December 31, 2009

TOP SELLING FEMALE ARTISTS OF 2009

01. Taylor Swift
02. Beyonce
03. Miley Cyrus
04. Britney Spears
05. Lady GaGa
06. Pink
07. Keyshia Cole
08. Whitney Houston
09. Kelly Clarkson
10. Katy Perry
11. Enya
12. Carrie Underwood
13. Adele
14. Keri Hilson
15. Rihanna
16. Faith Hill
17. Barbra Streisand
18. Diana Krall
19. Chrisette Michele
20. Mariah Carey

Source: Billboard

December 14, 2009

BILLBOARD YEAR-END CHARTS FOR 2009

The Billboard 200 Artists: Whitney Houston #34
The Billboard 200: "I Look To You" #29
The Billboard 200 Artists – Female: Whitney Houston #9

Top Comprehensive Artists: Whitney Houston #38
Top Comprehensive Albums: "I Look To You" #33

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artists: Whitney Houston #24

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artists – Female: Whitney Houston #7
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album Artists: Whitney Houston #9
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: "I Look To You" #9
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Artists: Whitney Houston #48
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: "I Look To You" #87

Hot Adult R&B Songs: "I Look To You" #21

Hot Dance Club Play Artists: Whitney Houston #20
Hot Dance Club Play Songs: "Million Dollar Bill" #25

Source: Billboard

December 2, 2009

"I LOOK TO YOU" ALBUM CERTIFIED PLATINUM

Congratulations to Whitney and all of her fans! "I Look To You" has been certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales in excess of 1 million units in the United States. Source: www.whitneyhouston.com

United States - RIAA Platin Award (1.000.000 copies)
United Kingdom - BPI Gold Award (100.000 copies)

Germany - IFPI Gold Award (100.000 copies)

Italy - FIMI Gold Award (35.000 copies)

Sweden - IFPI Gold Award  (20.000 copies)

Switzerland - IFPI Gold Award (15.000 copies)

Russia - NFPP Gold Award (10.000 copies)

Austria - IFPI Gold Award (10.000 copies)
Poland - ZPAV Gold Award (10.000 copies)
Hungary - Mahasz Gold Award (3.000 copies)

September 10, 2009

"I LOOK TO YOU": NO. 1 DEBUT IN EUROPE

Whitney Houston mirrors her Billboard 200 success with a No. 1 debut on European Top 100 Albums with her comeback set "I Look To You" (Arista/RCA/Sony Music Entertainment).

Houston was last on the pan-European survey at the end of 2007 with Arista`s "Ultimate Collection," which reached No. 10. The 2002 ballads retrospective "Love, Whitney" reached only No. 44, while 2000`s "The Greatest Hits" made No.2. Houston`s last studio album, 1998`s "My Love Is Your Love", reached No. 1 during an epic 67-week run on the European survey, and was certified for shipments of three million units across the region. "I Look To You" posts best-selling starts in Germany and Italy, other arrivals including No. 2 in Sweden and No. 3 in France. The set is out in the U.K. on Oct. 19. Source: Billboard

September 10, 2009

"I LOOK TO YOU" DEBUTS AT NO. 1 ACROSS THE GLOBE

Proving that it was well worth the wait, Whitney Houston`s long-awaited album "I Look To You" debuts at No. 1 on several charts across the world, including the US Top Albums and R&B Album charts, according to Nielsen/Soundscan. With 304,801 units sold within the first week of release in the US, this marks Whitney`s biggest first week sales of her career and the best selling first week by a female artist this year! Houston`s No. 1 position extends across the globe and claims the top spots in Canada, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

Led by the dual release of the album title track and "Million Dollar Bill" at radio, coupled with presale promotional campaigns on Amazon.com, QVC and iTunes, and a heavily promoted appearance on "Good Morning America", the chart-topping result marks the official return of "The Voice".

And the critics agree! The New York Times boasts that Whitney "re-emerges with full diva qualifications", USA Today said: "Strong, confident and ready, she clearly hadn`t forgotten how to sing imbuing the material with emotional power." The Washington Post cites "I Look To You" "hits all the right marks" and the Associated Press states "the pop queen still has a dazzling voice that can leave you spellbound."

