Despite being the target of accusations by her former backup singers band members, a new track as emerged from Nicole Scherzinger. The Akon-assited song is entitled ‘By My Side’. There is no word on whether this will be included on her upcoming solo project, ‘Her Name Is Nicole’, which is set to hit stores this year.

Backed by such solid production and thumping beats, one would assume that Nicole has a hit on her hands. However, the hook is almost inaudible and very difficult to understand. Furthermore, her voice in the chorus sounds like she was trying very hard to imitate Leona Lewis. Add that to Akon’s surprisingly lazy and uninspired verse, and I can easily see why her solo album is yet to hit stores. Next.

Hit or Miss?

With sales surpassing 100 million records worldwide, Janet Jackson is ranked as one of the best-selling artists of  contemporary music. As the youngest of the famous Jackson clan, she was primed for success from a young age; geared to follow in the footsteps of her elder brothers. However, Janet blazed her own trail in the industry, and at her peak, she even managed to overshadow the successes of her brother Michael.

Nonetheless, fortune has not shined its favour on Janet in recent times. She hasn’t had a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in over 9 years and her album sales struggle to achieve platinum status; arguably as an implication of her infamous Superbowl performance in 2004. In addition, Janet faced several other problems, including illness, an unsuccessful world tour, label conflicts and, of course, the death of her brother.

Interestingly, it seems that Michael’s passing has given Janet new life. Her recent single ‘Make Me’ became her 19th #1 song to top the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs and she has once again peaked public interest with her live performances. Indeed, Janet is once again in high demand by audiences, with magazines and other mass media outlets eager to catch a glimpse of her during her rare public appearances. As harsh as it sounds, it seems that with his passing, Michael has set the stage for his sister to reestablish herself as one of the few acts who can rightfully claim the title of  the Queen of Pop.

Conversely, the following questions remain: is Janet finally primed to return to the top of the charts after a string of commercial and personal disappointments? Or will she continue to fade into the past after the public’s fascination surrounding her brother’s death has subsided? Anything is possible at this point but one thing is certain: Ms. Jackson is undoubtedly ‘a diva on the verge’.

Do you think Janet finally ready to return to the top

of the charts?

It seems that Rihanna is working on a new album, or at least a repackaged version of her ‘Rated R‘ LP. The news come forth from Ke$ha who recently revealed that she has written a song for the imitation singer’s next project. Check out an excerpt from her interview below:

The 22-year-old singer, who released her debut album Animal last week, has penned a song for Rihanna. “I just wrote a song for Rihanna,” Ke$ha told BRAVO WebTV. While she didn’t divulge details, she did say that she “hopes” it will appear on RiRi’s next project. {Source}

Although conclusive details weren’t provided, it seems that the wheels have begun turning on Rihanna’s next release (as predicted by Sam last week). ‘Rated R’ has become the model’s fastest selling album to date, having already passed the 1 million mark on the worldwide tally. However, as her label proved with ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’, her team is keen to try their best to milk this project for everything it’s worth. That is a wise move because the attempted singer is not getting any younger, thus they better beat the iron while it’s hot before her looks begin to resemble her voice.

Thoughts?

Yet another track from Christina Milian’s recent studio sessions has emerged. ‘Welcome To Vegas’ was produced by Tricky Stewart and written by her husband, The-Dream. ‘Elope’ is still awaiting a release date.

This is the best track come forth from Milian in a long time. Despite the song sounding very similar to The-Dream’s personal material, it is different from her previously released music, including yesterday’s ‘I’m Sexy’. However, I am still waiting to hear Milian apply this experimentation to her vocals. Thus far, she has been using a lot of restraint and not pushing her voice. Hopefully, there are ballads on the album that show growth in her voice as well.

Hit or Miss?

Pop phenomenon Lady GaGa will further cement her place as music royalty with an appearance on the legendary Oprah Winfrey Show. Executive Producer for the  renown show, Sheri Salata, confirmed the news on Twitter a few hours. While it’s currently unknown when exactly the show will air, it has been revealed that GaGa’s appearance will be taped this Friday in Chicago. {Source}

As OTT as it may sound, I really feel we’re witness someone legendary in-the-making with GaGa. Not for a long while has there been an artist who has managed to captivate the industry to the level which GaGa has in such a short space of time – a feat I’m sure attracted Oprah producers to wanting her on the show in the first place. In any case, it’ll be interesting to see whether she’ll be in ‘character’ or if we’ll get a rare glimpse into the person behind the GaGa persona.

Your thoughts?

With Omarion‘s new LP ‘Ollusion’ set to hit stores tomorrow, it’s perhaps no surprise that the former B2K star picked today to debut the video for his latest single ‘Speedin’. Though rather glossy the clip is pretty much standard-fare. However, the song is good enough to warrant much chart success IMO – and certainly the most deserving of his recent material. Whether or not it does in actuality perform well will be interesting to see.

What do you think of the song / video?

The hotly anticipated video for soulful singer Sade‘s new single ‘Soldier of Love’ premiered today. Simple, classy and elegant, the clip is really befitting to both the song and Sade as an artist. I like.

