When the fandemonium hit the fan, and every stan had their say, Twitter was filled with a bevy of tired AARP inspired insults. Forbes Magazine’s Liz W. Garcia’s put it best, “But in spite of the fact that Madonna is 53 years-old and lept from a kneeling position to standing, over and over whilst wearing spike heels (go ahead, try it, and when you’re done icing your knees, read on) and keeping pace with her twenty-something backup dancers, the focus was on her age.”

Why does this matter? It probably doesn’t. But for me it poses a legitimate question, how old is too old for pop music? A question seemingly only coerced on to pop and hip hop artists. You don’t see anyone begging U2 or Bruce Springsteen to sit down and get off the throne. Even though they should, no one tells Steven Tyler or Mick Jagger to act their age.

“…Once you reach a certain age you’re not allowed to be adventurous, you’re not allowed to be sexual….I mean, is there a rule? Are you supposed to just die?”
- Madonna at 34, defending herself at age 53.

Pop stars have a tendency to die very young or grow old very slowly. The parallels between Madonna and Jay-Z are uncanny. Both have made a career out of being cool. Both have a strangle on the music scene of their respective genres, and both are unwilling to past the torch to their younger contemporaries. As long as you got moves like Madonna, or wordplay like Jay-Z you should keep on rocking, keep on rocking. Our king of pop may be dead, but our Queen is well and alive. 90′s babies may be born this way, but legends like Madonna, legends like Jay-Z basically raised them. Jigga said it best, Bye-byes are not for legends.

“Fear not death, I’ll be alive for a million years, Bye-byes are not for legends, I’m forever young, my name shall survive.”
- Jay-Z on “Forever Young”

Watch This Space: Because I’m not young enough to know everything. But I know, today’s pop starlets always become ghosts of pop past. Now that’s a bit reductive.

The revolution will be feminized. She who betrayed Jesus, she who betrayed Adam, she who bears the weight of said world on her naturally sinful shoulders, in her superseding of submission, will ascend to prominence; born to blossom, bloom to perish, just as man destroyed that which he cannot create, so in the wake of destruction and suspension in social smolder, here woman returns to bear life again… Strong enough to bear the children, then get back to business

Who run the world? Girls. Girls, women, females have the unparalleled capacity to create life. Despite all social constructs, religious constraints, and artificial inferiority women are able to create something lasting, something outside of themselves, and from their sin comes the succession – well, that, or a dance nation… my persuasion can build a nation #literally

#inanutshell Self-reference and atmospheric concept #letsbeyhonest #independentringonit

Flash, Tally, and Snapp: Who run the world?

M.I.A.: Born Free over a Diplo beat

Beyonce: The female version of a hustler… the lights that keep the streets on – are the very same lights that break dawn

Hope you still like me, If you hate me
My persuasion can build a nation
In this our, our love we can devour
You’ll do anything for me

… because while from the female womb a world can be reborn, a man’s mind can melt in her very palm… he’ll do anything for she – like a sir hooker to the government of female supremacy

… and crazy in love with the self-referential style and choreo

Willow Smith: 21st Century Girl… a dime-sized diva spawned from deserted desolation

Rihanna: Run this mother, hard as a mother

… and this town #watchthethrone #hovishome #andohyeahyeezy

Nicki Minaj – Massive Attack of the Militaristic Mistress

Splash of Britney choreography… from head-to-heel-toe #literally #goodface

Girls on Fire… Bey and a battalion of Edies

Cleopatra Jones – Pre-Foxxy Lot of Woman

#andAGAIN #asalways Angela Bassett #woosah #breathe

Watch This Space: On the brink of Black Stallions and Highway Unicorns… #spearheadedstallionistas #headsup #crowndown

Style is a pattern so its going to get repeated. Designer this. Hand made that. Gucci, Gucci, fendi, prada, vintage appeal nevertheless stopped winning, and won. This year patterns and prints found its way into some of favorite designers palettes and work.

