The fourth week of X Factor 2008 live shows aired tonight here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the Disco themed week below:

{For those unfamiliar with the show; The X Factor is the UK’s version of American Idol – with a twist in that groups and over 25’s are eligible to enter. The show also birthed the career of a certain Leona Lewis}

The standard of this year’s show continues to impress, although I’m completely and utterly baffled as to why the terrible Daniel is still there (sob story anyone?). That said, my girl Alexandra rocked it again, as did Laura and JLS as well. Check out their performances below:

Alexandra Burke – On The Radio

Laura White – Somebody Else’s Guy

JLS – Working My Way Back To You

Whatever happens, I feel as though both Alexandra and Laura have great careers ahead of them. JLS possibly – this, I say, mainly because of their major following so early in the competition. I just hope the viewing public don’t vote for crappy people like they did tonight (I mean honestly, Daniel and the little boy…no, just no).

Roll on next week, though. The theme has been confirmed as Mariah Carey songs. What’s more the diva herself will be there. Granted we’ll no doubt hear renditions of some of her classics, wouldn’t it be great if we could hear some of her newer material performed by contestants, namely ‘We Belong Together’, ‘Don’t Forget About Us’ and maybe even the so-rubbish-it’s good ‘Touch My Body’?

Your thoughts?

The Beyonce promo machine (best believe that’s what it is) is in full effect; the woman is everywhere at the moment. Check out her high fashion shoot featured in the latest issue of Gotham Magazine. Hot.

Ever note-perfect, never looking a mess and seemingly ‘errrrrwhere’, many look at Ms. Knowles as some kind of robot/machine (an idea I believe she plays on with that Sasha Fierce glove). Bey speaks about being having to slow her roll for the first time in the magazine too:

“Years ago, I was definitely headed for a breakdown,” she continues. “Just way too much work—my life was my career and I had no other life. It started when I was 15 and I hadn’t learned the importance of balance, making sure I took a day off. I didn’t know what ‘no’ was, what boundaries were. At this point, I know that after a certain amount of time I have to go home. I know what I like now. It just takes life experience to get a good balance. When you’re young, you don’t know what relaxes you.”

I’m really liking the fact Ms. Knowles is shedding her wooden ‘media-trained’ personality this go round in favour of what seems to be really her. More power to her.

Your thoughts?

The official album cover and track-listing for Britney Spear’s forthcoming album ‘Circus’ were unveiled on the Pop star’s official website today. Airbrushed to the nines, but still a great shot all the same. Check out the track-listing for the set, which hits stores on December 2nd, below:

Track-listing

1. Womanizer
2. Circus
3. Out From Under
4. Kill The Lights
5. Shattered Glass
6. If U Seek Amy
7. Unusual You
8. Blur
9. Mmm Papi
10. Mannequin
11. Lace and Leather
12. My Baby

Bonus Track:
13. Radar

We are all rooting for her. Here’s hoping the album delivers.

Your thoughts?

As reported, Beyonce is currently in Japan promoting a range of projects, most especially her new single ‘If I Were A Boy’. The 27 year old stopped by the country’s Music Station show today to perform the track. As ever, she nailed it! That said, I’m sure we’ll get more of a stage show with the ‘Single Ladies’ performances. All in all, a great showing.

Randomness: I see her killer band from her ‘B’Day’ era are back, which is a good look.

What do you think of the performance?

Talented Knowles sisters Beyonce and Solange have embarked on a whirlwind promotional trip in Tokyo, Japan. The pair are plugging a number of projects, including their music releases. They are photographed above and below promoting their range of handbags for designer Samantha Thavasa at the upmarket Eight Million fashion store in Tokyo’s Ginza district.

Good on them…

What do you think of the pics?

Some of you may be wondering just where Girlicious have been since the initial impact of their debut ‘Like Me’? Well, their album has yet to be released anywhere other than in Canada where they have been a surprise success. Their latest release over there is ‘Baby Doll’, which I must say isn’t bad. Microwavable, throw-away Pop/R&B at it’s best. The video, even with its ‘limited’ budget, still manages to be mildly engaging too.

Randomness: Isn’t it ironic that these girls were discovered on ‘The Pussycat Dolls Present Girlicious’, yet their singles thus far have trumped everything but ‘When I Grow Up’ from PCD?

What do you think of the video?

Keyshia Cole’s video for new release ‘Playa Cardz Right’ made its debut today. Featuring the late great Tupac, the song will serve as the lead single from her forthcoming ‘A Different Me’ LP (due December 16th). Despite how the collabo looks on paper, I still feel it’s lacking a certain something – most especially as lead single. Keyshia’s lead single’s usually have that ‘umph’ which this simply doesn’t. It’ll be interesting to see how everything plays out for her this go round.

What do you think of the song?

With his third studio LP ‘Evolver’ out in stores this week, John Legend stopped by the Late Show With David Letterman last night to perform current single ‘Green Light’ (is it me or did anyone else NOT know his album was out?). As for the performance, it was pretty good; it’sreal refreshing to see John stepping out from his expected norm. More power to him.

What do you think of the performance?

Following recent comments by Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine about plans for a Jackson 5 tour next year, the King of Pop himself has released a statement asserting that he will NOT be taking part:

“My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we’ve certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them,” he said. “I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon.”

The statement comes in response to his brother Jermaine Jackson’s recent comments at a TV industry function in Sydney, where the musician said the Jackson 5 has plans to reunite next year.

Jermaine Jackson was in Australia yesterday (Oct. 29) to help launch a new “greatest hits” TV channel for Foxtel. “This has been a long time coming for the Jackson family to get back together,” he told the Australian Associated Press.

“It is just the timing, so what we’ve been doing is working on the music and all the logistics. It is going to be more like a family affair, Janet’s going to open and, of course, the original Jackson 5 … Michael, Randy and the whole family … We’re in the studio, we’re planning on being out there next year.” {Source}

Ouch. I’ve long thought that something wasn’t quite right among the Jackson’s and I guess this confirms it. Anyway, I guess hearing from MJ’s own mouth that he is planning a solo stage comeback gives us something to look forward to.

Your thoughts?

The joint video for popular Lil’ Wayne cuts ‘Mrs Officer’ and ‘Comfortable’ premiered a few hours ago. Not that I really expected anything different, but the Bobby Valentino featured vid is kinda run-of-the-mill. This, however, is unlikely to affect Wayne, as he remains one of the hottest commodities in the Hip-Hop game.

What you think of the video?