- There are two ways of dealing with fame. The first is like Rita Ora in her new “Poison” video, in which she plays a model and muse for whom fame leads to toxic relationships and resentment and burning portraits:
- The second is to embrace it full on diva-style like Mariah Carey, who wakes up to a wicked Las Vegas view and drinks bubbly in an overflowing dressing room in her new “Infinity” video, which debuted this week on Match.com:
- Who remembers Lil Mama? I certainly don’t, but apparently she was popular momentarily about seven years ago, with tracks including “Lip Gloss” and Chris Brown collaboration “Shawty Get Loose”. The rapper is now back with a new look, new sound and new track “Sausage”, and there’s just so much going on in it, it’s hard to look away. I personally love it for the reference to my favorite Madonna song and because she’s wearing a Ninja Turtles jacket:
- The xx‘s Jamie xx has just released his debut solo album In Colour, and it’s very, very good. Check out recent single and critic favorite “I Know There’s Gonne Be (Good Times)” featuring Young Thug and Popcaan:
- Avicii teaming up with Robbie Williams for their hit single “These Days” was weird enough, but it just got even weirder, because there’s a version out there featuring vocals by Brandon Flowers:
- Chris Cornell has just announced a new solo tour and a new album, his first since 2009’s Timbaland-produced and borderline pop album Scream. This one, entitled Higher Truth, will be produced by Brendan O’Brien, so we’re allowed to have high hopes.
- And Akon has just launched the Akon Lighting Africa initiative which aims to introduce electricity to over 600 million people in Africa. The initiative is opening a Solar Academy, which will teach African engineers and residents how to install solar-powered electricity systems. The program is already present in 11 African countries, including Mali, Sierra Leone and Senegal.
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss For the Record: More Summer Anthems Are Here.
