beyonce
#SPOTTED: DJ CASSIDY IN TORONTO FOR “PARADISE ROYALE”
He’s been hand-picked by the likes of Jay-Z, BeyoncĂ©, Oprah, Naomi Campbell and Justin Timberlake. After four years in the making, DJ Cassidy is set to make an explosive debut with his first Album Paradise Royale, set tentatively for a release in May. The star-studded Affair features collaborations with 22 of the most influencial Musicians of the Disco Era and a roster of Guest Vocalists which will have you asking, “Like, how?!?”. Mary J. Blige, Estelle, R. Kelly, Cee-Lo, John Legend, Kelly Rowland, Passion Pit and so many more lend their talents in a way you’ve never quite heard them before!
DJ Cassidy dons a stylish fedora and a large brooch with the letter “C”, a signature look which matches his level of musical sophistication. We learn he is very hands-on with his approach, humbled by the opportunity to give musical direction to many of his Heroes on his upcoming Disc. He also incorporates a Live Band to his Act when performing live, as he currently opens on tour for Robin Thicke.
“The first step was I sat down and made a Playlist of my favourite 25 songs of that Era (1978-1982)”, says the eloquent New Yorker says to an intimate Audience of Tastemakers at Toronto’s Drake Hotel, “How do I make my songs feel like these Songs?”. He adds, “I made a list of every Musician who ever worked on these Songs – the Drummer, the Guitar Player, the Horn Player and so on. I made 25 lists and what I saw was the same names repeated over and over and over.”. “To achieve my mission, I had to go to the source – so for the past four years, I reunited 22 of the most legendary Musicians to recreate their sound”. He then went-on to premiere four unheard Tracks from his Album.
I was floored by the John Legend and Estelle Track When The Stars Come Out. I try convincing DJ Cassidy this needs to be his Followup Single as we exchange a hug, him telling me he saw me grooving from the stage as he measured reactions from the Crowd. Current Single, Calling All Hearts featuring the vocals of Robin Thicke and Jessie J. Disco Era heavyweights Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire. Mega-Producer Nile Rodgers even brings out the same guitar we hear on Chic‘s Good Times and Madonna‘s Material Girl. But back to When The Stars Come Out, the Track is like nectar to the ears. “I normally call my own shots, but ultimately I trust the Label to decide what’s best”, he says about whichever Track next will see a release.
DJ Cassidy‘s Soulful Funk revival (please do not use the word “Disco“) could well define the Sound of 2014, reconnecting his Generation of Hip-Hop-obsessed Music Listeners to what he calls “the most universal Dance Music of all time”. The Crowd in attendance is delighted by infectious Passion Pit Collabo So Long Baby, a true mark of his ability as a Producer, making them sound convincingly soulful; there is big potential there for a Crossover Hit.
Noticing an R. Kelly Collaboration sequenced late on his Playlist projected onto the screen, the Audience begged for him to play the Track, Make the World Go Round, and they certainly are not left disappointed, greeting it with loud cheers and claps. The Track is a result of multiple flights and sessions with the controversial Singer/Songwriter. It rates among his best work.
I ask DJ Cassidy whom he wishes to collaborate with still. “I submitted a list of 30 Vocalists and immediately got to work with 10 of my top picks”, he reveals. “BeyoncĂ©, Justin Timberlake and Miguel I hope can be on the next Album.”. Well, at this rate, it sure doesn’t seem impossible – wouldn’t you agree?
See our Snap:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Sony Music)
#NEWMUSIC: MONSIEUR ADI CONFIRMED TO SUPPORT BEYONCÉ ON EUROPEAN LEG OF “THE MRS. CARTER SHOW”
I couldn’t be any prouder! Milanese Dance-Pop Sensation Monsieur Adi has been tapped as  the Supporting Act multiple dates on the European Leg of BeyoncĂ©‘s The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour!  Among the dates confirmed are Stops in Antwerp and Amsterdam! After catching the attention of Queen B in remixing her Promo Single Grown Woman, it is said that he was hand-picked to be a part of the Blockbuster Tour. Will more Remixes be on the way perhaps?
In the meantime, let us feast our ears on his very latest!
Listen to the deliciously moody You by Monsieur Adi ft. Aaron Alexis:
Listen also to Monsieur Adi‘s phenomenal Official Remix for Grown Woman below:
The Producer/DJ of course appears majorly excited, Tweeting the below:
“Like” Monsieur Adi on Facebook here!
(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)
#NEWMUSIC: “BEYONCÉ” | FREE “THE MRS. CARTER SHOW” SEAT UPGRADE IN TORONTO
Only you, Queen B!  Beyoncé​ just about shocked all of us by dropping her fifth Studio Disc only a few minutes before midnight.  The Disc, which admittedly fell off our radars after Promo Single Grown Woman surfaced earlier this year, is a self-titled Disc and is described by the Entertainment Magnate as “a visual Album”, which she feels enables her to  “speak directly to her Fans”.
Beyoncé​ features 14 new Tracks and 17 – yes 17 – Music Videos, including one for Grown Woman even though it doesn’t surface as an actual Album Track.
