Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Katy Perry. Just a few of the names touted to join the judging panel of the X Factor USA. However, after scoring an own-goal signing up Pop nonentity Cheryl Cole, the show’s producer’s have arguably made another faux pas by looking backward and not forward.

For, former American Idol judge Paula Abdul has been officially unveiled as the fourth and final judge on the Fox show.

Full story below…

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All too often, acts today fail to acknowledge those who opened the door them. Yet, as this week’s From The Vault attests,  Alicia Keys is an exception to the rule.

The 14 time Grammy winner took to the stage at the 2008 BET Awards, where she thrilled with a solid performance of then-current single ‘Teenage Love Affair’. However, the true talking point of the performance was when Keys invited modern R&B pioneers SWV, TLC, and the original line-up of EnVogue on-stage to join her.

A classic moment, which served as a nostalgic reminder of a time when charts boasted variety. A time when a ‘hit’ didn’t have to be  fist-pumping Electro-Pop. A time when R&B had a chance. Sigh.

Journey back to the good ol’ days with Ms. Keys above…

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Christina Aguilera was all giggles last night as she left a dinner date with boyfriend Matt Rutler. The singer, who clearly left her make-up bag at home, dined at with the Production Assistant at New York’s ‘Darby’ restaurant.

Things have been looking up for the 30 year old as of late, with the success of her NBC show ‘The Voice’. The talent-search, which has seen its ratings increase weekly, is no doubt allowing Aguilera to put the drama of the last year behind her; drama which included an arrest with Rutler for public intoxication.

More pics, via PB, below…

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With anticipation for Lady GaGa‘s ‘Born This Way’ LP intensifying, the singer begins the countdown to its release with new promotional single ‘The Edge Of Glory‘. Due on iTunes tomorrow, the Fernando Garibay penned cut is described as being a Techno-Rock Power Ballad.

Beyond a simple buzz track, the record has deeper significance for the singer, who wrote it after the death of her Grandfather last September.

“The song is about your last moment on earth, the moment of truth, the moment before you leave earth,” she said. “It can be played on the piano, but it’s actually set to this giant, huge, techno rock, Springsteen-esque dance beat.”

While you can judge for yourself tomorrow, check out the single’s Nick Knight shot cover above. {Source}

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Label and legal drama have seen Pop vocalist JoJo out of the limelight for the better part of four years. However, with all of that now behind her, the 20 year old hopes to re-establish herself with an edgier look and sound. Case, point, example, her new single ‘The Other Chick’.

Set to serve as the lead release from her Interscope debut, ‘Jumping Trains’, a snippet of the midtempo surfaced today. Take a listen after the jump…

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Ending months of speculation, it was today officially announced that Nicole Scherzinger will indeed feature on X Factor USA.

However, in a unique twist, the Pop stunner will not be a judge on the Fox show – as initially thought. Rather she is gearing up to co-host the Stateside version of the British show which launched the careers of Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke.

Full story below…

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NBC’s search for the ‘The Voice’ continues next week.

With the “blind audition” stage of the hit show now over, the competition heats up as the judges begin prepping their respective’ teams’ prior to going head-to-head.

In this preview of episode 3, Christina Aguilera coaches contestants Frenchie Davis and Tarralyn Ramsey who take on Beyonce‘s ‘Single Ladies’.

Peep the footage below, which also sees Aguilera sing the Bouncy classic herself!

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Teairra Mari performed the first single from of her new mixtape ‘Now Or Never‘ recently at R&B Live. Titled ‘That’s All Me‘, the song samples Diddy‘s ‘All About The Benjamins‘ and sees Rihanna‘s former ROC sister boast about how incomparable  her love is.

Peep the performance after the jump:

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You only turn 22 once, and Chris Brown made sure he marked his occasion in a big way. The singer took over Miami’s Club Play last night, where he partied into the night with the likes of Lil Wayne, Young Money, and Trina, all of who came out to support R&B’s comeback kid.

Brown, of course, has more than his birthday to celebrate. His latest LP ‘F.A.M.E’ has already been certified Gold, and has spawned multiple hits including current single ‘Look At Me Now’. More power to him.

More pics below via Urban Party Life

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Pop starlets The Saturdays are back!

Following the success of the singles from 2010’s ‘Headlines’ EP, the fierce five get ‘Notorious’ on the first offering from their third studio album.

Set to premiere in its entirety any day now, a snippet of the cut surfaced today. Preview what Vanessa, Frankie, Una, Mollie and Rochelle are serving up this go round below…

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It was an all-legends affair at Prince‘s Los Angeles show last night. The purple one was joined at The Forum by not only Chaka Khan, but the legendary Whitney Houston.

Leaving the spotlight to the ladies, the 52 year old assumed bass duties while Houston and Khan sang that latter’s classic ‘Tell Me Something Good’.

All the action after the jump…

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Pop star Jason Derulo let’s it all hang out in the latest issue of Cosmo magazine.

The 21 year old (…) claims the nude shoot was to promote testicular cancer – which may very well be the case. However, with a new single and album on the horizon, his timing for this is convenient to say the least.

Full shot, at your own risk, after the jump…

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