The spell will continue next week when Whitney Houston launches the 24th season of The Oprah Winfrey Show with a two-day event, inclusive of what Oprah calls "the best interview I`ve ever done", and an emotional performance of "I Didn`t Know My Own Strength" that had "grown men and women weeping in the aisles" according to Oprah`s recent Twitter post. "The Oprah Winfrey Show: Season Premiere: Oprah And Whitney Houston – The First Interview" airs Monday, September 14, 2009.  "The Oprah Winfrey Show: Season Premiere Part II: Whitney Houston`s Show-Stopping Surprise" airs Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

Source: www.whitneyhouston.com

July 24, 2009

WHITNEY: "I LOOK TO YOU" IS A "LABOR OF LOVE"

Whitney Houston has a very simple explanation for why it took so long to put out her forthcoming new album, "I Look to You", and it has nothing to do with any personal drama she`s experienced since releasing 2002`s "Just Whitney". She says she just wanted to make sure that it sounded right. "Well, I can say taking your time and choosing carefully what fits you best always has worked for me", Houston told MTV News. "It took me three years to do my first album. The quickest album I have ever done was "My Love Is Your Love" — it took me eight months."

Houston, with Clive Davis at her side, explained that working with Davis on this album was like being "back at home", and added that they truly understand each other when it comes to making music together. "This time, I was back at home with whom I belong with", she laughed, looking to Davis. "We`re good partners. We make a good team because we both love music. I`m talking about music with lyric, great melodies, standards that will last a lifetime for people." Describing the effort as a "labor of love", she said Davis pushed her to her limits to make sure she put out her best possible music. "And [it was] work for me, cause he kept sending me back in there saying, 'Well, no, we got to do this again", she said.

In addition to having Davis' support on the record, Houston also worked with Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys and R. Kelly for the record. "But I`m humbled by the fact that people wanted to be a part of the album — were calling in saying, "Man, I gotta get on there", she said. "I was humbled and I feel blessed about the whole project."

Source: MTV News

July 23, 2009

"I LOOK TO YOU" LISTENING PARTY IN LOS ANGELES

I just returned from the listening party. It is 10:21 and the party started at 6:30. We had to be there by 6pm. Everyone was nice and cordial. There were a lot of celebrities there but they made sure everyone was treated nicely. The first celebrity I spotted was Rickey Minor in line. I said hello to him and told him I appreciated his work with Whitney. He thanked me and said they will be working together again on tour! He said the whole gang was back together. Whitney also mentioned that she and Rickey had some work to do when she pointed him out in her speech. As I said there were a lot of celebrities there a bit of a list; Stevie Wonder, Penny Marshall, Beverly Johnson (Whitney said that she was Americas top model and no one else), Halle Berry (both Clive and Whitney mentioned her as one of Whitney`s best friends), Magic Johnson, Jane Fonda (Whitney said she always wanted to meet her and almost "croaked when they told her Jane was there. How cool am I? Jane Fonda is at my listening party." Quite funny), Barry Manilow, Diane Warren (Whitney did an a dead on impression of her that had everyone cracking up), Brian McKnight, Brett Ratner. The album is AMAZING! She is in great voice and the songs were instant standards. I have to say right off the bat that I think she sounds better than she did on "My Love Is Your Love" especially with the slow songs. There was nothing to prove on that album vocally and though there still shouldn`t be anything to prove on this one she does demonstrate that she is the standard by which all others are judged. They started off with "Million Dollar Bill", Clive said that Alicia called him the day after seeing Whitney floor everyone at the Grammy Party and begged to do a song for Whitney. He read from Whitneys own notes on each song. She said that after her and Alicia worked together she felt the album really started moving and she was inspired. She felt that Alicia understood her and respected her.

"Million Dollar Bill" is a great song. Period. It feels contemporary and old school at the same time. Sort of like the feel of a few of Alicia`s songs where you think it`s a remake but find out it isn`t. Definitely a great team. Clive spoke directly to the music critics in the audience and said that after Whitney`s second album she came to him and asked if she should start writing because she was getting a lot of flack and not being taken seriously (by some) as an artist. He said she was concerned because Janet and Madonna were writing and co writing. He told her some of the greats didn`t write and she was among them.

"Nothin' But Love" was also uptempo and had a great groove to it. Her voice is really strong and it was played so loudly and clearly. There is a new tone and a new key that she has found that permeated the album. It is not quite as high as some of her earlier work but not as obviously low as some of the recent work. A powerful midbelt that she and she alone owns. There are a lot of singers out there that sing in this register but Whitney brings a degree of mastery to it.

"Call You Tonight" was also uptempo and strong vocally. Very contemporary. There were a lot of notes that she would randomly throw in and you would instantly be reminded that only she can do that. People loved this song. They were standing and dancing.

