The official video for Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” which features Alicia Keys. This is one of the few songs that I actually like off of the Blueprint 3. Every time I hear the chorus line with Alicia Keys, it gives me goose bumps. The video was directed by Hype Williams.

Alicia Keys’ first single / video, “Doesn’t Mean Anything”, has officially been released. This is from the forthcoming album, The Element of Freedom, which Alicia Keys has said will be released on December 1st on her Twitter page. The video, directed by P.R. Brown, starts off in an apartment in New York City and shifts scenes to a boardwalk in a desert as she proclaims her love for someone that’s no longer in her life.

Alicia Keys Twitter

So by now you’ve seen the cover for Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 album cover, but now the tracklisting has been released. Usual suspects or folks you would expect are on there such as Kanye West, Rihanna, Drake, etc. But one that surprises me is Luke Steele from Empire of the Sun, that’s gonna be sick and I’m looking forward to hearing that track. Check our interview with Nick Littlemore from Empire of the Sun here.

1. What We Talkin’ About ft. Luke Steele of Empire of the Sun
2. Thank You
3. D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)
4. Run This Town ft. Rihanna and Kanye West
5. Empire State of Mind ft. Alicia Keys
6. Real as it Gets ft. Young Jeezy
7. On To The Next One ft. Swizz Beatz
8. Off That ft. Drake
9. A Star is Born ft. J.Cole
10. Venus vs Mars
11. Already Home ft. Kid Cudi
12. Hate ft. Kanye West
13. Reminder
14. So Ambitious ft. Pharrell
15. Young Forever ft. Mr. Hudson

Click on link to download.

Futurecop! “Gateaux Blaster” (Jesus Juice Edit)
Alicia Keys “Human Nature (Michael Jackson Cover)”
Michael Jackson “Hot Street” (U-Tern Edit)
Michael Jackson “Smooth Criminal” (LAZRtag Remix)

Here’s a fresh interview with an up and coming designer by the name Melody Ehsani whom is makin’ some huge waves in the industry. Stars such as Angela Simmons, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Keri Hilson and Erykah Badu to name a few have rocked her jewels.

Lindsay Lohan as Madonna

I love the photographs of female American Pop Icons featured in Glamour’s current issue. These amazing photographs were taken by Amy Spencer who shot today’s young starlets as the pop icons of the past and present of “female risk takers, rule breakers and style makers here”.

Paula Patton as Billie Holiday

Odette Yustman, Spencer Grammer, Rumer Willis as The Women of Woodstock

Hayden Panettiere as Amelia Earhart

Emma Roberts as Audrey Hepburn

Emma Stone as Carrie Bradshaw

Chanel Iman as Althea Gibson

Elisha Cuthbert as Brandi Chastain

Camilla Belle as Mary Tyler Moore

America Ferrera as Dolores Huerta

Alicia Keys as First Lady Michelle Obama

Alexis Bledel as Rosie the Riveter

Source: Amy Spencer (via Glamour Magazine)

Are you planning on attending the Inauguration in Washington, DC? Look no further, I have provided a list of parties, concerts, official balls and unofficial balls.

There will be many (as in hundreds) of events including DC’s night life throughout the week but the hottest tickets in town, besides the official Inaugural Ball, will have special celebrity guest performances. The festivities kick off with Jay-z’s Inaugural Party at Love on Friday.  The biggest show will be on Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial, We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. The party will take place on Friday.  

Ready to go, fire it up!

Here’s a message from President-elect Barack Obama: Inauguration Night: Your Neighborhood Ball

Obama Inauguration Celebrities: Who, What And Where by Jake Coyle

NEW YORK — If you thought the Golden Globes was a party, just wait until you see Barack Obama’s inauguration. Next week, Washington will look a lot like a colder version of Hollywood.

Here’s a roundup of who will be where, keeping in mind that in the mad rush to D.C., schedule changes may occur.

THE BIG SHOW

_ On Sunday, tradition will be upheld with a free star-studded concert on the National Mall, starting at 2:30 p.m. Among the many performers: Bruce Springsteen, U2, Beyonce, Usher, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Josh Groban, John Legend and James Taylor. Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III and Queen Latifah will read. Obama will stop by and HBO will broadcast “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.”

