Nicki Minaj

Nick Minaj’s new album entitled Roman Reloaded received very harsh reviews from Billboard Magazine.  Could this the beginning of the end? Well at least  Nicki Minaj picked up an endoresent from Pepsi just before the release of her sophmore album, and now she has $1 million reasons not to care about reviews.

Nicki’s new album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” may not be be getting much love from the fans and critics either. According to Billboard  ”The sophomore album from Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded is just as schizophrenic as Minaj and her two alter egos ”— and that’s not a compliment.

Nicki  may have hit a commercial home run with her new single “Starships,”  however the critics are not impressed. In fact, Billboard.com  thinks that Nicki’s new pop sound “may alienate a good chunk of her core to focus on singing instead of imaginative rhymes.” Most critics are saying that Nicki spends more time exploring her musical identity on “Roman Reloaded” than she does perfecting one, which makes the album sound bloated and rushed.

Nick Minaj and Lil Wayne

Nick Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Album

From Billboard

“Indeed, the first half of “Roman Reloaded” is the sound of Minaj doing a victory lap – already established enough in hip-hop to compete with her male counterparts, she leaves plenty of room for guests like Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Drake, and Chris Brown to take the mic. This time around, however, she seems to have her sights set on competing with Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and Madonna, based on the album’s pop-heavy second half. If you thought her David Guetta single “Turn Me On” was a major departure last summer, get ready for five more songs that sound pretty much exactly like that”.

Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to listen to Nicki’s new project. I did like her first album, (I own 2 copies, one for home and one for my car) however I would not call myself a fan (yet). There have been some inconsistencies in her sound since her debut album, so I am still on the fence about if I will truly continue to support her as an artist. When I have heard the album in it’s entirety I will write an update. However, those of you who have listened to the album please tell me what you think of it.

And if you didn’t know, now you know….

xoxo,

Sophia Lenor

The Movie Poster for "Sparkle"

The Today Show, aired the highly anticipated trailer for the remake of the musical “Sparkle.”

The movie stars the late Whitney Houston as the mother of three young girls who go into the entertainment business. The girls struggle with romance, fame, and drug issues on their road to sucess. The first trailer for the film debuted on “The Today Show” this morning.

“I always knew you had the gift,” Houston’s character says in the trailer. “It makes me feel I’ve done something right. Don’t lose it.”

The movie “Sparkle” will premier on August 17, 2012. “Sparkle” the movie co-stars Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, and Mike Epps. Enjoy the trailer.

xoxo,

Sophia Lenore

Whitney Houston and Actress Jordin Sparks as Sparkle

Whitney Houston, Mike Epps and Jordin Sparks

The Cast of "Sparkle"

Chris Brown

Chris Brown tweeted that his fans can expect two new singles off his upcoming album, “Fortune.”

R&B superstar Chris Brown was referring to the song “Sweet Love”, and the music video ‘How I Feel.’ Chris will also release the song “Till I Die “, in the coming weeks as well.

”Sweet Love” is  an R&B track, and  “Till I Die” has more of a  hip-hop feel. The track “Till I Die” features Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean.

The video for “How I Fell” was directed by Mechanical Dummy. The song has A LOT of hidden messages and TRUTHS.

Chris Brown’s new album is entitled “Fortune”. The album features the singles “Strip” and “Turn up the Music.” “Fortune” will be in stores on May 8th. It is the follow-up album to last year’s “F.A.M.E.,” which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 charts. I am looking forward to the release of this album.

Chris Brown

Whitney Houston & Rihanna

If Hollywood were to ever produce a script for a film depicting the life and tragic death of Icon  Whitney Houston, Rihanna says she would be honored to play her.

There has not been any talk in Hollywood about producing a Whitney Houston biopic. However speculation has run rampant since the Feb. 11 passing of the music legend. People are curious as to who would be the ideal candidate to take on such a role if a biopic was ever produced.

In addition to Rihanna, other names that have been mentioned to play the fallen singer, such as Jennifer Hudson, Brandy, Jordin Sparks and actress Meagan Good. Meagan recently told Marc Malkin at E! News that she and Houston had actually begun discussions a possible movie for Meagan to star in.

Rihanna told Britain’s  The Telegraph  about her desire to play Whitney. Rihanna stated ”That would be something that I would have to give my entire life to do

Whitney Houston

because I would want to really pull it off. That’s a huge, huge role and whoever does it has to do a good job.” -Rihanna.

Rihanna considered Houston to be one of her idols.

“My first song that I remember falling in love with was a Whitney Houston song—’I Will Always Love You.  All of her music actually was always played in my house, with Mariah Carey and Céline Dion.” -Rihanna.

In the meanwhile, you can catch 24-year-old Rihanna in her soon-to-be-released film “Battleship”.

And if you didn’t know, now you know…

xoxo,

Sophia Lenore

This is raw footage from Sophia Lenore t.v.
This video contains raw footage of celebrity hair & makeup artist Sophia Lenore while working with music icon Ms. Lauryn Hill. Please excuse the sound quality, concerts can be really loud. Since Sophia Lenore was working and running around backstage, on stage and in the audience you are viewing raw uncensored footage, I hope you like it. Enjoy!

Schedule for Lauryn Hill and staff

Sophia Lenore in the hair & makeup room

Lauryn Hill on stage

Lauryn Hill on stage