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Sonsgtress Rihanna is currently working hard at her follow up to the platinum selling "A Girl Like Me", which boasted hits like "S.O.S." and "Break It Off" featuring Sean Paul. Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo is among the collaborators on the album, and here's what she had to say about the "Unfaithful" penner:

"He is such a genius," the Barbados-born beauty said recently. "I've never had vocal training, so when I'm in the studio, he'll tell me how to breathe and stuff. And I'm like, 'What?' Like he'll call out these big fancy words: 'OK, I want you to do staccato.' And I'm like, 'OK, I don't know what that is.' "

Expect additional collaborators on the album like Stargate (Beyonce, Megan Rochell), Evan Rogers & Carl Sturken (Kelly Clarkson, Emma Bunton), Timbaland (Chris Brown, Ginuwine), Will-I-Am (Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige) and Sean Garrett (Fantasia Barrino, Gwen Stefani).

The "Pon De Replay" singer also hopes to rope in hitmakers Polow Da Don (Jamie Foxx, Keyshia Cole) and Andre 3000 (Kelis, Norah Jones) for the album, and despite not setting a release date yet, Rihanna gave us some hints on what to expect as she described the new project as fresh and mostly up-tempo.

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Rumor has it that since recently mega producer Jermaine Dupri joined the Island division of Def Jam Records, his girlfriend Janet Jackson might be going along for the ride as well! In case you didn't know, Jackson's latest effort "20 Y.O." ends her 5 album deal with Virgin Records, but nevertheless, I really hope that for her next album, she gets a record label that knows how to market her properly. On the other hand, Def Jam records are also known for hooking up their artists with the best producers/songwriters out there, and I just can't wait to see who Ms. Jackson will collaborate with next …

Additional details have been revealed about singer/songwriter Solange Knowles' upcoming sophomore album, which is due later this year via Sony Music. She stated in her official MySpace profile that R&B vocalist Bilal is among the collaborators on the album, but what she didn't mention is that hitmaker Swizz Beatz is also on board as he produced a new track for her called "Pretty Good", and I'm really hoping that this joint will make it to the final cut! For those who came in late, Knowles also worked with Kaseem Dean as a songwriter on her sister Beyonce's smash singles "Upgrade U" and "Get Me Bodied". Also look out for more Swizzy productions on the next albums by Britney Spears, Usher, Jennifer Lopez and rapper Eve.

Andrea Martin, one of my favorite songwriters, signed a new record deal with indie label Soterios Records, which is managed by critically acclaimed DJ/Producer/Remixer Hani. She's currently recording her sophomore album "Middle Of The Night", and it will be released later this year.

Martin's debut "The Best Of Me" was released in 1998 via Arista Records, and it boasted hits like "Let Me Return The Favor", a cameo by veteran vocalist Lauryn Hill, as well as collaborations with producers Soulshock & Karlin (Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton), Rodney Jerkins (Mariah Carey, Fantasia) and Wyclef Jean (Claudette Ortiz, Mary J. Blige).

PS. Expect a special compilation of my favorite Andrea Martin songs very soon

Seems like this will be the cover of singer/songwriter Teedra Moses' upcoming sophomore album "The Young Lioness", which is due this year via TVT Records. The new disc sports collaborations with long time partner Poli Paul (Christina Milian, Teairra Mari), Cool & Dre (Kelis, Mary J. Blige) and Raphael Saadiq (Joss Stone, Angie Stone). Album cuts include "Take My Love Away", "Love Divine", "Get Free" and the rumored lead single "Love's Gonna Be" featuring R&B crooner Trey Songz.

Former Misteeq member Alesha Dixon is rumored to release her upcoming debut album this September. I'm not sure if the title is gonna change, but it was initially titled as "Fired Up" and was going to be released late last year, but due to sluggish sales of both singles "Knockdown" and "Lipstick", plans to go further with the album got scrapped! She also went through a very difficult time after stories about her husband's infidelity with singer Javine were all over the news.

But keeping all the drama aside, I really can't wait for this album to come out! Expect collaborations with songwriters/producers Soulshock (Toni Braxton, Kelly Rowland), Mark Hill (Craig David, Christina Milian), Johnny Douglas (Amerie, All Saints), Richard X (Kelis, M.I.A.), Xenomania (Sugababes, Girls Aloud), Cathy Dennis (Britney Spears, Janet Jackson), Matt Rowe & Richard Stannard (Victoria Beckham, Kylie Minogue) and British rapper Estelle, who's also signed by singer/songwriter John Legend and will come out with her sophomore album later this year.

Here are some of the tracks Dixon recorded for the album, but there's still no confirmation on which ones will actually end of on the final tracklisting.

