1.
Microsoft Theater
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The Microsoft Theater is a music and theatre venue in downtown Los Angeles, California at L. A. Live. The theatre auditorium seats 7,100 and holds one of the largest indoor stages in the United States, the theatre was designed by ELS Architecture and Urban Design of Berkeley, California on a commission by the Anschutz Entertainment Group in 2002. It opened on October 18,2007 with six concerts featuring The Eagles, in June 2015, the venue was re-branded as Microsoft Theater as part of a new naming rights deal with AEG Live. Microsoft had acquired Nokias mobile device business in 2014, as part of the new naming rights deal, the L. A. Live plaza was also renamed Microsoft Square, and Microsoft provided upgrades to the venues technology, since its opening, the Microsoft Theater has been a popular venue for award shows. The theatre has hosted the ESPY Awards since 2008 as well as the American Music Awards since 2007, the venue has been the home to the Primetime Emmy Awards since 2008 and will continue to do so until at least 2018. It hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2010,2011 and 2015, in 2008 and 2011, the venue hosted The Grammy Nominations Live, a concert announcing the nominees for the Grammy Awards were announced. The Microsoft Theater has hosted the Peoples Choice Awards since 2010 and it has also been used by Nintendo multiple times for press conferences during E3. It was also the venue for the finale of American Idol from seasons 7–13 as well as the 2015, vocaloid character Hatsune Miku made her US debut at Microsoft Theater on July 2,2011, as part of Anime Expo. She returned to the venue on October 11–12,2014 as part of Miku Expo LA2014, Hatsune Miku returned for another performance on May 6,2016 as part of her first North American tour. The 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions were held at the Microsoft Theater on April 18,2013, the BET Awards moved to the Microsoft Theater in 2013. Since 2013, the Microsoft Theater has hosted the Radio Disney Music Awards, the Microsoft Theater most recently hosted the 58th Annual Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony on February 15
2.
Los Angeles
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Los Angeles, officially the City of Los Angeles and often known by its initials L. A. is the cultural, financial, and commercial center of Southern California. With a census-estimated 2015 population of 3,971,883, it is the second-most populous city in the United States, Los Angeles is also the seat of Los Angeles County, the most populated county in the United States. The citys inhabitants are referred to as Angelenos, historically home to the Chumash and Tongva, Los Angeles was claimed by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo for Spain in 1542 along with the rest of what would become Alta California. The city was founded on September 4,1781, by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve. It became a part of Mexico in 1821 following the Mexican War of Independence, in 1848, at the end of the Mexican–American War, Los Angeles and the rest of California were purchased as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, thereby becoming part of the United States. Los Angeles was incorporated as a municipality on April 4,1850, the discovery of oil in the 1890s brought rapid growth to the city. The completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1913, delivering water from Eastern California, nicknamed the City of Angels, Los Angeles is known for its Mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, and sprawling metropolis. Los Angeles also has an economy in culture, media, fashion, science, sports, technology, education, medicine. A global city, it has been ranked 6th in the Global Cities Index, the city is home to renowned institutions covering a broad range of professional and cultural fields, and is one of the most substantial economic engines within the United States. The Los Angeles combined statistical area has a gross metropolitan product of $831 billion, making it the third-largest in the world, after the Greater Tokyo and New York metropolitan areas. The city has hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984 and is bidding to host the 2024 Summer Olympics and thus become the second city after London to have hosted the Games three times. The Los Angeles area also hosted the 1994 FIFA mens World Cup final match as well as the 1999 FIFA womens World Cup final match, the mens event was watched on television by over 700 million people worldwide. The Los Angeles coastal area was first settled by the Tongva, a Gabrielino settlement in the area was called iyáangẚ, meaning poison oak place. Gaspar de Portolà and Franciscan missionary Juan Crespí, reached the present site of Los Angeles on August 2,1769, in 1771, Franciscan friar Junípero Serra directed the building of the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, the first mission in the area. The Queen of the Angels is an honorific of the Virgin Mary, two-thirds of the settlers were mestizo or mulatto with a mixture of African, indigenous and European ancestry. The settlement remained a small town for decades, but by 1820. Today, the pueblo is commemorated in the district of Los Angeles Pueblo Plaza and Olvera Street. New Spain achieved its independence from the Spanish Empire in 1821, during Mexican rule, Governor Pío Pico made Los Angeles Alta Californias regional capital
3.
California
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California is the most populous state in the United States and the third most extensive by area. Located on the western coast of the U. S, California is bordered by the other U. S. states of Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona and shares an international border with the Mexican state of Baja California. Los Angeles is Californias most populous city, and the second largest after New York City. The Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the nations second- and fifth-most populous urban regions, California also has the nations most populous county, Los Angeles County, and its largest county by area, San Bernardino County. The Central Valley, an agricultural area, dominates the states center. What is now California was first settled by various Native American tribes before being explored by a number of European expeditions during the 16th and 17th centuries, the Spanish Empire then claimed it as part of Alta California in their New Spain colony. The area became a part of Mexico in 1821 following its war for independence. The western portion of Alta California then was organized as the State of California, the California Gold Rush starting in 1848 led to dramatic social and demographic changes, with large-scale emigration from the east and abroad with an accompanying economic boom. If it were a country, California would be the 6th largest economy in the world, fifty-eight percent of the states economy is centered on finance, government, real estate services, technology, and professional, scientific and technical business services. Although it accounts for only 1.5 percent of the states economy, the story of Calafia is recorded in a 1510 work The Adventures of Esplandián, written as a sequel to Amadis de Gaula by Spanish adventure writer Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo. The kingdom of Queen Calafia, according to Montalvo, was said to be a land inhabited by griffins and other strange beasts. This conventional wisdom that California was an island, with maps drawn to reflect this belief, shortened forms of the states name include CA, Cal. Calif. and US-CA. Settled by successive waves of arrivals during the last 10,000 years, various estimates of the native population range from 100,000 to 300,000. The Indigenous peoples of California included more than 70 distinct groups of Native Americans, ranging from large, settled populations living on the coast to groups in the interior. California groups also were diverse in their organization with bands, tribes, villages. Trade, intermarriage and military alliances fostered many social and economic relationships among the diverse groups, the first European effort to explore the coast as far north as the Russian River was a Spanish sailing expedition, led by Portuguese captain Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, in 1542. Some 37 years later English explorer Francis Drake also explored and claimed a portion of the California coast in 1579. Spanish traders made unintended visits with the Manila galleons on their trips from the Philippines beginning in 1565
4.
United States
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Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci
5.
Justin Bieber
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Justin Drew Bieber is a Canadian singer and songwriter. After a talent manager discovered him through his YouTube videos covering songs in 2008 and signed to RBMG, Bieber released his debut EP, My World and it was certified Platinum in the U. S. He became the first artist to have seven songs from a record chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Bieber released his first full-length studio album, My World 2.0 and it debuted at or near number one in several countries, was certified triple Platinum in the U. S. and contained his most successful single at the time, Baby. He released his studio album, Under the Mistletoe, in November 2011. Bieber released his studio album, Believe, in 2012. His fourth studio album Purpose was released in November 2015 to commercial success and his U. S. album and singles sales total 44.7 million. He has sold an estimated 100 million records, making him one of the world’s best-selling music artists, Bieber has won numerous awards, including the American Music Award for Artist of the Year in 2010 and 2012. In his career, he has won one Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for the song Where Are Ü Now at the 2016 ceremony. He has been listed four times by Forbes magazine among the top ten most powerful celebrities in the world in 2011,2012, Bieber also became the first artist to surpass 10 billion total video views on Vevo. Bieber was born on March 1,1994, in London, Ontario, at St Josephs Hospital and he is the only child of Jeremy Jack Bieber and Patricia Pattie Mallette. Pattie raised her son with the help of her mother, Diane and his mother is of French-Canadian descent, his paternal great-grandfather was of German ancestry, and his other roots are English, Scottish and Irish. He has also claimed that he has some undetermined Aboriginal Canadian ancestry, through Jeremy, Bieber has two younger half-siblings, Jazmyn and Jaxon. Pattie worked a series of low-paying office jobs, raising Bieber as a mother in low-income housing. Bieber has maintained contact with his father, Bieber attended a French-language immersion elementary school in Stratford, the Jeanne Sauvé Catholic School. Growing up, he learned to play the piano, drums, guitar and he graduated from high school in Stratford, Ontario, the St. Michael Catholic Secondary School in 2012 with a 4.0 GPA. In early 2007, aged 12, Bieber sang Ne-Yos So Sick for a singing competition in Stratford and was placed second. Mallette posted a video of the performance on YouTube for their family and she continued to upload videos of Bieber singing covers of various R&B songs, and Biebers popularity on the site grew
6.
Rihanna
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Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, and actress. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, she first entered the industry by recording demo tapes under the direction of record producer Evan Rogers in 2003. She ultimately signed a contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning for its then-president. She assumed creative control for her studio album Good Girl Gone Bad. Its successful lead single Umbrella became a breakthrough in her career. After releasing four consecutive platinum albums, including the Grammy Award winner Unapologetic. Her eighth studio album Anti and its lead single Work reached number-one on the Billboard 200, with sales exceeding 230 million records worldwide, Rihanna is one of the best-selling artists of all time. Widely recognized for reinventing her style, she received the Fashion Icon lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2014. Forbes ranked Rihanna the fourth most powerful celebrity of 2012, and was named one of Times 100 Most Influential People in the World later that year, Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20,1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. Her mother, Monica, is an accountant of African American background. Rihanna has two brothers, Rorrey and Rajad Fenty, and two half-sisters and a half-brother from her fathers side, each born to different mothers from his previous relationships. She grew up in a bungalow in Bridgetown and sold clothes with her father in a stall on the street. Rihannas childhood was affected by her fathers addiction to crack cocaine. As a child, she went through a lot of CT scans for the excruciating headaches she suffered, even thought it was a tumor, by the time she was fourteen, Rihanna’s parents had divorced and her health began to improve. Rihanna grew up listening to music and began singing at around the age of seven. She attended Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School and Combermere High School, Rihanna was an army cadet in a sub-military programme, the singer-songwriter Shontelle was her drill sergeant. Although she initially wanted to graduate high school, she chose to pursue a musical career instead. In 2003, Rihanna formed a trio with two of her classmates
7.
Nicki Minaj
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Onika Tanya Maraj, known professionally as Nicki Minaj, is a Trinidadian-born American rapper, singer, songwriter and model. Born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago and raised in South Jamaica, Queens, New York and she has been signed to Young Money Entertainment since 2009. In 2010, Minaj became the first female solo artist to have seven singles simultaneously charting on the U. S. Billboard Hot 100. Her third studio album, The Pinkprint, was preceded by its single, Anaconda. Minaj made her debut in the 2012 animated film Ice Age, Continental Drift, followed by supporting roles in The Other Woman and Barbershop. In 2013, she was a judge on the season of American Idol. Minaj was the first female artist included on MTVs Annual Hottest MC List, in 2016, Minaj was included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. Her rapping is distinctive for its fast flow and the use of alter egos and accents, early in her career, Minaj was known for her colorful costumes and wigs. According to Billboard, Minaj has the most Hot 100 entries for a female artist in the charts history and she has further endorsed Adidas, MAC Cosmetics and Pepsi. She has sold 20 million singles as a lead artist, and 60 million singles as a featured artist worldwide, Onika Tanya Maraj was born on December 8,1982, in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago. Her father, Robert Maraj, a executive and part-time gospel singer, is of Indo-Trinidadian and Afro-Trinidadian descent. Her mother, Carol Maraj, also a singer, is of Afro-Trinidadian ancestry. Carol worked in payroll and accounting departments during Minajs youth, Minajs father was addicted to alcohol and other drugs, and had a violent temper, burning down their house in December 1987. As a small child, Minaj and a sibling lived with her grandmother in Saint James and her mother, who had moved to The Bronx, New York to attend Monroe College, brought the family to Queens, New York, when Minaj was 5. By then the family had a house on West 147th Street, Minaj recalled, I don’t think I had a lot of discipline in my household. My mom motivated me, but it wasn’t a strict household, I kind of wanted a strict household. Minaj successfully auditioned for admission to LaGuardia High School in Manhattan, after graduation, Minaj wanted to become an actress, and she was cast in the Off-Broadway play In Case You Forget in 2001. At the age of 19, as she struggled with her career, she worked as a waitress at Red Lobster in the Bronx
8.
