Alesha Dixon is out with the video for her new single "To Love Again," taken from the British songstress' upcoming album on Asylum / Atlantic Records, "The Alesha Show – The Encore." The track was co-written by Gary Barlow (Vanessa Amorosi, Jade Ewen) and produced by John Shanks (Ashlee Simpson, Sheryl Crow).
Here is the video for Lolene’s first single “Sexy People,” taken from the British singer/songwriter’s upcoming debut album on EMI / Capitol Records, “Electrick Hotel.” The project will boast productions from Fernando Garibay (Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige), Nate “Danja” Hills (Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera), Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem (Rihanna, Sean Kingston) and Warren “Oak” Felder (Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Lopez).
Pop artist Leighton Meester has christened "Somebody to Love" as the lead single from her upcoming debut album on Universal Republic Records. The Mike Caren-produced/Rico Love-penned track features vocals from Robin Thicke, who also worked with artists such as Jennifer Hudson ("Giving Myself"), Raven Symone ("Set Me Free"), Usher Raymond ("Can U Handle It?") and Mya Harrison ("No Tears on My Pillow").
As previously reported, the still-untitled project will boast additional contributions from Harvey Mason Jr. (Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake), Kara DioGuardi (Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson), Jamal "Polow Da Don" Jones (Nicole Scherzinger, Esmee Denters), Evan "Kidd" Bogart (Adam Lambert, Leona Lewis), Toby Gad (Beyonce Knowles, Christina Milian) and Victoria "Lady V" Horn (Demi Lovato, Wynter Gordon).
Singer/songwriter Sky Ferreira posted a new song on her official MySpace profile entitled "Femme Fatale," so make sure you check it out. The track was produced by Greg Kurstin, who previously collaborated with Britney Spears ("Rock Me In"), Lily Allen ("Not Fair") and Natasha Bedingfield ("Backyard").
Meleni Smith is a singer/songwriter best known for her hit single "Happy," which initially appeared on the motion picture soundtrack to Will Smith's romantic comedy "Hitch," and later on covered by British artist Natasha Bedingfield for her critically-acclaimed sophomore album on Sony Music, "Pocketful of Sunshine."
In this exclusive interview with 'Monica Mania,'the talented songstress talks about parting ways with Soulpower Records, working with super producer Toby Gad, her thoughts on Natasha Bedingfield's cover of "Happy," her wish to collaborate with hitmaker Salaam Remi, and so much more.
Hamada: Tell us more about yourself.
Meleni: Wow! That's a broad request. Hmm ... I'm originally from Milwaukee, WI. Went to Columbia University ... That's when I moved to New York. I began singing at an early age but didn't commit to the path until my last year in college. I got a record deal a couple years after college with Columbia Records that didn't work out but I learned so much about this crazy industry. I am re-inventing myself every day... learning about new sides of myself all the time and just growing as a musician and person.
Hamada: How did you land your deal with Soulpower Records?
Meleni: I met Soulshock and Karlin through a manager of mine. He played them a couple of my songs and they were blown away. They really believed in me and wanted to create more possibilities with me, so we worked for about a year and wrote some amazing songs.
Hamada: Are you still signed to that label? If not, care to share with us what happened?
Meleni: I am not signed to S&K but I love them always and hope to continue creating possibilities with them in the future. The deal ran its course. We made a lot of beautiful art together and we came close to securing a deal but it just wasn't meant to be. Honestly, it's such a long story that it would be more of an essay than just a short, sweet answer. Suffice it to say, I learned so much from them and I am eternally grateful for all the hard work they put into my project.
Hamada: When are you planning to release your debut album?
Meleni: Right now I am just trying to take one day at a time. I'm not interested in the business. I'm only interested in the art. Spending so much time in LA in the belly of the "business of art" sort of made me lose touch with the foundation of why I do this in the first place. My debut album will be released in its right time I suppose.
Hamada: What can we expect from it?
Meleni: You can expect honesty, love, integrity, beauty, inspiration ... something that you will cherish for the rest of your life.
Hamada: Which producers have you collaborated with so far?
Meleni: I am working with several different producers, carving out "my" sound. Namely Q-tip, Cinemaxxx, and a very talented young producer named Cass from NY by way of Morocco.
Hamada: List the musicians you have on your collaborations wish-list.
Meleni: Salaam Remi is probably the only one I would love to work with. Everyone else I wished to work with, I have.
Hamada: Describe your working experience with super producer Toby Gad.
Meleni: Toby is an amazing spirit. He is one of the most giving people I have ever met. I owe much of my career in this business to him because he was one of the first people who truly believed in me and pushed me beyond my limits. Working with him is therapeutic yet challenging. You feel yourself grow during the entire process. It's really something amazing. I'm so happy for all of his success because he is one person who truly deserves it.
