Rita Ora is a Diva that doesn't get much of a mention over here. And I don't see that changing anytime soon if her new single I Will Never Let You Down is any indication of the material her second album is bringing.
So why am I posting this video for her latest single? Well, I'm interested in hearing if any of you guys are stanning for the British/ Kosovan belle. Apart from R.I.P and Hot Right Now, I haven't managed to be all that bothered about her career, despite Roc Nation forcing her down my/our/the world's throat. (Seriously, I can't believe the exposure they have gotten her thus far).
But let me know if you guys feel differently (or the same), below!
Thoughts?
Well now, that didn't exactly raise my respect. A singing "coach" on a singing contest, lipping her performance. "Booooo" I say. (and the percentage lipped is really beside the point imo. That would fall in the category of "a little pregnant" or " a little dead" )
ReplyDeleteBut hey, she LOOKS pretty!
I love her timbre... Her singing isn't half bad either. But her music... HELL NO!!!!!!!!!! She's too little too much...-_-
ReplyDeleteI cannot stand neither her, her voice or her music so no, I, for one, am definitely not. She is as generic and derivative as they come, both artistically/musically and image- wise.
ReplyDeleteThe level of mainstream exposure that this Girl has been granted circa. 2011 until now is quite infinite yet there are far more "talented" male/female singers/songwriters on Roc Nation whose careers are nowhere to be found.
Please...
Well, the only part she used playback was the Whoooo part, and I guess that was solely for the effect needed. Shakira's a really different vocalist. I like her lives, she's pretty underrated *vocally*. For example, check out her MTV Live! Unplugged album. Especially "Estoy Aqui" live. She isn't the BEST vocalist ever, but I really like her. :)
ReplyDeleteShakira's hips don't lie, but her lips certainly do.
ReplyDeleteLooked to me like she was lipping a whole lot more than that.
ReplyDeleteI liked that Estoy Aqui song.
I like her voice. Its like the good parts of Beyonce + Rihanna. She's a decent live singer too. Way better than her contemporaries from the U.S. I don't mind somebody who is as good as her live being famous. Now her music, thats a different story altogether.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, I don't think I would like the song as much without the video....
ReplyDeleteI am more into vocalists than just random pop or R&B chicks, so normally she wouldn't even appear on my radar. But I read an interview in which it talked about her vocal ability and that she can really sing and her range and power are so amazing. Then I actually listened to her album. The entire thing. After I was done listening, I threw it out the window. Nothing to write home about, vocally or musically.
ReplyDeleteWhy is anyone surprised? Shakira's marketing strategy has always been her "foreign" language and dancing style. She hardly sings live...
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the single but I had honestly never heard of her before this post DD.
ReplyDeleteI think it was 70% live and 30% lipped
ReplyDeleteI could give a little bit of clarity on why those parts had to be lipped, though I imagine it's obvious
When one records in studio one may use effects and filters that may be digital or analog. If they are digital, it might be easy to replicate outside of the studio, but it's not a certainty that they will have your desired effect/filter at the venue you are performing. And when it comes to analog effects, it's even less likely, especially if those effects were normalled to the recording console, because live consoles are really different in capacity and variety of effects than a studio console.
But most certainly, the main thing would be because in this song those vocal effects occur rather quickly, and the sound engineer would have to be EXTREMELY good to be able to engage the effect (which usually involves 2 or 3 steps) before the voice needs it, and to disengage it when it's not needed. So in that case, it's better to have those effects as a pre-recorded track. Or, the option would be to have separate microphones (besides the main one) patched to the effect, so the singer can just go back and forth between microphones if they need to, but that would interfere with their mobility on stage, and would look rather awkward, but it's possible and I've seen it done.
I heard a near crack in Shakira's voice before the chorus, so I doubt that was not live.
That's not true. I am not a huge fan of Shakira though I have a couple of her older albums Spanish albums. And I must say, Shakira may not have a typically pretty voice, but she is a very capable singer.
ReplyDeleteJust saw her perform on Fallon last night. She's gotten so much exposure for the last few years. It's insane. Her publicists must be working overtime for this.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Shakira has used her dance and her exoticness to stand out (which is not much different from Demi and Gaga using her life struggles or Miley using her controversial behavour) but that part of "she hardly sings live"... No, man, just no.
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to a lot of commercial pop/dance people but I do think she has an ok voice. Now if only she showed a bit more of this side to her in her music then maybe she would have more of my interest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgQ8HPD4L9Q
ReplyDeleteWell, the thing is that Shakira uses her Latino and Lebanese backgrounds as part of her artistry, it's part of what makes her unique. Demi and Gaga I feel exploit events that May or may not be 100% factual. And Miley just does shit for attention or perhaps mental illness (I understand being sad your pet died, but breaking down on stage in a dramatic manner...seems unstable).
ReplyDeleteWell seeing as I am not the biggest follower of her career I probably should have done more research on her live performances, but in all of the live performances of songs I have seen since "Hips don't lie" she hasn't sung completely live.
ReplyDeleteShe should have danced on the part where she lipped.. I personally see no point in lipping that part... I'd just dance or some shit... Like that was a slow moment of hers... -_-
ReplyDelete" Then I actually listened to her album. The entire thing. After I was done listening, I threw it out the window."
ReplyDeleteHahahaha that was funny dude! :-)
And I dare say, if the album was like this song, accurate.
