Usher (Entertainer)

Did Usher Deserve Special Voting Treatment?

The wire services and social media are abuzz this morning because the manager of Usher's Atlanta-area polling place is taking some heat for allowing the R&B superstar/Bieber mentor to skip the line on Election Day. Rewind: Last Night: Usher at Toyota Center (November 23, 2010) According to the As ... More >>

Girls Gone Wild: Bieber Fever Grips Toyota Center

I have to admit, I only know a handful of things about Justin Bieber. I know that Usher is his mentor, his girlfriend is Selena Gomez and that he vomited onstage a few weeks ago after taking too many shots of milk mixed with tequila or something. SLIDESHOW: Beliebers: Justin Bieber at Toyota Cente ... More >>

The Creepy and Bizarre World of Kidz Bop Videos

It's hard to talk about Kidz Bop. Sure, it's easy to make fun of the series of albums' watered-down version of modern pop, but it also feels like going after low-hanging fruit. That doesn't mean that the music isn't awful, because it is, but one could argue Kidz Bop provides a necessary service. Mu ... More >>

Sex and the Radio: A Weekend With 97.9 The Box

For those who may not know, being a blogger and writer also means you sort of have to support yourself with a 9-5. Some chose teaching, others chose busting their ass at a prospective company. Somehow I chose to be a town-car driver. An entrepreneur, a goddamn transporter of people. There are perks ... More >>

A Slew Of New Houston Rap MP3s That Don't Suck

Here's a story. Back in late April, early May I had to fight through the most unwanted thing to anyone who owns a Macbook: A hard-drive fail. I'm sure we can curse Steve Jobs, Siri and the rest for making those short-ass chargers, but there's more headache than need be with a hard drive fail. So I ... More >>

Ask A Rapper: Jack Freeman Nerds Out With R&B Hits

The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place -- lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good -- so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Something you always wanted to ask a rapper? E-mail sheaserrano@gmail.com. ... More >>

5 Young Jeezy Quotes To Get You Laid On New Years

If you've spent the better part of six years needing a hood, ignorant (and in the words of Jay Bilas' prophetic) New Years celebration, leave it to Young Jeezy to supply all your needs and demands. Who cares if you don't flip bricks or do things that the Snowman does -- just know he has you covered ... More >>

World AIDS Day: Artists Who Have Contributed to the Cause

​Today is World AIDS Day. The theme this year is "Getting to Zero," focusing on zero AIDS related deaths. In hopes of achieving this goal, there has been many a celebrity to endorse AIDS awareness and various charities around the world. Quite a few musicians have used their celebrity status ... More >>

Justin Bieber's Voice Changes Just In Time For Christmas Album

"Say shawty, Merry Christmas, or whatever year-end holiday greeting that makes you happy." ​Children and adults alike are getting their holiday wish granted early this year, and they don't have to wait until Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus or even Christmas morning to receive it. Justin Bieber's v ... More >>

Pop Rocks: By the Dumb's Early Light

Apu chose an alternate path to citizenship​There's a scene in The American President -- Aaron Sorkin's pre-West Wing exercise in wishful liberalism -- when President Shepherd (Michael Douglas) describes America as "advanced citizenship." It's a nice thought, especially in the fantastical conte ... More >>

Idol Beat: Male Fraud

​Steve Tyler wore a shirt with lips all over it. I couldn't decide if he was being knowingly self-referential or it was the work of the same costume designer who put him in that leotard in the "Love in an Elevator" video.neither way, it fulfilled its purpose of distracting me from the show for ... More >>

2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Video Recap

Justin Bieber, your All-Star MVP​Travel day today back from Phoenix, so I'm submitting the ultimate Cliffs Notes version of dominant performances during the NBA All Star weekend. (I'll be back at full blog strength tomorrow.) Here goes: - Justin Bieber was named most valuable player of the c ... More >>

Robin Thicke

Four Reasons Black Eyed Peas' Halftime Show Sucked

usatoday.com​The best part about Sunday night's Super Bowl halftime show was that people actually were surprised that it was bad, as if the Black Eyed Peas would pull it off without a hitch and we would all rush to our computers and download their entire catalog in converted reverence. Right w ... More >>

Top 10 Super Bowl Halftime Shows

idontlikeyouinthatway.com​This Sunday, Rocks Off will be live-blogging and tweeting this year's Super Bowl halftime show, which will feature noted scholars The Black Eyed Peas. We are diligently studying the entire BEP canon and that of all of their solo members, like the dedicated pop histori ... More >>

Rocca Fellers

Former pool hall is Houston's newest hip-hop spot.

In Case You Missed It...

Marco TorresIt's a bird... it's a plane... it's... Usher!​Rocks Off knows you have had a busy week. So have we. But, we figured, what with Thanksgiving and Black Friday and traveling to and from your various other holiday ports of call, you may not have had as much time in front a computer as ... More >>

Last Night: Usher At Toyota Center

"He has to be wearing control underwear" Photos by Marco Torres​Usher Toyota Center November 23, 2010 Usher sweats performance. The man doesn't know how to put on a half-ass show, and he packs each one of those shows dangerously full like a munitions specialist loading C4 into a bomb. There' ... More >>

Usher: The Dude Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name

Craig Hlavaty​It was probably when we got kicked out of Usher's show at House Of Blues in late 2008 that Rocks Off realized we were bigger fans of the R&B singer than we imagined. The show and tour was billed as "Ladies Only," and after we were done taking pictures of the first three songs we ... More >>

Usher

HISD Marching Bands Coming To A Stadium Near You

Photo by Chasen MarshallLady Gaga couldn't maintain these formations.​Screeching trumpets, heart-thumping drum beats and crisp, colorful uniforms will be on display all day Saturday in northwest Houston.The HISD marching band scene will be descending on Delmar Stadium, participating in the third a ... More >>

Musicians Who Will Fetch The Least In TwitChange Auction

​TwitChange, a charity organization dedicated to helping Haiti led by the only Desperate Housewife who doesn't look at least partially mummified, Eva Longoria, is having an auction that will change the very nature of self-obsession as we know it. Several celebrities have gotten together and ag ... More >>

Dwele

American Idol: Release The Kracken!

