Is Britney Officially Back?

I have a confession, I liked Britney Spears Blackout cd; Circus was kryptonite to me. I was not really excited about her new cd, Femme Fatale after all, I'm not much of a fan. I just loved her choreography. I heard she was performing at Rain nightclub in Las Vegas last night. I woke up this morning and decided to see what youtube has. I am impressed by her performance of 'Til The World Ends; are you?

Remembering Michael Joseph Jackson

One year ago today, the most unbelievable news was delivered to the world. I honestly thought it was some kind of cruel joke that even CNN wasn't catching on to. But, alas, it was true. The King of Pop, Michael Jackson was dead. Today, June 25th, marks the one year anniversary of his death.

What does Michael represent for you? For me, he reminds of the happy times and fun I had growing up in Japan. I remember my dad buying the Smooth Criminal Laserdisc. Yeah, we were up on the latest technology! My dad, brother, sister and I would dance to all the songs and laugh at my dad's terrible dancing. It was soo wonderful. His songs fill me with such great memories and bring so much joy. I'm sure it does to so many people around the world. So please, remember to tell your loved ones how much you love them before it's too late. I haven't told my mom and siblings how much I love them lately. No better time than now. I'll leave you with my favorite Michael Jackson song Human Nature.

Ludacris Summer Jam 2010

Have you ever lost your mind? Has your family member looked at you and wonder who you are? Well, that is how my brother felt when he saw my reaction to Ludacris coming on stage. Don't get me wrong, he's a fan too, but at that moment, I was one brain particle away from becoming a Luda groupie. Ludacris is animated, full of energy and super FOINE! Short, but FOINE! He performed each and every song I could possibly think of. The excitement reached fever pitch when her performed Move B**ch; the poor girl sitting behind me got her face scratched by my flailing arms. I was PUMPED!

After all this, you'd think I wouldn't have a gripe but of course I do! First, Taio Cruz, as much as I like British artists his inclusion in Ludacris' set was rather random. Yes, I know, Luda spits on the hit Break Your Heart but shouldn't it have been the other way round? My last gripe may not even be Luda's fault but his set ended so abruptly! I had to ask "is that it?"

Highlights:
Each and every moment that Luda opened his mouth.

Trey Songz Summer Jam 2010

Recently I read an article that suggested Trey Songz is poised to take over Usher's crown, whatever crown that may be. But after watching Trey, I got the feeling I was watching a young R. Kelly. The whole set felt like Twelve Play before part 1! Not that there's anything wrong with that. Trey sounds great live; he can truly hit some notes. Stage presence was definitely there and he gave the audience what they wanted. Well, not everyone. I was disappointed that he only performed songs from Ready. No I can't help but wait?! Thoroughly disappointing.

Highlights:
Performance of I Invented Sex
Performance of Neighbours Know My Name

Drake Summer Jam 2010

Drake, Drizzy Drake, Aubrey Graham, for an artist without a studio album out, this kid is a super star!! He just lighted up the room. He engaged the fans. He just has "it". His debut cd, Thank Me Later, is expected to be released on June 15th, 2010. It is my sincere hope that it is not pushed back again. However, Drake needs to work on his singing. My favorite song is "Find your love" but his performance of it was mediocre at best. He was out of breathe, could not his some notes, I was having a Whitney flashback. But, that did not take away from the rest of his set.

Highlights:
Surprise guest star, Birdman
Performance of Over

B.o.B Summer Jam 2010

B.o.B, a Georgia artist currently signed on TI's label, Grand Hustle, was the first artist I saw. His debut cd, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, is currently out and if I may say so myself, it is worth your money. His performance on the other hand, was just ok. I think with time and experience, he'll be a performer to watch.

Highlight:
Performance of Bet I
Surprise guest star, Lupe Fiasco

Pissing off the fans

As a little black girl attending an American all-girls Catholic school in Tokyo, there were five acts I wanted to see live in no particular order:

1. Madonna
2. New Kids on the Block
3. Janet Jackson
4. Michael Jackson
5. Bon Jovi

Fast forward to 2010 and I've only managed 2 out of 5. I've seen NKOTB twice and Madonna twice. The second time I saw Madonna I had no shame in paying more than $300. It was worth every darn penny! I came close to seeing Janet Jackson if you remember. Michael Jackson unfortunately passed way before his time and before I was able to see him concert. Still very very bitter at you dad and mom that I missed out on seeing him for a school trip back during his Bad tour, but I digress. Last on the list is Bon Jovi.

