HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS

Before Justin Timberlake brought Sexy Back, it started here. Happy Birthday to Elvis, who would have been 76 today if he was still with us. Like the greats Kurt Cobain & Michael Jackson, a star that burnt out before his time but will always be remembered by old fans and new ones into their retro music.

Here's a video of when he still had his looks & moves.

NEW LOOK AMERICAN IDOL

Take one long running high-profile talent show, subtract one lesbian comedienne and one iconic British villain, add one "noughties" Latino diva and one ageing rock legend, shake, gloss and serve.

Can't helping searching for the hint of terror in their eyes, what with the sure to be global phenomenom of American X-Factor looming on the horizon ...

SINGLE REVIEW: JLS - EYES WIDE SHUT feat TINIE TEMPAH

The boys are back, and after the grating The Club is Alive and then the non event which was Love You More (both of which were UK #1s), Jack the Lads Swing are releasing this collaboration with rapper du jour Tine Tempah. Slick, sophisticated dance-pop it show's JLS can mature and that they've got potential for a long future not just here but perhaps in the U.S. too. Tinie Tempah adds urban credibility.

AMY WINEHOUSE ON THE MEND AND READY TO RETURN?

Someone who truly deserves a comeback, is Amy Winehouse, and from these pictures in the press at the moment it looks like she's healthier than she's been in a long time and finally regained some of her figure back.

She will be playing shows in Brazil (where these photographs are taken) over the weekend, and fans are hoping she'll premiere some of the new tracks she's recorded. It seems like forever that she's been working on her follow up album to Back to Black (a genuinely incredible album from a genuinely incredible artist) and rumours are rife that she may release her new record this year ...

BBC SOUND OF 2011: JESSIE J

The BBC's annual "SOUND OF .." award has this year been won by London artist Jessie J. Signed to American label Universal Repbulic, Jessie has already had a #25 hit single here in the UK with Do It Like A Dude - a song which was intended for Rihanna but that Jessie J decided to release herself.

 Justin Timberlake claims she is "the best singer in the world right now".

Her song Do It Like A Dude (see video below) although being in the current fashion of electronic r'n'b dance pop and showcasing her undoubted talent, can't help but seem a little same-ish to me. How many more electronic diva's with fierce stylin' and swaaag are we going to get? It's starting to look like the Indie landfill of the music industry in 2007/2008/2009 has now turned into electronic saturation by female artists (this being the repercussions of the huge success of GaGa).

On the plus side, Jessie J does seem talented, fierce, alternative and she writes her own lyrics. Also, anyone who flies the flag for British talent on a global scale automatically gets a bonus in my book. The most interesting fact I've read about Jessie J is that she wrote the Miley Cyrus song PARTY IN THE U.S.A (one of my FAVOURITE records of 2009!).

The BBC's SOUND OF 2010 last year was won by Ellie Goulding, and anyone has to be better than the mind numbingly dull personality of the poor little rich girl trying to be a pop star. Let's hope Jessie can show her how its done.

PREDICTIONS - AND WISHES - FOR MUSIC IN 2011

1. GAGA returns with something amazing, something incredible, something ... epic. A record so ground breaking and pivotal full of enough electronic anthems and iconic outfits to solely support an entire series of Glee.

Chance of happening? ... quite possible.

2. MADONNA returns. There have been rumours circulating that she has been back in the studio, going back to her dance roots (after the mediocre success of Hard Candy) to bring us a new record. But will it be finished by the end of 2011? Who knows.

Chance of happening? ... slim, but possible.

3. THE RESSURECTION OF MICHAEL JACKSON. Well, as this has already happened - with the 2010 Christmas issued Michael - and with the fact many sources have said there's enough unreleased material for ten albums or so, it looks like there'll be more Michael this year.

Chance of happening? ... deffinately at some point.

4. RIHANNA RELEASES ONE MORE SINGLE FROM LOUD, GOES AWAY FOR ONE MONTH & COMES BACK WITH LOUD:RELOADED (THE DELUXE EDITION)

One of the most frustrating aspects of the music industry at the moment is the constant re-release, repackaging and recycling again and again of albums only within months of their last edition, and usually only with some extra bonus tracks, one new hit single and a duet they did with Eminem. If its not Leona, its Beyonce, or Rihanna or Alexandra Burke. Can't wait for Susan Boyle's The Gift: Reloaded

Chance of this happening? ... I should put money on it.

6. MARIAH CAREY GIVES BIRTH TO WHISPER AND ENCHANTRESS WORLD CONQUERING VOCAL PRINCESSES OF DOOM AND R'N'B

The ULTIMATE diva is pregnant with twins, due some time in 2011, and your imagination can only run wild as to the possibilities for these two children and what impact they will have on the future of the music industry and the world as a whole (sort of like if Hitler had won WWII, we might all be speaking German now - will Mariah's children be so incredible they will obliterate all Leona Lewis's to come? Or will they fight it out in an epic sing-off and ego battle to the death? Or will they go on tour with  mommy Mariah when she's got old and fat like some sort of R'N'B Brady Bunch? Think of the movie!)

Chance of this happening? ... ANYTHING could happen.

7. SIOBHAN. MUTYA. KEISHA. THE SUGABABES (the originals) REFORMATION

Yes. Could anything be more epic for British POP music than the reformation and reunion of the founding Sugababes???? Think of the music, think of the drama. Sugababes 4.0 Heidi, Amelle and Jade bring out a new album next year, but to maximise publicity and to maximise record sales, the original three decide to bury their hatchets and give the haters a run for the money. ITS LIKE A TARANTINO REVENGE MOVIE!!

Lets take a look at the potential:

The soul, sexiness & fierceness of Keisha Buchanan, the husky tones, attitude & street credibility or Mutya Buena, and the haunting vocals, supernatural lyrics and general Kate-Bush-ness of Siobhan Donaghy. The result of could only be something INCREDIBLE and highly unique. How could the latest Sugababes and their imitation PussyCatDolls music compete?
Chances of happening? ... slim but possible (I've got fingers crossed)

GRAMMY PREMIERE FOR BORN THIS WAY

GAGA fans everywhere will be delighted to learn that Lady G will premiere her new single Born This Way at the 2011 Grammys next month.

The press are already shit-stirring over who will reign pop queen next year with the come backs (not epic comebacks as if they've been away for decades, but miniature baby comebacks as in new album releases) of both GaGa and Britney. And fans seems to be divided into their seperate tribes already, the above photo - which I couldn't resist - being posted by one Britney champion.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END? ...

This is not the end, this is not the beginning, but it may be the beginning of the end.
Music retail giant HMV today announced a fall in sales of over 13% and the closure of 60 of its stores in the UK. What with the closures of Virgin Megastores, Zavvi and the cherished British institution of Woolworths (not to mention Capital Records and Music Zone - now both a distant memory), HMV has only the only familiar place on our highstreets selling music. If this is the beginning of the end for the retail store, then music sales will be left solely in the hands of the big supermarket chains. Gone will be the days of wandering through rows and rows of records and CDs in rooms with black painted walls while teeney bopper store assistants strut around thinking they're the coolest thing ever. Instead we will be able to pick up the latest Leona album along with our fruit and veg, and lightbulbs. 
The future for HMV looks grim :o(

T H E R E T U R N O F G A G A

YES. It's finally on the horizon.
It seems like only ... I don't know how long - a while? - since we had any new music from The GaGa. We've had meat dresses and gay rights campaigns, but we've had no real clue as to any new music except from the snippet from Born This Way (single & album) which through the medium of song she premiered at an awards acceptance speech. The snippet in itself  was simply incredible; "I'm beautiful in my way, coz' God makes no mistakes. I'm on the right track, baby I was born this way."
Do we even need to say anymore??.. Let's all just die and go to pop heaven.


New single: 13th Feb (missing a Valentines opportunity here?)
New album: 23rd May


But here's a stunning Dirty Pop remix of those few immortal lines, just to whet your appetite ...

M-A-S-H-U-P OVERLOAD!

This MONSTER of a mashup has been doing the rounds on many a website at the moment, but for anyone who hasn't heard this insane Robyn La Roux Whitney Houston Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift?) remix, then check it out!

30 HOTTEST singles of 2010

Ok, it seems fitting to honor the birth of TheDIRTYO'D and the New Year 2011 with a recap of the year we've just had. There's been some massive tunes, some record-breaking hits and some complete and utter b*****ks! So in the year when GaGa/Beyonce gave us an epic 9 minute Tarantino-esque long music video masterpiece lets take a look at the H-O-T-T-E-ST hits of 2011...

30. Gabriellea Cilmi - On A Mission
29. Usher - OMG
28. Nicki Minaj - My Love
27. Bruno Mars ft. BOB - Nothin' On You
26. Tinie Tempah - Frisky
25. Rihanna ft. Drake - What's My Name
24. Yolanda Be Cool - We Speak No Americano
23. Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way
22. BOB ft. Hayley Williams - Airplanes
21. Eminem ft. Rihanna - Love The Way Lie


20. Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart
19. Aggros Santos ft. Kimberley Stewart - Candy
18. Duck Sauce - Barbra Streisand
17. Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
16. David Guetta - Gettin' Over You
15. Lady GaGa - Alejandro
14. Jason Derulo - In My Head
13. Rihanna - Rude Boy
12. Kelis - Acapella
11. Sophie Ellis Bextor (Freemasons Remix) - Bittersweet


10. Robyn - Dancing On My Own

Sad songs are always the best, and no-one does melancholy dance anthems like Robyn (remember With Every Heartbeat?). Completely underrated, this is pounding synths and unrequited love on the dancefloor. Amazing.

9. Willow Smith - Whip My Hair

Completely original and like a bolt of lightning from nowhere, this song dropped and a catchphrase was born. So fierce, you could just imagine Rihanna coming out with this one, but no; its the nine year old daughter of Will Smith. Incredible. But where does a nine year old go next??

8. The Saturdays - Ego

A true pop gem, and perfect in every sense of the word. This song was around for an eternity and was played to death on radio and TV but we still couldn't get enough. Catchy lyrics, attitude and sexy ladies, who can resist? With the Sugababes in turmoil and Girls Aloud not that great anyway, could The Saturdays be the UKs new girlgroup?

 7. Alicia Keys - Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart

Beautiful, stunning and sophisticated as usual. Alicia Keys continued the effortless style and success of her duet with Jay-Z on Empire State Of Mind with this breakup anthem. No-one does it like Alicia.

6. Rihanna - Only Girl In The World

A recovery from the darkness (which was amazing) of Rated R, this was Rihanna showing us she had a happier side and new explosive sound. Plus a fantastic video.

5. Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dog - California Gurls

INSANELY catchy, Katy Perry struck gold when she wrote this international smash. Always puts you in good mood when you hear it, and its true; nothing comes to close to the Golden Coast. And Snoop adds the finishing touch to the song of summer 2010.

4. Florence & The Machine - You Got The Love

Stunning and shimmering rendition of the original by The Source & Candi Staton. Catapulted Florence & Co from an obscure indie pop act to international artist status. Florence may have stolen her style from Kate Bush and the song may not be the groups own, but with an incredible cover-version and beautiful video to accompany it, who cares.

3. TINIE TEMPAH Pass Out

A true shot of UK adrenaline in the arm, this was a MASSIVE hit here in the UK (America? catch up please) and I heard everyone from little schoolgirls and gay guys to drunk stinking tramps singing this at the back of the bus. Showcasing the orignality and fierceness of the UK underground grime scene, this is the deffinition of crossover and mass appeal.

2. LADY GAGA & BEYONCE Telephone

Second place?! What the f**k?! Certainly an epic duet, production and music video extravaganza. This video inspired a million YouTube parodies, and like a true O'D in every sense of the word. It is unarguably incredible.

1. KE$HA Tik Tok

Yes. Contraversial I know. Was this even 2010 or was this 2009??? Well Tik Tok by Ke$ha first reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2010 and stayed there for a massive NINE weeks. Tik Tok pushed the boundaries of autotune to new limits - suddenly everyone was Kanye West - and the slutty little sister of GaGa was born.