Up and coming songwriter Ahmad "Ballad Beast" Boney checked in with fans via his official MySpace Profile on Saturday (24^th January, 2008) with the following message: - "How did I get started? Long story short, in August 2007 I tried out for American Idol. Got far into the process and then was told I "was very talented but didn't fit the mold of an idol!" Harsh, huh? Nah! It only pushed me to want to do better in all that I do, and now I have that chance! I met so many amazing people along the way, and some shared a similar vision to mine. Where is the music I had up and took off quickly? I decided that the only way something will be getting leaked from my end, is if someone hacks my email. I refuse to allow the hard work that goes into a song to be put out for the masses without being ready. I'm sure you can Google Me (Cristyle "The Ink" Johnson & Dean killed that record) because there are so many articles out there with the wrong information. I am yet to have the pleasure to co-write with some of the people that I've been mentioned alongside. "Slashin Ya Tires" was not a writer collaboration at all! The Invisible Boyz produced it, not the amazing production duo The Corna Boyz. What do I have coming up in 2009! Hopefully, ALOT! I want to grind harder than ever for every placement possible and put forth my best in ensuring that I give my all to the lyrics that I feel represent the artist that I work with. 1) I just completed my goal of losing 90 pounds! 2) Shout-outs to everyone that is using their gifts for the well being of music in any form. 3) "Monica Mania Blog" is the SHIT ...Go check it out! 4) I have a really "different" photo shoot that I'll be posting soon! I know my blogs won't compare to Claude Kelly's amazing entries, but I'll try. Stay tuned though, this might get interesting!"

[Visit] Ahmad "Ballad Beast" Boney @ MySpace

Leona Lewis is out with the video for "I Will Be", taken from her debut album, "Spirit". The track was co-written by Martin "Max Martin" Sandberg ("If You Seek Amy" – Britney Spears / "Close to Close" - Paula DeAnda) and produced by Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald ("Nothing in the World" - Paris Hilton / "Forever and Ever" - Mario Barrett).

As previously reported, the "Bleeding Love" singer will release her sophomore album in October via Syco Music / Sony BMG. Songwriter Victoria "Lady V" Horn is among the musicians contributing on the still-untitled project. The British hitmaker is best known for crafting Brandy Norwood's "Right Here (Departed)", Keyshia Cole's "This is Us" and Dannii Minogue's "Who Do You Love Now?"

[Watch] Leona Lewis - I Will Be

Deborah "SoShy" Epstein posted a new song on her official MySpace profile entitled "Dorothy", so make sure you check it out! After parting ways with Sony Music, the French singer/songwriter signed a new record deal with Mosley Music/Interscope Records and will release her debut album later this year.

The as-yet-untitled project will boast collaborations with Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley (Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake), John Legend (Deborah Cox, Keyshia Cole), Mark Ronson (Solange Knowles, Christina Aguilera) and Estelle Swaray (Alesha Dixon, Remi Nicole).

[Visit] SoShy @ MySpace

[Visit] MUSICIANS' GALORE

Laura Izibor recently recorded live sessions for her singles "Mmm", "Don't Stay" and "From My Heart to Yours", so make sure you check them @ Vibe magazine's official website. The Irish singer/songwriter's upcoming debut album, "Let the Truth Be Told", is expected to drop on 3^rd March via Atlantic Records.

Among the musicians backing Izibor on the set are Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (Tamar Braxton, Chante Moore), Cool & Dre: Andre Lyon & Marcello Valenzano (Jazmine Sullivan, Teedra Moses), Future Cut: Darren Lewis & Tunde Babalola (Livvi Franc, Melanie Fiona) and Beau Dozier (Nicole Scherzinger, Joss Stone).

[Watch] Laura Izibor @ Vibe Sessions

Pop artist Kat DeLuna has christened her sophomore album "Inside Out", and will release it later this year via Universal / Motown Records. The set is preceded by lead single "Unstoppable" featuring Lil' Wayne.

"Inside Out" is confirmed to sport alliances from Nadir "Red One" Khayat (Enrique Iglesias, Sarah Connor), Jim Jonsin (Beyonce Knowles, Mario Barrett), Mark Ronson (Lamya Al Mughairy, Amy Winehouse) and Tiffany Starr (Vanessa Hudgens, Cassie Ventura).

R&B artist Lionel Richie has pushed back the release date of his upcoming album, "Just Go", from 17^th February till 10^th March. The Island / Def Jam set will be preceded by lead single "Good Morning", which was co-written and produced by The Movement (Brick & Lace, Teairra Mari).

