Singer/songwriter Alicia Keys just finished shooting the video for lead single, “No One”, with director Justin Francis who’s also known for his work with Jaguar Wright (“Free”) and Weezer (“We Are All on Drugs”). Look out for her forthcoming 3^rd studio album, “As I Am”, which is due November 13^th via J Records. The set is expected to sport collaborations with Sean “The Pen” Garrett (Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson), Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean (Angie Stone, Fantasia), Marsha Ambrosius (Emily King, Jazmine Sullivan), Linda Perry (Christina Aguilera, Goapele), Harold Lilly (Toni Braxton, Deborah Cox), Amanda Ghost (Jordin Sparks, Kylie Minogue), Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel S. Eriksen (Mariah Carey, Keke Wyatt) and long time partner Kerry “Krucial” Brothers (Keyshia Cole, Mario Vazquez).

Here is the video for Cleo’s lead single, “Feelin’ Like This”, taken from her as yet untitled debut solo album. The track has a very Rich Harrison-esque feel, so if you’re in love with soulful go-go joints, then you’d betta give this one a look!

[Watch] Cleo - Feelin' Like This

[Read] Cleo - Monica Mania Xclusive Interview

Actress/singer Keke Palmer will release her upcoming debut album, "So Uncool", on 18^th September via Atlantic Records. The set will be preceded by new single "Keep It Movin'" co-written by Mischke Butler, who also worked his penning skills on the joint "First Crush". Among the other A-list alliances contributing to the disc are Toby Gad ("Rainbow", "Bottoms Up", "Skin Deep", "Wake Up Call"), Bernard "Focus" Edwards Jr. and The Clutch: Keri Hilson, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel Lewis & Balewa Muhammed ("The Game Song", "Music Box"), Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins ("Friend Me Up") and Jonathan "J.R." Rotem ("Footwurkin").

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' infamous show "Making the Band" started airing in Middle Eastern countries one year after members of Danity Kane were chosen. I got to know about them via music blogs, and was very interested in getting a copy of their self-titled debut album. I finally had the chance to hear it, and here's what I think …

"One Shot" has a very catchy beat with hints of Indian influences. "Heartbreaker" should have been released a single given its addictive chorus. "Want It" sounds like a mixture between Timbaland's "The Way I Are" and Missy Elliot's "I'm Really Hot", whereas "Right Now" is Danity Kane's sex song as it's filled with orgasmic voices and seductive lyrics. Lead single, "Show Stopper", is magnificent in every sense of the word and I'm glad Yung Joc's verse didn't ruin the song. "Ooh Aah" gets kinda repetitive, but still one of the better joints on the album. "Press Pause" is original in its live instrumentation concept. Producer Bryan Michael Cox gives us the usual formula in the slow paced "Ride for You", but makes up for it in the club-hopping "Back Up" (he should try more with fast paced joints). "Stay With Me" is my personal favorite as it's extremely emotional and heartfelt. It's also similar to Backstreet Boys' "Incomplete", but 10 times better if I may add. The forgettable "Hold Me Down" and silly "Touching My Body" are my weaker picks of the lot. On the other hand, don't you agree with me that the interludes - "Ain't True" and "Come Over" – should have been turned into complete songs instead?

All in all, this album is definitely worth a listen and all the members have amazing vocals (duh!!! That's why they made into the band in the first place, hee hee). However, if I was in charge, this would have been the tracklist:

Danity Kane – Danity Kane (Monica Mania tracklist):

1. One Shot: co-written by Adonis Shropshire / produced by Bryan Michael Cox and Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean.
2. Heartbreaker: co-written by Angela Hunte / produced by Jim Jonsin.
3. Show Stopper: co-written by Angela Hunte / produced by Jim Jonsin.
4. Back Up: co-written by Cheri Dennis and Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean / produced by Bryan Michael Cox. 
5. Come Over: co-written by Mike Winans / produced by Mario Winans.
6. Right Now: co-written by Keri Hilson / produced by Tim "Timbaland" Mosley and Nate "Danja Handz" Hills.
7. Want It: co-written by Keri Hilson / produced by Tim "Timbaland" Mosley and Nate "Danja Handz" Hills.
8. Ooh Aah: written and produced by Ryan Leslie.
9. Sleep On It: co-written by Jason "Don Pooh" Boyd / produced by Scott Storch.
10. Ain't True: co-written by Mike Winans / produced by Mario Winans.
11. Press Pause: co-written by Mike Winans / produced by Mario Winans.
12. Ride For You: co-written by Adonis Shropshire / produced by Bryan Michael Cox and Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean.
13. Stay With Me: co-written by Makeba Riddick / produced by Arnthur Birgisson and Rami.

