Mary J. Blige's new single is called "Just Fine" and will be sent to radio stations in the US on 26^th September. The track is the first to be released from her forthcoming album, "Growing Pains", due 20^th November via Geffen Records. "Just Fine" has been produced by Phalon "Jazze Pha" Alexander (Toni Braxton, Angie Stone) and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (Blu Cantrell, Tamar Braxton). Musicians such as Bryan Michael Cox (Wynter Gordon, Claudette Ortiz), Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Celine Dion, Beyonce), Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds (Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton), Johnta Austin (Janet Jackson, Fantasia) and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson) are also expected on the new LP.

Soul vocalist Toni Braxton revealed on the Montell Williams Show that's she's currently in the midst of recording her new album, and it's expected to be released around March 2008. The as yet untitled LP will be the follow-up to "Libra" which was released in 2006 via Blackground Records. That set featured 1st class collaborations with Scott Storch (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson), Makeba Riddick (Paula Campbell, Beyonce), Bryan Michael Cox (Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige), Kendrick "Wyldcard" Dean (Claudette Ortiz, Nicole Scherzinger), Johnta Austin (Whitney Houston, Aaliyah), Rich Harrison (Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys), Soulshock & Karlin (Keyshia Cole, Jordin Sparks), Harold Lilly (Deborah Cox, Craig David), Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds (LeToya Luckett, Chrisette Michele), The Underdogs: Harvey Mason Jr. & Damon Thomas (Fantasia, Victoria Beckham), Keri Hilson (Britney Spears, Ciara), Durrell "Tank" Babbs (Keke Wyatt, Jennifer Hudson) and Cory Rooney (Jennifer Lopez, Thalia) … Phew!!!

Source

Bad boy recording artist Cheri Dennis revealed in a recent interview that her forthcoming debut album has been pushed back from November 2007 to January 2008, and will be preceded by lead single “Waiting” instead of initial choice “Portrait”. Among the musicians expected on the as-yet untitled disc are Tim “Timbaland” Mosley (Nelly Furtado, Ashlee Simpson), Chucky “Amadeus” Thompson (Mary J. Blige, Emily King), Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot (Keyshia Cole, Tamia), Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins (Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson), Mario Winans (Ashanti, Faith Evans), Soul Diggaz (Syleena Johnson, Brooke Valentine), Makeba Riddick (Paula Campbell, Mya), Shamora Crawford (Blu Cantrell, Angie Stone) and Ryan Leslie (Britney Spears, Katharine McPhee).

Here is the video for Mario’s 2^nd single, “Crying Out For Me”, which was produced by Jamal “Polow Da Don” Jones (Jamie Foxx, Keyshia Cole). The track is lifted from his forthcoming 3^rd album, “Go”, due 30^th October via J Records. Expect additional collaborations with The Neptunes (Usher, Justin Timberlake), Sean “The Pen” Garrett (Donell Jones, Christina Milian), Jermaine Dupri (Janet Jackson, Omarion), Bryan Michael Cox (Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey), Johnta Austin (Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston), Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Mario Vazquez, Jennifer Hudson) Allaune “Akon” Thiam (Nicole Scherzinger, Gwen Stefani) and Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel S. Eriksen (Lionel Richie, Keke Wyatt).

[Watch] Mario - Crying Out For Me

Celine Dion has recently finished shooting the video for new single, “Taking Chances”, with director Paul Boyd whose best known for his work with Kylie Minogue (“Confide In Me”) and Shania Twain (“Forever and for Always”). The track was co-written by Kara Dioguardi (Anastacia, Kelly Clarkson) and produced by John Shanks (Sheryl Crow, Michelle Branch). The album which goes by the same name will come out on 13^th of November via Sony Music, and it promises additional collaborations with Linda Perry (Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera), Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson) and Anders Bagge (Janet Jackson, Jessica Simpson).

Source

Swedish artist Neneh Cherry is set to reunite with Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour on a track called “Wake Up (It’s Africa Calling)” taken from his forthcoming album, “Rokku Mi Rokka” (Nonesuch/Warner). You may recall that their initial collaboration was on the world-wide smash “7 Seconds” which was released 13 years earlier in 1994. Do you think the magic will be rekindled this time around? Only time will tell … Here’s what Youssou had to say about the new song:

"'7 Seconds' opened so many doors for my music, and I've always wanted to sing with Neneh again, but we didn't want to make another '7 Seconds,"' N'Dour told Billboard. "This is much more African-sounding, and it's got a strong message that the continent is not just war, poverty and AIDS; we are trying to move forward."

