Vocal Range: C3 - F5 - Eb6 Vocal Type: Lyric Mezzo-Soprano (3 octaves, 1 note and a semitone) Vocal Rating: C+ Positives: Capable of complex vocal runs and melismas. The head voice is bright and solid, and gains a stronger ring the higher it ascends. Belts from Bb4-Eb5 are thick, resonant, and decorated with a lush vibrato. The pitch of held notes does not waver.
Her breath control in recent years has improved drastically, allowing for more rigorous choreography that does not come at the cost of vocals. Growls can be executed properly even in higher extremes. Negatives: Low notes are achieved by lowering the larynx, and are often breathy. The upper chest belts lack resonance, and lower head voice notes are airy like a weak falsetto.
Nicki Minaj, ahem, 'performed' her newest single last night at the Billboard awards, but of course, Nicki couldn't make headlines by her talent alone. Nicki instead, opted for to give Lil Wayne a charming lap dance towards the end of her set, classy as always. This performance was a sad commentary on her entire career, she could never make people turn their heads by performing an incredible rap or sung song, instead she has to go for shock factor. But this wasn't even shock factor, this was just slut factor. Filled with twerking, grinding, and disgustingly blunt lyrics, Nicki and Wayne managed to tarnish what little respect people had for the rap genre. Well done you two.
Meanwhile, prepare for Nicki's 4th attempt at trying to bring herself true commercial success when her new album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded: The Re Up: Bonus Track Extended Rerecorded Edition inevitably drops.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), has decided to add streaming to Platinum and Gold certifications, and a certain song is now the most certified song in history because of it. Justin Bieber's Baby is now certified 12x Platinum, which knocks Elton John's Candle in the Wind from the title, which is at 11x Platinum. For reference, Candle in the Wind sold an incredible 3.5 million copies in its first week and spent 14 weeks at number one in the US, topped the charts in 47 countries, and has since sold 11 million copies. Bieber's Baby debuted at No.5, failed to make the year-end chart, and has sold 3.9 million copies. But because of its 800 million YouTube hits, 'Baby' is now certified higher than 'Candle.'
Eminem and Rihanna's Love the Way You Lie is now also 11x platinum, but 'Lie' was also a bonafide hit. It debuted at No.2 with 338,000 first week sales, and spent 7 weeks at No.1. Because of those sales, it made its way to 5x platinum. But with rule changes, its 560 million hits added 6 platinum ratings.
Lady Gaga's Bad Romance is now her biggest hit in the US making its way to 10x platinum. 'Romance' debuted at No.9 in December 2009 with 142,000 copies sold, before logging 7 weeks at No.2. It has gone on to move 5.2 million copies. At one point the most viewed video on YouTube of all time, its 460 million plus hits doubled its rating.
Here are all the songs that picked up new certifications:
What do you think of RIAA's new criteria? Do you thinks its crazy that a song can go Diamond without even charting on Radio Charts? The Biebz over Houston and John? Discuss!
As the music world continues anxiously awaiting the arrival of Lady Gaga's LP ARTPOP, some of us need some new music to munch on until the album drops. Here are some demos you need to keep your sanity: 5. Quicksand (Feat. Lady Gaga)
Okay, so this is actually a Britney Spears tune written by Gaga as a bonus track for her 2008 release Circus. However, you can pick out Gaga's backing vocals in the track with ease. Pretty infectious, with two pop divas 'duetting' per say.
4. Glitter and Grease
This catchy gem unfortunately never made its way into a studio, but thats okay, since Gaga performed the track as a part of her Monster Ball setlist. Lyrically, it's about Gaga trashing Luc Carl's car for attention by rubbing Glitter and Grease on his 'Watermelon Green' Chevy El Camino. That hook will have you singing "Rub that glitter and grease around" for weeks.
3. Captivated / Electric Kiss
Think back to a land where Lady Gaga didn't exist. Scary isn't it? Even when she didn't have a label, she was still rocking talent shows across New York, and here, she took 3rd place in NYU's Ultraviolet Talent show. She started off with a gorgeous, heart felt ballad Captivated, before making a full 180 turn into the dissonant piano jam Electric Kiss. This is where Gaga belted out her highest recorded note, a G5 at the end of 'Kiss.'
2. Reloaded (Feat. Rodney Jerkins)
This percussion driven toe-tapper really could have made a home on The Fame. Haunting melodies, stuttered hooks, the constant drum beats, this baby has it all. The rap in the bridge doesn't ruin the song either! Download it now.
1. Wonderful
The most popular Lady Gaga demo of all time with 1.2 million hits, and is thankfully the best. Its her best lyric work ever, its her best piano work ever, and its one of her most enraptured vocals ever. She sings with desperate honesty, she puts it all out there and it makes this 60's ballad truly capturing. Straight up talent. Now I miss Gaga even more now that I've listened to this masterpiece... (sniffle, sniffle).
What's you favorite Lady Gaga demo? Is your favorite missing? Comment below!
Vocal Range: Bb2 - F#5 - C#6 Longest Note: 10 seconds Vocal Type: Lyric Mezzo-Soprano (3 octaves, 1 note and a semi tone) Vocal Rating: D
Positives: A light, girlish tone can be found throughout Gomez's voice. A sweet, airy head voice combined with dark, healthy lows. Her chest voice gains a slight edge as she ascends, with ease in the fourth octave and ability to phrase in the fifth. The voice is cutting throughout each register. Negatives: Lack of vibrato makes the notes sound harsh, and the chest notes carry little to no power with them. Her stamina live is sub-par, and the voice can become nasal and whiny at points. Intonation proves to be a struggle as well, as she lacks solid support and connection throughout her voice.
