After leaping from #19 to #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart last week, Adele’s “Someone Like You” might be gearing up to follow in the footsteps of her first single, “Rolling In The Deep.” And while we wait for the UK songbird to deliver what’s rumored to be a stunning music video for 21′s second single, we can sit back and watch as covers for the song start piling up. Whereas “Rolling in the Deep” got love from the likes of John Legend, Mike Posner, Gwyneth Paltrow (via Glee), and even a military band, it appears the only famous person to touch “Someone Like You” is the “Look At Me Now”-covering YouTube sensation Karmin, until now!
Bobbi Kristina Brown, the 17-year-old daughter of Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston took to the interwebs on Saturday to record her own version of Adele’s emotional, longing-laced ballad. Singing a capella, the teenager showed that she comes from good, talented stock by not butchering the song—it’s virtually impossible to come close to meeting Adele’s vocals—but Bobbi Kristina demonstrated both solid breath control and a sweet smile from what appears to be her somewhat-messy bedroom. By no means is this version sonically mind-blowing, but it’s nice to know that, even amidst her mother’s rehab-related turmoil, young B.K. isn’t afraid to show that the good qualities of the apple don’t fall too incredibly far from the tree. That being said, we’re still somewhat partial to Adele’s Unplugged version of the song, and obviously look forward to seeing who’s next to hop on this one!
The only part of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that we caught last night was Ziggy Marley‘s “Forward to Love” performance, so thanks to Popdust for alerting us to an unmissable bit of Leno’s interview with Adam Levine of Maroon 5 (promoting The Voice, naturally). Apparently Los Angeles, where Levine grew up, was home to a Chuck E. Cheese-plus-lip syncing birthday party venue called Closet Stars, at which kids would get somewhat in costume and sing their favorite songs. Naturally, somebody dug up footage of a preteen Levine mouthing the words to “Don’t Be Cruel” while copping some of Bobby Brown‘s signature dance moves. (Levine starts talking about Closet Stars at 2:12; the performance kicks in at 3:24.)
Even at that age, Levine showcases a bit of the swagger that he would bring to Maroon 5 later in life. But for our money, the honor of Best Bobby Brown Lip-Sync Performance of All Time goes to Mayim Bialik as the title character on Blossom. The show-runners wanted “My Prerogative” to be the theme song to the show, which aired after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on Monday nights. The rights, however, proved to be too expensive, so “My Opinionation” was hastily written, and Dr. John was hired to record it. Nevertheless, the title sequence remained as shot for the entire first season, so you can see what the show’s opening might have looked like if the rights had been secured:
Whose rendition do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!
It’s not every day that you can chat with one of music’s biggest figures — especially when that figure is the “King of R&B” and had a very public and very turbulent 11-year marriage to Whitney Houston as well as bouts of substance abuse. But thanks to VH1 Mobile, now’s your chance. Watch Bobby Brown‘s episode of Behind the Music this Thursday, Sept. 24, at 10/9c, then live chat with Bobby himself after the show (12/11c)!
Users may download the app on their phone (AT&T phones, Sprint phones, BlackBerries from the BlackBerry App World store and iPhones from the iTunes App Store), then text in questions. Sample: What was it like performing with New Edition again at the BET Awards and who’s that woman on your arm?! You can also text TALK to 44686 and we’ll send you a download link. It will be a half hour moderated chat.
Those longing for additional music programming from VH1 are in luck: six new episodes of Behind the Music are on the way starting with the Sept. 10 profile of Lil Wayne (premiering at 10/9c). Check the details in the press release below:
VH1 is re-launching its Emmy Award-nominated and critically-acclaimed series Behind The Music. The iconic series that helped put VH1 on the map will premiere on Thursday, September 10 at 10/9c with Behind The Music: Lil Wayne. The self-proclaimed “best rapper alive” opens up about his childhood, his music, and his struggles, as he and the people who know him best describe his ascension from a poverty-stricken childhood in New Orleans to his reign as one of hip-hop’s heavy hitters. New episodes of the series will feature some of the best and brightest in the music industry today, including pop songstress Pink (September 17), self-proclaimed “King of R&B” Bobby Brown (September 24), rock star Bret Michaels (October 1), the “King of the South” rapper T.I. (October 8 ) and hip-hop megastar 50 Cent on (October 13). All episodes will air on Thursdays at 10/9c except for Pink, which will air on Thursday, September 17 at 8PM* in advance of VH1’s Divas Live and 50 Cent, which will air on Tuesday, October 13 at 8PM* in advance of the premiere of VH1 Hip Hop Honors.
So much Bobby Brown news, so little time! Let’s break this down nice and easy.
1. Bobby’s claiming Usher ripped him off.
In his new autobiography, the New Edition star accuses Usher of stealing his style. “I’ve always considered myself ‘The King of Stage.’ To this very day, I still don’t think anyone can get with me on the stage. I own the stage,” the ego-less Brown writes. “I watched one of Usher’s shows and he basically did my whole show. It was as if it was me on stage. The thing about it is, I love seeing that. It’s a compliment to me as a performer.”
2. Bobby’s son Landon says Whitney was a “nightmare” to grow up with, and that he replaced Kevin Coster as her bodyguard. Not only did Whit alleged force Landon to sleep in a guest house and kept him away from his half-sister Bobbi Kristina, she treated him more like staff than family. He says, “She decided to turn me into one of her security personnel. I was a teenager but I was walking around dressed up in all black with a Security shirt and she’d have me work for her. I was just another one of her staff.”
