Runway diva, Rihanna, is certainly keeping busy these days. After shooting the video for new US single ‘Rockstar 101’ recently, the model then embarked on a worldwide tour; and is now set to shoot another video – this time for International single ‘Te Amo’. Set to be shot in Paris over two days this week, the video will be directed by RiRi’s long-time collaborator Anthony Mandler. {Source}

Perhaps with the confirmation of yet more singles and, of course her tour (which has opened to mixed reviews, and noticeably empty seats in some cities), Ms. Fenty’s ‘Rated R’ will finally be able to reach Platinum status. After all, some 6 singles down the line, and with killer promo, the album’s sales are still hovering in the 750,000 region.

Your thoughts?

The ever-eclectic Kelis rocked the stage at the Santos Party House, in New York City last night (April 21st). Ms. Rogers previewed material from her forthcoming LP ‘Flesh Tone’ (which hits stores in the UK on May 17 and July in the States).

Your thoughts?

The-Dream is planning a summer release for his new album, ‘Love King’, which will hit stores on June 22nd. The album is being preceded by the title track first single which has thus far peaked at #26 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and #92 on the Billboard Hot 100. The-Dream’s previous LP, ‘Love vs. Money’, received rave reviews from critics and was ranked at the 8th best album of 2009 by Rolling Stone magazine despite being overlooked at this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony. {Source}

Thoughts?

Christina Aguilera sent her fans into a frenzy moments ago when she finally announced the official release date of her upcoming studio album. The LP, ‘Bionic’, will hit stores on June 8th and will be preceded by the singer’s new single, ‘Not Myself Tonight’. An exclusive preview of the Polow Da Don/Ester Dean-created track will be available on Aguilera’s official website on March 26th. The official ‘Bionic’ album cover is featured above. {Source}

Aguilera’s team certainly isn’t playing any games this time around. The mystery created by this promotional campaign has definitely created a strong buzz across the web regarding what the singer will do next. Hopefully the final product lives up to the hype and does not resemble the compost heap that was ‘Keeps Gettin’ Better’. Only 75 more days to go!

Thoughts?

Peep this short preview of the video for Usher‘s latest US single ‘Lil’ Freak’, featuring Nicki Minaj. We’re going to hold judgement on the TAJ directed clip until seeing it in its entirety when it premières later this week. Check out the vid after the jump…

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R&B star Usher is set to release his sixth studio album ‘Raymond v Raymond’ on March 30th (March 29th in Europe/Australia).

While a number of songs have been rolled out thus far – some billed as ‘traditional singles’ and others ‘buzz’ singles, we have received word from the the singer’s label confirming that ‘OMG’ will serve as ‘Raymond’s…’ first International release. What’s more, the 30 year old echoed the news on Twitter a few hours ago, announcing that he is shooting the video with Black Eyed Peas front-man will.i.am – who produced and features on the song.

Though I’m rooting for Usher this go round, and feel he’s delivered much better material than he’s being given credit for with this record, my sentiments pretty much echo Trent’s review of the song from earlier this year.

In any case, if you’ve yet to hear the song, check it out below:

Hit or Miss?

As the release of Kelly Rowland‘s hotly anticipated new album draws ever-nearer its May/June release, producer Rico Love has given fans a taster of what the LP will sound like. The hit-maker, who is co-producing Rowland’s entire project, previewed an instrumental of a confirmed album track on Twitter a few moments ago. Eager to get a feeler of what Ms. Kelly’s single is set to sound like? Check it out after the jump!…..

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Check out the official album commercial for the Sugababes‘ new LP ‘Sweet 7’ (due March 8th), which began running today:

Their label Island / Roc Nation are not playing when it comes to the promotion of this project! The ad is slick, and definitely sells the ladies as a premier act. Having listened through our preview copy of the album, it most certainly positions them in the  thick of what’s hot musically (Pop-meets-Urban-meets-Dance) and boasts awesome production. Whether or not that’s a good thing, when considering the sound and image the group etched out for themselves over the last 10 years, is up to individual interpretation.

Your thoughts?

In a show of sisterhood, Destiny’s Child stars Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams pose for the camera following Williams’ performance in Broadway’s ‘Chicago’ on Monday (February 15th). Rowland came out to support her former group member, who is receiving rave reviews for her role as Roxie Hart in the long-running musical.

Your thoughts?

Christina Aguilera and Cher sat down with ‘Entertainment Tonight’ to give a behind the scenes preview of their new movie ‘Burlesque’. The duo talked about their roles in the film where Aguilera plays a young singer who helps Cher with her struggling burlesque club. The film hits the big screen on November 24th.

I would be lying if I said that I was the least bit intrigued by this film. There have been at least 10 other productions with the exact same storyline and looking at the musical aspects, I have already started to get horrible flashbacks of the scream-fest that was Aguilera’s ‘Back 2 Basics’ LP. Hopefully, the movie is not as bad as it seems.

Thoughts?

Mariah Carey is a diva. Soaring to the top of the charts with her incredible 5 octave vocal range, her  rapid ascension to the pinnacle of Pop music remains a feat unmatched by any other solo act in history. From her 18 #1 hits to her outstanding record sales, she truly is a phenomenon. Yet, in recent years, it seems that Carey’s impact has begun to wane.

With the exception of her now 6x platinum ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’, Carey has been unable to produce a record in the last 10 years that captured renowned public appeal. In fact, she only accomplished 4 chart-toppers since the year 2000, a dramatic decline from the 14 she had in the 1990’s. Indeed, the demand for Carey’s material has now reached an all-time low as her latest LP, ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’, took an embarrassing 4 months to  achieve a gold certification; a noticeable decline for an artist whose previous 11 studio releases all went platinum or higher.

The real question is: what can Carey do to rejuvenate her career? While ‘Memoirs’ received the best reviews of any album she released since ‘Butterfly’, it is blatantly apparent that Carey is remaining in her comfort zone of mid-tempo R&B and finger-snapping radio material. Most of her records capitilise on the same formula she used to re-establish her career in 2005. However, this is 2010.

Unlike her peers such as Madonna, Beyonce or even Christina Aguilera, Carey seems reluctant to experiment with her image and material in the same way that she does with her voice. She remains steadfast in her effort to hold on to her youth by crafting Sesame Street-quality material such as ‘Touch My Body’ and ‘Up Out My Face’. Even her ballads have begun to sound the same; almost all emulating the piano-driven productions of her monster hit ‘We Belong Together’.

If Carey does not reinvent herself soon, she runs the risk of slipping into irrelevancy like many of her counterparts including Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez before her. She certainly has both the skill and the talent to reposition herself at the helm of the  game. Nevertheless, Carey needs to think ‘outside the box’ or her career may end up in one.

What direction should Carey take to revamp her

career?

Check out the full version of former Misteeq lead singer Sabrina Washington‘s new single ‘OMG’, which surfaced today. Validating my previous  comments on the preview, the song – in its entirety – is a delicious slice of Electro-Pop, with a satisfiable Urban undercurrent. I like.

Look out for the song’s video this week. Oh and you’ll be seeing a lot more of Ms. Washington around these sides (hint hint ;-))

Sabrina debut solo LP ‘Dirty Pop‘ is set to hit stores later this year.

Hit or Miss?