KARINA PASIAN: FIRST LOVE [ALBUM REVIEW]…..

Karina Pasian‘s debut album ‘First Love’ unveiled itself this week, which isn’t too bad considering that the album is officially released next week Tuesday via Def Jam (August 19th). Hailed as a younger Alicia Keys, Karina impresses on her thrilling debut. She’s worked with an array of top notch producers such as Tricky Stewart, The Dream, Rico Love, Ryan Leslie, Gordon Chambers and her label mate Ne-yo. In the opening number ’90’s Baby’, Karina proudly emphasises being born in the 90’s, which is pretty impressive considering she has the vocal prowess of someone much older. The bouncy dance number doesn’t display Karina’s amazing singing skill but the song is infectious with an equally catchy hook. The same can also be said towards the Lil Mama-assisted ‘Baby Baby’. The pop-tinged R&B cut ‘Can’t Find The Words’ is backed by a rhythmic piano and showcases a more mature side to the 16-year-old. And that maturity is further displayed on lead single ’16 @ War’ which is a great representation of Independence and Self-Consciousness. The message behind the track is phenomenally inspirational.

Pop ballad ‘Winner’ is one of the few songs that showcases her vocals as confident and dominating as is the case with the sweet-natured ‘The Love We Got’. With every note she sings, she makes the song believable. Winner has gorgeous arrangements and a great pop melody. ‘Can You Handle It’ deals with the insecurities that often plaque a relationship. The song is a cool midtempo R&B number that sees Karina allowing her more mature side to take over yet again. Power ballad ‘Slow Motion’ is the track that seals Karina as the extraordinary vocal talent that she truly is. She sings the song with so much poise, raw emotion and passion which makes for a pretty compelling song. The hairs on your neck will literally stand up. ‘Can’t Bring Me Down’ has a more soulful edge and the album closes off with the slinky R&B number ‘First Love’.

I think the album as a whole is fantastic. There is not one song on the album that I disapproved of. From beginning to end the album never falters. Some songs I liked more than others but that’s to be expected with most albums anyway. And it makes a refreshing change to hear an album that doesn’t thrive on just hot beats (especially ones that are heavily synthesized) but quality music, subject matter, lyrical content and vocal talent which was something Karina wanted to focus on and for that she gets a lot of respect. And to be honest with you, I got kind of fed up of listening to the electronic/euro-pop synthy dance-driven music that seems to have taken over all of a sudden. My only disappointment with the album is that it could have done with more than 11 tracks, which is kind of stingy for a debut. But apart from that, I think I’m about to listen to this again. I soooo wish I could say she is going to do great but I have to be realistic about things…..

Rating: 4/5

♫ PREVIEW ‘FIRST LOVE’ BY KARINA PASIAN….

Karina Pasian releases her debut album ‘First Love’ via Def Jam on August 19th. You can now listen to all the album snippet’s online via AMAZON.

By what I’ve heard so far, it does sound like a very promising debut. But I can’t form a valid review until I hear all the songs in full. Here’s a brief product description from the site: Teens across the U.S. are not the only ones picking up on the message of “16 @ War,” the debut single by Karina, New York City’s newest 16-year old star. A timely song of independence and admiration, it was written and produced by fellow Def Jam label mates The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, the same duo responsible for Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Madonna’s “Me Against the Music.” It is one of a collection of positive and inspired songs featured on her debut album, arriving in stores on August 19th. Additional songs include, “Slow Motion,” the jazz and pop-flavored “Can’t Find the Words,” the uptempo dancefloor scorcher “Baby Baby” featuring Lil’ Mama, and “The Love We Got”. The Love We Got, Slow Motion, Can’t Bring Me Down, Can’t Find The Words, They Aint Gotta Love You and First Love sound great. For a girl her age to be on the vocal level that she’s on right now is pretty incredible. The album’s tracklisting is after the cut.

1. 90’s Baby
2. Baby, Baby
3. Can’t Find The Words
4. 16 @ War
5. Winner
6. Can You Handle It
7. The Love We Got
8. They Ain’t Gotta Love You
9. Slow Motion
10. Can’t Bring Me Down
11. First Love

KARINA PASIAN: CAN’T FIND THE WORDS [NEW VIDEO]…..

