It’s official. The wait is over for Rihanna. or maybe just the “weight” of what she has been struggling with personally and artistically through the last year. A video that translates in the most raw visual the sentiments of the lyrics & the dark/gritty in your face statement in which Rihanna is empowered. She is basically at a point where she does not need gimmicks, she does not need backups. She is strong, confident, beautiful, & a heroine all by herself.

Rihanna’s performance of this particular song is vocally overwhelming. Her attitude is strong but not offensive though some fans might have a difficulty with her being “a fucking lady”.

I was watching the video with my best friend film-maker/art director Phaedra, and she drew my attention to a deeper meaning behind the visual of the video. Phaedra says” The video was shot to emphasis clearly what she’s trying to say. The angles that were used to shoot the video were sharp, straight forward, & not depended on a director trying to flex his technical muscles. It depends on deep understanding of the meaning which gave a bigger & more meaningful perspective for the lyrics.”

Rihanna’s costumes changed various times though depended solely on the main theme of strength. Her body language was emphatic & powerful. Eye contact with the camera was piercing. Ultimately, Rihanna has grown & released herself from any expectations other than what she expects from herself.

Watch it here

What do YOU think of the video? Let us know your comments.

Probably one of the most highly anticipated collaborations this year from 2 music power forces failed miserably to deliver and live up to the hype.

Beyonce’s “Video Phone” is one of those tracks I call, “fillers” to complete an album set. Repetitive beats, deja vu light fun lyrics, nothing really major but who needs a deep profound track all the time? Fun is good! Produced by Bangladesh and co-written by Beyonce and Sean Garett  will be featured on the platinum edition of Beyonce’s third studio album, Iam..Sasha Fierce.

I love Beyonce. I love how she’s a mover and shaker in the music industry, but I certainly do not love one fact that she records some meaningless, half ass produced tracks to fill an album. She’s so talented and she achieved a lot that puts her on a high pedestal to deliver the best. That wasn’t a very successful choice of single to release. And certainly Lady Gaga co-starring was an unfortunate miss-out to what could have been a perfect music fusion from 2 talented artists IF it wasn’t rushed to be done.

Beyonce needed the freshness and different, strange breath of vibrant whimsical that Lady Gaga brings, which made her the growing phenomena that she is today. That did not happen with Gaga’s verse on the track. But when you think about it, it couldn’t go any better because the song itself is just BLAH! You can get Madonna to feature on a bad track, it will still sound bad.

Beyonce Featuring Lady Gaga – Video Phone “Remix”

Then comes the video directed by Hype Williams. See these types of videos makes me mad because seriously Beyonce needs to step off the sexy hoodrat video girl she’s becoming. Been there, done that. Why do it again? I adore the Beyonce I see in “Halo”, “Sweet Dreams”, “Broken Hearted Girl”, and even the smash hit fun “Single Ladies”. “Video Phone” reminds me of a less tasty poor version of her “Check Up On It”. What’s with the booty grinding, titty shaking, and gyrating.  You should know better Bee. You’re one of the few who can deliver sexy and edgy but with class. DO NOT do it differently.

Then comes Gaga. Instead of Gaga bringing something new to the table, her other worldly antiques in image, looks, & outfits, she’s been drawn close to be a vanilla blonder version of Beyonce in the video. I don’t know if it’s done purposely by Hype or maybe because it was a last minute thing to do this whole thing so there was no time for Haus Of Gaga to KILL it like they usually do, but it wasn’t really something to look forward to. Yes, granted the video will be air played like crazy, and the anticipation of watching 2 divas together in the same frame will strike an intense interest, but it will be met mostly with “um..that’s it?”.

Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” featuring Beyonce, which I’m predicting that it will have video come out for it soon. The track appears on “The Fame Monster” album that Gaga releases Nov 23rd which include her debut album plus 8 brand new tracks previously unreleased.

Telephone is produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. Now I never understood what happened Rodney. Going from creating the tightest beats ever and producing major hits for the likes of JLo, Brandy, Whitney JUST to name a few to being totally STUCK. All what he does now is reloop and remake his old beats into new tracks. “Telephone” is dancey but so far away from sounding something special. I would have liked to see Timbaland do the music on that one. It would have at least came out with a new sound.

Lady Gaga Featuring Beyonce -Telephone

It’s not always the smartest move to have 2 artists who both enjoy a great deal of talent, style, & reign in their music to collaborate. If it isn’t an idea that’s properly prepared, artistically & creatively a medium to fuse the best of what those 2 can bring into something outstanding, then really no need for it. AT. ALL. Lady Gaga didn’t really need Beyonce for a hit. She’s already in a leagure of her. and certainly Beyonce didn’t need Lady Gaga to create a video hit because she knows how work the game. However, a much hypes divas get-together is what happened & the verdict: sorry babies. Each of you stick to her self better.