Beyonce has been on a whirlwind promotional trip here in Europe as of late, plugging her International single ‘If I Were A Boy’. The former Destiny’s child front-woman performed the hit on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. As ever, she delivered a stellar performance. Good stuff (though, I’m sure everyone is itching for a ‘Single Ladies’ live performance instead!)

Ms. Knowles’ new single ‘Ego’ (which will be one of two new singles released. The other being ‘Halo’) has surfaced in full form too. Listen below:

Wow. Beyonce is really feeling herself with this one (check that ‘Piano’ part LOL). She has good reason, though – the song is a winner. Kanye West is said to be on the song’s remix. Watch this space.

Hit or Miss?

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx is taking a break from Hollywood to release ‘Intuition,’ the follow-up to 2005’s ‘Unpredictable’, this December:

Due Dec. 16 from J Records, the set is preceded by the single “Just Like Me” featuring T.I., which is the top debut this week at No. 48 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The track, which was co-written and produced by the hitmaking team of the-Dream and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, goes to digital retailers on Tuesday.

“Intuition” will also feature contributions from Timbaland, Ne-Yo, Sean Garrett, Salaam Remi and Carlos McKinney, among others. It’s the follow-up to 2005’s “Unpredictable,” which has sold 1.98 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. {Source}

I seem to be among the few who felt ‘Unpredictable’ really wasn’t that great (a few songs aside, highly overrated IMO), so I’m definitely hoping this new CD showcases Jamie’s undeniably awesome vocals with better material.

Your thoughts?

The video for 50 Cent’s new single ‘Get Up’, the first from the G-Unit general’s forthcoming album ‘Before I Self-Destruct’, premiered today. Though the video is better than the average Hip-Hop clip and visually quite engaging, there’s no escaping that the song doesn’t really touch anything he put out when he was actually relevant.

‘Before I Self-Destruct’ hits stores December 16th.

What do you think of the song / video?

The youngest of the Knowles clan, Solange, is currently here in the UK to promote the release of her current single ‘Sandcastle Disco’, the 22 year old stopped by The Paul O’Grady show (which was being guest-hosted by Spice Girl Mel B) earlier this week to perform the track as well as sit down for an interview. You can check out the performance above and interview below:

The performance was solid, as is becoming the norm for burgeoning star. I must say she also came across really well in the interview too – and seemed to let her hair down a lot more than we usually see from her, which can only be described as a good thing.

Tidbit: As mentioned during her interview, Solange is currently on a tour of the UK, click here to see dates and prices for the shows.

Your thoughts?

Former Spice Girl Mel B has been in the studio for several months now prepping her latest solo assault on the music scene. This new track ‘Who’s Is It’, which was produced by Scott Storch, is said to be a track from the as yet untitled set. Though the production really does bite off the Pop/Electro/Urban fused sound that has been all the rage for the last few years, it’s the best thing about the otherwise terrible song. Mel, no doubt, has a great personality and whatnot, but this is a big reminder that she could never sing…that well. What’s more the lyrics are just…blah. Times have changed since her last major attempt at solo success and so have expectations. This crap just isn’t going to cut it.

Hit or Miss?

After much media speculation, it has been confirmed that comeback queen Britney Spears will be appearing on the X Factor next week – both to mentor and perform:

Britney Spears will appear on The X Factor on November 15, Simon Cowell has confirmed.

The popstar will perform new single ‘Womanizer’ on the ITV talent search on her first visit to the UK since 2004.

Cowell told the News Of The World: “I’m really excited about it, because she has got her act together and the new record is terrific.

“She has come back from a very dark place and is a terrific artist.”

Mariah Carey will perform new single ‘I Stay In Love’ on the programme this Saturday. {Source}

Granted she continues to keep a low profile between now and next week, this is set to be the first performance of Britney’s since that disatrous 2007 MTV VMA showing – and the first of smash ‘Womanizer’. Finger’s crossed she delivers the goods.

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?

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?