Check out this video snippet from the latest episode of Fantasia‘s hit VH1 show ‘Fantasia For Real’, which aired last night. It shows the American Idol alum in the studio with noted songwriter Claude Kelly, working on – what sounds like a smash – ‘Ex You’. Kelly actually came up with the song on the spot. Peep the video after the jump…

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Initially set for release in November last year, the Sugababes’ ironically titled new LP ‘Sweet 7’ has been pushed back yet again. Re-scheduled to hit stores on March 8th, the record has been delayed by a week and will now be released on March 15th. No reason has been given for the delay. {Source}

Really, though; what more can be said when it comes to this project? All I can say is that it’ll be really interesting to see how the album goes on to perform considering all the drama surrounding the group, as well as the money that has been pumped into this particular campaign by their label.

Your thoughts?

Rihanna sat down with MTV News to talk about her plans for her next studio project. The Bajan’s latest released, ‘Rated R’, has already been certified platinum in the US and sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. Check out an excerpt from the interview below:

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Check out this sneak peek of Monica’s ‘Everything To Me’ video. The songs stands (no pun intended) as the official first single from her ‘Still Standing’ and the clip was directed by Benny Boom. Monica’s new album hits stores on March 23rd. Looks like she’s about to ‘set it off’ on somebody in this one!

Thoughts?

Leona Lewis had a guest spot on the UK’s GMTV recently. The singer performed the 2nd single from her ‘Echo’ album, ‘I Got You’. To date, the song has peaked at #40 on the UK Singles Chart and #10 on the UK R&B chart.

Yet another pitch-perfect vocal performance from Lewis. However, there is one point that stands out about this song: why is ‘I Got You’ (or Leona Lewis for that matter) considered R&B in the UK? Certainly the track is hardly anything other than a Pop record. Had the song been released in the US, I highly doubt that it would have been any where close to the Hip-Hop/R&B charts. Interesting…

Thoughts?

Kanye West just released the music video for ‘Coldest Winter’. Nabil Elderkin directed the clip to support the song which serves as the 5th single from his ‘808s & Heartbreak’ album which was released in 2008. The LP has this far been certified platinum in the US.

West continues to show why he is one of the guiding lights of Hip-Hop. Although the graphics in the clip a reminiscent of the video game ‘World of Warcraft’, the dark display truly captures the vibe of the track. The production on this record (and the entire album for that matter) is crazy good. West is one of the few artists who knows how to use the cliche that is auto-tune to it’s full potential. Good stuff.

Thoughts?

In a rare moment of public affection, Jay-Z and Beyonce were spotted snuggling on his yacht in Miami, Florida. The duo spent the day on Saturday relaxing before Jay-Z kicked off his ‘Blueprint 3’ tour later that evening. Check out more pics below:

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Following a string of commercial chart disasters, it is being reported today that Jennifer Lopez has been dropped by long-time label Epic Records. Ouch!

The singer/actress’ manager Benny Medina is said to have confirmed the news via email to Deadline.com, asserting that the split was an amicable one; one which occurred after the 40 year old mother of two had fulfilled her contractual obligations to the label upon the release of her last single ‘Louboutins’ – which tanked terribly on the charts upon its release early this year. Lopez’s team are said to have also shot down claims that her album ‘Love?’ was already completed, insisting that it has a been at an infant stage for a while yet (despite press listening sessions, and confirmed producer credits from the likes of Danja and D Mile).

However, such suggestion of Lopez’s departure being amicable is being rubbished by some close to the project. Instead, they reveal, it was Epic who sent Lopez packing after her series of chart flops. The label are said to ‘no longer know who Lopez’s audience are any more’. Worse still, Lopez’s forthcoming LP is said to have indeed been completed and ready for release in April.

Lopez is said to be in talks with LA Reid for a move to Def Jam.

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This hardly comes as a surprise (and we actually exclusively revealed the fact not all was well with the project a while back). Despite several high-profile media appearances, Ms. Jenny From The Block just couldn’t strike it lucky with any of her new material. Which, when coming off the epic flop (pun intended) that was her 2007 effort ‘Brave’ as well as the current economy, never was going to bode well for her this go round.

In any case, it appears Ms. Marc-Anthony is pressing on and keeping it moving. The Def Jam deal doesn’t sound that far fetched either; some may recall the pics of Jennifer and her manager Benny Medina meeting with LA Reid and Rihanna earlier this month. I guess it wasn’t so much of a random gathering after all. (It would be rather wise for ol’ Jenny to look at Def Jam’s track record as of late with the likes of Janet Jackson and Amerie before signing on the dotted line).

Randomness: Should Jennifer sign to Def Jam, she’d be on the same label as old rival Mariah Carey (remember this? LMAO!). Then again, reliable word has it Mariah is on her way out from Def Jam, so maybe not?….

Your thoughts?

Mariah Nick

Check out these snaps of diva Mariah Carey and husband of two years Nick Cannon nearby their Bel Air home yesterday (courtesy of our good friend The YBF).

Ol’ Mimi is “looking so HOT Tamale”! I joke. Everyone has their ‘off days’, including our Mariah. Plus, we all know she looks great when glammed up…

Your thoughts?

Rihanna celebrated her 22nd birthday in Arizona this weekend. The model partied with a large crowd of guests including her close personal friend, Matt Kemp. Amongst the presents the ‘Hard’ performer received from Kemp was a lap dance from little person, ‘Bridget the Midget’.

I have no words…

Thoughts?

Hip-Hop megastar Jay-Z kicked off his ‘Blueprint 3’ tour in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this weekend. The rapper performed a string of his hits at the sold out event which was opened by R&B singer Trey Songz. The after party, which was held at LIV in the FountainBleau Hotel, was attended by none other than Jay-Z’s wife, Beyonce. Check out more pics below:

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R&B Queen Sade made a special appearance on ‘The Wanda Sykes Show’ recently. The contralto took part in a hilarious skit which featured her rejecting Sykes’ please for her to perform on the show. Sade’s album ‘Soldier of Love’ just debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with over 501k units sold.

Many people tend to think that Sade is very boring or out of touch with the current generation. Quite the contrary, she seems very much in-tuned with what’s going on with today’s generation. Sade has admitted to be a big fan of Drake, Alicia Keys and even Rihanna’s ‘Rated R’ LP. No wonder she has managed to remain relevant after all these years!

Thoughts?

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