X-Factor 2009 - "You Are Not Alone" Live

The top 12 X-Factor Finalists have recorded a cover Michael Jackson's hit "You Are Not Alone" for this year's charity single. The acts included are Kandy Rain, Rikki Loney, Miss Frank, Rachel Adedeji, Lucie Jones, Jamie Archer, Stacey Solomon, Olly Murs, Joe McEdlerry, Danyl Johnson, John & Edward, and Lloyd Daniels. Last year, the charity single was "Hero" by Mariah Carey, and it went in at #1, giving all the contestants their first hit single, as well as helping out the charity.

Here is the Music Video:

And the Live Debut on X-Factor:

I have mixed feelings about this. I really like the concept of doing a charity single and it is for a great cause. The video before the performance about the charity and the clips in the music video did make me tear up a bit. But I don't know about the song choice or the vocals. "You Are Not Alone" is not one of my favorite songs, it's a bit boring. And this version in particular is really boring; there is not great big moment. The vocals by Stacey Solomon, Joe McElderry and Lucie Jones stand out, but the rest don't do it for me. I don't hate it, but I'm not excited about it. Last year's cover of "Hero" was amazing with Rachel Hylton, Laura White, Diana Vickers, JLS, and Alexandra Burke. And the music video is the same as last years! I would expect something different from a major tv show such as X-Factor. It is the exact same thing - with different people and different clips. Change it up a bit, no?

I'm not a fan of the vocals or the video. I really do like Stacey Solomon and Lucie Jones. I hope the single does well for the charity and raises money, but from a musical standpoint, it is short of amazing.

Alexandra Burke - "Silence" Live

As you may have noticed, I think Alexandra Burke is AMAZING. Since appearing on and winning X-Factor last year, I'm constantly impressed by her. I have been listening and enjoying her debut album "Overcome" non-stop. It is one of my favorite albums of the year - it's brilliant from start to end.

Last week I posted a live performance of "They Don't Know" and mentioned that my favorite song on the album is a power ballad called "The Silence". Alexandra performed "The Silence" on a chat show and it was AMAZING! I love the bridge and the chorus. She can really sing and delivers a great performance. The last two minutes gave me goosebumps. Check it out:

And not only is she talented, she is genuine, compassionate and a great human being. Here is a great article about how Simon Cowell and Alexandra Burke came to the aid of a little girl battling cancer.

Alexandra Burke is just brilliant and amazing. I am a super huge fan - get yourself a copy of Overcome.

Alexandra Burke - "They Don't Know"

Alexandra Burke scored a third #1 single with "Bad Boys" and a #1 debut album with Overcome. All the tracks are on my playlist and the album is amazing. There are so many great songs, from the singles "Hallelujah" and "Bad Boys", and the next single which is "Good Night, Good Morning" with Ne-Yo. Other standout tracks include: "They Don't Know", "All Night Long", "Broken Heels", "Dumb", "Gotta Go", and "Nothing But The Girls" One of the best songs on the albums is a ballad called "The Silence". It is amazing and hopefully will be a single. As you can see, I think the album is amazing, it's a great mix of ballads and RnB. I highly recommend it!

Alexandra has been busy promoting the album and has been doing many appearances, interviews and performances. Here she is singing the emotional balled, "They Don't Know" on Viva Live.

And here is the interview and an awesome live performance of "Bad Boys". Fortunately Flo-rida was not there, so Alexandra did an awesome additional rap bit instead. She sounds amazing and looks amazing, and she is singing live, which is always great but rare these days.

Everyone in the UK and Europe - buy Overcome. And everyone in the US, watch out, she will be taking over the US really soon.

Alexandra Burke - "Bad Boys" on X-Factor 2009

Alexandra Burke was last year's X-Factor winner. Last week she performed her single "Bad Boys" on the show, and this week, the track is #1 on the UK charts! Congrats Alexandra! Her performance last week was incredible, and since she is number #1 this week, and I'm posting about X-Factor, it's only fitting I post this incredible performance again.

Alexandra Burke - "Bad Boys" on X-Factor

Alexandra Burke made her return to X-Factor on Sunday's result show. Alexandra was crowned the winner last year and was there to perform the first single off her soon to be released album, Overcome, which is released in the UK on the 19th of October. It will be released in the US at a later date.

Her single is called, "Bad Boys" and was officially released on Sunday. The song is massive. I love it! I can't get it out of my head. The music video is also good. My one complaint is that the track features Flo Rida, and I'm not a big fan, but Alexandra SMASHES it.

Her live performance is also epic. I love how it builds and builds. It is great. And she is so humble. She is a true talent and artist, and is one of the reasons why I still watch and enjoy the talent shows.

Check out her performance:



What do you think?