TI$A Run’s This Art $HIT

Snapback synthesis, Dollar signs on my S’s just for emphasis. When Los Angeles’ Taz Arnold proclaimed “We Run This Art $hit,” we paid attention. In 2011, Taz was at the forefront of a movement in fashion that asked for patterns and prints on top of patterns and prints. He put you up on to the men Christian Louboutin loafers. He was all on patterned leggings before Lil’ Wayne. He gave you his Gucci inspired line of accessories, t-shirts and snapback hats, TI$A. And now he gears up to give you TI$A Records in 2012.

…Jesus be a Muse, or at least KESH

In 2011, KESH continued. Whether it was her original geometric mixed-media art she sold as posters on her website, or collaborations with I-D Magazine and Theophilus London, the artist and designer was busy.

Live the Drum Life & Make Out Like a Thief&Bandit

Thief & BANDIT  is Amie Cunningham a woodcarver, designer and artist by way of Canada and now living and working in Richmond, VA. All fabrics are handprinted and all goods handmade with care in Richmond. They love bright colors, bold prints, and grassroots branding.  Thief & Bandit has stolen our hearts.

Solve Sundsbo & Rihanna

Photographer Solve Sundsbo is one of the great innovators in contemporary image-making. His capacity for visual experimentation has brought him enduring respect within the industry. He’s known for projects on models for a really striking visual effect.

Rihanna’s “You Da One” video was released earlier last week. It’s been criticized for borrowing heavily from the work of Sundsbo. This isn’t new in pop music. Madonna bumped heads with the estate of photographer Guy Bourdin, who said her video for “Hollywood” borrowed from his work too much. Beyonce has been oft-criticized for blatantly taking from other people’s artistic visions, and Rihanna found herself at the wrong end of a lawsuit because her “S&M” video was a little too inspired by the works of photographer David LaChappelle. Originality is as black and white as the above picture. There is nothing new under the sun.

Every time I get wind of Rihanna releasing a new album my initial reaction is always the same. Again? So soon? And after one listen of that said album I understand why. Today’s pop stars have to be more mindful of output than their predecessors. It’s why Britney achieved what Madonna achieved in 10 years and Rihanna seemingly did what Britney did in a mere five. Last week Rihanna released her sixth studio album Talk That That. Clocking in at under 40 minutes, Talk doesn’t break much new ground, but when it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and Rihanna’s team of producers, writers, stylists and art directors get it right every time.

Album highlights include “Where Have You Been,” “Cockiness” and the title track which reunites Ri Ri, with old mentor Jay-Z, who spits his most charismatic verse since… Well let’s say it’s been a while. Another favorite is the first single, “We Found Love.” A mix of Dutch House and Rihanna’s sexy coos are a sure fire hit. Listen to “We Found Love” six different ways below.

Rihanna & Calvin Harris – We Found Love (R3hab’s XS Remix)

While the original was silky smooth, R3hab turns “We Found Love” into a moshpit.

Renegade Remix

Rihanna – We Found Love (Synth-E-Sam’s We Found Dub Remix)

Synth-E-Sam’s “We Found Dub” remix starts off like a Disney Lullaby before quickly breaking down into a nasty Dub Step Remix.
Rihanna – We Found Love (Synth-E-Sam’s We Found Dub Remix) by mrrandomsam

Rihanna – We Found Love (Atmozphere Remix)

Atmozphere turns “We Found Love” to “We Found Lust” with this nasty dancefloor killer.

Rihanna – We found love (Atmozphere Remix) Free DL on the description by DJ Atmozphere

Coldplay – We Found Love (Cover)

Even Coldplay couldn’t deny the song. The band performed “We Found Love” in the Radio 1 Live Lounge in Norwich for Fearne Cotton

Rihanna – We Found Love (Black Cards Remix)

Black Cards take things up a notch with their Electro remix.
Rihanna – We Found Love (Black Cards Remix) by blackcards

A splash of symphonics, a dose of distilled spirits, twist of turntablism on tap, chilled swelter of the most aurally intoxicating blend… resting forever assured it will satisfy most any fiending trap… Mix me a beat fit for the most keen of tongues, and cultured of eardrums… intoxicate me: i’m a lush #inthelyricalsense

