How I spend my weekends depends entirely on my workload during the week. If on the rare occasion I’ve had a pretty relaxed schedule, I’d spend all of Saturday socialising with friends and going out near my home in Miami. I get up early, usually around 8-9am, and make lemon pancakes with fruit and turkey bacon. If I can’t find the urge to cook, I’ll head out to my favourite restaurant, Big Pink, a stone’s throw from my house. They make the best Belgian waffles. Naughty me! (Read more… )

Kelly Rowland, newly signed Universal Motown, is bringing a revamped and grandiose sound for her self-titled album, Kelly Rowland. Being her third studio album as a solo artist, Kelly Rowland exhibits Rowland’s maturation with emotionally charged lyrics and a range of musical elements from techy dance tracks to slow ballads. Ms. Rowland’s listening party at Hudson Hall in New York City’s Upper West Side, yesterday, was an intimate celebration of the new direction that Rowland is taking with her art and career.

While perched elegantly atop the mahogany finished bar table, Kelly Rowland, looking stunning in a flowing tan mini dress and chunky taupe suede heels, was interviewed by the equally fabulous Gayle King. King questioned the artist about her initial fear of failure after leaving the musical powerhouse that is Destiny’s Child, personal development as an artist and how real life serves as a constant inspiration for music.

The first song played from Kelly Rowland was “Rose Colored Glasses,” a Dr. Luke produced track that speaks to the issues that arise when one plays the fool in a relationship. After the audience’s appetite was wet, the fun up-tempo song written by Ne-Yo, “Shake The Haters Off” came through the speakers while Rowland screamed “Blast that!”

“Its like a job I that I never get a break from/because haters never take a vacation,” cranked thorough the room enveloping the listeners and compelling everyone to bob their heads. “Grown Ass Woman,” also written by Ne-yo, had her digging through old pictures from the Destiny’s Child days reflecting on how far she has come yet how “Grown and silly” she still is. The ante was upped with “Forever and A Day” where Rowland displays her vocal skill by wailing on the track with long-winded riffs and hitting sky-high notes. The listening section ended with “Heaven and Earth,” a beautiful sonic portrait, painted with flecks of sentiment; a picture of what the singer believes is what “we deserve as a people.”

Kelly Rowland is a testament to the new heights to which Ms. Rowland will soar. With a new lease of life, she is rooted in her strengths as an individual. It is a celebration of her career as a refined and developed singular artist, a proud declaration that she is simply Kelly Rowland. Source

Kelly sat down the VH1 to talk about her wardrobe, hair styles, her style icons, and much more.

(Read more… )

Be Greater Than AIDS: Get Yourself Tested Week Promotes Free HIV Testing in 10 Cities From June 19 – June 27, 2010

Kelly Rowland, Ciara,  MTV’s Sway Calloway and New Boyz Join Effort to Help Get Out the Word about HIV and STD Testing

NEW YORK, June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The first Be Greater Than AIDS: Get Yourself Tested Week will kick off on June 19th, calling on Americans, especially young people, to get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the week leading up to National HIV Testing Day (June 27th). The campaign will spotlight 10 cities — Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, and Washington D.C. — where free testing is available and other special events are taking place.

If interested their is more information after the break

(Read more… )

Kelly Rowland normally likes being in control of every aspect of her life but enjoyed a recent date where the guy took control.

Kelly Rowland is a control freak.

The former Destiny’s Child singer admits she likes to plan every detail of her life but was pleased recently when her date insisted he make all her decisions.

She explained: “When I’m on a date, I’m very in charge. It’s like, ‘Hello my name is Kelly and I’m a bit of a control freak!’ Even when I go to dinner with my friends, I say, ‘OK, we’ll all order this and this and this, and I want this day to run like this’

“I’d gotten away with it on some dates until recently when this guy actually made me be the woman, and I thought that was really cool. (Read more… )

Kelly Rowland signed a solo deal with Universal Motown Records and we’re rooting for her in a big way. We already know Kelly is “an immensely talented, gracious and beautiful woman” as Univeral Motown’s label president Sylvia Rhone so eloquently put it. But we also know that Kelly hasn’t had the best of spots when it came to her career. When she was a part of Destiny’s Child, she was often overshadowed by Beyonce. Her solo albums received nowhere near the amount of success as her former bandmate. And she had been without a label’s backing for over a year before she inked with Universal Motown. We think the time has come for Kelly to shine, and here’s why: (Read more… )

These the past few days fans have been confused about where Commander and Shake Them Haters Off will be released. Commander is the official International single and Shake Them Haters Off  is the domestic (United States) single, which will be released to radio on June 15th.. Universal Motown plans to target all formats and radio stations with other singles being released later this year.

