Usher And Son "Essence" Magazine Cover

Take in the first look of Usher with his new baby on the cover of the August issue of Essence. He is SO cute! (the kid...) Looks nothing like Usher to me, but whatever.

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JoJo "All I Want Is Everything" Update

Details of JoJo's upcoming third album All I Want Is Everything have begun to surface. The 17-year-old is working with the likes of Danja, J.R. Rotem, DJ Toomp, Tank, Bryan-Michael Cox, Madd Scientist, & the previously-undiscovered producer J. Gatsby. JoJo describes the title track below:

["All I Want Is Everything"] sums up her feelings about what she wants in life & how she can go about getting it. She describes it as an inspirational anthem for everyone who has struggled & strives for more.

All I Want Is Everything is set for a fourth-quarter release. The album will be JoJo's follow-up to her excellent The High Road CD. She is quite a talented vocalist likely with potential yet unseen, which is very exciting.

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Nas ft. Keri Hilson "Hero" Video Premiere

Check out the video premiere for Nas' new single "Hero," which features Keri Hilson. I don't love the song... the beat is cool, but that's about it. I was hoping to see alot of Keri in this video, but she hardly shows up & is barely recognizable. Sad.

Danity Kane ft. Missy Elliott "Bad Girl": Behind-The-Scenes

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Here's some footage of the video shoot for Danity Kane's second single "Bad Girl," featuring Missy Elliott, off their sophomore album Welcome To The Dollhouse (out now). Something that shocked me: there might finally be a DK video I will want to watch when it premieres! Good for them ... I like the song too.

Weekend Flashback Performance: Beyonce At The 2005 Oscars (3 of 3)

The last of Beyonce's performances from the 2005 Academy Awards is of a French song translated as "Look To Your Path." She sang with the American Boy Choir. Once again, Beyonce doesn't disappoint with this beautiful rendition.

Billboard Update

^This week's #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart

This week's #1 single on the Hot 100 chart^

See full charts HERE.

Same as last week... #1 album: Coldplay Viva La Vida Or Death & All His Friends & #1 single: Katy Perry "I Kissed A Girl."

Macy's 4th Of July Fireworks Spectacular Performances

Jordin Sparks "One Step At A Time"

Katharine McPhee "Save The Last Dance For Me"

Several Idol alums were on hand to wish Americans a happy Independence Day. Jordin was great, but the highlight for me was seeing Katharine McPhee perform again ... I miss her.

Keri Hilson "Energy": Behind-The-Scenes

BET's The Black Carpet went behind-the-scenes of Keri Hilson's music video shoot for her first single "Energy" off her debut album In A Perfect World..., which is set for release on September 23rd. Keri plays a female boxer in the Melina-directed video. Melina directed Solange's "I Decided" music video, as well as many for Beyonce's B'Day.

Leona Lewis Performs On NRJ Music Tour

Leona Lewis performed her singles "Better In Time" & "Bleeding Love" off her debut album Spirit recently in France at the NRJ Music Tour. Same ol', same ol'. Her talent seems so wasted; if only she was given some good material, she would be SO amazing. (Note: "Bleeding Love" is good, but ... it's time for something new.)

Jazmine Sullivan "Need U Bad" Video Premiere

"Need U Bad" is the first single off Jazmine Sullivan's debut album, due later this year via J Records. Missy Elliott, who produced the track, appears in the video. Love this song. Love her voice. Love this girl.

OneRepublic Perform "Say (All I Need)" On So You Think You Can Dance

Well, apparently, So You Think You Can Dance is the place to promote your new single this summer! Following in the footsteps of The Pussycat Dolls & Jordin Sparks before them, OneRepublic performed their excellent new single "Say (All I Need)" this week on the show. Unfortunately, poor Ryan Tedder can't quite sing as well live on this song as he does on the CD. Nonetheless, this is still my favorite song on their latest album Dreaming Out Loud.

Mariah Carey ft. T.I. "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time" Video Premiere

"I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time," featuring T.I., is the third single off Mariah Carey's latest album E=MC². My favorite song off my favorite album ... what more could I ask for? How about the sexiest video ... ever? Heaven must be just like this.

PCD TV Episode 1

The Pussycat Dolls have started a reality series, if you will, via YouTube to promote their forthcoming album Doll Domination, due September 16th. The first episode features behind-the-scenes footage with the Dolls as they record their first single "When I Grow Up," as well as when they performed it for the first time on Jimmy Kimmel Live! back in May. I love that Nicole is the "vocal coach" of the group...

Jazmine Sullivan Sampler

Just had to post this video I spotted over at Toya's World. I'm not sure that I've done a post on her before, but Jazmine Sullivan is one of the best & most promising new artists emerging right now. For those unfamiliar, click HERE to listen to Jazmine's new single "Need U Bad." This sampler, entitled "I Am Jazmine Sullivan," features clips of four new songs from Jazmine. I love them all & I can't wait for her debut album!

Christina Aguilera "Glamour" Magazine Cover

Although she's been relatively quiet as of late being a new mom, Christina Aguilera appears on the cover of the August issue of Glamour. I don't think I've seen her look any less than completely gorgeous in years. Christina's currently recording, so some new material will be headed our way eventually!