G-Magazine Now

RANKED: Top 30 R&B & Hip-Hop Music Singles Of 2009

With so much good music released in 2009, G-Magazine Now compiled its list of the hottest music single in R&B and hip-hop.  The list has been based on the songs that has charted well, became favorites of G-Magazine Now, and reviewed well by fans, critics and bloggers.  Some of your favorite music artists including Ne-Yo, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Rihanna, Drake and Chrisette Michele have more than one song listed here.  See if your favorite tunes have made the cut

    

30. "The One" by Mary J. Blige

29. "Rockin' That Thang" by The-Dream

28. "Becky" by Plies

27. "If This Isn't Love" by Jennifer Hudson

26. "Successful" by Drake (featuring Trey Songz)

25. "So Beautiful" by Musiq Soulchild

24. "Turn My Swag On" by Soulja Boy Tell 'Em

23. "Doesn't Mean Anything" by Alicia Keys

22. "Live Your Life" by T.I. (featuring Rihanna)

21. "She Got Her Own" by Ne-Yo (featuring Jamie Foxx & Fabolous)

20. "Pretty Wings" by Maxwell

19. "Trust" by Keyshia Cole (featuring Monica)

18. "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" by Alicia Keys

17. "Blame It On Me" by Chrisette Michele

16. "Best I Ever Had" by Drake

15. "Epiphany (I'm Leaving)" by Chrisette Michele

14. "Regret" by Letoya (featuring Ludacris)

13. "Day 'N' Nite" by Kid Cudi

12. "Bad Habits" by Maxwell

11. "Heartless" by Kanye West

Whitney, Mariah, Beyonce, Keri and Lady Gaga Dominate VH-1's Top 40 Videos Of 2009

 

Today, music cable station VH-1 unveiled its list of the top 40 music videos of 2009, and unsurprisingly, our favorite music divas were included on this list.  Can you guess who earned the coveted #1 position?  You might be surprised as it is a toss up between two pop divas who ruled the pop singles charts this year.  Check out the following stars whose videos made the countdown.

34. "Mllion Dollar Bill" by Whitney Houston

32. "Happy" by Leona Lewis

30. "Obsessed" by Mariah Carey

29. "Run This Town" by Jay-Z, Kanye West & Rihanna

27. "Knock You Down" by Keri HIlson (featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo)

24. "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga

21. "Halo" by Beyonce

Whitney Houston Speaks On Britney Spears' Lip-Synching & Booty-Shakin' Singers

As she promotes her album and tour across the Pacific Ocean, Whitney Houston sits down for a televised interview with Australia's "9 Today" to discuss her music comeback amongst many other topics. 

As far as her comeback, she prefers to call her new album a work in progress as she has not "comeback from anywhere."  She "decided" to record again.  Hmmm.

"Now you know I don't lip-sync" was her quick reply to the question about her thoughts about the Britney Spears' lip-syncing controversy.  Without a good voice or not, Ms. Houston made a bold statement.  Therefore, there should be no faulting Whitney when there are many more people who do not sing live.  She does point out that those singers need to "do their homework" and study the artists that came before them.  That happened to be a great lesson her mother taught her.

She mentions that she has no plans to do any movies.  Whew!

One has to wonder whether she was coming for Beyonce when she quips, "I don't have to take off my clothes.  I don't have to [you know] shake my booty.  I can still sang. Praise God."

Enjoy!

CONCERT FOOTAGE: Whitney Houston Begins World Tour In Russia

R&B queen Whitney Houston has bounced back from her long-time downward spiral of a career into a small resurrection of success with her platinum-selling I Look To You album.  While her singing voice is still very shaky at best, Ms. Houston has churned some decent live performances from time to time.  Unfortunately, Whitney believes that she is ready to embark on a world tour that begin in Moscow last night.

After watching these videos caught by fans who attended the opening concert, it is apparent that Whitney cannot effectively carry a tour vocally.  Fans all over the world would love to see Whitney again in concert, but she really needs to allow her voice more time to heal.  Another year of vocal rest and another album would do much more good for the legendary diva.  Don't you agree?

"I Will Always Love You"

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)"

"Million Dollar Bill"

Whitney Houston Looking Beautiful On New Magazine Cover

Pop diva Whitney Houston looks very alluring in the January 2010 issue of InStyle magazine.  As she continues the road of her comeback, fans will be glad to see these enticing images of this iconic beauty.

