Socialite Paris Hilton has been reportedly dropped from her record label Warner Bros. due to negative publicity and disappointing sales of her debut album "Paris", which was released in June 2006. I would agree that there are many artists who are more worthy of another chance at the music biz, but I still find some of Hilton's material very likeable, especially the song "Heartbeat", which was co-written by Billy Steinberg / Josh Alexander (Jojo's "Too Little Too Late", Katharine McPhee's "Over It") and produced by Scott Storch (Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson). Whether she releases another album or not, I wish the "Stars Are Blind" singer all the success in the world!

[Listen] Paris Hilton - Heartbeat (co-written by B. Steinberg & J. Alexander / produced by S. Storch)

How was it like recording your debut album "No Place Like Bklyn"?

It was a great experience. It was my baby you know? I was careful and made sure that I was to the point musically.

You've co-written 11 out of the 12 songs on the album. Does songwriting come naturally to you? Or sometimes you find it hard to express yourself on paper?

Not at all … Songwriting is something I need to do as a release for me. It enables me to let go of anything that's on my heart and mind, thus I love it!

You're currently in the process of recording your 2^nd album, can you tell us a little bit about that? And how different will it be from your 1st?

My sophomore is definitely on the next level of things as it's more of who I truly am as an artist, and I'm so excited about it.

Whom would you like to work with in terms of songwriters/producers this time around?

Bryan Michael Cox … That's a goal for me right now ;)

You've also been part of the movie "Step Up", tell us about it. And did you get butterflies whenever you saw Channing Tatum on the set (hee hee)?

It was an incredible experience. Everyone was just playin' pretend, and Channing was definitely a hottie, but he's also down to earth, so there was no need for butterflies ;P

Where do you find yourself more, singing or acting? And why?

I'd say both. Singing is a necessity for me because it's part of my soul, whereas acting is what I enjoy doing.

I'll ask you about some of the producers/songwriters you've already worked with, and you tell me about that working-relationship:

Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald: He's my dawg for 4 years before all of the hits he turned out (i.e.: Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend", Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone"), and he also taught me a lot about the business.

Stargate: It was great! I went and we just got to work and made a hit out of "Crowded".

Soulshock & Karlin: They are nice guys. Completely different from each other as well.

Lisa Simmons: She was crazy kool!

Papoose: That's my boy! He's shy, but definitely a sweetie :)

What do you think is the difference between working with American and European producers?

Personalities of course!

Out of the talented musicians and songwriters you've worked with, whom do you think brought out the most of you as an artist?

Probably Kovas … He's like a brother, so it was very easy for us to vibe with one another.
 
Which artists influence you musically? And which new artists you like listening to?

Mariah is my girl. She definitely made me believe that singing is what I was destined for. As for new artists, I'd say Amy Winehouse.

If you could do a duet with any living artist, whom would you choose? And why?

Marc Anthony, because he's passion while singing is off the hook!

Are you dating anyone at the moment? And what qualities do you look for in a man?

I'm single at the moment, but I'd love to date someone whose motivated and spiritual like myself :)

Tell us something that most fans will be surprised to learn about you?

I'm 20 and live alone, lol!

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

Don't ever give up and let anyone tell you "You Can't". Remember to put the lord 1^st and go pursue all of your dreams :)

[Visit] Jeannie Ortega @ MySpace

Barbados beauty Rihanna will release her highly anticipated 3^rd album, "Good Girl Gone Bad", on 5^th June 2007 via Def Jam Records. The new set will boast A-list alliances courtesy of Tricky Stewart (Britney Spears, Mya), Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (Jennifer Lopez, Eve), Makeba Riddick (Jessica Simpson, Beyonce), Stargate (Mariah Carey, Samantha Mumba), Terius "Dream" Nash (Brit & Alex, Sugababes), Evan Rogers & Carl Sturken (Christina Milian, Kelly Clarkson), Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Whitney Houston, Celine Dion), Tim "Timbaland" Mosley (Nelly Furtado, Madonna), Justin Timberlake (Macy Gray, Reba McEntire), Neo Da Matrix (Mashonda, Swizz Beatz) and Shea Taylor (Wynter Gordon, Ruben Studdard). Below is the official track-list and credits … Hope you'll find them interesting, hee hee!

Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad [Official Track-list + Credits]

1. Umbrella (featuring Jay-Z): Produced by Tricky Stewart / Co-written by Terius "Dream" Nash.
2. Push Up On Me: Produced by Jonathan "J.R." Rotem / Co-written by Makeba Riddick.
3. Don't Stop The Music: Produced by Stargate.
4. Breakin' Dishes: Produced by Tricky Stewart / Co-written by Terius "Dream" Nash.
5. Shut Up And Drive: Produced by Evan Rogers & Cark Sturken.
6. Hate That I Love You (featuring Ne-Yo): Produced by Stargate / Co-written by Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith.
7. Say It: Produced by Neo Da Matrix / Co-written by Makeba Riddick.
8. Sell Me Candy: Produced by Tim "Timbaland" Mosley / Co-written by Makeba Riddick & Terius "Dream" Nash.
9. Lemme Get That: Produced by Tim "Timbaland" Mosley / Co-written by Terius "Dream" Nash.
10. Rehab: Produced by Tim "Timbaland" Mosley / Co-written by Justin Timberlake.
11. Question Existing: Produced by Shea Taylor / Co-written by Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith.
12. Good Girl Gone Bad: Produced by Stargate / Co-written by Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith.
13. Cry: Produced by Stargate. 
14. Haunted: Produced by Evan Rogers & Cark Sturken.

In a recent interview with MTV, Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger previewed songs from her forthcoming debut album, “Her Name Is Nicole”, which is slated for release later this fall via A&M records. Tracks confirmed on the set include:

• “I M.I.S.S. U” – produced by The Neptunes.
• “Baby Love” – produced by Will “Will-I-Am” Adams.
• “Puakenikeni” – produced by Akon.

Other collaborators expected on the album include Kanye West (Janet Jackson, Brandy), Sean Garrett (Rihanna, Gwen Stefani), Jamal “Polow Da Don” Jones (Keyshia Cole, Jamie Foxx), Tim “Timbaland” Mosley (Nelly Furtado, Ashlee Simpson), Future Cut (Lily Allen, Sugababes), Kara Dioguardi (Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne) and Bryan Michael Cox (Kelly Rowland, Christina Milian).

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R&B singer/songwriter Cheri Dennis will release “Portrait of Love” featuring Diddy as the lead single from her long-awaited debut album, which is due later this year via Bad Boy Records. For those who came in late, the “I Love You” singer wasn’t standing still when her album got pushed back for several years, as she kept herself busy by co-writing songs for Danity Kane (“Back Up”) and Olivia (“Look Around”). Expect hot productions on Dennis’ still-untitled set courtesy of Bryan Michael Cox (Mariah Carey, Faith Evans), Missy Elliot (Tamia, Whitney Houston), Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins (Toni Braxton, Aaliyah) and Ryan Leslie (Britney Spears, Katharine McPhee).

Pop group Brit & Alex have signed a new record deal with Interscope Records (Gwen Stefani, Enrique Iglesias, Teairra Mari), and they are currently in the studio putting the final touches on their forthcoming debut album with producer Tricky Stewart, who's also enjoying the chart success he achieved by producing Rihanna's smash-single "Umbrella". Other hitmakers expected on the duo's as-yet untitled set include Dallas Austin (Tamia, Janet Jackson), Sean Garrett (Britney Spears, Keyshia Cole) and Jamal "Polow Da Don" Jones (Jamie Foxx, Kelly Rowland).

[Read] My Interview with Brit and Alex

Production team of Cool & Dre have newly launched their official website, which includes interesting stuff such as their discography and forthcoming projects. Fans of the duo should look out for the following joints:

• Eve: We Belong Together (appearing on "Here I Am" – Geffen Records).
• 3LW: Club Is Over (co-written by Teedra Moses – "TBD" – Jive Records).
• Nina Sky: Flippin' Dat (appearing on "The Musical" – Universal Records).
• Brick and Lace: Mister Officer (appearing on "Love Is Wicked" – Geffen Records).
• J. Valentine: Church Girl and What's Up (appearing on "Conversation Piece" – J Records).

[Visit] Cool & Dre - Official Website

Singer/songwriter Erika Rose has set a date for her forthcoming debut album "Rosegarden" as it's going to be released on July 24^th via indie-label Infinity Le Monde. Lead single, "The Darkness", has already been filmed, and you can check out the video HERE. For those who came in late, Rose's resume includes co-writing Alicia Keys' "A Woman's Worth", "Slow Down", "Samsonite Man" and the Tim "Timbaland" Mosley produced "Heartburn". Can't wait to hear more from her ....

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Actor/singer Jamie Foxx is reportedly working on the follow-up to his hugely successful album, "Unpredictable", which was released in 2005 via J Records and boasted joints like "DJ Play A Love Song" and "Can I Take You Home?". Singer/songwriter Durrell "Tank" Babbs has been tapped for the project, and for those who came in late, the pair's initial collabo was on the album tracks "VIP", "Do What It Do" and "Wish You Were Here". Mega producers The Neptunes are also expected to join the "Dreamgirls" star in the studio, especially since they already helmed his duets with Diddy ("Partners For Life") and LL Cool J ("Best Dress"). Personally, I think Jamie has a nice voice, but I like his luscious body a lot more!  Wish you guys have seen the look on my face when I saw his shower scene in the movie "Miami Vice" (hee hee) … Someone should tell him to get buff on screen more often!

New girl-group Myxx (consisting of sisters Elizabeth & Evonne) revealed in a new blog @ their official MySpace profile that they have finished recording more than 25 songs for their forthcoming debut album, which was executively produced by The Insomniax (Bobby Valentino, Jojo, 3LW), and we shall expect guest appearances courtesy of Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men, R&B boyband B5, and Australian songstress Che'Nelle, who's also releasing her album later this year via Virgin Records. If it's worth your while, I strongly suggest giving them a listen!

[Visit] Myxx @ MySpace