“New York has more alcohol in one establishment, than most cities have on entire blocks…” I live life like the classics… I choose three steps over twelve any day… eat, drink, be merry… I feast on socio-philosophy, I sip on life’s most delicious libations, and music makes this muse the merriest of all… in a city that is The City… in the comsopolitan metropolis that puts other microcosms to shame… Each drummer marches to their own beat, just as each bartender mixes to their own drink…

Tunes on Tap: #avotresantebushebushe

The Scene: El Cobre – 6th St. & Ave A (East Village)

The Skinny: “Ravi DeRossi’s sit-down Cuban restaurant in the Cienfuegos complex is modeled after a public square, and does indeed contain a fountain. Per DeRossi, the figure spouting water is ‘the blessed virgin of El Cobre of Santiago, Cuba, the lover of Chango, the god of drunkenness and debauchery.’ Appropriate for a cocktail list that focuses on rum! In addition to a number of classics (the Floridita, the Cloak & Dagger) and the intriguing-sounding Papa Double (a frozen daiquiri with grapefruit juice and maraschino), there are shaken and rocks options, and, as expected in these tiki-heady days, some sweeter-leaning swizzles. Food is in the same classic-Cuban vein as the offerings at next-door sandwich shop Carteles and the upstairs Cocteleria, with some additional snacks like tamales and crab gratin, larger plates including rack of lamb and grilled snapper, and a selection of ceviches.” – Jenny Miller, NYMag.com #salud

The Sip: Dark and Stormy on Tap

• Gosling’s Black Seal rum
• Ginger beer
• C02
• Lime
• Fresh Ginger wedge for garnish

The Sound: A contemporary twist on the rim… the tumult beneath the dimmed dancehall’s island haze of lights turned down…

… but at the heart of the beverage settles the classic Cuban soul… a splash of nostalgic rumbastic salsa… the dark Cuban stormed Black Seal that is Arsenio Rodriguez

… some Afro-Cuban jazz fusion…

… and the timeless microcosmic New York blend of all things City culture

#toyourharmonichealth

Two massive tours announcements: Rihanna’s LOUD Tour is bringing Cee Lo along for the ride, and on the other side of Planet Pop, Janelle Monae and Bruno Mars are set to launch their Hooligans in Wondaland Tour; while both shows are undoubtedly about to go a yeah, yeah, yeah so hard… it’s a Cold War, so: grenades – don’t leave home without ‘em.

A glimpse and what the future holds…

I got an accent – see I’m from The South – but some of the most beautiful things come out my mouth…

… when in doubt: tainted love

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aforementioned only girl’s world reside a Bruno Martian and ArchAndroid…

Watch This Space: … all good things

Hooligans in Wondaland 2011 Tour Dates
5/4 – New York, N.Y. | Roseland Ballroom*
5/7 – Boston, Mass. | Agganis Arena*
5/8 – Camden, N.J. | Susquehanna Bank Ctr.*
5/10 – Atlanta, Ga. | Fox Theatre*
5/11 – Miami Beach, Fla. | Fillmore Miami Beach*
5/17 – Grand Prarie, Texas | Verizon Theatre at Grand Prarie*
5/18 – Houston, Texas | Reliant Arena*
5/20 – Montgomery, Ala. | Jubliee CityFest*
5/22 – Windsor, Ontario, Canada | Caesars Windsor*
5/24 – Milwaukee, Wis. | Eagles Ballroom*
5/25 – St. Paul, Minn. | Roy Wilkins Auditorium*
5/27 – Chicago, Ill. | Aragon Ballroom*
5/28 – Kansas City, Mo. | Uptown Theatre**
5/29 – Broomfield, Colo. | 1st Bank Center**
5/30 – Oren, Utah | McKay Events Center**
6/2 – Seattle, Wash. | WAMU Theater @ Qwest Field**
6/3 – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Rogers Arena**
6/4 – Portland, Ore. | Roseland Theatre**
6/7 – Reno, Nev. | Grand Sierra Resort & Casino**
6/8 – San Francisco, Calif. | Bill Graham Civic Auditiorium**
6/10 – Coachella, Calif. | Spotlight 29 Casino**
6/11 – Del Mar, Calif. | San Diego County Fair**
6/12 – Universal City, Calif. | Gibson Amphitheatre**
6/15 – Phoenix, Ariz. | Comerica Theatre**

*Dates featuring Plan B
**Dates featuring Mayer Hawthorne

“S&M” is definitely one of my favorite songs off Rihanna’s latest album Loud. The track is pop perfection. I couldn’t help but remix it. I began toying around with it when I was making mixes for “Tabloid.” I thought it’d be cool to share. Listen and download link after the jump.

