Eve & Swizz Beatz Perform "Everyday (Coolin')" On 2011 BET Awards Pre-Show

Eve made a rare appearance onstage with Swizz Beatz at the 2011 BET Awards Pre-Show to perform his new single "Everyday (Coolin')". I personally think these two are musical soulmates.

Eve Does Inked Magazine

First a performance, now this? I haven't seen this much of Eve in years! The femcee has a cover spread in the January 2011 issue of Inked, where she discusses her signature paw tattoos, but what caught my eye from the article was the update on her forthcoming album Lip Lock. The first single is set to be a song called "Superstar", while other tracks up for inclusion on the album are "Kiss Myself", the Akon-produced ballad "Treasure", & "Forgive Me", a reggae-tinged cut that's Eve's favorite... not to mention "Give It Here", which she's been performing in Europe. Another interesting tidbit was that when Eve left Interscope, she was able to take some material with her, so half of the new album should be that stuff. I'm excited for her to finally release some new music! Infact, if I had my way, 2011 = The Year Of The Femcee!

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Eve & Guy Sebastian Perform "Who's That Girl" On The X Factor Australia

Eve joined Guy Sebastian to perform the interestingly titled "Who's That Girl", the new single off his greatest hits album Twenty Ten, on the finale of the Australian version of The X Factor, which I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) Guy is also a judge on. Nice to see ya there, Eve! I like how the host didn't waste his question with her. The woman hasn't released an album in eight years, but whatever. No info necessary. *eyeroll* She flowed quite well! As for the song & Guy himself, I just find something rather dull about them both. Eh.

Eve "Lip Lock" Update

It's looking more & more like, after what will be a nine-year wait, Eve is going to finally release her fourth album Lip Lock. Due in March, the set has added such collaborators as Salaam Remi, Akon, & famed remixers MSTRKRFT since Eve made her way over to EMI. Personally, I'm still most interested in hearing what she's cooked up with Swizz Beatz for the project because I think the two of them are great together (musically)!

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While I Was Away... (1/3)

• Kelis "4th Of July (Fireworks)" Video Premiere

• Christina Aguilera Performs National Anthem On NBA Finals: Game 6 & Game 7
• New Beyonce "L'Oreal" Ad
• Kelly Rowland ft. Africa United "Everywhere You Go" Video Premiere

• Kelly Rowland Performs "Commander" On The Graham Norton Show
• Sarah McLachlan Performs "Loving You Is Easy" On Live With Regis & Kelly
• Nicole Scherzinger Does Maxim Magazine (Photoshoot)

• Eve "Behind The Music"
• Usher, Jennifer Lopez Lead 2010 Teen Choice Award Nominations
• Christina Aguilera "Behind The Music" & "VH1 Storytellers"
• Jazmine Sullivan Contributes To "Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album"

Brandy, Chilli, Fantasia VH1 Shows Renewed + More

Both VH1's Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business as well as What Chilli Wants have received second season pickups. This news comes after the network's decision to also renew Fantasia For Real for a sophomore year to air late this year. While Fantasia's show has already concluded its first season, Chilli's dating adventures come to an end (for now) this coming Sunday & the Norwoods don't finish up their current business endeavors until June 27th. It's great to hear that we'll continue to be welcome into the lives of these ladies!

While we're on the subject of VH1, the network is revamping one of its signature series, Behind The Music, to feature some younger artists. Check out the list below for the artists they will be featuring & when each of their episodes will air:

• Sunday, June 13th (9/8c): Christina Aguilera
• Monday, June 14th (9/8c): Eve
• Monday, June 28th (9/8c): Jennifer Hudson
• Sunday, July 4th (9/8c): Jennifer Lopez
• Monday, July 19th (8/7c): Usher

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Eve Leaves Interscope Records + More

