Soccer World Cup 2010!

The Soccer World Cup begins in my home country, South Africa today! The whole country is alive with excitement and to be honest its probably the proudest moment our country has had for a long time. The opening ceremony was held in Johannesburg and some world class performers came out to support the event.

Shakira performed the official World Cup Anthem, "Waka, Waka" and was joined onstage by one of the country's most respected groups, "Freshlyground". If you get a chance, check out some of their music, namely, "I'd Like" they've got a great sound.

Eminem returns to commercial music, enlists Rihanna for new album!

Eminem and Rihanna team up on "Love The Way You Lie", a track to be featured on the rapper's seventh studio album, "Recovery". Take a listen to the track below and let me know what you think!

While I won't pretend to be an expert on Eminem, or HipHop in general for that matter (y'all know that isn't my thing), this really sounds like a winner. Naturally, with Rihanna on the track, it translates very well commercially and tends to mark Em's return to a more 'radio friendly' sound after only moderate success with his previous studio album, "Relapse". I expect this will be released as a single at some stage so it'll be interesting to see how it performs on the charts. With the same elements as "Stan" (see Em's collaboration with Dido in 2008), I think we definitely have a Top 10 hit here. What do you think of the track?

Kelly picks new single!

This is probably the best news I've heard all day. The first official single from Kelly Rowland's upcoming third studio album has now been announced as "Grown Ass Woman". The original single, "Shake Them Haters Off" has been scrapped and it is now uncertain as to whether or not it will even appear on the final album tracklisting. I posted the track yesterday so you can take a listen to it below and let me know what you think.

I think this is great news. As I mentioned previously, I really like what Ne-Yo and Stargate have done on the track and I can see this having some moderate success on the charts depending on how hard Kelly pushes the single. What do you think of the new single choice?

Xtina graces the MTV Movie Awards with her presence!

With the release of her album "Bionic" on Tuesday, Christina Aguilera is hot on the promo trail to ensure the album doesn't tank on the charts. Last night she performed a medley of "Bionic", "Not Myself Tonight" and "WooHoo" at the MTV Movie Awards. Watch her take the stage below and let me know what you think!

While some parts were clearly lipped (especially "Bionic"), this was nonetheless another solid performance from Aguilera. Unfortunately, none of her singles have taken to the charts so it's going to be interesting to see what sales for the project look like. Will you be picking up the album when it hits stores next week?

Kelly grows up on new leak!

My girl, Kelly Rowland shows her mature side on the fourth track to leak from her upcoming third solo studio album. The track titled "Grown Ass Woman" was penned by Ne-Yo and produced by Stargate and is really another winner from her recent studio sessions. Take a listen to it below and let me know what you think!

Again, another solid track from Rowland. I like the production, it's something a bit different to what we're accustomed to from a Stargate and Ne-Yo collaboration (see replicas "Irreplaceable", "With You", "Tatoo"). The key here are the lyrics, which of course are courtesy of Ne-Yo. I think he really did a great job in trying to capture what Kelly wanted to say and as usual presented another radio friendly track that should sit very well on her upcoming album.

Tidbit: I hope Kelly's project doesn't suffer the same fate that Toni Braxton's did with constant leaks forcing the album to be pushed back.

Kanye West plots 'Power'ful return!

The ego himself, Kanye West has announced his return to music later this year with the release of his fifth studio album, "Good Ass Job". Take a listen to the first single, "Power" featuring Dwele below and let me know what you think! Tidbit: Peep the official single artwork above.

Mariah Carey preps Christmas album, pregnancy rumours!

Mariah Carey may be releasing a follow-up to her highly successful 1994 album, "Merry Christmas". According to Showbiz411, Carey is due to release a second Christmas album. Carey is no stranger to Christmas hits, with "All I Want For Christmas Is You" becoming one of the most successful Christmas singles of all time.

The album is said to be "...very lush, with lots of strings and no hip hop. A lot of it is said to be "live" and there's an orchestra." Collaborators so far include Randy Jackson and Jermaine Dupri.

In related news, Carey fuelled preganancy rumours after she pulled out of Tyler Perry's film "For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf". All-in-all, 2010 looks to be another exciting year for one of the world's most respected singers.

Kelly Rowland update!

Kelly Rowland is continuing with preparations for the release of her third solo album later this year. The singer/songwriter has recently announced that "Commander" will serve as the first international single from the album while "Shake The Haters Off" will be the first single released in the US. In related news, "Commander" now has an 'Urban Mix' featuring former collaborator Nelly. Listen to both tracks below and let me know what you think!

While "Shake The Haters Off" is a good track, I really don't think it's strong enough to be the lead US single from her project. To be honest, I think she would've been better off releasing "Commander" as the first single in the US as well. With that being said, I wish her success with the single because like I said, this is make it or break it with this album. The "Commander (Urban Mix)" is a nice remix, nothing special but I guess it brings something different to the track. What do you think of Kelly's offerings?

Tidbit: The video for "Commander" will premiere on 9 June, however, a rough cut has surfaced which you can view in the meantime below.

It looks phenomenal! Bring on next week!

Sneak Peek: Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" video!

Pop sensation Lady Gaga was recently on Larry King to talk about her success and her career thus far. During the interview a short preview of the video for the next single, "Alejandro" off "The Fame Monster" was aired. Take a look at the clip below and let me know what you think!

The Steven Klein directed clip looks amazing. It will premiere on 7 June (Monday)!