Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson last night made an electrifying return to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after being revealed as the “guest host: for the Wrestlemania XXVII Pay-Per View. Citing a 7-year absence from the company, The Rock declared that he had finally returned “home”, and added that he was “never going away”.

A  9-time WWF/WWE Champion, The Rock appeared on WWE programming’s flagship show Monday Night Raw announcing that “the most electrifying man in all of entertainment is hosting the most electrifying event of all entertainment”. His return follows that of Booker T and Kevin ‘Diesel’ Nash at this year’s Royal Rumble PPV.

The Rock showed why he is the greatest mic-worker in the history of the WWE, cutting possibly the most exciting and energetic promo in 7 years. Ignoring the PG 13+ rating, The Rock called out current WWE Champion The Miz, and hit at the WWE’s company face John Cena. This has led to speculation to some involvement in a match at Wrestlemania.

The ‘People’s Champion’, having achieved everything he wanted by the age of 30, left the WWE in 2004 following a match partnering long time friend Mick Foley at Wrestlemania XX. The Rock went on to star in several box office hits such as The Scorpion King, Welcome To The Jungle, Walking Tall, The Other Guys, and most recently his new film Faster.

Since becoming a well established actor, The Rock made several on pre-recorded appearances on WWE programming. The Rock first debuted in the then WWF as Rocky Maivia, being the first third-generation superstar to perform in the company. In 2008 he inducted his father Rocky Johnson and grandfather High Chief Peter Maivia into the WWE Hall Of Fame. 

The Rock’s popularity and persona propelled during the Attitude Era of the then WWF, pushing him to the WWF Championship. It was during this time from the late 90’s to the early 2000’s that The Rock became the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, obtaining still unmatched crowd reactions from the fans. The Rock helped propel the WWF/WWE into mainstream media attention, solidifying it as the biggest company in pro-wrestling and sports entertainment.  

Along with The Rock, the biggest event in sports entertainment will feature Royal Rumble winner Alberto Del Rio challenging Edge for the World Heavyweight Title, and the anticipated return of The Undertaker to defend his 19-0 undefeated streak. Should The Rock to make a return to in-ring action, his appearance last night, enhanced by the roaring crowd reaction, leaves fans to believe he can “layeth the smackdown” one more time. Fans are anticipating what will unravel in the coming weeks, but alas, they can once again smell what The Rock is cooking.

 In the UK, Pixie Lott, Ellie Goulding, La Roux, The Wanted, Cheryl Cole, and Alexandra Burke had a big year with awesome releases that just you just can’t stop listening to. The boys from The Midnight Beast never failed to keep us entertained following their outstanding parody of ‘Tik Tok’. Australia saw the the rise of Sia, Angus & Julia Stone, The Temper Trap & Washington, and also farewelled veteran rockers Powderfinger. 2010 was indeed an interesting year. In the dance scene, David Guetta, Deadmau5, Calvin Harris and Dizzie Rascal got us on the dancefloor at night.

So what’s one of the best ways to relive all the hits at once? A Mashup Remix! In what has become an annual tradition, DJ Earworm mashed up and remized the 25 biggest hits of 2010 on the Billboard charts in what’s known as the ‘United State of Pop’ Mashups, and the 2010 one entitled ‘Don’t Stop The Pop’ doesn’t disappoint.

DJ Earworm says that:

“In 2010, pop has gone into serious all-out party mode… This year’s music tells us to keep going now that we’re up and having fun. In fact, the fun seems to be in such overdrive that it borders on recklessness. Usher urges us to ‘dance like it’s the last night of your life”, and Katy Perry wants us to “run away and don’t ever look back”. Even the songs that aren’t about parties have parties in their videos, like this year’s entries from Mike Posner and Lady Antebellum”.  (source)

This mashup remix definitely upholds DJ Earworm’s widespread reputation, and is another great installment in his United State Of Pop series.  The mashup’s of 2007, 2007 and 2009 are a must hear, and not to mention his excellent ‘Like OMG, Baby (Capital FM Summertime Ball Mashup)‘  from this year which brings together hits from the US and UK in a summer style mashup. Let’s hope one day he throws in a few Aussie hits into the mix and gives us one awesome Aussie flavoured mashup!

Farewell 2010, Hello 2011!!

 Image courtesy of  DJ Earworm’s official website: http://www.djearworm.com/

United State Of Pop 2010 (Don’t Stop The Pop) Featuring Songs:

• Ke$ha – Tik Tok
• Lady Antebellum – Need You Now
• Train – Hey, Soul Sister
• Katy Perry Featuring Snoop Dogg – California Gurls
• Usher Featuring will.i.am – OMG
• B.O.B. Featuring Hayley Williams – Airplanes
• Eminem Featuring Rihanna – Love the Way You Lie
• Lady Gaga – Bad Romance
• Taio Cruz – Dynamite
• Taio Cruz Featuring Ludacris – Break Your Heart
• B.O.B. Featuring Bruno Mars – Nothin’ On You
• Enrique Iglesias Featuring Pitbull – I Like It
• Young Money Featuring Lloyd – Bedrock
• Jason Derulo – In My Head
• Rihanna – Rude Boy
• Lady Gaga Featuring Beyonce – Telephone
• Katy Perry – Teenage Dream
• Bruno Mars – Just the Way You Are
• Mike Posner – Cooler Than Me
• The Black Eyed Peas – Imma Be
• Jay-Z + Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
• Usher Featuring Pitbull – DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love
• Travie McCoy Featuring Bruno Mars – Billionaire
• Eminem – Not Afraid
• Iyaz – Replay

The University Of Notre Dame went into lockdown early this morning after a student was allegedly attempting to bring a weapon to the Broadway campus. The student in question was supposedly planning to injure a staff member, resulting in an immediate security lockdown of the university.