 

Janet Jackson Performs "All For You" & "Make Me" On The "X-Factor"

Legendary R&B/pop diva Janet Jackson headed overseas to London to perform at the "The X-Factor" television show.  Similar to the U.S. "Americian Idol," the show brings some of the world's biggest acts to add more entertainment value to gain viewers.  Following Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, among others, Jackson gave a lively performance of her 2001 chart-topper "All For You" along with her new single "Make Me."  With more than a few dozen background dancers in tow, Ms. Jackson gave her greatest stage performance in years.

Enjoy!

SONG REVIEW: "I Love You" by Chris Brown (featuring Ester Dean)

Many talented stars have tarnished their at one time or another.  From Michael Jackson to Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson to Usher, their fans have forgiven them for their indiscretions that have cost them their own career setbacks.  With his February 2009 domestic abuse situation behind him, R&B singer Chris Brown preps his Graffiti album which includes this jolly love song "I Love You."  As part of the extended deluxe version of the album release, "Love" is cute, simple, light, delectable, etc., having all the ingredients of a guarantee radio hit.

At first listen, the accordion instrumentation sounds out of place, but it made such a sweet tune magical.  Though newcomer pop singer Ester Dean sounds very good as the guest vocalist, would it not be twice as hot if the female vocals were such by pop diva Rihanna?

Play "I Love You" 

American Music Awards 2009 Performances: Whitney Houston, Timbaland & Black Eyed Peas

Whitney Houston – “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”

Timbaland (featuring So Shy & Nelly Furtado) – “Morning After”

Black Eyed Peas – “Meet Me Halfway” & “Boom Boom Pow”

Alicia Keys Duets With Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Jay-Z On New Album

 

R&B songstress Alicia Keys has unveiled the tracklisting of her upcoming The Element Of Freedom album, and the guest appearances look very impressive.  Only a true A-list musician would only duet with other A-list talent, impressive underground artists or artists signed to their own management.  Obviously, people cannot wait to hear the results from the songs with Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Jay-Z.

Perhaps the next album will include duets with Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Usher, Rihanna, Lauryn Hill, John Legend, Black Eyed Peas and Whitney Houston.  We could only dream.

Check out the song list below from The Element Of Freedom: 

1. "The Element of Freedom (Intro)"
2. "Love is Blind"
3. "Doesn't Mean Anything"
4. "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart"
5. "Wait Til They See My Smile"
6. "That's How Strong My Love Is"
7. "Unthinkable (I'm Ready)"
8. "Love is My Disease"
9. "Like the Sea"
10. "Put It In a Love Song" (featuring Beyoncé)
11. "This Bed"
12. "Distance and Time"
13. "More than Just Friends" (duet with Mariah Carey)
14. "How It Feels to Fly"
15. "Empire State of Mind (Part II)" (featuring Jay-Z)

Soul Train Music Awards Returns With Beyonce, Keri Hilson And Maxwell As Multiple Nominees

With four nominations each, Beyoncé, Keri Hilson and Maxwell head the list of nominees for the return of the "Soul Train Awards." The awards ceremony, hosted by actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, will be the first special aired on BET's recently launched CENTRIC Network. Taping November 3 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, the "CENTRIC Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards" will premiere on both CENTRIC and BET in a special simulcast on November 29 at 9 p.m.
 
In addition to awards presented in various categories, the show will salute the careers of legendary artists Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The Soul Train Awards will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Motown Records and honor the late Michael Jackson with the Entertainer of the Year award. Scheduled performers include Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Chrisette Michelle, Ledisi and Melanie Fiona.
 
Here's the "CENTRIC Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards" complete list of nominees and categories:
My picks are highlighted in pink.

Best New Artist
· Drake
· Jazmine Sullivan
· Keri Hilson
· Ryan Leslie
· Solange (WTF? She has been a working artist since 2002.  Matthew Knowles must have concocted this.)
 
Best Female R&B/Soul Artist
· Beyoncé
· Chrisette Michele
· Jennifer Hudson
· Ledisi
· Whitney Houston
   
Best Male R&B/Soul Artist
· Charlie Wilson
· Maxwell
· Musiq Soulchild
· Raphael Saadiq
· Robin Thicke
 
Song of the Year
· "God in Me" - Mary Mary
· "Pretty Wings" - Maxwell
· "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" - Beyoncé
· "Spotlight" - Jennifer Hudson
· "Turnin Me On" - Keri  Hilson/ ft Lil Wayne
 
Album of the Year
· Beyoncé - "I Am...Sasha Fierce" (Sony Music)
· Jamie Foxx - "Intuition" (J Records)
· Kanye West - "808s & Heartbreak" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
· Maxwell - "Blacksummer's Night" (Sony Music)
· Ne-Yo - "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam)