In Case You Missed It...Music Video Round Up

SO you all know I LOVE music videos. Turns out I missed a s%@t load of them during my brief hiatus, so instead of going through them one by one...I decided to post them all at once, starting with the oldest. Here we go!

I HEART The Wanted. My favorite new UK boy band. "Gold Forever" is a dance-pop gem from their forthcoming sophomore album. Written and produced by Steve Mac and co-written by Wayne Hector and Claude Kelly the song was the official 2011 Comic Relief Charity single. The single debuted at #3 on the UK Singles chart, going on to become the band's third top-ten hit. Featuring remixes by Steve Smart & Westfunk, and Moto Blanco the single is destined to be a dance club hit as well. The fun video premiered in early March and was filmed on the same set as The King's Speech. Check out the boys and their cute clown noses above. Darling!  Look out for single #2, "Lightning," written by another favorite of mine, Mr. Ed Drewett.

"Gone" (AKA Dilemma Pt. 2) is the latest single from U.S. rapper Nelly's 5.0 album. "Gone" was written by Eric Goody II, Cornell Haynes, Earl Hood, Rico Love and Jim Jonsin (and produced by the latter two). In the Marc Klasfeld-directed video, Kelly Rowland reprises her role as Nelly's love interest, a role she first played in the video for his 2002 hit single, "Dilemma." While not as catchy as "Dilemma" it's nice to see Kelly and Nelly back together again. To date, the song has peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

"I'll Take Care Of You" is the latest single to be lifted off of American Soul artist Gil Scott-Heron's new album, We're New Here. We're New Here is actually a remixed album, produced by Jamie xx (of The xx). Scott-Heron's album was called I'm New Here, and is predominantly a blues and spoken-word album, like many of Scott-Heron's previous albums. Jamie xx seems to infuse electronic-elements into the original material seamlessly. The emotional, beautiful video for "I'll Take Care Of You" was directed by JJ Medina and AG Rojas and follows the story of an extraordinary young woman, single mother and boxer - Nisa Rodriguez. Playing like a mini movie, this stunning video shows the day-in-the-life of Rodriguez. Definitely worth a look.

Talented Canadian R&B singer/songwriter Melanie Fiona is back with a brand new single and video for her new R&B ballad, "Gone and Never Coming Back." The first single taken from Fiona's sophomore album, The MF Life, due in July on SRC/Universal Motown, "Gone and Never Coming Back" is a stunningly beautiful song. Showcasing Fiona's powerful pipes, the track is a fresh reminder of why I still need to give the R&B genre a chance. While I prefer Fiona's more up-tempo fare (i.e. - "Give It To Me Right," "Bang Bang") this song is pure velvet. Gorgeous. Fiona looks beautiful in the Colin Tiley-directed video, which you can watch above. The song peaked so far at #42 on the Billboard R&B charts.  Download the song on iTunes HERE.

"Kick Us Out" is the new Cataracs-produced single from LA-based electro pop band Hyper Crush (which I previously talked about way back when). Hyper Crush is rapper Donny Fontaine, vocalist Holly Valentine and DJ/keytarist Preston Moronie. Signed to Universal Motown, Hyper Crush is working on their new album (their major label debut). The band released an album, The Arcade independently in 2008 as well as three singles - the album's title track, "Robo Tech" and the Benny Benassi remix of "Sexy & Drugs." Back in 2009 the electro trio released "Keep Up," followed by "Ayo" in August of 2010. "Kick Us Out" features your run-of-the-mill "in da club" type of party video (a la Far East Movement, Ke$ha) but it's a fun ride nonetheless. Directed by Jonathan Lia, the video premiered on VEVO in the middle of March. Check it out above!  Download "Kick Us Out" on iTunes HERE.

Oh George Michael. Auto tune? Really?  This is the video for Michael's cover of New Order's 1987 hit single "True Faith," proceeds of which benefit the Comic Relief charity.  While it's certainly nice to have George Michael back, I'd much rather have him singing without the aid of auto-tune.  Michael's debut album, Faith was recently re-packaged and released so check that out HERE.  Michael's cover of "True Faith" peaked at #27 on the UK Singles chart.

The Cataracs are BLOWIN' UP lately! This American hip-hop indie-pop duo (David "Campa" Benjamin Singer-Vine and Niles "Cyrano" Hollowell-Dhar) got their start in Berkley, CA where they performed locally. Now, based in Los Angeles the duo are sought after producers, working with artists like Far East Movement, Hyper Crush and Glasses Malone. The duo are also semi-responsible for discovering another up & coming talent, singer/songwriter Dev, (who's featured in this song). Dev joined the Cataracs on "Like A G6," which went on to become a breakout hit for Cherrytree Records group Far East Movement. Check out the Ethan Lander-directed video for their new single, "," featuring Dev. Hot Hot Hot.  Download "Top Of The World" on iTunes HERE.

I'll always have love for American Idol Season 6 alum, beat-boxer Blake Lewis. "Operator" was originally released back in 2009 by DJ Dan. The newly released video features Lewis in all his sexiness. "Blake's incomparable energy, combined with DJ Dan's trademark production, make for a fun and sexy reworking of the 1985 hit originally recorded by Midnight Star." LOVE this. Ch-ch-check it out!

