Fresh New Music: Christina Aguilera feat. Nicki Minaj – “Woohoo”

Xtina is back! Christina’s latest leak is an upbeat dance track with Nicki Minaj, but unlike her first attempt, this Polow Da Don-produced track works. Forget the fact that they’re singing & rapping about their lady parts and oral sex, it’s as catchy and eclectic as an MIA track but with the trademarked Christina flair. But will it have staying power? It sure will.

Truth be told, everyone can attest that Christina’s “Stripped” was the best we’ve seen of her, chalking up so many classic powerhouse hits with her unique Christina soulful sound, raunchy beats and explicitly mature themes. With her first single off her debut album, “Not Myself Tonight,” and this latest leak, “Woohoo,” Christina is clearly going back to her dirrrrrrrty roots, but how far is too far? After checking out the leaked songlist for her latest album, “Bionic,” set to be released June 8th, it is apparent that Christina is trying hard to work in the expressively sensual formula that worked for her a decade ago. However, in a sea of music tainted by the outrageous genius of Lady Gaga, it really doesn’t make that much of a splash. Even her most recent video for “Not Myself Tonight,” yielded comparisons to Gagalicious undertones. Lest we forget though, Christina was the original princess of dirty, girl power pop music), so who is mimicking whom these days? Whatever the case, this collaboration is a step in the right direction. She’s got the pipes to back up the vocals without being overwhelming, which lets face it, is not easy for Christina to do. She’s pretty much the modern day “Queen of Riffs.” But here, we are spared the over-the-top frosting, we get right to the cake. And it tastes delicious.

Welcome back Christina! Oh, how we’ve missed you!

[Source: ChristinaAguilera.com]

New Music Video: Lupe Fiasco – “I’m Beamin”

Just released! Lupe Fiasco posted a new music video for his first single, “I’m Beamin,” off his highly anticipated third studio album, Lasers. The release date is rumored to drop sometime this week.

“They say my future is dark, but see me now, just look around, I’m beamin!” The main chorus of this song goes hand in hand with Lupe’s new album, Lasers, which is an acronym for “Love Always Shines Everytime Remember to Smile.” The song is hot, as it merges the sick beats of Pharrell and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, with Lupe’s prophetic lyrics. The video, while seemingly pretty low budget, features bright lights/lasers (a given), intergalactic cutout images, as well as several adorable cute kids to represent “old souls inside sonic youth.” The whole concept of the video is meant to provide motivation to all the underdogs and losers out there, and it’s got a feel-good vibe to it. Welcome Back, Lupe! We’ve missed you.

Source – LupeE.N.D blog, Rap Up

Fresh New Music – B.o.B feat. Eminem and Hayley Williams “Airplanes pt. 2″

B.o.B, aka Bobby Ray, is one of the biggest artists to come out of “Hotlanta” in recent years. As soon as his mainstream single, “Nothin on You” shot up the charts, all eyes started looking towards this young talented artist to see what other kinds of hits he could spew out. Next in line, we have a fresh remix to his already brilliant single “Airplanes” featuring Hayley Williams from Paramore with some help from the untouchable Mr. Marshall Mathers himself. Adding more fuel to the fire of this genius collabo that’s sure to be another chart-topper, Eminem kills his spotlight verse rapping about a young MC who is socially awkward and trying to make ends meet to support his family but ends up being a huge disappointment. Sound familiar? I dare you not to take one listen and not be hooked yourself.

Listen to and download Airplanes pt. 2 HERE. And be on the look out for B.o.B’s debut album, “B.o.B. Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray,” which is set to be released later this month.

(via HotNewHipHop)

Fresh New Music: Gorillaz – “Superfast Jellyfish”

Earlier this afternoon, Gorillaz premiered their first single, “Superfast Jellyfish,” from their third album, Plastic Beach, which is set to release early next month. This fresh new track is atypical of Gorillaz’ alternative hip hop/trip rock sound and features an appetizing collabo with legendary MC, De La Soul, and Super Furry Animals bandmember Gruff Rhys. “Jellyfish” opens up with a peppy commercial announcer voiceover enticing you to a “delicious and piping hot breakfast in just under 3 microwave minutes” before taking you on a tantalizingly psychedelic ride that promises to serve up “pretty packages of frosted delights.” This song is guaranteed to be your next jam the next time the weather’s nice enough to have the windows rolled down while you’re cruising in your car. Don’t believe me? Listen for yourself here!

Mark your calendars, Plastic Beach is due out March 9, 2010.

[Source: Pitchfork, YouTube]

NY Fashion Week: Y-3 (2010 Fall/Winter Collection)

You’ve got to hand it Yohji Yamamoto. With the introduction of his 2010 Fall/Winter Collection for Y-3 (his official collaboration with Adidas), he’s singlehandedly managed to take the genre of “sport style” to another level.

