Check out the strange visuals for the track below...
Be sure to watch Mother Monster open the MTV VMA's this Sunday, August 25th at 9PM EST on MTV!
"Love More"- Chris Brown ft. Nicki Minaj
Finally this dope song gets a music video. Breezy has been teasing the video all month on Twitter, but this past weekend it was finally released.
Expect new albums from these two hip-hop mega stars this fall.
Here’s a Rap-Up of whats new and popular this week.
Myx Fusions Moscato Drink From Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj has partnered with Myx Fusions Moscato to release her own alcoholic drink. This is just one more thing for Nicki to add to her list. Now the Young Money rapper has her own fragrance, a clothing line (coming this fall at K-Mart), and now a fruity drink (Not to mention all of her platinum selling records).
"Minaj is between meetings in New York City, talking about a new venture that puts her in a head-to-head competition with hip-hop’s biggest stars, Jay-Z and Diddy among them. She’s entered the wine business with Myx Fusions Moscato and a line of sweet and fruity Moscato wine in single-serving blue bottles.
“If I’m sippin’ in the club, Myx Moscato,” she raps on Ciara’s “I’m Out,” and her “High School” video with mentor Lil Wayne and her “Up in Flames” video feature bottles of Myx.
Spokesperson? Not quite. She’s a co-owner. Aiming to tap into the rapidly expanding Moscato market, estimated to be growing at 25% annually, Minaj partnered with Mona Scott-Young, Myx Fusions Moscato CMO, and Peter Reaske, Myx Fusions Moscato CEO."
Read the full story on Forbes.
Justin Timberlake Releases New Single and Details About New Album
Last Friday, Justin Timberlake debuted a brand new single "Take Back the Night", straight off volume 2 of his album, "The 20/20 Experience: Part 2 of 2". From the second we heard the single, we could instantly tell it was good ole' JT. But, no complaining there. I'm just happy that he came back to music.
You can preorder Timberlake's new album on iTunes, and get the new single instantly. "The 20/20 Experience: Part 2 of 2" will be available on September 30th. Details here.
Lady Gaga is Back
Finally the return of Lady Gaga! Mother Monster has been mostly quiet for the past few months after cancelling the rest of her US Born this Way Ball Tour after needing hip surgery. She took to her social network accounts to announce the release dates for her new single and album, "Artpop". More info on that can be found here.
Carly Rae Jepsen: The Pro Baseball Player
Not. The "Call Me Maybe" singer threw the first pitch at the Rays/Astros game in Tampa on Sunday, and things went, well, quickly downhill. It just when horribly. But even greater is the look on Jepsen's face after. Take a look for yourself below.
Perhaps it's a good thing Jepsen plans on sticking to singing and isn't looking to change to become the next MLB All-Star.
Selena Gomez Stars Dance Album Preorder
It's about time Disney star Selena Gomez decided to grow up a bit, and we at Roman's Rap-Up could not be happier with her new sound. Right now, you can stream the entire album for free on iTunes, along with preordering it. Stay tuned for a full review on Selena's latest endeavor soon.
Preorder and streaming details can be found at this link.
Ciara's Body Party
Ci has a song on her new album called "Body Party", and we REALLY like it. Peep the music video below:
