Jennifer Lopez - Ain't Your Mama



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Recently released, this just puts J Lo back on the music radar. Jennifer Lopez is back! But is she here to stay, that is the main question. She's forever dipping in and out of music like dolphins porpoising in water. She releases hit after hit and then takes a break. She has taken up a residency at The Axis auditorium located in the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, where Britney Spears' residency 'Piece of Me' is, in Las Vegas. Titled 'All I Have', the first leg, consisting of ten dates, were completely sold out. This song is extremely catchy. Jennifer Lopez sports different looks and characters in this upbeat video for Ain't Your Mama. A women empowerment theme, dancing, acting and visually amazing, this video has it all.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
Jennifer Lopez is probably the only artist I know of who has had a music career spanning more than a decade and not released a greatest hits album. Amassing an amazing amount of global hits, this singer needs to release a greatest hits album filled with all her high charting singles. Instead she just comes back stronger and harder every time, with perfect songs that impacts the charts around the world. This song, however, has yet to chart in the UK, but with the video just being released, and the slow popularity on radio, it might be a brilliant climber. This song was written by Meghan Trainor, Lukasz Gottwald, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Henry Walter, Theron Thomas and Gamal Lewis. Completely sassy the song is about men finding their girl incredibly sexy at the start of the relationship and then expecting them to do everything for them further down the line.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
The song caused controversy when released with many Kesha fans urging people to boycott its release. The problem comes from the song being written and produced by Dr. Luke. If you don't know about the Kesha vs. Dr. Luke court case then surely you've been hiding under a rock. The song was written and recorded in 2014 by Meghan Trainor and planned for her debut album 'Title', however it didn't make the cut. Two years down the line, Meghan Trainor gave it to Jennifer Lopez. Dr. Luke was not involved in J Lo's version, but has to be credited as he was part of the original. Regardless of this, it's an amazing song and was definitely made for Jennifer Lopez, her vocals work perfectly for this, I can't imagine Meghan Trainor singing this, but would like to hear how different it is.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
The music video was directed by Cameron Duddy, both performance and narrative, Jennifer Lopez stuns us as six different characters, all with their own style inspired by different eras. It reminds me slightly of "Papi", and is added to her collection of amazing music videos. There is frequent product placement throughout, just like Avril Lavigne's "What The Hell", it's quickly becoming normal within music videos. Vogue magazine, Beluga vodka and Lavazza coffee are some of the most obvious.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
Jennifer Lopez starts off as a news anchor, she's in a phone booth having a heated conversation. Next she's at the desk, ready to give a special announcement, whilst Hilary Clinton's 'Women's Rights Are Human Rights' speech is heard followed by Patricia Arquette's Academy Award speech and finally Gloria Steinem's 'Address to the Women of America' speech. She then tells the women at home to get out of their seats and shout out the window 'I Ain't Your Mama'.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
Various characters are then shown. She plays 1950's house wife, a secretary, a factory worker and a 1980's business woman. Lastly she is shown wearing her thigh-high boots by Rihanna for Manolo Blahnik, gifted to her by the Barbadian singer.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
The final scene is my favourite, Jennifer Lopez dances with a group of women pulling off complex choreography proving that she can sing, dance and act, Reminiscent of "Papi", only with a group of women instead of men.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
Jennifer Lopez is the epitome of a triple threat, a trifecta. However it comes at a consequence. She has established herself in singing, dancing and acting, but she isn't on top in any of those areas. But no one can deny that she is on form. J Lo is back, she's still "Jenny From the Block", but she's the triple threat you don't want to clash with. I expect to see 'Ain't Your Mama' climbing up the UK chart soon enough.
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Chart Mondays: Sia - Cheap Thrills



Breaking my own rules once again, this song looks like it's going to be in the chart for sometime and it doesn't have an official music video, but this 'Performance Edit' is probably the closest we're ever going to get to one. Currently her highest charting solo single, Sia has been on quite a journey, now she's one of the top female singers in the world. Sia hides in the corner of this performance edit video, as Maddie Ziegler once again takes centre stage in an incredible dancing performance proving how professional she really is.

Sia, full name Sia Furler, has had hit after hit, she's the one to watch, the one everyone keeps their eyes on because we all know that whatever she releases will not only be current, but completely change pop music entirely. Yet she only has one number one overall in the UK, and that was the collaboration with David Guetta on the song "Titanium". Her songwriting credits are substantial with many well-known songs by popular artists. Sia will always be the one to watch and look out for. This song is currently sitting at number two on the UK charts, just behind Drake's "One Dance". It was written by Sia Furler and Greg Kurstin. The song was originally intended for Rihanna, who rejected it, it was then passed on to Icona Pop, who also didn't fancy the song. Guess these things happen for a reason, since this is Sia's biggest solo single, in the UK, so far.

this was directed by Sia & Daniel Askill with Ryan Heffington as creative director and choreographer.

There's not a lot to this video, since it is a performance edit video and not an official one. Maddie Ziegler is an outstanding performer and dancer, to which we already know.

She is backed up by two male dancers, who's names were released by Sia's manager David Russell. They are Nick Lanzisera and Wyatt Rocker. It is doubtful whether these two will appear in any of Sia's future videos, however, this is Sia we are talking about, and just look at her continued relation with Maddie Ziegler, who has appeared in a total of four of Sia's music videos: "Chandelier", "Elastic Heart", "Big Girls Cry" and this one (although this is not an official video).

The choreography is nailed to perfection, which is unsurprising since all three dancers are clearly professional. They perform totally in-sync, there's not a line out of place. This is beyond perfect, there's just not a better word out there. This is near to impossible not to get wrong yet all three dancers are flawless.

Overall, this would never work as an official video, but as a promotional performance edit video it is faultless. The choreography is crazily amazing, performed superbly. I love the addition of Sia in the background with her wig on, and yet she takes the spotlight's shadow during a short scene of the video. Amazing, beautiful, perfect, exquisite. Although not appealing, it completely works. I've dropped a star, purely because it's not an official music video, however it wouldn't work as an official video. Broke my rules again, just like I did for Justin Bieber and his "Purpose" album's promotional videos: "The Movement". But so worth it.
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Rihanna - Shut Up And Drive



I love looking at Rihanna's old videos, she's so different and yet still popular today. This was the time I loved Rihanna, although my favourite song is "Don't Stop The Music", which I've already reviewed. "Umbrella" has been reviewed also, so let's go with this one, one me and my brother used to sing a lot due to a character saying it on The Simpsons: Road Rage game. Rihanna looks sexy as she cleans, fixes and buffs cars up in a junkyard before starting a street race.

This was released nine years ago, how time flies and how people change. Nowadays Rihanna is banging out chart hits but it's far from these days when I became a fan of her. Rihanna, real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty, brings out her rocker chick in this song and music video, probably inspired slightly by Avril Lavigne. The song was written by Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken, Stephen Morris, Peter Hook, Bernard Sumner and Gillian Gilbert. It samples New Order's "Blue Monday".

The music video is directed by Anthony Mandler, it is a slight narrative built in to a relaxed performance piece, you can really tell Rihanna loves singing this song.

This isn't anything new, but it's nothing old either, it has been done plenty of times before and after... Inna's "Clubrocker" and Taio Cruz "Dynamite" easily come to mind.

The choreography is slight, but well thought out and done to precision. Exactly what we expect from Rihanna.

The street race could've been more interesting, and a narrative could've formed, making Rihanna the prize, since the song suggests she's looking for a driver who's qualified.

The performance is perfect, if there wasn't so many different scenes, some come out of nowhere, such as Rihanna performing with a band, this would be fine if it was the main focus, but Rihanna being gorgeous is the main focus so the inclusion of the scene felt unnecessary. Rihanna performs sultry, she obviously loves this song, and you can't blame her because it is catchy with a hidden meaning to the song, it sure ain't about driving cars. Yet there's too many different performance scenes, it would've looked better with two, maybe three different ones.

