R&B superstar Beyonce will reunite with hitmaker Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins on her upcoming 3^rd album, which is plotted for release in November via Sony Music.

The "Crazy in Love" singer previously collaborated with Darkchild on a number of tracks including "Déjà Vu" and "World Wide Woman", as well as "Lose My Breath", "Say My Name", "Cater 2 U" and "Feel The Same Way I Do" along with Destiny's Child.

Beyonce's as-yet untitled follow-up to the platinum selling "B'Day" is scheduled to boast additional alliances with producers/songwriters Jack Splash (Alicia Keys, Britney Spears), Tim "Timbaland" Mosley (Nelly Furtado, Ashlee Simpson), Kara Dioguardi (Paris Hilton, Kelly Clarkson), Amanda Ghost (Kylie Minogue, Jordin Sparks), Cristyle "The Ink" Johnson (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson), and Freemasons: Russell Small & James Wiltshire (Kelly Rowland, Faith Evans).

Songwriter Taj Jackson – best known for his work with Kelis ("Guilty"), Lionel Richie ("I Call It Love"), Mario ("How Do I Breathe"), Sterling Simms ("Nasty Girl") – has penned the Stargate produced "2Nite" on Janet Jackson's forthcoming album "Discipline", due 26^th February via Island / Def Jam Records.

Taj's forthcoming projects include joints sung by Kelly Rowland ("Broken"), Jade Ewen ("She Should Be Me"), and SoShy ("Scared", "Soft").

As first tipped here, he's also been working with songwriters/producers Julian Gallagher (Gabrielle, Kylie Minogue), Future Cut: Tunde Babalola & Darren Lewis (Lily Allen, Nicole Scherzinger), Espionage: Espen Lind & Amund Bjorklund (Beyonce, Jordin Sparks), Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, Emily King), Eric Hudson (Brandy, Whitney Houston), Cutfather & Jonas Jeberg (Kylie Minogue, Holly Valance), Krystal "Tytewriter" Oliver (Mya Harrison, Paula Campbell), Kandi Burruss (Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys), Rob Fusari (3LW, Shamora Crawford), and Full Phatt: Matt Ward & Dean Gillard (Mutya Buena, Niara Scarlett).

Very Good:

• I'm Coming Home: produced by Chuckii Booker / co-produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins.
• I Love You: written by Lionel Richie / produced by Chuckii Booker.
• Out of My Head: written by Lionel Richie / produced by Chuckii Booker.
• Reason to Believe: co-written by Tony Reyes / produced by Dallas Austin.
• Why: co-written by Sean "The Pen" Garrett / produced by Chuckii Booker.

Passable:

• I Apologize: co-written by Jerry Duplessis, Latavia Parker / produced by Wyclef Jean.
• Sweet Vacation: co-written by Robert Ozuna / produced by Raphael Saadiq.

Poor:

• All Around the World: produced by Roberto Sam Screnci.
• Stand Down: produced by Dallas Austin.
• What You Are: co-written by Johnta Austin, Manuel Sean / produced by Jermaine Dupri.
• Up All Night: co-written by Sean "The Pen" Garrett / produced by Chuckii Booker. 

Verdict:

Lionel Richie's "Coming Home" contains everything from light-hearted R&B tunes ("I Call it Love"), Sweet Balladry ("I Love You", "Out of My Head"), Urban Contemporary ("Why", "I Apologize"), Neo-Soul ("Sweet Vacation"), Acoustic Rock ("Reason To Believe"), Pop ("All Around The World"), and Reggae ("Stand Down"), thus this eclectic set is most likely to satisfy the majority of listeners.

PS. Am I the only one who thinks "What You Are" sounds identical to "Diary" by Alicia Keys? How come she didn't take him and Jermaine Dupri to court? (Ha ha, just kidding!).

Rating: (3/5) – Good.

Hamada: - Tell us about how you got into singing and songwriting?

Cristyle: - I've been singing for as long as I can remember. All throughout school I was known as "That girl who can sing" lol. I wrote my first song when I was in the third grade and I've had my share of female groups, but when the last group ended, that's when I decided to take song writing seriously.
 
Hamada: - You've been touted as the music industry's best kept secret (until now) as well as being compared to rapper/songwriter/producer to Missy Elliot. Does that exert some kind of pressure on you?

Cristyle: - Well definitely to be compared to someone as talented as Missy Elliot is a huge compliment, but I try not to focus on any added pressure and comparisons like those may bring. I focus on the music. 
 
Hamada: - How does it feel to be the first artist signed to Jermaine Dupri's "Dieniahmar Music"? And describe your relationship with the multi-talented musician?

Cristyle: - First of all it's an honor to be signed to someone like Jermaine. And on top of that to be the first writer in his company is amazing, but also I feel like I have a standard that I have to set. Jermaine is such an incredible talent. Writing, rapping, producing and just being a music mogul, he's already set the bar so I have to prove myself worthy of being in his company. Working with him is like going to your favorite class in school, I'm 100% alert, always paying attention to what he's saying, and I'm soaking up any knowledge of the business or music he gives me. He's like my favorite professor.
 
