Category — Ciara

“Why Don’t You Love Me” is a bonus track off of I Am…Sasha Fierce, co-written by Beyonce, her cousin Angie Beyince, and her coolest-of-cool sister, Solange Knowles.

As a treat to her fans, The Beysus has just released this promotional clip to accompany the song, which happened to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club charts back in February for no real reason at all (aside from being a very good song, of course).

Now the video happens to be off-the-charts amazing, but its brilliance isn’t altogether surprising: After all, it was directed by Melina, the same director responsible for Rihanna‘s “Rude Boy,” Ciara‘s “Work,” and Lady Gaga‘s “Just Dance” to name a few.

Aside from providing a smorgasbord of vintage visuals and signature Sasha Fierce-meets-Beysus pose and voguery, there’s a key moment here for all the fans who stan so hard for the bootylicious songstress. I bring it to you now in a .GIF I’ve just lovingly created:

Haters to the left, indeed.

Much love to Muuser Kevin R. for bringing the video to my attention.

The video for Ciara‘s latest single, “Ride,” has arrived. The results? I’m not quite sure.

While I do love the actual song, I can’t help but feel a bit let down with this minimalist, oddly paced video. Blame it on my problematic relationship with anything directed by Diane Martel (Britney‘s “3,” the American version of BoA‘s “Eat You Up”), but I’m still not a fan of the director’s penchant for videos that revolve around awkward jump scenes, zero plot, and dull lighting.

Yes, I get it–it showcases her ‘stripped down’ dance moves. So what? She can do better, and with a video that didn’t share any similarities to Beyonce‘s “Single Ladies.”

I mean, you really can’t compare this to her best works to date. “Get Up”? “Work”? “Go Girl”?

Hardly in the same league.

I’ve decided Amerie‘s new video for “Heard ‘Em All,” directed by Anthony Mandler, borders on sheer brilliance.

If I were merely talking adjectives, I would use such terms as ‘ill,’ ‘fierce,’ ‘raw,’ ‘hot,’ ‘sexy,’ ‘Ciara-esque,’ ‘Matrix-like,’ and ‘really great dancey bits.’

You know why? Because I’m rooting for her. Not as much as I want my icy-electro hip-hop queen Cassie to make a comeback, but hey…I think she deserves another shot.

Keep doin’ whatcha doin’, Amerie.

Purchase “Heard Em’ All on iTunes | MySpace | Official Website

This is Livvi Franc–and she’s a Being In Total Control of Herself.

That’s the meaning behind “Now I’m That Bitch,” which should really be titled “Now I’m That B.I.T.C.H.” The concept is sort of like Mariah Carey‘s upcoming album track, “H.A.T.E.U.”, which means “Having Another Typical Emotional Upset,” except the title isn’t nearly as drama and the song is probably much less of a shit show.

And now for the better-than-good, more-than-slightly Ciara-inspired video, which literally features the EXACT SAME choreography and styling that I imagined for Brit Brit‘s “Phonography” had it been properly released/performed/acknowledged. (Instead of multi-colored, bungee cord material however, it would be done with phone cords. Is that not the most fucking clever thing you’ve ever even imagined? I digress.) This video is the fierceness, and the last minute alone is worth the price of admission.

Alright, then: We’ve proved that Livvi Franc is actually quite capable of being something more than a one-time urban dancefloor diva. With any luck, she’ll become a Being with A Never-ending Array of No-Nonsense Artistry (or B.A.N.A.N.A. for short.)

You’ll also want to head to her MySpace to check out mixes by some other rather adept professionals, including Jason Nevins and Sam Sparro(!).

This here remix, completely free and available for your download pleasure, is a bit more chilly and sparkling than the original. Quite nice, so take as you will!

DL: Livvi Franc – Now I’m That Bitch (Serafin Remix)

The single, which is already out in the US, will be available for pre-order in the UK starting on Monday, and in digital outlets on September 6.

Purchase “Now I’m That Bitch” on iTunes US | MySpace

Here we have the ‘Babes performing their upcoming RedOne-produced second single, “About A Girl” at Saturday’s Ashfield Show gig. As you can plainly hear, it is quite modern, like something you’d hear on American radio. Or a Lady Gaga album. Or a Sean Kingston album. Or a track between Ciara and Enrique Iglesias.