MP3: Rihanna – S&M (GreatEclectic Remix) (Right Click + Save Target As)

2010 may have sucked when it came to substance and clear common sense. Chris Brown I’m talking you. And of course underage four loko lovers around the world. But at least we had a full 365 days of awesome music. I can’t say enough about the amount of exceptional material artists put out this year. Indie darlings like Theophilus London & J*DaVeY kept us content with the most ingenious tracks and music heavyweights like Kanye West & Cee Lo gave us albums. Yeezy’s twisted fantasy, Katy Perry’s sugar coated pop bliss, Gil Scott Hering’s rebel anthem, this is our soundtrack for 2010. Find out what albums made the first part of our list from Art Nouveau editor Kendrick Daye aka GreatEclectic and pop culture journalist Swiper Bootz.

17. Drake – Thank Me Later

GreatEclectic: This is one of those albums that tried to give something for everyone so how could it fail

Swiper Bootz: haha that is valid, but it’s so much of everything else and nothing in and of itself. so many empty lyrics
all punchlines no juice.

GreatEclectic: Ha, I do think it’s downright ridiculous how he raps so hard and then jumps into singing a cassie-esque hook

Swiper Bootz: EXACTLY. and even when he raps hard i hear nothing. i hear unsubstantiated swag that cancels itself out with contradiction

GreatEclectic: but what i do like about him, is he’s only rapping what he knows. i respect an artist that gives me them no matter how vain that may be

Swiper Bootz: i wanted to feel that for him. but i don’t get that from him. it’s like one of those lies people tell where they are creating it in complete reaction to your questions about what happened or assumed questions about what you’ll ask about what happened. i feel like people told him what he should be feeling about where he is. it’s the tumblr of albums

GreatEclectic: of course, drake was created to make money. but most albums now are as vain as most tumblrs

Swiper Bootz: “and we gon be alright if we put drake on every hook”

GreatEclectic: the real genius behind drake’s album and Nicki’s is Wayne. he created other versions of himself to make deals and checks he couldn’t possibly do. drake is the cleaner version of wayne, nicki is the female version.

Swiper Bootz: and that came through glaringly obvious. whereas with kanye you can argue the real genius behind his album is himself and that’s a bit rough for business hours but he can always have people pick up his mini-mes. both drake and nicki had mtv documentaries this year

GreatEclectic: yes, i caught that, and big debuts because of it

Swiper Bootz: and it humanizes them

GreatEclectic: 6.5

Swiper Bootz: 6.

Final Rating: 6.25

16. Ke$ha – Cannibal

Swiper Bootz: 7. boom as far as ke$ha goes, the deluxe edition made it happen. animal was catchy and odd and a bit of a dollar store version of GaGa – the haus for a post-foreclosure economy. it’s quite teenage dreamy in a next morning hangover sort of way it’s caught in a lot of grey hazy areas

GreatEclectic: “lol at dollar store version of GaGa”

Swiper Bootz: haha well… #letsbeserious. she wore a trashbag to the vmas

GreatEclectic: I think that’s why I always had a hard time giving her any chance. But there are some gems on the album, “Cannibal” is awesome.