WHERE’S OPRAH

_ Winfrey will host a live episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” from the Kennedy Center Opera House on Monday. She’ll also host a second episode on Wednesday. Winfrey has not announced her plans on Inauguration Day.

WHERE’S SPIKE

_ Spike Lee will appear at a daylong symposium at Howard University on Monday to discuss topics including the impact of Obama on Black America. Also there will be Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Henry Louis Gates. Lee will also host an after-party Tuesday evening.

OTHER CONCERTS

_ BET will hold an awards ceremony, the BET Honors, Saturday at the Warner Theater to honor Mary J. Blige, filmmaker Tyler Perry, Ervin “Magic” Johnson and others. Gabrielle Union will host and performers include Queen Latifa, Ne-Yo, Anita Baker and Joss Stone.

_ The Hip-hop Caucus will host a concert Saturday at Ibiza with Common, Mary J. Blige and Nelly.

_ Jessica Alba will host a kickoff event by youth voter initiative Declare Yourself on Sunday dubbed “A New Birth of Citizenship.” Maroon 5 and DJ Samantha Ronson will perform.

_ “Kids’ Inaugural: We Are the Future” will be held Monday night at the Verizon Center and air on the Disney Channel. Performing will be Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers and Bow Wow. Michelle Obama and Jill Biden will host with their families.

_ The “America Feels Kinda Cool Again Inaugural Gala” will feature the Beastie Boys, Sheryl Crow and Citizen Cope on Monday at the 9:30 club.

_ Jay-Z will perform a concert “In Concert on the Eve on Change” at the Warner Theater on Monday.

_ Aretha Franklin will play a free concert at the Kennedy Center with Nuttin’ But Stringz and the Let Freedom Ring Choir on Monday.

_ Manifest Hope will finish a three-day-long, Inauguration-themed art exhibit with a party featuring performances by Santogold, Moby and De La Soul.

THE OFFICIAL BALLS

_ The Neighborhood Ball: ABC will broadcast this ball for Washington residents at the Washington Convention Center. Performing will be Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Faith Hill and Mary J. Blige.

_ The Youth Ball: This ball is for people aged 18 to 35 to celebrate “the role young Americans can play to serve their communities.” After announcing and then junking a similarly themed ball, MTV will broadcast it. Fall Out Boy is among the acts attending.

_ The other eight official balls are: the Home States Ball, the Commander in Chief Ball, the Biden Home State Ball, the Mid-Atlantic Ball, the Western and Southern Regional Ball, the Midwest Regional Ball, the New England Ball and the Southern Regional Ball.

THE UNOFFICIAL BALLS

_ The “Dreams of My Father” American Scholars Inaugural Ball will take place Sunday at the Four Seasons and feature Alicia Keys, Macy Gray and LL Cool J.

_ The Voto Latino Inaugural Party will on Sunday include Marc Antony, Rosario Dawson, Tony Plana and Wilmer Valderrama.

_ The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will take place Monday at the Harman Center and be hosted by Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, T.I. and Young Jeezy

_ The Huffington Post Preinaugural Ball will be held Monday night at the Newseum and feature performances by Sting and will.i.am. Attendees will include Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Shakira, Jon Bon Jovi, Halle Berry and Ashton Kutcher.

_ The Green Inaugural Ball will be held Monday at the Portrait Gallery and be hosted by Al Gore.

_ Muhammad Ali will attend the Kentucky Inaugural Ball on Monday at the Marriott Wardman Hotel.

_ The nonprofit arts and entertainment advocacy group Creative Coalition will hold a gala to be headlined by Elvis Costello and Sting at the Harman Center for the Arts on Tuesday. Also attending will be Anne Hathaway, Spike Lee, Tim Robbins, Maggie Gyllenhaal and others.

