Def Jam must still be reeling from the whopping losses suffered on Rihanna‘s ‘Rated R’ LP. So much so that they are set to release an entirely new album from the nasal sensation this November. Less than a year after its predecessor.

Full story after the jump…

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As Rihanna puts the finishing touches to her fifth studio album (which she’s spent all of five minutes recording), the title of LP’s lead single has been revealed via our good friends over at Def Pen Radio.

Full story below…

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Following the catastrophic failure that was her ‘Bionic’ album, Christina Aguilera has reportedly been reduced to performing at private events instead of concert arenas. The former chart titan has been performing at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs for a dramatically lowered fee from her usual £1.3 million to £157,000. Check out all the details below:

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That Grape Juice can EXCLUSIVELY première Kelly Rowland‘s brand new UK single ‘Forever And A Day’. The David Guetta produced club-stomper is the second International single to be lifted from Rowland’s new LP, reportedly titled ‘When Love Takes Over’.

What are you waiting for?! Take a listen to the David Guetta & Jonas produced / Andre Merrit penned song below…

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R&B star Fantasia was last night rushed to hospital after a reported overdose. So sad.

Full story below…

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This week’s Best You Never Heard feature returns this week with little known gems by Whitney Houston & Deborah Cox, Jill Scott, The-Dream and Cherish.

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Whitney Houston & Deborah Cox – Same Script, Different Cast

For a collaboration of such magnitude, it’s surprising to note that so little has been made of Whitney Houston and Deborah Cox’s 2000 duet ‘Same Script, Different Cast’. Lifted from Houston’s multi-Platinum ‘Greatest Hits’ LP, the stirring ballad sees the divas soar to new vocal heights, over a soulful reinterpretation of Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’

In an age where the beauty of great lyrics is almost entirely confined to the past, this is a potent reminder that an engaging story can skilfully be conveyed via song. Indeed, the track features Houston playing the former lover of Cox’s current boyfriend, warning Cox of his hurtful ways. Yet Cox refuses to acknowledge it, accusing Houston being jealous. A divas clash of epic proportions!

If ‘The Boy Is Mine’ had a sassier, older sister, this would be she! Awesome track.  (SAM)

Listen:

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Jill Scott – The Real Thing

Serving as the title track from her 2007 release, ‘The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3’, Jill Scott’s ‘The Real Thing’ demonstrates her versatility as both a songwriter and vocalist. The powerhouse singer gives the listener the opportunity to hear the restrained yet gritty side of her renowned voice while unleashing a wave of lyrical fire over the live instrumental.

Scott spits rhymes in the second verse with the precision of the most talented MCs; combining her Neo-Soul roots with her poetic skill. When it comes to being a true artist, Scott is definitely ‘the real thing’. (TRENT)

Listen:

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The-Dream – Put It Down

Listen:

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Cherish – Chevy

Though now no longer together, sister-group Cherish served up many an underrated gem in their short stint on the music scene – cue ‘Chevy’. Taken from their 2006 debut ‘Unappreciated’, the track is best characterised as R&B bliss.

The Old School inspired car-bumper manages to not only be racy (with clever use of metaphors), it also remained age-appropriate for the ladies – who at the time were mostly in their teens. How or why this wasn’t a single, I have no idea! (SAM)

Listen:

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Pop phenom Lady GaGa leads the pack of nominees at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. The 24 year old superstar scored an unprecedented 13 nominations – making history as the first artist to achieve that many in a single year.

Full story after the jump…

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Despite Kelis‘ ‘Flesh Tone’ being certified plastic, the eclectic singer is pressing ahead with plans for a new single, as well as a European tour.

Full details after the jump…

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Estelle got by with a little help from her friends, Nas and John Legend, while shooting the video for her new single ‘Fall In Love’ in New York recently.

The pair joined the British-bred/US-based singer on the set of the clip, which was directed by Sanaa Hamri and features Jesse Williams (of Rihanna ‘Russian Roulette’ notability) as the 30 year old’s love interest. More pics below…

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While his album continues to struggle on the charts, new reports have surfaced that The-Dream had ended his  marriage to Christina Milian a lot earlier than expected. The ‘Single Ladies’ writer (irony?) had supposedly filed for divorce a mere 9 days before Milian gave birth. Check out what TMZ had to say about the situation below:

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The eclectic Kelis recently stopped by Cherrytree House studios recently to perform a selection of tracks from her ‘Flesh Tone’ LP (’22nd Century, ‘4th of July’, and ”Brave’). Check out how the 30 year old fared below….

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In response to the publicity stunt swirling controversy surrounding his marriage to Christina Milian, The-Dream has decided to break his silence  and issue a statement regarding the situation via his official site. Mr. Nash has taken “full responsibility” for the situation and noted that his marriage to the singer had been “failing” for a while. Peep what he had to say below:

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