Star Sparkle Blog

Today's video is THOUGHT IT WAS A DROUGHT by BABY LEAN. She is an American recording artist from Philadelphia. BABY LEAN describes her music style as an experimental one that pushes the boundaries of hip hop, and says she "delivers a musical experience that connects you to an interstellar dimension" .  Her music is a mix of genres- rap, electronic and metal. Her singles include GHOST IN DA SHELL, THOUGHT IT WAS A DROUGHT, and PURPLE HEART. I think THOUGHT IT WAS A DROUGHT was originally released on New Year's eve (31st December) 2022. But the music video was uploaded last September.  Please note that the song contains explicit lyrics. :)   Also check out the music video for PURPLE HEART, her most recent single (released in October; also contains explicit lyrics): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLJ-Rkap0iw   For more on BABY LEAN check out these links: Official Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/babyleans   Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/babyleans ...

 Time for the first dance videos post of 2021! Today I'm sharing a variety of dance styles. :)  How to Do 5 Basic Afrobeat Legwork in 12 MINUTES- Presh Okosi First up is some African dance. This is a 12-minute tutorial by Nigerian dancer Presh Okosi , where she teaches us how to do basic Afrobeat legwork. It's beginner friendly. The video was uploaded last May. Presh hasn't had any new videos on her channel since last summer, but you can find some of her older videos in these posts: Features popular African dances from 2019: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2020/04/dance-videos.html Features an African/Afrobeats beginners tutorial:  https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2019/04/dance-videos.html Includes 5 basic Afrobeat moves: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2019/07/dance-videos.html AfroHouse FootWorks: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2019/10/world-dance-videos-round-up.html Features a 5 dances from Nigeria video by Presh and a Poco dance tutorial by RevsVEVO:...

It's been a while since I've done a general dance videos post (the most recent have featured just Bollywood dances), so I felt inspired to do that today! :) I haven't danced for months due to the lockdown. Some teachers have been teaching online but I prefer to go to in person classes. Hopefully soon! I've been having a go at a couple of these tutorials though, so that's been good. :) Babuji Zara Dheere Chalo Dance Cover by LiveToDance with Sonali I'm starting with a Bollywood dance. This is a cover of Babuji Zara Dheere Chalo from the 2003 film Dum by Sonali Bhadauria of LiveTo Dance with Sonali. It was uploaded on 4th July. Babuji Zhara Dheere Chalo is a good song. I featured it as a Random music video! back in 2011 (before I started doing Weekly Music Videos). I had to replace the original video with the official lyric video: https://starsparklex.blogspot.com/2011/12/random-music-video.html The music video has since been officially uploaded and you can watc...

This week's video is  Ophelia by Leaves' Eyes . It's from their 2013 album and features then lead singer and co-founder Liv Kristine . Liv left in 2016 and was replaced by Finnish singer Elina Siirala . She is now the official second vocalist for German/Norwegian Midnattsol , along with her sister Carmen Elise. Ophelia wasn't released as single so there isn't an official music video. This is a fan made lyric video. I believe the song is about the Ophelia character from Shakespeare's play Hamlet . Leaves Eyes' fan? Check out these posts: My Destiny:  http://starsparklex.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/weekly-music-video_24.html Elegy: http://starsparklex.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/weekly-music-video_15.html The Waking Eye:  http://starsparklex.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/weekly-music-video.html Fires in the North (with Elina): http://starsparklex.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/weekly-music-video_26.html  

 I haven't done a new music and videos update for a while, so here's the latest. :) Iggy Azalea- Mo Bounce Brave Girls- Rollin ' (K-pop) Zara Larsson album (minus what I've already heard). (Explicit) What They Say TG4M Only You Sundown feat. Wizkid Don't Let Me Be Yours Make That Money Girl One Missippi Funeral I Can't Fall In Love With You Listen to the album on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Xylc3o4UrD53lo9CvFvVg K-pop Moon Hyuna- Cricket Song PRISTIN- Wee Woo MONSTA X - Beautiful Girl's Day - I'll be yours GOT7 - Never Ever  Iggy Azalea- Bac 2 Tha Future (My Time) (explicit) EXID - Night Rather Than Day (K-pop) BANKS - Crowded Places Harry Styles (One Direction)- Sign of the Times  BP RANIA- Make Me Ah (K-pop). (live) Tei Shi- Justify  Tinie Tempah feat. Tinashe- Text From Your Ex More K-pop WINNER- REALLY REALLY Dreamcatcher- GOOD NIGHT UNIT BLACK- Steal Your Heart OH MY GIRL- Coloring Book...

