Times Square

Last Thursday, Hilton Hotels hosted an intimate, acoustic performance by Mikky Ekko in Times Square curated and produced by Spin Media. Unfortunately I missed the live stream, but thanks to YouTube ads (for once) I was able to relive the 30-min, six-song set by the “Stay” singer and song-writer. I didn’t fall in love with any of the songs performed, but I still plan to give his debut album Time a listen, which he shared with the audience has just wrapped. The tracks I gravitated to most–one at the 4:47 mark, the other at 13:55 (“Stay” is at 18:25). Interested to hear others thoughts, what do you think?

His performance comes three months after Bridget Kelly‘s intimate set hosted by Hilton Hotels in L.A.

Keep your eyes peeled for these #HiltonMusic concerts, I know I will.

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I am always intrigued by unknown artists who (seemingly) pop out of nowhere and skyrocket to the top of the charts, so I was always wondered how he finagled a feature on Rihanna’s album, with a feature credit, and then, more importantly, why she often went on to perform the song without him after its debut. My questions where answered in an interview he did with Billboard:

“After [‘Stay’] came out, there was a lot of pressure to capitalize on that momentum… From the label, people on Rihanna’s side. I think we speculated a little bit about going out on the tour with Rih, and I ultimately felt like the songs weren’t there. And I said I’m not gonna go out to promote an album that could be better. And I know the sort of the endless tweaking that can happen, but I feel like we took the time to put together a really, really strong album full of songs that at least for me represents exactly where I am.” – Mikky Ekko (billboard.com)

It would have been just another ordinary day on the NYC rapid transit system, but Jessie J is not your ordinary artist. On a typically busy midday afternoon in New York City’s Times Square, the divine Ms J found herself a bustling corner with decent acoustics, set up a boombox, and ripped into a rousing rendition of her track “Who You Are” for a few lucky commuters.

Things you should know about Jessie J because, well, you will know her: She’s a 22-year-old from Essex who’s already tearing up the charts in her native UK. She’s got serious pipes. Goosebump pipes. (When she met Justin Timberlake recently he called her the “best singer in the world”). She’s the brains behind Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” (you know you liked that one!) as well as a handful of other infectious tunes. Oh yeah, she also just knocked out the competition to win BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll for new talent.

As Jessie gears up for what is sure to be an unforgettable year, we love capturing the way she confidently steps out from the crowd here in our Times Square clip, only to lend a much-needed dose of inspiration to a few unsuspecting straphangers. She’ll soon be similarly inspiring listeners worldwide. Pop world, get ready for an adrenaline shot to the heart.

So I watched the premiere of Jessie J’s video “Do It Like A Dude” because the promotion on Youtube was insane… and I hated it. I really hated it.

I have been avoiding every mention of her since, until I saw this video. Completely changed how I feel about her. Girl can blow. And the whole concept of the video is genius.

The acoustic version of “Do It Like A Dude” is so much better. lol

ayminor

J Music: Mikky Ekko Performs Intimate Set, Readies Debut Album ‘Time’

J Music: Who You Are – Jessie J (Boombox Series)