Pop star Christina Aguilera recently made her contribution to the ‘Rock The Vote’ campaign – to encourage the younger generation to vote in the forthcoming US presidential election. The ‘Ain’t No Other Man’ singer (along with baby son Max) offered a rendition of ‘America The Beautiful’…check it out:

As Teairra Marí continues to prep her as yet untitled Interscope debut (due late 2008 / early 2009), a new track from the LP has surfaced. The mid-tempo ballad titled ‘Finding My Way Back’ sees the 20 year old lament on her continued return to a ‘bad relationship’.

Though solid, the track seems to be lacking a certain ‘something’. Vocally it’s definitely a notch above her past efforts, however the production doesn’t really evoke the grandeur that the song’s vocals, subject matter etc call for. Still, I’m rooting to Teairra; she’s deserving of a lot of success IMO.

In news that is hardly surprising, ‘singer’ Cassie has confirmed that she, indeed, was dating her label boss Diddy, adding that they have since split:

Diddy and singer Cassie are no longer dating, she tells Usmagazine.com — but that didn’t stop them from leaving a NYC party together Wednesday night.

“I will confirm that rumor,” the 21-year-old told reporters who asked her to confirm split rumors at DJ Cassidy’s birthday at Cipriani 23rd Street.

Though Cassie tells Us she’s not seeing anyone special “right now,” a party source spotted Diddy and Cassie “slipping out” together after the soiree ended.

The “Me & U” singer, who is signed to Diddy’s Bad Boy record label, has been spotted out and about with the mogul.

Earlier this month, they reportedly dodged photographers at NYC hotspot Marquee while leaving in the same car. {Source}

Nelly’s forthcoming LP ‘Brass Knuckles’ is set to feature a number of collaborations, including cuts with girlfriend Ashanti, T.I, Chuck D, Ciara, Fergie as well as a host of others. The St. Louis rapper also teams with Usher on ‘Long Night’, which was produced by the latter’s brother JLack. Uninspired and lacking on most fronts, the mid-tempo track kinda left a salty taste in mouth. With Nelly’s last few singles not exactly setting the charts alight, a lot is riding is on the success of this album. For his sake, here’s hoping the record boasts better tracks.

After increasing speculation, it has been confirmed that Pop star Britney Spears will make a video cameo at Madonna’s upcoming ‘Sticky & Sweet Tour’:

“There is footage being shot of Britney some time this week in conjunction with Madonna’s upcoming (Sticky & Sweet) tour,” Madonna’s publicist, Liz Rosenberg, said in an e-mail Tuesday to The Associated Press. “That is all the information I have available. The rest is `a secret.'”

Rosenberg denied reports that Spears, 26, is shooting a music video.

Madonna guest starred in a music video for Spears’ single “Me Against the Music” in 2003. The singers stirred up controversy that year with an open-mouth kiss at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Madonna, 49, will kick off her tour Aug. 23 in Cardiff, Wales, and wind through European destinations including London and Paris before jumping to the U.S. in October.

She’ll wrap it up Nov. 30 in Mexico City. {Source}

The above pic is said to be the official album cover for Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson’s self titled debut – which is due September 30th via J Records. I like…

Rapping mogul Jay-Z poses it up in fashion magazine Vogue Italia – L’Uomo Vogue. Check out the pics:

Check out this great off-camera video from Michelle Williams’ appearance on MTV’s TRL a few weeks back:

Check out this video of rapper/actor Ice T taking aim at contemporary rap, more specifically Lil’ Mama and Souljah Boy. It’s worth noting that this was recorded last year, prior to the whole ‘Ice T vs Souljah Boy’ beef:

It seems teen star Chris Brown is unstoppable at the moment. Check out this press release via his publicists:

Late last month, Pop/R&B sensation Chris Brown received 10 Teen Choice Nominations –the most nods of any Teen Choice Awards nominee. The nominated categories are as follows:

*Choice Male Hottie
*Choice Music: Male Artist
*Choice Music: R&B Artist
*Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon-Male
*Choice Music: R&B Track “Forever”
*Choice Music: Single “With You”
*Choice Music: Hookup (Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown “No Air”)
*Choice Music: Love Song (Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown “No Air”)
*Choice Music: Hookup (Lil Mama featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain “Shawty Get Loose”)
*Choice Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Track (Lil Mama featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain “Shawty Get Loose”)

Not content to rest on his laurels as an all-around consummate performer, singer, dancer and actor, the 19-year old Tappahannock, VA native further demonstrates his talent as a songwriter; he recently penned Rihanna’s hit new single “Disturbia” with his writing team Graffiti Artiztz. The single is rising the charts, and currently rests at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.

News of the nominations comes as Brown’s newest hit song, “Forever” rises on music and video charts — peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. Over the past few months, Chris Brown has remained a fixture on the Top 5 songs charts (including his smoldering duet with labelmate Jordin Sparks — “No Air”) and has sold over 1.5 million albums and over 4 million digital songs with “”Forever,” “With You,” “Kiss Kiss” and “Take You Down.”