Olly Murs

Olly Murs has revealed that his new album has been given Simon Cowell’s the thumbs up from Simon Cowell
Olly who is signed to Epic as well as Simon’s label ‘Syco’, said that Simon had a hand in selecting the final track list for the album (Which is due for release later this year)
Speaking to a national newspaper he said: “Simon hasn’t been in touch because he’s too busy with ‘The X Factor’, but he’s had a say on the songs and has loved all the stuff that I’ve done... “I’m so ecstatic about my new single, it just all pieced together so well.”

Olly’s debut single ‘Please Don't Let Me Go’ is released on 30th August.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry has broken yet ANOTHER US radio record for her new single ‘Teenage Dream’.
The new song (which is also the title of Katy’s new album) has been added to 87 radio stations over the course of a week - the highest number of adds for a song ever.
The song was released on Monday to US iTunes and has soared straight to No.3 ~ two places ahead of her last global No.1 single ‘California Gurls’.
Her fantastic debut album ‘One of the Boys’ is also on course to return to the US album chart after rising to No.5 on iTunes.

Last month, Katy Perry broke the US airplay record after ‘California Gurls’ received 11,816 plays in a week!

Girls Aloud

Great news! ~ Girls Aloud are reportedly going to reunite in 2011 without Nadine Coyle. According to a national newspaper the girls (Cheryl Cole, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh) have planned a comeback as a four-piece group... “It's been a painful decision for Sarah, Nicola, Kimberley and Cheryl but they have decided that the future of Girls Aloud lies without Nadine,” the newspaper quotes a source ... “They've all been on a roller-coaster ride since 2002 and have just grown apart from Nadine. Relations with her had been strained within the camp for a while. Disputes began cropping up towards the final days of the band before they went on a hiatus.” The source continued: “The four remaining girls want to return on their own terms - and avoiding any squabbles is a high priority. That's why they have decided to go on without Nadine.”

Nadine Coyle recently admitted that she is in ‘no rush’ to reunite with the band as they are all pursuing solo projects... i think she’ll soon regret it when her solo career flops! (in fact i bet £10 it will) Nadine has done herself no favours with her attitude over the last year!

Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco has thanked fans for an online petition aimed at his label Atlantic Records.
The petition asks Atlantic to issue the rapper's completed album ‘Lasers’ which has been finished for several months but still has no official release date.
Lupe said: “I love to see progression. I love it. I love to see this petition”... he also went on to say that he believes the album has not been a priority for Atlantic as it does not contain conventional 'hit' singles: “I don't think the label cares about an album. People just want their number one record. They don't care about the rest of the album. I was talking to an engineer the other day and he said, ‘These n***as don't even care about mixing an album no more’. They just want the first three songs. Three singles. They get them, one, two, three, they don't care what's on the rest of the album,” he explained...
Careful Lupe ... at least you’ve still got a deal!

US Charts

Eminem & Rihanna remain at the No.1 spot in the singles chart with ‘Love The Way You Lie’ for a second week.
Eminem’s ‘Recovery’ stays at No.1 for a fifth week in the album chart after selling a further 187,000 copies... This is huge!

Top 5 U.S Albums:
5: Kidz Bop Kidz – ‘Kidz Bop 18’
4: Drake – ‘Thank me later’
3: Sheryl Crow – ‘100 Miles from Memphis’
2: Rick Ross – ‘Teflon Don’
1: Eminem – ‘Recovery’

Top 5 U.S Singles:
5: Travie McCoy Feat... Bruno Mars – ‘Billionaire’
4: Taio Cruz – ‘Dynamite’
3: B.o.B – ‘Airplanes’
2: Katy Perry – ‘California Gurls’
1: Eminem & Rihanna – Love the way you lie’

Overall album sales in this past chart week totalled 5.3 million up 2% compared to the sum last week (5.2 million) and down 15% compared to the comparable sales week of 2009 (6.3 million). Year to date album sales stand at 169.7 million, down 12% compared to the same total at this point last year (193.2 million).

