After an almost 3 year hiatus from the music scene, Pop star Jamelia has announced that she has signed a new record deal.

Full story after the jump…

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While footage of Chris Brown and Usher’s dance-off in Jamaica has proven difficult to find, video of the two on stage together has finally surfaced. Joined by Dancehall artist Elephant Man, the duo learned some of of the local dances at the ‘Reggae Sumfest’. Peep the fan footage below (shout out to @BreezyFiasco):

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Hip-Hop visionary Kanye West performed 3 new songs at Facebook Headquarters today. Yeezy debuted ‘Lost in the World’, ‘Chain Heavy’, and ‘Sweat on My Face’ at the Palo Alto venue. Check out the footage below (via Rap-Up):

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With the release of his new EP, ‘Versus’, on the horizon (August 24th to be precise), a new track from Usher has surfaced. The Polow Da Don-produced song, entitled ‘Hot Toddy (Ft. Jay-Z)‘, comprises backing vocals from Ester Dean. This is reportedly an alternate version of the record which will feature Ciara on the EP.

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R&B heavyweights Chris Brown and Usher made headlines this week after their show-stopping performance at Jamaica’s Sumfest at the weekend. Now the pair look set to make many more, following confirmation that they recorded a duet during their stay in the Caribbean country.

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Estelle released two videos for her new single ‘Fall In Love’ from her upcoming ‘All Of Me’ LP today. The clips, which were directed by Sanaa Hamri, portray 2 separate feature appearances: 1 with Nas (seen above) and the other with John Legend. Peep the 2nd version of video featuring Legend below:

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Check out Lady GaGa on the cover of West magazine’s summer edition. The shoot was directed by Stuart Semple. Fierce.

What do you think of the cover?

After a brief rest on the bench, our Best You Never Heard feature returns this week with little known gems by Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton, Usher and Mariah Carey.

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Janet Jackson – LUV

Produced by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, ‘LUV’ was initially slated to be the follow-up to Janet Jackson’s 2008 comeback smash ‘Feedback’. And with good reason too.

A nod to the infectious, melodic brand of Pop-R&B Ms. Jackson served up on ‘All For You’, ‘LUV’ also boasts an Electro-Pop undertone. An undertone which firmly positions the song in the thick of what’s topping charts today.

While label politics derailed ‘Discipline’ (the album which housed the song), a positive can be sourced from the drama in that it produced one of Janet’s best musical offerings in years. Awesome track. (SAM)

Listen:

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Toni Braxton – Stupid

Although her ‘Libra’ album failed to make a major splash on the charts, Toni Braxton‘s 2005 LP comprised some of her best work. A perfect example is ‘Stupid’ – a dark and lonely ballad about a lover scorned. It is on this track that listeners are reminded of Braxton’s rare contralto and her subtle genius as a songwriter. (TRENT)

Listen:

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Usher – Making Love Into The Night

With Usher currently enjoying a career-resurgence thanks to the success of the Pop-tinged ‘Hey Daddy’ and ‘OMG’, one could be forgiven for thinking that ‘Pop’ is the crooner’s new mainstay.

However, as many a cut on his Platinum-selling ‘Raymond vs Raymond’ LP highlight, the 31 year old can still serve up sizzling Slow Jam. Case, point, example, ‘Making Love Into The Night’.

Produced by Jim Jonsin, and penned by Rico Love, ‘Making Love…’ is simply R&B perfection. A subtle fusing of the past and the present on the production tip, Usher’s vocals ride the beat with ease, sporadically lacing it with his trademark falsetto. More of this, please, Mr Raymond. (SAM)

Listen:

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Mariah Carey – Everything Fades Away

Released as a B-Side to her mega hit Hero, ‘Everything Fades Away’ displays Mariah Carey‘s songwriting skills at their very best. Soulful, passionate and vocally astounding, Carey engages in a riverting interplay with her troop of male background singers to emulate the pain of a dying relationship. Songs like this helped Carey’s ‘Music Box’ to become her best-selling album to date with sales exceeding 30 million worldwide. Diva. (TRENT)

Listen:

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Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

Rihanna sat down with ‘Access Hollywood’ to talk about her feature Eminem’s new record, ‘Love The Way You Lie’. The model spoke about what the song’s message meant to her as a person who was involved in domestic violence. Peep the footage below:

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Check out the official cover for Jay Sean’s new single, ‘2012 (Ft. Nicki Minaj)’. The track serves as the 1st single to be lifted from his still unnamed LP which hits stores on November 2nd.

What do you think of the pic?

Trina has released the video for her new song ‘White Girl (Ft. Flo Rida & Git Fresh)’. The song serves as the 2nd official single from her new album, ‘Amazin’, which has thus far sold 80k in the US since it’s May 4th release. Check out the video below:

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Check out these all-new promotional shots for Katy Perry‘s hotly anticipated new LP ‘Teenage Dream’, which hits stores August 24th.

Your thoughts?

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