Swiper Bootz: the first four tracks off of cannibal are quite quite epic arguably the hardest first four ive heard since… i can’t remember actually possibly the fame. but coming off of animal they were defined, and more deliberately reckless

GreatEclectic: peep the credits, man Dr. Luke and Max Martin are pop music. I didn’t know they produced those same 4 four tracks

Swiper Bootz: yep, and you could hear it, she moved from misguided rebel to borderline pop anarchist but in a very britney blackout way the sound of blackout completely tweaked, dark, confused, electronic sonic trip… stemmed from a place of sheer inebriation but it’s packaged better animal versus cannibal the animal was the fame the cannibal feeds off of that weaker point of origin to fuel the bigger better badder beast where gaga faced her demons from a place of adoption and acceptance understanding they came from her and she is the beauty and the beast, the monster and the maiden fair, etc

Final Rating:6.5

14. Rihanna – Loud

Swiper Bootz: #kindof. but in the presence of cee-lo and miguel it’s like… yknow but objectively as a pop album, i mean it has catchy tracks. undeniably.  it gets a bit weak midway.

GreatEclectic:

Final Rating: 6.75

14. Miguel – All I Want Is You

Swiper Bootz: i liked it a lot, i was shocked
but not like shocked shocked in a way of justin bieber being good, because i didnt have pretense, so it was better than baseline which is good too. haha so maybe he got the benefit of the doubt

GreatEclectic: given male r&b

Swiper Bootz: which is why it was refreshing to hear his album

13. M.I.A – /\/\ /\ Y /\

Swiper Bootz: m.i.a. brought what she said she would and i cant hate her for that. it’s the electronic moshpit the digitized revolution static and cacophonus but its that chaos that will spark creation people hate on it now by and large but that’s fine. i like that it is so blatantly raw

GreatEclectic: i think she was the problem with selling this album. to diss Gaga and release XXXO, an awesome track BTW, threw everyone off.

Swiper Bootz: Like, stop being a bitch it’s okay to be a bitch like a free bitch but only when it’s being bitchy not a legit mean girl. and the GaGa diss was unsubstantiated because it came from mia. i see where she was going but when everyone’s a part of the same machine it’s easy to ping the glaring similarities

GreatEclectic: I mean, I get it, but that’s seriously the pot calling the kettle black, you both went to good schools, which most people consider privledge

Swiper Bootz: from the jump education like that you wouldnt get the kind of music they make without that fundamental piece they always say stuff with their music it’s like a dissertation or a symphonic speech and debate piece. right, and that pretense doesnt work people stop listening and talk all over your stuff

GreatEclectic: And see what’s messed up, we are discussing her and not the music. It had potential for big singles
Lovealot, Steppin Up

Swiper Bootz: it had potential to be everything it wasnt. they put a lot of press into it. but it was so much bad press that couldnt be spun right.

GreatEclectic: dope album, but the mess still factors into everything so i’d have to say 7.

Swiper Bootz: i’ll give her a 7.25 im going to give her the change i took from cudi

Final Rating: 7.125

12. Katy Perry – Teenage Draeam
GreatEclectic: she’s this generation’s britney spears

Swiper Bootz: hm i wouldnt give her that credit. there’s too much potential with ke$ha on the sonic front and miley on the social front

GreatEclectic: some wouldn’t give britney that credit

Swiper Bootz: haha it’s unfair, katy’s from california, she chose this, britney was chosen

GreatEclectic: i mean that’s how our stars are made these days, but in terms of money being poured into katy perry, it reminds me of the way Oops I did it Again was marketed. Of course they didn’t get same results. but the music is awesome. A step up from the pop of Britney’s hey days.

Swiper Bootz: right but i mean i liked teenage dream when i first heard it and then less and less each following time. it is what it is.  i think it was what christina needed bionic to be

GreatEclectic: Oh her, Xtina is Late lol. she just can’t make it work

Swiper Bootz: soooo late. happy 30th birthday to that. she also doesnt understand that she can sing and thus doesnt need to make pop albums. pop music is for pop singers. people make pop albums because they cant do what she can and she’s running from that instead she goes backwards and tries to do what they do because they cant do what she does and seemingly doesnt want to do

GreatEclectic: she could have a celine dion like career, but she’d rather gross people out

Swiper Bootz: it’s like the play no exit which (digress) has three people in a room together for eternity
a straight guy, a straight girl, and a lesbian the guy likes the lesbian, who likes the straight girl, who likes the guy, it ends and someone says ‘hell is other people” and you realize they’re in hell

GreatEclectic: her album i’d give a 2. it has a moment. but we’re not talking about boinic lol

Swiper Bootz : i’d give bionic a “see me after class”

GreatEclectic: I’d give Katy a 8. It was an awesome pop album though.

