Though one time scheduled to give the Billboard 200 a double dose of ‘Life’, Monica and Mary J. Blige‘s album faceoff was postponed when the ‘So Gone’ diva rescheduled the due date of her forthcoming album ‘New Life’.  With its new February 21st release swiftly approaching, Mrs. Brown unveils that instead of a showdown, the two may be prepping a diva duet for the collection before its completion.

In a recent interview, she revealed:

“I have a couple of different people that I really like to work with, I’ve always wanted to work with R. Kelly, I’ve always wanted to work with Mary [J. Blige],” Monica admits.  I wanted to save that for last because I think it’s always good when you sit down with artists that you admire and love and play them songs and see if anything touches them.”

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Sure to send R&B lovers into a frenzy if it comes to pass, the addition of the aforementioned would join the album’s already star-studded credits including (the now ousted) Lil’ Kim, Rick Ross, Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliott, and more.  Fans who are looking for more of Mo should check out her recent interview with New Music Directors after the jump.  It’s there she details what listeners can expect from her forthcoming LP:

 

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Jennifer Hudson beamed in her holiday showing  at this year’s ‘Christmas in Washington’.  Joined by Justin Bieber, Cee Lo Green, and more, the ‘Spotlight’ songstress took to the stage for the taping of the annual benefit concert for the Children’s National Medical Center.  Though taped this past weekend, fans of the star studded ensemble can expect to see their favorites perform on TNT’s December 16th airing of the show.

See photos below (via DailyMail):

The Obamas aren’t the only one who will be enjoying Hudson’s holiday cheer this year as the diva was also recently spotted taping Disney’s Christmas Day Parade (set to air December 25).  She will be joined by Cee Lo there as well.

 

Your thoughts?

Looks like Beyonce‘s Grammy snub isn’t the only one getting R&B fans riled up.  Much like fellow R&B frontrunner Jill Scott, ‘Sure Thing’ singer Miguel was certainly believed to be a surefire nominee for many of the genre’s categories.  But, even after winning big at the 2011 Soul Train Music Awards for similar categories, such recognition was not extended to the young crooner by the Grammy academy.

The Jive recording star certainly didn’t take the snub silently as he took to Twitter shortly after the nominations were announced to voice his disappointment.   Speaking with our friends over at GWHH, see what else Miguel unveiled about his next album, forthcoming plans, and, of course, his emotional outburst on Twitter following his unceremonious Grammy snub after the jump:

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‘You Da One’ beauty Rihanna rocked an arm brace and was noticeably wig-less at a recent stepping out in Milan, Italy last night.  The Grammy winning no-calist, who is swiftly wrapping up the Euro-leg of her ‘Loud Tour’,  turned her share of heads as she stepped out to the Armani Boutique afterparty.  One of the brand’s leading spokeswomen, word has it the songstress is set to launch her own line of Emporio Armani Jeans at Macy’s, Bloomingdales, and other participating stores.

See more below:

 

In related news, Riri’s new do wasn’t the only thing turning heads recently.  While the singer recently found love as Facebook‘s ‘most liked musician’ of 2011, at least ONE follower on that other popular social networking site probably doesn’t have her atop her ‘like list’.  Engaged in yet another fiery exchange with a fan on Twitter,  her formerly placed head-decoration’s absence may be due to a recent snatching.  See what we mean after the jump:

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The 18 months have been quite the roller-coaster for R&B singer Fantasia. However, joy abounds today, for the Grammy winner delivered a bouncing baby boy.

Full story after the jump…

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She’s the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul, and now Mary J. Blige makes a bid for movie stardom in new flick ‘Rock of Ages’. 

Talking to That Grape Juice about the musical comedy (which also stars Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Alec Bladwin), Blige said:

“It’s a classic 80’s rock film that I’m so blessed to be in. It features an all-star cast, which I’m still pinching myself about working with. I play a Gentleman’s Club owner, who inspires the women working there and encourage them in their life journey’s”.

Peep the trailer after the jump…

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After telling potential suitors she wanted no ‘Kele Kele’ love, feisty Naija stunner Tiwa Savage is back with latest effort ‘Without My Heart’.

Produced by Oak (Nicki Minaj’s ‘Your Love’), the track features rapper Don Jazzy. Does it measure up to the brilliance of ‘Kele’ or its solid follow-up ‘Love Me’? Find out after the jump…

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After enjoying the critical acclaimed project that was her last album, fans of New York native Alicia Keys have long awaited the release of its follow up.

Now find out what Keys has to say about the project and when her supporters can expect to get their hands on it below…

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Just when you thought Ke$ha‘s ‘Sleazy’ couldn’t get any dirtier, today saw a remix of the song surface online featuring what can only be described as a gumbo of Hip Hop‘s hottest staples.

In support of starlet’s  ‘I Am the Dance Commander + I Command You to Dance: The Remix Album’,  “Sleazy Remix 2.0 Get Sleazier’ features Young Money Mogul Lil Wayne, ‘Black & Yellow‘ maestro Wiz Khalifa, Outkast Rapper Andre 3000 and T.I.

Get into it below…

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Can you guess who was snapped parading in her bra and panties on stage in Italy this week? Find out after the jump…

Hint: “would you like fries with that fast food hit?”

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Urban-Pop outfit Little Mix made X Factor UK history this week when they became the first ever group to win the ITV talent-search.

In true and slightly mundane fashion, as winner’s the show, the ladies (aged 18-20) have released a cover version of an “inspirational” cut – and this time it’s Damien Rice’s ‘Cannonball’ which gets the “winner’s song” treatment.

You saw the Jesy, Jade, Leigh-Ann, and Perrie, serve up a commendable live showing on Sunday’s finale, how does the studio / single mix measure up? Judge for yourself after the jump…

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As the saying goes: “if at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again”.

Needless to say, with Nicole Scherzinger, it’s been a case of “if at first, second, or third”. For, which ever way it’s spun, her Stateside solo success has been a non-starter. Chart disaster after chart disaster has seen the former Pussycat Doll in quite the precarious position on home turf.

However, like a Duracell battery, the 32 year old’s drive (and label backing) seems infallible. A fact evidenced by confirmation of yet another single from the US version of her ‘Killer Love’ LP – which, as at writing – still sits unreleased.

Details after the jump…

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