New Def Jam artist Karina Pasian debuted her second music video for ‘Can’t Find The Words’ this week. Check it out below:

The talented 16-year-old once again shows off those powerful vocals. It’s a shame she’s not getting much buzz these days. She’s going to end up like Sterling Simms unfortunately, who is also another talent on Def Jam. Nice video as well.

R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT….

Solange Knowles performed her latest new music from her forthcoming album SoL-AngeL and the Hadley Street Dreams at VH1’s Summer Of Soul for the Save The Music foundation in New York on Friday night:

Solange sure is providing the soul this summer and I can’t wait to hear the new album in its entirety. Solange has been working her butt off promoting the project. Her parents Tina and Matthew Knowles also arrived to provide their support. I am loving her yellow gladiator-inspired shoes. Nice.

More flicks of the Knowles clan:

I can’t get over how much weight Tina has lost. She must be on Beyonce‘s 14-day water, cayenne pepper and maple syrup diet.

Tamia and hubby Grant Hill were also at the show:

Tamia looked gorgeous.

And Ne-yo also performed some of his new music at the event as well from forthcoming album ‘Year of The Gentleman’:

…. looking fruitier than a packet of Rowntree’s Wine Gums. Come out already. Peep-ho.

Teyana Taylor walked the runway to model swimsuits by Diesel and debuted her official second single ‘Move’. She performed the track at Diesel’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim kick-off in Miami this past Thursday:

Pharrell Williams‘ 17-year-old protégé from Harlem also closed off the show on Thursday night. “I’m speechless that they picked my song” Taylor said, minutes after she’d bopped down the catwalk to her song, “Google Me Baby”. Diesel had invited her to model, and Taylor felt it was a great fit. “Me and Diesel, we’ve got so much in common,” she said. “My style is so Diesel!” She’s kind of scary but it’s good that you don’t have to look like Giselle to get your catwalk on these days. Nice.

Rihanna was seen going on her many shopping sprees this week, with her best friend/assistant Melissa and co. She was seen outside of Fred Segal‘s on Thursday afternoon:

Cute get-up. Speaking of get-up, the ambitious career-minded 20-year-old is on course to set up her own clothing line. She doesn’t just want to put her name on the line but she wants a major role with the developing side of it as well: “I am working on that right now. It takes a lot of effort, and I want to be involved with every step of the process”. Rihanna also admitted that her own fashion sense is unconventional as she likes to break established style rules. She explained: “The idea of not wearing brown and black together seems so dated. The other day I wore a black T-shirt, black. Nobody jeans, a brown leopard-print belt by Dolce & Gabbana, and brown Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, and it looked awesome”. She added: “Also, the rule about not matching your makeup to your outfit. I do that onstage, matching red lipstick to a bright red jacket or neon-pink eye shadow to a pink jumpsuit. And I also love to mix prints”. Interesting.

On Friday, Mariah and her hubby Nick Cannon were seen leaving Mr Chows in LA after having a romantic meal:

…. and on Thursday, they were spotted once again at yet another eatery. This time they were seen leaving Nobu restaurant in Malibu. Nick looks more like her assistant than an actual husband. She’s got his ass fully VAG-WHIPPED. He might have been a “gigolo” back in the day which saw him have his pick of a bevy of beauties swooning after his cornball ass but who’s going to end up being the “heartbreaker” when everything goes down and out? He needs to quit with his STOP HATING T-Shirt because no one is hating on their “love”. Just hilariously entertained at the bizarre union they call a marriage, lol.

Ashanti and her momager Tina Douglas were seen at Sephora’s 10th anniversary celebration this week. Ashanti also performed a couple of her recent music at the event:

The 27-year-old looked pretty cute in a bright and colourful floral dress. I am liking the hair. She looked great!

The irrelevant but beautiful Adrienne Bailon was spotted with her man Robert at the 2nd Annual Matt Leinart Celebrity Bowling Night Benefi this week:

Good job she’s connected to those Kardashians. With 3LW coming to an abrupt end and her Disney ambassadorship with The Cheetah Girls about to expire, she’s gotta keep her name out there somehow. I always thought she’d end up being the new J.Lo of our generation. Guess not.

The extremely talented Karina Pasian was seen performing at the Coca Cola ‘Refresh Your Flow’ Tour:

Good things are in line for Ms Pasian. With Rihanna and Mariah Carey serving as top priorities and Janet Jackson being left out in the cold, let’s hope the new signee (alongside Amerie) get fairer treatment at Def Jam. You know how they do.