Other album contributors include Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (Usher Raymond, Mario Barrett), Terius "The Dream" Nash (Chris Brown, Jesse McCartney), Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland), Johnta Austin (Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige), Aliaune "Akon" Thiam (Nicole Scherzinger, Gwen Stefani) and Taj Jackson (Kelis Rogers, Leona Lewis).

Here is the video for Keyshia Cole's new single, "You Complete Me", taken from her latest album, "A Different Me". The track was co-written and produced by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster, who's also responsible for Mary J. Blige's "Work That" and Ashanti Douglas' "In These Streets".

"A Different Me" boasts additional contributions from Jamal "Polow Da Don" Jones (Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland), Victoria "Lady V" Horn (Dannii Minogue, Enrique Iglesias), The Runners: Andrew Harr & Jermaine Jackson (Trey Songz, Chris Brown), Evan "Kidd" Bogart (Rihanna Fenty, Britney Spears), Kwame Holland (Christina Aguilera, Jazmine Sullivan), James Poyser (Mariah Carey, Vivian Green), Ivan Barias & Carvin Haggins (Faith Evans, Paula Campbell) and Durrell "Tank" Babbs (Toni Braxton, Keke Wyatt).

[Watch] Keyshia Cole - You Complete Me

Singer/songwriter Nikki Flores checked in with fans via her official MySpace profile on Thursday (22^nd January, 2008) with the following message: - "Okay ... First of all, I hope everyone recognizes me ... I've been gone for a minute, but I'm back! With so many changes happening in my life, it's been a secret for a while, but I'm sure a lot of you know by now, I'm no longer signed to Epic records. We came to a mutual agreement that I would be better off somewhere else. At first, I was a little bitter, I had regrets, I was angry, confused and lost. but I realized, that everything I've been through since the day I signed my contract on December 9th 2003, has somehow shaped me into the person I am today ... It taught me how to live life to the fullest no matter what I'm going through at that point in time. The regrets I had are gone ... If it wasn't for everything they gave me and every door they opened for me, I wouldn't be where I am today. So to everyone who was involved with me in any way at Sony Music, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I truly appreciate your efforts, determination, and friendship. On another note, I was introduced to someone while on my previous label named Ryan "Alias" Tedder, who is the lead singer of one of my favorite groups called One Republic. He's been an enormous inspiration to me for the past few years, and as fate has it, I recently signed a new record deal with his label he just started on Interscope. I've never felt more blessed and more humbled to have a second chance, not only to pursue my dream, but to do it with someone who truly believes in me and understands my passion and will help me get to exactly where I want to be. So, I'm sure a lot of you are wondering what will happen to all of the songs I've done in the past. Unfortunately due to contractual obligation, I can't use the songs I recorded under the term of my deal with epic, but before you get too upset, I believe it's a blessing in disguise. I found a new direction that I want to go in with my music that gives me so much more freedom and makes me really happy (smiles). I hope you guys agree. It's going to be a little more live sounding; I want to be behind my piano or guitar for most of the record. I wanna write or at least co-write the whole album myself. If you, my fans, are going to be receptive to my music, I want it to be as much of ME as possible. I want you guys to know me through my music. I hope to accomplish that this time around. So the general plan right now, is to write and record the whole album between February and June, release a first single in June, and hopefully put out the album between July and August. So keep coming back to check for updates and new music clips! BY THE WAY, thank you guys sooo so much for all of the love on "Let It Slide", the feedback has been amazing! And just incase you were wondering, that song WILL be a contender for my new record! Anyway, I hope everyone's 2009 is going to be everything you hope it will be. I feel like there will be a LOT of change this year. Remember that YOU and YOU alone have the power to change your life. If I did it, anyone can! Love yourself, and everyone around you. Let's change the world. LET'S GO OBAMA!"

[Visit] Nikki Flores @ MySpace

Pop artist Anastacia is out with the video for her new single, "Absolutely Positively", taken from her latest album, "Heavy Rotation". The track was co-written by Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Jennifer Hudson, Christina Milian) and produced by Chuck Harmony (Paula Campbell, Janet Jackson).

"Heavy Rotation" boasts additional productions from Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Brandy Norwood, Keyshia Cole), Guy Chambers (Kelis Rogers, Beverley Knight) and Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (Mya Harrison, LeToya Luckett), as well as songwriting contributions from Rico Love (Beyonce Knowles, Michelle Williams), Tawanna "Frankie Storm" Dabney (Ciara Harris, Jesse McCartney) and Damon Sharpe (Kelly Rowland, Canela Cox).

[Watch] Anastacia - Absolutely Positively