_ The Purple Ball, Tuesday at the Fairmont Hotel, will be hosted by Lou Gossett Jr. and Il Divo will perform. Expected to attend are: Ashley Judd, Patricia Arquette, John Cusack, Tim Robbins, Ed Harris, Ashley Judd, Josh Lucas, Amy Brenneman, Brendan Fraser, Susan Sarandon and Lisa Marie Presley.

_ There will be two American Music Balls: The Legends Ball, hosted by Dionne Warwick and featuring Chaka Khan and George Clinton; and the Urban Ball _ hosted by Ludacris and featuring Cedric the Entertainer and Monica. Both will be held Tuesday at the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel.

_ BET will host an inaugural ball at the Mandarin Oriental hotel Tuesday. The network will broadcast an hour special to coincide with the ball, which will include a performance by Wyclef Jean.

_ The Equality Ball, hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, will be held Tuesday at the Mayflower Hotel with appearances by Cyndi Lauper, Melissa Etheridge and Rufus Wainwright.

_ The Inaugural Peace Ball, Tuesday at the Smithsonian Postal Museum, will be hosted by Harry Belafonte and include Joan Baez, Graham Nash and Jackson Brown.

_ Rihanna will perform at the Recording Industry Association of America Inaugural Ball to benefit Feeding America on Tuesday.

_ Nas, Josh Groban, Slash and Robert Randolph are among those performing at the Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball (benefiting military families and veterans) on Tuesday at the Warner Theater

Source: Inauguration Night: Your Neighborhood Ball

Well with the year coming to a close here is another year-end chart, this time from Billboard. The numbers are based on Nielsen SoundScan. Charts below display the top 10 albums, most listened to song on the radio (how the hell do they measure this one?) and the most digitally downloaded song. I’m actually kinda surprised by some of the results below, seriously Ray J’s “Sexy Can I?”, number 7 as most listened to on radio, REALLY?!?!?! Oh and if you haven’t already check out our staff’s top 10 albums of the year then be sure to read that here.

Top 10 Albums:

1. Alicia Keys’ “As I Am”
2. Josh Groban’s “Noel”
3. Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III”
4. Eagles’ “Long Road Out of Eden”
5. Taylor Swift’s self-titled album
6. Kid Rock’s “Rock N Roll Jesus”
7. Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”
8. Various artists’ “NOW 26″
9. Carrie Underwood’s “Carnival Ride”
10. Garth Brooks’ “The Ultimate Hits”

Top 10 Most-Listened-To Radio Songs:

1. Alicia Keys’ “No One”
2. Flo Rida’s “Low” featuring T-Pain
3. Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love”
4. Timbaland’s “Apologize” featuring OneRepublic
5. Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” featuring Static Major
6. Chris Brown’s “With You”
7. Usher’s “Love in This Club” featuring Young Jeezy
8. Jordin Sparks’ “No Air” featuring Chris Brown
9. Ray J’s “Sexy Can I” featuring Yung Berg
10. Rihanna’s “Take a Bow”

Top 10 Most Digitally-Downloaded Songs:

1. Flo Rida’s “Low” featuring T-Pain
2. Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love”
3. Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” featuring Static Major
4. Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”
5. Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”
6. Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song”
7. Timbaland’s “Apologize” featuring OneRepublic
8. Jordin Sparks’ “No Air” featuring Chris Brown
9. Rihanna’s “Disturbia”
10. Madonna’s “4 Minutes” featuring Justin Timberlake

Riding off of ateks’ previous post, here’s the Kanye West American Music Awards speech that everybody has been telling me to check out. The “I want to be Elivs” speech, which actually didn’t turn out corny but was very well put. My only question on the whole video is, what the fuck is Nickleback doing presenting the award???

Kanye West “Heartless”

So we’ve done a few posts on this new James Bond theme song “Another Way to Die” featuring Alicia Keys and Jack White here on Killahbeez. Well here’s the official video for the song. The song, which will appear on the soundtrack to the film Quantum of Solace is expected to be released on October 28th.

