Karmin drops covers, finds success with album ‘Hello’
Nearly a year ago, pop duo Karmin identified itself the music industry’s most exciting upstart immediately after turning out to be a viral YouTube sensation.
Their spit-polished, homespun covers of ubiquitous hits this kind of as Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Now,” LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass” garnered more than 100 million views and turned the heads of virtually every record label executive — the pair even met with Kanye West.
The duo — whose name is a hybrid of the word “carmen,” which in Latin signifies “song,” and “Karma” — consists of Berklee grads and real-existence couple Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan. With Heidemann’s chameleon-like capability to switch from pop diva to spunky femcee and Noonan’s deft musicianship (he’s most likely the only crooner in today’s Best 40 that can sling a trombone) they scored a large-profile deal with Sony Music Entertainment, the very first signing below Antonio “L.A.” Reid’s restructured Epic.
Nicki Minaj Brings ‘Starships’ + More to All-Star Game
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It’s secure to say that Nicki Minaj redeemed herself to her critics of her Grammy efficiency. The spectral-wigged starlet took the stage at the NBA All-Star game, executing new and outdated tracks, and she killed it! Minaj began slow, performing ‘Moment for Life’ in a white and silver hooded physique suit and brief, ladylike lavender wig. Minaj rocked not only her overall performance, but also a huge ring reading “QUEEN” in bling that could blind a guy. We do admit that we missed Drake, though!
Following ‘Moment for Existence,’ Minaj launched into ‘Turn Me On,’ her insanely catchy track with David Guetta. Following the song, honors were offered to the real NBA All-Stars — although we know who the true star of this show was.
After awards have been doled out, the Harajuku Barbie emerged in a neon green, lengthy, straight wig. Flanked by tons of dancers (some shirtless), smoke and bright lights, Minaj danced her ample behind off to ‘Starships.’ She was plainly backed by a vocal track for the song’s hooks (if not much more), but provided the quantity of moving she did, it is not uncommon nor would it be unpredicted.
The Eastern Conference All-Stars have been announced following ‘Starships,’ during which Minaj produced an additional quick wig alter, this time to a short a single related to her ‘Moment for Life’ functionality — except in her signature pink! Minaj rocked out to ‘Super Bass’ to close her performances. Though this track also had a recording behind it, Minaj relied on it considerably less.
Stick to this kind of factor, Barbie — you don’t need the Pope to place on a very good show!
Billboard Music Awards: Britney Spears joins Rihanna, Beyonce runs the world, Cee Lo spins in space
Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Wireimage.com
Duets in the air, do you care—do you love the smell of it? (This post is written in real time; refresh for updates.)
Rihanna’s show-opening performance of her recent no. 1 single “S&M” became an R&B—yes, Rihanna and Britney: wordplay!—production when Spears joined a white-vinyl-clad RiRi onstage in her own black vinyl naughty-bunny gear for panting, pole-dancing, and a (semi)climactic pillow fight. Also, an endearingly un-vixenish song-closing collapse into giggles.
Host and Hangover star Ken Jeong kept his bits relatively covered in a sequin-lapeled tux for his own song-and-dance opener, with assists from Nicki Minaj and Train frontman Pat Monahan. The demurely suited, platinum-bobbed Minaj, working a sort of lady-executive “I just got my MBA in fabu” look, first teased Jeong before becoming his piano-writhing muse on a riffy runthrough of … Coldplay’s “Clocks?” Why not. Welcome to the 2011 Billboard Awards.
Two prizes later (Taylor, Biebs, the uzhe), we’re back to performances—and look! Fergie brought her best Tron dress. LEDs for everyone! And a group running man. Will.i.am, Fergs, and the Our Time Other Two jump and party-pump as Peas do to “Just Can’t Get Enough” and “I Gotta Feeling.”
Time then, to dial down the party for a little Zen-garden reflection with Pitbull and Ne-Yo. Just kidding! Time for showgirls and lazers and “Give Me Everything.” It’s like the Cuban Copacabana up there.