What do we think, gang? Is it a party and a half? I’m still mulling it over.

Honestly, bitch be fierce in this video. All that hair whipping and jelly knee skipping she’s doing up and down the sand? And in THOSE heels? GRLLLL…Tyra must be z-snapping all over the place right about now. Actually, did anyone else kind of feel like this was one long America’s Next Top Model promotional clip? I kept wondering when Miss Jay was going to come sashaying out of a bulldozer in a giant sequined banana or something.

I do truly believe Ciara is one of, if not the best dancers in the entertainment industry today. And while there’s not nearly enough choreography to really underscore that fact, the video does a nice job of showcasing her penchant for unorthodox dance moves and an ability to pose without flaw.

FIERCE, FABULOUS, AND FLAWWWWLESS.

Well, this review ought to divide my readers.

Electrik Red are like the bitter castoffs booted from a pre-fame Destiny’s Child (one of them is named Binkie!) that decided to team up, have a massive orgy with The-Dream, and then cook up the most ghettolicious, glorious heap of scrap tracks from Ciara‘s latest album and called it How To Be A Lady: Volume 1.

Now, if there’s anything that I love in this world, it’s a girl with a potty mouth. Make that four girls with potty mouths! I’m talking ’bout some trash-talkin’, y’all-don’t-know-me type of shit–that’s why I listen to Khia for motivation and spiritual guidance.

Really then, it will be no surprise for anyone to learn that within the first few seconds of the opening track off of the Reds’ debut that I quickly learned to love: “And I’m the shit wit the shit shawty / I’m the shit wit the shit / I know what I’m doin’ with this shit / ‘Cause I’m the shit with this shit, shawty.” Concise, yet mind-blowing. Yes… ’twas love at first “Muah.”

Later on, my emotions were only further confirmed with the delicious bluntness of “W.F.Y.”, the squeaky, “Maneater”-friendly stomps of “Kill Bill,” and “P Is For Power,” the defiant “Single Ladies” addendum that plays like the schoolyard chant I never had growing up: “You ain’t gettin’ no P…nope, nope.” Any guesses on what it stands for? Me either.

But even if the uptempos aren’t your thing, the slow jams just may be. Take for instance the supple, grind-ready “9 To 5″ that clocks in just around the proper baby-making BPM. You’ll want to watch for some small glimmers of the Janet Jackson of yesteryear that one, as well as within the irresistibly catchy single, “So Good.”

Lets keep it real here: If you’re looking for originality, talent, or anything of any substantial cultural or musical value, this may not in fact be your cup of bubbly. But if you’re the type of person who finds solace in Kelis‘ “Fuck Them Bitches,” Ciara‘s “G Is For Girl (A-Z),” or anything off of Danity Kane‘s (RIP) last two albums, you’re going to have some fun.

DL: Electrik Red – W.F.Y.

Click below to hear more from Electrik Red.

Wow. When the world’s (arguably) greatest vocalist starts binging on the AutoTune, you know you’ve got a trend gone overboard. But aside from the general rape and pillaging enjoyed by this oft-abused production technique, let’s take a moment to analyze “Obsessed”:

+ It is sort of a mash-up of anything you’ve ever heard on Ciara and Electrik Red‘s new album, thanks to the powerhouse production duo The-Dream and Tricky Stewart.

+ Therefore, it is really quite good.

+ It’s also something you’ve never heard from Mariah Carey.

+ It’s slow, but sort of in a defiant, ominous manner that keeps you wanting to know what’s around the corner.

+ There are horns.

+ I can imagine a lot of slow, fierce walking and ‘tude involved in the upcoming music video.

+ I think I might already be a bit obsessed with the song. (LOL PUN!)

Click here to visit MiMi’s site and hear it in all its glory.

Everyone loves an underdog. Everyone loves a superstar. But almost no one’s got love for an underdog superstar.