This week’s Throwback Thursday, Force M.D.’s “Tender Love”. I haven’t heard this song in a minute, like literally YEARS, so when Alicia Keys played it the other night after “Diary”, I didn’t immediately recognize it. Initially I thought it was a Janet Jackson song and I wasn’t the only one, as a few people I talked to thought it was as well. But alas the mystery was solved and it was revealed that it was Force M.D.’s “Tender Love”.

So here’s some knowledge for you. The group, from Staten Island New York, originally formed in 1983 and were signed to Tommy Boy records a year later. The M.D.’s (stands for Musical Diversity) were a vital crew in the early history of street hip-hop and one of the first groups to fuse doo-wop influenced harmonies with hip-hop. They had a few hits here and there, but “Tender Love” was the first that hit top ten. It was in the movie Krush Groove (ahhh classic) and was penned by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, which may have been the reason why I thought it was a Janet Jackson song as they produced some of her work as well. Songs that came to mind from Janet were “Again”, Let’s Wait Awhile” and “Everytime”, it’s the piano.

Anyways sit back and enjoy an oldie but goodie for the very first time again.

Photo by Michelle da Silva

On Monday night, Alicia Keys did her second show in Vancouver as part of the As I Am tour and I was lucky enough to be there. To say I have a kindergarten crush on this girl is a mad understatement. The crowd was packing into the Orpheum Theatre and while that was going on we were treated to a performance by Jermaine Paul, who we would later come to find out is also one of Alicia’s backup singers. He actually sang quite beautifully, but it was difficult to hear it all with the crowd coming in and shuffling to their seats.

The lights go down. A few moments later the band is playing the instrumental for “Go Ahead”, a few seconds later and Miss Keys appears on stage and the crowd erupted. One word that can only really describe this woman, BEAUTIFUL! Black sequin dress with sparkles, black leggings and heels. I nearly lost my mind; in fact I forgot to take notes for a moment on the show as I was so mesmerized by her voice and beauty. Definitely got chills as she was singing. From there she transitioned into “You Don’t Know My Name”, she was being backed up by a 7 piece band with 3 backup singers. She definitely was electrifying the crowd as she moved along the stage and danced. As my home girl Michelle noted it was very Beyonce-esque. As “You Don’t Know My Name” ended, her two female back-up singers joined her front and centre forming a triangle and going into “Teenage Love Affair” and mimicking the dances in the video.

Photo by Michelle da Silva

Moments later she asked the crowd if she could play the piano, uh how about a hell yes to that. So she jumped on and went into “Karma”, but it wasn’t the version off of the album. It was less thumpy and more bouncy, a salsa version of the song. It was different but I quite liked the sound of it.

My favorite song of the night was definitely “Diary”, I love this song, as it feels like a private moment / conversation between a man and a woman. Jermaine Paul stood by her piano as they both sang this together and man, I have to say it was beautiful and soulful. As this was ending she transitioned into what I initially thought was a Janet Jackson song, actually both Michelle and I thought it was, but as my home girl Niña so kindly pointed out, it was Force M.D.’s song “Tender Love”.

The concert was pretty fantastic and she ran through a gamut of her songs, full play list below. The only song she didn’t do that I wanted to hear was “Girlfriend” as it samples one of my favorite rappers, Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Can’t say too much about the venue that it was held in as it’s known to sound acoustically beautiful and it was no different for this concert. The crowd was chill through parts and wilded on occasion, as to be expected. Even though this was her second show in as many days in Vancouver, I still felt like she brought a ton of energy in her performance and kept the audience engaged the whole time. Two words: beautifully soulful.

If you liked this review, head on over to this page and vote for me.

Below is the play list for those that were there and those that weren’t, compile as you wish so that you can relive the moment.

• Go Ahead
• You Don’t Know My Name
• Teenage Love Affair
• Heartburn
• Karma (Remixed)
• How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore?
• Super Woman
• I Need You
• Wreckless Love
• Diary
• Force M.D.’s Tender Love
• My Boo
• Unbreakable
• A Woman’s Worth
• Like You’ll Never See Me Again
• Fallin’
• Encore – No One

So we’ve done a few posts on the whole Alicia Keys and Jack White collaboration for the new James Bond theme song for the upcoming film, Quantum of Solace. I have to say, this is pretty damn good, the collaboration is strong and really works. The sound is melded and doesn’t sound like two separate artists doing their thing.

