Soul vocalist Keyhsia Cole recently finished shooting the video for new single, “Shoulda Let You Go”, with director Erik White – best known for his work with Mary J. Blige (“We Ride”), Tyrese (“How You Gonna Act Like That?”) and Keke Wyatt (“I Don’t Wanna”). The track is the second joint lifted from her sophomore album, “Just Like You”, which will hit the stores on 25^th September via Geffen Records. Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, whose responsible for helming the track, is also working on the projects albums by Janet Jackson (Def Jam), Jennifer Hudson (J Records), Samantha Jade (Jive) and Natasha (Jive).

Singer/songwriter Kandi Burruss and Hip Hop artist Rasheeda have formed a new duo that goes by the name of Peach Candy, and their new single "Man Up" will hit your favorite radio stations very soon, so be on the look out! The hot track was produced by Rodney "Don Vito" Richard, who's also responsible for tracks such "Do It To It" by Cherish and "Make Me Wanna Scream" by Blu Cantrell.

[Visit] Peach Candy @ MySpace

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R&B singer Chris Brown said a very nice statement to MTV recently, and here it is:

"I don't have any grudges. I'm not a negative person. And I don't have a certain type. I don't care if you're a model or if you work at a gas station. Everyone's human. Everyone's a loving human being. And everyone has a chance with me."

Does this mean that gays, transsexuals, transvestites and flamboyant boys like me have a chance with him as well? I certainly hope so, hee hee.

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 MTV recently caught up with multi-talented musician Allaune “Akon” Thiam who raved about working on Whitney Houston’s forthcoming album, and here’s what he had to say:

"She's the truth. She's undeniable. She's got so much to think about, sing about. This album is going to be one of the biggest albums she decided to put out. She has so much energy, so much happiness and sadness to incorporate into the album. Her voice is strong enough to deliver any message she wants to sing to the world. It's outta here."

Whitney Houston’s as yet untitled album is expected to drop early 2008 via J Records. Expect additional collaborations with Soulshock & Karlin (Keyshia Cole, Toni Braxton), Jermaine Dupri (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson), Johnta Austin (Mary J. Blige, Jessica Simpson), Diane Warren (Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion), The Underdogs: Harvey Mason Jr. & Damon Thomas (Katharine McPhee, Monica), Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean (Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez), Sean "The Pen" Garrett (Madonna, Gwen Stefani), Durrell "Tank" Babbs (Keke Wyatt, Claudette Ortiz), Makeba Riddick (LeToya Luckett, Paula Campbell), Adonis Shropshire (Amerie, Danity Kane) and Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Christina Milian, Jennifer Hudson).

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!!!

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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).

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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