Hit-maker Polow Da Don spoke with MTV.com recently about working on Ciara’s forthcoming ‘Fantasy Ride’ LP. During the interview, the ‘Promise’ producer made an interesting comparison about himself and Ciara and the late Aaliyah and Timbaland:

Ciara’s upcoming album, Fantasy Ride, may feature a slew of hitmaking producers, including Tricky Stewart (Rihanna’s “Umbrella”), Danjahandz (Britney Spears’ “Gimme More”) and Missy Elliott (Jazmine Sullivan’s “Need U Bad”). But according to Polow Da Don, only he and CiCi have something special enough to become the new Aaliyah and Timbaland.

“We both came up and were raised in the same camp,” Polow explained to MTV News. “We’ve known each other for a long time. We actually just have this natural chemistry that I don’t even have with some of my own artists.

“I understand her and I understand what she should be doing,” the producer added.

“And one thing people do say about when I work with Ciara is that I make her sound better than ever,” he continued. “I make her sound like a vocalist versus the other stuff she may do that’s more performance, where she can get on the dance floor. It’s kind of the same thing with Aaliyah. She may not have been the best singer, but her voice was so unique and her sound — she had her own lane, and I think Ciara is like that same thing.”

I’m sure this one will have tongues wagging…

Your thoughts?

The divorce of R&B crooner R. Kelly and wife of 11 years Andrea (right) was made official this yesterday afternoon. Check out the report via Usmagazine.com below:

“The parties have reached an amicable resolution concerning all issues related to their marriage, and will share joint custody of their three children,” their Chicago-based lawyers said in a joint statement. “The details of this agreement will remain confidential and the family requests that their privacy be respected during this time.”

The couple separated in the fall of 2005, and Andrea went to court for an emergency restraining order, claiming that he had physically abused, harassed and stalked her, according to MTV News.

Andrea told Essence magazine in 2007 that she and Kelly “have a bond that we will have for the rest of our lives because we have children…That we filed for divorce is not that important.”

They have two daughters and a son together.

Any thoughts?

As singer/songwriter The Dream preps his sophomore effort ‘Love & Money’ for a February 17th release, one of the album’s joint 1st singles, the Mariah Carey assisted ‘My Love’ surfaced within the hour. The easy on the ear mid-tempo is filled with enough hooks and all-round catchiness to have you humming/singing along before the song fades out.

Mariah’s feature works too; the rasp and hoarseness that is Mimi’s 2009 ‘voice’ (which is becoming increasingly obvious on record now) actually actually compliments The Dream’s vocal rather well. Her belting parts, for all the critique levelled against her current vocal state, shows exactly why she is still one the premier voices of our time. Great track.

Hit or Miss?

Burgeoning star Lady Gaga kept her momentum going last night by stopping by The Tonight Show With Jay Leno to perform her #1 single ‘Just Dance’. As with most of her live showings, she did great. It seems as if she’s switched things up with her performance of the track on this promotional push (band, less choreography, live-er vocals etc); still, just adds a different feel to what is an awesome and very deserving track.

What do you think of the performance?

Word has it Jermaine Dupri has been laid off from his position as Head of Urban over at Island Def Jam:

AllHipHop.com has received an exclusive report that Atlanta-based producer Jermaine Dupri’s tenure as President of Island Records Urban Music has come to an end. A formal announcement of his departure from the position, which he has held for nearly two years, may come as early as this week. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the situation confirmed to AllHipHop.com that Dupri has in fact been terminated effective immediately. {Source}

Yes it’s bad news for JD on the surface, but I’m sure his hitmaker status ensures his pockets are lined up nicely. Saying that, with him only serving 2 years on the job, having moved (been laid off) from the same position over at Virgin, it doesn’t particularly bode well for JD – who, arguably, didn’t make much of a (lasting) impression.

Randomness: Did anyone else see this coming a while back anyway; I mean, with girlfriend Janet leaving the label and Mariah’s project (which he oversaw) under-performing?

Your thoughts?

Former 3LW star Naturi Naughton spoke with Black Tree Media recently about playing the role of rapper Lil’ Kim in the forthcoming Notorious B.I.G movie (due in theatres this month). I’m kinda iffy about her being chosen to play Kim and watching the snippets within the feature still has me feeling the same. I guess time will tell if she holds her own with the role in the movie.

Any thoughts?

With it being almost 3 years (yes 3 years!) since the release of LeToya’s debut album, it’s great to hear that things are finally coming together with her sophomore project. Now that her label Capital/EMI have ironed put their internal issues, it appears all systems are go for the release of Toya’s ‘Lady Love’ LP, which is tentatively scheduled for a March 24th release.

What’s more it has now ben confirmed that the set’s lead single, the Ne-Yo penned ‘Not Anymore’ will be impacting Rhythmic/Crossover radio in the US on February 3rd – meaning, in less complicated terms, we should be hearing it *very* soon LOL. In the meanwhile, you can listen to Ne-Yo’s demo version of the song, which is produced by Bei Maejor (Trey Songz, Mike Jones). I must say, I’m really feeling this one – especially the hook (“Stop, stop…”).

Click here to listen to Ne-Yo’s demo of ‘Not Anymore’

Peep Beyonce’s new print ad for L’Oreal. She looks great and moreover she actually looks like her – unlike ‘that’ controversial campaign they had featuring her before.

What do you think of the pic?