Music Review: Baddest Female

The self-proclaimed "Baddest Female in Korea," and leader of popular kpop group 2NE1, Lee Chae Rin (CL), 22, has made her solo debut with single entitled, (take a wild guess) Baddest Female!

CL is the third member of the group to release solo material. After the success of Dara and Bom, needless to say anticipation was high to see what the fearless leader had up her sleeves.

The single Baddest Female, has been warmly received thus far, as it topped all of Korea's real time music charts. This isn't much of a surprise since it's an achievable feat by most of the major acts from "The Big 3" companies, regardless if the song is actually "good' or not. So without further ado, let's take a look at the Baddest Female.

                                       

This was definitely not what I was expecting. I knew the song would be somewhere in the realm of hip hop, but a full-on attempt at a gangster rap song and video to match was a sideswipe, and borderline cheese fest. The overall feel and flow reeks of Nicki Minaj and lots of "American" elements, causing it to lack in originality.

SONG AND  LYRICS

Lyrically, it's your standard run of the mill female rap song about self pride, having looks that could kill, and of course, being a bad girl, with lots of repetition. The most awkward point in the song was the explanation of what she meant by "bad." Honestly, who thought she bad by being a criminal or something? In its entirety, the lyrics lacked and left you wanting something a bit more. I found this disappointing because in an interview earlier in the year, CL had stated it was important for her to release solo music and she has "so much she wants to say." She also wanted it to be just about her apart from fellow group members. So I was expecting a song that would tell more about who CL, the individual, was as a person and artist. I also would have liked to hear some vocals on track, because it would have shown her versatility as both a singer and rapper.

As for the music, it was a pretty decent hip hop beat you could bop to. However, the dubstep/reggae beat towards the end of the song was cringe worthy and kind of ruined it for me.

VIDEO AND STYLING

In standard YG fashion, the video's production quality is high and luxury is present throughout. The aim was to entertain and be visually pleasing.

Whether or not you liked the song, you'd have to admit CL is absolutely gorgeous in the video. I think this is the most attractive she's looked thus far. Her hair and makeup is flawless, and her outfits are sexy and chic, with a bit of a playful side. I especially love the first dance sequence outfit as well as the one worn in the final segment of the video.

What threw things off were the parts with the over the top gangster look, complete with a gold grill, saggy pants, over-sized jewelry, fake tattoos, and headbands. It came off as "wannabe" and made it seem like she's trying too hard to be street. I much rather have CL as a seductive diva than as a rachet hoodrat.

CONCLUSION

I find that I keep saying the same thing with much of the 2NE1 releases as of late: all flash with little substance. You always find yourself thoroughly entertained with their visual concepts but feel like something is missing from the song itself. I was really hoping things would be different with CL and she would raise the bar. I guess we'll have to see what the group as a whole will have to offer when they return in near future.

Song: 2.5 out of 5

Overall: 3 out of 5

"Baby" Singer's Baby Drama

The drama escalates as more info surfaces about the woman claiming Justin Bieber fathered her child.

The latest details reveal that Mariah Yeater, 20, first accused her ex-boyfriend, John Terranova, of being the father of her child.

France Lippe, Terranova's grandmother, says Yeater came to their home in December 2010 claiming she was pregnant and Terranova was the father. He denied paternity, TMZ reports.

Fast forward more than one year later. Yeater files a lawsuit against pop superstar Justin Bieber ,17, stating the he fathered her child. The young mother appeared on Dr. Drew demanding Bieber come forward and submit to a paternity test. Yeater's lawyers state they have "credible evidence that supports he's the father."

Meanwhile, Bieber's camp is now gearing up for their own strike, stating that the claims against the popstar are "malice and defamatory," and they are ready to defend and protect the Biebs against all the allegations.

Mariah Yeater claims that she had sex with Bieber while attending his sold out concert at the Staple's Center in LA last October. She's says his body guard approached her and ask if she would like to meet Bieber. She agreed.

According to Radar.com, shortly after meeting Bieber, the two began to kiss and he asked  her if they can go" somewhere they can be alone,"---a bathroom. He then said to her, "I want to f**k the s**t out of you," and began undressing her rapidly. Yeater states she urged him to use a condom, but he declined, stating that it was his first time and he "wanted to feel everything."

This is among the most shocking celeb news I've heard all year! It's amusing yet sad at the same time: Amusing because the whole story just sounds absurd and random, sad because a child is potentially suffering.

Just look at that beautiful picture! I can definitely see why Justin would find her irresistible! Even though there's no shortage of hot girls wanting to make his teenage wet dreams come true, its NOT UNBELIEVABLE AT ALL that he would choose her! I mean, if true, she agreed to have sex in a bathroom, without a condom, with someone she just met! Classy girl we have here! Anyone would want her!

It probably took her the whole year+ to come up with this idea, and even then she still couldn't make it sound realistic. First off, have you ever heard of a virgin picking up a complete stranger to bang in a bathroom? Most people lose their virginity to someone they ACTUALLY KNOW and are most likely dating at the time. Furthermore, virgins are typically nervous and maybe even a bit shy that first time around, which is a far cry from the aggressiveness Mariah describes. Also, the notion that she already accused another man of fathering the child hurts whatever little credibility she had.