Travie McCoy

Travie McCoy has revealed that he recorded himself crying over his break-up with Katy Perry for a track on his solo album.
Travie split with Katy Perry last year and used his tears on a song inspired by the separation called ‘Don't Pretend’.
According to a national newspaper he said: “In a sense, I felt I’d had my heart ripped out. I’m crying throughout the song. That song is the most introspective and personal on the album.”
However the song, which features the line ‘Goodbye Booby’ in reference to his nickname for Katy was a cathartic experience for him: “The album is about coming out the other side of something really painful," he added. “Getting all those feelings down was thera¬peutic and now I feel like I’ve drawn a line under the relationship... “There was a lot of stuff that did not make the alb¬um because it was too dark. But 'Don’t Pretend', along with a lot of those unused tracks, gave me closure."

Travie McCoy's debut solo album ‘Lazarus’ is released in the UK on August 9... (I love his new single ‘Billionaire’

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton has suggested that Kylie Minogue was her influence on her new album.
Paris told a national magazine that she hoped to emulate Kylie’s sound on her follow-up to 2006's ‘Paris’.
Paris Hilton said: “My record is just in production now. I recently finished recording it. It's very like dance, club music... “I really have always loved Kylie Minogue - she's like, one of my favourite artists. I've just been really inspired by her. I just wanted my music to kind of... emulate her.” She added: “I just kind of love her sound and I love the way she is, so I was inspired by her, and the album's going to be out in a few months... “I love all sorts of music. I love the Black Eyed Peas, and I love Coldplay and U2. I partied with Bono in Cannes this year. He's such a cool guy, I love him.”

Jamelia

Jamelia has confirmed that she has signed a new record deal. Jamelia signed the deal live on ‘UStream’ watched by fans.
In her management’s offices, Jamelia said it was a ‘very exciting day for me’ and added that she ‘wanted to share it with my fans’.
Jamelia (29) was emotional as she signed the deal in front of the management team and her two children. Who the deal is with though remains unknown.
“Obviously this is really really exciting for me,” she said. “Let the games begin!”
Can’t wait to hear what she’s gonna release!

Duran Duran

Duran Duran have confirmed that Scissor Sisters star Ana Matronic has recorded a vocal track for their new album.
Keyboard player Nick Rhodes confirmed that the singer would feature on the Mark Ronson produced album
Nick said: “It is almost impossible for me to explain just how much I adore Ana Matronic. This past Thursday, she came in all her fabulousness to our studio in London and performed a rather exquisite vocal cameo on a song called 'Safe' from the forthcoming Duran Duran album... “Needless to say, it's already one of my favourite moments on the entire record. Can't wait to do the video...”

Dannii Minogue

Dannii Minogue has admitted that she was nervous as she began working on new music.
Dannii has recently returned gone back into the recording studio after a seven-year break. Her last studio album ‘Neon Nights’ peaked at No.8 in the UK album chart.

In scenes featured in her ITV2 series (which starts tomorrow night) she says: “It's been pushed back to my agenda for a long time” ... “I think since X Factor came on the scene I’ve been heavily involved in the mentoring of other people and helping their music career. It’s kind of scary for me today because it’s like getting back on the horse.”
Dannii also admitted that she still needs to learn how to deal with criticism directed at her.
“I think I’ve copped quite a bit of flack over the years for the music: 'It's not been as good as your sister's or it’s not charted this or it should have done that', but I’ve loved it and enjoyed it and I’ve learnt a lot. I’ve got to get some confidence with it and right now I don’t have that”

It was reported last month that she had signed a £1 MILLION record deal with Ministry of Sound.

Eminem & Rihanna

Eminem surprised concert-goers last week by joining Rihanna on stage to perform their new single...
Eminem performed with Rihanna as a surprise guest during her gig in LA as part of her ‘Last Girl On Earth Tour’.
The pair gave an exclusive live performance of their new song ‘Love The Way You Lie’, which is currently No.1 in the US singles charts.
A music channel quotes a fan at the gig as saying: “When Eminem came out that was friggin' amazing.”
Another added: “The fantastic part was Eminem. We loved it. We come all the way from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!”

Boyzone

Boyzone have revealed their plans to release a new album next year... Speaking to a national newspaper Shane Lynch said: “We’re probably going to get in the studio to make another album next year, after the tour. This is what we love to do.”