3. When not protecting Whitney, Landon boned Lindsay Lohan in a bathroom stall.
We’re sure this was exciting for the younger Brown, but let’s be real – who hasn’t been with LiLo on a toilet? He claims: “Me and Lindsay got really, really close. She followed me to the bathroom during a private party, and, well, we basically got together. I think she knew who I was when she first saw me. We were just staring at each other and she walked by. I walked into the bathroom and she followed me in.”
We don’t quite buy the claim that Lindsay knew who Landon was when she saw him (he’s got the same ego as his Pops!), but we bet she does now!
As Whitney Houston works toward a comeback in her career, the men in her life are blabbing about their time with Whit – and each other. Ray J drops a little TMI in his new song “All I Feel” which sends a message to Bobby Brown about what it was like making love to his ex-wife. In it, he sings: “Is that your wife, is that your shorty, well I’m her boyfriend . . . I think the problem is you don’t beat it right . . . Making love is cool, just pull her hair sometimes.”Yep, we definitely didn’t need to know any of that.
Meanwhile, Bobby attempts to define the love triangle in his new autobiography, entitled Being Bobby Brown: The Whole Truth and Nothin’ But. “For those of you who want to know, I’m aware of the fact that Whitney had been seeing Ray J, a very young R&B artist who is most famous for being the little brother of Brandy, the multi-platinum singing artist and TV star,” he writes in the book. “Their relationship doesn’t bother me. She’s open to see whoever she wants to see, just like I can see who I want to see. I know the age difference between her and the little guy is 20 years, but to each his own. The only concern I had was how our daughter felt about the age difference. As long as she’s cool with it, it’s fine by me.”
And there you have it, the whole truth – though we’d argue that Ray J is most famous for getting raunchy with our main girl Kim Kardashian on tape. Now the only person left to hear from is Whitney herself. Think she should weigh in on her love drama or stay silent? [NY Post]
- Vivica A. Fox‘s purported sex tape leaks. So when she denied it, was that b.s. coming out of her mouth, or was it a penis? [Crunk + Disorderly]
- Mariah Carey trolls St. Bart looking like a hooker. Or, are hookers trolling St. Bart looking like Mariah? The eternal debate rages on. [Dlisted]
- Jennifer Aniston‘s ass…wait, Jennifer Aniston has an ass? That’s even bigger news than that whole Britney thing. [CityRag]
- Both Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown fail to show up in court for their divorce hearing. Aw! They’re having as hard of a time dealing with their split as I am. [Bossip]
- A “midget rodeo” hits TV and it’s…not on VH1. The universe is collapsing. [Best Week Ever]
- Bobby Brown files new divorce papers, asking for more custody rights and claiming that he spent a stint living in his car. It’s hard to feel bad for someone whose lifestyle most likely included 24/7 hotboxing. [Dlisted]
- Toni Braxton clears up the swirling rumors: she does not have breast cancer. Her breasts issued a follow-up statement that began, “Not the we minded the renewed interest in us, or anything…” [CONCRETELOOOP]
- There’s one word that summarizes Britney Spears‘ latest music and fashion decision: ass. [Seriously? OMG! WTF?]
- If Hayden Panettiere is rocking a cape, does that mean she’s going to fly away soon? Please? [Jezebel]
Whitney & Bobby: Back Together?
The tumultuous ex-couple were spotted dining together this week, but sources close to the couple say they’re just “friends.” [People]
Jealous Ashlee Possessive of Pete
Ashlee reportedly won’t let female fans near her rocker boyfriend, and whines and drags him away when they get near. Aren’t punk rock chicks supposed to be cool and confident? [NY Post]
Mel B: Eddie’s Behavior is Scary
The Spice Girl sat down with Larry King to continue to bash her baby’s funny daddy. She tried to point out his fatherly flaws, but all Larry wanted to talk about was how hilarious Norbit was. [Us Weekly]
After the bitch-slap of Whitney Houston craziness from earlier this week, it seems only fair that we should hear from her former other half, King of R&B Bobby Brown. And hear from him we have! Bobby’s still yapping about Osama Bin Laden‘s supposed jealousy and wish to kill him, despite the fact that the story’s been circulating for over a year and that it refers to events that took place 11 years ago. Whatever. Attention is attention even if it’s from a terrorist. Eleven years ago.
Says Bobbaaaaaaaaaaaaay:
“I figure if Bin Laden wants me, and everybody is looking for him, it probably won’t happen. But if he wants to try and find me for something so stupid, he can do what he wants. I have to leave it in the hands of my higher power. Come on, if anybody [else was] threatened by Al Qaeda, they’d take it seriously.“
Isn’t it comforting to know that even if they aren’t together, Whitney and Bobby’s craziness is still potent, almost complementary? Even though we know how very far apart they are, it helps to think they might be wishing on the same bright star. It’s like that ’80s animated film An American Tale, except with more hootin’ and hollerin’ and drugs instead of mice. All together now: “Somewhere out there…” [New York Daily News / Image credit: Getty]
- Vivica A. Fox‘s purported sex tape leaks. So when she denied it, was that b.s. coming out of her mouth, or was it a penis? [
- Bobby Brown files new divorce papers, asking for more custody rights and claiming that he spent a stint living in his car. It’s hard to feel bad for someone whose lifestyle most likely included 24/7 hotboxing. [
Whitney & Bobby: Back Together?
