Though an ever-present force on a global front, Shakira has not fared well in US  in recent years.

Indeed, 2009’s ‘She Wolf’ spawned a moderate hit with its title track, yet the album itself tanked, along with its subsequent single releases.

Hoping to reverse those fortunes, Roc Nation‘s newest signee has tapped hitmakers RedOne and Akon to craft hits for her first English-speaking effort in 3 years. Yet, in a somewhat bizarre move, the 35 year old has also enlisted LMFAO – the outlandish outfit behind ‘Party Rock Anthem’. Peep the collective recording in the studio above. {Source}

Anything for that Pop hit, ay?

Your thoughts?

Ring the bell!

Jennifer Lopez  delivers a knockout blow on V magazine‘s sizzling Spring cover.

The American Idol judge, who we can’t believe isn’t 32 (and not 42)  strikes pose after fierce pose in the issue which is set to hit newsstands this week.

Peep more stunning shots after the jump…

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Soulful songstress Estelle is leaving no stone unturned with the promotion of new album ‘All Of Me’, which arrived in stores this week.

The Brit-bred singer’s latest stop was The Late Show With David Letterman, where she served up a rousing rendition of the album’s current single ‘Thank You’.

Watch Ms. Swaray in action below…

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ROC Nation have rolled out the red carpet treatment for latest priori (and reported Rihanna replacement) Rita Ora.

Last week saw Jay Z personally launch the  21 year old and her Stateside single ‘Party & B*llshit’ at the US’ biggest radio station. Today sees the premiere of the Brit beauty’s first official UK single ‘R.I.P’.

Crafted by an all-star cast, Drake penned the track, which was co-produced by both Stargate and Chase & Status. What’s more, fellow Brit Tinie Tempah features.

Does it live up to the hype? Find out after the jump…

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Season 5 of The Game continued tonight on BET.

Serving up a heavy dose of drama, comedy, and sexy, this series looks set to be its best yet!

Check out episode 8 of the smash hit sitcom below. Melanie, Derwin, Tasha, Malik, and co are back! Singer Brandy also stars.

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‘On to the next one’ as husband Jay Z once said.

Despite not even finishing work on the forthcoming Clint Eastwood-directed remake of ‘A Star Is Born’, reports surface that pop megastar Beyonce is one of many A listers tapped for casting of the new movie ‘One Hit Wonders’.  Joined by best gal pal Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz and Reese Witherspoon are also reportedly set to star in the movie based on singers whose careers failed them after one hit in the 1990s.  Consequently, the trio band together to become a supergroup.

Bey’s role in the movie has yet been made clear, but if the cast and the film’s director (‘Glee’ creator Ryan Murphy) are anything to judge by, the movie looks to be a knockout!  The news surface shortly after reports that Mommy Blue is also looking to return to the music scene this year following the release of ‘Born’.

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Your thoughts?

As fans may recall, ‘Touch’ singer Ameriie was said to be putting the final touches on ‘Cymatika Vol. 1’ – her 5th LP (due spring 2012).  And, while buzz on once set lead single ‘Fire Starter’ has dimmed, the songstress is still pressing forward with work on the album (now reportedly due summer 2012).

For now, Miss Ameriie can be spotting on the cover of ‘Sheen’ magazine striking quite the diva pose.  Get into these snaps of the stunner below:

As ever, we’re ready for more music for the songstress as her last album ‘Love And War’ (unduly) didn’t get much love from record buyers.  Here’s hoping this time around is different.

Your thoughts?

While there’s never been any doubt surrounding Jennifer Hudson‘s vocal prowess, the power-belter seems keen to prove her worth as an all-round performance.

That’s if this teaser for new video ‘Think Like A Man’ is anything to go by.

The visual for the cut, which is the title track for Steve Harvey‘s hit movie of the same name, premieres tomorrow. Pending then, you can see what the newly svelte Ms. Hudson and featured acts Ne-Yo and Rick Ross are poised to serve up below…

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The latest track to surface from Melanie Fiona‘s long overdue sophomore album ‘The MF Life’ goes by the name of ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’.

Having mysteriously found its way online, the songbird to her Twitter to diffuse the situation. The ‘4 Am’ singer tweeted, “Ha! another track leaked off “THE MF LIFE” Deluxe album… here’s “Rock Paper Scissors”, clearly taking the unfortunate situation into her own hands.

Listen to the track after the jump and sound-off below.

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Five octave wonder Mariah Carey tweeted this festive photo of herself in the recording studio laying down vocals for her upcoming studio album. The underrated songwriter tweeted, “me pon de booth last night.. LYM!!” prompting a viral tidal wave of excitement regarding her new project.

In the meantime Carey is slated to take the stage this week to perform her first concert since becoming a mother to ‘dem babies’ last year.

The pop titan will headline a free, intimate show (with Diddy) at New York’s Gotham Hall on March 1st as part of a Plot Your Escape promo.

Are you excited to hear new Mimi?

Scoring a #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 is no easy feat, well, it used to not be. Not only does it mark an artist’s reign on the most coveted of Billboard charts, but it also signifies their heightened cultural relevancy and serves as a tangible measure of success.

While many acts have had the pleasure of resting their laurels on the top spot following an ascend of some kind, not many can say their singles debuted at #1. Debuting in the pole position is the musical equivalent of Tiger Woods hitting a hole in one, Kobe Bryant sinking a basket from backcourt, or Rihanna staying on key throughout a performance–it’s rare!

See the select few whose single’s have the distinction of debuting at #1 after the jump and sound-off below. The roster may surprise you.

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Pop’s favorite pair of identical twins, Nina Sky, are back with a brand new song and video! ‘Day Dreaming’, is a r&b flavored mid-tempo track with electro-pop sensibilities; and its accompanying music video is quite captivating.

Take a look at the latest from Natalie and Nicole after the jump and sound-off below.

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