Hamada: - Have you thought about pursuing a professional singing career? Or you're happy being behind the scenes by penning songs for other artists?

Cristyle: - I love what I do behind the scenes, but I'm a singer first and foremost. Before I ever picked up a pen, I was singing, so I will definitely do my own project one day because there are some things that I need to sing about from my own personal experience that nobody else can.
 
Hamada: - What do you think of songwriting teams? And if you could form one of your own, which other musicians would be part of your team?

Cristyle: - I think it's magical when different people sit in a room together and everybody's creativity is going in different directions but somehow we all meet up at the same location. If I could form my own songwriting team, I'd have Smokey Robinson, Babyface, Diane Warren, and Stevie Wonder. Of course with that combination I'd probably be reduced the girl that gets the coffee (LOL).
 
Hamada: - Tell us about your role as being ½ of production company Wallbangerz?

Cristyle: - Wallbangerz consists of myself as the songwriter and Rashad "Rush" Coes as the producer. He does the tracks and I write the records. We've been working together for three years now and I honestly wouldn't be where I am had it not been for his influence. He's the left to my right and vice versa.
 
Hamada: - Out of all the songs you've helped crafting so far, which one is your personal favorite?

Cristyle: - LOL! That's so funny because every time I do a song I ditch the one before and the new one becomes my favorite. I like it that way. It means I'm always getting better, my latest song should always be better than my last because I'm constantly growing. So I guess to answer that question my favorite song right now is a record I just did called "Dumb" produced by Battery 5.

Hamada: - If you're trapped in the elevator with other successful female songwriters: Keri Hilson, Kara Dioguardi, and Makeba Riddick, would you get into a cat-fight? Or go shopping after it starts working again?

Cristyle: - We would probably definitely go shopping afterwards, lol! Knowing us, we'll come out of the elevator with about three or four new hits. That's amazing company to keep.
 
Hamada: - I'll ask you about some of the artists/producers you've worked with, and you tell me about that experience:

Beyonce:

Cristyle: - I haven't had the privilege of actually being in the studio with her. She heard a copy of the song I wrote, loved it immediately, and recorded it. I can't wait for the day that I can have the "Beyonce Experience".
 
Janet Jackson:

Cristyle: - She seems surprisingly humble and shy. She was very genuine and it was truly an honorable experience.
 
Jennifer Hudson:

Cristyle: - That girl can "sang" LOL!! It was like hanging out with your homey after chorus rehearsal. We were just singing back and forth, you couldn't shut either one of us up lol. We were both very determined to make it hot!
 
Jennifer Lopez:

Cristyle: - That's another person that I haven't had the pleasure of actually being in the studio with, she heard the song and liked it right away. However, I can’t wait for the opportunity to meet the mega star.
 
Mariah Carey:

Cristyle: - She’s the coolest person you’ll ever meet, so honest and fun to be around. She’s also an incredible writer and singer. It was truly an honor to be apart of her project.
 
Monica:

Cristyle: - She’s a great singer and very quick in the studio. She gets in and gets it done .She is so sweet and full of wisdom. She has a very empowering spirit, I loved working with “Miss Thang” (Lol).
 
Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins:

Cristyle: - He’s a genius. He does things in the studio that you may not understand while you’re in the creative process, but when the song is done, you learn why he’s such a legend.
 
Soulshock & Karlin:

Cristyle: - Very nice guys and very down to earth. I had no idea how much they’ve influenced different generations of music, but after working with them, I can see why they have such an impact.
 
Tiffany Evans:

Cristyle: - Unfortunately she’s another one that I haven’t had the pleasure of working with in the studio, but that little girl got some crazy vocals. I didn’t sound like that when I was her age, lol. I can’t wait to see her in action.
 
Hamada: - Which other singers & producers you’d love to hook up with in the near future?

Cristyle: - Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, and John Mayer.
 
Hamada: - Tell us something that most readers will be surprised to learn about you?

Cristyle: - I don’t do well with scary movies, LOL!! They give me nightmares.
 
Hamada: - List 3 things that you are totally obsessed with?

Cristyle: Music, movies, and dogs. I love dogs!
 
Hamada: - What qualities do you usually look for in a man? And what turns you off the most?

Cristyle: - Well first of all he has to love God, that’s a must. Then he has to be funny, respectful, fun, and intelligent. It would turn me off if he was boring
 
Hamada: - If you could alter one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Cristyle: - Nothing because then I wouldn’t be me.
 
Hamada: - Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Cristyle: - Very successful and blessed. I’d probably living in a nice house with a room full of awards and proof of my accomplishments.
 
Hamada: - Is there any message you’d like to give to your fans all over the world?

Cristyle: - Thank you so much for your support!! And stay tuned cuz you ain’t seen NOTHIN’ yet!!!

[Visit] Cristyle "The Ink" Johnson @ MySpace

As previously reported, Mariah Carey's next upcoming album "E=MC²" is set for an April 15^th release via Island/Def Jam Records. Lead single "Touch My Body" was co-written by Cristyle "The Ink" Johnson (Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson), Terius "Dream" Nash (Rihanna, Britney Spears), and produced by Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (Blu Cantrell, Mya Harrison).

Additional producers/songwriters scheduled to contribute on the set are Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Keke Wyatt, Paula Campbell), Jermaine Dupri (Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys), Johnta Austin (Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige), Bryan Michael Cox (Faith Evans, Toni Braxton), James Poyser (Vivian Green, Lauryn Hill), Taurian "Adonis" Shropshire (Amerie, Jennifer Lopez), Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean (Chante Moore, Nicole Scherzinger), Nate "Danja" Hills (Nelly Furtado, Keri Hilson), DJ Toomp (Kanye West, T.I.), and Will "Will-I-Am" Adams (Estelle Swaray, Macy Gray).

As first tipped here, Atlantic recording artist Bayje is currently in the midst of recording her as-yet untitled debut album with musicians Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson), Terius “Dream” Nash (Nicole Scherzinger, The Paradiso Girls), Christopher “Tricky” Stewart (Rihanna, Karina Pasian), Brian Kidd (Enrique Iglesias, Tiffany Evans), as well as songwriting teams The Big Drawz: Shannell Red & Tenesha Blacks (Emily King, Destiny’s Child), and The Clutch: Candice Nelson, Keri Hilson, Patrick “J.Que” Smith, Balewa Muhammad & Ezekiel Lewis (Paula Campbell, Fantasia Barrino).

Tracks that are expected to appear on the album are “Dear Mother”, “Still in Love”, “Missin’ You”, “Problem” and “Jealous of Your Whip”.

Don’t forget to check out the track she recently placed on the soundtrack to “Step Up 2 The Streets” entitled “Impossible”, co-written by Makeba Riddick (Paula DeAnda, Brooke Hogan) and produced by Nate “Danja” Hills (Britney Spears, Katharine McPhee).

Performer and songwriter Michelle Williams posted 2 new snippets on her official MySpace profile them being “Break the Dawn” and “Unexpected”, so feel free to check them out!

Her as-yet untitled 3^rd solo album is confirmed to sport alliances from Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey), Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel Storleer Eriksen (Kelly Rowland, Mary J. Blige) and Makeba Riddick (Solange Knowles, LeToya Luckett).

[Visit] Michelle Williams @ MySpace

Here is the cover for Danity Kane’s upcoming sophomore album, “Welcome to the Dollhouse”, due 18^th March via Bad Boy Records. The R&B leaning first single “Damaged” was produced by The Stereotypes.

The set also features producers Nate “Danja” Hills (Paula DeAnda, Jeannie Ortega), Bryan Michael Cox (Lea Quezada, Claudette Ortiz), The Runners (Christina Milian, Britney Spears), Scott Storch (Keyshia Cole, Silena Murrell), Tha Corna Boyz: Pierre Medor & Dwayne Nesmith (Megan Rochell, Candace Jones) and Jim Jonsin (Mario Vazquez, Jamie Foxx).

Other tracks slotted for inclusion on the disc are "Striptease", "Is Anyone Listening", "Poetry", "Key To My Heart" and "Lights Out".

The Pussycat Dolls are currently working on their sophomore album, and among the musicians drafted for the as yet untitled project is Mark Taylor of Metrophonic Productions.

In case you came in late, Taylor is best known for his work with Kylie Minogue ("On a Night Like This"), Britney Spears ("Breathe On Me"), Holly Valance ("Desire", "State of Mind"), Keisha White ("Don't Fool a Woman In Love"), Craig David ("Unbelievable"), and Delta Goodrem ("Almost Here").

The songwriter/producer is also belting out tunes for Interscope's up and coming girlband The Paradiso Girls, who are crafting additional tracks with the likes of Terius "Dream" Nash (Mariah Carey, Celine Dion), Thomas "Cee-Lo" Callaway (Tori Alamaze, Estelle Swaray), Sean "The Pen" Garrett (Gwen Stefani, Ashlee Simpson), Beau Dozier (Samantha Jade, Gia Farrell), and Fernando Garibay (Paris Hilton, Wynter Gordon).

Singer/actress Cassie has dubbed “Official Girl” as the lead single from her as-yet untitled sophomore album, currently set for a May 20^th release via Next Selection/Bad Boy Records. The track was produced by Nate “Danja” Hills (Britney Spears, Katharine McPhee).

As previously reported, the set also features songwriters/producers Kara Dioguardi (Nicole Scherzinger, Michelle Branch), Eric Hudson (Tynisha Keli, Tiffany Evans), Bryan Michael Cox (Jessica Simpson, Danity Kane), Mario Winans (Ashanti, Keyshia Cole) and Ryan Leslie (Cheri Dennis, Mia Rose).

Other tracks expected to appear on the album include “Sometimes”, “My House”, “Push”, “Is It You?”, “Thirsty” and “Push It”.