Dev, Outasight & Wynter Gordon [concert review]

After being featured in “Like A G6” by Far East Movement, I was intrigued by Dev and I needed to see what she was all about. Since then, I’ve become a big fan of hers with songs like “Bass Down Low” and “Booty Bounce,” and more recently, “In The Dark” and “Naked.” When my friend, Justin, told me that Dev was performing at The Gramercy Theatre, I was sold. I looked for tickets online and discovered that Outasight and Wynter Gordon were opening for her… is it possible to be sold twice? Well, I was. For me, it’s rare to find a concert where you know/like each artist who’s performing… I was on this like white on rice. I bought tickets in a heartbeat (literally within minutes after I found out about it).

After waiting a bit, the DJ finally appeared on stage, getting ready to announce the first performer. I was getting ready to see Wynter Gordon or Outasight pop out, but instead… there stood Nina Sky. Whaaat? Remember them? I mean, I wasn’t complaining. Apparently, they’re releasing a new EP, “The Other Side,” and they graced us with a little preview. They were a nice surprise/warmup to the concert. Plus, they played their popular song, “Move Ya Body,” which was a nice blast from the past. They also played a cover of “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child.

After Nina Sky, there were no more surprises (well, performers wise). Next up was Wynter Gordon. When she came out, not only did she look amazing, but she sounded amazing, too! My friend and I couldn’t get over how excellent she sounded… it was like I was listening to her on my iTunes. She started her set with “Til Death,” which was awesome, and then she went on to perform “Dirty Talk,” which is probably her best-known song. I died a little (in a good way). She sang some covers, too. She started singing an acoustic-like version of Rihanna‘s “We Found Love,” but she quickly kicked it up a notch and things got bumpin’. I loved it… there was great energy (from her and the audience). She also sang a cover of No Doubt‘s “Just A Girl.” She ended with this beautiful song in another language, but I can’t remember the name of it. Overall, Wynter Gordon was simply amazing. She’s beautiful, she has an amazing voice, she had a fun/sweet personality, and she was so grateful. Oh, and her mother was at the show… I wanted to tell her that she has a wonderful daughter.

Next up was Outasight. I’ve been obsessed with one of his (yes, ‘his,’ not ‘their’) songs, “Figure 8,”  for awhile now. He played it and I was lovin’ every second of it. I’m also a huge fan of his song “Tonight Is The Night,” probably his best-known song. It’s on the radio so everyone went wild when this one came on. He played a handful of other songs, too. Man, can this guy spit rhymes. Props.

Now, for the main act… Dev! She came out on stage and she looked great (especially after having a baby somewhat recently). The setlist went as follows (with a few surprises in between): “Getaway,” “Bass Down Low,” “Kiss My Lips,” “Booty Bounce,” “Don’t Hurt It,” “Me,” “Lightspeed,” “Perfect Match,” “Take Her From You,” “Shadows,” “Naked,” “Breathe,” and last, but certainly not least, “In The Dark.” Since her new CD, “The Night The Sun Came Up,” debuted the day before the concert, I only had a chance to preview the songs. From the new CD, I was really feelin’ “Kiss My Lips,” and “Breathe.” “In My Trunk” is another good one, but she didn’t perform that one. Overall, she sounded really great, whether she was singing or rapping… or just standing there. In addition to her songs, she’s featured in many songs, such as “Like A G6″ by Far East Movement and “Backseat” by New Boyz, which were two more songs she performed. As you might know, “Like A G6″ is my JAM. I went a bit crazy when she started singing this. I thought she was just gonna preview it a little since it’s Far East Movement’s song, but she definitely did it justice and I love her even more for that. She also did a fun, little cameo performance of “Dance (A$$)” by Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj. Finally, she wrapped up with “In The Dark” and it was amazing. Dev’s on-stage presecene was perfect and it just added to her overall pleasurable performance. When she was doing her thing on stage, she really looked like she was enjoying herself, which in turn, makes the audience enjoy themselves. Dev makes me smile.

