These two ladies are a perfect fit - young, talented and taking the world by storm - so the release of Problem was highly anticipated by fans for the past couple of weeks.
However, a collaboration with so much potential hasn't quite succeeded in my opinion and it feels as though a great opportunity has been missed.
The song is a nice, uptempo pop song but feels more like a filler track on Ariana's next album and not like a hit single.
Maybe a music video can change my mind....
A video truly celebrating women, and rightfully so. Pharrell brings us a new age in music where females don't need to be objectified and turned into sexual items in order to have the privilege of screen time in a hip-hop music video. Marilyn Monroe has slowly won me over as a single and the video is cute; it helps that Pharrell is a brilliant producer so with the beats he makes things can never really go wrong.
Oh, and there's a little cameo from Kelly Osbourne.
Pharrell Williams has been making an impact on the music industry since 1992 when he helped produced hip-hop classic Rump Shaker. But it seems that only after his massive success last year, with Daft Punk, Blurred Lines and his solo effort Happy, that Pharrell is getting the worldwide recognition he deserves.
With over 20 years in the industry as an artist, producer and writer, Pharrell has stacked up more hits than many people realise and they are all AMAZING !
There is not one Pharrell track I don't like whether it be by N.E.R.D, produced by the Neptunes or just featuring Skateboard P himself.
His super-producer group The Neptunes were the masterminds behind hip-hop duo, Clipse...
His collaborations with Jay Z are epic...
Not to mention his work with Snoop Dogg...
N.E.R.D are one of the greatest bands ever...
You probably didn't even know he was the brains behind these songs too...
So if you want a hit song then Pharrell is the man to call.
Iggy Azalea's long-awaited debut album finally hits stores in the UK today and the rest of the world tomorrow after being delayed for months. With four hit singles under her belt, Iggy has set some high expectations for this release, made even higher by the optimistic title, The New Classic.
Does the Australian beauty deliver on either of her promises of new and classic ?
The critics who have already weighed in don't seem that convinced, so I had a couple of listens and this was my conclusion. (I usually try to listen to an album a few times over the course of a week before giving a review but I didn't have the time for this one)
The album opens with a promising number, Walk The Line, which details a lot of the same subjects she addressed on hit single Work but only with a stronger hip-hop edge. It's a good start and a decent rap song that offers us something very different from what we have heard from Iggy thus far.
But the album then starts to feel a bit lacklustre with tired songs like 100 and Change Your Life which don't bring anything 'new' to the table. I couldn't find anything classic either.
Her 'of-the-moment' twerk songs like Work, Bounce and Fuck Love are perfect for the club and for mainstream success and if Iggy wants to be known as a fun, pop artist then this album, with songs like Black Widow and chart success Fancy, is the way to go.
However, Iggy does offer an occasional glimpse of what she is capable of as a rapper with songs like Don't Need Y'all and Impossible is Nothing. But these moments are few and far between and don't quite come up to par with what other female rappers are delivering at the moment.
Iggy seems more suited and more comfortable in her role as club queen since the best songs on the album are those with thumping beats, heavy basslines and less lyricism. She delivers exciting moments on songs Goddess and Lady Patra, which features dancehall star Mavado, with their island feel and catchy hooks.
But, she never quite fulfils her potential on well produced songs like New Bitch which end up feeling like recycled songs from 2010.
All in all, for a first attempt Iggy hasn't disappointed when it comes to producing songs which make you dance and get in the mood for a night out with your girls. Unfortunately, this album won't help Iggy get taken more seriously as a female rapper in the hip-hop community. What it will do is solidify her place in the mainstream market and gear her music towards pop in future.
The hotly anticipated video for Senile, the Nicki Minaj, Tyga and Lil Wayne collaboration, has just dropped. Like Nicki, the video is colourful and cooky but it's lacking something which makes it a bit disappointing when the song is so good. The energy was lacking and the crazy wasn't as intense as it could have been.
Nonetheless, Nicki's body looks flawless as always.
Some of music's best moments are the results of collaborations between female R&B singers and male rappers. It was a trend that peaked in the early noughties but, unfortunately, has since become a rarity which means I had to commemorate some of the best for this week's Throwback Thursday.
Enjoy!
Jennifer Lopez Feat. Ja Rule - I'm Real
J-Lo loves a good male rap collaboration - Lil Wayne, Pitbull, French Montana - and it usually provides us with some good music, but nothing will beat early noughties J-Lo...