This week's video is Fires in the North by Leaves' Eyes . It's their latest song. I still think it's a shame that Liv Kristine left/was sacked (she says the rest of Leaves' Eyes fired her while they say she left) but new singer Elina has a good voice which suits this song. It must be hard going into such a long running band. It will be interesting to hear further music and I also look forward to hearing new stuff from Liv. :) This is the official lyric video.

Here's the latest update on the music and videos I've been listening to and watching lately. :) Era Istrefi- Bonbon (Albanian language) Mollie King (from The Saturdays - Back To You  Crush, Han San Won- SKIP (K-pop) Martin Garrix & -Bebe Rexha- In The Name of Love Tove Lo- Cool Girl Fifth Harmony- Like Mariah * Albanian Era Istrefi- Bonbon (English version)  Mozzik- Cocaina Nora Istrefi (Era's sister)- Majem (explicit) Britney Spears - Glory album (Deluxe Version). (Minus Make Me which I've already heard).  Invitation Private Show Man On The Moon Just Luv Me Clumsy So you Wanna Come Over? Slumber Party (Explicit) Just Like Me Love Me Down Hard To Forget Ya What You Need Better Change Your Mind (No Seas Cortes) Liar (Explicit) If I'm Dancing Coupure Electrique Listen to Glory on Spotify: Britney Spotify Dua Lipa - Blow Your Mind (Mwah)   (explicit) AlunaGeorge - Meditator  Jhene Aiko - New Balance METALWINGS- Cryi...

A couple of weeks ago I did a round of up world music posts on the blog from Africa and Asia. It was originally going to include more countries but it was turning into a really long post, so I split it up. Now here is the second half. :) This post is about music from America, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. I'm not going to include most of the American and British music because I consider world music to be music from countries around the world other than Western ones and music that's not necessarily "mainstream" in the UK. Also I couldn't really link to every single post I've ever done because that would turn this into a massive post! lol. But I'm going to list a few artists from the UK and US, just so they're represented. :) You can read the Africa and Asia post here: http://starsparklex.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/world-music-round-up-africa-and-asia.html America Guam Pia Mia http://starsparklex.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/wee...

Today's video is Edge of Steel by Leaves' Eyes . They have a new singer called Elina Siirala who is from Finland. (The rest of the band are German). She has replaced lead singer and band founder Liv Kristine . I was shocked when I watched a clip of the video just now because I thought, "That doesn't look like Liv Kristine!" It was only a clip, so I kept rewinding the video, lol. The band announced that Liv had left in April but it happened in January. She claimed she was dismissed but the rest of the band said it was a mutual decision. It must be a difficult situation because Liv and backing  vocalist Alexander Krull were married and have a son together. I thought they were still together but on Alexander's Wikipedia page it says he "was" married to Liv. I also wonder which direction the band waill go in now, since Liv Kristine wrote the lyrics and they were based on her Norwegian culture and heritage. She was in Leaves' Eyes for 13 years. It...

Today's video is The Waking Eye by Leaves' Eyes . It's from their latest album King of Kings which came out last September. I don't think it was released as a single, they haven't released many singles. (Only one according to Wikipedia!). They mostly bring out albums and EPs. Commentors on YouTube pointed that Liv and Alexander's son is in the video. :)

This is one of my favourite Epica songs, Tides of Time. It's from their 2009 album Design Your Universe. It's a haunting, melancholy kind of song which is maybe why I like it! Tides of Time was never realeased as a single so there's no music video but this is a lyrics video. :)

Hope everyone had a great New Year. :) It's time for another post on new music and videos I've been listening to/watching lately. (Some of it is just new to me). So here we go! Selena Gomez- Same Old Love Mabel- My Boy, My Town Shawn Mendes- Stitches  Bart Baker- Ariana Grande Focus parody BABYMETAL- Gimme chocolate! (Japanese) Rachel Platten- Stand By You Aida Nikolaychuk- Lullaby Kehlani - Did It Justin Bieber feat. Kehlani- Future That's it for now. There aren't as many songs as past lists but I'm looking forward to hearing more new music in 2016. :)

Today's video is Lithium by Evanescence . It's from their 2006 album The Open Door and was released as a single in early 2007. Lithium is one of my favourite Evanescence songs. They hardly show the video on the music channels so I forget it has a video sometimes! lol. Anyway here it is, hope you enjoy it! :)

Last night I watched a Within Temptation concert on TV. It was from their Elements concert in Antwerp, Belgium, which took place in 2012. At the time the band were celebrating 15 years of being together. It was a good concert, so I thought I'd share a couple of clips here. :) Here is Candles: And Memories: Hope you enjoy the songs. :)

