Ciara and Paris Hilton partied the night away at Timbaland‘s 38th birthday party last night (April 28th). The pair joined the likes of Brandy, Ray J, Justin Timberlake, and Interscope head Jimmy Iovine, to help the hitmaker celebrate at Drai’s at The W Hotel Hollywood.

Your thoughts?

Sam

1) Making Love (Into The Night) – Usher

2) Tell Me What Your Name Is – Ciara

3) Commander* – Kelly Rowland

4) Not Myself Tonight – Christina Aguilera

5) Here I Am – Monica

Trent

1) Lil’ Freak – Usher

2) Lose My Breath – Destiny’s Child

3) 3 – Britney Spears

4) When Love Takes Over – Kelly Rowland

5) Mr Yeah. – The-Dream

What are Your Top 5 Songs of The Moment?

Pop royalty Janet Jackson stopped by BET’s 106 & Park yesterday to promote her new movie ‘Why Did I Get Married Too’, along with co-star Malik Yoba. Jackson, 43, chatted it up with Terrance and Rocsi about headlining the Essence Music Festival, her latest projects, and of course the movie. Peep the interview above…

Tidbit: Tyler and co’s promo game for this movie has been ridiculously on point, don’t you think? I mean, who doesn’t know this movie is coming out? Roll on April 4th…

Randomness: Does anyone else find the juxtoposition between Janet’s on and off-stage personna’s hilarious? She’s comes across all Disney-esque during interviews, yet a freak while performing. I love it! Complete randomness, but when interviewing Ciara last summer, I noticed the exact same thing. Interesting…

Your thoughts?

Though revered as a performer, it goes without saying that Jennifer Lopez‘s lack of vocal prowess has caused her to be the butt of many a joke.

Well, it appears the ultimate punch line has been delivered; a studio engineer – none too pleased with Lopez’s supposed diva behaviour while recording – has released raw audio of her trying her hand at Barbra Streisand’s ‘Enough Is Enough’. Let’s just say, the result was not pretty. Check it out for yourself below (via Perez Hilton):

Ouch! That was oh-so-embarrassing; her apparent shrugging off of the matter was not convincing in the slightest. Ol’ J.Lo was embarrassed – as she should have been. I mean, I was initially in two minds about posting this, as I legitimately felt sorry for her. However, I hit ‘post’ when I reminded myself about the fact that singers should actually be able to sing!

Granted I’m sure few artists have flawless studio sessions, the vast majority still turn in – at the bare minimum – commendable live efforts. I challenge anyone to point to one instance when Ms. Lopez has actually sounded good live – baring in mind she rarely ever sings live. I’m waiting…

We’re in a day and age where artists have to be able to, at least, try and turn in decent live + recorded vocals – something which may explain Jennifer’s lack of success in recent years. In any case…awful. Maybe this will serve as a challenge for her to better herself prior to trying to recapture her past-successes under the Def Jam umbrella.

Tidbit: I’m sure the names Janet and Ciara will come up in some capacity. However, in each of their cases, they’ve proven they can hold their own live too. I’m just saying…

Your thoughts?

As R&B star Usher readies his sixth studio album ‘Raymond v Raymond’ for its March 23rd release, the 31 year old features on the cover of the latest issue of Billboard magazine.

The interesting feature (click here to read), reveals some of the project’s behind-the-scenes hold ups (he is now managed by AEG CEO Randy Phillips – not his mother), as well as asks whether the Grammy winner can indeed make a comeback. A great read.

Randomness: Usher shot the video for ‘Lil’ Freak’ (his next US single) yesterday with Nicki Minaj. Word has it Ciara will feature in the clip.

Back to the magazine’s focus….

Do you think Usher can make a comeback?

It’s been a slow-ish news day thus far, yet that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop!

The last few years have seen many an artist deliver show-stopping performances on the grandest of stages. Check out a collection of some of my favourites above and below. Be sure to let us know what you think, as well as your favourites too!

{Above: Kelly Rowland performs ‘Destiny’s Child Medley’ at T4 On The Beach – 2008}

Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (30th Anniversary Concert, 2001)

Lady GaGa – Paparazzi (MTV VMA’s 2009)

Chris Brown & Ciara – ‘With You / Take You Down’ (BET Awards 2008)

Beyonce & Kelly Rowland – ‘Get Me Bodied / Like This’ (BET Awards 2007)

Your thoughts?

Pop sensations JLS and Jason Derulo posed for the cameras backstage at London’s Hammersmith Apollo recently. Derulo, 20, took a break from his busy promotional schedule to attend the BRIT winners’ show, chatting it up with the guys backstage after it had ended.

With the group now set to debut in the US, after singing with label Jive Records (Britney, Ciara, Chris Brown), they are said to want Derulo on-board to pen songs for their Stateside LP. For those somewhat puzzled by the link, American producer JR Rotem, who is Derulo’s mentor, produced JLS’ ‘Everybody In Love’ single – which is set to serve as their first in the US.

Whether JLS, or Derulo for that matter, manage to make a dent on the US industry will be interesting to see…

Your thoughts?

Universal Motown‘s latest signee Kelly Rowland is currently wrapping up the recording process of her hotly anticipated 3rd solo album, and it appears the 29 year old has left the best till last. Following recent confirmation that she’s has been recording with hit-makers Ne-Yo and Danja, it has now been revealed that the Destiny’s Child star has also been working with Polow Da Don on the project in Los Angeles. {Source}

Rowland worked with Polow on her 2007 smash ‘Like This’; the then-little-known producer, real name Jamal Jones, went on to craft hits for the likes of Ciara (‘Promise’), Fergie (‘London Bridge’, ‘Glamorous’), Usher (‘Love In This Club’), Keri Hilson (‘Turnin’ Me On’), and Chris Brown (‘Forever’).

Kelly and her new team are NOT playing this go round. I love it! As we reported, the album’s first single is set to drop in April, with the album following in May/June.

Your thoughts?

Jennifer Lopez made a guest appearance at the 60th Annual Sanremo Music Festival in Sanremo, Italy yesterday. Jenny from the block performed a medley of her biggest hits including ‘Jenny from the Block’, ‘Waiting for Tonight’, ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’, ‘Get Right’ and ‘Let’s Get Loud’. Lopez also did a rendition of ‘What Is Love’, a new song which is supposedly from her new album, ‘Love?’, which hits stores in April.

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L.A. Reid held a post-Grammy party last evening. The Island Def Jam mogul celebrated with some of music’s biggest names at the event which was hosted by Jay-Z at  Cecconi’s restaurant in Los Angeles. Peep more pics below:

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Music’s biggest night is finally here! Numerous celebrities are arriving for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Check out all of the action below:

Lady GaGa

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The stars came out full-force a few hours ago for industry legend Clive Davis‘ annual Pre-Grammy Awards party. Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, the event’s theme was ‘A Salute To Icons’ honouring Universal CEO Doug Smith.

Notable attendees included Rihanna, Usher, Ciara, Ne-Yo, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Toni Braxton, Fergie, Keri Hilson Mya, and more. {Clive’s protégé Whitney Houston, who was snubbed by the Grammy committee this year, was notably absent}

Check out the rest of the pics after the jump…

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