After signing with Universal Music in October 2011, UK Music Hall of Fame’s Greatest Artist of the 90s, ROBBIE WILLIAMS, arrives with his forthcoming ninth studio album entitled “TAKE THE CROWN”, set for nationwide release on November 19, 2012 under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines).

Ayala Malls, home to the best live entertainment, continues its tradition of bringing some of the most remarkable performances of both foreign and local acts in the country as it presents 15 year old American teen pop singer-songwriter and pianist GREYSON CHANCE for a series of concerts and promotions to reveal his latest EP entitled Truth Be Told part 1. He shall be delighting fans with his enthralling voice and amazing talent as he performs at the Ayala Malls on November 11, 2012. Catch him at Market! Market! Activity Center at 2:30pm and TriNoma Activity Center at 6:30pm, and get a chance to meet and greet him after every show! For more information, visit www.ayalamalls.com.ph.

Platinum-selling singer-songwriter and musician, GREYSON CHANCE, has sent his Filipino fans into an online frenzy with the announcement of his Truth Be Told part 1 launch happening at the Ayala Malls this November 11.

With big sprawling anthems and light-rock ballads, American rock band The Fray is set to take the stage for their first Philippine concert on November 10, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Colisuem as presented by That’s Ntertainment.

Six years since their massive breakthrough success of their debut record "How to Save a Life" in 2005, the band continued pumping sky-groping choruses and symphonic rushes. Colorado’s beloved quartet spawned the Grammy-nominated singles “Over My Head” and “How to Save a Life” off that record to the repeated success with hits “You Found Me” and “Never Say Never.”

One Direction are pleased to announce ‘Bring Me To 1D’, a global ‘Go1Den’ Ticket’ competition that will see winners jet to New York from all over the world to see the boys in concert at Madison Square Garden in December.

Go1Den tickets to the concert have been distributed worldwide and can be won in several ways. Tickets can be won in a variety of different ways in each country. They vary from completing challenges, creating content, answering questions to just plain pot luck.

Those who are lucky enough to win a go1Den ticket will be able to take a friend and parent/guardian to New York for an incredible sell-out show at Madison Square Garden on 3rd December. On the day after the concert, there will be an exclusive winners-only event, with activities planned and the opportunity to meet Liam, Niall, Louis, Harry and Zayn themselves.
Fans who wish to get their hands on a go1Den ticket should start paying close attention to One Direction’s official Facebook, Twitter and You Tube accounts, as there will be frequent special challenges in the next two months, some that will be region-specific. Go1Den ticket winners will be announced on the band’s official website as they win, so that fans can follow the story wherever it’s happening in the world.

Selling 12 million records worldwide in little over a year, One Direction have reached No.1 in 27 different countries. Their new album ‘Take Me Home’ will be released November 12th in the UK, while their single ‘Live While We’re Young’ became the fastest selling pre-order in history when it was announced in September.

Taylor Swift’s highly-anticipated fourth studio album will be released nationwide on November 5. Entitled RED, the album will be released under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) and will contain 16 tracks. After writing her last album (Speak Now) entirely by herself, for this record Taylor collaborated with several artists, producers, and songwriters she had always wanted to work with.“For the last two years, I've been working on an album called Red,” Taylor says. “I called it Red because of the tumultuous, crazy adventures in love and loss that it chronicles. In my mind, when you experience love that's fast paced and out of control and mixes infatuation, jealousy, frustration, miscommunication, and all of those lovely emotions… in retrospect, it all looks red.”

Ayala Malls, home to the best live entertainment continues its tradition of bringing some of the most remarkable performances of both foreign and local acts in the country as it presents 15 year old American teen pop singer-songwriter and pianist GREYSON CHANCE for a series of concerts and promotions. He shall be delighting fans with his enthralling voice and amazing talent as he performs at the Ayala malls on November 11, 2012. Catch him at Market! Market! Activity Center at 2:30 pm and TriNoma Activity Center at 6:30 pm.

Now, who wouldn't have known this dance?  I'm sure everybody knows this and I think this is one of the biggest thing for this year.  Want to know more about this?  Just click and read more of the press release.

Hohoho!  Kwento Ni Toto shares something from the R&B genre as Brandy announces her latest single "Put It Down" featuring Chris Brown.  It is official and it will be available on all digital providers.  This single is produced by Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford and Sean Garrett and co-written by Chris Brown, Shondrae Crawford, and Sean Garrett.

Kwento ni Toto shares something from the music industry straight from the MCA Music.  For those who wants to know something about this guy named Frank Ocean who happens to be making a big scene in the World Wide Web.  So for some more details just head on the read more and check out what the PR says about it.  It's quite short but will do give you information that you want.