Boyzone’s last album ‘Brother’ went to No.1 in the UK and Ireland earlier this year, They are also the most successful group in Ireland, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and The UK

Leona Lewis

Gee’s things are going from bad to worse for Leona Lewis ... She’s now reportedly called off plans to tour Australia, Asia and Europe.
Leona will instead return to the studio to record songs for the deluxe edition of her album ‘Echo’ and also for her third album,
A national newspaper reports: “Leona's heart just wasn't in the tour towards the end of the UK leg. She was upset, teary and heartbroken over her split with Lou. She'd been with him for 10 years. This was the love of her life... “The last thing she wanted was to be on the road away from a support network of friends and family. She wasn't up for it emotionally. She's full of ideas. She's got a new lease of life in songwriting. She's putting her heartbreak into her music.”
It was also claimed that Christina Aguilera's cancellation of her US tour, on which Lewis had a supporting slot, further convinced Lewis to put her tour plans on hold.
The source added: “Christina's tour flopping caused a major problem for Leona. It meant she would have a long time to wait before she could tour the rest of the world.”
The report also suggests that Simon Cowell has told Leona Lewis that he wants her third album completed before next summer so that she can perform on the US version of ‘The X Factor’

Gorillaz

Gorillaz have announced their first world tour... They will play 20 gigs in America, (including their first ever show at Madison Square Gardens). 2 dates at London’s O2 Arena will form part of 10 European dates before the virtual band move onto Asia and Australia for seven further shows.
Gorillaz had previously announced a UK & Ireland tour but it’ll now become part of the ‘Escape To Plastic Beach World Tour’, with those dates including a new show at the Brighton Centre.
The group have promised fans a ‘wild and organic experience’ on the tour, which will kick off its European leg in The O2, Dublin on 11th November.

Gorillaz will release the FANTASTIC track ‘Melancholy Hill’ as the first commercial single from ‘Plastic Beach’ on July 27.

Olly Murs

Olly Murs has landed his own ITV2 documentary as he attempts to crack the Top.40 in August with his debut single ‘Please Don't Let Me Go’
His record label Sony is believed to have spent more than £100,000 on the documentary, which is due to be shown alongside this year's series of The X Factor.
A source said: ‘Sony really wants Olly to be a success so they have funded a documentary about him for ITV2...‘The idea is for fans to get to know the real Olly so, hopefully, they will buy his album.’

‘Please Don't Let Me Go’ will be released for download on August 28, with a physical release on the following day.
I actually can’t wait for Dannii Minogue’s documentary that starts on ITV2 on Wednesday!

Katie Price

Finally some good news! Katie Price has reportedly decided to quit pop music.
According to a national newspaper she has chosen to focus on other aspects of her career after solo debut single ‘Free to love again’ failed to make the Top 40... Actually make that the Top 60!
A source told the newspaper: ‘Katie wants to concentrate on what she does best 100%... “She knows what she's good at whether its writing books, modelling or appearing on her own reality show but the pop career isn't for her.”

Katie has cancelled plans to perform at London's G-A-Y club this weekend.

US Charts

Eminem & Rihanna knocks Katy Perry off the No.1 spot in the singles chart with ‘Love The Way You Lie’.
The single is Eminem's fourth US No.1 single.
Eminem's ‘Recovery’ stays at No.1 for a whole month

Top 5 U.S Albums:
5: Justin Bieber – ‘My world 2.0’
4: Newsboys – ‘Born Again’
3: Drake – ‘Thank me later’
2: Korn III – ‘Remember who you are’
1: Eminem – ‘Recovery’

Top 5 U.S Singles:
5: Usher feat... Will.i.am – ‘OMG’
4: Taio Cruz – ‘Dynamite’
3: B.o.B Feat... Eminem – ‘Airplanes’
2: Katy Perry – ‘California Gurls’
1: Eminem & Rihanna – Love the way you lie’

The O2

The UK and Irelands live music venues are the world’s biggest money-makers - with six of the planet's top ten earners in the UK and Ireland.

Top 3 in the world are:
1) London's O2 Arena
2) Manchester's MEN Arena
3) Dublin's O2.