Sade’s first album in over a decade, also titled ‘Soldier of Love’, hits stores February 8th in the UK and February 9th in the US.

What do you think of the video?

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Check out episode 11 of the hilarious ‘Cleveland Show’.

Enjoy!

Christina Milian enters new territory with her latest track to surface from her delayed ‘Elope’ LP entitled ‘I’m Sexy’. The song was written by her hit-making husband The-Dream and produced by Tricky Stewart. There is still no word on when ‘Elope’ will hit stores.

Though her vocals initially sound quite jarring in the midst of the beats, I sense that Milian has stumbled upon something very interesting with this one. The record is definitely different from anything put forward by her before and it seems that she has made a staunch effort this time around to distinguish herself from her peers (Beyonce, Rihanna). I am more than ready to hear the full album whenever it drops.

Hit or Miss?

Check out episode 1 of R&B star Fantasia‘s brand new VH1 reality series ‘Fantasia For Real’ below. Having just watched the show – which premieres on TV this coming Monday – I must say I’m already hooked! As well as the drama (namely the fact she’s taking care of six people financially) and the musical side of things, Fantasia has such a radiant personality that one can’t help but warm to her – and be certain to tune in to the next episode. Good stuff.

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Your thoughts?

Alicia Keys appeared on Saturday Night Live a few hours ago, helping the legendary show launch their latest season. As well as taking part in a hilarious skit, which you can watch above, the Grammy Award winner also performed current single ‘Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart’, as well as fan favourite ‘Empire State of Mind (Part 2)’ – both of which you can watch below:

Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart

Empire State of Mind (Part 2)

She nailed it, as usual!

Alicia’s new LP ‘The Element of Freedom’ is available on iTunes and in stores now!

Your thoughts?

While it’s pretty much been common knowledge that all has not been well in the Pussycat Dolls camp for sometime now, the fine details of the apparent reality of the situation are starting to emerge.

We reported a few weeks back that member Melody has seemingly been ousted from the group. Well, today member Kimberly confirms the report as well as revealing that she too has been booted from the 5-piece – citing her and Melody’s frustrations at the preferential treatment lead Nicole Scherzinger was receiving over the other ladies. Check out the excerpts from her interview with in today’s News of the World’s Dan Wotten:

Long-time members KIMBERLY WYATT and MELODY THORNTON are about to be sacked – and more could follow.

The pair have paid the price for clashing with top doll NICOLE SCHERZINGER and are set to be replaced by much tamer kitties.

But today in an eXSclusive interview, feisty Kimberly reveals she wants set up a rival band with all the Dolls – apart from Nicole.

She told me she’d got sick of the special diva treatment given to Nicole, girlfriend of F1 driver Lewis Hamilton.

She said: “I’ve been a Pussycat Doll for longer. She was one of the last to join.

“But we’d have to share a dressing room while Nicole would have her own.

“We’d be on the tour bus together but she wouldn’t come on and would get her own transport. I’m closer with the other girls because of the system that was in place.”

But it wasn’t just the buses which riled Kimberly – she was also fed up with never getting to show off her vocal talent.

She said: “It’s not true at all that only one of us can sing. Everyone in the group has a beautiful voice. We just weren’t showcased as much.”

Kimberly is now a judge on the brilliant new reality show Got To Dance, which airs tonight at 6pm on Sky1 and Sky1 HD.

I can reveal the shock changes to the Dolls will be announced once Nicole has done some solo work. Kimberly is already discussing a rival project with Melody and the other members JESSICA SUTTA and ASHLEY ROBERTS.

She explained: “When it was made aware to me there would be changes in the group I didn’t agree with it. I love the girls so much. That was my family.

“So I hope to continue the movement. I’m taking my future into my own hands.

“We are looking at ways to keep working together. We all want to. But when we do that we’re not allowed to call ourselves the Pussycat Dolls.”

Although Kimberly has not told her nemesis about her rival band plans, she said: “Right now there is a lot of controversy. I haven’t spoken to Nicole about it. She’s full speed ahead with her career.

“I always knew this sort of change was to come so there’s nothing to be bitter about.

As much as some may seem this as Kimberly being ‘messy’, I’m glad she’s not holding her tongue – yet remaining classy with what she says and how she says it. All their personal drama aside, it’s quite clear to see that Dolls’ creator Robin Antin‘s desire to emulate the ever-changing line-up formula the Pussycat Doll stage show has with a real-life Pop group just won’t work.

It really comes across as changes are also being made to the group’s line-up because their last LP (‘Doll Domination’) tanked. Yet surely, changing actual members isn’t the way forward. If anyone in their team actually hit up the blogs etc (IMO the best focus groups a label could wish for), then they’d see the public’s boredom with the group is less to do with the members in it, rather the explicit focus on one particular member. Though PCD are a more Pop collective, most girl groups (and most certainly the more successful ones) may start off with a sole singer, yet the parts become more spread out over time (see: Destiny’s Child). It’s called progression; perhaps Robin and co should look it up.

Your thoughts?