It's the Supersound

在等待Blawan白廠膠片Getting Me Down出現的無聊時間就用R&B小天后Brandy（當時）發行於1994年的單曲I Wanna Be Down來渡過，其實是Blawan的這首Getting Me Down就是取樣了Brandy在這首歌中的Vocal。 Brandy

With each passing day, it seems like my admiration for Rihanna seems to extend a bit further. While many panned her latest album, Rated R, I’ve been reveling in it…rolling around in the dark and emotional tones…much like our dear Riri rolls around in the mud. Say what?

Earlier this afternoon, Rihanna debuted the video for her latest single, Hard. It’s a street-stomping, “I’m'a cut you” kind of track that is nowhere near short of heavy hits and insinuating lyrics. With a brand spankin’ new video to give your best salute to, Rihanna steps up her sexy and marches to the beat of her own drums.

Watch now!

I love it. Everything about it. If the military is anything like this, then I;m enlisting now.

More importantly, have you jumped on my Rihanna contest? You can see her live in NYC this Saturday, for FREE, courtesy of this beast, by entering here. We’re so hard.

mp3: Rihanna – Russian Roulette (Max Methods Remix)

Oy, I struggled with how to phrase this Rihanna contest. So rather than try to explain, I’ll simply ask you to jump below the image, some of my words, the video, and then get to entering. Sound good? Ok…go!

First and foremost, our beloved “Riri” debuted a 30 second sneak peek of her upcoming video for Hard, featuring Young Jeezy. The track is definitely an album highlight off her latest offering, Rated R.

Catch the preview below, then be on the lookout for the video’s official debut tomorrow at 4pm EST on VH1.

Now on to the good stuff. Rihanna is performing in New York City this Saturday, December 19. I, along with a few great blogger buddies, will be in attendance. Seeing as how I’ve got an extra ticket, I figured, why not make a rad little boy or girl’s holiday wishes come true and bring them along for the show! So that’s the catch…you’ll be hanging out with us, but I promise, we’re super fun!

Here’s how to enter. And no, its not through twitter this time…shocker!

Whoever leaves me the most hilarious comment on this post, incorporating ANY Rihanna song title, will win the ticket! Discretion is obviously up to this Beast…creativity and puns are always a plus. (Please include your email address, so I can easily contact the winner.)

Contest will be open until noon this Friday, December 18. New York City residents need only apply, although, if in the tri-state area and feel you have the means to travel, dive on in!

For questions regarding this contest, please send word here.

mp3: Rihanna – Umbrella (Vandalism Remix)

Between numerous television appearances, promotional performances in support of latest album Rated R, and filming the video for her next single, Rihanna found time to announce a string of dates in various UK arenas beginning in May 2010.

The mini tour, as promoted by Live-Nation, will hit eight venues across the UK, with tickets going on sale this Friday, December 11. Dates below.

May 07 – Birmingham LG Arena
May 08 – Liverpool Echo Arena
May 10 – London O2 Arena
May 13 – Sheffield Arena
May 14 – Nottingam Arena
May 16 – Manchester Evening News Arena
May 17 – Newcastle Arena
May 19 – Glasgow SECC

Rihanna recently made mention of a “daring” and “somewhat of a spectacle” world tour, while on the set of the video for her next single, Hard. The tour is slated to begin in spring 2010, although no dates have thus been confirmed.

mp3: Rihanna (featuring Evan Roberts and Jeezy) – Hard (Starkiller Remix)

MySpace, together with 10 of the hottest acts in music, recently launched a new web series, entitled Get Real Close. With half the artists coming forth to chat favorite tracks and influential pieces of work, the latest installment features Florence + The Machine.

When placed on camera and asked to wax poetic about her favorite songs, Florence jumps through a few of her most cherished tunes, and even sings along to a handfulthat make her geuinely thrilled to hear being played. Watch below as she swoons and croons to En Vogue’s Don’t Let Go.

Flo’s entire playlist is as follows.

1. En Vogue – Don’t Let Go
2. The Walkmen – The Rat
3. Lil Wayne – A Milli
4. Beyonce – Crazy In Love
5. Otis Redding – Try A Little Tenderness
6. Spiritualized – Hold On
7. Dusty Springfield – Spooky
8. Eva Cassidy – Wade in the Water
9. Nina Simone – My Baby Just Cares For Me
10. Velvet Underground – Heroin

mp3: Sugababes – Rabbit Heart (Florence and The Machine Cover)
mp3: En Vogue – Don’t Let Go

Once in a very blue moon, I’ll catch Saturday Night Live when it airs in it’s 12:35am time slot. This past weekend, Blake Lively hosted the extremely hit or miss affair, with musical guest Rihanna. Naturally, funnyman, Andy Samberg, corraled the Barbadian beauty’s vocoder-ed voice for a digital short entitled Shy Ronnie.

