Nearly five months after the horrific murder of Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew, the singer is set to make her first public appearance at next month’s Superbowl, performing the US national anthem at the event:

NEW YORK (AP) — Jennifer Hudson is using pop culture’s grandest stage — the Super Bowl — to make her return to the spotlight following the slayings of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed Wednesday that Hudson will sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 1. E! News first reported Tuesday that Hudson would perform.

Hudson hasn’t made a public appearance since her 57-year-old mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson; 29-year-old brother Jason Hudson; and 7-year-old nephew Julian King were slain in Chicago in October. Her estranged brother-in-law has been charged in the killings.

Hudson, who had released her self-titled debut album shortly before the killings, is also scheduled to sing at the Grammys’ MusiCares event in Los Angeles a few days later. She is nominated for four awards at the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards. {Source}

It’ll be great to see Jennifer back doing what she does me.

Your thoughts?

It’s been seemingly a lifetime in the making, but word has it Whitney Houston’s comeback album will be in shops in March:

The music industry’s hottest party in town — Clive Davis’ Annual Pre-Grammy Party — is set to be the golden ticket this year, with word that Whitney Houston will start her official comeback at the bash.

The untimely Ms. Houston is set to perform brand new tracks completely live from her upcoming album. Whitney’s mentor, Clive Davis, also announced the new album will be due in March. {Source}

It seems it really is ‘K.O’ for Aubrey O’Day and Danity Kane. Remember that announcement O’ Day said she had for the 14th January? Turns out she will be announcing she has indeed posed for Playboy magazine’s March issue – and, yes, it will be featured nude:

“I’ve done the cover of Playboy,” she said late in December. “You know, I think that Playboy for me was one of the most liberating things that I’ve done as a woman.”

Scanning the pics on her Macbook laptop while chilling in Costa Mesa, California, O’Day showed off the results of her session with photographer Markus Klinko, who has done portraits of Mariah Carey and Pamela Anderson in the past and who shot the cover of Beyoncé’s 2003 album, Dangerously In Love.

Taken amid sessions for her solo debut, O’Day said she was surprised at the negative repercussions from her earlier, revealing shoot for Complex magazine, which is reported to have played a role in Diddy’s decision to drop O’Day from the group. {Source}

I’m sorry, but I must take a moment to pop my damn collar! Some of you may remember I predicted Aubrey’s whole ‘it’s empowering /liberating’ nonsense talk from the moment the rumours started gathering steam. Granted she’s grown and can do as she chooses, I’m kinda thinking this was either a) an act of rebellion to the whole Diddy/Making The Band situation or b) too good a pay cheque (reportedly $500,000) to turn down. I’m guessing it’s probably both. How she plans on launching a legitimate singing career after this, I’d itching to see…

Your thoughts?

The full version of Christina Milian’s video for ‘Us Against The World’ premiered today unsurprisingly on her official Myspace page (she is signed with MySpace Records). Directed by Ray Kay, the clip is visually stunning, as is Christina in it. If there is one video that really captured the essence of the song, thinking along the lines of more recently released clips, this one certainly comes out tops. I’ve been liking the song and it’s anthem-like feel for a while now. Definitely rooting for Christina with this one.

‘Dream In Color’, Christina’s 4th studio album, is set for release later this year.

What do you think of the video?

By no means perfect, but still pretty good all the same. She has a very good stage presence and, despite some shaky parts, held her own singing and dancing.

Kinda off-topic, but the UK is in much need of commercial urban artists with the total package, hence me feeling that I’d much prefer acts like Jade receive contracts instead.

What do you think the performance?

Truly awesome! From the stage spectacle to the choreography to the cool pre-recorded vocals (hehe), I really enjoyed this one. It’s a shame that such a minor occurrence (be it accidental or intentional) overshadowed this. It grates at times to see how one nipple (which, as you see from the video, can only seen from a far distance) could cause such furore, when Janet’s contemporaries – namely the Madonna’s and co have been thrusting their most private of areas for all to see since the beginning of time.

On a lighter note, watching this goes to show why there is only one Janet.

Your thoughts?