X Factor UK star Marcus Collins is back…and some time ahead of schedule.

It appears mentor Gary Barlow‘s promise to really take time out to hone Collins’ niche has been back-peddled on, as the video for his first single ‘Seven Nation Army’  (White Stripes cover) premiered today, with its accompanying album arriving next month.

Are we surprised? No, not really. X Factor (these days) – as much as we love it – is as “real” as Sunset Beach. Indeed, Barlow has very little say-so over Collins – who is signed to a different label and isn’t managed by the Take That star either.

As such, it’s left to the Liverpudlian to establish credibility on his own accord. Find out how he fares after the jump…

(more…)

Marriage and motherhood have seen singer Keyshia Cole on musical hiatus for the last two years.

And while recording is currrently underway for the star’s 5th studio album, she seems keen to celebrate her mother and wife status – sharing this family portrait of herself with husband Daniel “Booby” Gibson and son Daniel Jr with fans on Twitter. Touching stuff.

———————–

On a musical note, we’re keen to see what Ms. Cole has been cooking up. Her last few efforts have been the pits, with the quality impacted heavily by her “an album a year” mantra. Yet, that doesn’t take away from the “stellar” that was her debut and follow-up. Here’s hoping she rediscovers that mojo this go round.

Your thoughts?

With a new single and EP to promote, Rap icon Lil Kim joined Willy Geist and Andy Cohen on ‘Watch What Happens Live‘ last night for a rare sit down appearance.

Peep the full interview below, courtesy of Karim…

(more…)

Lil Kim may not get the V.I.P treatment much these days, yet when she does, oh does she show up and show out.

The pint-sized rapper was the guest of honor at The Blondes Fashion Show in New York City last night, and made sure she looked the part. Stunning effortlessly in a show-stopping white ensemble.

We can only hope Kim’s new “diva” aesthetic carries over into her new project – whenever it finally drops.

Your thoughts?

Yesterday, in a continued act of altruism, Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin took to ‘Live With Kelly’  to raise awareness for the AIDS virus.

Backing the MAC Viva Glam campaign, the pair sat down with Kelly to discuss their reasons for joining the initiative and what can be done to help those affected by it.

Watch below…

(more…)

Can you guess which colourful stunner was snapped glamming it up in New York last night? Find out out after the jump…

Hint: She’s not a fan of pint-sized female rappers!

(more…)

The champ is here!

With her latest Nicki Minaj/M.I.A.-assisted single ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’ getting nothing but love from fans, music monarch Madonna continues her reign over contemporaries with reports that ‘Luvin’ has landed her a 38th top 10 single.  The first single lifted from her 12th studio album “MDNA”, due March 26, only extended the singer’s etch in history books as original gain of the record came from 2008’s ‘4 Minutes To Save the World’ (her 37th top 10).

While Barbadian pop princess Rihanna bumped Madge from atop her other Billboard record (most top 10s in shortest time) by only 5 months, she does not stand as a present threat to dethrone the diva from this newly secured placement.

There are a few who still can, however.  Find out who after the jump:

(more…)

Whoever asked ‘where’s the beef’ may have certainly got their question answered tonight.  A spark clearly reignited when rapstress Nicki Minaj unveiled her diss track ‘Stupid Hoe’, the subliminally thrown shots have inflamed ‘Lighters Up’ rapper Lil Kim.

Never one to bite her tongue, especially on the topic of a certain Trinidadian rapper, Kim was spotted tonight on Bravo’s ‘Watch What Happens’ Live where she was quizzed on her thoughts on Minaj’s buzz single ‘Stupid Hoe’.

As ever, Kim keeps it real in 3…2…1:

(more…)

R&B beauty Brandy has been named one of many Hip-Hop/R&B stars lined up to join the listing of VH1’s award winning documentary series ‘Behind The Music’.  With names like Madonna, Mary J. Blige, and Celine Dion already earning the show record viewership, its new season looks to bring all eyes on hip-hop/R&B acts with rappers Pitbull and Nas joining the ‘What About Us’ beauty.

As reports surface indicating that her  ‘Behind the Music’ interview was scheduled to be conducted this past Saturday (her birthday), the loss of the singer’s idol, Whitney Houston, undoubtedly affected the interview’s completion.

Yet, as in every other facet of the young singer’s career, she is pressing forward as Billboard confirms the following dates as the scheduled airtimes of the show’s upcoming season:

(more…)

As reported here, ‘We Break The Dawn’ belle Michelle Williams has recently toyed with the idea of breaking from her dance offerings to release new gospel music.  On the heels of her 2008 criminally underrated dance album ‘Unexpected’, Williams has been crafting the sound for her 4th LP – introduced by the buzz of the upbeat ‘On the Run’.

Taking  to our friends over at HipHollywood to discuss the sound of her next offerings, the ‘Hello Heartbreak’ hitmaker hinted she may be taking a trip back to her (musical) home turf.  After much acclaim for her first two solo projects, 2002’s ‘Heart To Yours’ and 2004’s ‘Do You Know’, Williams says she knows the near future may see her marry the genres of her past works.

See what else Miss Michelle shared after the jump:

(more…)

As previously reported, items from late singer Whitney Houston‘s catalog have logged a 10,000% increase in sales since the singer’s untimely passing last Saturday.  In such, Billboard reports that the singer’s ‘Greatest Hits’ package lands on this week’s #6 spot.

However, fans should be mindful that such information is representative of only one day of official sales reports.  News has now surfaced the singer has moved a whopping 1 million units of singles and albums in less than a week.

Details inside:

(more…)

An outpour of grief and mourn continues to grip the industry as friends and fans of late Pop icon Whitney Houston share their condolences.  And, much like many-a-young R&B songstress, Fantasia regularly cited Miss Houston as an influence for her own offerings.

Also like Houston, Barrino found her base in the church.  Such base undoubtedly helped shape Houston’s sound, style, and influence across multiple genres – unmistakably found (and referenced) in many of both singers’ recordings and live showings.

Now, at a recent stop in Chicago, Fantasia was found giving a tearful testimony in honor of the fallen singer.  Hear her thoughts below:

(more…)