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Singer/songwriter/actor NeYo's upcoming sophomore album is due 24^th April via Def Jam Records, and will be preceded by the lead single "Because Of You", which was produced by Stargate (Shola Ama, Lemar). Producer Shea Taylor (Paula DeAnda, Wynter Gordon) is also among the album's collaborators, whereas vocalist Rihanna appears on the rumored 2^nd single "Leaving Tonight".

In a recent interview with MTV, NeYo also discussed working with Britney Spears on her next album, and even though he hasn't met her yet, he already submitted more than 5 tracks to her record executives. Hopefully all of them will make it to the album

Model/singer Steph Jones has signed  a new deal with Def Jam's Disturbing The Peace Records (Ludacris, Shareefa, Bobby Valentino), and is currently putting the final touches on his upcoming debut album. There's still no word on whom he'll be collaborating with in terms of songwriters/producers, but I bet it's gonna be HAWT just like him, hee hee 

Make sure you check out his new song "Mr. Ordinary" on the link below, and it features rapper Jay-Z on the background!

[Listen] Steph Jones - Mr. Ordinary

Besides having her debut Spanish album being released in the next few months, singer/actress Jennifer Lopez is already hard at work on her upcoming 5^th English album, which is due late 2007. Songwriter Sean Garrett (Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears) as well as producer Swizz Beatz (Fantasia, Beyonce) are among the confirmed collaborators, and according to Swizzy's official discography, some of the new joints he produced for Jenny include "Still From Da Block" and "Skip The Blues (Not Me)". AAAH … I can't wait!!!!

Newcomer Tynisha Keli is putting the final touches on her upcoming debut album, which will come out soon via Warner Brothers Records. The new set will include collaborations with producers Bryan Michael Cox (Lea Quezada, Claudette Ortiz), Adonis (Ciara, Whitney Houston), Kendrick Dean (Toni Braxton, Brandy) and The Corna Boyz (LeToya Luckett, Megan Rochell). Even though the official track list hasn't been set yet, joints like "Right Hand Man", "Let It Go", "Like Everybody Else" and "My Everything" are expected to make it to the final cut.

Singer/Actress Keke Palmer, who shot to fame with movies like "Akeelah And The Bee" and "Madea's Family Reunion", is currently recording her debut album which will come out via Atlantic Records. Songwriters Balewa Muhammed (Ciara, Christina Aguilera), Keri Hilson (Britney Spears, Toni Braxton) and Kandi Burruss (Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys) are among the album's collaborators, whereas joints like "How Will I Know", "Joystick" and "Too Many Pictures" are tipped for inclusion on the album's final tracklisting.

MONICA'Z RATING = VERY GOOD

Janet Jackson has always been my favorite singer, and she inspires me in so many ways that no one can even imagine! Her previous album, "Damita Jo", was absolute perfection IMHO, so when I learnt that she was coming back with "20 Y.O.", my excitement was beyond unbearable. So recently I got to listen to the album, and here's what I think in all honesty …

"20 Y.O." kicks off with the club banger "So Excited" featuring rapper Khia, and even though it's not a bad song, I don't think its single material. "So Excited" also samples Herbie Hancock's "Rock It", and FYI this is not the 1^st time Janet samples one of his songs as "Hang Up Your Hang Ups" has been sampled on "All Nite" from her "Damita Jo" album. "Show Me" is definitely one of my favorites as its catchy and sassy at the same time. "Get It Out Me" sounds like the Dallas Austin produced "Sexhibition" (also from the "Damita Jo" album), but less exciting. "Do It 2 Me" is another favorite of mine, and it's a classic So So Def production. I also can't help but think that producer Jermaine Dupri is a big fan of Brenda Russell's "If Only For One Night" as the same sample has also been used on Bow Wow's "Let Me Hold You" featuring sexy Omarion, but if you ask me, I like Janet's version a lot more (and I'm tryna be non-biased here!). "This Body" is first truly sexual song on the album, and I also think it would have been an excellent single. "With U" reminds me of Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" (thanx to songwriter/singer Johnta Austin), whereas "Call On Me" featuring Nelly is also similar to his duet with Kelly Rowland on "Dilemma".

All in all, "20 Y.O." is a fun album that doesn't take itself very seriously, but at the same time you can't help but wonder how good it would have been if bonus tracks like the excellent "Roll Wit'Chu" and the romantic "Days Go By" were added to the track list, not forgetting to mention the Dr. Dre and Kanye West rejects (I'm still mad at you Jermaine ).

Buy Janet Jackson - 20 Y.O. @ Amazon.com

[Listen] Brenda Russell - If Only For One Night

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Singer/songwriter/Actress Macy Gray will release her upcoming 4^th studio album “Big” on March 27^th via Geffen Records. The new set sports collaborations with vocalist Fergie and rapper Nas, as well as producers Will-I-Am (Kelis, Mary J. Blige) and Justin Timberlake, who is also writing songs on the next albums by Keri Hilson and ex-bandmate JC Chasez.

Here is the track list for “Big”:

1. Finally Made Me Happy
2. Shoo Be Doo
3. What I Gotta Do
4. One
5. Glad You’re Here
6. Slowly
7. Ghetto Love
8. Okay
9. Get Out
10. Treat Me Like Your Money
11. Everybody
12. Strange Behavior

[Watch] The Honeyz - Finally Found

Singer/actress Jeannie Ortega mentioned in a new message dedicated to her fans via her Myspace profile that she will start recording her 2^nd album very soon, and it's going to be CRAZZZY! Her debut album, "No Place Like BKLYN", spawned hits like "So Done" and "Crowded" featuring Papoose, as well as collaborations with Stargate (Beyonce, Shola Ama), Soulshock & Karlin (Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton), Lisa Simmons (Kelly Rowland, Backstreet Boys) and Dr. Luke (Avril Lavigne, Kelis), who is also working with Britney Spears on her comeback album. Hopefully Jeannie will hit the jackpot with her sophomore effort, and I wish her all the best J

Trey Songz will release his upcoming sophomore album "Trey Day" on 12^th June via Atlantic / Wea Records. The new set will be preceded by the lead single "Wonder Woman", whereas Johnta Austin (Jessica Simpson, Janet Jackson), Troy Taylor (Brownstone, Karina Pasian), Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (Mariah Carey, Chante Moore), Nate Hills (Keri Hilson, Justin Timberlake) and Bryan Michael Cox (Teairra Mari, Brian McKnight) are among the album's collaborators.

Thanx MBobby J