American Broadcasting Company
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The network is headquartered on Columbus Avenue and West 66th Street in Manhattan, New York City. There are additional offices and production facilities elsewhere in New York City, as well as in Los Angeles and Burbank. Since 2007, when ABC Radio was sold to Citadel Broadcasting, ABC originally launched on October 12,1943, as a radio network, separated from and serving as the successor to the NBC Blue Network, which had been purchased by Edward J. Noble. It extended its operations to television in 1948, following in the footsteps of established broadcast networks CBS, in the mid-1950s, ABC merged with United Paramount Theatres, a chain of movie theaters that formerly operated as a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures. Leonard Goldenson, who had been the head of UPT, made the new television network profitable by helping develop, in 1996, most of Capital Cities/ABCs assets were purchased by The Walt Disney Company. The television network has eight owned-and-operated and over 232 affiliated television stations throughout the United States, most Canadians have access to at least one U. S. ABC News provides news and features content for radio stations owned by Citadel Broadcasting. In the 1930s, radio in the United States was dominated by three companies, the Columbia Broadcasting System, the Mutual Broadcasting System and the National Broadcasting Company. The last was owned by electronics manufacturer Radio Corporation of America, in 1938, the FCC began a series of investigations into the practices of radio networks and published its report on the broadcasting of network radio programs in 1940. The report recommended that RCA give up control of either NBC Red or NBC Blue, at that time, the NBC Red Network was the principal radio network in the United States and, according to the FCC, RCA was using NBC Blue to eliminate any hint of competition. Once Mutuals appeals against the FCC were rejected, RCA decided to sell NBC Blue in 1941, the newly separated NBC Red and NBC Blue divided their respective corporate assets. Investment firm Dillon, Read & Co. offered $7.5 million to purchase the network, Edward John Noble, the owner of Life Savers candy, drugstore chain Rexall and New York City radio station WMCA, purchased the network for $8 million. Due to FCC ownership rules, the transaction, which was to include the purchase of three RCA stations by Noble, would require him to resell his station with the FCCs approval, the Commission authorized the transaction on October 12,1943. Soon afterward, the Blue Network was purchased by the new company Noble founded, Noble subsequently acquired the rights to the American Broadcasting Company name from George B. Meanwhile, in August 1944, the West Coast division of the Blue Network, both stations were then managed by Don Searle, the vice-president of the Blue Networks West Coast division. The ABC Radio Network created its audience slowly, the network also became known for such suspenseful dramas as Sherlock Holmes, Gang Busters and Counterspy, as well as several mid-afternoon youth-oriented programs. S. From Nazi Germany after its conquest, to pre-record its programming, while its radio network was undergoing reconstruction, ABC found it difficult to avoid falling behind on the new medium of television. To ensure a space, in 1947, ABC submitted five applications for television station licenses, the ABC television network made its debut on April 19,1948, with WFIL-TV in Philadelphia becoming its first primary affiliate
9.
Dick Clark Productions
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Dick Clark Productions is an American entertainment production company founded by entertainer Dick Clark. The company previously had a relationship with the Academy of Country Music Awards. It is unclear if the relationship with the ACM will continue. However, it is confirmed that it will be producing the 50th ACM Awards in 2015, the Dick Clark radio show began syndication in the late 1950s as part of MARS Broadcasting. Dick Clark Productions went public on NASDAQ in 1986 and it was taken private in 2002 by an investment group that included Mosaic Media Group and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Mandalay Entertainment bought CDPs stake in 2004, on June 19,2007, Dick Clark Productions was sold to Daniel Snyder, Washington Redskins owner and former chairman of Six Flags, for $175 Million. After founder Dick Clarks death on April 18,2012, Snyder commented that he was proud when he purchased Dick Clark Productions, adding that Clark was in every sense of the word, a giant. Until 2012, Dick Clark Productions was majority owned by Red Zone Capital Management, a Daniel Snyder-controlled private equity firm, with a 40 percent stake held by Six Flags. The week of June 13,2012, Red Zone confirmed a possible sale of D. C. P. the Dodgers instead partnered with Time Warner Cable to launch Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA. Variety reported that DCP CEO Allen Shapiro was likely to be a key player in the spinoff, boehlys stake is represented by Eldridge Industries. In September 2016, it was reported that the Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group was in talks to acquire Dick Clark Productions and this was confirmed on November 4,2016, when Wanda Group announced the purchase for $1 billion. On February 20,2017, Bloomberg reported that the sale was facing issues in China. On March 10,2017, an Eldridge Industries spokesperson stated that the sale had been scrapped, later, Clark rented a building on the Sunset Strip, in an area among visible, legendary clubs and landmarks. As Clark recounted in his 1976 book, Rock, Roll and Remember, I hung up a very modest sign in lowercase print — dick clark productions —, official website Dick Clark Productions at the Internet Movie Database
10.
American Music Awards of 2011
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The 39th American Music Awards was held on November 20,2011, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The awards recognized the most popular artists and albums from the year 2011, nominees were announced on October 11,2011. Taylor Swift and Adele were the big winners of the picking up three awards in total. Nominees were announced on October 11,2011, winners are in bold. i. am and Jennifer Lopez and presented Favorite Pop/Rock Album award Lionel Richie presented Artist of the Year award and introduced LMFAO Pre-show Main show Source, performers
11.
American Music Awards of 2013
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The 41st American Music Awards was held on November 24,2013 at the Nokia Theatre L. A. The awards recognized the most popular artists and albums of 2013 and it was broadcast live on ABC and CTV with Simultaneous substitution. The nominations were announced on October 10,2013, by Kelly Clarkson, macklemore & Ryan Lewis led the nominations with six, followed by Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake with five. The show was hosted by Pitbull, Taylor Swift was the biggest winner of the night with four wins including Artist of the Year, Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist, Favorite Country Female Artist and Favorite Country Album. Justin Timberlake also won three awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album, rihanna won the first-ever Icon Award, as well as winning Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist
12.
Christina Aguilera
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Christina María Aguilera is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. Born in Staten Island, New York and raised in Rochester and Wexford, Pennsylvania, she appeared on the television series Star Search, after recording Reflection, the theme for Disneys 1998 film Mulan, Aguilera signed with RCA Records. She rose to prominence with her 1999 self-titled debut album spawned the Billboard Hot 100 number one singles, Genie in a Bottle, What a Girl Wants. The following year, Aguilera released two albums, the Spanish-language album Mi Reflejo and the holiday album My Kind of Christmas. She assumed creative control for her studio album, Stripped, which produced Dirrty, Beautiful. Aguileras fifth studio album, Back to Basics, debuted at one on the album charts of ten countries and spawned the tracks Aint No Other Man. In 2010, Aguilera released her studio album Bionic and starred in the film Burlesque. The following year, she debuted as a coach on the reality television series The Voice. Her seventh studio album, Lotus, was released in 2012, Aguilera has also been featured on several successful collaborations during her career, including Lady Marmalade, Moves like Jagger, and Say Something. Aguilera has been recognized as a pop icon and earned the title Pop Princess in her early years and her work has earned her five Grammy Awards, one Latin Grammy Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has sold over 17.9 million albums in the United States as of 2014 and 50 million albums worldwide as of 2015. In 2009, she ranked at number 58 on Rolling Stones list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time, thereby becoming the youngest and the only artist under 30 to be named. Billboard recognized her as the 20th most successful artist of the 2000s, aside from her work in the entertainment industry, Aguilera is involved in charitable activities through human rights, world issues, and her work as a UN ambassador for the World Food Programme. Christina María Aguilera was born in Staten Island, New York, on December 18,1980, to Shelly Loraine, a musician, and Fausto Xavier Aguilera and her father is Ecuadorian, while her mother has German, Irish, Welsh, and Dutch ancestry. Her family moved frequently because of her fathers service, and lived in places including New Jersey, Texas, New York. Aguilera and her mother alleged that her father was physically and emotionally abusive, claims which he denied, Aguilera used music as a form of escape from her turbulent household. Following her parents divorce when she was six years old, Aguilera, her younger sister Rachel, after several years of being estranged, Aguilera expressed interest in reconciling with her father in 2012. Growing up, Aguilera, known locally as the girl with the big voice, aspired to be a singer, singing in local talent shows
13.
Katy Perry
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Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer and songwriter. After singing in church during her childhood, she pursued a career in music as a teenager. Perry signed with Red Hill Records and released her studio album Katy Hudson under her birth name in 2001. She moved to Los Angeles the following year to venture into music after Red Hill ceased operations and she subsequently began working with producers Glen Ballard, Dr. Luke. After adopting the stage name Katy Perry and being dropped by The Island Def Jam Music Group and Columbia Records, the album became the first by a female artist to produce five number-one songs in the U. S. and the second overall after Michael Jacksons album Bad. In March 2012, she re-issued the album as Teenage Dream, The Complete Confection and her fourth album, Prism, was released in 2013, and is influenced by pop and dance. She became the first artist with multiple videos to one billion views on Vevo with the videos for its songs Roar. Perry has received awards, including four Guinness World Records, a Brit Award, and a Juno Award. Her estimated net worth as of 2016 is $125 million and she is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, having sold 100 million records globally throughout her career. In film, she released a documentary titled Katy Perry, Part of Me in 2012. Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson was born in Santa Barbara, California, to Pentecostal pastors Mary Christine and her parents are born again Christians, each having turned to religion after a wild youth. Perry has English, German, Irish, and Portuguese ancestry, through her mother, she is a niece of film director Frank Perry. She has a brother named David, who is a singer. From ages 3 to 11, Perry often moved across the country as her parents set up churches before settling again in Santa Barbara. Growing up, she attended schools and camps, including Paradise Valley Christian School in Arizona. Her family struggled financially, sometimes using food stamps and eating from the bank intended to feed the congregation at her parents church. Growing up, Perry and her siblings were not allowed to eat Lucky Charms as the term luck reminded their mother of Lucifer, Perry primarily listened to gospel music, as secular music was generally discouraged in the familys home. She discovered popular music through CDs she sneaked from her friends, while not strictly identifying as religious, Perry has stated, I pray all the time – for self-control, for humility
14.
Adele
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Adele Laurie Blue Adkins MBE is an English singer-songwriter. After graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006, in 2007, she received the Brit Awards Critics Choice award and won the BBC Sound of 2008 poll. Her debut album,19, was released in 2008 to commercial and critical success and it is certified seven times platinum in the UK, and three times platinum in the US. An appearance she made on Saturday Night Live in late 2008 boosted her career in the US, at the 51st Grammy Awards in 2009, Adele received the awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. She released her studio album,21, in early 2011. The album has been certified 16 times platinum in the UK, in the US, it has held the top position longer than any album since 1985, and is certified diamond. The album has sold over 31 million copies worldwide, the success of 21 earned Adele numerous mentions in the Guinness Book of World Records. 21 is the number one album by a female solo artist in the history of the UK. In 2012, Adele released Skyfall, which she co-wrote and recorded for the James Bond film of the same name. The song won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, after taking a three-year break, Adele released her third studio album,25, in 2015. It became the years best-selling album and broke first week records in the UK. 25 was her album to be certified diamond in the US and earned her five Grammy Awards, including her second Grammy Award for Album of the Year. The lead single, Hello, became the first song in the US to sell one million digital copies within a week of its release. Her third concert tour, Adele Live 2016, visited Europe, North America and Oceania, in 2011,2012 and 2016, Billboard named Adele Artist of the Year. In 2012, she was listed at five on VH1s 100 Greatest Women in Music. Time magazine named her one of the most influential people in the world in 2012 and 2016, with sales of more than 100 million records, Adele is one of the best-selling recording artists in the world. Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born on 5 May 1988 in Tottenham, London, to an English mother, Penny Adkins, Evans left when Adele was two, leaving her mother to raise her. She began singing at age four and asserts that she became obsessed with voices, growing up, Adele spent most of her time singing rather than reading, the last book she read was Roald Dahls Matilda when she was six years old
15.