After hearing your original song, you definitely are on good authority to comment on vocals, as yours seem fantastic (even though I do think Rita is also a good singer), however musically... lol
ReplyDeleteI just can't get into her music. I like her style tho.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I appreciate it. I hope we can put our differences behind us. I know I can be a real C-word sometimes, but it's truly not out of malice but because I'm very defensive when I perceive (either real or imaginary) that I'm being attacked. It's my crucible and I'm trying to overcome it.
ReplyDeleteThe song sounds like the songs that they give Disney tween pop star who haven't made it yet.
ReplyDeleteSounds great to me! Haha and don't worry about it, I can be just as bad, if not worse than you! Although don't expect me to back down on our disagreements (although hopefully we can keep them more civilised now) ;p x
ReplyDeleteThe Country version of Glee..." Nashville" had a special concert episode last night. Here are some performances...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V6yn87-qfc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0PgHk7HbM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJR347LDt1o
In Demi's case they're true, she had to get into rehab and was diagnosed with bipola disorder, not to talk that picture of her which got viral showing some of her scars. Plus, the way she talked about it when she started to "get out of the closet" in that area... she seems so frail and scared that I find it impossible to think she's lying, specially the way she reacted after Gaga's throw up number (Although, as much as I love her, it's also impossible to deny that she has taken benefits from it, and I don't blame her). About Gaga, TBH I have no idea whether they're true or not, I don't know her enough and I don't care enough about her either.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, you do have a point there: Shakira's case is most acceptable because she uses it as a part of her artistry and you can hear that influence in her songs, but she doesn't play that card outside of music.
she lipped most of the chorus part: the "whooo whoo", and the highest belts.
ReplyDeleteEx: her live voice stops at 00:59 and the track begins, until 1:40. you can really see the difference.
its undeniable that shakira as a great voice, but her tone usually cracks when she goes up in the 5th octave. i don't blame her for lip-sync: it s a smart move for a singer to take care of the voice. but if you are a vocal coach on a talent show, you will have to stay true to yourself and the other contestants which ALWAYS sing live.
when Christina sang "fell this moment" last year, she was awful, but honest, same for Demi Lovato when she sang ''neon lights'' on the x factor.
Anyway i love the song, and the energy she always brings into her performance!
i always find difficult to recognize the notes when shakira sings, because of her tone. what are the notes at 1:16 and 1:27 ? i think the first one is mixed, and the second is in full voice, but i am not sure /:
Since ye all didn't mind me posting one of my recordings, I would like to share one I just did yesterday :P as tribute to the one true god(dess) for her birthday, and because I love the song. I got the opportunity to record on tape (as opposed to digital) and I think it gives a nice warmth to the sound. Watch out for the C7 (which was kind of an accident, but it worked, so we kept it), and the messa di voce at the end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghlt_rLQMtY
ReplyDeletelolwut. her voice is marmite or even vegemite, but that comment is a travesty.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acxZTXlcNMI
LOL
ReplyDeletehttp://24.media.tumblr.com/20aa8e05de20a6ebec0e0a52c9adabf0/tumblr_n1d52s0XSY1svqurmo1_400.gif
i like her voice... I just don't like that song... it sounds... well it doesn't sound ugly but it sure doesn't come off as appealing. Too bad, i like her voice a lot.
ReplyDeletehttp://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_liu9ujLL2i1qi73dko1_500.gif
ReplyDeleteAm i the only who enjoyed it???
ReplyDeleteI didn't give shakira any attention because it all went to the stage production. i really loved those fire and the screen in the ceiling. i was more inspired by them
ReplyDeleteVery nice analysis, tbh.
ReplyDeletelol! That would be very exciting!
ReplyDeleteI liked the song personally, it's not a contender for most groundbreaking song of the year, but it's fun and flirty and lighthearted. I'm not really a fan of Rita's vocal performance, I recall watching a live video of her singing RIP when she first started out, it wasn't terrible but there was nothing to rave about. What i really love is the gorgeous tone of her voice, it has this pretty raspy sound, but still manages to sound smooth and it can be really engaging with the right song.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite cuts from her debut album were Radioactive (penned by the iconic Sia), Roc the Life, and Young, Single & Sexy. None of them are cuts to die for, but they have charisma with her engaging voice. I think she just needs to find the right material.
I'm with you tbh.
ReplyDeleteLoved it!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly fucking god!! Ella Hendersons first single is fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteThose harmonies! That range!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA8AfQaUnXM
yeah an decent voice but i find her incredibly beautiful, and thats coming from a guy who likes guys. i like her iggy collab but anyone else pick up the similarities to dark horse by katy perry ?. interestingly katy wrote black widow so its like the demo of dark horse lol.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09EW8K-BqxA
I think she has a great voice. Her album didn't so her voice any justice. Look up her live acoustic performances, this girl can sing.
ReplyDeleteI Know this is a Diva's site but can we just take a look at this?. SO good.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ThQkrXHdh4&list=PLED5F6B60B590A82F
"if" ?
ReplyDeleteIt honestly doesn't matter and it's no one's business to know.
ReplyDeleteDo you know anything about her range? I don't think it's wide and I Never cared because the timber of her voice always did it for me...
ReplyDeleteShe is also rumoured to cover Michael Jackson's "You are not alone"
ReplyDeleteLove the selfie ;P
ReplyDeleteSomehow the return of India Arie escaped me until recently. Love her songwriting andd she's not a bad singer either! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuKvUKSFDq0&list=AL94UKMTqg-9DX0TAsNomteTLSwI5S9E5P
ReplyDelete