Photo by: Hannah Rad

Last night, I went to a private label showcase for Agnes sponsored by Geffen and Cherrytree Records at the Soho House in Manhattan.

About an hour before the showcase, I met up with one of my favorite, raddest of rad blog-o-buddies, Sheena Beaston‘s Hannah Rad. We hung out with Taste Like Caramel‘s Anthony for drinks at a hole-in-the-wall bar in Union Square (I got rowdy, took my top off, got kicked out, etc. etc.) and then we made our way to the Soho House.

The showcase was hosted in the building’s gorgeous library, which was filled to the brim with tea lights, flowers, and A-list gays. I was completely overwhelmed at first by the chic-ness of the entire situation, but it was a warm environment and I soon found myself relaxing quite quickly.

While we waited and canoodled, caterers walked around with delicacies, including a salmon spread (Hannah declared the dish “refreshing”) and a delicious something with caviar on top. I don’t actually know what I ate–I just grabbed and put it all in my mouth before asking questions, which is generally my go-to reaction with most things in life.

At around 7:30, a PR representative came on stage to introduce Agnes. He explained that she would perform just one song because she was exhausted from the traveling/promo events of the day (grumble grumble), and that without further ado, here she is.

Photo by: Hannah Rad

In she walked wearing a gorgeous, glitter-stringed dress, hot studded stilettos, and a white shoulder cape, taking to the stage with a guitarist at her side. After a quick hello, the two artists dived straight into an acoustic version of “Release Me,” and let me just say: That voice is flawless. Honestly. She sang her single better than she does on the studio version! There’s a reason why she won Swedish Idol. I was stunned. Also, SHE IS GORGEOUS IN PERSON.

EDIT: Click here to see a video of Agnes performing “Release Me” at the showcase!

As the song ended, Agnes thanked the crowd with her adorably limited English skills and encouraged us to have fun at the showcase tonight. “Drink!” she insisted. As she made her way off the stage, she began slowly working the perimeter of the room with various PR agents, greeting the journalists, music execs and friends, and taking photos with everyone.

Photo by: Hannah Rad

When it was my turn (and/or when I pushed through everyone while shouting “I AM A PROFESSIONAL BLOGGER”), I told her she had a beautiful voice and we took a photo together. Hannah and I briefly took advantage of the open bar afterward (IT WAS FREE), and then we ended up meeting Agnes again for more chatting and photos before we finally left the showcase. (Though not before picking up a free CD single of “Release Me” on the way out!)

Basically it was an amazing experience, so thank you to everyone at Fly-Life and everyone else involved in putting together the showcase. I had so much fun!

Thanks a million to Hannah of SheenaBeaston for taking the pictures (and being great company!) Click here to see the whole set of photos.

I’m still riding high from the Agnes showcase I attended tonight, but I knew this was too important to ignore.

As a wise woman once famously sang, some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this: It’s the video debut of the Harajuku Barbie, Miss Nicki Minaj, directed by Hype Williams.

There are many things to go gaga about here–the ferocious outfits, the massive booty, this entire situation–though not without some slight “irk” moments along the way. (Can we splice out every instance of those terrible contortion dancers? We get it, you’re limber.)

In short, the video brings tears of pride to my Ken doll eyes. Why? Because it proves that Minaj is, in all seriousness, the next baddest chick in the building.

Nicki Minaj is more entertaining and genuinely intriguing than any female MC I’ve seen since Lil Kim. Her clever mix of clownish entertainment and raw sex appeal is refreshing. It’s fun, it’s interesting, and her rhymes are far more than a by-the-numbers “bitch bash.”

While “Massive Attack” may not be her strongest musical offering (please consult her many mixtapes), the message rings loud and clear: There’s a new bitch to be reckoned with.

To all my Muusers in the Miami area, I’ve got tickets for quite the affair next week!

On Saturday, March 27, gay club Score (Gaga stopped there after her New Years Eve performance his year–it’s been officially christened!) will be hosting a massive event during the Winter Music Conference, including performances by MuuMuse favorites Kelis, Wynter Gordon, Estelle, Lolene, and Agnes.

MuuMuse is proud to be giving away ONE PAIR of tickets to the event! To enter, send an e-mail to muumuse@gmail.com with the subject line “WMC” or send a tweet my way with the following phrase: “I want to go to the WMC, @MuuMuse!”

A winner will be selected and notified on Tuesday, March 23.

For those of you who’d rather stop by, tickets for the event are $15.

Click here to find out more about all the events going on at the Winter Music Conference.

I love Agnes. She seems like such a kind soul with an angelic voice…sort of like the Swedish version of Leona Lewis.

This is just a little something–an acoustic version of her song, “Sometimes I Forget,” performed at MTV Studios in Germany this year.

This is Agnes, the 2005 winner of Idol (Sweden’s American Idol).

“Release Me” is by no means a new single (having first been released in November of 2008 in Sweden), but it is her debut release stateside. Armed with a re-shot video by Thomas Kloss (you know how we Americans simply despise those original European videos!) and a radio add date set for this month, Agnes is looking to repeat the same success as she’s enjoyed in Europe thanks to this most worthy dancefloor scorcher.

Strings, synths, and a soaring chorus…need you ask for anything more?

Agnes’ album, Dance Love Pop, will be released sometime early next year in the US.