Taylor Swift
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Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. One of the most popular contemporary female recording artists, she is known for songs about her personal life. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Swift moved to Nashville, Tennessee at age 14 to pursue a career in country music and she signed with the independent label Big Machine Records and became the youngest artist ever signed by the Sony/ATV Music publishing house. Her eponymous debut album in 2006 peaked at five on Billboard 200. The albums third single, Our Song, made her the youngest person to single-handedly write, Swifts second album, Fearless, was released in 2008. Buoyed by the pop success of the singles Love Story and You Belong with Me. The album won four Grammy Awards, with Swift becoming the youngest Album of the Year winner, Swift was the sole writer of her 2010 album, Speak Now. It debuted at one in the United States and the single Mean won two Grammy Awards. Her fourth album, Red, yielded the successful singles We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, with her fifth album, the pop-focused 1989, she became the first act to have three albums sell a million copies within one week in the United States. Its singles Shake It Off, Blank Space and Bad Blood reached number one in the US, Australia, the album received three Grammy Awards, and Swift became the first woman and fifth act overall to win Album of the Year twice. The 2015 eponymous concert tour for 1989 became one of highest-grossing of the decade, as a songwriter, Swift has received awards from the Nashville Songwriters Association and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Swift is one of the artists of all time, having sold more than 40 million albums—including 27.1 million in the US—and 130 million single downloads. She has appeared in Times 100 most influential people in the world, Forbes top-earning women in music, Forbes 100 most powerful women and she was the youngest woman to be included in the third of these and ranked first in Celebrity 100. Taylor Alison Swift was born on December 13,1989, in Reading and her father, Scott Kingsley Swift, was a financial advisor, and her mother, Andrea Gardner Swift, was a homemaker who worked previously as a mutual fund marketing executive. She has a brother named Austin. Swift spent the years of her life on a Christmas tree farm in Cumru Township. She attended preschool and kindergarten at the Alvernia Montessori School, run by Franciscan nuns, the family then moved to a rented house in the suburban town of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, where she attended Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School. At the age of nine, Swift became interested in musical theater and she also traveled regularly to New York City for vocal and acting lessons
16.
Usher (musician)
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Usher Raymond IV is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. Born in Dallas, Texas but raised and lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee until moving to Atlanta, at the age of 12, his mother put him in local singing competitions, before catching the attention of a music A&R from LaFace Records. In 1994 he released his debut album, Usher. 8701 produced the number-one singles U Remind Me and U Got It Bad and it sold 8 million copies worldwide and won his first two Grammy Awards as Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2002 and 2003. Confessions established him as one of the musical artists of the 2000s decade. Bolstered by its four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number one singles, Burn, Confessions Part II, and My Boo, it has been certified Diamond by the RIAA. Here I Stand and Raymond v. Raymond, debuted atop of the Billboard 200, the EP, Versus, also produced the Hot 100 top-five single DJ Got Us Fallin in Love. Looking 4 Myself, also debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, Raymond v. Raymond and Looking 4 Myself received Grammy Awards for R&B singles There Goes My Baby and Climax. Hard II Love peaked at five of the Billboard 200 albums chart. Usher has sold 23.8 million albums and 38.2 million digital songs in the United States, to date, his worldwide sales stand at 43 million albums and 75 million records overall, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Usher has won awards and accolades including 18 Billboard Music Awards and 8 Grammy Awards. Billboard also placed him at number 6 on their list of Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years, Usher has attained 9 US Hot 100 number-one singles. Considered an icon and sex symbol, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, in 2008, he started his own record label Raymond-Braun Media Group, a joint venture with talent manager Scooter Braun that includes Canadian singer Justin Bieber. Usher was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of Jonetta Patton, from Tennessee, Usher spent the majority of his young life in Chattanooga, his father left the family when Usher was a year old. Usher grew up with his mother, then-stepfather, and half-brother, while in Atlanta, Usher attended North Springs High School. At age 10, Usher joined an R&B local quintet called the NuBeginnings, Usher recorded 10 songs with the group in 1991, and the ensuing album, Nubeginning Featuring Usher Raymond IV, was only made available regionally and by mail order. However, Patton took him out because, according to her, the album was re-released nationally in April 2002 by Hip-O Records. At age 13, Usher would meet A. J, alexander at local talent show in Atlanta
17.
Numb (Usher song)
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Numb is a song recorded by American singer Usher for his seventh studio album Looking 4 Myself. Usher co-wrote it with Ryon Lovett and Terry Lewis, with production and additional writing provided by Swedish House Mafia, Alesso, and Klas Åhlund. After their joint performance at the 2010 American Music Awards, Usher, RCA Records solicited Numb to contemporary hit radio stations on August 21,2012 in the US as fourth single from the album. Numb is a dance-pop and electropop song with elements which contains revolutionary pop music influences. Lyrically, it is a song about finding one’s destiny. The song received positive acclaim from contemporary music critics with many of them praising its club-oriented production. Numb was a worldwide success and reached the top-forty in five countries including Belgium, Germany. American directors Chris Applebaum and Grace Harry shot the video for Numb. Critics were divided on the video, although some of them praised the choreography, the singer performed the song during his American Express show on June 11,2012 in London and at the 2012 American Music Awards. Usher co-wrote Numb with Ryon Lovett and Terry Lewis, with production, complete instrumentation, Swedish House Mafia also produced one more song from Looking 4 Myself entitled Euphoria. Speaking to The BoomBox, Usher explained that he had wanted to work with Swedish House Mafia ever since he performed with the group at the 2010 American Music Awards. The group agreed to work with Usher, saying they would attempt to make it to Atlanta to start moving the ball forward. In an interview with MTV News, regarding the collaboration with Usher, Angello stated that they met Usher couple years ago and he further elaborated that they were in Atlanta for five days working on a music for the then upcoming album. Angello commented that Usher is a great artist and as a trio they like to work with somebody who they respect, than to rather work with just big name. Mark Exit Goodchild recorded the song Silent Sound Studios in Atlanta and Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, while Jorge Velasco, Kory Aaron and Randy Warnken served as recording assistants. It was mixed by Manny Marroquin at Larrabee Sound Studio, Universal City, with Chris Galland and Delbert Bowers serving as mixing assistants, RCA Records released Numb to contemporary hit radio stations in the United States on August 21,2012 as the fourth single from Looking 4 Myself. Numb was solicited to US rhythmic radio on August 28,2012 and it was also physically released as a CD single in Germany on October 26,2012. Numb is a dance-pop and electropop song with R&B elements and contains revolutionary pop influences, according to Lewis Corner of Digital Spy both Euphoria and Numb include the DJs glimmering synths while he croons in his coolly-controlled falsetto
18.
Climax (Usher song)
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Climax is a song by American R&B singer Usher. It was released on February 22,2012, by RCA Records as the single from 2012 studio album Looking 4 Myself. The song was written by Usher, Ariel Rechtshaid, Redd Stylez, and Diplo, Usher and Diplo worked on the song for two months as part of their collaboration for the formers album. The song is a quiet storm slow jam with electronic influences, according to Usher, the song is primarily about the complications of a relationship, despite the lyrics sexual overtones. As a single, Climax debuted at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 and it peaked at number 17 and charted for 20 weeks, and also reached number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming Ushers 12th number-one single on the chart. Climax was well received by critics, who commended its musical direction, Ushers singing. Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly named it one of the best singles of 2012, in 2013, Climax won Usher a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. Climax was written by Usher, Redd Stylez, Ariel Rechtshaid, and Diplo, Diplo introduced the songs concept to Usher, who was working with him on a new album. Usher wanted to expand his musics style and depth by working with Diplo and it was a sad feeling but it was beautiful. He was relating with me about the idea and how many times you think things are perfect and feel that way and they discussed the concept throughout the songs development and how it relates to Ushers life, as Diplo tried to help realise these lyrics and feelings. After conceiving some melody lines, they wrote the song in about an hour, Usher and Diplo worked on the songs production for two months, recording in studios in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta. Diplo originally pursued a house music based on a chord progression he wrote. He later said of his direction for the song, the idea of pushing cut-off on a synth used so much in house music. I was making something like a techno record with Atlanta strip clubs in mind. According to Diplo, Usher proposed the idea of tak the strip club to the stadium with the songs production, classical music composer Nico Muhly contributed with the songs string arrangement. Climax is set in common time, Diplo called the style Radiohead quietstorm, and both Spin and Rolling Stone agreed that the song was a mix of quiet storm style and electronic music. It is written in the key of C minor, and Ushers voice ranges from B♭3 to G5, the music is built around a haunting riff, complemented by sparse drum machine and some musical accompaniment. Its varying soundscape incorporates electronic effects such as clicks, hisses, whooshes, music writers have noted Diplos production as uncharacteristically reserved and understated
19.
Carly Rae Jepsen
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Carly Rae Jepsen is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actress. In 2007, she placed third in Canadian Idol season fives competition, Jepsen independently released her debut album, Tug of War, in 2008. In 2011, she released the single Call Me Maybe, which was followed in 2012 by her debut EP, Curiosity, Call Me Maybe reached number one in 18 countries during 2012 and was the years best-selling single worldwide. Jepsens third album, Emotion, was released in 2015, the album was heavily influenced by songs from the 1980s and received critical acclaim. Its lead single I Really Like You reached the top 5 in the United Kingdom, as of May 2015, Jepsen has sold over 20 million records worldwide. Jepsen was born in Mission, British Columbia, the daughter of Alexandra and Larry Jepsen and she attended Heritage Park Secondary School in Mission, where she pursued her early passion for musical theatre by appearing in student productions of Annie, Grease, and The Wiz. She studied musical theatre at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, after graduating from school, Jepsen held several minimum wage jobs, and worked as a barista and a bartender. She placed third in the show and was part of the Canadian Idol Top 3 concert tour, after the conclusion of the tour, Jepsen returned to British Columbia to focus on writing, recording and completing her band. Her demo recording attracted the attention of music manager Jonathan Simkin, Jepsen struck an independent record deal with MapleMusic Recordings and distribution via Fontana North. In June 2008, Jepsen released her single and another single. Jepsens debut album, Tug of War, was released in September 2008 through MapleCore/Fontana North, the album was produced in its entirety by Ryan Stewart and includes the song Sweet Talker, which Jepsen previously performed at her first Canadian Idol audition. Tug of War was re-released via Jonathan Simkins label 604 Records, with distribution from Universal Music Group, and has since sold 10,000 copies in Canada according to Nielsen SoundScan. The title track Tug of War was released the month as the album and received radio airplay in Canada, followed by the singles Bucket and Sour Candy. The former two singles reached the top 40 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart, in early 2009, Jepsen toured western Canada with Marianas Trench and Shiloh. She then went on a tour with Marianas Trench, The New Cities. Jepsen began recording material for her album in 2011 with Josh Ramsay, Ryan Stewart. The release of Jepsens second album was postponed to allow Call Me Maybe to spread in popularity, although 604 Records issued a six-track EP, Curiosity, Call Me Maybe peaked at number one on the Canadian Hot 100, making Jepsen the fourth Canadian artist to top the chart. In the United States, the single spent nine weeks at one on the Billboard Hot 100
20.
