Check out this pic and below a video of X Factor winner Alexandra Burke on the set of the Anthony Mandler directed video for ‘Bad Boys’ – the lead single from her debut LP (due November). Judging by this clip of the vid, which was shot in LA last week, I can tell I’m gonna like this one – despite not being sold on the song yet:


If that’s my girl in the middle in that clip, she was really getting it with that choreography. Good stuff.

Your thoughts?
Kanye West Covers Liberation Next; Goes Topless
Loose-tongued rapper Kanye West features on the cover of the latest issue of French magazine ‘Liberation Next’. Having clearly been working out, it seems the ‘Love Lockdown’ star is looking to show it off.
What do you think of the cover?

As Madonna gears up for the release of her latest greatest hits collection ‘Celebration’, the video for the title track of the set premiered today.
After watching this, the words embarrassing, atrocious and hot mess immediately come to mind. Having never really been one to holler about ol’ Madge being past it, this video is proof if ever it was needed. The cringe worthy choreography and insistence on trying to sell her sex appeal, which long expired, made this whole affair seem desperate and actually quite sad. Blunt as it sounds too, the song is trash.
Tidbit: Did anyone else notice Madge’s daughter Lourdes getting her dance on at the end?
What do you think of the video?

Roc Nation’s latest signee’s the Sugababes stopped by This Morning to perform their new single ‘Get Sexy’. An ok performance; not bad, not great.
‘Get Sexy’ is currently battling Jay-Z’s ‘Run This Town’ for the top spot on the Official UK Singles Chart. With the ladies in the lead, it seems they may just beat their label head to the top spot.
What do you think of the performance?
Preview: Amerie In YRB Magazine
Check out this preview of R&B singer Amerie’s new photoshoot with YRB magazine. A stunner if I have ever seen one. Truly stunning!
Tidbit: Amerie shot the video for hot new single ‘Heard Em’ All’ this past weekend. The clip was directed by the acclaimed Anthony Mandler.
Randomness: Does anyone else feel Amerie’s ‘underrated’ status stems from the fact she has no ‘drama’ known to the masses nor does she have that big media story to push her sales. A shame really, as surely the most important factor with an arist should be their talent, right?
Any thoughts?

Former B2K stars Lil’ Fizz and J-Boog have formed a duo, aptly titled Fizz & Boog. The pair’s video for new single ‘Bounce’, which is lifted from the ‘Bring It On 3’ soundtrack, premiered today.
Though the song is an epic fail if I ever heard one, its accompanying clip had me pleasantly surprised. With the guys going the independent label way, the video visually looks quite good considering.
What do you think of the song / video?
Whitney Covers Ebony /  Talks New LP
Peep a radiant looking Whitney Houston on the cover of the October issue of Ebony magazine (on newsstands September 8th). In the feature, the diva discusses shedding the drama from her life, her time away from the limelight, her relationship with daughter Bobbi-Kristina. Check out some extracts from the interview:
On shedding the drama:
“I shed a lot of stuff, a lot of unnecessary weight in the last three or four years. I left a lot of old luggage behind, and when I did, the blessings just started pouring on me, and the light in my spirit started to lift again,” she tells the magazine. “I’m really humbled, and I thank God that people love me, but I [really] thank God that God loves me. I thank Him for chastening my heart, for never letting go. What I did sometimes … I went off and did my thing, but He
never let me go.”

On her time out of the limelight:

“I was just ready to lay back and raise my daughter and just watch her grow and nurture her. And my mother’s getting older. I wanted to spend more time with my mom [because during] most of my 20s and 30s, [I] was dealing with making records and traveling the world and being this thing — icon, you know — whatever this has turned into.”

On her relationship with Bobbi Kristina:

“She and I are not only mother and daughter, but we’re good friends. I want her to trust me, to be able to trust in me, to know that I’m not going nowhere. If she knows that I’m there for her, she can depend on me. I’m the dependable one; she can depend on her mommy.”

Definitely looking forward to catching the full interview.
In the meanwhile, check out a new video interview with the 46 year old superstar, in which she discusses the process of creating the album, as well as specific tracks. (Note this was shot about 2 months ago):

With Whitney’s album already, as at writing, sitting at the top of the iTunes album chart after officially being released in the US today, it seems fair to say this album may just be the big comeback her fans and the general public are hoping for.
Your thoughts?
Rihanna Italian Vogue Shoot
Our favoruite sheep-bleeter, Rihanna, poses it up for the cam in the latest issue of Italian Vogue. I’ve said it countless time, yet it can’t be said enough – this girl needs to be a model, as it is clearly where her greatest talents lie. She looks fierce!

Rihanna Italian Vogue Shoot

Rihanna Italian Vogue Shoot
Rihanna Italian Vogue Shoot
Rihanna Italian Vogue Shoot

Rihanna Italian Vogue Shoot

Rihanna Italian Vogue Shoot
What do you think of the pics?
Christina Milian - 'Welcome To Vegas' (Snippet)
While there remains no concrete release date for Christina Milian’s much delayed ‘Elope’ LP, one thing is certain, though; her creative partnership with fiance The-Dream is yielding the hotness. The latest collaborative effort from the pair to surface is a lengthy snippet ‘Welcome To Vegas’, which much like previously heard cuts from the album ‘Zipper’ and ‘Chameleon’, is audio-fire – to put it simply.
Here’s hoping the album, which will now drop via Interscope, receives an affirmative release date ASAP.
Hit or Miss?



Embattled singer Chris Brown sat down with respected talk show host Larry King this past week for his first (and apparently only) interview about the Rihanna drama dating back to February. Set to air on September 2nd, the above snippet is a preview from the interview. Check it out.
This looks like it’ll be real interesting…
Your thoughts?
Mariah Carey - 'Up Out My Face' (The Dream Demo)
A demo of ‘Up Out My Face’, a cut confirmed to be on Mariah Carey’s new LP ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ performed by the song’s writer The-Dream, surfaced today.
While I anticipate hearing Mariah’s version, I’m kinda liking this one. Putting aside the fact that the song lyrically really isn’t the type of cut Mimi should be singing at this stage of her career (IMO), it has that mid-tempo crunk ballad feel which I have a weak spot for and is undeniably catchy.
Hit or Miss?
Review: Whitney Houston - 'I Look To You'
After a 7 year hiatus, Whitney Houston is back with ‘I Look To You’ – an album billed by mentor Clive Davis as ‘the greatest comeback’. Yet with Houston’s personal hardships – which included stints in drug rehab, a messy divorce and dwindling album sales – being played out so publically, the question on everyone’s lips is ‘does Whitney still have ‘it’?’

If this new record is anything to go by, the answer is a resounding ‘Yes’.

(more…)

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