Kelly Rowland’s star is shining brighter than ever these days, the former Destiny’s Child star is carving out quite the successful solo career, scoring her 2nd UK #1 (solo) this week with her collaboration with David Guetta ‘When Love Takes Over’. After a couple of false-starts, things really do seem to be on the up for this immensely talented beauty:

KELLY ROWLAND has danced her way to the top of the U.K. singles chart with nightclub smash hit WHEN LOVE TAKES OVER.

The R&B star decided to step away from her usual style of music to hook up with French DJ David Guetta on the remixed track.

And the gamble appears to have paid off as she shot straight to the top of the British release countdown.

The song topples Brit newcomer Pixie Lott’s Mama Do, who sits ahead of the third track, Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas.

Dance singer Agnes is at number four with Release Me, while Keri Hilson and Kanye West’s collaboration Knock You Down rounds out the top five. {Source}

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ecstatic for Ms. Kelly, who thoroughly deserves this. Some of you may wonder why I stan so hard for her, and I’ll tell you why: as a music lover, there is nothing more frustrating than seeing someone with so much talent and potential be overlooked in favour of vocally-challenged, non-singning singers (not saying any names…’Eh Eh Eh’ LOL). That said, there’s nothing more gratifying than seeing such talents acheive feats like hitting #1 and all that good stuff. More power to her.

In other Kelly news, check her performance of the song from last night at French music bonanza Fete De La Musique:

Great performance! Ms. Kelly definitely had her DC3 swag in effect (See: stilleto-stage running, weave flicking and all that good stuff LOL).

Your thoughts?

As the UK’s top girl group the Sugababes ready their US label debut on Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, the ladies have revealed that none other than Rihanna has been advising them on the material for the record:

Sugababes star Keisha Buchanan says the trio have struck up a close friendship with Rihanna while recording in America.

Rihanna has become the “fourth Sugababe”.

The ‘Umbrella’ singer has been advising the British trio – who have signed a record deal with Jay-Z’s Roc-a-Fella label – while they are recording in America and has struck up such a close bond with the ‘Ugly’ stars, they have grown to regard her as part of the band.

Singer Keisha Buchanan – who makes up the group with Amelle Berrabah and Heidi Range – told Britain’s Daily Star newspaper: “We keep missing Jay-Z. Every time we’re gonna hook up he’s off partying with Diddy or someone, but Rihanna has been a huge help to us. She’s been like our fourth members, listening to all our songs and saying what she liked and what she didn’t.”

Keisha also heaped praise on new singer Cherri V, who releases her debut single ‘Until The Sun Comes Up’ next week, for her “refreshing” sound.

She added: “I’m so pleased she’s breaking through. Her sound is so refreshing.” {Source}

Interesting. I say this as it’s funny Rihanna is lending her advice on their material, when all signs point to her own material being selected for and dictated to her!! LOL. Also notable is the fact that all three members can sing circles and then some around Ms. Fenty. Not being mean, just saying…

Randomness: Just came off the phone with my friend who made a really valid point IMO. RiRi really needs to hit the studio sometime soon (or be seen to), as she’s merely a few paparrazzi shots off becoming a full-fledged socialite.

Your thoughts?

Kelly Rowland is doing the promotional rounds here in Europe for her collaboration with David Guetta – ‘When Love Takes Over’. Their most recent stop being in Guetta’s native France on popular show Le Grand Journal last night, where they performed the single. Check it out above.

Loved it! Ms. Kelly really is taking it to the next level with the vocals, the confidence, the look (she looked stunning, right?)…everything. I’m itching now more so than ever for that 3rd album of hers.

In other Kelly news, ‘When Love Takes Over’ is way ahead of the pack in the mid-week chart over here in the UK, which means it’s pretty much a cert that it will be #1 come Sunday on the Official UK Singles Chart. Go Kelly!

Lastly, in a recent interview Kelly confirmed that she worked with Ne-Yo for the first time recently in a collaboration between herself, the ‘Closer’ singer, and David Guetta for the latter’s album. Fingers crossed they Kelly and Ne-Yo work together on her record; for, I think they’d conjure up something great. {Source}

Your thoughts?

Pop’s comeback queen Britney Spears has hit back at the media murmurings about her supposedly being forced into her current massive world tour:

BRITNEY SPEARS has addressed rumours she was pressured into launching her current world tour – insisting she proposed the idea because she was sick of people thinking she was “finished.”

Spears has endured a tumultuous 12 months which saw her lose custody of her two sons, suffer a break down and spend time in hospital under a mental health order.
But the pop superstar appeared to bounce back with the launch of her Circus shows earlier this year (09), which will see her take in the U.K., Europe and Australia on a mammoth run of live dates.

