Controversy

Not holiday related, but these photos by Solve Sundsbo for numero magazine are so awesome I had to share! Apparently the fashionista noticed the similarities between this and a few images from Rihanna's new video for You Da One.  While the images are very similar, I am going to give Ri Ri and her team  a pass, who hasn't seen something amazing and wanted to put their own spin on it? Imitation is the best form of flattery, right? 

**here's the video: I could deal without all of the crotch grabbing , but the song is one of my favorites on the Talk That Talk album. 

Monica

Singer Monica is one of my favorite singers. I remember when this video first came out and I had to hunt down a pair of baggy  khakis (thanks to the Gap), a white tee and white nikes (guess who's going to bust out the old look?) Here's the video for First Night.

Pretty Reckless

When I heard that Taylor Momsen was the front woman for a rock band I was pretty skeptical. Little Jenny Humphrey from Brooklyn fronting a rock band? Then I heard a song in the movie Kick Ass and just had to find out who it was by (have you seen that movie? it's amazing). Anyway, I found out it was The Pretty Reckless which is fronted by Momsen. Their EP is out now and even though it's only three songs it had me wanting more. Can't wait to hear more from them. Here's their video for "Make Me Wanna Die".

While I prefer to hear Momsen sing, rather than give an interview, she drops lots of f-bombs and picks on Miley Cyrus (even though Momsen was up for the role of Hannah) in what seems to be an effort to appear tough, I'm rooting for this band none the less.

Need to Know: Esperanza Spalding

I must admit I've heard about Esperanza before, but didn't really take a listen to after I saw her perform a tribute to Prince at the BET Awards.

She performed "Girlfriend" and definitely held her own against Janelle Monae and even Patti LaBelle. She hails from Portland, Oregon and performs classic jazz with a modern twists. Her first album then just check out her album Esperanza has been on constant replay on my ipod. And her second album Chamber Music Society, just relased today. . If you like Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu or even Ella Fitzgerald (one of my favorite singers) then she is definitely worth a listen. Besides anyone with hair as cool as hers has got to be a great performer ;).

Here she is on Jimmy Kimmel Live



As a bonus, here she is performing one of my favorite Stevie Wonder songs Overjoyed

MashMusic: The Heavy - "How You Like Me Now?"

On my search for daily deals mp3 deals from Amazon, which features complete albums for $4.99 or less, I stumbled across The Heavy latest album The House That Dirt Built, which features the song How You Like Me Now (also heard in a Kia commercial). I don't know why I haven't been aware of this group before because they are beyond awesome! It's a mix of neo-soul and rock and they make amazing music. Here's a video of them performing on the David Letterman show, after which he asked them for an encore (apparently this is a first for the show). Enjoy!

MashMusic

Ok, I know, it's rude to just write a post out of the blue, especially since I haven't been on this thing for a few weeks (months but whose counting?). Anyway, I just found out about the greatest thing No Doubt is going on tour, their songs take me back to my first year of high school and the coolness that was Tragic Kingdom. They're on tour with one of my new favorite bands Paramore! Ticket information hasn't been posted yet, but they'll be heading out in May. And I for one can't wait!! Do you have a favorite band or singer who hasn't been on tour for awhile that you would like to see live. Post your suggestions in the comments section.

MashMusic

So have you ever heard a song and soon it's on instant replay in your mind? Well, that's what Solange's single "I Decided" is for me. The song is catchy and definitley different from anything out there right now. Better still, for Solange it's different than her debut album which came out five years ago.

Beyonce's younger sister has also stepped up her fab game choosing to wear cute minis and bold colors

Her latest single is SandCastle and the Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams is set to drop Tuesday, Aug. 26.