This Kiss (Carly Rae Jepsen song)
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This Kiss is a song by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen from her second studio album, Kiss. The song was written by Jepsen, Matthew Koma, Kelly Covell and Redfoo of electropop duo LMFAO through e-mails, text messaging and telephone calls, with production handled by Koma and this Kiss was released as the third single from the album on September 10,2012. The mid-tempo dance-pop track lyrically speaks about a kiss being something Jepsen cant resist and this Kiss received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who compared it to Call Me Maybe and Good Time. In the United States, the peaked at 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 prior to its single release. An accompanying music video was first released on October 26,2012, at the Fun Size film premiere, portrays Jepsen flirting with a guy in the club. To promote its release as a single, Jepsen performed This Kiss on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, and at the 2012 American Music Awards. This Kiss was written by Jepsen, Kelly Covell, Matthew Koma, the singer also revealed that she was pleased with the creative process of the song, commenting that despite all this craziness, remains the same. And that same exciting feeling that I had before anybody knew me and you can sense the people who really have it are about writing that right word or that right melody to make it lift and make you feel that perfect emotion. This Kiss was recorded at Party Rock Studio with Redfoo in 2012 after Redfoo recorded ideas at Sonic Vista Studios Ibiza, Spain, Carl Williot of Idolator compared the lyrics to the ones of Hall & Oates Kiss on My List. This Kiss received mostly positive reviews music critics. Amy Sciarretto of Pop Crush rated the song four out of five stars, describing it as sweet, sciaretto added that it was possible that This Kiss could be one of the biggest songs of the fall of 2012. Billboard critic Jason Lipshutz deemed the song as undeniable as the lips of the object of affection who isnt the boy she has back home. Heather Phares of Allmusic wrote that This Kiss is musically similar to pop songs. The song managed to stay for one week on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number 39, in Japan, it reached number 65 on the countrys Hot 100 chart, while peaking at number 23 on the Canadian Hot 100. As of November 30,2012, the song has sold over 115,000 downloads in United States according to Nielsen SoundScan, filming for the music video began on September 20,2012, with shots of Jepsen on set of the music video surfacing online the same day. She was pictured wearing a pair of pants along with a red-black corset. The singer said she is aiming to show a mature side with the music video. Two weeks later, the singer tweeted, the video for This Kiss is coming soooo soon
21.
Call Me Maybe
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Call Me Maybe is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen for her EP Curiosity which also appears on her international debut studio album, Kiss. The song was written by Jepsen and Tavish Crowe as a folk song and it was released as the lead single from the EP on September 20,2011, through 604 Records. Jepsen was signed to Schoolboy Records, releasing her single in the United States through the label, musically, Call Me Maybe is an upbeat teen pop track that draws influences from dance-pop, disco, and baroque pop. Lyrically, the track alludes to the inconvenience that a love at first sight brings to a girl who hopes for a back from a crush. After reaching the top position on the Canadian Hot 100, Jepsen became only the fifth Canadian artist to do so in her country since 2007. In the United States, the reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is the first number one by a Canadian female artist on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since 2007s Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne, an accompanying music video was directed by Ben Knechtel. In it, Jepsen seeks the attention of a boy next door who is revealed at the close of the story to be attracted to a male band member. As part of promotion for the song, Jepsen performed the track on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she made her US television debut and it was also covered on The New Rachel, the season premiere episode of the fourth season of Glee. On December 11,2012, Call Me Maybe was named Song of the Year for 2012 by MTV, the song was also ranked number one by the Village Voices annual Pazz and Jop poll, which compiles the votes of music critics from all over the United States. The song was the single worldwide in 2012, selling over 12 million copies in that year alone. With worldwide sales, quoted in one source in July 2015 as over 18 million copies, Call Me Maybe was the best-selling digital single of 2012, and is the fourth best-selling digital single of all time. Call Me Maybe was initially written by Jepsen and Tavish Crowe as a folk song, Jepsen stated that the writing process was easy, and that she wasnt over-thinking it. We brought in Josh, and he helped us kind of pop-ify it, the following days, she recorded the track at the Umbrella Studios in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Jepsen later stated that it is basically a pick up, what person hasnt wanted to approach somebody before and stopped because its scary. Call Me Maybe had been first released in Canada only through 604 Records on September 20,2011, in December 2011, dating pop singers Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez were in Canada and heard the track on the radio. After they tweeted about it on their profiles, Jepsen instantly gained international attention. Braun revealed that Bieber has never jumped out and promoted an artist like this before and he sends me different YouTube videos of unsigned artists that hed like to work with, but never someone who already had a song out and is on the radio
22.
The Wanted
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The Wanted are a British-Irish boy band consisting of members Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Tom Parker and Nathan Sykes. They formed in 2009 and were signed worldwide to Universal Music subsidiaries Island Records and Mercury Records, the bands debut album, The Wanted, was released on 25 October 2010 and peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart. The album spawned three UK top 20 singles, their debut single All Time Low, which debuted at one, Heart Vacancy. Follow-up album Battleground was released on 4 November 2011 and hit five in the UK. The lead single from the album, Gold Forever, was released in aid of Comic Relief and their second number-one hit, Glad You Came, topped the singles chart in the United Kingdom for two weeks, and in Ireland for five weeks. The third and fourth singles Lightning and Warzone hit number two and number 21, respectively, in the UK and their follow-up singles Chasing the Sun and I Found You reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In 2013, it was announced that the group would be starring in their own reality series on E. entitled The Wanted Life. The series would document the groups stay in Los Angeles while they recorded their third album and prepare for a world tour. The show promised an honest glimpse into the lives of the band members, the Wanted were formed in 2009 through mass auditions held by Jayne Collins, who also put together The Saturdays and Parade. The audition process, which saw more than 1,000 people attend, just George, Parker and Sykes were involved at the start, and Kaneswaran and McGuiness joined later through the process. The group revealed in their autobiography that after they were informed of the line-up, seven people were re-auditioned before they were signed to Maximum Artist Management. The group were credited with co-writing five of the thirteen tracks on the album, on 25 July 2010, they released their debut single, All Time Low. The song was co-written by Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and Ed Drewett and it hit number one in the UK and spent 17 weeks in the UK top 40. The second single Heart Vacancy, again written with Hector, was released on 17 October 2010 and it peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. The groups third single from the album was Lose My Mind which reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart following a performance on The X Factor. The groups eponymous album was released on 25 October 2010 which peaked at number four in the UK and has since been certified Platinum in the UK. Between 28 March and 15 April 2010, the group embarked on the fifteen date Behind Bars theatre tour which saw them play in twelve UK cities and they were supported by Lawson, Twenty Twenty and Starboy Nathan. In January 2011, the group began to work on their studio album
23.
I Found You
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I Found You is a song by British-Irish boy band The Wanted. The single was released on 6 November 2012 as the single from their third studio album. The track received its first radio play on 7 September 2012, Nathan Sykes told Digital Spy about the song, Were doing a video for it in a couple of weeks as well in LA, which is really exciting. We are just trying to lock all the ideas for it now. Max George added, Weve been working on our album for, like, the last six months. Were still working away on that and weve got plenty more travelling to do yet, the music video for the track was filmed on the week beginning 27 August in Los Angeles. In a preview shot from the video, Nathan is chased by a group of mental fans, later, a new video was filmed due to undisclosed reasons, and that one was shot in London. This video became the official I Found You video, the video was released on 15 October 2012. The video is directed by Chris Marrs Piliero, who also directed Keshas Blow, the video filmed in LA was later posted on YouTube on 23 January 2013. The song is written in the key of A minor, the video features Storm model Chloe Lloyd. It starts with a shot of a woman, played by Lloyd, the Wanted are seen walking somewhere while singing their parts. Max is seen holding a boxer, scenes of them at a party are shown, where Nathan is seen talking to the same woman as an unknown man watches them. They reach a house which is revealed to be the location where the woman has been kidnapped. They enter the house and fight the mans henchmen and they manage to take out all of them as Nathan approaches the woman who has been kidnapped and kisses her passionately. He steals a key from the belt, gets up, winks. The woman realizes that he is the man she talked to at the party, Nathan hands Tom the key and the guys depart the house, leaving the woman still tied up. In the end, they fish out a box from the sea, the video ends as they open the box containing diamonds. They are satisfied with the box and its contents and close it, on 21 January 2013, a second version of the video was released on The Wanteds YouTube page
24.
Kelly Clarkson
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Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in 2002 after winning the first season of American Idol, Clarksons debut single, A Moment Like This, topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became the best-selling single of 2002 in the U. S. It was followed with her studio album, Thankful, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Trying to reinvent her own image, Clarkson decided to part ways with American Idol management and developed a pop sound for her second album. It sold over 15 million copies worldwide and earned Clarkson two Grammy Awards and she took further creative control for her third album, My December, by becoming the executive producer and co-writing the entire material. However, it caused feud with her label, that was dissatisfied with her darker, less commercial rock music, Clarkson returned to the top of the charts with her more mainstream-oriented fourth album, All I Ever Wanted. Its lead single, My Life Would Suck Without You, holds the record for the biggest jump to one on the Billboard Hot 100. She scored another Hot 100 number-one single with Stronger from her studio album. Clarkson also became the first act to win the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album twice. Her sixth studio album and first Christmas record, Wrapped in Red, ended up as the holiday album of the year. Her seventh and final album under RCA, Piece by Piece, was her album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. Its title track became her eleventh single on the Hot 100. She signed with Atlantic Records in 2016 and has prepared a soul-influenced album for a 2017 release, Clarkson has sold over 70 million records worldwide and scored a total of 100 number ones on the Billboard charts. Her accolades include three Grammy Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, and two Academy of Country Music Awards. Often called one of the best vocalists in the industry, Clarkson is known for her powerhouse voice and she became the first artist in history to top each of Billboards pop, adult contemporary, country and dance charts. She was ranked nineteenth on VH1s list of 100 Greatest Women in Music, Clarkson has also ventured into television and film, as well as writing childrens book. Clarkson was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Jeanne Ann, a first-grade English teacher, and Stephen Michael Clarkson and she is the youngest of three children with a brother named Jason and a sister named Alyssa. Clarkson also has two half brothers from her fathers second marriage
25.
Miss Independent (Kelly Clarkson song)
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Miss Independent is a song recorded by American singer Kelly Clarkson for her debut studio album Thankful. Written by Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Rhett Lawrence, and Matt Morris, with Lawrence serving as producer, the track was initially intended for Aguileras fourth album, Stripped, but was left half-finished. Lawrence later continued writing the song with Clarkson, who recorded it. Miss Independent is a R&B-styled pop song, whose lyrics tell of a story of an independent woman who allows herself to lower her emotional. Its theme of self-sufficiency would later served as a template for Clarksons subsequent releases, the song generally received positive response from music critics, while criticism targeted the songs similarity to Aguileras material. Miss Independent gave Clarkson her first Grammy nomination in the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance category at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004, the songs commercial success helped in presenting Clarksons girl next door image to the public and contributed in eliminating her American Idol persona. In the United States, it peaked at nine on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, it attained a top-ten position in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, the songs accompanying music video was directed by Liz Friedlander, and featured Clarkson singing at a house party. Clarkson premiered the song during the season of American Idol. American record producer Rhett Lawrence first offered the work of the song, titled Miss Independence. Lawrence then collaborated with Christina Aguilera and Matt Morris to record Miss Independence for Aguileras fourth studio album Stripped, Aguilera, who co-wrote the track, ultimately decided not to include it for the album, leaving it half-finished without the bridge. Lawrence, Clarksons then manager Simon Fuller and music mogul Clive Davis suggested that Clarkson finish writing Miss Independence, one of Clarksons A&R managers, Keith Naftaly, suggested to re-title it as Miss Independent. It was one of four songs on Thankful that Clarkson co-wrote, the song was released by RCA Records on April 10,2003, ten days ahead of the Thankful’s release. In 2009, it was available for purchase as a downloadable content for the Rock Band, Rock Band 2. She told Clarkson on the air, if the song was to go to anyone Im glad that it went to you because you gave it justice, Miss Independent is a R&B-styled pop song. Katherine St Asaph of Popdust noted that it’s the closest Kelly Clarkson’s come to R&B. Clarkson credited that Aguileras rhythmic style has influenced the song. She remarked, You can hear a lot of her influence in Miss Independent, and once you hear the song, its constantly in your head
26.