R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT: PRE-BET AWARD EVENTS & MORE….

UPDATE: KELIS & NAS, TYRESE, MAXWELL & JILL SCOTT

Pre-BET Awards events continued on. Last night, Ashanti and her boyfriend Nelly attended the BET Debra Lee Pre-Party Dinner held at the Vibiana in Los Angeles, California:

For once, Ashanti finally gets her look right especially with the pink dress. But her false eyelashes are tooo much. It looks like giant spiders got stuck to her eye or something. Other than that, stunning! She and Nelly are such a good looking couple.

Last night, the 2008 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards took place at the The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton was in attendance:

Aw! Look at her dolphin teeth!

Michelle Williams also attended the event looking cute and chic! She’s been looking nice lately. Improvement:

I like her dress. But I would prefer it if it was in another colour. I look forwards to her new album on August 12th or the week before.

J. Holiday also hit up the scene as well, as did Steph Jones, Kelly Price, Marsha from Floetry, Akon, Musiq and Ne-yo:

Wow. I thought Kelly was suppose to be dropping those pounds. Guess not eh.

New Def Jam artist Karina Pasian also performed last night at the 2008 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards:

Good to see her on her hustle.

Crackie Bobby Brown and his legendary group New Edition also put in a special appearance:

LMAO @ his facial expression in that last pic. After putting blame on ex-wife Whitney Houston for getting him hooked on drugs, negro still looks high as a kite.

Last night, Jermaine Dupri and Island Def Jam presented TAG Records Launch Party which took place in Los Angeles, CA. Chrisette Michele and J. Holiday hit it up:

Weird.

Kelis and her rapper hubby Kelis hit up that very same party as well. Good to see these two going strong:

Love ’em. Wonder if they’ll be attending the BET Awards with the N-word jackets. LMAO!

Yesterday, Teairra Mari, (Cee-Lo Green and Melissa Ford) attended the BET Oasis Spa Lounge – Day 2 in Los Angeles, CA:

Teairra is just so pretty.

ADDITIONAL UPDATE:

R&B singers Tyrese, Maxwell and Jill Scott also hit up the BET Debra Lee Pre-Party Dinner held at the Vibiana in Los Angeles, California:

Where is that album Maxwell?

♫ KARINA PASIAN: CAN’T FIND THE WORDS [NEW SONG]….

Previously, I introduced Toya’s World readers to new Def Jam artist, 16-year-old Karina Pasian with debut single, ’16 At War’. This week, her second single ‘Can’t Find The Words’ was iTunes single of the week permitting all its users to download the song for free. You can check it out inside this post.

Can’t Find The Words is produced by Los. The song is pretty cool. I can see why she’s compared to a younger rendition of Alicia Keys. But to me, they’re very different in music and style. Folks always say I don’t put enough emphasis on the more talented artists which couldn’t be further from the truth because ALL my favourite singers are talented vocalists. At the end of the day, the vocally-challenged folks sell because they have something that captivates the audience. In turn, many talented artists get overlooked but that’s just how the music industry works. I really do hope Def Jam put as much emphasis into Karina as much as they do with an artist who had major promotion this week.

♫ KARINA PASIAN: CAN’T FIND THE WORDS

NEW MUSIC FAB: TEAIRRA MARI, DONNIE KLANG, LLOYD & KARINA PASIAN….

Teairra Mari is gearing up to release her sophomore album which will be distributed via Interscope this summer. U Said is a new track expected to make the cut; and this is what we can expect from it:

TEAIRRA MARI: U SAID
This song is soooo late 90’s and I’m loving it. The oldskool beat, the vocals, everything about it is hot. I am totally feeling Teairra Mari right now. She’s pretty and has nice vocals and the music is sounding really good. Even though I think she’s totally underrated I’m not really sure where her place lies in the music industry or if she’ll survive it. The industry has changed so much since she was last on the scene.