Ensconced at her reserve table with Universal execs, Kelly Rowland literally shimmered in a light-reflecting Rubin Singer dress at Pat Field’s disco party at 230 Fifth.

Some dance-club inclined friends of ours really like your new single, “Commander”, we told the singer by way of an icebreaker.

She lit up. “It’s such a summer jam,” she said of the upbeat pop dance number. The song, released last week, is produced by David Guetta, who split a Grammy with “Rowland for “When Love Takes Over.” “Commander” is written by Rico Love.

“I go to bat for my records,” Rowland said. “I know in my gut that it feels good. Nobody could take my thoughts away from that. I don’t need anyone else to tell me it’s good.”

The video for the song, directed by Japanese director Masashi Muto, is currently in post-production. The video will be futuristic, Rowland said. “I didn’t want it to be too military because that’s so predictable.”

She thinks the song could be a contender for Summer Jam of 2010. “The song keeps you moving,” she said excitedly. “When I command you to dance,” she pointed fiercely, “I want you moving, you know? It felt good to have a song that I could express that in.” Source

(Read more… )

Behind the scenes with Kelly Rowland

When Really found out that we would be going to meet Kelly Rowland, we were very, very excited. Here’s what happened when we caught up with the former Destiny’s Child star in Miami for a photoshoot to promote Kelly Rowland’s Fashion Show, coming to Really in June.

Anything goes in Miami
“It’s 10pm by the time we find ourselves carrying a couple of black mannequins and a metal clothes stand along Ocean Drive in Miami’s South Beach. No one is paying much attention to us though, not the man with the python wrapped round his neck and definitely not the girl out for dinner in a metallic gold bikini!

The mannequins and the metallic stand are some of the props Really is about to use in its photoshoot with Kelly Rowland, the Grammy-award winning singer who was a member of Destiny’s Child and has been in the media spotlight since she was 14 years old.

Kelly arrives
Kelly is running a little late on the morning of the shoot, but is hugely apologetic as she enters Hotel Victor, a glamorous South Beach address.

Her hair and make-up team has already arrived and is upstairs in the penthouse setting up. Unfortunately, the weather doesn’t want to play ball and for the first time in several years (apparently), a typhoon warning is in place and heavy rain starts to lash down!

Bad weather
‘Miami, why are you doing this to them when they’ve flown all the way from London?’ Kelly asks, looking out of the window at the grey skies before settling down to get her hair and make-up done.

Heat magazine are with us and once the lighting and new indoor locations are agreed on and set up, the Heat photoshoot begins with Kelly changing into four different high street outfits.

Really goes shopping for Kelly
As Kelly’s luggage was lost in transit during her latest long haul flight, we head out to Atrium (a local boutique) with Kelly’s personal assistant to choose some new outfits for the photoshoot. We buy a fitted black dress and a floaty, fuchsia pink number before heading back to the hotel.

As hundreds of photos are taken of Kelly, she remains in good humour, laughing and joking, and being a great sport.

High street hottest
The shoot draws to a close with Kelly asking if she can take home the Topshop earrings and H&M dresses we brought over from the UK for her. She might have fame and fortune, but it seems our Kel is no snob when it comes to fashion!”

Kelly Rowland’s Fashion Show is coming to Really in June.

http://uktv.co.uk/really/homepage/sid/8257 Thanks Dereon

Kelly is set to perform When Love Takes Over along side David Guetta at the 2010 World Music Awards in Monaco on May 18th.  (As blog sites have reported)

Its also not clear, but rumored she could possibly be doing a medley with other artist featured on David Guetta’s last album, One Love.