Beyonce Feat. J.Cole - Party
One of those few and far between, 21st century, male/female collabs courtesy of Queen Bey. Usually we only hear her with Jay-Z but Party sees her experiment with Jay's protégé, J. Cole and with legends Kanye and Andre 3000 on the album version.
Busta Rhymes Feat. Mariah Carey - I Know What You Want
One of my all-time favourites is this beautiful slow jam by Busta. Not only is the production sexy and Busta's flow on top form, but coupled with Mariah's stunning vocals this is a timeless track...
P Diddy Feat. Christina Aguilera - Tell Me
Probably one of the lesser known collaborations from Diddy's back catalogue, nonetheless anything that features Christina's vocals is going to be good. The hook is catchy and its worth watching the video just to see Diddy's infamous moves...
Ludacris Feat. Mary J Blige - Runaway Love
Two musical legends in their own right have come together and created a heartfelt ballad with meaning and power. It didn't get the credit it deserved on the mainstream circuit but it doesn't take away from the greatness of the song.
Ciara Feat. 50 Cent - Can't Leave 'Em Alone
Most male/female collaborations are formed by couples and Ciara is no stranger to putting her man on a track like Bow Wow and, most recently, Future. But between those two she had a little fling with 50 Cent and explicitly shared it with the world in their video of this decent R&B song...
Nelly Feat. Kelly Rowland - Dilemma
This is a collaboration classic which set the standard for future attempts and remains one of the most popular till this day. Not only were they a great match because of their rhyming names, but Kelly's soft vocals together with Nelly's macho rasp was always going to equal perfection.
Keri Hilson Feat. Kanye West, Neyo - Knock You Down
Keri's only good song, in my opinion, is this one and probably only because of Kanye's brilliant verse which I anticipate every time this song plays on radio.
Jhene presents a brand new video for (in my opinion) one of, if not the, best Jhene Aiko song, Comfort Inn Ending. Once again, Jhene uses her visual outlet to make the song even more powerful by perfectly capturing the pain and anger felt after being deceived by your partner.This will, unfortunately, probably be the soundtrack to yours or a friends life at some point so make yourself acquainted below :)
The hotly anticipated headline performance from Outkast at this years Coachella took place in the early hours of yesterday morning. After an eight year hiatus, Big Boi and Andre 3000 reunited for over an hour of back to back hits and some guest performances from Janelle Monae and Future.
Although the crowd were completely unappreciative ( at least it seemed that way from the video ), Outkast were still as lively and entertaining as ever. Surely this will lead to a new album ?!
I recently posted a piece on some of the songs that would be turning 10 years old this year but what about those reaching adulthood.
The 90's was a great era for music (and I'm not just saying that as a 90's child) so it only feels right to celebrate the songs we were listening to 20 years ago.
Notorious B.I.G - Juicy
Salt'n'Pepa feat. En Vogue - Whatta Man
Two female powerhouses joined forces to create this legendary karaoke anthem which in 2014 happens very rarely. Female artists seem to be pitted against each other far more often than they share a stage.
Nas - The World Is Yours
Mariah Carey - Without You
Another legendary tune in the form of a 90's power ballad from R'n'B diva Mariah Carey. Not only does this prove that the best ballads are from twenty years ago but it also proves the Mariah, who is still relevant today, is a true music icon.
Aaliyah - Back And Forth
Another female whose music is still celebrated today, unfortunately, due to her untimely passing, her legacy lies in her catalogue of 90's and early 00's music.
Snoop Dogg - Gin and Juice
Twenty years later and Snoop has barely changed, apart from reaching his lion state. This hip-hop classic does feel very 90's in comparison to the trap music we are slowly becoming accustomed to.
Today is an exciting day for music as up and coming TDE artist, SZA, drops her brand new EP titled Z.
After only one listen I am already a fan so I insist you download and take a listen as soon as you get the chance.
I know I am really late with this one but I have recently discovered 30 year old singer-songwriter, Mila J.
She has been releasing music since 2006 but it is her latest single and video Smoke, Drink, Break-Up which caught my eye.
The R&B stunner can definitely sing and she's got some moves, and the song itself is a smooth and catchy slow jam and the occasionally black and white video is decent too.