• Change – produced by Mark Hill.
• Fired Up – produced by Johnny Douglas.
• For You I Will (featuring Estelle) – produced by Johnny Douglas.
• Let It – produced by Johnny Douglas.
• Little Bit of Love – produced by Johnny Douglas.
• Love Criminal – produced by Richard X / co-written by Cathy Dennis.
• No Happy Ending – produced by Mark Hill.
• Superficial – produced by Johnny Douglas.
• Ting a Ling – produced by Richard Stannard.
• Ain't No Reason – produced by Richard Stannard & Matt Rowe.
• Bodyography – produced by Soulshock.
• Little Girl – produced by Richard Stannard & Matt Rowe.
• Make It Better – produced by Richard Stannard & Matt Rowe.
• Never Again – produced by Richard Stannard & Matt Rowe.
• What Does He Want From You? – produced by Richard Stannard & Matt Rowe.
• Knockdown – produced by Brian Higgins & Xenomania.

Jive recording artist Samantha Jade is getting ready to launch her debut album due later this year. The Australian newcomer captured our hearts with the Wyclef Jean produced "Step Up", which was taken from the soundtrack to the movie by the same name. Some of the collaborators that are expected on her debut include producers Beau Dozier (3LW, Avant) and Billy Mann (Kelly Rowland, Pink), as well as songwriters Dianne Warren (Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey), Lindy Robbins (Toni Braxton, Nicole Scherzinger) and Clutch member Ezekiel Lewis (Ciara, Fantasia). The final tracklisting hasn't been set yet, but joints like "Attached", "Break The Rules", "Changin'", "My Next", "Shame On You" and "The Real Me" are tipped for inclusion on the album. And for those who came in late, she also co-wrote tracks like Jojo's "Secret Love" and Ashley Tisdale's "Positivity" … I see a star in the making!

I get all jealous whenever I remember that rapper The Game has a crush on her, but since I'm a professional beyotch and don't get my feelings involved, I'll get straight to the point, hee hee! According to her official MySpace, Irish songstress Samantha Mumba is currently putting the final touches on her upcoming 3^rd album which is due later this year. It has also been rumored that one of the new songs she recorded includes a sample of Nancy Sinatra's "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)", so that should be very interesting.

Mumba's debut album "Gotta Tell You" was released in 2001 and boasted hits like "Body II Body" and "Always Come Back To Your Love". Her second album "Woman" got shelved due to lack of airplay to lead single "I'm Right Here", which was penned by Kandi Burruss (Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys) and produced by Bloodshy & Avant (Britney Spears, Ms. Dynamite). Whom do you think Mumba will collaborate with on her 3^rd album? I'm really hoping that she'll reunite with producers Stargate as they have EXCELLENT chemistry together, lol!

According to Billboard Magazine, "One Shot" will be the 2^nd single from Mario Vazquez's self titled debut album. The track was co-written by Johnta Austin (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey) and produced by Lester Mendez (Nelly Furtado, Jessica Simpson). Here's what Chuck Taylor from Billboard magazine had to say about it:

It took a dogged 18 weeks for "American Idol" fourth-season fugitive Mario Vazquez's debut "Gallery" to reach its No. 6 destination at mainstream top 40, confirming that the soulful singer had legs beyond his (limited) standing with America's top-rated TV show. Second single "One Shot" is reminiscent of the previous effort, but this time Vazquez's vocal is looser, wrapped around a less exacting instrumental track, allowing him to improvise more than within the tight production of Ne-Yo's co-written/produced "Gallery." Pop producer Lester Mendez (Wyclef Jean, Nelly Furtado, Jewel) gives the singer plenty of room to be himself. End result: Vazquez proves to the masses what he appears to have recognized by the time he quit "Idol" some time ago . . . With a little help from his friends at a major label, cream ultimately rises to the top.

Mario Vazquez' self-titled debut album was released in September 2006 via Arista Records, and includes the hit lead single "Gallery", which was penned by Ne-Yo (Paula DeAnda, Christina Milian) and produced by Stargate (Beyonce, Claudette Ortiz). Other collaborators on the album include producers Scott Storch (Kelly Rowland, Kiley Dean), Soulshock & Karlin (Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston), The Underdogs (Tank, Fantasia), as well as songwriters Sean Garrett (Megan Rochelle, Kelis) and Tamara Savage (LeToya Luckett, Tracie Spencer).         

Another Latino artist I'm really looking forward to goes by the name of Cristal! If her upcoming debut album is as good as the songs that she's previewing on MySpace, then I'm definitely copping it when it comes out! Some of the songwriters/producers she worked with include Bryan Michael Cox (Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige), Sean Garrett (Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez), Adonis (Whitney Houston, Amerie), Damon Elliot (Mya, Pink), as well as Clutch members: Balewa Muhammed (Christina Aguilera, Keyshia Chante) and J. Que (Ciara, Omarion).

