A brand new remix for Solange’s summer single ‘I Decided’ has surfaced, with veteran rapper Snoop Dogg featured. With it’s funked-up production, this one is definitely a winner. I’m actually liking it more than the original.

Hit or Miss?

Usher Prepping 'Worldwide' Album Despite Usher’s last album ‘Here I Stand’ having hit stores just a few months ago, the R&B crooner is already readying the follow-up. Check out the report via Billboard below:

Usher plans to make his next album a “worldwide entertainment experience.”

The singer, who launches his One Night Stand Ladies Only tour on Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J., told Billboard.com during a conference call that his follow up to this year’s platinum “Here I Stand” will be “all about adapting new musical styles in creating a unique blend between what I know works here in America and what I know will be appreciated worldwide. I may go to France and do some work. I may go to London … Japan.

“There’s tons of artists I want to work with abroad. I can’t give you specific (names) but I am interested in working with artists who are out of the range I’m accustomed to. I want to try new things.”

Usher said he hasn’t started recording but that the album would be the next thing on his docket, following the tour and an “ensemble” movie that’s among the film projects he’s considering. He might dig into some existing material — “There’s tons (of songs) leftover from all four albums I’ve done,” Usher acknowledged but added that “When I work I work … based where I am and what my story is at the moment,” meaning his focus will likely be on fresh material.

‘Worldwide’ or not, here’s hoping the album is actually good this go-round. It’s good to see that he’s thinking about his next release already as a several year break just isn’t going to work. Especially with the likes of Chris Brown and Ne-Yo jostling for his position – a position many already believe them to have claimed.

Your thoughts?

R&B star Brandy gave, what is believed to be, the first live performance of comeback single ‘Right Here (Departed)’ at Jam 94.5’s Monsterball show in Boston last night. Accompanied by brother Ray J (who was slightly annoying, a fact I’ll overlook as I’m all for brother and sisterly love LOL), Brandy did a decent job judging by this clip. Word has it Ms. Norwood’s mic was playing up and she couldn’t hear herself through her ear-piece, which explains some of the iffy bits. Still, rooting for her all the same. Roll on December 9th – the release of her comeback LP ‘Human’.

What do you think of the performance?

Former Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams performed a set for Yahoo Music’s Pepsi Smash recently. Check out her cover of Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ as well her own single ‘Hello Heartbreak’ below:
Don’t Stop The Music

Hello Heartbreak

I enjoyed both performances – especially that of ‘Hello Heartbreak’, which was alot stronger vocally than some of her earlier live showings of the song.

Michelle’s ‘Unexpected’ LP is in stores now.

What do you think of the performances?

Mariah Carey and hubby Nick Cannon’s first joint effort surfaced within the hour (on BET Access Granted) in the form of her video for new single ‘I Stay In Love With You’. The clip, which was directed by Cannon, sees Mariah lament on not being able to get over a straying lover, all with a Las Vegas backdrop.

Thoughts on the video? It’s not anywhere near the train-wrecks other couple collaborative efforts have spawned, yet it’s hardly remarkable. I guess time will tell if it packs enough punch to revive ‘E=MC²’ – which is currently on life support.

What do you think of the song / video?

Confirmed: Body Found Is Hudson NephewThe news we were all dreading has been confirmed: the child’s body found in an abandoned white SUV has been confirmed as that of Julian King – the 7 year old nephew of Jennifer Hudson. See the full report via Fox News below:

CHICAGO — Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew was found dead in the back of an SUV on Monday, ending a frantic search that began after the shooting deaths of her mother and brother three days earlier.

The singer and actress was among seven family members and close friends who cried and held hands as they identified Julian King’s body from a live image on a television screen at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office Monday afternoon.

Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond said the boy, like his grandmother and uncle, had been shot. The medical examiner’s office planned a Tuesday autopsy.

Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis said a motive remained unclear Monday but added, “It wasn’t a case of a stranger-type homicide.”

Police have characterized the slayings as “domestic related” and authorities have been questioning Julian’s stepfather, who has been estranged from the boy’s mother and is being held on a parole violation. No one has been charged in the slayings.

Julian’s body was found shortly after 7 a.m. in the rear seat of the SUV, which matched the one mentioned in an Amber Alert for the boy and was parked on the street in a neighborhood of brownstone homes and apartment buildings.

The vehicle was about 10 miles from the house where the other victims were found, which was where Julian lived and where Hudson grew up.

Hudson had offered $100,000 Sunday for information leading to the safe return of her nephew, the son of her sister, Julia Hudson. Hudson’s publicist did not immediately return calls and e-mail messages Monday.