Alexandra Burke - Bad Boys

I am a big fan of Alexandra Burke,

Her album, Overcome, which is being released on October 19th, is one that I am counting down days for. In fact, I've been waiting for the album since she won X-Factor a year ago.

"Overcome" is going to be one of the biggest selling albums in the UK. There are so many great people that are involved in the writing and production, including: Pharell Williams, Akon, Taio Cruz, The Freemasons, Ne-Yo, Madcon, Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic. As previously mentioned, Alexandra Burke is a huge fan of Beyonce and they did a duet on the X-Factor finale, well, it turns out the Beyonce is also a fan and wanted to do a duet, but didn't happen due to scheduling conflicts. Yup, Alexandra is that amazing!

Alexandra Burke signed a 5 album record deal in the US. Her debut album was initially set to be released in May, but Alexandra and the record company decided to wait and take more time to create a great album of quality instead of a mediocre and rushed album. Alexandra's debut album will be released in the US in 2010. She also has a deal to model clothes from Dolce & Gabbana. She is going to be big. MASSIVE! And she deserves it!

The album, "Overcome" will no doubt be massive. The lead single, "Bad Boys" is Pop/RnB at its best. It is already a hit on the radio and will make a big impact on the charts when it is released as a single on the 12th of October. I am hooked on this song; I have not been able to get it out of my head, seriously. It has been on repeat for the last few days.

I love the beat; it makes me want to be on a dance floor, or alone in my car singing and dancing to my own delight. We know Alexandra can sing covers, but with this song, she proves that she can sing a hit of her own. I'm not too keen on Flo Rida, but Alexandra makes his "rap" tolerable.


Check out the video below (it will take you to Alexandra's YouTube Account):




Alexandra Burke Bad Boys - ft Flo Rida Offical Music Video HD


And here's a behind the scene video from the album photo shoot:

X-Factor 2008 - Hero

On October 27th of 2008, the top 12 contestants of X-Factor released a cover of Mariah Carey's classic hit "Hero". Proceeds from the single sales went to an organization called "Help for Heroes" which helps British Servicemen and women.

The single came in at #1 on the charts, giving the 12 acts a number one hit single before the season had ended. They sold 313,224 copies during the first week, which was more than the rest of the top 10 combined.

The top 12 acts were: Bad Lashes, Girl Band, Scott Bruton, Austin Drage, Larua White, Daniel Evans, Rachel Hylton, Ruth Lorenzo, Diana Vickers, Eoghan Quigg, JLS, and Alexandra Burke.

Here is the official Music Video:

And a performance on the X-Factor:

I really like this version of the song. It is a beautiful song, and one that is not easy to cover. I didn't think they would be able to make it work, seeing as there are some 20+ people singing, but they managed to pull it off without sounding like a cheesy and too much like a choir. I really like the vocals by Alexandra Burke and Laura White. Rachel Hylton is amazing on the bridge of the song. I also like the soft quality of Diana Vickers and Eoghan Quigg, especially the last note.

(And you may notice that Ruth Lorenzo and Daniel Evans weren't in the "live" performance - there was a glitch and they weren't able to get onto the stage... bummer!)

What are your thoughts on "Hero" by the X-Factor 2008 Top 12? Which singers/sections did you enjoy more?

Alexandra Burke - X-Factor Journey

I absolutely LOVE Alexandra Burke. She is phenomenal. She is going to be as big as Leona Lewis. She is not only a brilliant singer, she is genuine and real. She is also humble and hardworking. Remember her name: Alexandra Burke. She is already storming the charts in the UK and will be dominating the US in a year or so. Her debut album, Overcome, will be released in the UK on the 19th of October. Remember: Alexandra Burke.

She was the last year's X-Factor winner, and as you will see in the clips below, she is AMAZING. Here is her audition story and video:

Alexandra Burke - 2008 X-Factor Audition



During the 2008 X-Factor Season, Alexandra made it known that Beyonce was her role model and someone she looked up to. Well, during the show's Finale, Alexandra had her dream come true: A duet with Ms. Beyonce. Two things I love about this clip, the first being the look of sheer joy and terror on Alexandra's face as she gazes at Beyonce, and the composure and vocals she maintains while crying and shaking. Now, THAT is a professional.

Alexandra Burke and Beyonce - "Listen"




And here is the crowning moment:




Oh my! I've seen this clip many many times. I remember how excited and nervous I was watching it the day of, and how I was hoping for Alexandra to win over JLS and Eoghan. And that clip is just as exciting and powerful every time. There is so much genuine emotion and sheer happiness. Amazing!


And here is the music video for "Hallelujah":



So, now that you've been introduced to Alexandra Burke, what do you think? Share your thoughts.

(I will be posting her brand spanking new single and video, "Bad Boys" very soon)