Also tonight a few of us Killahbeez will be checking out the Alicia Keys concert, definitely looking forward to this as she’s one of my favorite artists and tonight will be the night I purpose to baby girl. No need to stomp on a man’s dream.

Alicia Keys & Jack White “Another Way To Die”

Back in August we briefly mentioned that Jack White of The White Stripes was working with Alicia Keys on the new theme song for the upcoming James Bond film Quantum of Solace. Well, reports have it that he’s not happy with the new development that Sony Pictures have allowed Coca Cola to use a snippet of the theme song for their upcoming commercial for the product Coke Zero which happens to be in a joint promotion with the film. “Jack White was commissioned by Sony Pictures to write a theme song for the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, not for Coca Cola,” Jack’s spokesperson recently says.

In related news both Jack White and Alicia Keys have reportedly shot the music video for the theme song back on September 8th in Toronto, as both were there to promote their individual films at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Erin Magee is the founder and designer behind women’s streetwear line MadeMe. Since the release of its first line in fall 2007, MadeMe has gone from a New York incarnation to a global force, landing in the pages of the New York Post, Nylon and Trace, not to mention, collabos with artists like Alicia Keys. We caught up with the unstoppable missile that is Erin Magee to hit her up with a few questions on her inspirations, the collection and what’s next.

In your biography, you talk about filling a void in women’s streetwear. What do you see as being the void and how does your line fill that void?

Erin Magee: I have always worn “streetwear” and a lot of the time, wore men’s stuff. When I started MadeMe, there were only a few women’s streetwear brands out there. The ones that did exist didn’t make complete collections. They mainly made Ts and hoodies, which was cool, but I wanted to take it to the next level. My whole premise was to provide girls with top to bottom selection. I wanted to make a brand that embodied an entire lifestyle, so out came MadeMe.

What inspired you to start MadeMe?

EM: I was just going through a really shitty time in my life. I was really bored professionally and personally, so instead of sitting around working for other people all the time and feeling sorry for myself, I decided to do something. Since then, my life has completely changed direction, for the better of course! I have met so many dope people through my brand, learned so much and experienced even more. It’s challenging, but maybe that’s what I was missing.

Describe a MadeMe girl? What does the line say about you?

EM: The brand says everything about me. Its everything I like, I wear, I want to wear. It’s just an expression of me. It’s how I see fashion and the world.

What is your design process and how important is it?

EM: It’s really important! But it happens to be the part of the business I spend the least amount of time on. Running a business is the most time consuming and essential part to making this work. I am constantly collecting references and inspiration, so when it comes time to design, it flows really easily.

I read on Riottt.com that you are a big fan of Madonna’s. Does her persona have any influence on your MadeMe collection? Do you have a favorite track or album?

EM: “Vogue” is my favorite Madonna song. I fucking loveee it! It was really a whole movement and represented a lot to me. That song really brought gay dance culture to the mainstream. She got a lot of shit for that, but I think it was a monumental time in pop culture. My favorite Madonna album… hmmm… that’s hard. I think I am going to say Erotica. That’s the one everybody hated, but that’s my shit right there. Madonna rapping in 1992… it’s amazing. And yes, Madonna finds her way into every season of MadeMe. She always will.

Any other fashion / music idols that inspire you?

EM: I love Alicia Keys. I think she’s incredibly talented. It’s rare to have someone like her in “popular” music today. As for fashion icons, of course I am really into Vivienne Westwood. I want to look like that when I am 67! She basically invented the screen-printed T-shirt, so all of us streetwear ladies owe her a lot.

How has working at Supreme influenced your own line? Are you still with Supreme, and how much time does that allow you to work on your MadeMe line?

EM: Yes, I am still working at Supreme. I do that during the day and all other waking hours, I am on the MadeMe clock. I don’t have time for much these days. I work a lot and when I am not working, I am trying to do things that inspire me to make a better collection.