New York’s Madison Square Garden could manage only fourth, while other British venues in the top ten include Birmingham's LG Arena, Wembley Arena and the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.
The six venues raked in combined ticket sales of £2.9million for the first half of this year - in contrast to the turmoil in the US, where promoters have had to scrap hundreds of shows

Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue has announced that she is planning a concert to celebrate five years of being cancer-free.
Kylie who was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2004, said that the event would feature multiple artists and benefit cancer treatment and awareness charities.
According to a national newspaper Elton John, Robbie Williams and The Scissor Sisters have tentatively expected to join the event pencilled in for February 2011
Kylie said: “Early next year it will be my five years all-clear and I would like to do something to mark that - something like a benefit concert,” ... “We are going to try and arrange something with my professor in Paris.”
She added that she doesn't feel comfortable taking credit for the rise in cancer screenings which took place after her diagnosis.
She said: “I know a lot of women went for screenings after my ¬announcement. And a lot of people came up to me and said I saved them. Of course I didn't - but it made them go and get checked.”

Lady GaGa

Lady GaGa has apparently explained why she is holding back on releasing her new album...
Lady Gaga who promised that her next release will be ‘iconic’ (which is wrote in Liverpool) has now revealed that the album will be delayed until next year because she wants to spend more time doing interviews and appearances.
She also wants to complete the ‘Monster Ball’ tour and have a rest... considering she’s been working none stop for over two years i think that’s wise Gaga!

Justin Bieber

The irritating Justin Bieber has unfortunately dethroned Lady GaGa to have the most watched video on YouTube.
Earlier this year Lady GaGa's ‘Bad Romance’ video was the most watched video on the website, but it has since been locked in a battle with Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby’, which is currently ahead of Lady GaGa by 300,000 views, with fans said to be refreshing their web browser to ensure he remains in the lead... Cheating his way to the top then!

Vampire Weekend

Oh dear... A model has filed a $2 million (£1.3m) lawsuit against Vampire Weekend for allegedly using her image on their album artwork without consent.
According to an online news channel Ann Kirsten Kennis, (who features on the sleeve of the band’s global No.1 album ‘Contra’) claims that her signature on a consent form was forged.
In the suit filed at the LA County Superior Court, the model blames the band for not verifying the authenticity of her signature on the release obtained from a photographer named Tod Brody, who is also being sued...
The image of Kennis was taken in 1983 and was used by the band from last November to promote their album...

Take That

Mmm... IS this for love or is this for the MONEY...? ‘cos Take That will reportedly earn £75 MILLION following Robbie Williams’s return to the group.
Robbie left the band in 1995 but yesterday confirmed that he will rejoin them for an album and arena tour.
According to an national newspaper each member of Take That stands to make £15 million from the deal, including record sales, royalties, endorsements and concert tickets.
A source told the newspaper: “Robbie has some commitments with Live Nation and a couple of appearances with Gary for the new single lined up... “But after that, Take That's creative tour team will be working on the biggest show they have ever put on. Kim Gavin, who has worked with Take That on all their spectacular tours, is already briefed and ready to start coming up with amazing ideas.”

Damage

Oh dear lord! Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel on reunions... R&B boyband Damage have confirmed plans that they too are going to reunite and go on tour after nine years apart.
Damage split up in back 2001, but will will play a string of live shows and are considering releasing a ‘Greatest Hits’ package. However, the band claimed that they currently have no plans for new material.
Consisting of Emma Bunton’s boyfriend Jade Jones, Noel Simpson, Coree Richards. Andrez Harriott and Rahsaan J Bromfield, the band only released two albums ‘Forever’ and ‘Since You've Been Gone’. Their biggest hit was a cover of Eric Clapton's ‘Wonderful Tonight’, which reached No.3 in 1997.
Speaking to BBC Noel said: “It was good times when we got together and just sat down talking. There was a lot of laughter,”
Jade added “It seemed so easy. It's been such a long time since we've done anything but getting back together, it's like riding a bike. As soon as we got back together, everything just slipped into place. We're ready. I don't know if the world's ready for it but we're ready.”

Natasha Bedingield

Natasha Bedingield has announced the title of her new album vis her Twitter page, She wrote: ‘Drum roll please... I have decided my album name!!! Its called Strip Me. And Its coming out this fall, (sic)’
The album’s first single will be called ‘Touch’ and was premiered in May.
I’ve really loved her last three albums, so defiantly can’t wait for this one to hit the shops!

US Charts

Katy Perry remains at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a sixth week with “California Gurls’.
Eminem's ‘Recovery’ is the first album to notch 3 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the album charts since March after selling another 229,000 copies!