Overall, a great simple music video, yeah it's nothing we haven't seen before, and a narrative could've come out of it, and yes there was many different performance scenes, but looking at the video as a whole, it's sexy, it's sultry, it's relatable, it's daring, it's hot. This may have it's errors, but it is gorgeous nonetheless.
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Chart Mondays: Rihanna Featuring Drake - Work



Rihanna, Rihanna, Rihanna. Gone are the days when I was actually a fan of hers. Now, I wasn't expecting much from her for this music video, but she actually surprised me, because we get two music videos in one. So now I'm going to have to review two music videos... It's going to be a long night! Both videos are sexual, the first one is less so than the second. Rihanna twerks. grinds and booty shakes to her new song, most of the time all over Drake, who is clearly loving every second of it.

Rihanna, real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty, is a worldwide superstar, let's be honest, the chances of her career spiraling downwards and ending is never going to happen. Although as she gets older she might not bang out chart hit after chart hit, just look at Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Madonna; there are plenty more that are superstars but are suffering in the chart world. I used to love Rihanna when "Umbrella" came out, but it wasn't until "Don't Stop The Music" was released that I fell in love with her music for a couple of years, until she changed style and then I went totally off her. Still, "We Found Love" was the closest she came to making me like her all over again, but it didn't take off in my world. No song from her will beat "Don't Stop The Music", that's my Rihanna tune on any dancefloor! As for Drake, real name Aubrey Drake Graham, he has yet to have a solo number one in the UK, and isn't quite as popular here as he is in other countries. However he is a chart success for a rapper, considering not many do manage to chart consistently well in the UK. This song was written by Jahron Braithwaite, Matthew Samuels, Allen Ritter, Rupert Thomas, Aubrey Graham, Robyn Fenty and Monte Moir.

There isn't a lot to comment on either of these videos, I definitely prefer the first one over the other, but none of them surprises me, or actually makes me want to watch them a second time.

The Director X Music Video



The first music video is directed by Director X, who has been mentioned on my blog multiple times, his videos are usually intriguing and definitely high rated by me, but it annoys me to know that this music video is directed by him, I could deal with someone less known, but why this video Director X, just why?

The music video invites us into a club called The Real Jerk, and it excites me slightly, thinking this music video might be inspired by "Don't Stop The Music". Unfortunately, we are in a totally different club, where twerking and booty shaking is the norm.

Not a lot to comment on, apart from Rihanna dancing in front of a mirror, which I'm pretty sure we've all done often, no? Just me then. I am not a fan of what she is wearing, although I guess it could be a lot worse, and at least she totally works it.

A lot of grinding in this club too, especially against Drake, who is obviously loving every minute of it.

Not a whole lot to this music video, and Director X actually disappoints me, but I guess he didn't have much to go on, especially since the song is inspired by Jamaican songs, and it is a club song and so he manages to relate to the song. Many people will be twerking and grinding in clubs to this song.
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The Tim Erem Music Video



The second music video is directed by Tim Erem. A director I am not aware of, as I haven't reviewed a music video from him, until now.

A solely performance piece in a narrative music video, Rihanna looks entirely uncomfortable, and can you blame her with what she is wearing? Going braless is nothing Rihanna hasn't done before in her music videos, she's been wearing even less in some of them, as well as being nude. Yet with this see through top, she might as well have done it totally topless as the top hides nothing, and although set in a home setting, she doesn't look happy at all.

Rihanna just dances little and sings the song, with no emotion, and no intention of performing like we all know she can. This is too exposed, too raw even for Rihanna, and it just fails completely. Drake doesn't help much either and the video doesn't flow quite as well.

I hope never to see this music video again, as it feels cheap, nasty and low budget. This isn't the Rihanna or the Drake that we know and this video shouldn't have been an option, let alone released.
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Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop

Miley Cyrus, real name Destiny Cyrus, has finally got her first UK top 10, and not only that but it reached the top spot! Miley Cyrus has FINALLY got her first UK number one, and this song is what put her there. Her previous highest chart number was joint 11, three of her singles from her music career has reached that number and those are "Party in the U.S.A.", "The Climb" and "See You Again". She definitely had a destiny, and this is exactly it. I doubt she'll disappear, and at just 20 (the same age as me) she is very much in the limelight, and I can't wait to see what her album brings, it's bound to be good.