Concerns were raised as a threat posted online came into the knowledge of Notre Dame staff early this morning whothen informed police. Students making their way to university were forced onto Paramatta Rd and told to return home as the situation caused the cancellation of lectures.

According to SMH, the threats were made apparent via online social networking site Facebook at the beginning of the day.  Hundreds of students were evacuated from the vicinity as police prepared to enter the premises, ensuring the safety of staff and students.  An eye witness student reported that

 ”there were about three police cars outside and there were all these police with their vests and everything on”.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Redfern police informed the newspaper that they “wouldn’t be able to say” why at least 20 police officers wearing bullet-proof vests underwent heavy precautions in searching through the university buildings ”.  (The Daily Telegraph)

SMH obtained a statement from Notre Dame’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hayden Ramsay:

“The care and safety of our students and staff is paramount here at Notre Dame. At the risk of inconveniencing members of our Notre Dame community, we opted for a brief lockdown having consulted with the Police” – (Sydney Morning Herald)

The situation was effectively ended at approximately 11:30am. A 20-year-old is said to be undergoing police questioning in order to assist NSW Police.

Rob Thomas, Chris Daughtry, India Arie, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, Pat Monahan of Train, Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, Joe Cocker – these are just some of the big names appearing on this album, and the collaborations are unbelievable.

Personal favourites are the covers of  Def Leppard’s ‘Photograph’ featuring the amazing Chris Daughtry, and Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke On The Water’ featuring Jacoby Shaddix. The track listing will make you feel as if you’ve really died and gone to guitar heaven, and Santana’s vibe and energy resonate powerfully in the songs.

This album is definitely a must have, and the collaborations are right up with the standout collaborations of earlier years such as  ‘Supernatural’ with Rob Thomas and ‘Game of Love’ by Michelle Branch. Santana’s versatility is on display in this album, and he will always be a saint in guitar heaven.

Track Listing

The brothers took a huge gamble in 2009, when they booked a stand alone show in New York City, which became an enormous success, suprising record labels, and drawing the interest of Universal Republic Records, who partnered the band in releasing their debut album ‘All We Have Left’ this year, with the first single off the album being ‘Every Breath’. The brother financed the whole recording and production of their album, and all that hard work has definitely paid off.

Boyce Avenue embarked on a US Tour with great success, and are now touring the UK, with plans to tour Canada, Sth America, Asia and Australia. What helped Boyce Avenue gain so much attention was their raw and re-worked covers of songs such as Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’, Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’, and most recently, the lead singer Alejandro’s piano version of Katy Perry’s hit single ‘Teenage Dream’. The emotional and cover, which focuses on Alejandro solo on vocals and piano makes you realise just how great Katy’s song really is.

Their first single ‘Every Breath’ is a solid debut single, giving off a Ryan Cabrera/Goo Goo Dolls/Pop-rock feel, with great lyrics and video clip. Boyce Avenue are definitely a band to be on the look out for, and subscribed to on YouTube if you haven’t already. “It’s been a long-time goal of ours to release a full-length debut album worldwide, with all of our music on it the way we’ve always wanted the world to hear it. We feel this album is the kind of release our fans deserve.” – Alejandro Mazano. (source)

*Image courtesy of http://www.theroundtableonline.com/2010/05/music-video-boyce-avenue-every-breath/

Winning the 2010 Brit Award for Critic’s Choice and BBC Sound of 2010 award, Goulding’s rise to stardom is off to a cracking start. Touring with Florence and John Mayer and writing numerous songs for other artists, her highest charting single to date has been ‘Starry Eyed’, reaching number 4 on the UK charts and received a lot of airplay in Australia when she performed on Channel 7′s Sunrise. Starry Eyed fuses acoustic guitar, synth sounds, and an awesome beat, not to mention Goulding’s unique voice which works perfectly. The acoustic rendition of this song sees Goulding’s guitar playing skills shine, and the Jakwob Dubstep remix of Starry Eyed has also become a favourite for Dubstep fans.

But even better is Goulding’s acoustic renditions of her songs, which are brilliantly emotional and raw, and her acoustic of Starry Eyed exemplifies all this. Goulding explains just what Starry Eyed is about:

 “It’s about letting go. As opposed to all the sad and depressing things I write about, I decided to write something about the joining together of people in some kind of euphoric state—be it at a festival, at a show or in a club. I wanted a song that would reach out to people of every background and every enjoyment, whether you enjoy a natural high, taking drugs, drinking or whatever. Because I’m essentially a pop artist I wanted to write a song that everyone can relate to” – Ellie, Digital Spy.

Other songs such as Guns and Horses and The Writer are ones to definitely check out, as well as her acoustic cover of Temper Trap’s ‘Sweet Disposition’.  Let’s hope that the best is yet to come from Miss Goulding.

*Must hear songs: ‘Starry Eyed’, ‘The Writer’, ‘Guns and Horses’ and ‘Sweet Disposition’

*Feature Image Courtesy of http://wizardofaus.me/?p=43