"Like I Never Left" So much better than the leaked version! There is a long high note that is classic Whitney that had people cheering. Clive was definitely enjoying the high notes and every time she hit one he would move his arm up like an airplane. The high notes are sprinkled throughout the album which I think ups the appreciation of them.

"I Look To You" Oh my! There was not a dry eye in the house! This song is just so beautifully sung by her. Lots of beautiful pretty notes and that glorious midbelt of hers. Her storytelling abilities are on full display here. An instant classic that they will try and sing on "American Idol" and mess up. This song will be included in all the future tributes to Whitney and we will all have to endure some wanna be singer star of the moment trying to sing it while Whitney sits there trying to be polite!

"I Didn`t Know My On Strength" got a standing ovation and sounded glorious. Another tearjerker. I kept feeling like it was either slightly different or what we have been hearing wasn`t a clean version. This was the most I enjoyed this song. The woman next to me had never heard it and was tearing up. She kept saying over and over, "That was so beautiful." No new notes that I can remember just cleaner and definitely a nobody could sing this song but me Whitney moment (but Lawd help us we all know people will try)

"Salute" was a great uptempo song that the clubs are going to have a field day with. The line "you think you`re sh*t don`t stink" had everyone rolling and cheering. R. Kelly did some great work for Whitney. Whitney said you have to get in and get out of R. Kelly`s world real quick but he was one of the best singer songwriters out there today. His work on this is proof positive of that.

"A Song For You" had people up and dancing. The beginning is pure Whitney and she sings it differently than she did on "Welcome Home Heroes" but just as well. Believe me. Then just as it seems it is going to be just yet another great ballad the beat kicks in and you are on your feet. Reminded me of "I´m Every Woman" where you get both sides of Whitney: The classic balladeer and the funky club girl.

I really have a hard time picking a favorite. I really feel this is one of her strongest albums. They are not over hyping. The best part is it makes everything else out there look really bad. It has been a while since we have had an artist who can put together something like this. I think it was fitting that Alicia Keys had a hand in it because she is probably the closest we have come to having someone straddle the line of being critically lauded and commercially well received. Whitney looked great! She came out as "A Song For You" was ending and anyone who wasn`t already on their feet instantly was. Her hair had a flip to it and she was wearing a black dress. Her eye makeup was pure old school Whitney where she had the blue eye shadow in the crease of her eyelid (at least from what I saw). I was in about row eight and she looked great. Everyone talked about how great she looked. She was funny and polite. She waved in between her speeches to everyone that waved to her (including me). She thanked Bobbi Kris (who is quite attractive) and Stevie and her brothers wife who she said was her you can do it girl rock. She thanked Halle and joked about how it ain`t easy raising a baby. I had no idea they were as close as they obviously are. It was nice to see. She thanked Magic Johnson and acknowledged Brian McKnight. She and Clive got a little teary eyed when she turned to him and told him she had been lost without him and she was glad they were together again. It was a sweet moment. She joked about all the great artist he worked with and somehow she got the title of most impossible. He shook his head like its true and she gave him a look which got a laugh. Source: "Tobey DiCaprio" (Fan Review)

July 21, 2009

"I LOOK TO YOU" LISTENING PARTY IN NEW YORK

Last night, the legendary Clive Davis hosted a listening session for Whitney Houston`s new album "I Look To You", which is in stores September 1st. Held at Jazz @ Lincoln Center in New York City, the event was packed with stars like Martha Stewart, Gayle King, Vivica Fox, Dionne Warrick, Alicia Keys, L.A. Reid, Andre Harrell, Diane Sawyer - and the iconic Whitney Houston, who was absolutely stunning. She looked happy, grateful and beautiful. When Whitney hit the stage for a small speech the person next to me said, "That`s m*thaf**kin' Whitney Houston!" The diva received a standing ovation from a crowd (and the world!) who has been waiting for the return of the original pop-soul diva. I was lucky enough to attend and here is a preview of the seven new tracks that were played (two leaked tracks were played, "Like I Never Left" featuring Akon and "I Didn`t Know My Own Strength" written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster). I wasn`t able to catch every producer`s name or the exact lyrics so the credits are subject to change. Note: Clive Davis did stress the songs were still being polished.

1. "Million Dollar Bill"

(written and produced by Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats)

An up-tempo, joyful track about love and probably one of the funkiest songs Whitney has ever done. "Million Dollar Bill" has an amazing bass line and almost recalls early Michael Jackson in "Off The Wall". The catchy hook, "You make me feel like a million dollar bill". Her vocal is strong with some power notes toward the end. The song has an Alicia Keys sound but fits for Whit - it`s current without making her seem like she is trying to compete with teenagers. The song received a standing ovation.