Hamada: What do you think of Natasha Bedingfield's remake of "Happy"?
Meleni: I love her version! They should've made it a single in my opinion. She and I have a similar tone so I think it worked well with her voice. I was honored that she wanted to cover it.
Hamada: How does it feel to have another artist sing one of your songs?
Meleni: I love it! I mean its art. It should be inclusive not exclusive. If something I created inspires you to want to make a version of it yourself, I couldn't be more honored. Her doing the song allowed more people to hear it, which is the point in the first place. Spread the art!
Hamada: Several blogs leaked your song "Wanna Be a Star" and credited up and coming artist Jessica Jarrell as the singer. What are your thoughts on this matter?
Meleni: I have no idea how or why that happened! Since I don't know the source, it's hard to have any thoughts on it. It's a slap in the face because it's just blatant sonic plagiarism, but I'm assuming it was some intern blunder, who knows? I still don't know how songs even get leaked.
Hamada: Tell us something that most readers will be surprised to learn about you.
Meleni: Hmm ... I have no idea what would surprise people. I really love quantum physics ... Does that surprise you?
Hamada: What turns you on in a partner? What turns you off?
Meleni: Being consistent turns me on. Being ambiguous turns me off ... and bad teeth!
Hamada: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Meleni: Living in Costa Rica with my husband and child(ren), making music from my studio out back in the cabana, and traveling the world taking photographs and loving life.
Hamada: Any message you'd like to give to your fans all over the world?
Meleni: I have fans all over the world? Wow! I would tell them to holler at me. I need their energy!
LOLENE ENLISTS WARREN "OAK" FELDER FOR 'ELECTRICK HOTEL'
One more for Warren "Oak" Felder's impressive resume. The hit producer can add British singer/songwriter Lolene to his list of collaborators after recently working on new material for her upcoming debut album, "Electrick Hotel," which is slotted for an early 2010 release via Capitol Records.
Warren "Oak" Felder previously penned and produced songs for Jennifer Lopez ("Mile in These Shoes"), Ashley Tisdale ("Hot Mess"), Karina Pasian ("90's Baby"), Wynter Gordon ("Amnesia"), Raven Symone ("Anti-Love Song"), Che'Nelle ("Hurry Up") and Sterling Simms ("Single").
As first tipped here, "Electrick Hotel" will boast additional productions and songwriting contributions from Jonathan "J.R" Rotem (Britney Spears, Leona Lewis), Fernando Garibay (Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige) and Nate "Danja" Hills (Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey).
[MUSICIAN OF THE MONTH - OCTOBER 2009] CORY ROONEY
Cory Rooney is a songwriter/producer that has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music business such Mary J. Blige ("Real Love"), Destiny's Child ("Independent Women"), Janet Jackson ("Days Go By"), Mariah Carey ("The Roof"), Jessica Simpson ("I Think I'm In Love With You"), Lindsay Lohan ("Rumors"), Jennifer Lopez ("I'm Glad") and Mark Anthony ("I Need To Know"). Check out the 'Cory Rooney Mixtape' I've compiled @ Musicians' Galore.
LEONA LEWIS ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL TRACK LIST FOR 'ECHO'
Here is the official track list for Leona Lewis' highly-anticipated sophomore album, "Echo," which is due on 17th November via J Records. The set boasts productions and songwriting contributions from Ryan "Alias" Tedder (Natasha Bedingfield, Alexandra Burke), Evan "Kidd" Bogart (Christina Milian, Beyonce Knowles), Martin "Max Martin" Sandberg (Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry), Kara DioGuardi (Jordin Sparks, Colbie Caillat), John Shanks (Ashlee Simpson, Michelle Branch), Alonzo "Novel" Stevenson (Joss Stone, Alicia Keys), Mike Elizondo (Gwen Stefani, Kate Voegele), Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston), Ina Wroldsen (Nicole Scherzinger, Pixie Lott), Arnthor Birgisson (Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez), Savan Kotecha (Dannii Minogue, Jessie James) and The Y's: Justin Timberlake, Rob Knox, James Fauntleroy (Ciara Harris, Esmee Denters).
NAME: Hamada ALTER EGO: Monica LOCATION: United Arab Emirates INTERESTS: Music, Movies, Magazines STATUS: Single
I started this site @ the 2nd of February 2006, and I'd like to point out that Ms.Toya (http://www.toyas-world.com) is the one who inspired me to do so. Thank You Toya, and I'm 4'eva Gr8ful (smooches).
My favourite singer will always be Janet Jackson. She's my idol, and I really see myself in her. Other artists that I truly admire include Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Kelis, Beyonce, etc ...
Contact Me:------- Email: supa_monica@yahoo.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/hamadalicious MONICA MANIA INTERVIEWS
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http://monicamania.blogdrive.com/archive/1793.html
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