Monica'z Rating = = Good

Here is the video for Mya's 2^nd single, "Ridin'", which was produced by Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (Britney Spears - "Me Against The Music" / Rihanna - "Umbrella" / Lucy Walsh - "So Uncool"). The track is the 2^nd to be lifted from her forthcoming LP, "Liberation", for which no date has been set yet. On the other hand, what do you guys think of 50 Cent's statement when he said "I don't think Mya will ever be a success"?

[Watch] Mya - Ridin (produced by Christopher "Tricky" Stewart)

British soul vocalist Craig David will release his fourth album, "Trust Me", on 12^th November via Warner Brothers. The set features collaborations with producer Martin Terefe (KT Tunstall, James Morrison) and guitarist/producer Fraser T. Smith (Jamelia, Mutya Buena, Plan B). Among the tracks earmarked for inclusion are "Akward" and "6 of 1 Thing". Don't forget to check out Lead single, "Hot Stuff", when it gets released on 5^th November.

Bad Boy recording band B5 will release their forthcoming sophomore album, "Don't Talk, Just Listen", on 11^th September. The set features collaborations with Corte Ellis of Soul Diggaz ("Hydrolics"), Mario Winans ("How You Not Gonna"), Bryan Michael Cox & Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean ("Right to Left", "Erika Kane"), Nate "Danja Handz" Hills ("Tear Drops"), Mischke Butler ("In My Bedroom"), and The Underdogs: Harvey Mason Jr. & Damon Thomas ("All Over Again", "What It Do").

B5 – Don't Talk Just Listen [Official Tracklist]

1. Hydrolics
2. How You Not Gonna
3. Right To Left
4. Erika Kane
5. She Got It Like That
6. Tear Drops
7. In My Bedroom
8. All Over Again
9. What It Do
10. No One Else
11. I Must Love Drama
12. So Incredible
13. Things I Would Do

Here is the video for Sugababes’ new single, “About You Now”, which was produced by Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald (Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne). Look out for their upcoming album, “Change”, due 8^th October via Universal Music. Musicians contributing to the project include Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera), Cathy Dennis (Britney Spears, Janet Jackson), Jony Rockstar (Siobhan Donaghy, Mutya Buena), Dallas Austin (Brit & Alex, Black Buddafly), Xenomania (Kylie Minogue, Natasha Atlas), William Orbit (Madonna, Gwen Stefani), Bloodshy & Avant (Samantha Mumba, Christina Milian), Deekay (Gia Farrell, Lemar) and Future Cut: Tunde Babalola & Darren Lewis (Nicole Scherzinger, Remi Nicole).

[Watch] Sugababes - About You Now

Singer/songwriter/choreographer Shanell Woodgett is set to release her debut album in fall 2008. The 1/3 of female songwriting team The Girls Club has penned joints for artists such as Danity Kane (“Thick”), 3LW (“Phone Sex”, “Hatin’ Ass Chick”), Ne-Yo (“Say It”) and Kelis (“Aww Shit!”). The as yet untitled disc is said to feature collaborations with Sean “The Pen” Garrett (Mary J. Blige, Keri Hilson), Shondrae “Bangladesh” Crawford (Ciara, Nina Shaw) and Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Britney Spears, Jennifer Hudson).

[Visit] Shanell @ MySpace

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With her new single, "Promise Ring", having debuted @ # 75 on Billboard R&B Singles Chart, Tiffany Evans' long-in-the-works self titled debut album is set for a November release via Sony Music. No other firm news has been confirmed by Sony about the official tracklist, but expect hot contributions from Beau Dozier (Prima J, Samantha Jade), Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Beyonce, Christina Milian), Soulshock & Karlin (Keyshia Cole, Nicole Scherzinger), Eric Hudson (Tynisha Keli, Chris Brown), Shea Taylor (Wynter Gordon, Paula DeAnda) and The Clutch: Candice Nelson, Patrick “J.Que” Smith, Ezekiel Lewis & Balewa Muhammed (Ciara, Fantasia, Amerie).