When Love Takes Over is nominated in the category for “Song Of The Year”.

We will let you know more information when available.

Kelly is set to perform on the outdoor stage at the BBC radio 1′s big weekend event on Saturday May 22nd in Bangor, North Wales.

Registration for BBC Radio 1′s Big Weekend in Bangor has now opened – you have until 7 pm on Monday 3rd May to apply for tickets in our ballot.

As part of the registration process you will be asked which day you would like to go on if you are allocated tickets. You can only apply for one of the two days, so you may want to check the line-up for each first. 

For more  information visit BCC Radio 1′s Big Weekend Website  

 Thanks Julie

Hit maker Rico Love speaks to Rap-Up about Kelly’s  new single and producing 7 songs on her upcoming album. Rico says, “Commander will come next week” and goes on to speaks about her new confidence and sound.

“She is like the queen of the night”

After Akon misses his flight for the opening night of Supafest, fans were let down, but Kelly stepped in to save the day.

Hannah  Silverman from Adelaide.com.au says:

“The biggest disappointment of the night was rapper Akon who missed his flight to Adelaide with little notice given to fans about his no-show. But luckily fellow headliner Kelly Rowland picked up the slack, closing the night on a high note.

Despite the chilly weather and Akon’s absence, the modest crowd was surprisingly forgiving, later grooving to Sean Paul and Pitbull while anticipating Ms Rowland’s arrival on stage.

Thankfully Kelly Rowland made sure she put it in opening with hit single Work and treating fans to a Destiny’s Child medley.”

 To read the full story click here. 

 More photos from the supafest concert soon.

  After a long flight to Australia, Kelly and Eve have made it to the Wayville Show Grounds for rehearsal and opening night of their concert, Jamfest.

Kelly said to adelaidenow.com

Between rehearsals and making the show perfect, you don’t get much time. Hopefully I’ll put on a good show and be invited back.

Nothing but dance – a full non-stop energy show. I’m very intimate with the crowd. I like to look at the crowd and have fun

Read the full AdelaideNow.com article here

Kelly is officially back in California to rehearse for her upcoming Australian tour, “Supafest”, formaly Jamfest. The tour will begin on the 13th in Adelaide, Australia and will conclude April, 18th in Perth. The tour will include other acts such as Eve, Akon  Pitbull, Jay Sean, and Sean Paul. Hopefully Eve and Kelly will reunite for a performance of their 2007 hit, “Like This”.

Kellys new dancer, Brandee, tweets:

“@DancingBrandee: going to bed… Rehearsal for @KELLY__ROWLAND ‘s Australian Tour tomorrow! It’s going down! Commander is gonna be huge! =)”

Im sure everyone cant wait to see and hear a high quality performance of her new single, Commander.

February 23rd, 2010

What’s up everyone??????????

So, here’s how my days have been going; wake-up, workout, studio and sleep!!!!!!! It’s been great!!! I’m feeling like it’s almost done, but i’ve been EXTREMELY CRITICAL OF THIS RECORD!!!!! I am LOVING IT THOUGH!!!!! I’m SO excited planning the launch of “I Heart My Girlfriends” and that keeps me even busier!!!! And funny enough squeezing in my guilty pleasures, “Let’s Talk About Pep”, and “Keeping Up With the Kardashians”.

Well, I’m off to the studio now……….I’ll take pics for you guys!!!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

LOVE YOU TO PIECES!!

www.kellyrowland.com

PMP recently did an interview with Omar Grant (Kellys A&R) .  He gives some interesting information about Kelly and whats to come! Omar says Kelly is now signed with Univeral Motown Records; which is one of the leading   record labels in the industry.

Universal Records Website

Introduce yourself to the PMP Community

What’s good PMP this is Omar Grant A&R for Kelly Rowland

Walk us through your ‘industry’ journey

My first official job in the music industry coming fresh out of college was being a road manager for Beyonce on her Seriously In Love Tour. Then for the next 3 years I was a road manager for Destiny’s Child as a whole. I realized that I was more in love with the production side more than being on the road traveling because once your own the road you’re working an album that’s done already but I like the creative part as far as putting the album together and being there from the beginning. So when the girls (Destiny’s Child) were in the studio I would always be around trying to soak up as much information as I can. Then I got a position over at EMI Publishing as Director of A&R thanks to Big Jon. After leaving EMI I’m here currently working on Kelly Rowland’s latest project.

