Mariah Carey is making many a power play these days.

American Idol may be nearing its end, however the diva extreme is ensuring platform’s perks (see: millions of viewers) works for her.

For, according to new reports, not only will she be performing on the show’s finale, she will also unwrap the video for her hotly anticipated new single.

Details on this and Mimi’s new management situation after the jump…

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Though celebrated for her classic contributions to music, Lauryn Hill has been a hot topic for all the wrong reasons in the time since her solo breakthrough ‘The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill’ etched itself in the history books back in 1998. Indeed, so-so performances, personal drama, and erratic rants about “the system” have plagued the former Fugees singer.

The latest, as widely reported, is the criminal charges filed against the 37-year-old for not paying federal taxes on $1.8 million earned between 2005 -2007.

Having earlier plead guilty, today saw mother-of-six Hill arrive at court for sentencing. Find out what happened after the jump…

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Though we loved its material (albeit a little one dimensional) the promotional plan employed to push Nicki Minaj‘s ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ was in fact nothing short of an unorganized mess.

Ditching the structure and strategy that saw her debut album ‘Pink Friday’ score points on a commercial and critical front, the ‘white wash‘ look, mass release of ‘un-promoted’ singles, lack of televised performances and constant need to remind the world that she was ‘still Hip Hop’ saw her isolate the casual listener that had taken all of ‘Friday’s singles to Gold or Platinum status.

Of course, while this didn’t stop the album from being the highest selling Rap LP of the year, it was clear that the once glamorous and in tact Minaj was in desperate need of a branding overhaul if her third album was to do as well as her first.

Now, as to right the wrongs of yesteryear, the ‘Your Love’ MC is readying a campaign that may leave some of her naysayers no choice but to applaud her.

Full story below…

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As the music industry waits with bated breath for Beyonce‘s new single, brand partners Pepsi have unveiled another promotional shot of the singer.

The image, which tributes artist Andy Wahol, is the latest snap to surface ahead of the drink’s giant’s full-on media blitz in support of King B’s 5th studio album (due in April).

With a stated view to ensure the project is the Grammy winner’s “biggest yet”, the multi-national are sponsoring ‘The Mrs Carter Show’ world tour, funding music videos, and are (from next month) issuing special edition cans and bottles with the singer’s image on them…

Needless to say, with $50 million being leveraged towards the project, it’s smart guessing that Pepsi Bey will feature prominently on many a Forbes list this year. More power to her.

In the more immediate, though, can we get the single already?! Or at least an announcement of its pending arrival. Kai.

Your thoughts?

He may not have performed at last Sunday’s Grammy Awards, but with the release of his new video ‘Started From The Bottom‘ dropping on the same night, Drake ensured his name stayed hot on everyone’s lips as the star studded night went on.

The best part about this is though, that while the video’s launch comes as part of the push for this third studio album ‘Nothing Was The Same‘, it’s arrival has gone some way in rekindling interest in his 2011 LP, ‘Take Care‘.

Full story below…

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Pink has been glowing Platinum as of late thanks to her new album ‘The Truth About Love’ which has clocked in US sales of one million-plus since its release last September.

Keen to keeping her buzz a’buzzing, the singer unwrapped the video for the project’s latest single ‘Just Give Me A Reason (ft. Nate Ruess)’ moments ago.

The clip, which features the star’s husband Carey Hart, awaits below…

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With 3.5 million albums sold worldwide since 2010, Nicki Minaj‘s meteoric rise to fame came as no surprise to any who’d followed her career since 2007.

Rising from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School to become the world’s most celebrated Female Rapper since Lauryn Hill, it’s safe to say that the Rapper’s talent and tenacity are to thank for her ever impressive success.

Unfortunately, as is often the case in music, the success of one act goes some way to highlight the inadequacies of those who came before them.

In this case, inadequacies held by one time pin-up Lil Kim, who despite never enjoying a solo hit in her life, is convinced she is to thank for Minaj’s run at the top.

Delusions of grandeur below…

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Miley Cyrus lent a helping hand to Lil Kim two nights ago, when she arrived at a video shoot for the Rapper’s new artist Tiffany Foxx.

Arriving at home in Beverly Hills, Cyrus was snapped shooting a cameo for the clip- billed ‘Twisted‘- alongside the former Rap Queen, whose debut album ‘Hard Core‘ edges closer to sales of 2 million units moved since 1996- despite being certified Double Platinum well over ten years ago.

More from the Brooklyn diva below…

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Congratulations are in order for ‘Interscope’s Lana Del Rey this week.

For, by way of her singles ‘Ride‘, ‘Video Games’ and ‘Born To Die‘, her latest LP – of the same name as the latter- has now reached sales of 3 million units shifted worldwide.

Good news below…

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There is no stopping Jennifer Lopez!

Fresh from wrapping a successful world tour, the 43 year old diva is already gearing up for a return to the charts. And so as to kick off her “comeback”, the Lopez features on the February 2013 cover of Harper’s Bazaar.

Taking to Twitter on New Year’s Eve, the stage blazer declared that the year is hers, beaming with excitement about “#Album10” – which hitmaker RedOne has confirmed he is working on.

As such, the stunning feature sets the wheels in motion for what should be an interesting “era” for the singer. For, despite “winning” on more fronts than losing in recent years (see: the millions wracked up via touring, endorsement deals, and American Idol), the fact remains that her albums and singles (sans ‘On The Floor’ and ‘Dance Again’) haven’t performed well since the mid 00’s.

Will this project right those “wrong” or will it take the Madonna approach and merely be used as a vehicle to mobilize the brand (touring, endorsements, media opps)? Time will tell.

In the meanwhile, peep more pics and quotes below…

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Las Vegas played host to Nicki Minaj’s NYE plans last year, where she arrived to host a party held at PURE nightclub for a reported $5 Million.

Want to know exactly what went down on the night?

If so, peep behind the scenes footage pushed by her the Rapper’s team online today to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a wild night, below…

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Perception is everything.

The above is a theory we’re sure Nicki Minaj is currently coming to terms with following the release of her sophomore album, ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’.

Indeed, despite selling over 1.3 million units worldwide, the project’s poor promotional handling has led many to believe the LP was a commercial failure- even in the face of favorable numbers moved in the US, UK, Japan and Canada.

Well, before the release of her third studio set, the Rapper welcomes news that will undoubtedly force her naysayers to reconsider their stance on her commercial value.

Details below…

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