Top 5 U.S Albums:
5: Justin Bieber – ‘My world 2.0’
4: OST – ‘Twilight Saga: Eclipse’
3: Big Boi – ‘Sir Lucious left foot’
2: Drake – ‘Thank me later’
1: Eminem – ‘Recovery’

Top 5 U.S Singles:
5: Travie McCoy – ‘Billionaire’
4: Usher feat... Will.i.am – ‘OMG’
3: B.o.B Feat... Eminem – ‘Airplanes’
2: Eminem & Rihanna – Love the way you lie’
1: Katy Perry – ‘California Gurls’

Overall album sales in this past chart week totalled 5.23 million down 5% compared to the sum last week (5.54 million) and down 28% compared to the comparable sales week of 2009 (7.27 million). Year to date album sales stand at 159.2 million, down 12% compared to the same total at this point last year (180.2 million)

Lee Ryan

Now this is funny! (Well the number of signatures part anyway!)
Lee Ryan has said that his record label will now release his second solo album ‘Confessions’.
Lee had said that he would give the album away for free online, after the disappointing chart position for his new single meant it would not be released by Geffen Records... Posting on Twitter Lee said: “I think your petition has worked!!!”... “The record label have said they will release it now!!! So happy! Thank you everyone for helping me!!”

A fan petition calling for the label to ‘trust’ Ryan has received 174 signatures.

Arcade Fire

How FANTASTIC!
Arcade Fire have pledged to donate ONE MILLION Canadian dollars (£600,000) to a charity benefiting people who were affected by the Haitian earthquake, on the condition that the public give the same amount.
The band's co-founder Régine Chassagne helped launched the charity Kanpe, which promises to rebuild one Haitian village at a time.
According to an American newspaper the bands front man Win Butler said that Arcade Fire will match $1m worth of $5 (£3.20) donations from members of the public.

U2

Good news for those with U2 tickets ... Bono is to return to the stage in August to begin U2’s European tour.
Bono was recently forced to postpone the North American part of their world tour after he was admitted to hospital for emergency back surgery in May.
U2 also scrapped their headlining slot at Glastonbury...
A statement released by concert promoters Live Nation reads: “Following Bono's recovery from recent back surgery, U2 are now readying themselves for the opening of their European tour.”
The lads will play in Italy on August 6, and have also rescheduled their North American tour, beginning with Denver in May.
U2’s manager Paul McGuinness said: “We're delighted the dates are rescheduled and in all the same venues we originally planned to play... “Above all we want to thank the U2 fans for bearing with us. They're the best and the band want to get back to where they belong, surrounded by their audience.”

Girls Can't Catch

Well they didn’t last long huh ... Girls Can't Catch have confirmed that they have split up.
Fans (did they have any?) were made aware of the split when a spokesperson for their record label, Fascination, told a teen mag that the group ‘unfortunately are no longer signed to us’.
The band consisting of: Daizy Agnew, Phoebe Brown and Jess Stickley, released their debut single ‘Keep your head up’ (which peaked at number 26 in the charts), last August. Follow-up single ‘Echo’ didn't do much better, peaking at number 19 in January.
Posting on her Twitter account Daizy said: “Sadly its over for GCC. We have an incredible year! Thank you so much for your support. It was a pleasure to share this experience with Jess and Phoebe. I will pursue other projects. I don't believe in giving up. Thank you once again for everything,” ... “And yes I will be going solo, I've got this far I'm not going to stop now. I wish the girls the best of luck, they are fantastic people.”

Girls Can’t Catch supported both Girls Aloud and the Jonas Brothers on their most recent tours, had been expected to release their debut album later this year.

Manic Street Preachers

Manic Street Preachers have revealed plans to launch their new album with a gig in London this August.
Bassist Nicky Wire confirmed the concert before the band's Bilbao BBK Live festival performance.
Asked if the group would play any new music at the show, Nick said: “To be honest, I think we've got our launch gig in London and that's when we'll play the new stuff, in August...
“Today's just about a bit of payback for the fans that have stuck with us, so pretty much something from every album we try to do.”
Manic Street Preachers will release their 10th album: ‘Postcards From A Young Man’ on September 27.
Can't wait - Love this band!

Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi's current tour around the U.S has made them the highest earners of the year so far, in a poll of the most profitable road shows of the region.
The band made a gross profit of $52.8m (£35m) from ‘The Circle’, which has sold out dates in the US and Canada.
The band performed at 38 shows in the first six months of this year, ranking them top on ‘Pollstar’s’ Top.100 North American tours list.
James Taylor and Carole King’s joint concerts was No.2 with $41m (£27m), and country singer Taylor Swift was No.3.

Musicians such as the Jonas Brothers and Rihanna have recently been forced to cancel concerts as a result of poor ticket sales

Eminem

Mmm, Here’s the official explanation as to why Eminem's performance at last weekend's T In The Park festival in Scotland was delayed for 40 minutes... laser pens.
Police were reportedly searching for a group of people who were pointing the illegal lasers at the stage.
Eminem was held from going on stage until the lasers were found.
An insider told a national newspaper that “Eminem was desperate to go on stage but he was held back for his own safety... “Police and security staff are instructed to clamp down heavily on people who arrive with malicious intent.”

Usher

How here’s something that’s far from easy ... it’s hard enough speaking in Chinese never mind singing (i think i only know one word, and thats 'Hello') but Usher performed a song in Chinese during his debut concert in the country.
Usher performed a duet of ‘My One And Only’ with Asian singer Lee-Hom Wang and learnt his lyrics in Chinese in a bid to impress fans over there
He told a newspaper “I wanted to make a great impression, so I wanted to do something very special. After hearing [Wang’s] music, I wanted to collaborate with him.”
Usher also said that he wanted to perform in China because he knew there was an audience there for him, claiming that a crowd in Asia is more respectful of a singer on stage.

UK Charts

JLS go straight to No.1 with their new single ‘The club is alive’ (which is actually the only record on their album they didn’t have a hand in writing) This gives the lads their third UK No.1
Kylie Minogue scores her fifth UK No.1 album this week with ‘Aphrodite’ 22 YEARS after her debut ‘Kylie’ went straight to No.1


Top 5 U.K. Singles:
5: Yolanda be cool & D-Cup – ‘We speak no Americano’
4: Eminem & Rihanna – ‘Love the way you lie’
3: B.o.b – ‘Airplanes’
2: Katy Perry – ‘California Gurls’
1: JLS – ‘The club is alive’

Top 5 U.K. Albums:
5: Alicia Keys – ‘The Element of Freedom’
4: Scissor Sisters – ‘Night work’
3: Plan B – ‘Deformation of Strickland banks’
2: Eminem – ‘Recovery’
1: Kylie Minogue – ‘Aphrodite’

Plan B

There’s hope for us all as even established artists get refused record deals and the latest casualty is Plan B.
Plan B’s record label 679/Atlantic has refused to release his new album titled ‘The Ballad Of Bellmarsh’
The musician, whose real name is Ben Drew, has been forced to take the recording elsewhere, despite selling around HALF A MILLION copies of his latest CD ‘The Defamation Of Strickland Banks’.
In an interview with the BBC, Plan B said: “The label said, 'Look, we love your soul record. We know what to do with that. With the hip-hop it's not going to get play on radio, we don't know how to market it and we're not feeling it'.”... “I was offended but I said, ‘Alright, cool’. This is the compromise - I take that hip-hop record, I put it out on my own label and you own none of it... “I'll promote it off the back of my soul record and that's what I'm doing.”

Mary J. Blige

Good on ya Mary J ...
Mary J. Blige has reportedly enrolled as a student at Howard University in America, she’ll be a part of the school's graduating class of 2014... Mary J said: “The city of New York gave me my high school diploma … and now Howard University has accepted me,”
Mary J dropped out of high school during her junior year. However, she returned to school a year later and received her GED

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has revealed that she is unsure over which single she is releasing next... She’s admitted that her label are undecided on whether to release her collaboration with DJ Armin Van Buuren ‘Not Giving Up’, or the song ‘Can't Fight This Feeling’ featuring Junior Caldera, which has already been released in parts of Europe.
Sophie said: “There's a song I did with Armin which will definitely be a single called ‘Not Giving Up’, and then I also wrote a song with French DJ called Junior Caldera which was released in France and some places around Europe... “It has been doing well, so I think they're going to be bringing that out, [but] it's the same label bringing out both tracks so I'm not sure what order we're going to go for yet.”
Sophie also said that the music video for ‘Not Giving Up’ could be filmed in Ibiza... “I think it's around Armin's schedule a bit because I have to go where he is and he's DJ-ing around the world all the time. I think it might be in Ibiza because he is doing a residency there.”