What label is Kelly signed to and break down your specific duties as her A&R?

Kelly recently signed to Universal Motown but I’m the point person as far as setting up studio time, finding talented songwriters and producers for her to work with and everything else involved with putting together a solid album.

How is the project coming together?

The project is near completion, probably a couple of more songs left to fill out the album but we really have a clear picture and clear understanding and its coming out really incredible. All the people that have been close to the project and close friends have been really giving us a lot of love on it and that’s honest opinions from people we respect. I think people are going to be surprised with the project, its something different, she’s really showing off her vocal ability and overall its just great music.

In your opinion is Universal Motown putting the proper muscle behind the project?

Definitely, that was one of the main reasons why she wanted to do the deal with them because of their enthusiasm for the project and they get the vision which is important. They’re really excited over there so she feels real good about the situation

What kind of music should we expect from this project? Will it reflect the current dance/pop sound that is dominating the mainstream?

Well people have to realize when you think about someone like David Guetta who has worked with everyone from Black Eyed Peas to Akon to Rihanna and others Kelly was the one who really broke him in the States with the ‘When Love Takes Over’ record. So she’s apart of ushering that sound that’s out there but at the same time she’s going to stay true to her urban and R&B roots and give those that love her for that something as well.

To me it’s going to be a fusion of different sounds that’s going to take her to the next level. You will hear some dance tracks but you’re going to hear some dance with an R&B feel to it as well to round it out. It’s a good mix of dance, Hip Hop and R&B. I’m a stickler for real creative songs that tell a story or put you in a zone to feel real good.

Compare the difference between working for a company like EMI and working for yourself as a independent A&R

The only real difference is you don’t have to clock into an office situation but as an A&R whether you’re working for a company or not you’re not working the usual 9 to 5 hours anyway. To be successful you really have to hustle and put in long nights and early mornings and just get it in. You have to be out there in the studios and at the different events so you’re not in the office much anyhow.

In your opinion what does it take to become a great A&R?

If you love this music and you’re a fan of music then that should come before anything else. You do have some A&R’s that have their own political agendas or may be in the business for things other than music but for me I love putting music together and the whole grind that comes with it. If you put your love for the music in front of any political agendas then everything else will be fine

For all the producers and songwriters reading this what advice would you give them?

(Read more… )

Jamfest
Visa Entertainment Pre-sale
Starts Tuesday 23 February, 9am
Ends Wednesday 24 February, noon*

2010′s first urban pop music tour will be here in April. The first artists to be announced for the inaugural JAMFEST tour features some of the world’s most popular artists today – AKON, KELLY ROWLAND, KERI HILSON and support from DJ Nino Brown and Chris Sorbello. JAMFEST promises over 5 hours of non-stop hits and live music.

Stay tuned… if you think this line up is BIG, wait for the next artist announcement in two weeks. With such a great line-up, there truly is something for every fan of urban pop music.

PLUS recieve a FREE Chris Sorbello Music Download with every transaction! So Lonely is the debut single from Sydney triple-threat, Chris Sorbello. A thrilling slice of electro pop, So Lonely showcases Chris Sorbello’s amazing lyrical talent, with a hypnotic vocal and a hook that will haunt you.

Tour Dates***:
Tuesday 13 April – Wayville Showgrounds, Adelaide
Wednesday 14 April – Melbourne Showgrounds
Thursday 15 April – Acer Arena, Sydney
Saturday 17 April – RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane

During this Internet Pre-sale, a Premium Access fee of $20** per ticket has been applied to ensure the allocation of seating prior to general public on sale.

Book tickets to Jamfest during the Visa Entertainment Pre-sale from Tuesday 23 February, 9am until Wednesday 24 February, noon*. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday 26 February at 9am.

http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=JAMFVISA10&view=vent