Britney Spears' 'Circus' CoverThe official album cover and track-listing for Britney Spear’s forthcoming album ‘Circus’ were unveiled on the Pop star’s official website today. Airbrushed to the nines, but still a great shot all the same. Check out the track-listing for the set, which hits stores on December 2nd, below:

Track-listing

1. Womanizer
2. Circus
3. Out From Under
4. Kill The Lights
5. Shattered Glass
6. If U Seek Amy
7. Unusual You
8. Blur
9. Mmm Papi
10. Mannequin
11. Lace and Leather
12. My Baby

Bonus Track:
13. Radar

We are all rooting for her. Here’s hoping the album delivers.

Your thoughts?

As reported, Beyonce is currently in Japan promoting a range of projects, most especially her new single ‘If I Were A Boy’. The 27 year old stopped by the country’s Music Station show today to perform the track. As ever, she nailed it! That said, I’m sure we’ll get more of a stage show with the ‘Single Ladies’ performances. All in all, a great showing.

Randomness: I see her killer band from her ‘B’Day’ era are back, which is a good look.

What do you think of the performance?

Talented Knowles sisters Beyonce and Solange have embarked on a whirlwind promotional trip in Tokyo, Japan. The pair are plugging a number of projects, including their music releases. They are photographed above and below promoting their range of handbags for designer Samantha Thavasa at the upmarket Eight Million fashion store in Tokyo’s Ginza district.
Good on them…

What do you think of the pics?

Some of you may be wondering just where Girlicious have been since the initial impact of their debut ‘Like Me’? Well, their album has yet to be released anywhere other than in Canada where they have been a surprise success. Their latest release over there is ‘Baby Doll’, which I must say isn’t bad. Microwavable, throw-away Pop/R&B at it’s best. The video, even with its ‘limited’ budget, still manages to be mildly engaging too.

Randomness: Isn’t it ironic that these girls were discovered on ‘The Pussycat Dolls Present Girlicious’, yet their singles thus far have trumped everything but ‘When I Grow Up’ from PCD?

What do you think of the video?

Toni Braxton To 'Get Loose'As reported late last month, Grammy award winning star Toni Braxton enlisted super producer Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins for the lead single from her forthcoming Atlantic Records debut. It has now been confirmed in the latest issue of Jet Magazine that the title of the track is ‘Get Loose’. The song is expected to impact radio very soon.
Apart from her ‘More Than A Woman’ LP, Toni has been really consistent with her releases this decade (‘Libra’ is the business!). So I’m most certainly looking forward to this.

Randomness:
Being a bit presumptuous, the track sounds like it’ll be an uptempo, which is interesting as Toni has stressed in recent times that she would be ditching the Pop/current R&B for her ‘classic R&B’ sound. I guess time will tell. I’m up for more Toni, whatever the case.

Your thoughts?

Keyshia Cole’s video for new release ‘Playa Cardz Right’ made its debut today. Featuring the late great Tupac, the song will serve as the lead single from her forthcoming ‘A Different Me’ LP (due December 16th). Despite how the collabo looks on paper, I still feel it’s lacking a certain something – most especially as lead single. Keyshia’s lead single’s usually have that ‘umph’ which this simply doesn’t. It’ll be interesting to see how everything plays out for her this go round.

What do you think of the song?

With his third studio LP ‘Evolver’ out in stores this week, John Legend stopped by the Late Show With David Letterman last night to perform current single ‘Green Light’ (is it me or did anyone else NOT know his album was out?). As for the performance, it was pretty good; it’sreal refreshing to see John stepping out from his expected norm. More power to him.

What do you think of the performance?

Michael Jackson Denies Jackson 5 Comeback Following recent comments by Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine about plans for a Jackson 5 tour next year, the King of Pop himself has released a statement asserting that he will NOT be taking part:

“My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we’ve certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them,” he said. “I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon.”

The statement comes in response to his brother Jermaine Jackson’s recent comments at a TV industry function in Sydney, where the musician said the Jackson 5 has plans to reunite next year.

Jermaine Jackson was in Australia yesterday (Oct. 29) to help launch a new “greatest hits” TV channel for Foxtel. “This has been a long time coming for the Jackson family to get back together,” he told the Australian Associated Press.

“It is just the timing, so what we’ve been doing is working on the music and all the logistics. It is going to be more like a family affair, Janet’s going to open and, of course, the original Jackson 5 … Michael, Randy and the whole family … We’re in the studio, we’re planning on being out there next year.” {Source}

Ouch. I’ve long thought that something wasn’t quite right among the Jackson’s and I guess this confirms it. Anyway, I guess hearing from MJ’s own mouth that he is planning a solo stage comeback gives us something to look forward to.

Your thoughts?

The joint video for popular Lil’ Wayne cuts ‘Mrs Officer’ and ‘Comfortable’ premiered a few hours ago. Not that I really expected anything different, but the Bobby Valentino featured vid is kinda run-of-the-mill. This, however, is unlikely to affect Wayne, as he remains one of the hottest commodities in the Hip-Hop game.

What you think of the video?

Mario Eyes March 2009 Release For New Album According to our friends over at Rap-Up.com, R&B star Mario is readying his fourth studio album for a March 2009 release. Looking to capitalize on his Dancing With The Stars success, the 22 year old has been in the studio with the likes of Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, Tricky Stewart, Babyface, Stargate, Polow Da Don and KP Malay, on what he describes as “most personal, colossal album of his career”. Described as as fusing of classic R&B and modern Pop, the as yet untitled set will hit stores via J Records.
Mario’s last effort ‘Go!’ still stands as one of my favourite R&B releases from the last few years (‘Music For Love’ still gets plenty of play on my iPod). About the new record, I’m really anticipating it, especially with the stellar list of producers he’s been working with.

Any thoughts?
It's Sasha Fierce...AgainNew promotional shots for Beyonce’s ‘I Am…Sasha Fierce’ (due November 18th) are coming thick and fast – the latest being the pic above. Kinda on the fence about this one…

What do you think of the pic?
Ginuwine Preps New LP For 2009 After a brief hiatus, R&B crooner Ginuwine is back set to release his first major-label album in 2009. Check out the report via Billboard:

Ginuwine is set to return in the first quarter 2009 with a new single and album. The as-yet-untitled project will be released by Notifi Records, with distribution through Warner Bros. Notifi is headed by CEO Ira Dewitt.

In addition to singer/songwriter/producer Tank, who is executive producing the album, Ginuwine is collaborating with Next founding member RL and Harold Lilly Jr., among others.

“Everything is still in the works,” Ginuwine tells Billboard.com. “I don’t want to rush anything. I’m just working on various songs and definitely hoping to work with others like Polow da Don and Timbaland. However, at this point I can say the music will reflect a maturing Ginuwine. I’m not the same young man I was when I first got into music. ”

Ginuwine was 21 when he hit big in 1996 with “Pony,” his first crossover hit (No. 1 R&B, No. 6 pop). The single garnered the Washington, D.C. native a contract with 550 Music/Epic and propelled his Timbaland-produced debut album, “Ginuwine — The Bachelor,” to multi-platinum status.

This ought to be interesting. I personally haven’t enjoyed any of Ginuwine’s records since he stopped working with Timbland, so I definitely welcome their potential reuniting.

Will you be checking for a new Ginuwine album?

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