"We Can't Stop" was written by Mike L. Williams II, Timothy Thomas, Ricky Walter, Theron Thomas and Douglas Davis. It has an infectious sound, and apparently was made with Rihanna in mind, I bet they never guessed our sweet little Miley Cyrus would be singing it. But she is far from who we all thought she used to be. I hate to admit this, but I wasn't into it that much the first time I heard it, but the more I've been hearing it, I just can't help but love it as much as everyone else. It really is infectious.

The music video, on the other hand is not what I was expecting. This has a first music video written all over it. But I guess it can be seen as a directional change and so will let it off. Other critics have compared it to Lady Gaga's first music video which features Colby O'Donis "Just Dance" as well as Christina Aguilera's directional change music video which features Redman "Dirrty". And I have to agree.

The song is about being young and having fun and drinking and clubbing and everything that contains, as well as Miley's new favourite dance: 'Twerking'.

There are a few fun bits in the music video, such as the pool and where the water gets splashed over Miley, it is fun fun fun, and what more should you expect. It relates right?

Well it does, but it's not something that I'd go out of my way to watch, the Teddy's are something I would have liked to have seen more of, but it's pretty much crazily fun which makes me realise I'm missing out on stuff at this current moment, and I just feel the video doesn't keep me entertained.

Overall an amazing song that I can't stop listening, well we all can't stop can we? And a music video that does relate but fails to keep me eager to watch it. Leaving me stuck for choice on a rating. But I've finally chosen a rating, and I hope you all agree. As I've previously said, if it was down to the song I would be giving this top stars, but since it's purely music video only, this is my rating. I cannot wait to see what her album brings, and I've heard there's a Britney Spears collaboration on there too...

Rita Ora - How We Do (Party)

Rita Ora has captured the UK in one sweep gaining 2 number ones in a few months, she is definitely the girl who's hitting the UK hard, she is being compared to Rihanna all the time, but could she shake that comparison in the future? This is her second single to be released in the UK and everyone is talking about it, could it be her third number one in a row? It's quite possible, although it is difficult to do nowadays, especially with the number one changing every few weeks, it's just rare to always expect an artist to top the UK chart, but if anyone can do it it's got to be Rita Ora. But she has competition on her hands as the week she releases this song, a number of popular artists also releases the same week and they could potentially grab that top spot, it sure will be an interesting week.

"How We Do (Party)" was written by a huge range of songwriters because it samples "Party and Bullshit" which was a single released in 1993 by Notorious B.I.G. So here goes nothing. The people involved in writing the song were Alex Delicata, Andrew Davidson, Jermaine Jackson, Andrew Harr, Berry Gordy Jr., Bob West, Bonnie McKee, Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G.), Hal Davis, Kelly Sheehan, Osten Harvey Jr., Sean Davidson and Willie Hutch. It seems the more songwriters that collaborate the bigger the hit, I can so see this going straight to the top just like "R.I.P." and "Hot Right Now".

This music video isn't the best, it's basically a huge party that Rita Ora is a part of, and it's showing exactly how they do. There's so much going on, but then also there isn't and this is exactly why I've been finding it difficult to review as there's so much I could comment on but there's little going on.

So let's keep it short and sweet, I like the cut off bit in the middle where you here her say "On that note party and bullshit". I also like the bit when she hits the balloon, that looks like a total unexpected, unrehearsed clip but done so well they kept it in. Other bits such as when the guy throws paint over "God save the queen" seems a bit stupid and doesn't relate, it felt like they were showing off. The UV lighting was unexpected, again doesn't relate exactly but makes this video more interesting.

Overall an extremely catchy song, and it's accompanying music video fits nicely, I could talk about all the little things for ages, but we'll all just get bored as there is little going on, maybe they thought that they didn't need to do a great video because the song's amazing no matter what. But at least it isn't totally different from the song.
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