How did you hook up with Alicia Keys for her video “Like You’ll Never See Me Again”?

EM: It’s a funny story. I have this crazy obsession with her, so it’s weird how it all worked out. I just knew some people on set and knew the stylist. They were very last minute with her wardrobe, so they gave me a call on a Friday night at 5 p.m. (the shoot started at 6 a.m. on Saturday). They wanted one of my jackets and I didn’t have any left. They all sold out! So I scrambled and got some sent down from Atmos in Harlem. We got them to Alicia in time for the shoot. She loved it and bought one from me.

Any other big news or big collabs / projects that you’re working on for the rest of the year?

EM: Yes, I am doing a T-Shirt collabo with Natalie [Albino] from Nina Sky. She writes graffiti (I don’t think anyone knows that really), but she does and she does it well. So we are dropping a T for the MadeMe holiday collection. Look out for it – it’s dope.

What sort of pieces can we look forward to seeing in fall 2008? Any chance we’ll see a men’s line?

EM: I have some really ill leather jackets coming out this fall. Don’t sleep on these. They are amazing. No men’s line in the future. I started MadeMe to make something for the ladies. I am going to stick with that for now.

What three pieces are staples in your wardrobe?

EM: T-shirts, leggings and jeans. (How boring of me, but true.)

What shoe can you not live without?

EM: I just got those silver, mesh, open-toed, three-quarter lace-up Chanel boots. (That’s a mouthful!) But they are dope!

Describe your personal style and favorite label(s) right now?

EM: Personal style: Handsome. Favorite labels: Chanel and Opening Ceremony.

Second single for Ne-Yo called “Miss Independent” which is off of the upcoming Year of the Gentleman. His second album is scheduled to drop on September 16 with the first single “Closer” being released back in April. The video is directed by Chris Robinson, who has done videos for Usher, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, T.I., Nas and many other artists. The video also co-stars some beautiful women, Keri Hilson, Gabrielle Union and Lauren London.

Alicia Keys recently announced 11 new dates for her tour with 10 of them being in North America with 1 of them being in Vancouver, and with demand for the first show selling out so quickly a second show in Vancouver has been added. The tour is in support of her latest LP As I Am.

In addition to this she has also been signed on to do the new theme song for the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, along with The White Stripes’ Jack White who will be producing and helping write the track.

Check out www.ticketmaster.com for more ticket info.

New video and latest single from Alicia Keys’ called “Superwoman”, which is off of her album As I Am. This latest video was directed by Chris Robinson, whose been in the game for a minute now and has done videos for Nas, Big Pun, T.I., Busta Rhymes as well as a handful of Alicia’s previous videos.

The scene starts with Alicia singing and playing the piano in a dark room. After, the clip moves on and sees the singer playing many different roles as an astronaut, business woman and even pharaoh. The idea of the video is to give a dedication to all the women in the world for their strength and effort.

It’s been said that this is the fourth and final single off of this album. Have a look at the video and tell us what you think. Is it me or does Alicia Keys + Glasses = Soooooo Hot!

Cam’ron “My Auro”

Alicia Keys ft. LL Cool J “Teenage Love Affair” (Remix)

T.I. “A Better Day”

Missy Elliot “Best Best Pt. 2″

Busta Rhymes “Blackout 2.1″

Pharrell ft. Nicole Scherzinger “Heartbeat”

Lil’ Wayne “Never Get It” (Produced by David Banner)

A free download and dope mixtape for all the music-heads. Put together by Vancouver’s Dj’s Flipout and Sean La-La, the Elsewhere mix is an educational head-nodder that’ll school the unaware and remind the inclined.

The night has been host to many guest Dj’s including ?uestlove, Ali Shaheed, Maseo, Cosmo Baker, Bobbito, etc. And as you can tell by the flyer/cover for the night, the variety of music on this mix is the cream of the crop ranging from Marvin Gaye to Kraftwerk to Nas to Alicia Keys.

Top top it all off, it features narration from Ghostface…ill haha.

Click HERE to download the mix and HERE to see the tracklisting.