On the Disc are Collaborations with the likes of Frank Ocean, Toronto’s Drake and her Husband, Jay-Z. Â It even features a Collaboration with Daughter Blue Ivy.
Official Artwork:
Preview Snippets of Beyoncé​ and purchase it right here.
Also, for those of you in Toronto attending her The Mrs. Carter Show at Air Canada Centre next Monday, December 16, 2013, remember that she is partnering with Goodwill to give Fans a chance to get free upgrades on their seats into her #Beyhive!
All you have to do is bring a donation with you: old clothes, toys and small household items between 7:00 – 8:00 PM to get a qualifying sticker.  Follow  @GOODWILLTECNO for more!
(Photo credit: Sony Music/Mr. Will Wong)
MR. WILL AT THE 2013 MET GALA IN NEW YORK CITY
Such a complete delight partaking in the festivities of the 2013 Costume Institute Gala (Met Gala) this year in New York City. The Gala celebrates the Metropolitan Museum‘s annual opening of the Fashion Exhibit at the Costume Institute, bringing together the Worlds of Film, Music and Fashion. Although it’s 6:00 AM and I have yet to sleep a wink, I’ve had a blast chasing the Stars and enjoying the Fashions, celebrating the theme of Punk! Although some were faithful to it, there were also several diversions, resulting in a large variety to the eye.
Yes, it was surreal being an arm’s length from Madonna who looked fun and edgy in her Cleopatra Hair and seeing Natalie Portman clash at once with her on the Red Carpet with her, only for her to acquiesce and let the reigning Queen of Pop shine in her metallic Givenchy Haute Couture Dress. I am still in awe of BeyoncĂ©‘s marvelous Givenchy Gown, which drew the most applause from Onlookers who lined the streets for a glimpse outside the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). Or how about getting an air kiss from this year’s Host Rooney Mara after telling her how much I admire her work? And I cannot deny how surreal it was seeing Sofia Coppola walk arm-in-arm with Marc Jacobs – two of my favourite People! Or how about witnessing a warm embrace between Girls Star/Writer/Producer Lena Dunham and equally brilliant Mindy Kaling? And did I mention I accidentally stepped-on Jessica Alba‘s dress?
The Parties continued well into the morning, with the main event taking place at The Standard Hotel, where the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Rita Ora, Cara Delevingne, Madonna, Katy Perry, Carey Mulligan and a newly-blonde Anne Hathaway, stirred-up some madness. Lawrence in particular raised a frenzy among Fans and Paparazzi alike, zipping along with tactical speed into her SUV.
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See a Montage below of Clips I took from the Evening. You won’t believe how crazy things got for Jennifer Lawrence!
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(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#NEWMUSIC: STREAM THE ENTIRE “THE GREAT GATSBY” SOUNDTRACK
With The Great Gatsby hitting theatres this Friday, one of the things you will be mesmerized about is the Music in this latest Masterpiece from Baz Luhrmann! With Hip-Hop Mogul Jay-Z serving as Executive Producer for the Soundtrack, a star-studded Lineup is featured including Beyoncé Fergie, Gotye, Lana Del Rey, Emeli Sandé, will.i.am, The xx, Kanye West, Sia, Florence Welch and the Man himself!
The Tracklisting is as follows:
- 100$ Bill – Jay-Z
- Back To Black – BeyoncĂ©, AndrĂ© 3000
- Young And Beautiful – Lana Del Rey
- Love Is Blindness – Jack White
- Crazy In Love (Kid Koala Version) – Emeli SandĂ©, The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
- Bang Bang – will.i.am
- “I Like Large Parties” – Elizabeth Debicki
- A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got) – Fergie, Q-Tip, GoonRock
- Love Is The Drug – Bryan Ferry, The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
- “Can’t Repeat The Past?” – Leonardo Dicaprio, Tobey Maguire
- Hearts A Mess – Gotye
- Where The Wind Blows – Coco O.
- Green Light – Green Light
- No Church In The Wild – Jay-Z, Kanye West
- Over The Love – Florence + The Machine
- Together – The xx
- Into The Past – Nero
- Kill And Run – Sia
- Over The Love (Of You) – Florence + The Machine, SBTRKT
- Young And Beautiful (DH Orchestral Version) – Lana Del Rey
- “Gatsby Believed In The Green Light” – Tobey Maguire, Craig Armstrong
Stream the Soundtrack on YouTube, courtesy of Rdio:
Rdio is streaming the Soundtrack here also for Members.
If you love it, you can order it on iTunes now here!
We’ve had Gatsby Fever here for quite some time and here are some links:
- Our Interview with Baz Luhrmann, including Autograph Giveaway!
- The New York City Advance Screening of The Great Gatsby. We were there! See which Stars went!
- Watch the Trailer here!
(Photo credit: Universal Music)
#EDITORSNOTE: OFF TO THE MET GALA!