Originating from Tokyo (fashion capital of the East), Yohji has become one of the world’s most esteemed designers, and one of the first high-end designers to take the plunge in a sportswear line. His latest show jumped off with an intergalactic theme with laser beams and flashing lights outlining the runway before models strutted down the catwalk dressed as comic book-inspired pieces of art. Amazingly, Yohji managed to capture the beauty of long-beloved comic book heroes of his childhood and mesh it with an avant-garde take on sportswear.

Collectively, Yohji draws inspiration from eye-popping accents including superhero face masks, Star Trek-styled shades, a Two-Face double-patterned blazer-coat, colorful windbreaker capes, not to mention neon platform sneaker-heels. Though the latter sounds like it would be an oxymoron, it is definitely a trend to watch, seeing how many luxury designers are now taking their glamorous brands and venturing into relaxed, athletic apparel and footwear. Proof is in Jimmy Choo’s latest sneaker offering and even the late Alexander McQueen with his latest collaboration with Puma. If anything, Fresh Maven predicts that the fashion trends of this year will be gravitating back to an all-out 90′s fashion revival. If that’s the case, it’s safe to proclaim that the sporty, casual look is back in style and Yohji is just one step ahead of the game.

Here are some of the highlights in the latest collection from Y-3:

For more of an inside look of the latest Y-3 collection or to stream the entire runway show, please visit the Y-3 For Adidas site.

[Source: Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 For Adidas, Jargol, High Snobiety. Images: Coutouture]

NY Fashion Week: Christian Siriano (Fall 2010 Collection)

New York Fashion Week is officially underway. Fresh Maven is bringing you some of the hottest looks to hit the runway for the 2010 Autumn/Winter Collections, starting with Christian Siriano.

It’s been only 2 years since Siriano won the 4th season’s Project Runway competition which jumpstarted his critical acclaim and success, but his latest collection is proving that he is worthy of his reign as a prodigiously talented designer. With a masterful assortment of chic, yet colorfully dramatic garments tailored intricately and perfectly, he has managed to step away from his usual dark and gothic undertones into more of an understated ready-to-wear sophistication.

With this collection, Siriano claims he was inspired by “1960s European women…who got dressed everyday.” At 24 years old, it’s hard to believe anyone at that age could dream up such vivid detail and particularly inimitable quality, but Siriano makes his playful eccentricity and “fierce” taste work to his advantage. If you don’t know his name by now, you should, because Christian Siriano is here to stay.

Here are my top 5 favorite pieces from his collection:

Cut and definition of the leather on this jacket is unusual, yet refined and the entire outfit is ready-to-wear from day to night.

I’m a huge fan of the printed slipskirt layered underneath the asymmetrical cinched satin tunic dress. The contrast of the two tones is muted enough that it’s not heavy on the eyes, but still makes a definitive statement.

The black metallic sheen on the main part of the dress is fierce and fashion forward without looking too futuristic. The silk chiffon sleeves also added a nice appeal for the shoulders and drapes stylishly without taking too much emphasis away from the rest of the garment.

Just a lovely and elegant midnight blue one shoulder cocktail dress. Pristine in cut and très chic.

This ruched chiffon fuchsia evening gown is probably the most intricate piece without being too overworked or with an excess of gaudy layers. The color and mixed texture of fabrics blends quite beautifully. Very characteristic of Siriano.

For the entire lookbook of Siriano’s Fall Fashion Week collection, you can preview it HERE

[Source: Associated Press, Coutouture]

New Music Video: Melanie Fiona – “You Stop My Heart” (Valentine’s Day Edition)

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Miss Melanie Fiona dropped a sweet and special treat for all her fans and lovers alike with a specially made short video for “You Stop My Heart,” the next single off her brilliant debut album, The Bridge.

This 26 year old diva is known for having some serious pipes, as evident by her spunky first single, “Give It To Me Right.” But in this clip, Miss Fiona displays her softer, romantic side, serenading you into a dream-like trance where she tenderly sings that you’ve found a way to “stop her heart that she can’t seem to focus on anything.” Amidst an all black and white backdrop, the presence of Melanie and her two background singers convey an old doo-wop soul and Motown theme reminiscent of the original dreamgirls, Diana Ross and the Supremes. Her costume choice is spot on, as she wears a classy cinched pleated evening babydoll dress with her wrists laden in diamond-crusted bracelets. Combined with her angelic voice that will definitely have you swooning, this song is an amazing and timeless tribute to share with your Valentine today.

Though the video teases us with only a snippet of the song just shy of the the 2 minute mark, you can download the full version of the track HERE.

