Aaliyah "Fader" Magazine Covers

For their annual Icon issue, Fader magazine has chosen Aaliyah as this year's featured legacy. The issue discusses Aaliyah's influence on today's music industry & features a tribute to the late singer. As I am constantly reminded of how current her last album Aaliyah still is, this is a very fitting time to give Aaliyah the acknowledgement she deserves.

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Mary J. Blige Performs On Today

"Stay Down"

"Just Fine"

Fresh off the end of her Heart Of The City tour with Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige stopped by Today & performed her singles "Stay Down" & "Just Fine" from her Growing Pains album. The performances were dope, though you can tell that MJB is a bit strained from the tour.

Cherish "The Truth" Tracklisting

The Cherish sisters are all set to release their sophomore album on Tuesday, May 13th. Check out the tracklisting to their project:

1. Killa (ft. Yung Joc)
2. I Ain't Trippin'
3. Amnesia
4. Notice
5. Framed Out
6. Before You Were My Man
7. Superstar
8. Only One
9. Love Sick
10. Damages
11. Like A Drum

The CD, which features singles "Killa", featuring Yung Joc, & "Amnesia", can be previewed HERE. The girls stepped up their game with this effort! I must admit that I don't hate "Killa" quite as much as I used to &, as I've said before, I dig "Amnesia". "I Ain't Trippin'" sounds promising, as do many of the midtempos on the album, though they are kinda sounding the same. Still, Cherish is probably the most talented girl group out there right now.

*UPDATED* Britney Spears' HIMYM Return: Preview Roundup

Clip #1

Clip #2

Check out two clips above & two promo pics below of Britney Spears reprising her role as Abby in CBS' How I Met Your Mother, airing this coming Monday, May 12th. She looks sooo good!

UPDATE: Clip #3--

UPDATE #2: Clip #4/Preview--

Tune in tonight!

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Ryan Cabrera "The Moon Under Water" Tracklisting

Ryan Cabrera is preparing to release his third album The Moon Under Water this coming Tuesday, May 13th. The tracklisting for the set, which features the first single "Say", is included below:

1. In Between Lights
2. Enemies
3. Say
4. Rise (The Dog Barks)
5. Sit Back, Relax
6. The Tango
7. How Bout Tonite
8. I Shoulda Kissed U
9. Say You Will
10. Please Don't Lie
11. I Will Remember You

Some interesting song titles. Also, it's cool to know that Ryan will finally be releasing his track "I Will Remember You" on an album. You can preview the entire album HERE. It sounds incredible!

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.

The faint of heart, avert your eyes! I apologize for forcing you all to face the cover of it, but Madonna's Hard Candy does debut atop the Billboard 200 album chart this week. However, poor Madge didn't even come close to Mariah's first-week total, which I find interesting for an album with, from what I've heard, apparently not a single problem ... except for the artist who recorded it. Just saying ... that's what happens when you aren't true to yourself. Anywho, last week's overall album sales weren't anything to cheer about. Lil' Mama's debut album VYP: Voice Of The Young People came in at #25 (not a misprint...) week one with a whopping 19,000 (...nor is this) copies sold. Note to record companies: does this, once & for all, show you that push-backs are not the way to go & to release the album while the buzz is still hot? Probably the saddest, yet least unexpected, news comes in the form of Estelle's masterpiece Shine debuting at #38. Why don't Americans know what good music is?! Also, Sarah McLachlan's compilation album Rarities, B-Sides, & Other Stuff 2 started off at #44. ... On the Hot 100 singles chart, Leona Lewis tops the chart for a second straight (& fourth non-consecutive) week with "Bleeding Love". No stoppin' this British import!

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(Photo Credit: Amazon)

The Caffeine Patch: WALL-E Meets Headphones

In Theaters June 27th

Lil' Mama Performs "L.I.F.E." On Jimmy Kimmel

Lil' Mama recently stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform her latest single "L.I.F.E." off her debut album VYP: Voice Of The Young People, which, despite spawning 2 top 10 hits, is stalling on the charts ... now that it's finally been released. I like the single & its accompanying video, but I didn't love this performance. Mama should definitely stick to rapping IMO.

Idol Review: Top 4

Best of the week? Tie between David Archuleta's "Love Me Tender" (W-O-W) [left] & Syesha's "A Change Is Gonna Come" (that beginning! that end! omg.) [right]. WE DID IT!! TOP 3!!! Archie & Syesha! They've been my favorites the whole season (check the archives!) & I honestly couldn't ask for more. They did amazing this week. Along with Carly, my four favorites were rounded out with Jason, so while it's sad to see him go, it was definitely his time & he was ready to go. On the results show, Maroon 5 stopped by (in honor of Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame week) & performed their new single "If I Never See Your Face Again" (without Rihanna):

In honor of the incredible David Archuleta & Syesha Mercado, I found some awesome pictures...

Be sure to visit these great fan sites as well:
david-archuleta.us
syesha-mercado.us

More links...
David Archuleta "Stand By Me" Performance
Syesha Mercado "Proud Mary" Performance
Top 4 Ford Music Video

*UPDATED* It's True...

Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon got married on April 30th. Get the details in the new issue of People, on newsstands Friday.

Ya, so it hasn't sunk in yet. I plead the Thumper rule.

UPDATE: Mariah is all set to make her first TV appearance as Mrs. Cannon on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Tuesday, May 13th, Mariah Daily Journal has learned.

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Estelle Performs "Come Over/American Boy" On Ellen

Estelle recently hit the stage on Ellen, singing a short medley of songs from her new album--my album of the moment--Shine. She sang "Come Over" with John Legend, the man whose label she is signed to, & her second single "American Boy". It was cool to hear her sing with John on that song, as I enjoy their pairing on her album track "You Are". Estelle is totally 'wicked'!

Cherish "Amnesia" Video Premiere

"Amnesia" is the second single off Cherish's sophomore album The Truth, which is set to drop Tuesday (May 13th). I must say that this is a much-improved single choice. I've loved this track since the first time I heard it. That said, the video's pretty dull. Does their label just not have any money or what? Anyway, I do have a question: Is that the same girl singing lead the whole time or are there 2 (the twins?) doing it?

Mario Eliminated From Dancing With The Stars

Mambo (Week 7)

Foxtrot (Week 7)
Jive (Week 8)
Waltz (Week 8)

Unfortunately, after 8 successful weeks, Mario has been voted off Dancing With The Stars. He was always good, but it is pretty obvious the progress he has made, so good for him for making the top 5. Hopefully we will observe the fruits of his labor in his upcoming video for "Music For Love"!

Maroon 5 ft. Rihanna "If I Never See Your Face Again": Behind-The-Scenes

Check out a sneak peek of Maroon 5 & Rihanna's new video for the former's song "If I Never See Your Face Again", which will be featured on the re-release of both of their most recent albums. It looks good! Rihanna is looking sexy in this video & I do actually like her on the song. I guess it's the uptempos I like by her.

Mariah Carey "Bye Bye" Video Premiere

"Bye Bye" is the second single off Mariah Carey's new #1 album E=MC². The clip features beautiful beauty shots of Mariah singing as well as behind-the-scenes footage of Mariah promoting her new album (even the Vibe photoshoot!) & with lost friends, relatives, etc. Oh yeah, & it also features Nick Cannon. I get the video now that I've watched it ... a time or 2 ... & it's very nice. Hopefully MC will return to the top with this one!