R&B songstress Jessica Jarrell has recorded a cover of Meleni Smith's "Wanna Be a Star" and the track is slotted for inclusion on her upcoming as-yet-untitled debut album on Kite Records / Def Jam. The track was produced by Soulshock & Karlin, who previously helmed tracks for Kelly Rowland ("Still in Love with My Ex"), Whitney Houston ("Heartbreak Hotel") and Toni Braxton ("I Love Me Some Him").

Look out for more of Soulshock & Karlin's productions on the next projects by Toni Braxton [Atlantic Records], Keyshia Cole [Geffen Records], Cheryl Cole [Polydor Records], Priscilla Renea [Capitol Records], JLS [Sony Music], Estelle Swaray [Atlantic Records], Brenda Radney [Tennman / Interscope Records], Solange Knowles [Music World Entertainment / Geffen Records] and Alesha Dixon [Asylum / Atlantic Records].

Irish singer/songwriter Ruth-Anne Cunningham is currently helming new material with Danish production duo Jonas Jeberg & Cutfather. The pair previously worked together on the tracks "What You Do," "Turn It Up" and "My Love," taken from Pixie Lott's debut album on Mercury Records, "Turn It Up."

In related news, Jonas Jeberg & Cutfather are crafting additional hits on the next projects by JLS [Sony Music], Alexandra Burke [Epic Records], Leona Lewis [J Records], Ed Drewett [Virgin Records], Delta Goodrem [Sony Music] and Shontelle [SRC / Universal Motown Records].

R&B crooner Usher Raymond has renamed his next album from “Monster” to “Raymond vs. Raymond” and will release it on 8^th December via Jive Records. The set is preceded by the Sean Garrett-penned lead single “Papers.” The pair previously collaborated on the tracks “Yeah” and “Play Me.”

Other album contributors include Pharrell Williams (Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton), Schaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (Whitney Houston, Celine Dion), Jermaine Dupri (Alicia Keys, Lionel Richie), Terius “The Dream” Nash (Rihanna, Christina Milian) and Carlos “L.O.S Da Maestro” McKinney (Jazmine Sullivan, Leona Lewis).

Pop group Backstreet Boys will release “Bigger” as the 2^nd single from their latest album on Jive Records, “This Is Us.” The track was co-written and produced by frequent collaborator Martin “Max Martin” Sandberg, who’s also working on the next projects by Britney Spears [Jive Records], Leona Lewis [J Records], Avril Lavigne [RCA Records], Carrie Underwood [Sony Music], Ke$ha Sebert [Atlantic Records], Adam Lambert [RCA Records]  and Emma Bunton [19 Recordings].

Jason Derulo is an up and coming singer/songwriter signed to Beluga Heights/Warner Bros. Records. His 1^st single, "Whatcha Say," is currently burning up Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart. In this exclusive interview with 'Monica Mania,' the artist talks about working with super producer Jonathan "J.R" Rotem and songwriter Kara DioGuardi, the story behind "Whatcha Say," the release date of his forthcoming debut album, and so much more.

Hamada: Tell us more about yourself.

Jason: I'm 20 years-old, songwriter, actor, dancer, singer, signed to Beluga Heights/Warner Bros.

Hamada: How did the deal with Beluga Heights/Warner Bros. Records come about?

Jason: I've written songs for many artists (Diddy, Baby, Lil Wayne, Cassie), and had singles in marketplace that were doing well.

Hamada: When will you release your upcoming debut album?  

Jason: 1^st quarter of next year.

Hamada: Describe your working experience with hit musicians Jonathan "J.R" Rotem and Kara DioGuardi?

Jason: Just great! It has been a blessing to work with equally talented people. 

Hamada: Which other songwriters and producers you've collaborated with on the album?

Jason: Jonathan "J.R." Rotem and I are doing the majority of the album together.  I have written songs with Evan "Kidd" Bogart, Alex James and Claude Kelly.

Hamada: What's the story behind your debut single 'Whatcha Say'?

Jason: My brother cheated on his girl and it inspired me to write the song.

Hamada: Did you expect it to be such a big hit on the Billboard charts?

Jason: We believed that it was a huge record, you just never know how huge, but we are so happy and blessed.

Hamada: Have you decided what0s going to be the next single?

Jason: Have a few great records in the running. We're deciding now.