2. "Nothin' But Love" (produced by Danja)

Whitney`s shout out to those who her love her and those who hate on her, she`s got "Nothin' But Love" for all of them. Completely up-tempo and definitely an R&B club track that has the potential of sounding even hotter with a remix. The vocal stays around her lower register and, again, holds some classic Nippy notes at the end.

3. "Call You Tonight" (produced by Stargate)

Fun, mature and a song everyone can relate to. Heavily produced and while it can be tough to adjust to a pure vocalist like Whitney sing to a production heavy song, the mid-tempo track works for this album. "Call You Tonight" sounds like one of the better tracks from "Just Whitney". Some lyrics include, "Destiny, I believe in it" and "I wish I could stay but I got to go, I`ll call you tonight."

4. "Salute" (written and produced by R. Kelly)

Whitney is saying goodbye to a lover who has done her wrong, but she is letting go with no anger and confidently sings, "I salute you". Could she be channeling Bobby Brown? The song is strictly R&B and almost sounds similar to "Heartbreak Hotel" from the "My Love Is Your Love" album. More instruments than productions with keys and a strong vocal from Whitney. One line, "You think you know everything, you think your sh*t don`t stink."

5. "I Look To You" (written by R. Kelly)

Say what you want about R. Kelly but the man can still make a good R&B song. "I Look To You" is the title track and my favorite song so far. Beautiful lyrics like, "As I lay me down, heaven hear me now." Her voice is deeply powerful, channeling classic Whitney with a pop sense but an R&B vocal. This song proves that she has not lost her voice and it`s definitely a melody I cannot wait to hear live. Whitney clearly feels every line and chord, charging through the ballad, transcending her own experience and reaching others who have been through adversity. Whitney has been criticized for not being emotional enough in her music - this track knocks out that complaint. From where I could see, Bobbi Kristina, Whitney`s daughter, was getting emotional during the song.

6. "Worth It" (written by R. Kelly)

"This song is for the lovers…" is one of the lines. Youthful and radio friendly, another R&B track. Nothing much to add about this one, enjoyable to listen to and had folks in the audience bobbing their head - I think I even saw a few head nods from Martha Stewart!

7. "A Song For You" (produced by Stargate)

Popularized by Donny Hathaway, "A Song For You" is a new spin on the Leon Russell classic. The beginning starts slow and the crowd gasped when they realized what song she was singing. Whitney sounded incredible, nearly haunting and before you knew it the song turns into a club banger! Mr. Davis explained the song was recorded just the night before. Definitely one for those who loves Whitney's club tracks.

Overall, the nine tracks that were played received a good response. The album definitely has the potential to be a hit and for Whitney there is no such thing as a "comeback". Icons "don`t call it a comeback" then just jump back in the game whenever they are ready. One thing I do know is no one should expect 1985 Whitney. Artists evolve and it`s limiting when we trap performers in a particular box or era. The best piece about the tracks is that Whit has some grit to her voice, her vocals are still strong but she doesn`t mind getting a bit nasty with it. While the album isn`t finished, I believe folks will be pleasently surprised. Source: BET

July 14, 2009

"I LOOK TO YOU" LISTENING PARTY IN LONDON

A standing ovation welcomed Whitney Houston to Britain on Tuesday as the 45-year-old songstress launched her new album at an upmarket hotel in London`s Knightsbridge district. But it wasn`t just the anticipation of hearing her first studio record in seven years that had guests, including Topshop`s Sir Philip Green, so excited. After years away from the public eye, Whitney was also back on super-glamorous form, looking fantastic in a black and white leopard print dress. It was a far cry from her troubling appearance in previous years as she struggled with substance abuse issues. The Bodyguard star - the goddaughter of the queen of soul Aretha Franklin - thrilled her London audience as she unveiled her long-awaited seventh studio album, "I Look To You". Due for release in the UK at the end of August, the record has been hailed as a "labour of love" by music mogul Clive Davis, who discovered the star and has been working with her on her comeback. "You won`t forget it after you hear it", he promised. And while she has so far received mixed reviews for her latest music project, Whitney`s vocal talent speaks for itself. She is still the only artist ever to have had seven consecutive multi-platinum albums - a record that puts her ahead of the Beatles - and to date she has sold 120 million albums worldwide and 50 million singles. Source: Hello Magazine