The skit sees Rihanna in the role of “tutelage via autotune”, complete with hypeman/sidekick, Shy Ronnie, played by the aforementioned Samberg.

Watch the hilarity now!

This brings the major LOLs for this “I needed a good belly laugh” beast.

What’s your favorite part? I’m still stuck on the echoy delicious “Speak up!”, although the whole piece is infinitely funny!

mp3: Rihanna (featuring Andy Samberg) – Shy Ronnie

Much has been made about the iconically dark and thematically moody images surrounding Rihanna‘s latest visual (and aural) campaign supporting the release of latest album, Rated R. Enlisting the talented hand of British artist, Simon Henwood, the Barbadian bombshell exposes her raw side.

Painter, filmmaker and set designer, Simon Henwood, brings his catalogue of experience to bear in a unique role. With quotes from famous hip hop star Kayne West that says, “If Yoda was an artist he’d be Simon Henwood,” it’s no wonder why the visual vanguard is creating his own success this year.

Coming off the ever successful ingenious art direction for the Kayne West brand, Henwood has set himself on a launch pad of continued global success by being enlisted by Rihanna as “creative director” for the songstress’ global imaging for her 4th studio album.

“Simon Henwood is a creative inspiration on this project,” boasts Rihanna.

The artist has tackled the logo, album, video, and TV spots – and is now working on the upcoming world tour, including: stage design, costumes and background visuals. In addition, acclaimed art publisher, Rizzoli, will release a photo book documenting Henwood’s work for the pop star in 2010.

mp3: Rihanna – Te Amo (Reggaeton Remix)

In a hip-hopped up nutshell, November has belonged to Kid Sister. With her debut album, Ultraviolet, finally seeing a proper release, along with appearances in Texas, Chicago and London (for Annie Mac’s famed Koko night, no less!), Kid Sis, aka Melisa Young, packed a punch AND the dance floor at Webster Hall to a teeming crowd of kids eager to hear her joints and jams.

Starting off with the “it gets better with each listen” first single, Right Hand Hi, Kid Sister took the stage, as introduced by big brother, Josh Young, one half the talented duo of Flosstradamus.

It’s evident that the female Young takes great pride in her musical roots, paying homage to the musical style and dance of early 90s street r&b. From feigning double dutch jumping with a telephone cord, to bringing the booty bouncing bass of album cuts Big N Bad and Switch Board, Kid Sister played up her pro nailed power by interacting with fans, even having back up dancers toss additional purple tinged glow sticks out for wanting hands.

Kid Sister took us on a journey through nearly every album track, including crowd pleasers Control and Pro Nails. Big bro Josh took the Cee-Lo vocals on the cut, Daydreaming, with the only bummer being the omittance of track, You Ain’t Really Down, a cover of Status 4‘s bumper, and a Beaston fave.

Kid Sister hits Los Angeles next before rounding out her year back in the Midwest. Dates here.

Kid Sister’s Ultraviolet is out now. Read my review here, then by all means, go cop it here.

mp3: Kid Sister – Control (LA Riots Remix)
mp3: Kid Sister – Right Hand Hi (Kill the Noise Remix)

With the close of this fair decade fast approaching, many a music media outlet are exporting their “best of” lists, whether it be restricted to song, artist, album or the like. NME just released their best 100 Tracks of the Decade, and you may be surprised to find what songs they’ve selected through this centennial compilation.

If you read the post title thoroughly, then you’ll know we spoiled the result for you. We’re kind of ornery like that.

The entire list is a fairly comprehensive mix of early 00′s tracks mixed with songs that have just been released up until a few short months ago. There are many a UK band (see: Klaxons, Blur, Arctic Monkeys, etc…), as well as a mash of international acts (see: The Knife, Kylie Minogue, Kelis, etc…).

But it’s the Beyonce who takes the top prize as the music magazine’s Best of the Decade, with her Jay-Z featuring smash, Crazy In Love. Head here to read the accompanying article and watch the street stomping video that makes us want to move!

mp3: Beyonce (featuring Jay-Z) – Crazy In Love
mp3: Beyonce – Video Phone (Say Wut Remix)

Back in March of this year, I got swept off my feet by The-Dream produced girl quarter of Electrik Red. Having heard singles Drink in My Cup and W.F.Y. prior, a new song was shaping up to secure my solid backing of their efforts. Result? Mission accomplished!

With the release of Friend Lover as the next single, and subsequent video, it was inevitable that the girls would be repetitiously loved and listened to here in Beastonia. With a producer like Dream backing them, it’s hard to discount their efforts. Truth be told? Their album, How To Be a Lady: Volume 1, might even end up on some “year end best of” lists ’round here. Just sayin’…

Watch the video, grab the track, and reminisce/love it with me!

I love everything about this song. The jiggity hits, the beat, the harmonies. At the 1:45 mark when they start counting/singing the “rules” of being a friend lover, I lose my ish. Each and every time.

mp3: Electrik Red – Friend Lover