Hamada: List some of your favorite songs on the album.

Jason: Love them all! They all have different but equal value to me.

Hamada: Tell us something that most readers will be surprised to learn about you.

Jason: I drink Salmon shakes for protein!! Yuck!!

Hamada: Any message you'd like to give to your fans all over the world?

Jason: Thank you so much for the love and support.

[Visit] Jason Derulo @ MySpace

R&B vocalist Amerie has revealed the official track list for her upcoming 4^th album, "In Love & War," which is due on 3^rd November via Def Jam Records. The set boasts alliances with Eric Hudson (Brandy, Whitney Houston), Sean "The Pen" Garrett (Janet Jackson, Britney Spears), Jim Jonsin (Kelly Rowland, Beyonce Knowles), Rico Love (Usher Raymond, Keri Hilson), Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (Nicole Scherzinger, Tamar Braxton), Carvin Haggins & Ivan Barias (Faith Evans, Jazmine Sullivan), Carlos "L.O.S. Da Maestro" McKinney (Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey) and  Bryan Michael Cox (Mary J. Blige, Gwen Stefani).

Amerie: In Love & War [Official Track List]

01 – Tell Me You Love Me

02 – Heard Em' All

03 – Dangerous

04 – Higher

05 – Why R U

06 – Pretty Brown

07 – More Than Love

08 – Swag Back

09 – You're a Star (Interlude)

10 – Red Eye

11 – The Flowers

12 – Different People

13 – Dear John

14 – Heard 'Em All (Remix)

Singer/songwriter Tina Parol checked in with fans via her official MySpace profile on Monday (28^th September, 2009) with the following message: - “Hey all! So I bet you have been wondering what I am up to and what the situation is with the album release. Well, I have some very exciting news! I have been very creative lately, writing so much for myself. It has been a very long time since I wrote songs solely for me. Because I have the best record company on Earth, I am headed back into the studio to record some of these awesome songs I am writing! I will be working with AMAZING writers and producers and am BEYOND excited to add some new material to my debut album "Shrinking Violet", which will now be out in early 2010!!! Many of you can relate, being young is a time of much growing up. SO much has happened in my life in the last 6 months. As a writer, I have been growing and evolving as well, just as much as I have grown as a person. I feel I have much more to say as an artist and writer now than I even did a year ago ... and again, I am beyond grateful that my record company is joining me in wanting to release the VERY BEST and MOST HONEST album I can. In the meantime, I am releasing a digital EP on iTunes on October 13 (my favorite month and favorite number ... hehehe!). I am SO excited about this EP, because it has some of my favorite works on it, including a BADASS remix of "Who's Got Your Money" by Danja. The EP is called "Bite My Tongue," which to me symbolizes how I am growing up and refuse to not say what is on my mind! I have an exciting end of 2009, filled with writing and recording, which I love more than anything in the world (besides you). I will be video-ing all the sessions out in LA for you to see. What is especially exciting is getting to share this album creation process with YOU! My fans are amazing and have truly seen me grow first hand. You are such a big part of this process....thank you for being along for the awesome ride with me!”

[Visit] Tina Parol @ MySpace

R&B songstress Ciara is currently recording new material for her upcoming 4^th studio album on Jive Records. The still-untitled project will be executively produced by Christopher “Tricky” Stewart and Terius “The Dream” Nash, who previously collaborated with the artist on the “Fantasy Ride” tracks “High Price,” “Lover’s Thing,” “Keep Dancin’ On Me” and “Like a Surgeon”.

The songwriting/production duo are also working on the upcoming projects by Rihanna [Def Jam Records], Christina Milian [Radio Killa Records], Mario Barrett [J Records], Paradiso Girls [Interscope Records], Wynter Gordon [Atlantic Records], Cassie Ventura [Bad Boy Records], Usher Raymond [Jive Records], Mary J. Blige [Geffen Records], Electrik Red [Def Jam Records] and Justin Beiber [Island Records].

British duo Mini Viva have dubbed “I Wish” as the 2^nd single from their upcoming as-yet-untitled debut album, which is due in November via Geffen Records. The track was produced by Brian Higgins and Miranda Cooper of Xenomania, who are also working on the next projects by Gabriella Cilmi [Atlantic Records], Leona Lewis [J Records], Kylie Minogue [Parlaphone Records] and Cheryl Cole [Polydor Records].