A brand new track from Donnie’s Klang‘s forthcoming album leaked yesterday called Rolling Stone. The Bad Boy recording artist is set to release his debut album, Come into My World this summer (reportedly June 10th but that looks unlikely). Check out the song:

DONNIE KLANG: ROLLING STONE
Rolling Stone is produced by Se7en. The radio-friendly joint is a mid-tempo R&B song with a nice beat accompanied by contrasting vocals, heavily synthesized by a vocoder. He doesn’t have a good voice and something about him is lacking which doesn’t put him in the same bar as Justin Timberlake or Robin Thicke. His vocal delivery is often nasal so it’s just as well the vocoder was placed over it. I’m liking this song a lot better than that wack first single Take You There. The musical arrangement and overall production is very solid. That, I can admit. Donnie is the last of his MTB4 counterparts to release an album. And with Danity Kane and Day26 getting to no 1, the pressure is truly on. I’m not seeing much buzz surrounding his project though. In time, maybe things will pick up.

Project Window is a brand new cut taken from Lloyd‘s forthcoming third solo album, Lessons in Love. Check it out:

LLOYD: PROJECT WINDOW
I’m not really feeling this Lloyd joint. It sounds incomplete and it’s totally forgettable. Nothing about the song screams out at you, and the lyrics are a mess. His last album Street Love was the business but I haven’t been feeling the new music from him this time round. His new video which features Ludacris premiered over the weekend. If you didn’t catch it, click here.

A track from Karina Pasian‘s forthcoming album First Love goes by the name of Baby Baby and it features Lil Mama. Check it out:

KARINA PASIAN FEAT LIL MAMA: BABY BABY
Karina has yet to disappoint me and she’s impressing me more and more. This catchy uptempo track is fierce. It’s streetwise, modern R&B at best. Lil Mama certainly delivers on the track and it works really well. I’ve loved all her material so far and I anticipate her album loads. I really hope Def Jam don’t screw her over because at just 16, the girl is just mad talented. She debuted her first video 16 At War over the weekend. Click here to watch it. I’m not really seeing the Alicia Keys comparisons though. Their style and music is completely different. Alicia isn’t the first female artist to play the piano and she certainly won’t be the last.

KARINA PASIAN: 16 AT WAR [NEW VIDEO]….

New Def Jam singer Karina Pasian debuted her very first video for latest single 16 At War yesterday. The song was written by The-Dream and produced by Tricky Stewart and is taken from her forthcoming debut album ‘First Love’, which is set to drop on June 3rd. Check out the singer’s debut video:

I’ve raved about this chick previously, and how she is vocally gifted. She could definetely give Tiffany Evans some healthy competition. Also, this is the chick who first recorded Cassie‘s lead single Official Girl as a demo track. Reportedly, Karina rejected a deal with the Bad Boy label (wise decision) after a high-stakes bidding war. However, she has no problem with Cassie recording the song. She says: “I recorded it last year and we didn’t really feel like it fit the album, so I guess they just had it there and she probably heard it and wanted to record it. I don’t know exactly how she got it but I know it wasn’t going to make my album” [SOURCE]. The Dominican-American singer, who signed with Def Jam in 2006, sings in 7 languages, plays the piano, hails from New York, and is only 16 years old. For more info on Karina, click here or here.

KARINA PASIAN’S LEAD SINGLE ‘SIXTEEN AT WAR’ // CASSIE’S DEMO OF LEAD SINGLE ‘OFFICIAL GIRL’….

New Def Jam artist 16-year-old Karina Pasian is gearing up to release her debut album in the summer as well as new single Sixteen At War. You can check it out below.

KARINA PASIAN: OFFICIAL GIRL
This track won’t make her forthcoming album because it’s the Danja-produced Official Girl that will become the lead single off Cassie’s forthcoming album. Having listened to the song, it doesn’t have that fire which is usually cohesive to a Danja Hills production. It’s okay but it doesn’t exactly have that oomph if you know what I mean…. it’s pretty dull in fact. But then, with demo’s you never know what changes will be made once it’s fully mastered.

KARINA PASIAN: SIXTEEN AT WAR
The team responsible for Mariah’s 18th no 1 Touch My Body and Rihanna’s monster hit Umbrella are back with a vengeance once more. Sixteen At War is produced by Tricky Stewart and written by The-Dream. It’s the lead single from her forthcoming album which is set to drop this summer. This is a nice and polished midtempo cut which shows off her talented vocals to great capacity. I’m rooting for this girl but sadly, something tells me she’s going to get left behind in the summer rush. Another talented artist who probably won’t get their shine on….