[Visit] Cristal on MySpace

When some of you hear the name Beau Dozier, they'll go "Isn't that the guy who used to go out with Joss Stone?", but in actuality he's so much more than that! He's an extremely talented music producer who worked with the best names in the music business including Boyz II Men, Avant, 3LW, Nivea, B2K, Jojo, Tiffany Evans and Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls. I caught up with Dozier to talk about his career in music production, which artist he enjoyed working with the most, whether he'll date another celebrity, and his dream collaboration! I hope you'll enjoy reading this interview as much as I did conducting it, and don't forget to post your thoughts :)

When did you decide that you wanted to become a producer? And who was the first artist you worked with?

I really just fell into it. I wanted to rap when I was younger so I learned how to make beats to rap over. That eventually lead me to Snoop's Dogg Pound and I started doing tracks for their group The Lowlifes.

Was your father & Motown Legend Lamont Dozier influential in making you choose music production as a career?

My father was and always has been supportive. I've always wanted to be just like him.

I've got to know you through your work with 3LW on their album "A Girl Can Mack". How was it like working with them? And are you producing tracks for their next album as well?

Those girls are a lot of fun. We had a great time coming up with stuff, definitely an adventure. We don't really keep in touch that often, so I don't know if a future collaboration is in the works. But you never know!

Out of all the artists you've worked with, which ones you felt the best chemistry with?

I'd have to say Prima J. They're a new girlgroup on Geffen, and they're amazing! We clicked right from the beginning and always have the best time and come up with some pretty cool stuff. They're definitely my favorite.

You've also worked with Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls' on her duet with Avant "Lie About Us". How was that experience like, and do you think that she has what it takes to make it as a successful solo star?

Nicole was great. Very professional! She came in directly after a rehearsal in sweats and laid her part down in literally 5 minutes. She'll definitely make it as a solo act. She's got a great voice, she's beautiful but most of all she has an amazing work ethic.

Much attention has been paid to your relationship with songstress Joss Stone, does that bother you? And do you think that's the reason why both of you split?

Having your personal life go public isn't fun. I definitely will never date an artist again. As for the split, Joss and I really just became friends. Some people fall more in love, others fall in hate, we just grew more into friends.  I think we broke up, then went to dinner and a movie. We remain very close.

Billboard magazine reported that you are part of her upcoming album "Introducing Joss Stone", but you told me that none of the tracks you made will make it to the final cut. How come?

We love the songs we did, but at the end of the day, when you listen to her album, which is by far her best work yet, these songs just don't fit. They kinda come out of nowhere and you're all "Great song, why is it on here?".  There's something in the works for one of them, I just can't speak about it at the moment.

Were you skeptical to work with Jojo when her team asked you to produce tracks on her sophomore album "The High Road" cuz of her age? Or you knew right along that it would be a great experience?

Definitely not skeptical. Jojo is probably one of the best singers I've ever heard. She is amazing! A Beast!!

Are you disappointed that Jojo's "Do Whatcha Gotta Do" hasn't been included on the US version of the album? And is it true that it's about Joss Stone?

It was disappointing at first but I am glad that the rest of the world got to hear it. It's about my first love, definitely not about Joss. In fact, Joss and I were still together when Jojo and I recorded it in New York.

Which artist you haven't worked with yet, but would love to hook up with soon?

I'd LOVE to work with Jennifer Hudson.

What does Beau look for in a woman? What turns you off? And are you dating anyone at the moment?

I like all different types of women. I need a girl who's educated, secure with herself and understanding. Someone who isn't going to bug out when I'm in the studio with a pretty girl cause it's "Definitely" going to happen. Drama turns me off. The last girl I dated is the personification of Drama. Can't do that anymore! If it looks to be even the least bit problematic, I cut it off. I'm enjoying being single right now. I'm really focused on work right now and unfortunately, it's really hard to make a relationship work when you work 16 hour days and your free time starts at 3am.

Have you visited any Arabic country before? If not, which would be your first choice?

I've always wanted to go to Egypt but I have never been.

Can you tell me about some of your future projects?

I'm actually working on two film scores at the moment. So I am concentrating on that for the next several months.

Is there any message you'd like to give to all your fans and aspiring music producers?

I really want to thank them for their kind support. I get the most amazing letters and MySpace messages from them. They're the greatest. And for all of the aspiring music producers, keep bringing it. Music needs you!

[Visit] Beau Dozier on MySpace