Those who have been listening in the new wave era knows this guy and I'm sure everyone would love to hear some of his music again.  Here's some details about him and his album.

International singer-songwriter Per Sorensen, the voice behind the bestselling Norwegian music export Fra Lippo Lippi, has released his new solo albumMaster of Imperfection, which includes his new recordings of Fra Lippo Lippi’s classics Later and Beauty and Madness.

The album has Loneliness as his first single and a cover of James Taylor’s Fire and Rain.

Master of Imperfection highlights the endearing vulnerability to Per’s voice, where melancholia pours down to the cracks of these tracks.

Per adds, “In 1986, I wrote the song Beauty and Madness with lyricist Rune Kristoffersen for the upcoming Fra Lippo Lippi album Light and Shade (1987). You're either too young to remember, or too old, for that matter. Anyway, I love that song, so I re-recorded it for this album. Hope you like it, too!”

Master of Imperfection includes ten songs, which, hopefully, will lift music fans’ souls for some forty `minutes

"Master of Imperfection" Tracklist:

1. I Hurt You
2. Tell Me Once
3. Will I Recognize
4. Beauty and Madness
5. Later
6. The Truth Behind Our Lies
7. Loneliness
8. The Waiting Game
9. It Could Be Nice
10. Fire and Rain

Follow PER SORENSEN:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FraLippoLippiSinger
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FraLippoSinger

Isn’t it evident that the musical trend these days takes on a ‘club vibe’ remix? Turn on the radio and you’ll hear most of the pop songs possess an ‘in the club’ factor like Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been”, Nicki Minaj’s “Starships”, Justin Bieber’s “All Around the World”, Jessie J’s “Laserlight”, The Wanted’s “Chasing the Sun”, Mika’s “Celebrate”, Owl City’s and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Good Time” among others. Los Angeles group Far East Movement (also known as FM) does just that as they party high with their newest album, DIRTY BASS.

Far East Movement members Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, and DJ Virman take elements of hip-hop, electro, alternative, and dance to create an original pop sound and lifestyle they refer to as Dirty Bass, their fourth studio album. The 16-track album features mind-blowing collaborations with Justin Bieber for the lead single “Live My Life”, Redfoo of LMFAO for a ‘Party Rock Remix’ version of “Live My Life”, Tyga in “Dirty Bass”, Pitbull in “Candy”, Cassie for “Fly With U”, Alvaro in “Show Me Love” and Ryan Tedder of One Republic for “Rocketeer” which is a platinum selling Top 10 Billboard charting that connected with new fans of all ages. Dirty Bass also includes the new single “Turn Up the Love” feat. Cover Drive, “Where the Wild Things Are” feat. Crystal Kay, “Flossy” feat. My Name Is Kay, “If I Die Tomorrow” feat. Bill Kaulitz, “Ain’t Coming Down” feat. Sidney Samson & Matthew Koma, “Basshead” feat. YG, “Lights Out (Go Crazy)” feat. Junior Caldera & Natalia Kills, the ethereal standout “Little Bird” plus their chart-topping tune “Like a G6”.

FM creates music that bridges the gap between underground party records and mainstream pop music. The group found mainstream success after building a following in the Downtown Los Angeles club scene. Their hit, "Like a G6", instantly exploded on radio and sales charts, reaching triple platinum-plus status and the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart making them the first Asian-American group with a #1 song in the country.

Dirty Bass, with its booming bass line and sexy airtight melodies, definitely works in the clubs, but it's also meant to be pumped up while driving, working out, or anywhere else.

DIRTY BASS is out now in CDs exclusively under MCA Music available at Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video or online via www.MyMusicStore.com.ph

Press Release
NICKI MINAJ painted the town pink during her one-night-only jam-packed concert aptly titled “Nicki Minaj Live! in Manila: Pink Friday Tour” at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last July 11, 2012. The tour was actually her first visit in the Philippines and it seemed that she already made quite an impression to her Filipino Barbies & Kens (Nicki’s teenage fans) --- “Manila, I can't thank you enough for tonight! You guys were absolutely incredible. Best night ever! Thank you! Speechless... I think Manila had the loudest encore screams I've ever heard! "WE WANT MORE, WE WANT MORE!!!" So I ran back out in my new pink robe! Ha! And then we drove out the venue and thousands of people were in the streets going crazy. I rolled the window down until I got in trouble”, Nicki tweeted Wednesday night.