Swiper Bootz: hmmm i give katy a … 6.5 #dontshoot

Final Rating: 7.25

11. Kelis – Flesh Tone

GreatEclectic: I love Kelis, and I like some of the songs here, but the most interesting parts of the album are the bits in between each track, some of those beats are awesome. #nowplaying HOME

Swiper Bootz: so fresh i liked that even though it was electronic it was basic too. Home came out like a daft punk track
and was tron before tron haha. i love albums that are atmospheric

GreatEclectic: I still think it could have used at least 4 Neptunes tracks

Swiper Bootz: her and the neptunes make magic last decade haha that looked worse than i meant it i meant it as ever since last decade haha with in search of and truth or dare i feel like for what she wanted with this, if she brought on the neptunes there might be a divide and youd have good tracks but they wouldnt necessarily flow

GreatEclectic: she had a very heavy hand on this album i think left to his own devices david guetta would have made these tracks sound more like fun than labor flesh tone is one of those albums i like because i like the artist.

Swiper Bootz: exaaaactly #THISISNTAGAMETHISISREAL just kidding lol we can’t be playing games when im worried about divorce court and even with the room for improvements it is her imperfections and it’s her

GreatEclectic: but i wanted more. and yet the album still feels very complete

Swiper Bootz: complete in a way that will stand as a starting point from future better works, she wouldnt be able to make ‘that” album unless she had this as a launch pad right

GreatEclectic: plus i think will.i.am ruined it for me, with him attached to it I expected pop genius

Swiper Bootz: will. i. am … #lesigh so much with that one so…so much. i want him to not do some of the things he does
and not wear most of what he does or be cooler so i can back you

GreatEclectic: lol they are so rich they are beyond being cool i think bep as a unit are corny

Swiper Bootz: so so corny my goodness

GreatEclectic: but that’s what mainstream america wants

Swiper Bootz: or so they think or actually probably yeah that’s a dream the whitewashed united colors of benneton crew

GreatEclectic: so agreeable you’re unappealing but, will.i.am can make some pop hits though lol

Swiper Bootz: really cant lie about that one haha . check it out wasnt bad

GreatEclectic: Kelis’ Flesh Tone for me is a 7.5

Swiper Bootz: 7.5.

Final Rating: 7.5

10. Eminem – Recovery

Swiper Bootz: eminems album was a throwback to the marshall days but like an old man on the lawn. it was good solid
i liked it for what it was great lyrics much better than his recent efforts and a well deserved best-seller of the year i say… 7.5 because of the other people on the list and he’s not top 3.

GreatEclectic: I’ll take your word for it because I didn’t even listen to this album.

Final Rating: 7.5

09. Rick Ross – Teflon Don

GreatEclectic: most rap albums have an athem or two, this entire album is an anthem. though the content is hard, it’s made for the mainstream

Swiper Bootz: that album was beautiful. i can’t say enough about it it speaks for itself but it’s so universal as well as far as the sound and the scene and the familiarity look at maybach music 3. it is so universal. versus mc hammer and it’s so pop. it’s full of references and labels it builds the atmosphere and when you listen to it you’re in modern day miami with the hard east coast style and cred with the ever-present white girl sitting at the soul he had everyone and their mom on the album too but it wasnt gratuitous and the parallels aston martin music with drake and chrisette michele vs. maybach music with t.i. jadakiss and erykah badu aston martin is a bit more polished and safe maybach is luxury the curtains are there to keep the backseat safe now everyone knows big meech and larry hoover

GreatEclectic: Ithink it’s crazy how that whole correctional officer thing didn’t even phase him. I thought that would even this guy.