Today's video is Elegy by Leaves' Eyes . It's on their album Vinland Saga (2005) and was the first single to be released from it. Elegy came out as a EP in May 2005, there were 2 versions of the song itself and 4 other songs. I think it's about Viking warriors going away and leaving their women behind. I've been listening to Vinland Saga lately and this is one of my favourite songs on there. :)

Sorry this week's post is late. I started the 1000 Songs in a Year Challenge on 24th March, so it was a year on Tuesday. I've been trying to finish up but I'm a bit behind. Never mind! There are 49 songs in this update, so it's another long one! I have 50 songs to go now, so hopefully shouldn't be too much longer till I'm finished. 910. Matty B- Turn Up The Track (Video seen on Dance Moms ) 911. Ella Henderson- Mirror Man 912. Iggy Azalea feat. Jennifer Hudson- Trouble 913. Evanescence - Anything For You 914. HELLOVENUS- StickySticky (K-pop) 915. Anjaan- Sirripu En Video (Bollywood) 916. Kary Ng- Soul Mate (C-pop/C-rock) 917. Tinashe feat. Iggy Azalea- All Hands On Deck REMIX 918. OMI- Cheerleader 919. Jasmine Thompson- Almost Lover* * Chloe from Dance Mom's new dance- watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IXRO_6lnu0 920. Mariam- Do It Again (Original song used the JAYBeatz mix ) 921. EXID - UP & DOWN (K-pop) ...

Time for the latest instalment in the 1000 Songs In A Year Challenge. There are over 30 songs so it's longer list today. I've been listening to be a bit more music lately because it's coming to the end of the challenge. I've listened to over 900 songs now! 876. Madonna- Living For Love 877. Jess Glynne- Hold My Hand 878. Nick Jonas- Jealous 879. Kelly Clarkson- Heartbeat Song 880. Korn- Never Never 881. Conor Maynard- Talking About 882. Tum Mile- Dil Ibadat Kar Rha Hai (Bollywood) 883. Tinashe - F*ckin Wit Me 884. Nick Jonas feat. Tinashe- Jealous (Remix) (Unlike the original, this song is explicit) 885. Nick Jonas feat. Jhene Aiko- Chains (Remix) 886. Pia Mia feat. G-Eazy- F*ck With U (Remix) * 887. Pia Mia- My Bae *Listen to the original here (Explicit): http://starsparklex.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/weekly-music-video.html

Today's video is Feint by Epica . They are a Dutch symphonic metal band who were founded by Mark Jansen, previously a guitarist in the band After Forever . Mark left After Forever in 2002 and decided to form his own band. Originally the female vocalist for Epica (which was then named Sahara Dust) was Helena Michaelson but she left and Simone Simons (who was dating Mark at the time) replaced her. The other members of the band were guitarist Ad Sluijter, keyboardist Coen Jansson, drummer Jereon Simons and bassist Yves Huts. Epica released their first full-length album The Phantom Agony and their debut single of the same name in 2003. Since then they have released 6 albums, including Consign To Oblivion (2005) and Design Your Universe (2009) and 11 singles, which include Feint, Unleashed which came out in 2009 and Forevermore, released in 2012. Their music tends to deal with religious and spiritual themes and current events. Past members of Epica include drummers Dennis Leeflang ...

Latest update on the 1000 Songs Challenge. :) I didn't listen to as many new songs over Christmas, so it's not as big a list but there's still 18 there, so quite a lot. 766. Asia Monet (from Dance Moms )- Christmas Time 767. Bobby Brackins feat. G. Eazy and Mila J - Hot Box 768. Tamar Braxton feat. Future- Let Me Know Pia Mia 769. What A Girl Wants 770. Shotgun Love 771. The Last Man On Earth You can listen to these songs on Spotify (sign up or log in): https://play.spotify.com/artist/1BhWF9W2PngtPSyobKg0rP?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

The latest 1000 Songs Challenger update (a bit late because I was busy yesterday but never mind!). The Soundstage Global Jukebox on Propellor 740. Pei Ziqi- Darling (C-pop) 741. Lazy Habits- Even Out 742. MIX- Dialogue* 743. QiQi- Nanana (C-pop) 744.Woodkid- Iron ** *This was an Asian boyband, I think Chinese. But I can't find any record of them online, So I may have written the name down wrong! **It was a different video that I saw, a performance one I think. But this is the official video. I first heard this bit of music at the beginning of EXO' s performance at the MAMA 2013 Awards. It's also used in a TV advert. I see from people's comments that it's used in the video game Assassin's Creed . 745. Beyonce- 7/11 746. Pentatonix feat. Tori Kelly- Winter Wonderland/Don't Worry Be Happy 747. Tulisa- Living Without You