Happy Valentine’s Day from me to you! ~ Fresh Maven

New Music Video: Rihanna – “Rude Boy”

Is this a flashback video from the 90s? No, it’s actually Rihanna’s new video to her 4th single released from her most recent album, Rated R, entitled “Rude Boy.”

I’ve been a fan of this song since I first heard the album (mainly because it brought back the more playful, less dramatic Rihanna conveyed throughout the rest of her album), so I was ecstatic to see a video released for it. At first glance, though, I wasn’t a fan of the video concept. It reminded me too much of the “Baby Got Back” video mixed with a crazy MIA-ish type vibe, and it almost seemed to jock Beyonce/Lady Gaga’s outrageous “Video Phone” concept from late last year. It also lacked any real depth to me. However, it got my attention after re-watching a few times over. Why? This video features a funkedelic mashup of vibrant colors, sexy striptease dancing (which we haven’t seen from the Barbados native since she busted a move in the vid for her first single, “Pon De Replay” back in 2005), not to mention eye-catching fashion selections. However, it is Rihanna and I would expect nothing less since she has managed to establish herself as a rightful modern-day fashion icon. Now, I personally do not know anyone who would even dare to wear matching Fred Flintstone-esque polka-dotted crop top/cropped pants, nor African-inspired body art unitards. And don’t get me started with the frilled Jamaican-colored miniskirt. (Really?!?) But if there is one person to pull it off, it is Rihanna.

Hate on her all you want, but this fashionista never ceases to push the limits with style. The beehive earrings at 2:26 complement the sassy beehive ‘do and stand out as much as her outfit, and she is definitely rockin’ the multicolored, tailored one-shoulder dress as she bangs the drums in the beginning of the video. And, did anyone notice the previously spotlighted FreshMaven-endorsed Carrera shades Miss Fenty stunts at 2:11? Props to her for that! She really could’ve done without that hideous rainbow-sequined baseball cap, though.

Needless to say, it’s also refreshing to see RiRi getting back to her more playful side. This sexy vixen has been through quite a lot since the Chris Brown debacle this time last year, and it seems she’s throwing herself full steam ahead into her career and not looking back. (Side note: anyone else see the “video guy” at 1:19 and do a double take after mistakenly seeing C. Breezy from the side angle?) All in all, I appreciate this video. Despite the lack of true substance as a whole, Rihanna definitely explores her creative artistry through her audacious wardrobe choices in this video. To that, I say, “Bravo!”

Jimmy Choo Launches New Sneaker Line

You heard right, folks. The same esteemed designer to bring you their signature handmade stiletto heels is now launching its premium casual footwear collection. Elle UK announced yesterday that the high-end couture brand is venturing out from their usual 5-inch style to more grounded territory, with the “addition of 8 sneakers in their pre-fall 2010 collection.” They are meant for those times when you want to trade your high heels with a more comfy, yet glamorous alternative….because going casual doesn’t mean you have to lose your step in style.

Sure to be a hit with on-the-go fashionistas, Jimmy Choo’s first attempt at tackling chic yet street-savvy kicks includes low- to high-top suede and snakeskin trainers in eye-catching colors and textures. The only leaked shoe features a high-top midnight blue colorway on a classic white outsole. Its upper blends a suede and snakeskin design, providing a strategic Jimmy Choo-like flair in its composition. Surely anyone with a pair of these will stand out in the crowd! Just be prepared to shell out for the hefty price tag: the cheapest pair of these run at about £295.

[via Elle UK]

Fresh New Music: Damian Marley & Nas – “Strong Will Continue”

“Only the strong will continue, do you have it in you? God, we’ve got a journey to go…”

Another highly anticipated album to be released this year is Damian Marley and Nasir Jones’ (aka Nas) collaboration effort, “Distant Relatives,” which has now been pushed back to April 2010. According to a recent post on RapBasement.com, Nas hopes this record will lead “to more humanitarian efforts across the world….spreading the karma, peace and love idea that Damian’s father Bob Marley believed in so much.”

This song is a true testament to that message, especially with the recent tragic event that has touched us all due to the earthquake in Haiti. The timing of this leak is only fitting to commemorate those lives we have lost and a tribute to those who have managed to stay strong enough to survive such devastation. The combination of Nas’ rhymes with Damian Marley’s commanding message “only the strong will continue, I know you have it in you” is an inspirational anthem that not only manages to humble you, but also makes you want to march forward against all odds (with a dope beat to step to, no less). And it doesn’t seem forced, either. Like these two proclaim, they are on the way and “destined to rise.” And, from the sound of this track, so does the fate of the duo’s upcoming record.

Listen to it for yourself HERE (via NahRight.com)