I don't know what vodka bottle this chick crawled out of , but if I were her, I'd be watching over my shoulder, because at this point, you can pretty much guarantee Beliebers are out for blood. We all know how sensitive and over reactive they can be. I wouldn't be surprised if she's been getting harassed from the moment the story broke.

This get-rich-quick scheme can also backfire in a more criminal way. If her story holds up, she just publicly admitted to committing statutory rape, as Justin was only 16 years old at the time and the age of consent in California is 18. So this genius can be facing possible criminal charges.

Mariah Yeater is a perfect example of a person that probably shouldn't have had a child, but unfortunately did. Now she's a frustrated young, single mother that's seemingly confused about who the father of her child is, and is desperately trying to pin it on someone. Just by judging her actions and statements involving this case shows she isn't capable of making the best decisions. And if her claims do turn out to be false, I can only question her mental state to be able to conger up such an outrageous lie. It takes a special type of person  to do that. Hopefully Justin isn't the father, not just because his career may suffer, but even though he has plenty of money, he's still too young and immature to be in charge of  another life. It's always the children that suffer the most in these types of situations.

On a side note, I wonder what Selena Gomez thinks about all of this? I find it weird that no one has asked her so far. Is she supporting Justin or is she shunning him? Will they stay together if he turns out to be the father? This would all be over if they had just gone to The Maury Show!

The court hearing is scheduled for December 15. Mark it on your calendars!

LiLo Lets It Show for Playboy

 

Lindsay Lohan, 25, is set to appear in the January issue of Playboy Magazine.

The plans for posing were said to have been in the works for months, as Playboy initially offered Lohan $750 thousand, which she turned down due to wanting $1 million, according to TMZ. However an unknown amount was eventually agreed on.

The shooting for the spread has already begun, but Hefner's unhappiness with the first shots called for a new session.

Lohan will posing dressed in lingerie and will not be nude.

Oh, Lindsay, Lindsay, Lindsay.....Where do I begin? Every time you think she's just about to pull it together and turn things around, she does something else that makes you go "WTF?!" 

We all know anyone that wants to be taken seriously as an actress, and be known not solely for their looks, but for their talent, will never pose for Playboy. I think Lindsay knows this as well, since she won't be in her birthday suit for the shoot. We can pretty much bet that wasn't Hef's idea, because he likes his models wearing nothing but a smile.

However, this non nude posing in a men's magazine is what's baffling. Who poses for Playboy and doesn't appear naked? It defeats the purpose.  It seems like she's trying to make some much needed cash while trying to salvage what little is left of her modesty at the same time. It comes off as desperate, especially since we've already seen pics of Lindsay's lady parts before. If you're not comfortable with being nude, then you shouldn't be going that route in the first place.

 I'm not alone when I say LiLo is past her prime. Judging by her latest courtroom photos, she's hardly something to look at now then a few years ago. However, people would have still purchased the mag just out of sheer curiosity of seeing her naked. But now I don't see the point now.

I guess we'll never know the answer to real question here: "Do the curtains match the drapes?"

Beyonce's Baby Confirmed

It is confirmed that Beyonce Knowles, 29, and hubby Jay-Z, 41, are officially expecting their first child.

The R&B Queen glowed as she hit the red carpet for the 2011 VMAs, and shocked the world by revealing her baby bump.

Rumors of Beyonce's pregnancy has been circulating for years. The public has been wondering when the high-profile couple were finally gonna put some beans in the oven. Now that's it's come to be, I can't help but have mixed feelings about it...

I'm really surprised they even let it be known Beyonce was pregnant in the first place, because the couple has always been very "hush hush" on the details of their relationship. I thought if they were to have kids, we wouldn't know til the baby was at least 5 years-old! Of course I am extremely happy for the lovely couple to be expecting. Its exciting to have a baby on the way and make the transition into parenthood.

But what does this mean for Bee's career? With 16 Grammys and over 70 million albums sold worldwide, she's easily one of the most successful and best-selling artists of all time. However, will she be able to keep up this level of success once "mother" is added to her already packed list of jobs?

Balancing a career, husband, and children is already difficult for average women. One could only imagine the level of stress it is for celebrities, since their schedules are extremely packed, and their every move watched by the public. Many choose to give their careers a back seat and go on hiatus to be full time moms and wives. Often, when they return, they don't seem to have the same flare as they had before.

For example, before Britney Spears got married and dropped a couple kids, she was a major force to be reckoned with. Everything she touched went gold like Midas. Though her music is still good and she sells well, you have to admit she's a mere shadow of her former self. I'm still waiting to see how Alicia Keys and her recent marriage and baby will affect her career. She's already fired her long-time manager.

The bottom line is, children change things. Once they're here, there's no going back. How the Queen B will handle this is yet to be seen. I wish the beautiful mother-to-be the best of luck!