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is due to release her fourth studio album ‘Straight To The Heart’ later this year.

Alesha Dixon

Alesha Dixon has confirmed details of her new album including the title ... ‘Unleashed’
Alesha recently confirmed that she had been recording with producer Jim Beanz, best known for his production work on Nelly Furtado's ‘Loose’, and hit makers Xenomania (who worked on her previous smash hit album ‘The Alesha Show’.
The album will be preceded by the single ‘Drummer Boy’, which will be released at the end of August.
In a video message posted on her official website, she said: “[I'm] really excited about the new record. Time is ticking but we're getting there and we're nearly ready to come with the album... “[We're] just mastering it, mixing it [and] making it as good as it can be for you guys. I'm really excited, I hope you guys are as well... “Look out for the new single 'Drummer Boy' when it drops at the end of August [or] beginning of September. I'll keep you updated! I'm off to LA in a couple of weeks to shoot the video with Ray Kay which is exciting!”

Alesha Dixon's last album ‘The Alesha Show’ peaked at No.11 on the UK album chart, but sold over a massive 300,000 copies!

Harry Hill

NO, NO, NO,NO.... (Repeat like another MILLION times)... Harry Hill has reportedly signed a deal with Universal Records.
According to a national newspaper Harry will record albums made up of comic songs, stories and jokes... “Harry has always featured some daft songs in his act and this is his way to reach a new audience,” a source said... “There will be some familiar stuff and entirely new material.”

Harry (45) has released an album called ‘The First Meeting of the International Recipe Card Top Trump Society’ with Brown Dog Records back in 2007... And yet many fantastic artists in the UK goes un-signed!

Sir Elton John

Sir Elton John has reportedly revealed that he only wants to concentrate on making albums in the future.
Speaking to a UK news channel he said: “In the '70s, '80s and '90s, the record companies said you had to have a single. I think I've fulfilled my brief. I don't have to make pop records anymore... “The singles chart is not one I'm going to be in very often anymore, so my view is to make records that fit my age. I don't think I'm going to do ‘Crocodile Rock’ anymore.”
A spokesman added that John will not be “going to go out of his way” to release a single again... Shame

US Charts

Katy Perry remains at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a fifth week with “California Gurls’.
In the album charts Eminem’s ‘Recover’ remains at No.1 for a second week after selling another 313,000 copies! In two weeks the album has shifted 1.1 million copies in the U.S. It's the first release to sell in excess of 300,000 for multiple weeks since Susan Boyle’s ‘I Dreamed a Dream’.

Top 5 U.S Albums:
5: Various Artists – ‘Now 34’
4: The Dream – ‘Love King’
3: OST – ‘Twilight Saga: Eclipse’
2: Drake – ‘Thank me later’
1: Eminem – ‘Recovery’

Top 5 U.S Singles:
5: Travie McCoy – ‘Billionaire’
4: B.o.B Feat... Eminem – ‘Airplanes’
3: Usher feat... Will.i.am – ‘OMG’
2: Eminem & Rihanna – Love the way you lie’
1: Katy Perry – ‘California Gurls’

Overall album sales in this past chart week totalled 5.54 million down 9% compared to the sum last week (6.07 million) and down 20% compared to the comparable sales week of 2009 (6.96 million). Year to date album sales stand at 154.0 million, down 11% compared to the same total at this point last year (172.9 million)

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse joined producer Mark Ronson on stage on Tuesday night in London has he launched his new band...
Mark Ronson was performing at the capitals 100 Club with his Business Intl project, the name under which he will release third album ‘Record Collection’ this September.
Amy Winehouse also joined the group for a live cover of their hit ‘'Valerie’ but that went down like a lead ballon as she forgot the words to the first verse, and other verses.
Mark Ronson recently confirmed to that he and Amy Winehouse had successfully recorded a ‘Brilliant’ cover of Lesley Gore's ‘It's My Party’ for an upcoming Quincy Jones tribute record.