Immediately after her successful show, MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) presented the “Super Bass” superstar her GOLD RECORD AWARD in recognition of the outstanding sales performance of her first album, PINK FRIDAY. Among those present in the awarding were International Label Manager MJ Juco, Marketing and Events Manager Grace Foronda and Advertising and Promotions Executives Arlene Garcia and Karen Hernandez.


Pink Friday debuted in November 2010 where it peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200. Nicki Minaj became the first female solo artist to have seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 all at the same time. Her song, “Super Bass”, became the highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 rap hit by a solo female rapper in nearly a decade. This ‘boomin’ and tongue-twisting tune spawned international viral success with covers appearing everywhere. On the other hand, her newest album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, has already sold nearly 1.5 million albums worldwide. The current single, “Starships”, continues to fly on the Billboard Top 10 for twenty one consecutive weeks since its debut.

Nicki Minaj’s PINK FRIDAY and PINK FRIDAY: ROMAN RELOADED albums are out now in CDs exclusively under MCA Music available at Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video or online via www.MyMusicStore.com.ph

Get Starships as your ringback tone for only Php 5.00 by texting the following codes: KC453 to 2332 (GLOBE), STARSHIPS to 2728 (SMART) and 5493743 to 2300 (SUN)

Another music updates and press releases from Kwento Ni Toto.  This time is about Nicki Minaj.  Read the details below this paragraph.

Press Release
After her tremendous feat with “Super Bass”, NICKI MINAJ proves she's not slowing down anytime soon with the release of her latest single "Starships." The song lyrics aptly describes this single’s smashing success as it continues to soar high through the charts --- ‘Starships were meant to fly /Hands up and touch the sky / Can't stop 'cause we're so high /Let's do this one more time.’ It has broken through globally charting Top 20 at iTunes in over 40 countries and on its way to 5 million tracks sold. Her newest album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, has also sold nearly 1.5 million albums worldwide.

Nicki Minaj’s 22-track second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (Deluxe Edition), is not a reissue of the original Pink Friday album -- despite its confusing title. It's an all-new release, led by its official first single, the club-ready anthem "Starships." For this album, Nicki worked with a variety of producers such as Hit-Boy, Dr. Luke, Ester Dean, Rico Beats, RedOne and Oak. She also collaborated with artists like Cam’ron & Rick Ross in “I Am Your Leader”, 2 Chainz in “Beez In the Trap”, Lil Wayne in “Roman Reloaded”, Nas, Drake & Young Jeezy in “Champion”, Chris Brown in “Right By My Side”, Bobby V in “Sex in the Lounge” and Beenie Man in “Gun Shot” plus the urban tunes “Roman Holiday”, “Come On a Cone”, “Hov Lane”, “Whip It”, “Automatic”, “Beautiful Sinner”, “Marilyn Monroe”, “Young Forever”, “Fire Burns”, “Stupid Hoe”, “Turn Me On”, “Va Va Voom”, “Masquerade” and the next official single, “Pound the Alarm”.


Nicki Minaj is a Trinidadian-born American rapper, singer, songwriter and voice actress. Her first album, Pink Friday, debuted in November 2010 where it peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and is certified Gold in the Philippines. She became the first female solo artist to have seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. Nicki Minaj is set to have an exclusive concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on July 11, 2012.

Nicki Minaj’s new album PINK FRIDAY: ROMAN RELOADED STANDARD/DELUXE EDITION is out now in CDs exclusively under MCA Music available at Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video or online via www.MyMusicStore.com.ph

Get Starships as your ringback tone for only Php 5.00 by texting the following codes: KC453 to 2332 (GLOBE), STARSHIPS to 2728 (SMART) and 5493743 to 2300 (SUN)

Kwento Ni Toto shares another music from Dia Framption of The Voice Season 1's runner up.   Bringing in the music limelight here first full-length album entitled "Red".  If you want to know more about her album just simply scroll down and check what the press release explains about it.

Press Release
The Voice (NBC) Season 1’s runner-up Dia Frampton returns with a bang through her first full-length album entitled ‘Red’. Fans of the American singer-songwriter will be pleasantly surprised with the new album as Dia projects a completely diverse selection of melodies with her beautifully unique singing voice and stellar songwriting. The album is a stunning collaboration with notable producers and songwriters including Isabella Summers of Florence + The Machine, Tom Shapiro, Kid Cudi, Toby Gad, Chris Seefried, Mark Foster of Foster the People, Julie Frost and Meg White. Dia also proudly acknowledges her sister, Meg, as an instrumental part in the making of the album --- “It's fun to write with friends and work with producers, but when I work with my sister, I can just be myself 100%. We are also close enough to say to each other, 'Yeah, that part sucks.' No hard feelings.”