Bon Jovi has been touring a lot lately. I have been trying to see them in concert for a few years now. Problem? Well, I like seats where I can see the artists features without the aid of binoculars. The other problem? Getting a decent seat is $530. I'm a regular Jane, earning less-than-I-would-like salary and live for music and all things entertainment. So to ask me to pay $530 for a ticket is asking me to slap my momma silly; both of which I would not do because I have common sense. After fans bitterly complained about the O2 Arena concert ticket prices in London, Jon Bon Jovi replied,
 
"Those tickets are a couple of special package tickets. I don't really know what they are, they could be anything. It may be that you get everything and it may be 20 tickets. But it ain't the front row and it ain't the front section. It's certainly not gipping (conning) anyone else out of anything." 

So I decided to check my area's ticket prices and this is what ticketmaster says:

• The Silver Package ($215) - Package Includes: One Premium Second Price* Reserved Ticket *Package Based On Second Ticket Price Outside the Circle, $25.00 Gift Card to the On-Line Bon Jovi Store, One Bon Jovi Souvenir Tour Program, One Exclusive Bon Jovi VIP Merchandise Item, One Limited Edition VIP Laminate & Matching Lanyard, One Commemorative Souvenir Concert Ticket
• Diamond Circle VIP experience ($1,857) - Package Includes: One Incredible Front Row* Ticket inside the Exclusive Circle!*(Or in the First Three Rows in the following markets: East Rutherford, Chicago, Foxboro, Regina, Toronto, Winnipeg & Edmonton), One Exclusive Collectable Bon Jovi VIP Concert Chair (You sit in it, you watch the show, and then you take it home with you!), Special VIP Cocktail Upon Arrival, Deluxe Catered VIP Preshow Hospitality, Deluxe VIP Open Bar*, Dedicated On-Site VIP Host, And MORE!
• Emerald Circle VIP experience ($989) - Package Includes: One Amazing Ticket inside the Exclusive Circle, Special VIP Cocktail Upon Arrival , Deluxe Catered VIP Preshow Hospitality, Deluxe VIP Open Bar*, Dedicated On-Site VIP Host, VIP Preferred Parking* (Where available), VIP Priority Check-In , Separate VIP Entrance at Venue (Where available), One Autographed Bon Jovi Souvenir Tour Program!, And MORE!
• The Sapphire VIP Party Pack! ($625) - Package Includes: One Excellent Top Price* Reserved Ticket in the Front Floor Sections!*Package Based On Top Ticket Price Outside the Circle, Catered VIP Preshow Party!, Open Bar* (Includes Beer & Wine Selections), On Site VIP Customer Service, VIP Preferred Parking* (Where available), VIP Priority Check-In, Separate VIP Entrance at Venue (Where available), $100.00 Gift Card to the On-Line Bon Jovi Store, One Bon Jovi Souvenir Tour Program, And MORE!
• The Gold VIP Package ($365) - Package Includes: One Premium Top Price* Reserved Ticket in Lower Level! *Package Based On Top Ticket Price Outside the Circle, $50.00 Gift Card to the On-Line Bon Jovi Store, One Souvenir Bon Jovi Tour Program, One Exclusive Bon Jovi VIP Messenger Bag, One Limited Edition VIP Laminate & Matching Lanyard, One Commemorative Souvenir Concert Ticket.

Don't know about you but I see a front row seat package for $1,857 that doesn't even allow me backstage! Tsk! There are obviously fans who can afford that but why alienate long time, hard core fans with such high prices?

Summer Jam 2010 Review - Coming Soon

I'm looking forward to attending my first Summer Jam after a 5 year hiatus. This year's concert will be held at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. This year's line up includes Sam Adams, Nicki Minaj, Taio Cruz, B.o.B, Clinton Sparks, Kevin Rudolf, Trey Songz, Drake and Ludacris. Personally, I'm only going to see B.o.B, Trey, Drake and Luda! I will post my review and may be some photos this Sunday. Stay Tuned! In the mean time, here are few choice tracks to listen to.