​Last night's American Idol results show was present in association with Warner Bros.' Clash of the Titans, and the intro featured -- I swear -- movie footage and text like "Heroes are not born, they are made," as if these kids aren't just trying to land a record contract but somehow save all ... More >>

Idol Beat: Release The Kraken!

​Last night's American Idol results show was present in association with Warner Bros.' Clash of the Titans, and the intro featured -- I swear -- movie footage and text like "Heroes are not born, they are made," as if these kids aren't just trying to land a record contract but somehow save all ... More >>

Idol Beat: Hold On, I'm Coming (That's What She Said)

"Look at your man. Now look at me. Now look at American Idol."​This is the 12th week of the season of American Idol. We're down to the top 10 contestants. We're more than halfway home. In other words, this is when I'm ready for it to be over. This week's mentor and guest star is Usher, who's ... More >>

American Idol: Hold On, I'm Coming (That's What She Said)

"Look at your man. Now look at me. Now look at American Idol."​This is the 12th week of the season of American Idol. We're down to the top 10 contestants. We're more than halfway home. In other words, this is when I'm ready for it to be over. This week's mentor and guest star is Usher, who's ... More >>

He Said She Said: Songs for Getting It On, Part 2

[Ed. Note: Here's Web Editor Katharine Shilcutt's top 10 picks for baby-makin' music. Now it's the boys' turn.] 1. Ryan Adams, "Come Pick Me Up": This has to work, because it shows vulnerability and warmth. It tells her you are the kind of guy who will be the one to get out of bed to get the Wet On ... More >>

Beyonce Scheduled to Perform at Michael Jackson Memorial

Daniel Kramer ABC News is reporting that Beyonce, who sang tributes to Michael Jackson at her Toyota Center concert and at New Orleans' Essence Music Festival over the weekend, will perform at Jackson's funeral in Los Angeles this afternoon. Also expected to attend are Justin Timberlake, P Diddy, Sm ... More >>

Houston Sounds Off on Michael's Memorial

L.A. Weekly's Twitter updates have slowed down, but there's plenty of Houstonians following along. Here's a selection from the past 30 minutes or so: cashless: "Blanket, FTW!" joeyguerra: ""we need to look up, where he is undoubtedly perched on a crescent moon, and we need to smile." - brooke shield ... More >>

Michael Jackson Funeral Coverage Coming Tomorrow

Somehow the folks at West Coast Sound, Rocks Off's sister music blog over at L.A. Weekly, have scored the hottest ticket in show business in years: a ticket to Michael Jackson's funeral Tuesday at Los Angeles' Staples Center. So far Stevie Wonder, Jackson's old Motown boss Berry Gordy, Brooke Shiel ... More >>

Michael Jackson, You Will Be Honored...And Twittered

The Most Important Event Ever....Will Be Twittered!!!!Our colleagues at West Coast Sound, the music blog of our sister paper L.A. Weekly, will be in attendance when The Nation Stops at noon tomorrow (Houston time) to give a final send-off to Michael Jackson at Los Angeles' Staples Center. So far St ... More >>

Five Spot: Smoove Up In Ya

Welcome back to Five Spot. Every Friday, we'll examine a recent bit of music news and list five reasons why it's either brilliant or dumb-assed. Send tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. Michael Keith, formerly one-fourth of R&B man-band 112, has released a solo album. (He's not the guy tha ... More >>

Usher's Security Don't Take No Mess

Photos by Craig Hlavaty Click here for a slideshow Last night at one of the last stops on Usher's"Ladies Only" tour, I realized that I was one of maybe two dozen or so dudes in attendance. And I was working the damn thing, so even then. I don't think it was the tour's name that account ... More >>

Usher : Here I Stand

R. Kelly, Double Up

Welcome to R. Kelly's sex planet

Chris Brown

The fleet-footed teen idol's latest

Chart Check: R. Kelly

In with the New

Despite doom-and-gloom predictions, 2006 wasn't at all bad

Uncorking the Truth on Nuwine

How to go from Christian to crunkster in six short years

Souchin' into Bethlehem

Greg Wood's latest health scare costs him a few pounds of flesh and almost takes his arm

Trend-Spotting

In a scandal-ridden election year, the year's top ten music stories were all about winning the popular vote

Trend-Spotting

In a scandal-ridden election year, the year's top ten music stories were all about winning the popular vote

Feelings, Nothing But Feelings

The New York Times misses the point in its attack on "rockism"

Playbill

Songs Of Freedom

Perhaps the candidates running in the 2004 election could use some help selecting their campaign music

On Da Lingo

Tracing Houston roots in three omnipresent hip-hop terms

Usher

Wednesday, July 3

[S]hit

Behind current blaxploitation pulp literature is - surprise! - the music biz

Made in Houston