While we’re on the subject of the “Buffalo Stance” singer, she’s happily married to music producer Cameron McVey (Sugababes, All Saints, Massive Attack), and is also a member of trip-hop group CirKus who released their debut album, “Laylow”, independently in 2006 via Tent Music label.

[Watch] Youssou N'Dour featuring Neneh Cherry - 7 Seconds

Source

MTV caught up with rapper/producer T-Pain (Britney Spears, Chris Brown) who talked about a duet-in-works with singer/actress Jennifer Hudson, and here's what he had to say: -

"This is going to be my first duet, ever. So it's real interesting for me. It's gonna be her featuring me, a real back-and-forth, old-school male/female duet. It's gonna be real nice," he said. "[The song is] untitled now, but it's basically about 'What's wrong with us? It's both of our faults that we don't like each other no more. The sex is getting boring.' You know, the usual stuff."

As previously reported, the Hudson's forthcoming debut album will come out in the first quarter of 2008 via Arista Records. Expect collaborations with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey), Salaam Remi (Emily King, Jazmine Sullivan), Schaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith (Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige), Stargate: Tor Erik Hermansen & Mikkel S. Eriksen (Jordin Sparks, Paula Campbell), Sean "The Pen" Garrett (Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland), The Underdogs: Harvey Mason Jr. & Damon Thomas (Toni Braxton, Katharine McPhee), Durrell "Tank" Babbs (Keke Wyatt, Claudette Ortiz), Ryan "Alias" Tedder (Leona Lewis, Jennifer Lopez), Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean (Angie Stone, Beyonce), John Legend (Chrisette Michele, Keyshia Cole), Tim "Timbaland" Mosley (Celine Dion, Madonna) and Jim Beanz (Nelly Furtado, Deborah Cox).

Model turned singer Stefani Vara has recently finished shooting the video for her lead single "Lately" in New York. The track which was produced by The Insomniax (Myxx, Bobby Valentino, Che'Nelle) will appear on her forthcoming debut album – "Storybook Diaries" – due in December via Siri Music. The exotic beauty also recorded a cover of Maria's "Miss You" originally belted by Soulshock & Karlin (Keyshia Cole – "Fallin' Out" / Fantasia – "Truth Is") with assistance from songwriter Shamora Crawford (Jennifer Lopez – "Can't Believe This" / Teairra Mari – "New Shit"). I'm sooo excited about this and can't wait to hear Vara's take on probably one of the most romantic songs I've heard in my life!!!

[Read] Stefani Vara - Monica Mania Xclusive Interview

[Read] Maria - Monica Mania Xclusive Interview

[Read] Shamora Crawford - Monica Mania Xclusive Interview

[Read] Carsten "Soulshock" Schack - Monica Mania Xclusive Interview

[Listen] Maria - Miss You

[Purchase] Maria - My Soul (Dreamworks)

Source

Songwriter/producer Steve Anderson of Metrophonic productions revealed two track titles he contributed for Britney Spears’ forthcoming album: “Grow” and “State of Grace”. There’s still no confirmation on whether those tracks will make it to the final cut, but it’s important to note that Anderson previously collaborated with the “Toxic” singer on tracks like “Breathe on Me” and “And Then We Kiss”. The as-yet untitled set is due on 13^th November via Jive Records, and will be preceded by lead single - “Gimme More” – which was produced by Nate “Danja Handz” Hills (Nelly Furtado, Paula DeAnda) and co-written by Keri Hilson (Toni Braxton, Nicole Scherzinger).

Here is the cover for Sugababes' forthcoming album, "Change", which is due 8^th October via Universal/Island Music. The set will be preceded by lead single, "About You Now", which was produced by Lukasz "Dr. Luke' Gottwald (Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson). Expect additional collaborations with Dallas Austin (TLC, Brit & Alex), Bloodshy & Avant (Christina Milian, Samantha Mumba), Xenomania (Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud), William Orbit (Madonna, Gwen Stefani), Cathy Dennis (Janet Jackson, Rachel Stevens) and Future Cut : Tunde Babalola & Darren Lewis (Nicole Scherzinger, Lily Allen).

Sugababes – Change (Official Tracklist):

1. About You Now
2. Never Gonna Dance Again
3. Denial
4. My Love is Pink
5. Change
6. Back When
7. Surprise
8. Back Down
9. Mended By You
10. 3 Spoons of Suga
11. Open The Door
12. Undignified