The merits of Ms. Kelly

It had often been said that Kelly Rowland was the true voice of Destiny’s Child. Well, perhaps not the voice but the best voice among the fabulous trio. Perhaps. Rowland, who by way, is also quite a looker, has a full-bodied alto that is very expressive and easy on the ears. But as the whole world knows, it was Beyoncé Knowles who became the big star. Let us say, superstar because the other girls of Destiny, Kelly and Michelle, are also stars but not in the same magnitude as the phenomenal Beyoncé.

Kelly’s first crack at solo stardom happened five years ago with Simply Deep, which gave her the Grammy winning single Dilemma, a collaboration with rapper Nelly. No follow-up was released within the next few years. Maybe it was because she once more got busy with Destiny’s Child or maybe she was looking for something, a kind of sound that would fully show off her voice.

Destiny’s Child is now officially disbanded and Rowland is back as a solo act. Her new solo bid is titled Ms. Kelly. Emphasis on the Ms. Perhaps this is her way of telling the public that she has matured, deserves respect and is also every bit a star. Then she filled up the album with strong, powerful materials of varied forms, the better to emphasize that voice and confidence with her songwriting chops.

This is most evident in the choice of the first single. It is the catchy Like This, a collaboration with rapper Eve. Now Eve is not known for always doing the right things but her image as a powerful woman is beyond question. Together she and Kelly make a striking pair strutting to the dance floor friendly beat.

Kelly is at her best though with the slower but still with a beat ballads. These romantic cuts do show off her vocals to great advantage. I am sure that lots of Pinoys will love Every Thought is You, The Show featuring Tank, and Still in Love with My Ex, where she sounds like she means every word. Is Ms. Kelly recovering from a breakup? Listen to Better without You for the answer.

Ms. Kelly also includes Comeback, Ghetto featuring Snoop Dogg, Work, Flashback, Love, This is Love and the international bonus track Gotsta Go, a radio edit featuring Da Brat.

Beyoncé gets seven nods at 24th MTV Awards

Speaking of Beyoncé, the 24th MTV Video Music Awards nominees have been announced and the trophies will be given out on Sept. 9 at the Palm Springs Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Leaders of this year’s pack are Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake with seven nominations each including in the Video of the Year category. Here is the list and do check out the new interesting categories like Earthshattering Collaboration, Monster Single and Quadruple Threat of the Year which goes out to excellence in music, acting, business and fashion.

Up for the Moonman are the following:

Video of the Year: Amy Winehouse for Rehab; Beyoncé,   Irreplaceable; Justice, D.A.N.C.E.; Justin Timberlake, What Goes Around…Comes Around; Kanye West,  Stronger; Rihanna featuring Jay-Z, Umbrella.

Male Artist of the Year: Akon, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, T.I., Robin Thicke.

Female Artist of the Year: Amy Winehouse, Beyoncé, Fergie, Nelly Furtado, Rihanna.

New Artist: Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood, Gym Class Heroes, Lily Allen and Peter Bjorn and John.

Best Group: Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, Linkin Park, Maroon 5 and White Stripes.

Most Earthshattering Collaboration: Akon featuring Eminem Smack That; Beyoncé and Shakira, Beautiful Liar; Justin Timberlake featuring Timbaland, Sexy Back; Gwen Stefani featuring Akon, The Sweet Escape; U2 featuring Green Day, The Saints are Coming.

Quadruple Threat of the Year: Beyoncé, Bono, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Kanye West.

Monster Single of the Year: Avril Lavigne, Girlfriend; Daughtry Home; Fall Out Boy, Thnks fr th Mmrs; Lil’ Mama, Lip Gloss (No Music); T-Pain featuring Yong Joc, Buy You a Drank (Shawty Snappin); Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson, D.O.E. and Sebastian, The Way I Are; MIMS, This is Why I’m Hot; Plain White T’s, Hey There Delilah; Rihanna featuring Jay-Z, Umbrella; and  Shop Boyz, Party Like a Rock Star.

Direction: Beyoncé and Shakira, Beautiful Liar; Justin Timberlake, What Goes Around…Comes Around; Linkin Park, What I’ve Done; Christina Aguilera, Candyman; and Kanye West, Stronger.

Editing: Beyoncé and Shakira, Beautiful Liar; Gnarls Barkley, Smiley Faces; Justin Timberlake, What Goes Around…Comes Around; Kanye West, Stronger; and Linkin Park, What I’ve Done.

Choreography: Beyoncé and Shakira, Beautiful Liar; Chris Brown, Wail to Wall; Ciara, Like a Boy; Eve, Tamborine; and Justin Timberlake featuring Timbaland, Sexy Back.