Since U Been Gone
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Since U Been Gone is a song recorded by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her second studio album, Breakaway. The song, which was written and produced by Max Martin and it is an uptempo pop rock, and power pop song that infuses electronic sound with a mixture of soft and loud alternative rock sound. Martin originally wrote Since U Been Gone with Pink in mind and it was then given to Hilary Duff but she rejected the song because she could not reach its higher notes. The song was given to Clarkson after Clive Davis convinced the writers to give it to her. Clarkson decided to add guitars and harder drums to the song after noticing that the demo had an obvious pop sound. Lyrically, the song is written from a point of view where she expresses her sense of relief with the end of her troubled relationship. Since U Been Gone received positive reviews music critics who considered the song to be the highlight of Breakaway. Critics also felt that it was one of the best pop songs in the last decade, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 482 of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2010. Since U Been Gone was a commercial success, in the United States, the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It topped the US Pop 100 for six weeks and the US Pop Songs for seven consecutive weeks respectively. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of one million copies sold. Since U Been Gone was also a success, peaking in the top five in Austria, Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands. It also peaked in the top ten in Norway, Germany, Clarkson performed Since U Been Gone at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards and at the 2006 BRIT Awards. It has been included on the set-list of Clarksons many tours, the songs accompanying music video was directed by Alex De Rakoff, which shows Clarkson ruining her ex-boyfriends apartment. The music video was nominated for three awards in the 2005 MTV Music Awards, winning two out of the three awards namely Best Female Video and Best Pop Video, at the 48th Grammy Awards, the song won the award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. In an interview for Blender, Martin and Dr. Luke revealed that they had originally intended Pink to sing Since U Been Gone, however, she turned it down. Dr. Luke also explained that Hilary Duffs management was interested in the song and it was Clive Davis who convinced Martin and Dr. Luke to give the song to Clarkson, even though they were initially reluctant. According to MTV, Clarkson had already finished recording her materials for her album, Breakaway in late 2004 when she was advised by her A&R to fly to Sweden to meet with Martin
27.
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)
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Stronger is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson and the titular song from her fifth studio album, Stronger. Originally titled as What Doesnt Kill You, the served as the albums second single on January 17,2012 through RCA Records. It also topped fifteen other Billboard charts, including Adult Pop Songs, Adult Contemporary, Hot Dance Club Songs and its success helped its parent album to sustain commercial longevity for over a year. Stronger merited consideration for several industry awards—including three Grammy Award nominations, and a World Music Award nomination, the songs accompanying music video was filmed by Shane Drake, which incorporates the theme of a global flash mob dance, featuring submitted videos of people dancing to the song. The music video garnered positive reception from critics who felt that its impact was exuberant. It earned Clarkson a nomination for a MuchMusic Video Award, Clarkson also included the song in the set list of her Stronger Tour and on the encore set of her 2012 Summer Tour with The Fray. Originally titled as What Doesnt Kill You, Stronger was written by Jörgen Elofsson, Ali Tamposi, David Gamson, in an interview with American Songwriter, Tamposi revealed that the song was inspired by the Friedrich Nietzsche adage that her mother told her as advice. Although Tamposi found the phrase as saccharine, she submitted it as an idea to Elofsson and Gamson during their writing sessions, Elofsson originally intended Stronger for Leona Lewis, who turned it down in the process. Tamposis manager, Tom Maffei, then had one of his producers, Matty Trump, to produce a track later to be pitched to RCA A&R executive Jeff Aldrich. Tamposi revealed that Clarkson had also altered a lyric from the track, Aldrich had then commissioned Greg Kurstin, whom Clarkson wanted to collaborate with, to produce and add additional writing to the final version. Kurstin recalled, I rethought the part of it, I guess. The songs uplifting theme of empowerment led Clarkson to name her fifth studio album Stronger, saying that it is one of her favorite songs in the album, she said, Everybody loves the message What doesnt kill you makes you stronger. Its a perfect representation of my life, Stronger is a pop rock song with a length of three minutes and 41 seconds. According to the music published by Hal Leonard Corporation, it is set in a common time and has a moderately fast tempo of 116 beats per minute. Written in the key of A minor, it follows the chord progression Am–F–C-G/B, Clarksons vocals span two octaves, from G3 to G5. The song begins with a guitar and a shimmering synth riff as Clarkson sings the opening line You know the bed feels warmer / Sleeping here alone. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard noted that the riff in the verses is reminiscent of Clarksons Since U Been Gone which narrates an anthem of personal reinvention. The bridges contain pulsating beats with synth and electric guitar that display elements of electronic sound
28.
Catch My Breath
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Catch My Breath is a song by American pop artist Kelly Clarkson, from her first greatest hits album, Greatest Hits – Chapter One. One of the three recorded songs for Chapter One, it was released as the albums lead single through RCA Records on October 10,2012. It was written by Clarkson, and co-written and produced by her musical director Jason Halbert, Catch My Breath is an electropop dance song with pop rock arrangements. Upon its release, Catch My Breath was met with reviews from music critics. It has so far peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 19 and has topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart and it has also charted within the top five of Adult Pop Songs and Adult Contemporary charts, and on the top twenty of Pop Songs chart. Filmed by Danish director Nadia Marquard Otzen, the accompanying music video features Clarkson performing above the water, as gusts of wind, fire. The video has met with positive reception from critics, who noted its simplicity as giving focus on her vocal performance, Clarkson has performed the Catch My Breath televised performances, including the 2012 American Music Awards, VH1 Divas 2012 and the third-season finale of The Voice. Clarkson and Halbert also collaborated with producer Eric Olson, who co-produced the songs You Love Me, Clarkson remarked of writing the song, we wrote it specifically for the fact of 10 years, wow. I feel like Im finally starting to be happy and settled, the song premiered on On Air with Ryan Seacrest on October 10,2012 as the lead single from Greatest Hits – Chapter One, and was released on digital retail October 15,2012. It was sent to radio stations on October 23,2012. Catch My Breath is an electronic dance song with pop rock arrangements that gradually builds up to an uptempo song in the chorus. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard noted the slow start as a red herring for the upbeat anthem that Catch My Breath becomes. The song has a length of 4,11 and is written in the key of F♯ minor in common time with a tempo of 124 beats per minute. The song follows a progression of Dsus2 – E – F♯m7 – Dsus2 – F♯m7 – E. Clarksons vocal range spans two octaves, from F♯3 to F♯5. Written in an uplifting first person narrative, the song depicts Clarksons journey from the past and her vision in the future, Lipshutz noted, Ive spent most of my time catching my breath, letting it go, turning my cheek for the sake of the show. Clarkson sings, before promising to spend the rest of her days appreciating what she has and being herself. Jocelyn Vena of MTV News wrote, While Clarkson has clocked plenty of songs about the perils of love over the course of her career, her romance on this single is more positive than in the past. The song received positive reviews, with most critics commending the songs uplifting theme, neon Limelight wrote, The upbeat song is really less about her career and more about where she is now in her life and her new found ability to appreciate what really matters
29.
Kesha
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Kesha Rose Sebert is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. In 2005, at age 18, Kesha was signed to producer Dr. Lukes label Kemosabe Records and her breakthrough came in early 2009 after appearing on American rapper Flo Ridas number-one single Right Round. Her debut album, Animal, and her first extended play, Keshas music and image propelled her to immediate commercial success, with Animal debuting as the number-one album in the United States. She also achieved two number-one singles, Tik Tok and We R Who We R, and a string of singles from the album. At the same time, she continued to write songs for other artists, Warrior, her second studio album, was released in 2012, spawning Keshas eighth top-ten single with Die Young, and her ninth and tenth Top 40 hits with CMon and Crazy Kids. Tik Tok is among the digital singles in history, selling over 14 million units internationally. Influenced by various genres and artists, Kesha primarily draws inspiration from music of the 1980s, Madonna, Queen, after experimenting with country, pop rock, and electronic music, Kesha stuck with the latter. Thematically, her music generally revolves around escapism, partying, individuality, supernatural moments, rebellion, Kesha has been involved with animal rights and LGBT activism. She has received awards and nominations, including her win for MTV Europe Music Award for Best New Act in 2010. As of November 2013, she has sold over 33 million records in the United States and 60 million records worldwide. Her recorded output has been curtailed since 2013 due to a dispute with her former producer Dr. Luke. Kesha alleged physical and emotional abuse and employment discrimination against Dr. Luke, while Dr. Luke claims breach of contract, Kesha was born in Los Angeles, California. Pebe, a mother, struggled financially while supporting herself, Kesha. When Kesha was an infant, Pebe would often have to look after her onstage while performing, Kesha says she has no knowledge of her fathers identity, though she has speculated that he may be Mick Jagger. Her mother is of German and Hungarian descent, one of Keshas great-grandfathers was Polish. Pebe moved the family to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1991 after securing a new publishing deal for her songwriting, Pebe frequently brought Kesha and her brothers along to recording studios and encouraged Kesha to sing when she noticed Keshas vocal talent. Kesha attended Franklin High School and Brentwood High School, but claimed that she did not fit in and she played the trumpet and later the saxophone in the marching band in school, and described herself in an interview with NPR as being a diligent student. After attaining a score on her SATs, she was offered a full scholarship at Barnard College
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Die Young (Kesha song)
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Die Young is a song by American recording artist Kesha. It was released on September 25,2012 as the single from her second studio album. Kesha co-wrote the song with its producers, Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, and Cirkut, with writing from Nate Ruess. Kesha wrote the lyrics after traveling around the world and embarking on a spiritual journey, Die Young charted in multiple countries, debuting at 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.3. It eventually peaked at two, continuing Keshas string of top-ten singles. The song has reached the top ten in multiple countries worldwide. In December 2012, the song was removed from radio stations in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Produced primarily by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco, Kesha worked with the singer of fun. Nate Ruess, to write Die Young, co-producer Blanco called the song old hippie rock. The song was written in 2011, after Kesha traveled the world, before working on her second studio album, she went on a spiritual journey. She intends for the song to show her side, saying. Im definitely not a pony and I think people are starting to see that more and more. About the song, she told Carson Daly on 97.1 AMP Radio, youre going to hear that because Im also doing this acoustic EP for my fans. Some of the old songs and the new songs, the song employs Keshas trademark electropop sounds. Over throbbing percussion, she continues, Oh what a shame that you came here with someone / So while youre here in my arms / Lets make the most of the night like were gonna die young. Die Young features synth rifts in the new style, reminiscent of The Cars. Towards the end of the song, a choir of backing vocals chimes the chorus over a rock drum beat. Seventeen called it classic Ke$ha, while Robbie Daw of Idolator said, getting a if you’ve heard one Ke$ha song, you’ve heard em all vibe, rolling Stone said that Die Young is the Ke$ha we know and love, and that it sounds sorta exactly like Taio Cruz
31.
No Doubt
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No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California, that formed in 1986. Since 1994, the group has consisted of vocalist Gwen Stefani, bassist and keyboardist Tony Kanal, guitarist and keyboardist Tom Dumont, since the mid-1990s in live performances and the studio, they have been supported by keyboardist and trombonist Gabrial McNair and keyboardist and trumpeter Stephen Bradley. The ska sound of their song Trapped in a Box that was featured on their first album No Doubt failed to make an impact. The Beacon Street Collection is a raw expression of their sound, inspired by ska punk, the album sold over 100,000 copies in 1995, over three times as many as their first album sold. Fifteen months later, the band reappeared with Rock Steady, which incorporated reggae, the album was primarily recorded in Jamaica and featured collaborations with Jamaican artists Bounty Killer, Sly and Robbie, and Lady Saw. The album produced two Grammy-winning singles, Hey Baby and Underneath It All, as well as Hella Good, after a 2004 tour the band embarked on solo projects, with Stefani releasing two successful solo albums Love. Baby. and The Sweet Escape while Tom Dumont released his own music project. In 2008, the band resumed working slowly on their effort, titled Push and Shove. They have sold over 33 million records worldwide, Eric Stefani and John Spence met at a Dairy Queen and had talked about getting a group together to play music. Eric got a keyboard and gathered some players together to practice, the practice included Eric Stefani, Gwen Stefani, John Spence, Jerry McMahon, Chris Leal, Chris Webb, Gabriel Gonzalez & Alan Meade and Tony Meade. They practiced in Erics parents garage, Tony Kanal went to one of the bands early shows and soon joined the band as its bassist. After initially rejecting her advances, he began dating Gwen, but they kept their secret for a year. Paul Caseley also joined the band in 1987, Eric Carpenter joined the horn section soon after. In December 1987, Spence committed suicide days before the band was to play a gig at The Roxy Theatre for record industry employees. No Doubt disbanded but decided to regroup after several weeks with Alan Meade taking over vocals, when Meade left the band, Gwen replaced him as lead singer, and No Doubt continued to develop a live following in California. He joined No Doubt and replaced Jerry McMahon as the bands guitarist, Adrian Young replaced Chris Webb as the drummer the following year. Caseley left No Doubt in July 1989 for the US Navy Band, No Doubts self-titled debut album was finally released in 1992, but it featured no radio singles, although a video was made for Trapped in a Box. The albums distinctly upbeat pop/cartoon sound sharply contrasted with the then-dominant grunge movement, because the music worlds focus was redirected squarely at Seattle, No Doubts album was not supported by the record label and considered a commercial failure for selling only 30,000 copies
32.
