Atlantic recording artist Jessi Malay will release her new single - "Booty Bangs" - via Itunes on 14th of August, so don't forget to support our homegirl. The yet-untitled debut album is expected to see the light of day later this year, and among the musicians confirmed are Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (Britney Spears, Rihanna), Stargate (Jennifer Hudson, Christina Milian) and Evan Bogart (Jennifer Lopez, Sean Kingston).

[Read] Jessi Malay - Monica Mania Xclusive Interview

Source

Australian singer/songwriter Delta Goodrem stated in a recent video diary that she's almost finished with her new album, and no matter what, it will be out later this year. The yet untitled project will be the follow-up to "Mistaken Identity", which was released in 2005 via Sony Music. Guy Chambers (Beverley Knight, Robbie Williams), Billy Mann (Kelly Rowland, Joss Stone), Mark Taylor (Enrique Iglesias, Keisha White), Matthew Gerrard (Gia Farrell, Jesse McCartney), Cathy Dennis (Janet Jackson, Kylie Minogue) and Vince Pizzinga (Natalie Imbruglia, Amy Pearson) were among the album's collaborators.

[Listen] Delta Goodrem - Fragile (produced by Vince Pizzinga)

[Purchase] Delta Goodrem - Mistaken Identity (Sony Music)

R&B vocalist Syleena Johnson posted the following message on her official MySpace profile:

Hello All …
I haven't been on MySpace in a while. However, I will get all of your friend requests approved and try to read all the emails by September 1st. Be patient with me. Thanks for your support. New material will be coming in the New Year. I had a beautiful Baby Boy on August 1st so I am busy being a mommy :) ... Chapter 4 is almost complete ... Stay tuned!!

This is very exciting news cuz I've thoroughly enjoyed her last album, "Chapter 3: The Flesh", and my favorites were "Classic Love Song", "Slowly", "Phone Sex", "Still Open", "Leave Me Alone" and "Bull's Eye (Suddenly)". The set also boasted productions courtesy of R. Kelly (Whitney Houston, Keyshia Cole), Jermaine Dupri (Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez), Kanye West (Brandy, Janet Jackson), Keith Pelzer (Floetry, Jill Scott) and Corte Ellis of Soul Diggaz (Tweet, Brooke Valentine).Too bad Jive Records didn't know how to market her properly, but hopefully that won't happen this time around!

[Visit] Syleena Johnson @ MySpace

[Listen] Syleena Johnson - Suddenly (produced by Kanye West)

[Purchase] Syleena Johnson - Chapter 3: The Flesh (Jive Records)

Pop artist Gwen Stefani recently finished filming her new single, “Now That You Got It”, which was co-written by Sean Garrett (Britney Spears, Fergie) and produced by Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce). The remix version for which the video was shot features Damien Marley, who’s resume also additional appearances on tracks made popular by Samantha Mumba (“I’m Right Here”) and Chante Moore (“Straight Up”). What do you think of the song?

"Kids Incorporated" was one of my favorite TV shows when I was a little kid, and it starred artists like Martika, Rahsaan Peterson and Stacy Ferguson - whom we all know now by the name of Fergie. The Black Eyed Peas singer released her debut album, "The Dutchess", late last year via Interscope Records, but I got to listen to it recently …. Here's my humble opinion …

"Fergalicious" samples J.J. Fad's "Supersonic", but with Fergie's stylish way of rapping, she makes it her own. "Clumsy" is very catchy and has a unique futuristic sound. The subject handled in "All That I Got (The Make-Up Song)" is very similar to Christina Aguilera's "Loving Me for Me", where she asks her man if he'd still feel the same way without the money and gloss. "London Bridge", as we all know by now, is about giving head! "Glamorous" is Fergie's answer to Jennifer Lopez' "Jenny from the Block", whereas she channels her inner Sade in the seductive "Velvet". Latin influences can be heard in "Losing My Ground", which is absolutely wonderful. The same could have been said about the Reggae tinged "Mary Jane Shoes", but she had to ruin it by switching it up in the last minute to a hard-Rock joint! "Big Girls Don't Cry" was originally written by Ferguson & Toby Gad for Bad Boy recording artist Jordan McCoy, but somehow ended up on "The Dutchess". The track is very emotional, and I feel like hugging my pillow whenever I hear it. "Pedestal", "Voodoo Doll" and the John Legend produced "Finally" are all forgettable.

All in all, this album has something for everyone, and even though Fergie raps more than sings, she's still flawless in every way. A little editing may have made this album score a little higher in my musical collection, so if I were in charge, this would have been the Tracklist: -

Fergie "The Dutchess" (Monica Mania Tracklist): -

1. Fergalicious:  produced by Will "Will-I-Am" Adams.
2. Clumsy: produced by Will "Will-I-Am" Adams.
3. All That I Got (The Make-Up Song): produced by Keith Harris & Will "Will-I-Am" Adams.
4. London Bridge: co-written by Sean Garrett / produced by Jamal "Polow Da Don" Jones.
5. Glamorous: produced by Jamal "Polow Da Don" Jones.
6. Here I Come: produced by Will "Will-I-Am" Adams.
7. Velvet: produced by Will "Will-I-Am" Adams & George Pajon Jr.
8. Big Girls Don't Cry: co-written by Toby Gad / produced by Will "Will-I-Am" Adams.
9. Mary Jane Shoes: produced by Will "Will-I-Am" Adams.
10. Losing My Ground: produced by Rob Boldt & Ron Fair.

Monica'z Rating = = Good.

Source

Seems like Jennifer Lopez is following a new strategy this time around when her forthcoming album, "Brave", hits the stores on October 9^th via Sony Music. The latest development is - "Do It Well" will be the co-lead single, besides the Midi Mafia produced "Hold It, Don't Drop It". The track in question was written and produced by Ryan "Alias" Tedder of One Republic, and he's also penning joints on the next projects by Mary J. Blige (Geffen Records) and Leona Lewis (J Records). Among the other musicians lending their talents on "Brave" are Jermaine Dupri (Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey), Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean (Angie Stone, Beyonce), Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (Christina Milian, Paris Hilton) and Cory Rooney (Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson).

Singer/songwriter Shelly Poole is putting the final touches on her forthcoming sophomore album, “In Gold”, which is due later this year via indie label Transistor Project. The new set is the follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut, “Hard Time for The Dreamer”, which boasted hits like "Totally Underwater" and "Lost in You". Among the tracks confirmed are: - “Painkiller”, “In Gold”, “I Will See You Again”, “Time Are Changing”, “Like Wild Horses”, “The Incision” and “Alien”. For those who came in late, Poole is also responsible for penning hits like Rachel Stevens’ “Je M’Apelle” and Janet Jackson’s “Slo Love”.

[Visit] Shelly Poole @ MySpace

[Listen] Janet Jackson - Slo Love (co-written by Shelly Poole / produced by Arnthor & Bagge)

[Purchase] Janet Jackson - Damita Jo (Virgin Records)

[Read] Karen Poole - Monica Mania Xclusive Interview

R&B vocalist Brooke Valentine has reportedly been dropped from Virgin Music, and she’s currently looking for a new record deal. The “Girlfight” singer was supposed to release her sophomore album - “Physical Education” - late last year, but plans to go ahead with the project were scrapped due to lack of radio support for lead single - “Dope Girl”.

Valentine’s debut LP, “Chain Letter”, was released in 2005 and boasted hits like “Long as You Come Home” and “I Want You Dead”. Among the musicians on that disc were Jonathan “Lil John” Smith (Teedra Moses, Amerie), Christopher “Tricky” Stewart (Rihanna, Tamar Braxton), Penelope Magnet (Britney Spears, Paris Hilton), Candice Nelson of The Clutch (Kiley Dean, LeToya Luckett), Walter Millsap III (Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez), Corte Ellis of Soul Diggaz (Cheri Dennis, Katharine McPhee) and Swedish production team Bloodshy & Avant (Christina Milian, Kylie Minogue).

[Listen] Brooke Valentine - Thrill Of The Chase (produced by Bloodshy & Avant)

[Purchase] Brooke Valentine - Chain Letter (Virgin Music)

According to Nicole Scherzinger’s newly launched official website, the US release date for her highly anticipated debut album – “Her Name Is Nicole” – is 16^th October via A&M Records. The set features lead single, “Whatever U Like”, as well as collaborations with Sean Garrett (Britney Spears, Ashlee Simpson), Jamal “Polow Da Don” Jones (Janet Jackson, Ashanti), The Neptunes (Madonna, Faith Evans), Kanye West (Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey), Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson), Allaune “Akon” Thiam (Brick & Lace, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas), Soulshock & Karlin (Toni Braxton, Jennifer Lopez), Keri Hilson (LeToya Luckett, Paula Campbell), Tim “Timbaland” Mosley (Nelly Furtado, Missy Elliot), Will “Will-I-Am” Adams (Mary J. Blige, Fergie), Kara Dioguardi (Gwen Stefani, Kylie Minogue) and Future Cut (Kelis, Lily Allen).

[Visit] Nicole Scherzinger - Official Website