But Internet gossips have speculated that Spears is not ready for such a massive operation, with many suggesting she was pushed back out on the road by her father Jamie and manager Larry Rudolph.

But Spears insists she was the driving force behind her Circus tour – because she wanted to silence the critics who thought her career ended with her meltdown.
She says, “A lot of people thought I wouldn’t make it. People thought I was finished, didn’t they?

“I guess for a while last year it looked that way. Nothing I can do about the past. But I’m hoping to prove them wrong now. And I have really put everything I have into this new show.”

And the Toxic hitmaker admits going back on the road has been a therapeutic experience for her.

She adds, “I’m not sad any more. I was just so sad for such a long time, but not any more. And you know what? That feels really, really good. I’m happy. Truly. I feel like the girl who has it all. I have my family, my boys, my friends, my fans, this show.” {Source}

It’s great to see that ol’Britney is in a great place mentally. However, if it’s proving critics wrong about her abilities, then I’m afraid she’s gonna have to step it all the way up. For, despite all the spectacle, critics – almost in unison – have highlighted the facts that a) Ms. Spears seems to forgot how to dance and literally just struts up and down the stage and b) she almost gets swallowed up in the epic-ness of her show; put simply, she almost isn’t the star of her own show. That said, baby steps…

Your thoughts?

R&B star Kelly Rowland is once again over our side of the pond here in her home-away-from-home London, promoting her collaboration with David Guetta – ‘When Love Takes Over’. The pair today stopped by ITV1’s This Morning to perform the song, as well as sit down for a chat. You can check out the performance above and the interview below:

I must admit, I’m stanning quite a bit now, as Ms. Kelly nailed that performance vocally. Definitely the best I’ve heard her sound vocally (solo) for a long while. The song, while the genre not typically being my cup of tea, really hits the mark due to Kelly’s vocal delivery. As a longtime fan, I’ve always longed for material that showcases Kelly’s ability to belt, as well as Kelly doing such a song justice live. She scored on both points. Great performance.

With Kelly currently being one of the most sought after free agents on the market, according to sources, with a new label being somewhat inevitable, along with the success of this song, the future is looking real bright for her. While it may have taken some to time to materialise…she told you she was gonna bump like this! LOL. More power to her.

What do you think of the performance?

While the release date of LeToya Luckett’s sophomore effort ‘Lady Love’ still up in the air, new material from the set has surfaced in the form of ‘Don’t Need You’. Produced by Madd Scientist (Beyonce & Jay-Z’s ‘Hollywood’), the mid-tempo ballad is a cleverly written take on oft-tackled issue of relationships. The cut also really illuminates the fact that LeToya’s voice has really matured with this new record.

Having been somewhat on the fence with much of Ms. Luckett’s new material (sorry, but ‘Not Anymore’ was not cutting it), I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about ‘Lady Love’ after hearing this.

Hit or Miss?

If you thought the Nas and Kelis divorce was going to be a mess-free affair, think again! According to TMZ, Kelis has lifted the lid on the nitty gritty of the couple’s separation…and it’s not a good look for Nas:

Kelis claims estranged hubby Nas has left her high and dry … not offering her a penny in the wake of her impending birth … and she says she’s broke — “I have run out of money.”

Kelis filed legal papers claiming Nas isn’t paying her support, pre-natal expenses — nothing, even though she claims he is filthy rich.

Kelis is asking the judge to order Nas to pay for spousal support, child support, all pregnancy-related expenses, and one-half of all medical expenses after the child is born. She also wants $3,500 for the baby nurse after the child’s birth, and $20,000 for strollers, cribs and other baby supplies.

Kelis says, “My survival is based on [Nas’] will at this time. If he does not want to pay for an expense, it does not get paid.” The couple was married in 2003. The baby is due this month.

Kelis says she’s entitled to maintain the lifestyle to which she became accustomed during their marriage — they have 5 homes, fly first class, go to fancy restaurants, and on and on. Most interesting — “There were many expensive pieces [of jewelry] such as a princess-cut diamond tennis bracelet that was recently appraised for $190,000. My engagement ring is an approximately nine-carat cushion-cut diamond solitaire. I have numerous watches…such as Cartier, Rolex, Frank Muller and Chopard.”

Her lawyer, disso-queen Laura Wasser, says in a separate declaration she’s asked Nas to ante up some $$$ for Kelis and the unborn baby but he hasn’t responded.

Wow. Can you say ‘drama’ or what! While there are three sides to every story (hers, his, and the truth), this really doesn’t bode well for Nas in the court of public opinion. Nonetheless, the whole situation is real, real unfortunate.

Your thoughts?