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Jay-Z, Ciara To Hit The Road Together

Eva Lam — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:23:19 +0000

Get ready for a hip-hop/R&B extravaganza, because Jay-Z and Ciara are joining forces for a summer tour.

“I will say it because the information has been leaked. Me and Jay-Z will be doing a 10-city tour run together! More details coming soon!” Ciara announced via Twitter on Monday.

Jay-Z’s representative confirmed the tour to Billboard.com, though she said it wouldn’t be a 10-city tour. However, she would not confirm the exact number of shows, and the full tour schedule has yet to be unveiled.

But several stops have been announced so far: July 3 and 4 in Las Vegas, July 7 in Chicago, July 10 in Connecticut and July 12 in Atlanta.

Ciara, who released her third studio album, “Fantasy Ride,” last week, will support Britney Spears on the European leg of her “Circus” tour in June.

Rant ‘N Rave: Ciara

Irene Ogrodnik — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:55:42 +0000

Singer-songwriter, dancer, fashion model, actress Ciara is quite the force to be reckoned with. Even if you tried to, it’s almost impossible to deny her rising influence in the music industry.

After the 23-year-old artist first released her single and album ‘Goodies,’ (which sold over five million records worldwide) in 2004, rumours surrounding Ciara’s sex arose. Some critics assumed that this foolish speculation would result in an early demise for this young singer.

But, in one of those (many) life moments, they were proven wrong.

Two years later, Ciara’s second album ‘Ciara: The Evolution’ went platinum five weeks after its release. Her chart topping singles “Get Up”, “Like a Boy” and “Promise” and her appearance in Missy Elliot’s Grammy award winning video “Lose Control” proved this artist was just starting to make her mark.

Now, Ciara’s upcoming highly anticipated third album “Fantasy Ride” is certain to be her biggest career hit to date. According to reports, the album includes guest appearances by Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Missy Elliot and the now media disgraced Chris Brown.

Both her collaborations with Enrique Iglesias for “Takin’ Back My Love” and Justin Timberlake for “Love Sex Magic” exude an overwhelming mixture of sexiness and classiness. In both videos, even with the presence of good/bad boys Enrique and Justin, Ciara manages to steal the spotlight.

Heck, with a body like that, it’s not hard to see why.

But even with her success, comes criticism.

Ciara’s superhero/alter ego, Super C, is labelled a rip off of Beyoncé Knowles’ Sasha Fierce. Most recently, Ciara’s video for “Love Sex Magic” is deemed a copycat of Beyoncé’s “Diva” music video.

While undeniable similarities do exist between the two, the question is, why does it really matter? How often was Britney Spears slammed for her style and music—which, in many cases, resembled Madonna’s? Suddenly not often enough when compared to the backlash that Ciara is currently receiving.

And if imitation really is the highest form of flattery, Beyoncé fans should feel damn honoured that someone with Ciara’s talent, strength and passion for music is inspired by her work.

Overall, Ciara embodies the best features of some of R&B’s most talented singers. While she lacks a powerful singing voice, with her Beyoncé-like physical assets, Rihanna’s wardrobe style, Janet Jackson’s killer dance moves and Aaliyah’s natural ability to make people fall in love with her work, Ciara is only beginning to find her place and explore her music capabilities.

Ciara and Justin Timberlake Heat Things Up in New Video

Talia Ricci — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:03:58 +0000

Ciara’s new video “Love Sex Magic” certainly lives up to it’s name. The steamy video features Ciara and Timberlake engaged in sexy dance scenes and near make-out sessions. MTV reports that Ciara said “It’s all about showing another side of me with this video.” While Timberlake said “I just kind of wanted to create a song for a female that was along the same lines as a male who could have swagga on an album.” “Love Sex Magic” will be featured on Ciara’s new album, Fantasy Ride, due out this spring.

Interview: Ciara Evolving at Age 21

Adam Gonshor — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 23:32:40 +0000

The earth’s evolution has taken billions of years. Ciara’s evolution, apparently, has taken two albums.

At just 21 years old, Ciara decided to call her second album The Evolution. Isn’t it a little soon to be calling your album The Evolution?

“No,” says Ciara, without a second of hesitation. “There’s an evolution that’s definitely taking place in my career.”

Well, maybe it’s a bit early in anyone’s career to boldly state that The Evolution is now (perhaps I Am Evolving would have been more appropriate, but it doesn’t sound as good as a title). But with the technicalities aside, it is tough to argue with Ciara when she says that a change has occurred.

It was about three years ago that her debut single, Goodies, began playing on the radio. Ciara was entering a music scene filled with 20-something female R&B artists, but she sounded different. With the help of producers Jazze Pha and Lil’ Jon, she because the “First Lady of Crunk & B.” Other hits with 1, 2 Step and Oh followed and her album, also called Goodies, sold over five million copies worldwide.

She was shy, she was still a teen, and she was evolving.

In December, Ciara released The Evolution, which debuted atop the Billboard chart, selling close to 350,000 copies.

With the sophomore release, Ciara took a hands-on approach with all aspects. She not only co-wrote most songs, but she co-produced them as well.

“It’s funny because I learn more about myself every day,” she says. “For example, I’m now co-producing, which is something new for me. I can really see myself going somewhere else with that and just taking that to another level for myself. And even as a writer, I’m just pushing myself harder and harder every day and really want to tap into different things.”

Ciara’s also tapping into projects away from music. Like Gwen Stefani, an artist she has opened for, Ciara wants to start her own clothing line. But when she thinks of an artist who has succeeded at branching out beyond music, it’s Sean “P. Diddy” Combs who comes to mind.

“I think that he does an amazing job, especially at being an entertainer,” Ciara says. “He’s just well-rounded, he’s just an amazing entrepreneur to me and I also respect that.”

John Legend, Ciara to Play Rochester MusicFest

Adam Gonshor — Sat, 02 Jul 2005 14:00:08 +0000

Some of hip-hop’s top artists– past, present, and future — will perform at this year’s Rochester MusicFest on July 16 and 17.

Boyz II Men, John Legend, Ciara, Faith Evans, Common and Brian McKnight are just some of the artists who will play over the weekend.

Bands will take the stage at 1 p.m. on both days at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester, New York, just a 3-hour drive from Toronto.

Tickets (adults: $32 for one day or $49 for 2 days; children: $10 or $17 for 2 days) are available through Ticketmaster.

The festival is offering ringtones of the performer’s songs on its web site, rochestermusicfest.com.

Rochester MusicFest 2005 Schedule

Saturday, July 16:
1:00 ? 1:45 PM Battle of the Bands winner (Rochester)
2:00 ? 2:45 PM Nina Sky
3:00 ? 3:45 PM Jagged Edge
4:00 ? 4:45 PM 112
5:00 ? 5:45 PM Ciara
6:00 ? 7:00 PM John Legend
7:15 ? 8:30 PM Boyz II Men

Sunday, July 17:
1:00 ? 1:45 PM Battle of the Bands winner (Buffalo)
2:00 ? 2:45 PM Fatty Koo
3:00 ? 3:45 PM Raheem DeVaughn
4:00 ? 4:45 PM Lyfe Jennings
5:00 ? 5:45 PM Common
6:00 ? 7:00 PM Faith Evans
7:15 ? 8:30 PM Brian McKnight