Looking Hot
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Looking Hot is a song by American rock band No Doubt, released as the second and final single from their sixth studio album, Push and Shove. It was written by Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal and Tom Dumont, the song placed at number 44 in PopJustices Top 45 singles for the year 2012. The single became No Doubts least successful single, charting at number 397 in the UK Singles Chart, after releasing Settle Down as the lead single from Push and Shove, No Doubt released a music video for the albums title track. She told, The next single were going to do is called Looking Hot, was one of those songs that was almost thrown away, it was an end of a song that turned into a chorus that ended up being. It was one of those weird transitional songs, Looking Hot was written by band members Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal and Tom Dumont. Mark Spike Stent produced and mixed the song, while production was done by Anthony Gorry. Programming and keyboards was provided by Anthony Gorry and Jonas Quant, with trombone and melodica being provided by Gabrial McNair, the song was recorded at four studios, the Kingsbury Studios, MixSuite LA, The Sideshack, and Kingston Sound. Looking Hot is a pop song replete with a dose of ska and reggae flavor, with a pounding arena-rave beat. Lyrically, Looking Hot finds Gwen Stefani spouting tongue-in-cheek lyrics about being a well-preserved forty-something frontwoman, go ahead and look at me cause thats what I want. Take a good look wont you please cause thats what I want, she sings over lazy brass lines, I know you want to stare. You cant help it and I dont care, according to James Montgomery of MTV News, the song pairs club-ready thump with catwalk-approved strut, with breezy horns, melding their skanking past with their shiny pop present. Looking Hot received positive reviews music critics. Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian called it, a catchy club tune influenced by Stefanis solo albums, andy Gill of The Independent thought that the song resembles a Kylie-esque club stomper. Sarah H. Grant of Consequence of Sound named it a Confessions on a Dance Floor-style disco jam. Amy Sciarretto of Pop Crush gave the song 3 out of 5 stars, writing that, This is the danciest that the So Cal band has sounded, thanks to the thunderous and it almost sounds like Stefani is singing over programmed, computer-generated instruments, since its super synthetic. Its actually closer to Stefanis solo material than it is to No Doubt and this could be No Doubts version of a club banger, but we dont think it will be the favorite song of its diehard, Warped Tour-attending fans. The song placed at number 44 in PopJustices Top 45 singles for the year 2012, despite the bands performance of the song on The X Factor on November 4,2012, Looking Hot sold just 680 copies to debut at number 397 on the UK Singles Chart. By November 19, the track had sold 1,400 copies, No Doubt performed Looking Hot on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on September 25,2012 along with 1995s Spiderwebs
33.
I Knew You Were Trouble
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I Knew You Were Trouble is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her fourth studio album, Red. It was released on October 9,2012, in the United States by Big Machine Records as the promotional single from the album. Later, I Knew You Were Trouble was released as the single from Red on November 27,2012. It was written by Swift, Max Martin and Shellback, with the production handled by the latter two, I Knew You Were Trouble received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its mainstream appeal yet noted Swifts experimentation with dubstep as relatively limited. At the inaugural YouTube Music Awards in 2013, I Knew You Were Trouble won the award for YouTube phenomenon, the single has been certified sextuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. As of 2014, The song has sold 5 million copies in the US, during her performance at the 2012 iHeart Radio Music Festival in Las Vegas, Swift told Rolling Stone magazine that she would start unveiling the songs from her fourth studio album, Red, one-by-one. Starting this week I’m gonna start unveiling new music, talking about the accompanying tour for the album, the singer explained that she always thinks about the visuals associated with a song—Ooh, how are we gonna play this in concert. What’s the lighting gonna be like, what costumes are we gonna have. —and one of the songs that stood out to her for its visual aspect was called I Knew You Were Trouble. The song was written by Swift, Max Martin and Shellback, the latter two also producing the track. When Swift previewed the song on Good Morning America on October 8,2012, initially the media had speculated the song to be about her ex-boyfriend, singer John Mayer, in light of her previous song Dear John from her third studio album, Speak Now. In an interview with MTV, Swift further explained that the song told the story of a girl falling for the bad boy. Its going to be dangerous, but look at me going in there anyway, I Knew You Were Trouble was released as the third promotional single from Red on October 9,2012, to iTunes Store for digital download, following Begin Again and the album title track. In the United Kingdom, I Knew You Were Trouble was the single from the album and was released on December 10,2012. The song was removed from the site three days. The melody of the song was developed by Swift on a piano and she asked Martin and she also wanted to sing the bassline of the song in a particular way and sound, to which Martin and Shellback suggested to infuse little bit of dubstep. However, she confessed that she had not studied that particular genre of sound further. During the middle eight of the song, most of the music stops and Swift sings in a shrill voice the lines you never loved me, or her, or anyone. As per the sheet music published at Musicnotes. com, the song is set in time with a moderately fast tempo of 154 beats per minute
34.
Linkin Park
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Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the rose to international fame with their debut album Hybrid Theory. Their following studio album Meteora continued the success, topping the Billboard 200 album chart in 2003. In 2003, MTV2 named Linkin Park the sixth-greatest band of the video era. Billboard ranked Linkin Park No.19 on the Best Artists of the Decade chart, in 2012, the band was voted as the greatest artist of the 2000s in a Bracket Madness poll on VH1. In 2014, the band was declared as the Biggest Rock Band in the World Right Now by Kerrang. Having adapted nu metal and rap metal to a radio-friendly yet densely layered style in Hybrid Theory and Meteora, the album topped the Billboard charts and had the third-best debut week of any album that year. The band continued to explore a wider variation of musical types in their album, A Thousand Suns, layering their music with more electronic sounds. Their fifth album, Living Things, combines elements from all of their previous records. Their sixth album, The Hunting Party, returned to a rock sound. Their upcoming album One More Light is expected to be released May 19,2017, the band has collaborated with several other artists, most notably with rapper Jay Z in their mashup EP Collision Course, and many others on the remix albums Reanimation and Recharged. Linkin Park has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and has won two Grammy Awards, Linkin Park was founded by three high school friends, Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon, and Brad Delson. The three attended Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. After graduating from school, the three began to take their musical interests more seriously, recruiting Joe Hahn, Dave Phoenix Farrell. Though limited in resources, the began recording and producing songs within Shinodas makeshift bedroom studio in 1996, resulting in a four-track demo tape. Tensions and frustration within the band grew however after they failed to land a record deal, the lack of success and stalemate in progress prompted Wakefield, at that time the bands vocalist, to leave the band in search of other projects. Farrell also left to tour with Tasty Snax, a Christian punk, Bennington, formerly of a post-grunge band by the name of Grey Daze, became a standout among applicants because of the dynamic in his singing style. The band then agreed on changing its name from Xero to Hybrid Theory, in 1999 the band released a self-titled extended play, which they circulated across internet chat-rooms and forums with the help of an online street team
35.
Burn It Down (Linkin Park song)
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Burn It Down is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. The song was released to radio stations, as well as a download, on April 16,2012. The song was written by the band and produced by co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda and Rick Rubin, a music video for the song was directed by Linkin Park turntablist Joe Hahn. As of February 13,2013, Burn It Down has sold one million copies in the United States. The songs working title was Buried at Sea and was recorded in February 2012, as revealed by numerous LPTVs released in April, thats just the way things are. Weve actually lived through that as a band, all that stuff plays a role. On March 28,2012, Shinoda confirmed that the first single for Living Things would be Burn It Down, on April 5,2012, the band released a series of sliding puzzles at the bands official website to unlock snippets of the song. The last puzzle was completed on April 11,2012, revealing the cover art, another game was released, in which the snippets of the song were finally unveiled. A 30-second preview of the song was released by radio station SONiC102.9, the song premiered on numerous modern rock radio stations. Linkin Park GP was released on May 24,2012, in June 2015, Nintendo of America released the video for Burn it Down in 3D as one of the final batch of videos in the Nintendo Video 3DS application. The band performed the single for the very first time at Third Encore Rehearsal Studios in Burbank, California on May 16,2012, to an audience who won passes from radio station KROQ. The band performed the single at numerous shows, namely. The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards Japan at the Makuhari Messe, Burn It Down was also included in the set list of the 11th Annual Honda Civic Tour, where the bands performance of the song was accompanied by pyrotechnics. Burn It Down received generally positive reviews from professional critics. Praise was directed towards Benningtons vocals, while criticism was pointed to the songs lyrics, nick Catucci from Rolling Stone described Benningtons verses as his prettiest ever and concluded that the song leaves open the option of just dancing the night away. He believed that the song is one of the bands best singles, Rick Florino of Artistdirect hailed Burn It Down as one of the most incendiary tracks of 2012, awarding the song with a perfect five stars. Anne Erickson of Loudwire praised Bennington and Shinodas vocals, commenting that the song is packed with subdued rhythms, riffs and raps, andrew Unterberger of Popdust felt mixed towards the song, commended Benningtons vocals, while criticizing Shinodas raps and the songs lyrics. Tim Grierson of About. com noted that the song enrapture the ear. genevieve Koski and Steven Hyden of The A. V
36.
Freedom (Nicki Minaj song)
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Freedom is a song by Trinidadian recording artist Nicki Minaj, for the reissue of her second studio album Pink Friday, Roman Reloaded, subtitled The Re-Up. It was written by Minaj, Matthew Burnett, and Matthew Samuels, production was helmed by Samuels under his stage name Boi-1da. The song was released for download by Cash Money Records in the US and Canada on November 2,2012. It was serviced to US urban radio on November 27 and to radio in the United Kingdom the following day. Freedom is a hip hop and R&B song that features a sonically breezy soundscape, complied with ambient riffs, pop-inspired synths. To promote the song, a music video for the song was released on November 15,2012. It was shot mainly in black and white, and features Minaj in a variety of such as a deserted area with a boat, dressed as a Queen on a throne. The song peaked at number 17 on the UK R&B Chart, number 23 on the US Rap Songs, Freedom was promoted with several live performances, most notably the American Music Awards of 2012. Minaj commented at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, Im putting lots of new songs on there, production of the project was a main focus on Minajs three-part E. special, Nicki Minaj, My Truth, which aired in November 2012. On On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Minaj stated that I feel like the music is such a representation of me where I am now as an artist in my career. As long as people can hear the music, Im good, musically, Freedom is a hip hop and R&B song that follows a similar style to other Minaj songs heard on her debut album, Pink Friday. The song features street-slang bravado and venomous rapping in the verses with thin, the instrumentation in Freedom mixes together smooth ambient riffs, pop-inspired crystal-clear synthesizers, and a smooth R&B beat, creating a sonically breezy soundscape. Lyrically, Minaj is still confrontational yet reflective, talking about her life in the spotlight, charley Rogulewski of Vibe said The old Nicki Minaj is back on her latest track Freedom. While going onto note the songs production and compared it to Right Thru Me. Entertainment Weekly reviewer Kyle Anderson called the song middle-of-the-road R&B and criticized Minaj for choosing to make music that appeals to pop radio, instead of being unique. Josiah Hughes of Exclaim. was critical of the song, saying it was, by-the-books Nicki, surprise, surprise — the whole thing is delivered atop poppy, crystal clear synths. The video was shot in black-and-white at Dungeness, Kent, United Kingdom and it begins with a stairway set in a foggy setting leading up to the sky. Then angles of different scenery are shown such as an area with a boat next to railroad resembling Noahs Ark, railroad pathaway
37.
