Music Blogs

Nicki Minaj spells it out for the contestantsAfter last week's less-than-impressive Hollywood Week group episode with "American Idol's" Season 12 guys, this week it was the ladies' time to shine. And with far more female than male contestants this year--and with Ryan Seacrest's desperate insistence that this'll be the year that a girl finally wins (hey, didn't Ryan say that last year? and the year before?)--the stakes seemed much higher than they did last week. But was the overall talent level higher? Was this really "the best girls we'd ever seen," as Ryan so boldly declared? Well, no. Many of the girls certainly didn't have any better luck remembering their lyrics, even when writing the words on their hands; it's a good thing they weren't auditioning on an "Idol" season still starring judge Simon Cowell (lyric-flubbing was always Simon's biggest pet peeve), or on "Don't Forget The Lyrics," for that matter, because they would have never survived.

Yahoo! Music’s The Aftermath recently interviewed Big Hutch from the legendary west coast gangsta rap group Above The Law. The MC also known as Cold 187um discussed his new solo album, The Psychopathic Assassin, the loss of his longtime group member KMG, and collabs with the Insane Clown Posse.

Women have all but owned Billboard's pop music charts for the past few years, but men have a comfortable lead in the top 10 on this week’s Hot 100. Male solo artists, groups and collabos account for six of the top 10. Male/female collabos, with a male in the lead, account for two others. The two remaining spots are held by a mixed-gender group (The Lumineers) and (surprisingly) just one female artist (in the lead spot) (Taylor Swift).

Is this a new trend? I wouldn’t bet on it. It won’t be long at all before Rihanna, Katy, Kelly, Gaga, Beyonce and Adele are back in their usual spots in the top 10. Enjoy it while it lasts, guys.

Sarah in the kitchen [photo: Justin Goode]"American Idol" Season 10 alum and food blogger Sarah Sellers has been posting her viewing-party snack recipes in Reality Rocks for two "Idol" seasons now, and she's back to get your mouth watering on every night of Season 12.

Tonight, Hollywood Week continues with the female contestants, so Sarah was "inspired by the West Coast, with these fresh, quick, and easy appetizers." Tonight's recipe should get you in a properly Californian state of mind. Enjoy!

Gary Allan (Photo: Sara Kauss)For some, the number 13 is unlucky. But for Gary Allan, at least, 13—as in the year 2013—has been nothing short of charmed. It’s been nearly three years since Allan released his last album, and clearly music fans were ready for a new one from him. His latest work, Set You Free, debuted at the top of both the country albums chart and the all-genre Billboard 200 and has been receiving glowing praise from critics.

Allan stopped by Ram Country on Yahoo! Music recently to give us a taste of his stellar new material, as well as sit down and chat about what he's been up to in preparation for this new endeavor.

The new record has a distinctly sunnier tone than his last set—2010’s critically acclaimed but cathartic Get Off On The Pain. Allan—who weathered one of most painful experiences imaginable, the suicide of his wife in 2004--explains that it was a bit of a challenge to create a more optimistic collection.

Faith Hill (Photo: Jon Kopaloff)Faith Hill may be all of 45 years old, but the blond beauty is making waves for something usually reserved for teenagers—namely, braces on her teeth! After proudly flashing her bracketed smile at the Grammys, searches online rocketed for “Faith Hill braces.”

Turns out Hill’s had the braces for some time. They were in full evidence at November’s Country Music Association Awards, and she told reporters she’d had them for about four months at that point. The singer had worn braces as a kid, but, as she explained to radio station KNIX, “"I forgot to wear my retainer--kids, wear your retainer!”

Hill’s cheerfully matter-of-fact attitude about fixing her shifted teeth—and, probably as well, the resulting implication that you’re never too old for self-improvement--charmed many out there. The country superstar is happy she was able to make such a positive statement.

“I've seen your posts and the news coverage on my braces....woah!!” she tweeted on Tuesday, adding, “Wear your braces proudly. Thanks everyone for all of the kind words!”