Red features ten exceptional tracks such as the upbeat motivational song “Don’t Kick the Chair”, the fast-paced guitar-driven tune “Isabella”, the promising radio-worthy single “The Broken Ones”, the cheery drum beat-heavy track “Good Boy”, the emotionally charged “I Will” featuring The Voice coach/mentor Blake Shelton, the electro-pop tune “Billy the Kid”, the country-inspired bittersweet song “Daniel”, the vengeful “Walk Away”, the anthemic masterpiece “Bullseye” and the heartfelt musical lyrics of “Trapeze”.

Red is an impressive first record for Dia Frampton and a fine follow-up that lives up to the potential she showcased back then. One cannot deny that even though she didn’t win The Voice, she is bound to make a mark in the music industry and stay true to her musical sound and honest songwriting.

Dia Frampton’s debut album RED is out now in CDs exclusively under MCA Music available at Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video or online via www.MyMusicStore.com.ph

Press Release
Seven–time Grammy Award winner Usher will release his eagerly anticipated new album LOOKING FOR MYSELF on June 2012, under Ivory Music & Video, the exclusive licensee of Sony Music in the Philippines. His seventh studio album, LOOKING FOR MYSELF will be available in both physical and digital editions.

The genre-defying lead single from LOOKING FOR MYSELF entitled "Climax," was written by Usher Raymond along with co-writers Redd Stylez, Ariel Rechtshaid, and Diplo, who also produced the single. “Climax” is receiving exceptional critical acclaim: Rolling Stone honored it with a 4 star review and calls it “Sexxxxxxy.”Pitchfork declares "Climax" "an exercise in the power of restraint, as Usher sings the woes of a romance stuck in limbo, alternating whispery falsettos and earnestly pained howls….Diplo shows uncharacteristic subtlety behind Usher's sentiment, with a beat that seems to hang suspended in midair.” The Los Angeles Times writes "Climax" "is rooted in pure soul, with Diplo employing sexy synths behind a dripping downbeat. Draw the curtains, light a candle and take a listen." Perez Hilton exclaims “LOVE IT!! This song is a trance-y, smooth HIT!! USA Today describes “Climax” as “Usher’s pulsing new single showcasing his silky-strong tenor” and Entertainment Weekly highlights Usher’s “steaming-hot falsetto.

The video for “Climax” which premiered March 9th on VEVO with already over 5.8 million views was directed by Sam Pilling and is a dramatic, highly-suspenseful and attention-gripping visual stunner. Watch it here!

Usher is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on LOOKING FOR MYSELF, working with a host of top-notch collaborators including Salaam Remi, Diplo, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin, and Max Martin, among others.

LOOKING FOR MYSELF comes on the heels of his two multi-platinum chart-topping collaborations “Without You” by David Guetta which held the #1 spot on the Pop charts and “Promise” with Romeo Santos which held the #1 spot on the Latin charts. Usher has been ranked by the RIAA as one of the best-selling artists in American music history, having sold over 43 million albums worldwide. He has won numerous awards including seven Grammy Awards and was recently named the number one Hot 100 artist of the 2000s decade. Billboard named him the second most successful artist of the 2000s decade, with his career-propelling 2004 album Confessions being ranked as the top solo album of the 2000s decade. Usher has attained nine Hot 100 number-one hits (all as a lead artist) and has attained seventeen Hot 100 top-ten singles.

Ivory Music & Video, the exclusive licensee of Sony Music in the Philippines is pleased to announce that Born and Raised, the new album from Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and musician John Mayer, enters the Billboard 200 at #1 with 219,478 sold. The album also debuted at #1 in Canada on the Nielsen SoundScan Top 200 Sales Chart.

The first collection of new songs since Mayer’s critically-acclaimed Battle Studies in November 2009, Born and Raised includes the lead single, "Shadow Days," and 11 other new tracks. Produced by John Mayer and Don Was, Born and Raised features David Crosby and Graham Nash contributing vocals on the title cut.

In April, Mayer was awarded the 2012 GRAMMYs on the Hill Award for his commitment to returning soldiers and improving the environment for the nation's music community. The Awards Ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., and is often referred to as Washington's most interesting mix of music and politics.

Mayer's previous albums--Room for Squares, Heavier Things, Continuum and Battle Studies--have sold more than 16 million copies combined worldwide. He has been honored with seven Grammy Awards and an additional 11 nominations. He has also been included in Time Magazine's annual Time 100 list of the most influential contemporary thinkers, leaders, artists and entertainers, and twice been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine's annual "Guitar" issue.