Pink (singer)
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Alecia Beth Moore, known professionally as Pink, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. She was signed to her first record label with original R&B girl group Choice in 1995, the label, LaFace Records saw potential in only Pink, offering her a solo deal. Pink rose as an artist with her solo album, Cant Take Me Home. It was certified double-platinum in the United States and spawned two Billboard Hot 100 top-ten hits, There You Go and Most Girls and she gained further recognition with the Moulin Rouge. Soundtrack Lady Marmalade, which gave Pink her first Grammy Award as well as her first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, Pink took control in early 2001 insisting she wanted to work with her childhood hero, Linda Perry. Pink took more control and pursued a pop direction for her second album. It sold more than 15 million copies worldwide and yielded three United States top-ten singles, Get the Party Started, Dont Let Me Get Me, Pinks third album, Try This, generated considerably lower sales, but earned her the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Pink revived her popularity with her fourth and fifth albums, Im Not Dead and Funhouse, with the latter containing her second United States number-one hit. Pink concluded the first decade of her career with the compilation album Greatest Hits, so Far. which featured Fuckin Perfect and the chart-topping single Raise Your Glass. In 2014 Pink recorded an album, Rose Ave. with Canadian musician Dallas Green under a folk music duo named You+Me. Recognized for her signature vocals and acrobatic performances, Pink has sold over 60 million albums worldwide. Her career accolades include three Grammy Awards, a Brit Award, a Daytime Emmy Award and six MTV Video Music Awards, in 2009, Billboard named Pink the Pop Songs Artist of the Decade. Pink was also the second most-played female solo artist in the United Kingdom during the 2000s decade, vH1 ranked her number 10 on their list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music, while Billboard awarded her the Woman of the Year award in 2013. At the 63rd annual BMI Pop Awards, she received the BMI Presidents Award for her achievement in songwriting and global impact on pop culture. Alecia Beth Moore was born on September 8,1979, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, to nurse Judy and insurance salesman Jim Moore and she has described her background as Irish-German-Lithuanian-Jew. Although a healthy baby at birth, she developed asthma that plagued her through her early years. Pink attended Central Bucks High School West, when Moore was a toddler, her parents began having marital problems, and before she was 10 her parents had divorced. Pink developed her voice early in life, in high school, Pink joined her first band, Middleground, but it disbanded upon losing a battle of the bands competition
38.
Try (Pink song)
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Try is a song recorded by American singer Pink, which she released as the second single from her sixth album, The Truth About Love. Written and composed by Busbee and Ben West, and produced by Greg Kurstin, it is a pop ballad about taking risks with love. Try received positive reviews music critics who noted that it is one of the standout tracks on the album. The Floria Sigismondi-directed video features shots of a paint-covered Pink and her male counterpart expressing their frustrations through contemporary dance, Pink confirmed she was writing lyrics and composing music for her then untitled sixth album, which she titled The Truth About Love eventually released, in September 2012. An early version of the lead single, a song called Blow Me, was leaked online on July 1,2012. Rachel Raczka from The Boston Globe noted that Try, the single from The Truth About Love. The song was sung by GoNorthToGoSouth, a band fronted by Ben West. Originally they thought about giving the song to Kelly Clarkson then Daughtry, the song was then eventually pitched to Pink. Pinks version of the song premiered on radio on September 6,2012, Try was amongst one of five lyrics videos that Pink uploaded on September 12, along with album tracks Slut Like You, Just Give Me a Reason featuring Nate Ruess from fun. How Come Youre Not Here, and Are We All We Are, Try was written and composed by Ben West and Busbee, while production was handled by Greg Kurstin, who also produced her previous single, Blow Me. It is a pop ballad, modelled on 1980s FM Rock, built around two-volume arrangement, whereby the verses are quiet. Lyrically, it is an ode to taking risks with love and it also talks about hanging onto ones dreams and aspirations even if it means taking risks. Where there is there is gonna be a flame, sings Pink on the chorus. Where there is a flame someones bound to get burned, but just because it burns doesnt mean youre gonna die. You gotta get up and try, the song received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who praised its production. Andrew Hampp of Billboard commented With a melody reminiscent of ‘Whataya Want from Me, ’ the 2009 hit she penned for Adam Lambert, josh Langhoff of PopMatters called it an ode to romantic persistence over crisp ‘Hysteria’ guitars. John Murphy of musicOMH wrote that ‘Try’ demonstrates that she has a voice that not enough people give her credit for. For want of a phrase, its a full-on power ballad, with yet more references to love going wrong
39.
As Long as You Love Me (Justin Bieber song)
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As Long as You Love Me is a song by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber, from his third studio album, Believe. The track features American rapper Big Sean and it was written by both artists with Nasri Atweh, and was produced by Rodney Darkchild Jerkins and Andre Lindal. It was first released on June 11,2012, as a single from the album. On Billboards Rhythmic Airplay Chart, the reached number one. It peaked at six on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has sold 2,240,000 copies in the US as December 2012, the music video features actor Michael Madsen. In late 2011, Bieber confirmed to radio network Capital FM that he was recording material for his studio album. He later spoke to MTV News and revealed that Believe would surprise people in different ways, Im not going to try to conform to what people want me to be or go out there and start partying, have people see me with alcohol. I want to do it at my own pace, I dont want to start singing about things like sex, drugs and swearing. Im into love, and maybe Ill get more into making love when Im older, I want to be someone who is respected by everybody. After releasing Boyfriend as the single, Bieber announced that he will release promotional singles to promote Believe. The first promotional single Die in Your Arms was released to iTunes on May 29,2012, the second All Around The World was released on iTunes on June 4,2012. As Long as You Love Me was released on June 11,2012, as the third, the cover art for As Long as You Love Me shows Bieber perched on a wooden stool, holding an acoustic guitar. Sia Nicole of Idolator expressed dissatisfaction with the cover, saying It’s false advertising for the high-fidelity track that has nary a strum within earshot. As Long as You Love Me was written by Bieber, Nasri Atweh, the song is officially written in the key of C minor. It is heavily influenced by dubstep, with vocal loops complemented by a booming beat, as the song continues, it builds and builds to a rave-ready drop. Lyrically, it tells listeners that true love can defy all circumstances, as long as you love me/ We could be starving/ We could be homeless/ We could be broke, Bieber sings over a staccato beat and handclaps, with an undercurrent of a swirling-sounding synth. As long as you love me/ Ill be your platinum/ Ill be your silver/ Ill be your gold, Big Sean drops a rap exalting a lady love, too
40.
Beauty and a Beat
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Beauty and a Beat is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber from his third studio album Believe. It features Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj, who co-wrote it with Savan Kotecha, Max Martin and it was also produced by the latter two with a heavy drum machine and rushing synthesizers. Lyrically, it speaks about Bieber wanting to take his love interest to a club and it is the only song from Believe that Bieber did not co-write. The song became the official single from the album. Following the release of Believe, Beauty and a Beat debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at 72 due to digital downloads. After the release of the music video, it re-entered the Hot 100 at number 72. It also debuted on the Canadian Hot 100 at 47, Beauty and a Beat was originally written by Anton Zaslavski for his debut album, Clarity. Zaslavski, however, felt the song did not quite fit his new style, so he, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha. Maraj, known by her stage-name Nicki Minaj, provides guest vocals on the track, Bieber later spoke upon the collaboration with Minaj, saying, I wanted a female rapper and I think that she is the best choice. I felt she just fit on the song perfectly, an album of remixes was released on December 11,2012. Beauty and a Beat is an uptempo EDM and electropop song that lasts 3 minutes and 48 seconds, with the chord progression of F–Dm7–Am–Gsus, the song is written in the key of A minor in common time. The song moves at a tempo of 128 beats per minute, the song contains elements of R&B. Sarah Deen of Metro described it as a dance track. Beauty and a Beat contains fast-paced drum beats and an acid house break down, Biebers then-girlfriend Selena Gomez is referenced in the song during Minajs rap, Justin Bieber/You know Im gonna hit em with the ether/Buns out, wiener/But I gotta keep an eye out for Selener. Jason Lipshutz noted the rhyme between wiener and her given name, the song was met with mixed reports. Many contemporary critics praised Biebers attempt to reach an audience not usually interested in his music, while others criticized its lyrics, andy Gill of The Independent listed the song in his Download category during an album review for Believe. Laura Sassano commented on the song upon its leak, saying, The new song continues Justins quest to grow up, becca Longmire of Entertainmentwise felt that the song was impressive, she also noted the vibes of R&B and compared this with Biebers previous single Baby. The video premiered on Vevo on October 12,2012 and it opens by stating that in October 2012,3 hours of personal footage was stolen from Justin
41.
Pitbull (rapper)
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Armando Christian Pérez, known by the stage name Pitbull or Mr. Worldwide, is an American rapper. His first recorded performance was on a solo track from Lil Jons 2002 album Kings of Crunk. In 2004, Pitbull released his debut album M. I. A. M. I and it included production producers Lil Jon and Jim Jonsin. Pitbull later released his second album El Mariel, in 2006 and his third, The Boatlift and his fourth album, Rebelution, included the hit single I Know You Want Me, which peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. Pitbulls 2011 album Planet Pit, featured the single Give Me Everything and his 2013 track Timber from his Meltdown EP topped the charts in twenty nations, including the US and UK. He performed the song We Are One along with Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte, Armando Christian Perez was born on January 15,1981 to Cuban expatriates in Miami, Florida. When he was 3, he could recite the works of Cubas national hero and poet, José Martí, growing up, he was influenced by the Miami bass genre of pop music and has cited Celia Cruz and Willy Chirino as sources of inspiration for his music. Pérezs parents separated when he was young, and he was raised by his mother, he spent time with a foster family in Roswell. He attended South Miami Senior High School before graduating from Miami Coral Park High School and he said he chose his stage name of Pitbull because the dogs bite to lock. The dog is too stupid to lose, and theyre outlawed in Dade County. Theyre basically everything that I am, after meeting Lil Jon in Miami, Pitbull was featured on Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz album Kings of Crunk in 2002. Pitbulls song Oye was featured on the soundtrack to the film 2 Fast 2 Furious the following year, in addition, Pitbull released several mixtapes, composed of freestyles and remixes of popular rap music. Campbell featured Pitbull in his single, Lollipop, together they focused on creating a more radio-friendly sound. Fernandez later told HitQuarters, At that time his music had a lot of verses and took a time to get into the hook. Fernandez introduced Pitbull to Lil Jon, hoping to secure the rapper a small guest intro spot on Lil Jons upcoming album Kings of Crunk. According to Fernandez, Jon took a liking to Pérez and offered him a track k on the album and this track helped raise the young rappers profile. In 2004, Pitbull released his debut album M. I. A. M. I, with the lead single being Culo produced by Lil Jon and the Diaz Brothers. It peaked at No.32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, other singles included Dammit Man, Back Up, Toma, and Thats Nasty
42.
Lotus Intro
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Lotus Intro is a song recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera for her seventh studio album, Lotus. Written by Aguilera, Dwayne Abernathy, Candice Pillay and Alex da Kid, the song is about her rebirth as an artist, Lotus Intro was created from Aguileras passion for chill-out electronica music, and incorporates electronic and electronica styles. A sample of M83s Midnight City was originally included in the demo, Aguilera first performed Lotus Intro at the 40th American Music Awards on November 18,2012, as part of a medley with Lotus tracks Army of Me and Let There Be Love. Upon the release of the album, the song debuted at number 165 on the South Korean international singles chart, following these events, Aguilera announced that she wanted to record her seventh album, stating that she wanted high quality and personal songs to record. She revealed that the album would be a culmination of everything Ive experienced up until this point, Ive been through a lot since the release of my last album, being on, having had a divorce. This is all sort of a rebirth for me. She continued to say that Im embracing many different things, but its all feel-good and she further expressed that the album would be about self-expression and freedom because of the personal struggles she had overcome during the last couple of years. Speaking about her new material on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2012, I like them to come from a personal place. Its fun, exciting, introspective, its going to be great, Lotus Intro was inspired by Aguileras passion for chill-out electronica. Aguileras vocals were recorded by Oscar Ramirez at The Red Lips Room in Beverly Hills, California, while Aguilera, mike Delo Rio contributed additional vocals on the track, and J Browz added additional strings. The original demo of the track included a sample of M83s Midnight City, Lotus Intro is an electronic music song which lasts for a duration of 3,17, it was inspired by Aguileras passion for electronica. It has a hypnotic yet dark, serious tone which develops and matures as it progresses, depicting Aguileras rebirth, the track opens with tribal chant by Aguilera, who sings the line Rise up lotus, rise/ This is the beginning over a heavy hip hop beat. Aguilera sings the lyrics I look at my reflection and embrace the woman Ive become/ The unbreakable lotus in me, some of the opening lyrics, including Rise up/ This is the beginning and Leave the past behind, serve as a mission statement for the rest of the album. According to Robert Copsey for Digital Spy, the singer explains how the a Lotus Flower is the flower in the lyrics To the sky I rise/ Spread my wings. He further wrote that the listener could be fooled by the title Lotus Intro, as it is a full length song, sarah Godfrey for The Washington Post was critical of Aguileras vocal performance, writing that although the singers strength is her voice, she sounds modulated beyond recognition. Aguilera performed Lotus Intro for the first time at the 40th American Music Awards on November 18,2012, held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. As one of the first singers to be announced as a performer at the award ceremony, during an interview with MTV News, Aguilera revealed what the performance would be like and the creative direction behind it, Its very exciting. Its definitely going to be a reflection of what Lotus means to me, if you take that album cover and give it a little performance twist, Ill bring that album cover to life, so its going to be really fun
43.
