According to Rihanna‘s production label, SRP Records, the model’s latest single ‘Rude Boy’ is likely to be the last single to be lifted from her moderately successful ‘Rated R’ LP. The news comes in wake of the confirmation that the 22 year old is set to release a lighter, up-tempo album this summer.

This hardly comes as a surprise considering the fact it’s well known a new RiRi LP is in the works. That said, it’s rather telling that after just 5 months, her label have decided to call time on the project, in preparation for yet another assault on the charts with an entirely different record. I mean, if ever there was a template for ‘fast food music’, this would be it; music only designed to satisfy the ‘here and now’, as opposed to stand the test of time.

While such a strategy may bring in the $$$ (as I’m sure her label are hoping it will), it’s rather interesting to observe that the artists that have enjoyed lengthy careers not only boast songs that have gone down as classics, yet also albums too. At the rate Rihanna and her team are going, ‘Rated R’ – despite being her best effort yet – will likely join the pile of forgettable LP’s she’s released (‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ excluded).

In any case, it’ll be interesting to see if there’s actually any demand for Ms. Fenty’s next record, considering how soon it’s being released after her last…

Your thoughts?

Pop sensation Alexandra Burke amps up the sass in this new promotional shot for new single ‘All Night Long (ft. Pitbull)’. The video for the song is set to be shot next Friday (March 26th).

Granted Ms. Burke looks great (she looks much better with this longer ‘do), I’d be lying if I said this didn’t look like a little ‘Sasha Fierce’ here. Just saying…

Your thoughts?

Continuing his re-emergence into the public eye, Chris Brown was spotted at the LA Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles yesterday. The 20 year old R&B star was seen chatting it up with Tom Cruise and wife Katie Holmes at the game too.

More pics below…

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With Kelly Rowland wrapping up the recording  of her hotly anticipated 3rd studio album, a new track titled ‘Smooches’ has surfaced. The buzz track, which is produced by hitmaker Bangladesh (‘Diva’, ‘Bossy’, ‘A Milli’), sees Rowland amp up the swagger over a gritty, club-ready beat. An Urban smash-in-waiting, no doubt! Check out the track below:

Song Removed As Requested

Bajan model Rihanna poses it up in the latest issue of Australia’s ‘Sunday’ magazine. The sizzling shoot was shot by noted photographer Georges Antoni, and accompanied a feature where the 22 year old spoke on her ‘Rated R’ LP, Chris Brown, and more. Click here to read the interview. Meanwhile peep more pics below:

Your thoughts?

The UK’s top acts were out in full force last night for BBC’s Sports Relief extravaganza, which raised money for charity. Peep performances from Cheryl Cole (‘Parachute’) above and Lemar and JLS (‘What About Love’) below

On slower cuts especially, it becomes dreadfully obvious how limited Ms. Cole and JLS’ vocals are. I mean, for goodness sake Cheryl’s voice sounded wafer-thin and that’s just a backing track for her to sing lip-sync along to. What’s more, words cannot describe just how much Lemar showed up JLS too; Marvin and JB were especially awful. Still, it appears someone out there disagrees, as their sales and US deal shows. SMH…

Your thoughts?

The highly anticipated new single from Janet Jackson has finally surfaced. The track, entitled ‘Nothing’, was co-produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. The song serves as the first release from the soundtrack Jackson’s new movie, ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?’, and will officially debut on radio on March 30th. Check out ‘Nothing’ below:

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R&B singer Brandy has been known to venture into her bathroom and apply her vocal prowess to some of musics best known classics. This time the star, whose new reality series, ‘Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business’, delivered a rendition of Etta James’ ‘At Last’. Brandy’s new show premieres on April 11th.

Brandy certainly did the song justice. Every note was injected with an unmistakable passion and skillfully controlled. However, I always wonder why singers always use this song to show off their ability to do vocal runs. Like the ‘Star Spangled Banner‘, there is absolutely no need to drag out every syllable with over 50 notes. Nonetheless, Brandy still performed it well, unlike a certain dirrty singer who (as usual) turned the song into a  complete scream-fest; sounding more like horrible Mariah Carey/Whitney Houston wannabe instead of paying tribute to James.

Thoughts?

After a tumultuous 2009, it appears things are finally on the up for Chris Brown. Following the announcement that the R&B star will be taking his ‘Fan Appreciation Tour’ around the globe, BET have confirmed that the 20 year old star will be headlining their forthcoming ‘Spring Bling’ extravaganza on April 10th.

Brown phoned in to the network’s flagship show, 106 & Park, yesterday to elaborate on his appearance – his first ‘proper’ televised set since…you know what. Check it out below…

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Fresh off his #1 R&B hit with ‘Sex Therapy’, soulful crooner Robin Thicke has premiered the video for his latest single ‘Rollacoasta’. You can check out the clip for the more funky cut above. Estelle features…

What do you think of the song / video?

Check out these hot new promotional shots of Sabrina Washington. The sassy singer, formerly of Misteeq, is really setting the benchmark on the fashion tip this side of the pond; her styling stays on-point!

Ms. Washington is set to release her infectious new single ‘OMG’ on April 5th.

Your thoughts?

Pop icon Janet Jackson stopped by the The Tonight Show With Jay Leno earlier today to discuss her new movie ‘Why Did I Get Married Too’, her new book, and much more. Peep part 1 above, and part 2 after the jump…

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