You can now preview Ciara’s hotly anticipated 3rd studio album ‘Fantasy Ride’ (due May 5th) over at Amazon.com. Say what you want, but the album is sounding like the business IMO. Judging by the clips, stand-outs (of the tracks that haven’t ‘surfaced’ in their entirety online) include ‘Tell Me What Your Name Is’ and ‘Like A Surgeon’…

Central London was brought to a stand still this afternoon as 100 Beyonce impersonators launched into the now iconic ‘Single Ladies’ routine in Picadilly Circus. The spectacle was used to promote Bey’s Trident Gum sponsored free concert here in London at the 02 in November. To be in with a chance of snagging a pair of tickets from the 13,000 available, all you have to do is buy a pack of Trident Gum. Competition is open to UK residents only.

Probably one of the best promotional efforts I’ve seen or heard of in a while. It’d be awesome if labels, marketing teams etc dabbled in such unconventional advertising more often. Great stuff.

The Pussycat Dolls (aka Nicole and ‘the others’) stopped by The Ellen Degeneres Show to perform their current single ‘Jai Ho’ recently. While the song has grown on me considerably, the ‘sameyness’ of the group’s dynamic continues to jarr me. It’s like damn, give one of the other chicks a chance to say something…anything…’hey mom’…something!!!

In all fairness to Nicole, I doubt she has much say as to who sings what (although I could be wrong); it’s most likely the team/producers behind them. Yet surely they should know by now what the masses are calling for – to hear Melody and co sing (and for them to produce better material ala the first album). I mean, if you watched the performance closely, the other girls (whose names I’d bet good money you don’t know) barely, if at all, hold the mics to their mouths.

Baring all of this in mind, it does kinda make one think about the whole ‘only one person singing’ in a group debate. For years many have argued about the unfairness of a group (usually female) only having one lead; however increasingly I’m finding more people saying ‘shoot, I’d fall to the background. After all it’s a cheque at the end of the day’. That said, and I know this is kinda random, but would you rather…

Since hitting the US this month, Alexandra Burke has been keeping her Twitter followers informed about the progress of her album and US experience:

Alexandra Burke has been introduced to a host of top US music producers as she starts work on her debut album.

The X Factor winner flew out to America earlier this month and has since met with Timbaland, Red One and Jay-Z.

Writing on her Twitter page, Burke suggested that a track with Stargate, who have previously worked with Rihanna and Leona Lewis, could be her next single.

“Oh my oh my! This song is the ONE!! Stargate man… U Guys are just amazing!” she wrote.

The 20-year-old fuelled speculation that she would be pairing up for a duet with Beyoncé after confirming that they had met up.

“Oh my GOD I just met Beyoncé again!! And this time I didn’t cry!! She listened to my songs!! My heart is racing,” she added. {Source}

The British version of America’s Got Talent, the aptly titled Britain’s Got Talent, is currently underway and making headlines across the globe. While the last couple of weeks has seen a star born in Susan Boyle (Youtube), the most recent episode of the show saw 12 year old Shaheen become a favourite. Peep the video below to see what went down:

Review up in a bit…

In the meanwhile…

Review in a bit…

In the meanwhile…

Woman of the moment, Lady GaGa is currently here in London promoting her current single ‘Poker Face’ (which has already hit #1 here and just about everywhere else). She stopped by the Jonathan Ross Show last night on BBC to perform the song, which you can watch above.

As much as I like her, there’s no denying that performance was the hottest of messes. Knowing that she’s a capable (and pretty decent) live singer, this shout-fest was not the business. Not at all. What’s more, and I say this very cautiously, my girl seemed like she was on that ‘good stuff’; not during the performance alone, but also during her interview, which you can watch by clicking here. SMH…

Check out a lengthy snippet of the official lead single from Christina Milian’s forthcoming album ‘Elope’, The-Dream penned ‘Zipper’ above.

WOW! Christina is coming hard this go round. I feel no way in saying this is hands-down the best thing she’s dropped since ‘Dip It Low’. The beat is the hotness, while Christina is actually singing full voice on the hook. Great, great track.

Jennifer Hudson’s joint tour with Robin Thicke rolled into Atlanta last night. The Grammy and Oscar winner was joined by the legendary Jennifer Holliday during ‘And I Am Telling You’, with the pair shutting it all the way down (I love me some church wailing and Ms. Holliday’s priceless facial expressions!). A-mazing performance. {Thanks Kisha!}

Solange has stayed promoting her sophomore effort ‘Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams’ since it’s release last August, last night taking a break from her tour with Estelle to perform current single ‘T.O.N.Y’ on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.

Put simply, great song, great performance!

Last night saw the airing of part 1 of the 2 part finale of the current (and rumored ‘last ever’) season of Making The Band 4. Peep the video above to see what the fate of Danity Kane revealed…

That said, I’m still waiting for next week’s ‘live show’, when all 5 girls come back, before I cast any final judgements, as it’s evident we are all nicely being put on the edge of our seats with PR spin and clever editing. ‘It’s not over till it’s over’, right?