Let There Be Love (Christina Aguilera song)
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Let There Be Love is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera for her seventh studio album, Lotus. It was written and produced by Max Martin and Shellback, with writing from Bonnie McKee, Oliver Goldstein, Oscar Holter. Having originally collaborated with producers in her earlier works, Aguilera stated that the full circle her career had taken became the right time to work with Martin. The song combines dance-pop, EDM and pop genres, and is influenced by electronica. Its instrumentation incorporates synths, drums and electronics, Let There Be Love garnered positive reviews from music critics. Many praised Aguilera for not over singing and delivering a solid performance, while others complimented the musical structure. The song peaked at number 132 on the South Korea international singles chart following the release of the album, on August 29,2013, an accompanying music video for the song was released on Aguileras official channel. It features cameo appearances from Nicole Richie, Christina Milian, Chris Mann, Aguileras son Max Bratman, the video sees everybody makes the L sign for the word love, alongside positive messages, such as Racism sucks, Accept, and Amo a mi hijo gay. It was described as a soulful, and completely inexplicable, letter to her fans thanking them for their undying love, to promote Lotus and the song, Aguilera performed Let There Be Love at the 40th American Music Awards and on The Voice in the United States. She then became a coach on NBCs singing competition show The Voice and appeared as a featured artist on Maroon 5s single Moves Like Jagger, which spent four weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following these events, Aguilera announced that had plans to begin production of her album, stating that she wanted high quality. Regarding the creative direction, she revealed that the album would be a culmination of everything Ive experienced up until this point, Ive been through a lot since the release of my last album, being on, having had a divorce. This is all sort of a rebirth for me. She further said Im embracing many different things, but its all feel-good, Aguilera continued to say that the album would be about self–expression and freedom because of the personal struggles she had overcome during the last couple of years. I like them to come from a personal place and its fun, exciting, introspective, its going to be great. Recorded at MXM Studios by Shellback in Stockholm, Sweden, Let There Be Love was written by Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Bonnie McKee, Oliver Goldstein, Oscar Holter and it was produced by Martin and Shellback. Aguileras vocals were recorded by Oscar Ramirez at The Red Lips Room in Beverly Hills in California, programming and keyboards were carried out by Shellback and additional keyboards were performed by Holter, Erixson and Martin. And so, I think its me and Max this long to work together because of that, because what he does is genius
44.
Don't Stop the Party (Pitbull song)
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Dont Stop the Party is a song recorded by American rapper Pitbull for his seventh studio album, Global Warming. The song features TJR and includes samples of the song Funky Kingston by Toots and it was released on September 25,2012 as the albums third single by RCA Records. Rozdilsky had previously written the song as Funky Vodka, which caught Pitbulls attention and it has peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. The songs accompanying video was noted for its sexually explicit content. Global Warming was released on November 19,2012 and it is a hip hop, Latin and R&B album which includes styles of Latin hip hop and pop rap. Artists who appeared on the album include Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown, Enrique Iglesias, The Wanted, DJ Havana Brown, the song was originally titled Funky Vodka as written by TJR. The song was played heavily at the Miami Winter Music Conference, speaking about the viral success of the track, TJR has stated, Funky Vodka is probably the track Im most proud of. It was pretty cool to see an old school sample-based house tune make it to the number one spot on Beatport. Funky Vodka itself is based around the Jamaican Reggae classic Funky Kingston by Toots, the sample replay of Funky Kingston was produced by Mark Summers at Scorccio Sample Replays. Dont Stop the Party is a Hip-house song which has a time of three minutes and twenty-six seconds. The single version was written by TJR, Pitbull, Bigram Zayas, marc Kinchen, TJR and DJ Buddha served as producers. Alexandra Capotorto of PopCrush said that the song leaves something to be desired and it has so far peaked at seventeen on the Billboard Hot 100. It has cracked the top ten in Austria and Canada, in Australia, Dont Stop The Party debuted at twenty-three on October 8,2012. The following week, it peaked at fifteen, in New Zealand, it debuted at thirty-seven on October 15, the following week it peaked at twenty-three. To date, it has peaked at sixteen on the Billboard Mainstream Pop Songs chart, additionally, it broke into the top-twenty of the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart, reaching five. The music video was first released onto Pitbulls official Vevo channel on October 26,2012 and was directed by David Rosseau. It features Pitbull on a yacht with several people drinking vodka, as well as naked women, including porn star Kennedy Leigh and model Claudia Sampedro, the video has received over 81 million views. The video was banned from airing in the United Kingdom for being too sexually explicit after reports flooded in
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Feel This Moment
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Feel This Moment is a song by the American rapper Pitbull, the recording of which features the American singer Christina Aguilera. It is taken from Pitbulls seventh studio album, Global Warming, the song was released on February 22,2013 as the fourth single from the album by Mr.305, Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records. It is a number that talks about stopping to take a moment to appreciate life. The song takes the melody from Take on Me by A-ha, which, in turn, was written and composed by Morten Harket, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy. The single was a success, reaching the top ten of the charts in many countries including Australia, Canada, Switzerland. In the United States, it peaked at eight on the Billboard Hot 100. It garnered multiple certifications in many regions, including by the Australian Recording Industry Association, an accompanying music video for Feel This Moment was directed by David Rousseau and was released on March 15,2013. The video was shot in a black and white scene, featuring several shots from Pitbulls Planet Pit World Tour, the clip garnered positive feedback, who praised Aguileras new figure in it. At the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, the video was nominated for Best Collaboration, on October 16,2012, Pitbulls official website gave a list of possible collaborators who were expected to appear on the album, with Christina Aguilera being one of them. A 1-minute, 37-second snippet of the track, leaked online on October 23,2012, on top of that, when I say Feel this Moment is basically, feel life, dont live life for a moment, live life for life, that is your moment. It interpolates the hook from Norwegian synthpop band A-has famous 1985 hit Take on Me, and the members themselves. The song is a song about stopping to take a moment to appreciate life. Jamess best-selling erotic novel,50 Shades of Grey, when he raps, She read books, especially about red rooms, according to Jason Lipshut of Billboard, Feel This Moment is structured much like Pitbulls Get It Started, which in turn featured Shakira Ripoll. With the chord progression of Am—D—G—C—G/B, the song is written in the key of G major, according to the sheet music at musicnotes. com, the song is written in common time with a tempo of 136 beats per minute. Feel This Moment received generally positive reviews music critics. David Jeffries of Allmusic picked the song as one of the standout tracks. Entertainment Weeklys journalist Ray Rahman thought that Feel This Moment was the best song on the album, sarah Godfrey of The Washington Post agreed, recommending the track, as one of the three best tracks on the album. Mikael Wood of Los Angeles Times wrote that it turns A-has 80s synth-pop curio Take on Me into the stuff of a Las Vegas bachelorette bash
46.
Carrie Underwood
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Carrie Marie Underwood is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame as the winner of the season of American Idol in 2005. Her debut album, Some Hearts, was released in 2005, Underwood won three Grammy Awards for the album, including Best New Artist. Released in 2007, her album, Carnival Ride, had one of the biggest ever opening weeks by a female artist. Her next album, 2009s Play On, was a commercial success led by the single Cowboy Casanova, Underwoods fourth album, Blown Away, earned her a Grammy Award and was that years second best-selling release by a female artist. Her first compilation album was a chart and sales success and earned her a Grammy Award and her fifth album, Storyteller, made her the only country artist to have all first five studio albums reach either numbers one or two on the Billboard 200. Considered one of the most successful artists in any musical genre, Billboard has referred to her as Country Musics reigning Queen, while Time listed her as one of their 100 most influential people in the world in 2014. Underwood is the top country artist of all-time on the RIAAs Digital Singles ranking, Underwood is the biggest American Idol earner in the history of the show. Her album, Some Hearts was named the country album of the 2000s by Billboard. Underwood has been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and she has earned numerous accolades, including 7 Grammy Awards,17 Billboard Music Awards, and 11 American Music Awards. Underwood was born March 10,1983, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Carole and she was raised on her parents farm in the nearby rural town of Checotah. Her father worked in a sawmill while her mother taught elementary school and she has two older sisters, Shanna and Stephanie. During her childhood, Underwood performed at Robbins Memorial Talent Show and she later sang for local events in Checotah, including Old Settlers Day and the Lions Club. A local admirer arranged for her to go to Nashville when she was 14 to audition for Capitol Records, in 1996, Capitol Records was preparing a contract for Underwood but canceled it when company management changed. Underwood said of the event, I honestly think its a lot better that nothing out of it now. Everything has a way of working out, while at Checotah High School, she was an Honor Society member, a cheerleader, and played basketball and softball. Underwood graduated from Checotah High School in 2001 as salutatorian and she chose not to pursue singing after graduation. She said, After high school, I pretty much gave up on the dream of singing, I had reached a point in my life where I had to be practical and prepare for my future in the real world
47.
Two Black Cadillacs
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Two Black Cadillacs is a song by American recording artist Carrie Underwood, taken from her fourth studio album, Blown Away. The song served as the third single on November 18,2012 through Arista Nashville. It was produced by Mark Bright, and the instrumentation was compared to songs by Dixie Chicks, upon its release, Two Black Cadillacs was met with positive reviews from music critics, who praised its story and Underwoods versatility as an artist. In the United States, it reached two on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, and also reached number 41 on the Hot 100. Two Black Cadillacs was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, the song also charted in Canada at number three on the Country chart and at number 52 on the Canadian Hot 100. The accompanying music video was directed by P. R. Brown, the video draws inspiration from Stephen Kings novel Christine, and shows how the wife and mistress kill the cheating husband with a black Cadillac. It was nominated for Video of the Year at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards and it was also performed during the Blown Away Tour. After Underwoods Play On Tour ended in December 2010, she started to work on her fourth studio album. Sony Music Nashville chairman/CEO Gary Overton said that the singer took nearly a year to compile, songwriters Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear, who previously wrote Before He Cheats for Underwoods debut album, Some Hearts, worked on a track titled Blown Away and sent it to the singer. Underwood loved the song and recorded it, also naming her album Blown Away as it was the song defined the albums darker direction. She then started writing material with several songwriters, including Hillary Lindsey, together, the trio wrote Two Black Cadillacs, which is about two women finding out that they both are involved in a relationship with the same man and set their differences aside to kill him. Underwood said that it was so fun to write and just be in that room with Lindsey and Kear. Kear described the session, Carrie had told me in an earlier writing appointment that she was expecting this album to have darker tones than any of her earlier records. So I remember sitting at the piano while writing the song thinking that if Carrie really wanted something dark, Carrie really got into the story and making sure we didnt give away how the two women got rid of the man the song is about. This kind of song is really tricky because you need enough detail to tell the story, I think we managed to pull that off. Either way, it was certainly fun choosing which elements of the story to put in, melodically, Two Black Cadillacs is written in the key of F minor, and is set in the common time with a tempo of 120 beats per minute. Underwoods voice spans from the low note of A♭3 to the note of C5. Billy Dukes of Taste of Country noted that the lyrics of the push the normally plucky country superstar to the edge of evil