Beyond excited! I’m packing-up and heading out to New York City for a few days to capture the Festivities at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which always has been a dream of mine to experience. Like the rest of us I won’t be inside, but still I’ll be admiring the Fashion from the outside and sure to snap lots of Photos and hopefully meet some of my Idols! The theme this year is Punk and hosting is Rooney Mara, while BeyoncĂ© will act as Honourary Chair.
Things will be a bit quiet for the next couple days, but be sure to check back upon my return for what surely will be lots of excitement! Expected this year are the likes of Amanda Seyfried, Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Gwyneth Paltrow, Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, Rihanna, Florence Welch, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lawrence, Cara Delevingne, Kanye West and several, several more.
If you’d like to join-in on the fun at watch the Met Gala Red Carpet, be sure to stream it live 7:00 PM EST on Monday, May 6, 2013. Click here to Vogue‘s Live Streaming.
See you when I’m back! I’ll be uploading Photos on my Instagram and Twitter in the interim, so check there for the latest!
(Photo credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
#NEWMUSIC: BEYONCÉ – “GROWN WOMAN” LIVE IN PARIS | MRS. CARTER H&M SUMMER COLLECTION TV SPOT
This is probably the closest we’ll get to hearing BeyoncĂ©‘s Grown Woman until the Track gets a proper release. After first surfacing on Queen B‘s Pepsi TV Spot recently, Fans in Paris attending her Mrs. Carter Show Tour last night got to hear it in full first. Fortunately, many brought Cameras.
And for those of you who for a Sneak Peak at her upcoming Collaboration with H&M, that Dress she’s donning isn’t from the Collection. It’s actually a Kenzo. Gorgeous nonetheless.
Enjoy a Clip below:
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H&M has just released a Preview of the Beyoncé as Mrs. Carter in H&M TV Spot for their Summer Collection, featuring a brand new Track, Standing on the Sun; Jonas Åkerlund directs. Am actually feeling this a bit more than Grown Woman, to be honest!
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(Photo credit: Beyoncé | Audio content: Sony Music | Video content: H&M)
#FASHION: BEYONCÉ NAMED CO-CHAIR AT 2013 MET BALL IN NEW YORK CITY | “GROWN WOMAN” PREVIEW
Fabulous news! BeyoncĂ© has just been named Honourary Chairperson at next month’s Costume Institute Gala (also known as the Met Ball) at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. The annual Affair which sees Fashion and Hollywood’s A-List collide in an array of innovative outfits.
Last year, Mrs. Carter herself donned a stunning blue and black sequined, lace and feathery Givenchy Haute Couture Gown and this year joins the likes of Vogue‘s Anna Wintour as Co-Chair. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Star Rooney Mara Co-Hosts with Designer Riccardo Tisci.
I’ll definitely be out and about snapping some Photos at the Event and am terribly excited about returning to my second favourite City in the World!
The Met Ball takes place on Monday, May 6, 2013. We’ll have a ball!
In the meantime, let’s enjoy this brand new, fericous Snippet of Queen B‘s new Track Grown Woman below:
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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
BEYONCÉ IN NEW TV SPOT FOR PEPSI FEATURING “GROWN WOMAN”
“Embrace your past, but live for now”.
After a bit of a tease online, BeyoncĂ© today released her brand new TV Spot for Pepsi, featuring a Clip of her new Track Grown Woman. No word on whether this is actually her new Single or not. The Commercial seems Queen B rehearsing before some of her most famous past versions of herself in mirrors (did she a Justin Timberlake coordinate this, perhaps?), presumably for her upcoming The Mrs. Carter Show Tour this Summer? Okay, we get it BeyoncĂ©, we all know you’re going on tour. We know you’re just checking, but honestly, we get it!
As always, she looks amazing and it takes an amazing sense of timing to be able as getting this right is no easy feat.
See the TV Spot below:
(Photo/video credit: Pepsi)
#FASHION: BEYONCÉ IN H&M 2013 SUMMER COLLECTION
Not only will she be inundating our airwaves, the Multimedia domination of Beyoncé this Summer will be heightened with a forthcoming Campaign for affordable Fashion Giant H&M! Clues were leaked earlier this year when she was spotted in Bahamas shooting a Campaign for the Collection, but at long last we now get a formal confirmation. The Campaign will be timed with her forthcoming World Tour and feature her has Beyoncé as Mrs. Carter in H&M.
True – Queen B will be the new face of H&M, but make no mistake – she’s not just a pretty face. The Megastar had a hand in designing the new Summer Collection which includes Sun Dresses, Bikinis and a buzzed Bodycon Dress. 25% of proceeds from a Tie-Dye Bikini  will be going to the Water Aid Fund.
In a Press Release today, BeyoncĂ© says “I’ve always liked H&M’s focus on fun and affordable fashion. I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of Women represented by the four elements – fire, water, earth and wind. It was a beautiful shoot on a Tropical Island. It felt more like making a Video than a Commercial.”.
Photos were shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin and the Commercial which will be accompanies by a new Track Standing on the Sun, was directed by Jonas Ă…kerlund.
Pieces from the Collection will be in-stores and online May 2013.
(Photo credit: H&M/Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin)