In a recent interview with Fashion Rocks magazine, singer/actress Jennifer Hudson talked about her debut album’s musical direction, and here’s what she had to say: -

“It’s not hip-hop,” she says firmly. “Let’s just say that. I don’t have anything against it, but it’s not the music that I like to sing. There’s some pop in there, and some R&B-soul, but,” she pauses for emphasis, “not hip-hop.”

The as yet untitled set is expected to drop in November via J Records, and among the A-listers drafted for the project are Kaseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez), Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Christina Milian, Mary J. Blige), Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel S. Eriksen (Beyonce, Jessica Simpson), The Underdogs: Harvey Mason Jr. & Damon Thomas (Toni Braxton, Fantasia), Durrell “Tank” Babbs (Aaliyah, Kelly Rowland) and John Legend (Whitney Houston, Keyshia Cole).

Here is the video for Samantha Jade's debut single, "Turn Around", which was produced by Soulshock & Karlin (Toni Braxton, Victoria Beckham, Keyshia Cole). The track is lifted from the Australian starlet's as yet untitled Jive debut which is due later this year. Expect additional hot collaborations with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Brandy, Whitney Houston), John "Lil John" Smith (Amerie, Brooke Valentine), Tim "Timbaland" Mosley (Paula DeAnda, Nelly Furtado), Beau Dozier (Tiffany Evans, Nicole Scherzinger), Kara Dioguardi (Cassie, Ashlee Simpson), Sean Garrett (Britney Spears, Che'Nelle), Phalon "Jazze Pha" Alexander (Ciara, Janet Jackson) and Wyclef Jean (Shakira, Claudette Ortiz).

[Watch] Samantha Jade - Turn Around (produced by Soulshock & Karlin)

Congratulations to Arista recording artist Paula DeAnda for getting the # 01 spot on MTV's TRL with her latest single "Easy". The track was produced by Nate "Danja" Hills (Britney Spears, Katharine McPhee) & Tim "Timbaland" Mosley (Nelly Furtado, Alicia Keys), and it also appears on her self-titled debut LP. The set boasted additional collaborations with Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston), Diane Warren (Toni Braxton, Christina Aguilera), Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel S. Eriksen (Jessi Malay, Yummy Bingham), Makeba Riddick (Jennifer Lopez, LeToya Luckett), Robert "Shea" Taylor (Beyonce, Wynter Gordon), Happy Perez (Prima J, Ruben Studdard) and Frankie J (Christina Milian, Natalie).

[Watch] Paula DeAnda - Easy (produced by Danja & Timbaland)

"In This Life" is set to be the lead single from Delta Goodrem's forthcoming 3^rd album - due later this year via Sony Music. Veterian musician John Shanks (Michelle Branch, Ashlee Simpson, Katharine McPhee) produced the track, whereas Goodrem's boyfriend Brian McFadden co-wrote it. September 25^th is the release date, so mark your calendars!

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According the MTV news, Mariah Carey’s 3^rd album with Def Jam Records is set to be released in 20^th November. The as yet untitled set will boast collaborations from  Jermaine Dupri (Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson), Bryan Michael Cox (Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige), Johnta Austin (Aaliyah, LeToya Luckett), Kaseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson), Nate “Danja” Hills (Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado) and Stargate: - Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel S. Eriksen (Lionel Richie, Jessica Simpson). November is expected to boast additional albums by Alicia Keys (J Records) and Mary J. Blige (Geffen Records), but the million $$$ question is, which diva will have the last laugh?

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According to Billboard magazine, Jennifer Lopez' forthcoming album "Brave" will feature productions from hitmaker Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson, who's also working on the next albums by Britney Spears (Jive Records), Kylie Minogue (Parlophone Records) and Sugababes (Island/Universal Music). I've been a follower of his work ever since Christina Milian's "Am to Pm", so this is pretty exciting news! If you're not familiar with Bloodshy's work, here are some his other hits (just to give a taste of what to expect): -

• Britney Spears – "Toxic", "Showdown", "Chaotic", "My Prerogative".
• Christina Milian – "When You Look At Me", "Am to Pm", "I Need More".
• Kelis – "Fuck Them Bitches", "Fire".
• Rachel Stevens - "Sweet Dreams My LA Ex", "Glide". 
• Ms. Dynamite – "It Takes More", "Krazy Krush", "Shavaar", "Not Today".
• Samantha Mumba – "I'm Right Here".
• Brooke Valentine – "Thrill of The Chase", "American Girl", "Blah Blah Blah Blah".
• Sugababes – "Supernatural".
• Tommi – "Like What".
• Natalie – "Dance With Me".
• Jamelia - "Beware of the Dog".

Among the other musicians confirmed on "Brave" are Cory Rooney (Toni Braxton, Mark Anthony), Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean (Gwen Stefani, Mya), Sean "The Pen" Garrett (Janet Jackson, Amerie), Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (Paris Hilton, Jessi Malay), Jermaine Dupri (Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey), Ryan Tedder (Mary J. Blige, Leona Lewis) and Midi Mafia (Fantasia, Brick & Lace).

Here is the cover to Keke Palmer's debut album, "So Uncool", which is due 19^th September via Atlantic Records. Expect hot collaborations with Jonathan "J.R" Rotem (Britney Spears, Fergie), Kandi Burruss (Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey), Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige), Edward "Focus" Bernard Jr. (Beyonce, Christina Milian), Toby Gad (Jordan McCoy, The Veronicas), Eric Hudson (Ne-Yo, Chris Brown) and songwriting team The Clutch: - Keri Hilson, Candice Nelson, Patrick "J.Que" Smith, Ezekiel Lewis & Balewa Muhammed (Amerie, Paula Campbell).

[Pre-Order] Keke Palmer - So Uncool (Atlantic Records)

R&B songstress Canela Cox posted two new songs on her official MySpace profile: - "Vacation" and "I'll C U Later". Both joints were produced by The Insomniax, who are also working on the next albums by Stefani Vara (Siri Music), Che'Nelle (Capitol Records), 3LW (Jive Records) and Myxx (TBA). For those who came in late, Cox released her debut album, "Canela", in 2001 via Dreamworks. The set boasted productions from Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston) and Tim Kelley & Bob Robinson (Tamar Braxton, Chante Moore).

[Visit] Canela Cox @ MySpace

[Read] Canela Cox - Monica Mania Xclusive Interview

According to a recent interview with mega producer Salaam Remi (Mutya Buena featuring Amy Winehouse – "B Boy Baby" / Chrisette Michele – "Goof Girl"), former 106 & Park hostess Free will release her debut album before the end of the year. Here’s what he had to say: -

I mean, Free has talent across the boards. She can rap, sing, whatever. She has more music than I can possibly count, but she’s been working on a lot of stuff over the last month or two. You should definitely get some new music from her over the next week or two. And the album should be out before the end of the year. She just wants to work on the songs and I’m like let them go so we can get this done.

This is pretty exciting news cuz I’ve wanted to hear more from her ever since the ever-emotional “I Love You” (wonder who produced it!!!). The yet-untitled set is expected to boast additional productions courtesy of Missy Elliot (Keyshia Cole, Fantasia), Tim “Timbaland” Mosley (Keri Hilson, Nicole Scherzinger), Scott Storch (Christina Aguilera, Nelly Furtado), The Neptunes (Faith Evans, Kelis), Chucky “Amadeus” Thompson (Emily King, Mary J. Blige), Kanye West (Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson), Bryan Michael Cox (Brandy, Claudette Ortiz), Bink! (Amerie, Faith Evans), Just Blaze (LeToya Luckett, Mariah Carey), Carvin & Ivan (Chante Moore, Paula Campbell) and Soul Diggaz (Brooke Valentine, Syleena Johnson).

It has been reported that one of the songs mega producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald (Sugababes – “About You Now”, Pink “U + Ur Hand”) produced for Britney Spears’ forthcoming album is called “All The Way”. Songwriting legend Cathy Dennis co-helmed the track, and she previously hooked up with the “Everytime” singer on tracks like “Toxic” and “Showdown”, thus this joint is going to be something REALLY interesting! Apparently, “Triple X” is another Gottwald and Dennis collabo, but there’s no word on who will be recording it …