Songwriters Keri Hilson and Johnta Austin are going head to head this week since two artists they've worked with are releasing their albums today (as in 13^th March 2007) and will be fighting for the top spot on next week's Billboard 200 Albums Chart! R&B crooner Lloyd's sophomore album "Street Love" contains two songs penned by Austin, and they are "Certified" and "I Don't Mind". Hilson on the other hand is featured on two tracks taken from Rich Boy's self-titled debut album and they are "Good Things" and "Lost Girls".

Hilson's upcoming debut album will sport collaborations with producers Jamal "Polow Da Don" Jones (Jamie Foxx, Keyshia Cole), Tim "Timbaland" Mosely (Alicia Keys, Nelly Furtado), Nate "Danja" Hills (Katharine McPhee, Natasha Bedingfield) and Justin Timberlake (Macy Gray, JC Chasez). The "Hands and Feet" singer is also penning tracks on the next albums by Britney Spears, Paula Campell and Durrell "Tank" Babbs.

Austin's "Ocean Drive" will feature joints like "Hood Love" featuring Mary J. Blige, as well as productions courtesy of Teddy Bishop (Sterling Simms, LeToya Luckett), Jermaine Dupri (Mariah Carey, Brooke Valentine), Scott Storch (Silena Murrell, Kelis), Bryan Michael Cox (Chante Moore, Deborah Cox) and No I.D. (Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson). Expect more beautiful songwriting from the "Turn It Up" singer on the next albums by Whitney Houston, Mya, Mario Barrett, Chris Brown and Enrique Iglesias.

Here's an exclusive for all you readers of Monica Mania's blog … This track is called "Have It All" and it's beautifully performed by singer/songwriter Lisa Simmons, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing few weeks back. "Have It All" was produced by Flintstone, whose other production credits include Kelly Rowland's "Tell Me" and Fantasia's "No More". Enjoy :)

[Listen] Lisa Simmons - Have It All

[Visit] Lisa Simmons on MySpace 

[Visit] Flintstone on MySpace

As it has been previously reported, British songstress Joss Stone's upcoming 3^rd album "Introducing Joss Stone" is due March 20^th via Virgin Records. The new set sports collaborations with songwriters/producers Raphael Saadiq (John Legend, Kelis), Novel (Soshy, Sugababes), Beau Dozier (Samantha Jade, Nicole Scherzinger), Billy Mann (Kelly Rowland's "Still In Love With My X", Pink's "Stupid Girls") and Diane Warren (Mariah Carey's "After Tonight", Whitney Houston's "I Learned From The Best").

Here are some of the album's credits (those that I was able to gather so far, hee hee)!

• Raphael Saadiq produced: - "Girl They Won't Believe It", "Tell Me 'Bout It", "Put Your Hands On Me", "Proper Nice", "What Were We Thinking" and "Music (Outro)".
• Novel produced: - "Music" (featuring Lauryn Hill) and "Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now" (featuring Common).
• Beau Dozier produced: - "There's Nothing Better Than" (Itunes Bonus Track).
• Billy Mann co-wrote: - "Headturner".
• Diane Warren wrote: - "Bruised But Not Broken".

Seems like upcoming British girl group Trinity Stone have decided to call it a day since it has been recently reported that ex-band member Jade Ewen (centre) left the band to pursue a solo career, and she's currently signed to RCA Records. This is really sad cuz I was SO looking forward to their album, but nevertheless, I wish each one of them the best of luck!

Trinity Stone's debut album, which probably got shelved by now, contained collaborations with songwriters/producers Cee-Lo (Faith Evans, Kelis), Ne-Yo (Megan Rochell, Candace Jones), Stargate (Rihanna, Lionel Richie), Soulshock & Karlin (Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton), Pete Biker (Britney Spears, Jamelia), Karen Poole (Sugababes, Lily Allen) and Johnny Douglas (Alesha Dixon, Kylie Minogue). Whatta shame, right?!!!

"Personalities" is set to be the lead single from Irish songstress Samantha Mumba's upcoming 3^rd album due later this year via Universal Records. Other tracks that are confirmed on the album include "Angel" and "Rear View". Mumba is also rumored to be one of the judges on the new season of British hit TV show X Factor which launched the career of up and coming singer Leona Lewis, and she's currently recording her debut album after she signed a multi-million record deal with Clive Davis' J Records.

What made you choose Tiffany Affair as a stage name?

It was actually pretty funny how we came up with the name. The name of the group actually came from how the group really began. The location in which we began recording together was at this old Tiffany jewelry warehouse on this street called Tiffany Blvd. Also all of the obstacles and tough situations we have faced are what many people may consider a BIG affair. Therefore, the hard work that it took to make it this far was a Tiffany Affair. 

Tell us about your debut album "Flavors"? And when is it coming out (cuz we've been waiting long enough)?

Our album "Flavors" will be released in spring 2007. What's cool about this album is that each song has something different to offer to the listener. We express different things that many of our listeners will be able to relate to. We also feel like each song satisfies different moods of a person. For example one song is upbeat and may make you feel good and want to dance while another song is soft, sweet, and make you feel peaceful and content. 

How was it like working with producers Stargate, who did your single "Start a Fire"?

It was a lot of fun working with the producers Stargate.  It's always fantastic to meet and work with new people who are also extremely talented.

Tell us about some of your favorite songs from the album? And what does each one mean to you?

Some of our favorite songs include "Boy", "Rain", and "Over it". "Boy" is a really sweet song that describes how much you adore that special guy in your life. Similarly, "Rain" describes the adoration we have toward someone and describes how much we appreciate that that special person in our lives is truly there for us. "Over it" is a more upbeat song that describes our strength to finally overcome a painful heartbreak.

Whom have you worked with in terms of producers and songwriters besides Stargate?

Besides Stargate, we have worked with producers such as JerZ and Clay of Takeover Entertainment, Kaygee from Naughty by Nature and many more.

And which songwriters/producers you'd love to hook up with in the future?

We would each really love to work with people such as Neyo, Craig David, Quincy Jones, and Diane Warren.

2007 will see many new artists launching their careers and debut albums. What do you think sets Tiffany Affair apart from the rest? And do you feel the pressure?

We most definitely feel the pressure! But we can also definitely say that we have a different sound that sets us apart from others. Also, unlike most groups that have been hand selected and put together, we've pretty much picked each other because we've been friends for such a long time.

Do you all get along? Or you usually have differences in opinions?

We usually get along pretty well. As friends it's only normal to sometimes have differences in opinions. But, we usually settle all of our differences. Nothing can really break the bond of our friendship.

What do you have to say to those who claim that Tiffany affair are just another manufactured girl group?

We want them to know that unlike most groups that have been manufactured, we've been friends for many years so we've basically selected each other to be in this group.

Why do you think most girl groups lack career longevity? And do you think Tiffany Affair has what it takes to make it in the long run?

We feel like most of the time girl groups lack career longevity because of personal disputes. It's been noticed that many of these disputes and disagreements have broken up groups in the past. We each feel like we have the potential to make it in the long run. A long career in this industry isn't promised to anyone, but we have the drive, passion, and perseverance to take it as far as we can.

When Tiffany Affair first came out, you were a quartet along with Natasha. Why did she leave the band? And do you think it's less or more difficult when it's a trio?

Bianca politely declined to answer this question!

What would the readers of Monica's Blog be surprised to learn about each member of Tiffany Affair?

One surprising thing they should be surprised to learn is that we each met in a singing program. We were each so different from each other but our love for performing bonded us, creating a very unique yet good friendship.

Which artists each one of you likes listening to?

We all really like listening to artists such as Michael Jackson, Akon, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Boys II Men, Mario Vasquez, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Craig David, and Busta Rhymes.

What do the members of Tiffany Affair look for in a man?  And are you dating anyone at the moment?

We can each agree that we're looking for a guy with a vibrant personality. Each of us definitely likes someone who is fun, sweet and down to earth. Each of us is SINGLE :-)

Have you thought about visiting any Arabic country? If so, which one would be your first choice?

The United Arab Emirates of course! :-)

What message you'd like to give to yours fans all over the world?

We would each like to let everyone know that we hope that you enjoy our music and that we truly appreciate all the love and support that you all have shown us so far.  Most importantly, if you dream of doing something, go for it! That is what each of us have been doing and if we can do it so can you. We love you all!

[Visit] Tiffany Affair on MySpace

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Sexy R&B crooner/songwriter/producer John Legend is currently working on his own music label, and it's called Home School. The first artist he signed is British rapper/songstress Estelle, whom you might recall from her verses on Natasha Bedingfield's "Drop Me In The Middle" and Faithless' "Why Go?". Besides having Legend executively producing her upcoming sophomore album, Estelle also snagged mega producer Will-I-Am for the project.

French songstress SoShy posted a new song on her MySpace profile called “Whatever Man”, and the track is lifted from her upcoming debut album due later this year via Sony Music. Expect hot collaborations with producers Novel (Joss Stone, Sugababes), Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera), Cool & Dre (Christina Milian, Mary J. Blige), Bloodshy (Britney Spears, Kelis), Soulshock & Karlin (Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston) and Midi Mafia (Fantasia, Tamia).

[Visit] SoShy on MySpace

A Girl Called Jane are a new female group signed by Def Jam Records. Their debut album is expected to be released this year, and will include joints like "He's Alive", as well as collaborations with producers Jazze Pha (Toni Braxton, Angie Stone), Sean Garrett (Megan Rochell, Karina Pasian) and Poli Paul (Teedra Moses, Christina Milian).

[Visit] A Girl Called Jane on MySpace

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Hitmaker Tim "Timbaland" Mosley, who is releasing his upcoming album "Timbaland Presents: Shock Value" on April 3rd Via Interscope Records, said that he'd love to work with Britney Spears on comeback album and would bring Justin Timberlake for the ride as well. Do you think this move will help revive her career?

Since mega producer Nathan "Danja Handz" Hills and songwriter Keri Hilson are confirmed collaborators on Spears' project, there's a strong possibility that Timbo might be there as well. Timberlake on the other hand, who penned Britney's "A Girl Like Me" taken from her 3^rd album "Britney", might be a good addition as well … But if Ms. Spears doesn't find him necessary, he's got nothing to worry about since he's already selling millions of albums, and he's also writing songs on the next albums by ex-bandmate JC Chasez, R&B vocalist Macy Gray and songwriter Keri Hilson ....