Sexy Jay Sean. Gotta love him.  "Hit The Lights" is the latest single released from his forthcoming new album, Freeze Time, due out in May via Cash Money/Universal Republic.  Produced by J-Remy and Bobbybass and featuring U.S. rapper Lil Wayne, the song sounds a bit like every Taio Cruz hit that's come out in the last couple of years but that's not to say that it's not good.  It's a catchy track with a thumping bassline and a great dance club vibe.  The song was released back in February where it only managed to peak at #67 on the UK Singles chart and #22 on the UK R&B chart.  The song fared better (surprisingly) in the U.S. where it peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #35 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart.  Check out the fun Bille Woodruff-directed clip above.  Get yourself a copy of the song on iTunes HERE.

Far East Movement has been doin' their thing these past couple of years.  Sad, that we're only now hearing about them.  Prior to releasing current album, Free Wired on Cherrytree/Interscope Records, the band released two albums on indie labels Catch Music Group and Hunnypot.  I guess you can't control when a band breaks into the mainstream, but I bet the boys of Far East Movement aren't complaining!  "If I Was You (OMG)" is the latest single to be taken off of Free Wired, following their top ten hits "Like A G6" (#1) and the Ryan Tedder-assisted "Rocketeer" (#7).  Subsequent singles "2gether" and "2 Is Better" failed to have the same success, but I would think the fact that Snoop Dogg makes an appearance on this new single would help the band chart another top ten hit.  What do you think?  Enjoy the Mickey Finnegan-directed video above.  **So far the single has peaked at #26 in New Zealand.

I love it when a talented artist from abroad really makes it big over here in America.  Taio Cruz is a SHINING example of such a talent.  His latest single, "Telling The World," is the lead single lifted off the soundtrack to Rio, an animated film featuring the voice talents of Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, among others.  The movie is due out April 15th in the U.S. and the soundtrack is available now (download it HERE).  While "Telling The World" is nowhere NEAR as catchy as past singles, it's a fun song, perfect for a children's movie soundtrack.  Check out the Alex Herron-directed clip above and enjoy scenes from the movie interspersed with scenes of sexy Taio Cruz singing on an empty street. Love.  Download the POP remix of "Telling The World" on iTunes HERE.

I'll admit, when I first got an email about Porcelain Black I deleted it.  Porcelain Black sounds like a bad alt rock band.  On the contrary, Porcelain Black is a sexy rocker chick with a major attitude and a sexy, gruff & husky voice.  There are elements of Stella Soliel (i.e. "Kiss Kiss") and Fergie in both her LOOK and vocal style which I LOVE.  Add Lil Wayne into the mix and you have a HOT song.  Check out the humorous/sexy Sanaa Hamri-directed video above and get ready to fall in love with this bad-ass chica.  Download "This Is What Rock N Roll Looks Like" on iTunes HERE.

While I definitely do admire Benny Benassi and his talent as a DJ and remixer, what stood out with this song is the name Gary Go.  I blogged about Gary a while back and have been eagerly anticipating his return.  Check out the video for "Cinema," featuring UK singer/songwriter Gary Go.  The song was actually released back in 2010 but only now are we getting a video.  Better late than never!

I'm with MuuMuse on this one. CockNBullKid is an AWFUL stage name.  I've been sitting on this one for a while now because of the name.  I don't remember, ultimately, what made me re-visit this song but I'm glad I did! CockNBullKid (AKA Anita Blay) is a singer/songwriter from Hackney, England.  She got her start writing with rapper Plan B when she was just a teenager, since going on to record solo music in 2008 and performing on Later...with Jools Holland.  In 2009 CockNBullKid signed to Moshi Moshi/Island Records and proceeded to release 2 singles - "One Eye Closed" and "Hold On To Your Misery."  "Asthma Attack" is the third single to be lifted off her forthcoming album, the Liam Howe-produced Adulthood, featuring collaborations with Gonzales, Peter Morén (of Peter, Björn & John) and Joseph Mount (of Metronomy).  Adulthood is due out May 22nd in the UK.  Check out the super fun video for "Asthma Attack" above.

Katy Perry's EPIC new video for "E.T." premiered last week and I'm left confused, a little bit turned on, but mostly head-over-heels in lust with Katy Perry.  The song took a good, long while to get a good choke-hold on me but I think it's safe to say, after watching this spectacle of a video, that it has.  "E.T." went on to become the fifth #1 hit of Perry's career, landing the coveted #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, following in the footsteps of her last single, "Firework."  That's four #1 hits from her Teenage Dream album alone! HUGE!  Now - the video. Directed by filmmaker Floria Sigismondi, the video features Perry as a beautiful extra terrestrial (reminds me a little bit of Diva Plavalaguna - the blue alien from The Fifth Element). While Kanye West does make a brief appearance in the video, the main focus is on the striking Katy Perry, who reveals herself to be part gazelle in the end. Very strange, confusing, yet oddly alluring.  Download "E.T." on iTunes HERE.