Born And Raised is available in music stores nationwide, and online via www.mymusicstore.ph only from Ivory Music & Video, the exclusive licensee of Sony Music in the Philippines

"Some of the most convincing music of Mayer's career" - Rolling Stone 4 ****

"A precious gift wrapped in burlap and bailing twine…as palatably sure-footed as anything in his multi-million-selling catalog" - The New York Times

"This is a shimmering album, perfect for taking on the road in the glow of spring and summer" - People’s 3 ½ ***

"…one of the year’s best records…"- The Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Born and Raised is a phenomenal record" - The Huffington Post

"It's one of Mayer's most diverse and exploratory albums yet, trying on a variety of different styles to accompany a set of particularly reflective and soul-searching tunes" -Billboard

"Mayer has a gift with melody and is a killer guitarist"- The Boston Herald

Mayer offers "an expert musicality filled with charm, honesty and melody" - The LA Times

"…he’s brought a laid-back country vibe to Born" - Entertainment Weekly


TRACKLISTING

1. Queen of California
2. The Age of Worry
3. Shadow Days
4. Speak for Me
5. Something Like Olivia
6. Born and Raised
7. If I Ever Get Around To Living
8. Love is a Verb
9. Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967
10. Whisky, Whisky, Whisky
11. A Face To Call Home
12. Born and Raised (Reprise)

One reason why it has become harder to penetrate the music scene these days is the stiff competition, especially with YouTube giving any talent the window to the world. But wait, there’s still truth to the saying that “many are called, but few are chosen.”

No doubt the likes of Gotye and Lana Del Rey belong to the few, with their chart-topping songs and staggering number of YouTube views providing credence to the claim. Both carrying likable stage names and having released significant indie recordings prior to mainstream success, they’re simply commendable to be labeled as “Breakthrough Artists of 2012.”





The Belgian-Australian Gotye, with his song “Somebody That I Used To Know” selling nearly five million downloads, is the first Australian act to top the Billboard 100 Chart this 21st century and the first Belgian to accomplish the feat since 1963. The track, which he recorded with the artist Kimbra, already accumulated 200 million views and counting, with several covers appearing everywhere.  

Recently, Gotye’s international hit, also reaching the top of the Billboard Digital Songs Chart and Billboard On-Demand Streaming Chart, was featured on Fox's hit show “Glee,” interpreted by Darren Criss and Matthew Bomer. It was likewise covered on "American Idol," featuring the voices of Elise Testone and Phillip Phillips.

Last February, he made his American television debut on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” with him performing the piece "Eyes Wide Open", his first single off his latest album “Making Mirrors” and a nominee at the 2011 APRA Music Awards for Song of the Year category.

The album title inspired by an old artwork created by his father, he expressed, "The mirror reflects on the artwork and it is all very related to self-reflection and introspection on the album."




As for American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, her time has arrived as well. Her now released debut album “Born To Die” ushers the beautiful irony that she is here to survive the competition, armed with talent, original compositions, and charisma.  

The album, with nearly a million units shipped in just its first week in the market, already topped the iTunes chart in 18 countries, even becoming the fastest-selling digital album ever in France. For two weeks it also spent at the top of the Official UK Album Chart, thus resulting to two worldwide hits including the title track.

“Video Games,” the album's first single, spent almost ten weeks in the UK Top 20. Its YouTube views got past 28 million, while her Facebook page has gathered five million supporters and counting as of press time.

In an interview she stated, "I wanted to be part of a high-class scene of musicians. I was hoping that I would meet people and fall in love and start a community around me, the way they used to do in the '60s."

Recently she took home the Q award for the title "Next Big Thing", along with the Breakthrough Artist citation at the BRIT Awards 2012, beating the sensational Nicki Minaj. 

Both the breakout albums of Gotye (“Making Mirrors”) and Lana Del Rey (“Born To Die”) are locally distributed under MCA Music in CDs at leading record bars nationwide or online via mymusicstore.com.ph.




To download Gotye current single “Somebody That I Used To Know” on your mobile phones, just text KA136 and send to 2332 for GLOBE/TM, text STIUTK and send to 2728 for SMART/ Talk N’ Text and text 5493375 and send to 2300 for SUN Cellular.

To download Lana Del Ray current single “Born To Die” on your mobile phones, just text KA142 and send to 2332 for GLOBE/TM, text BORN2DIE and send to 2728 for SMART/ Talk N’ Text and text 5493353 and send to 2300 for SUN Cellular.