Blue

Lee Ryan has said that Blue will be backing ‘very soon’. He revealed that he could not wait for the reunion and confirmed that there would be both a new album and a tour.
Speaking to a music channel Lee said: “We are coming back, we're going to do another album. I can't wait! ... “We’ve already got some material in the bag, which we have been working on with Ne-Yo. I've worked with Ne-Yo for about five years and we’ve got some really good tracks. We will be recording more this year.”
He added: “I don't know when we're going to be releasing right now but we're gonna be coming back, there's going to be a tour. You’re gonna be seeing Blue back very soon.” – Some little part of me actually can’t wait to hear something from the lads!

Paolo Nutini

Paolo Nutini has performed with school children at the Academy of Music in Paisley, Scotland.
Paolo was joined by students in the school’s ‘glee club’ on his song ‘Pencil Full Of Lead’ while his friend Hannah-Rose McLennan and her partner Craig White opened the evening, “I have known Hannah-Rose since primary school, we go a long way back,” he said of McLennan, who arranged the event.
“For me it is a great thing to see this happening and the kids so happy about it. The kids singing with me were great.”
Paolo also added that he plans to continue to be involved with the school in order to educate the students about music... “I will do what I can, the Saturdays I have free and pieces of time that come up, I will come in and do workshops... I want to stay involved.” ... is there anything this guy can do that doesn’t make him more adorable! ~ He's just FANTASTIC!

Scissor Sisters

The Scissor Sisters have announced details of a nationwide arena tour which will kick off in December.
Tickets go on sale this Friday (9th) July at 9am.

The full tour dates are as follows:
December 3 - Birmingham LG Arena
December 6 - Cardiff Arena
December 8 - Glasgow SECC
December 10 - Newcastle Arena
December 11 - Manchester MEN Arena
December 12 - Brighton Centre
December 14 - Nottingham Arena
December 15 - London 02 Arena

Jason Derulo

Jason Derulo has revealed that his duet with Pixie Lott will ‘make people smile’.
Jason recently tweeted a photo of himself and Pixie Lott in the recording studio, described the track as a ‘cool song’.
In an interview for an on-line website he said: “The collaboration with Pixie Lott is a really cool song - I listen to it all the time! It has a really nice groove to it and just makes you smile.”... Discussing his future plans, he revealed that he will release the song ‘What If’ from his debut LP, which he described as his ‘favourite song on the album’.... can’t wait to hear the track with Pixie!

The Darkness

OMG ... Why, Oh why... They weren’t any good the first time round... The Darkness are about to announce that they are to reunite for a new tour.
The band split back in 2006 after lead singer Justin Hawkins quit to battle his drug and alcohol addiction, and reportedly fell out with Brother Dan (the band's guitarist).
However, the brothers have apparently buried the hatchet after spending time together to visit drummer Ed Graham's newborn son...
A friend told a national newspaper: “Dan and Justin’s falling out was a very bitter affair. They didn't speak for almost half a decade. But spending time with Ed and his family has reminded them all how close they once were.”

The band has already begun rehearsals and is expected to be touring next summer.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys fell while performing at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
Alicia who’s pregnant to hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz baby slipped as she was wearing four-inch heels.
Reports say that the fall was not ‘hard’ and that Alicia and her unborn baby are ‘fine’.
A source said: “She had on high heels and never seemed to have her balance all night. And as she was walking across the stage she slipped and fell... “She just kept singing [while] on the ground, like a real pro.” ~ Glad everything’s okay Alicia!

UK Charts

Katy Perry manages to keep Kylie Minogue and B.o.B off the No.1 spot in the singles chart, staying there for a second week.
Eminem also spends his second week at the top of the UK album charts.

Top 5 U.K. Singles:
5: K’Naan – ‘Wavin’ flag’
4: Enrique Iglesias & Pitbull – ‘I like it’
3: Kylie Minogue – ‘All the lovers’
2: B.o.b – ‘Airplanes’
1: Katy Perry – ‘California Gurls’

Top 5 U.K. Albums:
5: Oasis – ‘Time flies 1994 – 2009’
4: Plan B – ‘Deformation of Strickland banks’
3: Alicia Keys – ‘The Element of Freedom’
2: Scissor Sisters – ‘Night work’
1: Eminem – ‘Recovery’