Swiper Bootz: it actually gave him greater perspective, he was able to talk from both sides without highlighting the correctional aspect, it was like he was an incognegro CO, scope out the law from the inside then know how to navigate it as a kingpin

GreatEclectic: everybody just ignored it

Swiper Bootz: haha not everybody

GreatEclectic: well not XXL

Swiper Bootz: haha and rolling stone which was surprising

GreatEclectic: rolling stone will do anything to look cool in 2010

Swiper Bootz: haha true 7.5

GreatEclectic: 8

Final Rating: 7.75

Rihanna’s video for her latest single “Only Girl (In The World)” was supposed to premiere later tonight. But the stans on the internets weren’t haven’t it. In the leaked video, a beautiful red-head Rihanna frolics in visual barren playful landscapes that’d made David LaChapelle proud. She is literally the only girl in this world. A sly statement that’s loud and clear. It’s a pretty ethereal visual accompaniment to an already in your face song. Dope contrast. “Only Girl (In The World),” was directed by Anthony Mandler (Usher, Drake, John Mayer).

The song took a minute to grow on me. But once it did, I couldn’t help myself from playing it constantly. I’m sure my iTunes has it clocked in at some ridiculous number of plays. Rihanna has another monster smash on her hands. And just like that’s Ciara’s hopes for a comeback seem slim to none. Rihanna’s fifth album LOUD is set to be released Nov 16. Just in time for the holiday sales rush. Watch “Only Girl (In The World)” below.

Rihanna is the only girl in the world. At least in the world of pop music. Last week she made history by having the #1 and #2 single in the country. Beyonce hasn’t even done that. I had to remix “Only Girl (In The World)” her latest single. Listen and download it below.

Mayer Hawthorne Makes His Way To Atlanta
The soulful croons of Mayer Hawthorne will reverberate the walls of the Masquerade on Oct 22nd. Mayer has been growing in popularity, gaining street cred from the likes of Snoop Dogg, John Mayer, and Justin Timberlake who all gave praise to his 2009 debut album.  He’ll be backed by his band The County, singing sweet falsettos all night. Download his latest track produced by Classixx.

MP3: Mayer Hawthorne – No Strings
MORE MUSIC —->

MP3: Seeland – Black Dot (The Horrors’ Tom Furse Remix)

MP3: Eternal Summers – A Salty Salute (Guided By Voices Cover)

MP3: Human Life – Italio Crimewave

MP3: Human Life – Italio Crimewave

MP3: Nottz feat Black Milk – Blast That

Rihanna surprised the blogosphere with this new colorful video. The visual is for a song called “Who’s That Chick,” which nods to Madonna’s “Who’s That Girl.” The song is cool. But like “Only Girl,” after hearing it once you don’t need to hear it again. These new songs just aren’t as instantaneous as “Umbrella” “Rude Boy” or “SOS.”

Rihanna’s fifth album Loud is set to be released this November. Just in time for the Holiday rush. I’m on the fence with all the music I’ve heard thus far. I liked Rated R. This new album is already feeling like a side step as opposed to a step forward or even backward. Let’s hope Loud won’t be Rihanna’s Circus–a tame commercial success. Take a look at the video for Rihanna’s “Who’s That Chick” below.

(Source: Hip Hop Connection)

With Beyonce & Rihanna it seems it’s one or the other. Now you can have them both with this GreatEclectic presented mixtape of mash ups of the singers songs. Listen and download the mixtape below.

1. Intro
2. Get Me Rude Boy (GreatEclectic Mash Up)
3. Sweet Disturbia (DJ Ralph Mash Up)
4. Hard Ego (ElDirrtyProductions Mix)
5. Interlude
6. Shut Up and Freakum (GreatEclectic Mash Up)
7. Sweet Fire Bomb (GreatEclectic Mash Up)
8. Rude Kitty Kat (GreatEclectic Mash Up)
9. Interlude
10. Crazy in Music (GreatEclectic Mash Up)
11. I’m a Diva (GreatEclectic Mix)
12. Upgrade U Hard (GreatEclectic Mash Up)
13. Interlude
14. Russian Halo 1 (GreatEclectic Mash Up)
16. Russian Halo 1 (GreatEclectic Mash Up)