Following a seemingly endless cycle of reworking, retitling, & pushbacks, Eve has announced via Twitter (@TheRealEve) that she has left Interscope Records, is currently a free agent, & finally plans on releasing her fourth album this year. Her first album in EIGHT years, the project is now titled Lip Lock & will apparently feature her now-ancient singles "Tambourine" & the Sean Paul-assisted "Give It To You" as bonus tracks. Hmm. This kinda irks me. If it was Interscope's decision to drop her, how many times does an artist have to rework material for you to give it another go? It's not like she's cost you any money since '02. If it was really Eve's decision to leave, who the heck leaves Interscope?! I mean, if they won't release your music, how in the world are you gonna get any exposure by yourself after almost a decade? Anyway, Eve says she's been "re-doing music," which may be fine, but can she not release any of that Swizz Beatz stuff she worked on for so long? I only express my concerns because if she joins the Kid Sisters & Kelises of the world in releasing straight dance-tinged music instead (see: "Me & My (Up In The Club)"), my interest will fall off pretty quickly.

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Eve To Guest Star On Glee

When Glee airs this fall on FOX, a familiar face will be joining the cast for a two-episode arc. Eve is set to play "a no-nonsense girls' choir director from a rival school" on the music-themed show. I was a fan of Eve's show on UPN a few years back, so this is cool. I haven't really jumped on the Glee bandwagon though. Actually, how much longer are you gonna make us wait for that upcoming album Flirt of yours, Eve?

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Eve Album Update

Contrary to popular belief, Eve is still around & kicking, & might actually release a new album this year. I say might because despite her single "Tambourine" being somewhat successful, Eve's last album Here I Am was never released. In fact, Eve has revealed that her forthcoming album will be titled Flirt. Also, Eve has recorded some fun material for the reworked album:

"I had to get in there & put in some upbeat music that I wasn’t depressed about. It’s fun, it’s sexy, it’s totally me. Imagine if 'Tambourine' had kids—that’s what the CD sounds like."

Good to hear. It's funny because I still hear "Tambourine" in movies & on TV to this day, so the label drama following the release of that single is unfortuate. I guess it'll be worth the wait though, that is, if we are getting an album of this uptempo type of material. Glad to (almost) have you back, Eve!

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2008 BET Award Nominees Announced

The details surrounding the 2008 BET Awards were disclosed this week with the announcement of the nominees & slated performances. Among the performers is an all-star line-up that includes Mariah Carey, Usher, & Mary J. Blige. As far as the nominations go, I went through the categories & found the highlights. Check them out:

Best Female R&B Artist:

Mary J. Blige

Mariah Carey

Keyshia Cole

Alicia Keys

Rihanna

Best Group:

Danity Kane

Day26

Best Female Hip Hop Artist:

Missy Elliott

Eve

Kid Sister

Lil' Mama

Trina

Best New Artist:

Estelle

The-Dream

Best Collaboration:

Let It Go (Keyshia Cole ft. Missy Elliott & Lil' Kim)

Video Of The Year:

The Way That I Love You (Ashanti)

Just Fine (Mary J. Blige)

Like You'll Never See Me Again (Alicia Keys)

Viewers' Choice:

No One (Alicia Keys)

Let It Go (Keyshia Cole ft. Missy Elliott & Lil' Kim)

No Air (Jordin Sparks ft. Chris Brown)

In italics, I provided my pick in each selected category. To view all of the nominees, click HERE. The show, which is sure to be a must-see, airs June 24th on, of course, BET.

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Eve Re-Works "Here I Am" With Swizz Beatz

Despite releasing single "Tambourine" last year, rapper Eve has yet to release her latest album, Here I Am (cover art to the left). While there is no official release date yet, it has been announced that Eve will be re-working the album with producer Swizz Beatz. He will be doing most, if not all, of the project now. Swizz was quoted as saying:

"It ain't over until it's out," he said. "Everybody wants the best for her. We just regrouping and starting back."

That's encouraging. He also tells MTV how hard it is to follow up a lead single like hers, and that when other producers get involved, "it messes up the formula." I suppose I get what he is saying, but dang! I also think that they should have released the album when "Tambourine" was hitting it's peak because the single probably would have shot up the charts with the extra promotion and all. But whatever because it doesn't matter now. I am anxious to hear Eve's return, though.

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