“Miss Hudson wanted to request privacy,” Cook County spokesman Sean Howard said after the family left the medical examiner’s office. “This is a very trying time for her and her family.”

Hudson’s aunt, Dorothy Hudson, said the Chicago funeral home she owns with her husband will handle arrangements for the family, but details were pending.

“We’re just sad. We’re going through this stage where we’re just sad and in shock,” Dorothy Hudson said.

The Amber Alert had listed William Balfour, the estranged husband of Julia Hudson, as a suspect in a “double homicide investigation.”

We continue to hold the Hudson family in a our prayers during this unquestionably painful time.

Your thoughts

Following a lengthy wait (one so long I almost forgot it was even being released), Christina Aguilera’s brand new video ‘Keeps Gettin’ Better’ premiered on iLike.com moments ago. At the risk of sounding kinda blunt, Christina could have kept the Peter Berg directed clip. It’s rubbish.

Ironically, it’s the special effects in the special effects laden vid that let this down. It just looks cheap and dated. What’s more Xtina looks bored. Here’s hoping she bucks up her ideas for her forthcoming full-length album (due early next year). In the meanwhile, you can pick up Christina’s greatest hits effort ‘Keep Gettin’ Better’ on November 11th.

What do you think of the video?

Shannon Leaves Danity Kane? After the mass hysteria that ensued following the axing of Aubrey O’Day and D. Woods from Danity Kane, it is being reported that remaining member Shannon Bex has quit the Platinum selling group. According to Z100 Elvis Duran, Bex has left the once-five piece as a direct result of the drama and uncertainty surrounding the group’s future.
Despite all these supposed line-up changes, I still haven’t swallowed the idea of the ladies being no more. I smell a ‘reconciliation’ by the next season of Making The Band.

*Our D. Woods interview will be taking place this week*

Any thoughts?

During a recent show in Washington, DC, soul legend Aretha Franklin put her own spin on Mariah Carey’s hit ‘Touch My Body’. I know what you’re thinking…and yes it is as funny as it sounds LOL. Enjoy.

Your thoughts?

The video for Kelly Rowland’s duet with French singer Nadiya ‘No Future In The Past’ made its debut today on NRJ. If I’m to be honest, the song leaves a lot to be desired (put simply, it’s not that good), yet the video is visually engaging. Tidbit: Kelly does look near-flawless in the clip. Definitely a fan of this look.

Randomness: I’m still anxious to hear what Kelly will be serving up on her next solo outing (said to be pencilled in for an April 2009 release). Though there have been murmurings about a more European-targeted LP, I’m hoping for more R&B/Pop from the 28 year old star. Perhaps it’s just me, but I’ve always wanted to hear Kelly ride a ‘Lose My Breath’-esque track solo. That would be a good look IMO. Anyway, as you can see, my random rambling is more than what post’s actual topic LOL. I’ll call it a post by leaving you with Kelly’s MTV Japan performance of the original first single from ‘Ms. Kelly’ ‘Gotsta Go’:

She nailed it!

Your thoughts?

DEVELOPING:

Authorities say they’ve found the body of a young black boy in an SUV in the city’s West Side, but there is no confirmation that the development is related to the search for Jennifer Hudson’s missing nephew.

MyFOXChicago is reporting that police located the SUV, which is believed to be the getaway vehicle driven by William Balfour, a suspect in the murders of the family members of Oscar-winning actress and singer Hudson.

While Chicago police have not yet confirmed whether the vehicle is in fact the white Chevy Suburban that police have been searching for, MyFOXChicago is reporting that the license plates match the Amber Alert issued after Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew Julian King was reported missing after the murders Friday.

The vehicle was reportedly located 13 miles northwest of the Hudson home and was removed by a tow truck from the street Monday morning.

Balfour was named in as a potential suspect Friday in the shooting deaths of Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and older brother Jason Hudson, 29. The FBI is working on the case with local authorities.

Balfour was married to Hudson’s sister, Julia, for several years but they were separated, his mother, Michele Balfour said. She said Donerson had ordered him to move out of the family’s home last winter.

On Sunday, Hudson, whose single “Spotlight” is number one on the Billboard R&B charts, offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of King.

This is a developing story. {Source}

This is really beyond terrible. I have no words. Sad.

Your thoughts?
As many of you know, tragedy struck the home of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson this past Friday, when her mother and brother were killed in a double homicide in Englewood, Chicago. Even more heart wrenching is the fact that Hudson’s 7 year old nephew- Julian King, who lived with the deceased, has been reported missing. See an update on these terrible events, including Jennifer’s $100,000 reward for the safe return of Julian, , below via ABC7 news:

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the entire Hudson family at this terrible time.

Your thoughts?

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