Overall, Dev is a great performer and I’d highly recommend going to see her on tour if she’s visiting a city near you (check out her new CD, too)! Same goes for Wynter Gordon and Outasight… great show all around! 5/5 stars for this concert. It’s one of those shows that you enter liking the performers, but you leave liking them 10 times more. I’m definitely a bigger fan of these three amazing artists.

Top 50 Songs of 2011

Yet another year has gone by and my favorite way to remember all the good times I’ve had is to attach those memories with the songs I’ve grown to love along the way (i.e. “Party Rock Anthem” = Boardy Barn, ”We Found Love” = moving to Hoboken, etc.).

Kickin’ it off with #1 is…

1. “Party Rock Anthem” – LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock

And here’s the rest of my list…

2. “We Found Love” – Rihanna
3. “Till The World Ends” – Britney Spears
4. “Turn Me On” – David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj
5. “In The Dark” – Dev
6. “Jello” – Far East Movement
7. “I Wanna Go” – Britney Spears
8. “Moves Like Jagger” – Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera
9. “Give Me Everything” – Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer
10. “Sexy And I Know It” – LMFAO
11. “You Make Me Feel…” – Cobra Starship featuring Sabi
12. “Where Have You Been” – Rihanna
13. “Good Feeling” – Flo Rida
14. “N*ggas In Paris” – Jay-Z & Kanye West
15. “Backseat” – New Boyz featuring The Cataracs & Dev
16. “Took My Love” – Pitbull featuring Red Foo, Vein & David Rush
17. “Levels” – Avicii
18. “Pause” – Pitbull
19. “Little Bad Girl” – David Guetta featuring Taio Cruz
20. “Where Them Girls At” – David Guetta featuring Flo Rida & Nicki Minaj
21. “Night Of Your Life” – David Guetta featuring Jennifer Hudson
22. “Beautiful People” – Chris Brown featuring Benny Benassi
23. “On The Floor” – Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull
24. “Champagne Showers” – LMFAO
25. “Glad You Came” – The Wanted
26. “(Drop Dead) Beautiful” – Britney Spears featuring Sabi
27. “The Motto” – Drake featuring Lil Wayne
28. “Look At Me Now” – Chris Brown featuring Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne
29. “S&M” (Remix) – Rihanna featuring Britney Spears
30. “Pass At Me” – Timbaland featuring Pitbull & David Guetta
31. “T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)” – will.i.am featuring Jennifer Lopez & Mick Jagger
32. “Stereo Hearts” – Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine
33. “Did It On’em” – Nicki Minaj
34. “I Can Only Imagine” – David Guetta featuring Chris Brown & Lil Wayne
35. “Tonight Is The Night” – Outasight
36. “Drop It Low” – Kat Deluna
37. “If I Was You (OMG)” – Far East Movement featuring Snoop Dogg
38. “What You Want” – Evanescence
39. “Mr. Saxobeat” – Alexandra Stan
40. “Big Fat Bass” – Britney Spears featuring will.i.am
41. “Dance A$$” (Remix) – Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj
42. “Champion” (Matt Nash & Dave Silcox Remix) – Chipmunk featuring Chris Brown
43. “Figure 8″ – Outasight
44. “Super Bass” – Nicki Minaj
45. “Pumped Up Kicks” – Foster The People
46. “Don’t Wanna Go Home” – Jason Derulo
47. “Hit The Lights” – Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne
48. “Sweat” – David Guetta featuring Snoop Dogg
49. “Don’t Stop The Party” – Black Eyed Peas
50. “Someone Like You” – Adele

Honorable mentions include: “It Will Rain” and “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars, “Cheers” by Rihanna featuring Avril Lavigne, “Headlines” by Drake, “Save The World” by Swedish House Mafia, “Man Down” by Rihanna, “Rise Above” by Reeve Carney featuring Bono & The Edge, “Suave (Kiss Me) by Nayer and “On Display” by Melissa Gorga (I had to).

My favorite album of the year was definitely “Nothing But The Beat” by David Guetta, closely followed by “Femme Fatale” by Britney Spears. Can we expect more hits from these two music moguls in 2012? I really hope so. These two artists have really become favorites of mine this year.

