Rihanna Shines On New Single "Diamonds" [Review]

Ever since Rihanna entered the realm of the pop world, she has successfully managed to reinvent herself, musically and image-wise. Although her critics beg to differ and point out that Rihanna's image overshadow's her music and voice, nobody can deny Rihanna's knack for cranking out great pop songs. When she wants to, she can churn out a good pop song that sounds fresh ("Umbrella", "Rude Boy", "What's My Name") or a generic tune ("Where Have You Been", "Only Girl (In The World)", "We Found Love"), which undoubtedly still sounds better than most songs mutating the charts. 

When she was not giving you camaraderie and frienship on "Umbrella", Rihanna threw you shades of Illuminati princess on "Russian Roulette" and 80's hopeless romantic-meets-dance on "We Found Love". Now, the Princess of the Billboard Hot 100 has decided to leave the "nah nah nah's" back in Ester Dean's pocketbook and hired Sia to write lyrics which has substance (excuse the pun) and Stargate and Benny Blanco for production duties. 

"Diamonds" is Rihanna shining during her finest moment, buttering her haunting tone with Sia's enunciation. Interesting enough, Rihanna displays a vocal growth that many expected her not to have, especially when she prepares herself to lower her vulnerability closer to the song's chorus, "So shine bright, tonight you and I". It's almost as if she helplessly convinces her partner that they're a match made in heaven, just like this song is to our ears.

Shockingly enough, the lyrical maturity and melody seems to be the true star of the song. Rihanna has opted to focus on a theme that's able to brighten us, or leave us feeling like a diamond in the rough. This song was clearly written by Sia and will become one of her biggest written singles to date.

Prepare to roll up one, sit back, and watch Rihanna continue her reign as Billboard's Princess of the Billboard Hot 100.

Rating: 4 shiny diamond blunts

Jay Z And Kanye West Working On 'Watch The Throne 2'?

Many Jay and Yeezy fans have been craving for new music. The last collaborative album 'Watch The Throne' reached platinum status and even gave birth to the fad "that shit cray". Now fans are about to receive the treat of the week with new information regarding 'Watch The Throne 2'.

Mike Dean recently sat down with Quiet Lunch Magazine and discussed the many projects that he's currently working on, and if you're a Kanye and Jay fan you'll know that he was one of the producers on the album.

Cheryle Cole Releases 'A Million Lights' Album Cover And Tracklisting

Not even seeing the light a million times will raise my anticipation for this album. "Call My Name" might have more hits on my Nokia X-2 than what Nicole Scherzinger has to her name, but this album already looks as if it's about to be ripped to pieces by critics.

Cheryle Cole's album cover for 'A Million Lights' will have Illuminati theorists popping bottles with her finger-highlighting-the-one-eye cover. Is this the level Cheryl has to stoop down to get people to buy her album?

New Music: Kirko Bangz feat. Chris Brown - "That Pole" Remix

"Drank In My Cup" is my jam! The silky track has to be one of the catchiest urban jams of the year. Now Kirko Bangz is back with a new single called "That Pole" featuring Chris Brown.

Listen to the cut below.

Melanie Fiona Performs "4 AM" On 106 & Park, Receives BET Nomination

The beautiful Melanie Fiona stopped by 106 & Park to help celebrate the network's list of BET nominations. Melanie has been nominated for 'Best Female R&B Artist' and performed her single "4 AM' from her fantastic album 'The MF Life', which should assist the underrated singer win some Grammys.

She is really appreciative of her nomination. She's really a sweet person and I hope that she continues to release solid albums in the future. Her time will come.

Check out the performance after the jump.

Kelly Clarkson Performs On 'Dancing With The Stars'

Kelly Clarkson is really on that promo swag with all of these performances. First she did performed well on the Billboard Awards stage, and now she performs on 'Dancing With The Stars'. She also released the single cover for "Dark Side", which looks really dark yet sincere. Maybe she knows how badly this song will slay?

Watch how Kelly does.

Snaps! John Mayer And Alicia Keys In The Studio

Is this a sign of new collaboration between Alicia Keys and John Mayer?

The two were snapped in the studio and unveiled by Alicia's usual production partner Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, who also appears in the photo. The two musicians last collaborated on Alicia Keys' 'As I Am' on a song called "Lesson Learned".

New Music: Cocaine 80s - "Queen To Be"

Cocaine 80s has to be the most intriguing group of the year so far. Their 'Ghost Lady' EP gave me more life than what's present in Britney Spears' eyes.

 

 

Consisting of rapper Common, the impeccable James Fauntleroy, producer No I.D., and Makeba Riddick, Cocaine 80s establishes a distinctive sound that hip-hop has been missing. "Queen To Be" is another soulful track, that hints at the 80's sound that's been omnipresent throughout their whole EP.

 

 

New Music: Diplo feat. Lazerdisk Party Sex - "Set It Off"

One of pop's hottest producers Diplo is ready to unleash his wrath of marvelous hits with the release of his new EP 'Express Yourself'.

New Music: T.I. - "Like That"

What happened to T.I.? He used to ooze as much swagger as Mariah Carey's talents. Now he has the swagger of Waka Flacka Flame. Is the King of the South finally falling from grace?

 

 

Ever since his incarceration, he has only fed us with disappointment. You can listen to his new single "Like That" after the jump. If I'm in the mood, I'll review it properly.