That’s about how I’d describe Ciara, the 23-year-old R&B sensation responsible for eight top ten singles and roughly ten million albums sold in just five years. Still, despite an impressive chart record and a lasting presence in the industry, the songstress continues to face the crippling blow of the shadow–that dreaded, overbearing presence brought upon by enough comparisons to her contemporaries to recall the bubble-gum blonde diva duels of the ’90′s (Willa Ford, you will be missed). And while her latest outing, Fantasy Ride, will likely provide no help in separating CiCi from RiRi (and I dare say, from Beysus), it’s worthy enough to merit attention in its own right.

On paper alone, the album already reads like a smash: From Missy Elliot to Darkchild, Dr. Luke to Danja, Ludacris to T-Pain, The Clutch and Chris Brown (gasp, boo, hiss, etc.), the girl’s simply got it written in the stars (well, by the stars, for that matter). But as you might have expected from such an expansive guest list, the music gets a bit messy sometimes. In fact, the only thing keeping this Ride from complete lift-off is the noisy overproduction on almost every track.

Still, much of the album’s got the grit to inspire more than just a little sweat: The Missy Misdemeanor-fueled “Work” and the super swagged “Pucker Up” are the purest definitions of club bangers, while “G Is For Girl (A-Z)” promises to be C’s best attempt at ‘tude yet: “N is for nothing, boy I do this in my sleep / O is for original, cause I’mma O.G.” She’s not nearly “gangsta” enough for me to buy the act, but with that crunchy clang-a-lang beat, I don’t really care if she’s as hood as Asher Roth.

As we’ve gathered from the excellence that was “The Promise” off her last album, C knows how to command a ballad. Well. With an Aaliyah-like disjointedness, she tip-toes along “Like A Surgeon,” floats all over the lush mid-tempo chill of “Keep Dancin’ On Me,” and swoons atop the fluttery “Lover’s Thing”–all while making sure to obey the restrictions of her vocal capacity.

The momentum doesn’t entirely hold: Though the general public may disagree, the insipidity of current smash “Love, Sex, & Magic” fails to inspire any joy on my end, while the sleepy “Never Ever” (which samples 1972 Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes hit “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”) quickly stalls after the chorus fades for the first time.

Fantasy Ride isn’t quite the stuff of fantasies, nor is smooth sailing throughout. But with a hot string of floor burners and some truly killer baby makin’ grinders, it’s probably one of the better trips I’ve taken this year.

PS: Make sure you’re getting the deluxe editions when you order–”Echo” and “I’m On” are highlights, and leaving them off of the original tracklisting was a criminal decision!

Ciara’s Fantasy Ride was released on Jive Records on May 5. Click below to preview and purchase NOW!

It’s that time, ladies and gentlemen: Grab those neon-glow shutter shades, dig through your ironic vintage tees, and go steal your sister’s jeans, ’cause it’s…

DL: Designer Drugs – Zombie (Hot Pink Delorean Remix)
Hipster Intrigue: 10/10
Legitimate Danceablity: 2/10

It’s loud, it’s noise, and literally nothing happens. What’s it sound like? A cassette tape of Michael Jackson‘s “Thriller” being thrown into a cheese grater production line. Worthless, though it’ll score me loads of love on HypeMachine!

DL: KOVAS – Wax On, Wax Off
Hipster Intrigue: 6/10
Legitamite Danceability: 6/10

KOVAS both excites and worries me. I’m excited because of the crunchy, glittering stomp beats, but worried by the fact that his style and artist collaborations (Justin Timberlake, Ciara) seems to verge dangerously close to the edge of Timbaland territory. You’ll have to excuse the DJ tags, that’s how it came in the mail.

“Wax On, Wax Off” is the lead single off KOVAS’ upcoming LP, Reagan Babies, which you can listen to here.

DL: Major Lazer – Hold It Down (Poirier Remix)
Hipster Intrigue: 9/10
Legitimate Danceability: 8/10

This last one’s legit: An ultra smooth, pulsating baile funk dancehall sensation from the up-and-coming Jamaican producer Major Lazer. Plus, Santogold’s on the track! Err…I mean ~Santigold.~ What’s with the name switch lady? It’s totally lame.

With Diplo, Switch, and a dozen or so dancehall artists in tow, watch for his debut LP, Gun Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do as the surefire bet to set underground playlists ablaze this summer.

On a side note, check out PrettyMuchAmazing to see my featured review for Röyksopp‘s Junior!