Time for some other shout outs. I was particularly happy for Dev this year with her debut album, “The Night The Sun Came Up,” which features “In the Dark.” Also, congratulations to her on becoming a mom just recently! I think we’ll be seeing more of her in 2012, along with her collaboration buddies, The Cataracs, who will be coming out with a new album in 2012 (obviously very excited about that). I was also super pumped to hear Far East Movement’s new single, “Jello,” which is a great sign of what’s to come in their second studio album, “Dirty Bass,” which we can also expect in 2012. Rihanna made an awesome comeback, in my opinion, with songs like “We Found Love,” “Where Have You Been” “Cheers (Drink To That),” “Man Down” and “Talk That Talk.” As always, I love Pitbull… he can do no wrong, which is why he’s featured multiple times on my list.

I think Maroon 5 and Cobra Starship came out with some pretty catchy/different music this year. I’m interested to see if they have anything else up their sleeves for 2012.

Now, for some more 2012 predictions. I think Outasight will become more popular 2012. I love their songs, “Figure 8” and “Tonight Is The Night.” I hope to see more of them. I know Avicii‘s already decently popular, but he really caught my attention this year for some reason. I think he’ll be one of the DJs to look out for in 2012. I think Sabi might be an artist to watch out for as well. She’s been featured in Britney Spears’ “(Drop Dead) Beautiful” and Cobra Starship’s “You Make Me Feel…,” but I’ve heard some of her solo songs, like “Goodnight” and “Wild Heart,” and she’s got it goin’ on. Lastly, Pitbull’s righthand woman, Nayer, seems to be coming out of the woodwork, especially with the release of her single, “Suave (Kiss Me).”

What were some of your favorite songs, albums and artists in 2011? Any songs you think I missed? Let me know! As you should know, I love new music suggestions.

Happy New Year, everyone!

iPod Update

It’s been about two months since my last iPod Update. Unacceptable. To make up for it, I assure you that there are some real gems in this batch.

“Rumour Has It” – Adele
“I Like How It Feels” – Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull
“No Beef” – Afrojack
“Carry Out The Rude Boy” – Timbaland & Justin Timberlake vs. Rihanna
“Dance (A$$) (Remix)” – Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj
“Domino” – Jessie J.
“Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites” – SKRILLEX
“Goodnight” – Sabi
“Hangover” – Taio Cruz
“Jello” – Far East Movement featuring Rye Rye
“Where Have You Been” – Rihanna
“Talk That Talk” – Rihanna featuring Jay-Z
“F***ing Best Song Ever” – Wallpaper
“Where You Wanna Go” – Mischa Daniels featuring J-Son
“T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever) – will.i.am featuring Jennifer Lopez & Mick Jagger
“All Night Disco Party” – Brakes
“Next 2 You” – Chris Brown featuring Justin Bieber
“I Like It Like That” – Hot Chelle Rae

After watching the performance of “T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)” by will.i.am, Jennifer Lopez and (virtual) Mick Jagger during the American Music Awards, this song definitely caught my ear. It slowly made its way onto my iPod and, now, I have it playing on repeat.

Another song I’ve been playing on repeat is “Jello” by Far East Movement featuring Rye Rye. It’s their newest song and I’m loving it. I’m definitely excited for their second studio album, which better be coming out sooner than later. It looks like the group is on tour overseas through March, but I’m hoping they’ll come back to the US for some more shows in the spring!

I thought “We Found Love” by Rihanna was an awesome song, but then I heard ”Where Have You Been.” Don’t get me wrong, I still love “We Found Love,” but I actually think I might like “Where Have You Been” more. It has a really sick beat that’s sure to bob your head.

“All Night Disco Party” by Brakes might sound familiar if you’re a fan of the song in Tommy Hilfiger’s holiday commercial, like me. Shazam came in handy for this one.

Honorable mentions for this round include: “Where You Wanna Go,” “Rumour Has It” and “Carry Out The Rude Boy.”