Music: Sowelu's Sexy Comeback

Japanese Diva Sowelu, 28, makes a sexy comeback with her new mini album entitled "Let Me..."

The new album is said to encumber all the desires of women today: love, lust, fashion, marriage, and a career, which sounds pretty accurate to me!

Judging from the steamy album jackets, fans could tell this was no longer the girl next door Sowelu they all know and love. However, many are embracing the new sexy image as the album is gaining much attention.

Sowelu is H.O.T! She can pore some sugar on me anytime! This new found image is just what the doctor ordered to revamp her career, as she's been in obscurity for quite some time. Personally, I love it when artists break out of their shells and aren't afraid to push the envelope. Besides, she's 28 now. Old enough to be grown & sexy, yet young enough so it's not weird or trashy, unlike a certain American artist (whom shall be remain nameless) that's in their forties, acts like they're twenty-something, and still prances around in mini skirts. Um, yeah. You know who I'm talking about!

The title track "Let Me," demonstrates lust and getting a piece of that good stuff. With it's upbeat electro dance tempo, I definitely see this song being a hit among party-goers. In the video, Sowelu is fierce from head to toe. I especially adore the skintight black lace outfit. Reminds me of a similar piece Keyshia Cole wore in her I Remember video, which I also loved. With such risque attire, I'm sure many found it hard to blink during this video.

The mini album has a male and female version, with each containing a track only available on that version. I'll be picking up both versions, because in the words of Aerosmith, "I don't wanna miss a thing!"

Welcome back Sowelu! :)

Music: Bad Music Video for "Bad Girl" Single

"Disappointed," was what many had to say after watching the music video of top Korean girl group, SNSD's, Bad Girl.

The single is the latest off of the group's first self-title Japanese debut album, which has recently crossed the double platinum mark in sales.

I don't understand why it was necessary to release another single off an album that has already gone platinum twice over. It seemed to be another greedy attempt of SM Entertainment/Avex to make more money without having to create new music. Unfortunately whenever they try to cut corners, it shows, and it showed "BADLY" here.

Let's take a look at this hot mess of a video and zone in on it's weak areas.

Choreography 

This is what bothered me most about this video. In the Korean Pop music industry, having exciting and fun choreography for fans to dance along to is a must. SNSD is more than capable of delivering in the dance department, as the choreo for their mega hit song Gee, is still one of the catchiest dances to date. Here, the dancing is just all over the place! The girl's look extremely awkward and uncomfortable with their arms flapping everywhere and their bodies gyrating and bouncing around like crazy. Nothing about their movements scream sexy or "badass."

Outfits/Styling

Who's ever idea it was to dress the girls in trashy biker outfits needs to be taken outside and slapped around a bit. Played out denim, cut off shorts, leggings, tanks, handkerchiefs,  and combat boots; they look like a hillbilly biker gang! Also, several of the girls are wearing cute bows in their hair, which takes away from the supposed edgy look they were going for. There's so many ways they could have dressed to reflect the "bad girl" image, but instead they wore this disarray of clothing. SNSD is known for their chic and classy styling and being absolutely stunning in their MVs. They could have easily given the girls more "attitude" to their looks while remaining true to the SNSD style. We already know they're capable pulling off a tougher image as we witnessed it in the Run Devil Run video.

Overall Concept

The video's look and concept come off as cheesy. I just couldn't take them seriously here. Can you even imagine these girl's actually riding around on motorcycles? Several of the girls were also smiling and giving cute expressions where instead their faces and body language should have been more fierce. Plus, there had to be a better location for shooting other than an empty parking lot.

The video was just an overall fail that lacked inspiration and that "wow" factor. It was a huge disservice to a really good song. But we all know SNSD will definitely bounce back from this and blow us away the next time.

Kanye West: "When it all falls down..."

Hip Hop superstar, Kanye West, 34, falls while performing in Bergen, Norway.

It appears the rapper got a little bit too excited and ended up falling.

I nearly fell out my seat watching this! Mr. West, seriously, drink some milk and calm your behind down! You've been making headlines for all kinds of weird and crazy things....again.

During the Big Chill Music Festival in England, West decides to go on another one of his rants. This time he wants everyone to know how misunderstood he is. He stated how people look at him as if he's Hitler, then moments later, he says how he yearns to be the "Micheal Jordan of music."

First of all, why would you bring up Hitler why performing in England or ANYWHERE in Europe? If there is anyone that may feel some kind of way about Hitler other than the Jewish people themselves, it's definitely the Europeans. If you can still find African Americans upset about slavery, then there's no doubt there's still people upset about the Holocaust, as it's more recent. I understand he didn't bring Hitler in a malicious manner, but it's just better not to mention his name at all.

As for you wanting to be the MJ of music, it's this kind of arrogance that gave people a bad taste in their mouth about you in the first place. You're assuming there isn't one already. What makes you qualified? Humility is your friend. Call them sometime.

We love Kanye's music, but it's getting harder and harder to like him as a person.