Check it out.

Cringe. I don't mind the new, UK recording of Will.I.Am's smashing track 'Check It Out', and I suppose it's remotely understandable, given Cole's association with Will but the video, really? As it originally stood, the video was a quirky homage to Japanese TV and 'pop' artistry associated with the country and, of course, the singers looks fitted in perfectly, the beautiful Nicki Minaj in particular. To aid the new recording, however, someone thought it would be a good idea to film some add-on footage of Cheryl Cole as a rather forced wide-eyed bimbo. As much as, I'll confess, I love Cheryl Cole as herself, the awful attempt to 'quirk' her up with dodgy face-pulling and abrupt dancing makes for, quite frankly, some stomach turning TV. Cheryl is no Nicki. Deal with it and move on.

Nicki Minaj's debut album is out now.

The Ashes

Christmas Eve this year can be celebrated with a little new release. Rick Ross releases his latest mixtape Ashes To Ashes on December 24th..... Get that advent calendar out and count down the days... 

gangsters paradise...?

Brilliant. The metro today reported on a raid at the home of notorious drug fiend Luciano Martiniano da Silva. The raid, taking place in Brazil, resulted in possibly the least stereotypical discovery ever.... A massive shrine in respect to pop sensation (gag) Justin Bieber! The best friend to Usher's face was sprawled across a giant handmade mosaic on one wall with another host to numerous posters of the pop teen's face. Bless. I wonder if da Silva was even remotely embarrassed?

Track of the week - Hold My Hand

So the time has come.... it's only four weeks until Michael (the album) drops and the first single, as requested by Mike in a handwritten note, hit the net yesterday. michaeljackson.com revealed the track yesterday which is streaming on the homepage as we speak, with its release to follow in two weeks time.

The track, completed by Akon following its leak before Michael's death, is quite strange to comprehend on first listen. Not, as far as I'm concerned, because of Michael's passing , rather due to Akon's heavy input. The hip-hop star has completed the track past Jackson's first (and stunning) verse and his aid does not go unnoticed on the production either.

However, other than for the lack of Michael himself, 'Hold my Hand' is a stunning first release which does massive justice to the man himself simply reiterating, 17 months down the line, what a huge talent we lost.

Michael is released December 14th.

Hold My Hand is released November 29th.

thriller

After years of waiting, I finally made it to thriller live tonight for it's residency in Brighton.... Were only at the interval so far, but I'm regretting it took so long.... So far, so phenominal...

#ItsPinkFridayHoe

Just over a week to go until Pink Friday drops....

Nicki is running a track-by-track countdown to the day on facebook.... facebook.com/nickiminaj

Also, don't forget to buy your PINK FRIDAY T-SHIRT!!!!! This amazing ltd ed piece of merch is available at mypinkfriday.com

X x X

Ladies if you feel me do it, do it, whip your hair.