RIP Heavy D

Heavy D’s music takes me right back to my college dancing days at the Cellar at the University of Maryland in College Park.  It also reminds me of my first years working at urban radio stations WPGC in Washington, DC and WBLS in New York City.

I hate that it takes Heavy D’s early passing for me to listen to his songs again.  Heavy D was a rap legend and leader of the popular group, Heavy D & the Boyz.  He was an innovator of music because he clearly knew that the combination of R&B and rap would be successful.  Heavy D has left us way too soon at the age of 44. We wish you a peaceful journey. Here’s my favorite song by Heavy D and the Boyz.

One of the BEST Pop Songs. Ever.

This woman rocks.  Enough said.

One of the BEST Pop Songs. Ever.

I’ve heard this song so much lately.  It’s on the radio every time I’m driving somewhere without my kiddies, which is AWESOME because I can crank it up REALLY LOUD and groove along.  Seriously, try to sit still while listening to this one.

 

I will also take a moment to dedicate this song to Charlie Sheen.  I’m not sure yet if he is crazy SMART or just a crazy LUNATIC. Either way, he is definitely CRAZY.

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin has been super busy lately.  He’s making the publicity rounds to promote his new book, Me. He visited Oprah last week.  It was his first television interview since publicly admitting he was a gay earlier this year.  It was a great interview.  He was very open. He seems truly happy and he’s now a father to two adorable twin boys (via surrogate.)

I’ve always been a huge Ricky Martin fan.  I remember watching his American debut at the 1999 Grammy awards.  I was with a bunch of friends and we could not stop talking about this charismatic guy.  And he was so GORGEOUS.

Then he came out with his huge hit song, Livin’ La Vida Loca.  I’m going to go ahead and give it one of my Best Pop Songs EVER stamps. 

My favorite Ricky Martin moment, however, was actually getting to MEET Ricky Martin.  It was a brief encounter at my husband’s radio station about 4 years ago.  He was unbelievably humble and sweet.  And, yes, he is even more gorgeous in person.  I’m a lucky gal.

NKOTBSB

It’s cutie boy band overload!  The New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys have just announced that they plan to tour together in Summer 2011!  ( I am really excited.  I’ve been an NKOTB fan since high school and the Backstreet Boys have one of the Best Pop Songs EVER.) 

Here’s the very first official photo of the guys: Joey McIntyre, AJ McLean, Jordan Knight, Howie Dorough, Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Brian Littrell, Danny Wood, and Nick Carter.  Unfortunately no Kevin Richardson.  He is no longer a member of BSB.

Their very first performance together will be at this year’s American Music Awards on November 21st.  (Although they did give us a tease at a New Kids concert back in June.)  And here’s the brand new NKOTBSB website and twitter account so I, er you, can follow their every move.

GLEE: “Britney/Brittany”

Last night’s Glee broke ratings records.  It was the highest rated Glee show so far.  Maybe it was because of all the early hype, but the Glee “Britney/Brittany” episode last night was, for me, a little disappointing.  

I was excited to see how the writers were going to incorporate the Britney Spears hits into a Glee storyline.  But I didn’t like that the Britney song performances were part of dental anesthesia dreams.  There was no real…uh, plot.  I like when Glee just incorporates the music right into the plot line.   It seemed a little strange that the kids were just dying to perform Britney songs at their pep ralley considering their ages.  (They would have been in elementary school for some of Britney’s early hits.)  I also could not stop thinking about the amazing “Madonna” episode last season and this one just did not measure up.  Also, where was Quinn (Dianna Agron) last night?

But there were some things I did like:  Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) singing “(Hit Me) Baby One More Time.”  Artie (Kevin McHale) singing “Stronger.” And all of Brittany’s (Heather Morris) one-liners and dance numbers.  That girl can move and she looked great. 

Heather Morris has some major dancing experience too.  Check her out in the video below when she danced right beside BEYONCE (!) at the American Music Awards in 2008!  She definitely stands out as one of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies!”  You go, girl!

One of the BEST Pop Songs. Ever.

Well, according to my two kiddies.  They listen to this one OVER and OVER on their Kidz Bop 17.

Happy Labor Day Weekend.

One of the BEST Pop Songs. Ever.

I know some people will say (Hit Me) Baby One More Time is Britney Spears’ best pop song ever, but I disagree.  Toxic was Brit’s comeback hit after being away from the charts for awhile.  And she came back in a BIG way. 

Britney is now confirmed to make a cameo in an episode of GLEE this Fall.  The entire episode will be dedicated to her and her music.

I hope they perform this song.

One of the BEST Pop Songs. Ever.