X-Factor Analysis And Predictions

Seventh Week: Movie Night


Last week's show was a vast improvement on previous weeks, yet the contestants that made it into the final two once again surprised.  Misha B is obviously the most talented artist in the show but is failing to connect with the audience, and now the more popular Amelia Lilly has returned Misha's chances of winning are slim.  Kitty was also arguably the most entertaining performer and will actually be missed as the show nears its most important period.

Make no mistake, tonight is going to be a big night for many acts.

X-Factor Analysis And Predictions

Second Show: Love Songs


Last night's X-Factor started off with some good and bad news.  The good news was that the traditional X-Factor format was back - with the great British public having the say on who goes and who stays.  The bad news was that the theme of the night was, apparently, 'Love and Heartache', which is usually X-Factor code for wet, crappy ballads.  And the judges didn't disappoint in that regard, with the contestants singing everything from Whitney Houston to Coldplay - all was not bad though, so read on below for The Urbanite's X-Factor ratings and predictions:

The X-Factor Goes Urban?

Whether you like it or not, it’s that time of the year when you start to kiss your Saturday nights goodbye.  Or, if you are anything like some of us at The Urbanite and want to try and maintain some form of a social life, it is that time of the year when you delay heading to the pub/club for an extra half an hour just so you can catch Louis Walsh telling a washed up karaoke singer that they are “simply brilliant”. 

Yes people, it is X-Factor time.  And apart from Walsh, who we just cannot seem to get rid of, this year’s X-Factor has taken on a new look.  Gone are Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Danni Minogue and in come Gary Barlow (Take That), Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child) and Tulisa Contonstavlos (N-Dubz) as our new judges. 

Now none of us here at The Urbanite have ever actually really liked any of the ex X-Factor contestants that have graced our charts (apart from Leona Lewis, who genuinely had an amazing voice) but there is something about the programme that keeps us hooked – the tragic real life stories, the delight in seeing someone completely flop on stage in front of millions, the cheering on of the ugly fat underdog with the good voice who is never going to win (last year’s Paige being the prime example). 

We must admit, however, that this year will be the most interesting for a while – purely because of two out of the three new X-Factor judges and the direction that British pop music has taken over the past two years.  A cursory glance at the charts this year has seen acts like Wretch 32, Chipmunk, Tinchy Stryder and Tinie Tempah dominating record sales, with the latter being one of the first British urban acts to truly break it in America. 

Love him or hate him, but Simon Cowell is an intelligent guy and he has not only noticed this shift in the British music scene but is seeking to ensure that his SyCo record label does not fall behind the movement.  That is why he signed Labrynth, the producer behind “Pass Out”, to his record label.  It is the reason why he has praised online urban channel SBTV to the hill.  And ultimately, it is the reason why he has chosen Rowland and, more specifically, Tulisa to his X-Factor bench as judges.