Fantasia kindly reminded us why she won that coveted American Idol title when she tore it down (in a good way) for the recent Patti Labelle Tribute TV special for "Evening Of Stars." (Thanks Necole!) Don't believe me? Check out Patti's reaction via Tha Feedback...

Labels: Fantasia, Music Hoopla, Patti LaBelle, TV Hoopla

Jennifer Hudson's self-titled debut picked up 4 Grammy nominations and for that recognition she's grateful and "humbled."

“It’s been a childhood dream of mine to release an album, so to receive 4 Grammy nominations is truly a blessing. I’m extremely honored and humbled by the nominations."[AP]

Here are the categories that Jennifer's album was recognized in: Best R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for “Spotlight,” and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “I’m His Only Woman” with label mate Fantasia. (2 American Idols on a Grammy-nominated song?! Congrats to Miss Hudson and Miss Barrino!) Rumor has it that the video for her second single, "If This Isn't Love" will premiere in January. UPDATE: Jennifer WILL go on to film her second solo music video for "If This Isn't Love" with director Syndrome according to Video Static.



On this Monday's episode of "The Tyra Banks Show", Brandy talked candidly about her brother Ray J's sex tape, her fake marriage to Robert Smith, and she capped off her appearance with a performance. Tyra claimed she watched 20 seconds of Ray J's infamous tape for "research purposes." (Tyra - Things that make me go hmm...)



Brandy also dropped by the "Today" show to perform her lead single, "Right Here (Departed)" and "Long Distance" off her album, "Human" (due out December 9th). I think she did a great job...




Preview Brandy's new album over at MTV's The Leak. Standout tracks are "The Definition", "Piano Man", "Human", and "1st & Love."

Labels: Brandy, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Music Hoopla, things that make me go hmm, TV Hoopla

Leona Lewis was not the only star/singer at Justin Timberlake's Friends Benefit concert. In a lime green bustier and high-waist black leggings, Rihanna belt out her hits "Disturbia" and "Umbrella" at the event. (Her single, "Umbrella" was named the catchiest song ever.) JT even joined her on stage. Prior to her performance set, Rihanna breezed throught the Miracle Mile Mall in Vegas on a Segway.



Estelle and John Legend attended and performed at the 2008 MOBO awards, which Melanie Brown hosted. John signed Estelle onto his record label, Homeschool Records and the two have since collaborated on one another's albums. Their hard efforts paid off because Estelle picked up two wins (Best U.K female & Best Song For "American Boy") at the music event. Next up for Estelle is a duet with Atomic Kitten's Liz McLarnon as reported by The Mirror.



Fantasia stepped out for Jermaine Dupri's pre-BET Hip-Hop Awards party in Atlanta, Georgia. The R&B singer has been busy in the studio recording new material for her next album. You can also check out her duet with her fellow "American Idol" vet Jennifer Hudson in this earlier post.



Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman looked fab at the "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" premiere. (I actually like the last one thanks to my 2-year-old nephew.) The third installment of the popular Disney franchise has its U.S premiere on October 24th. Also at the premiere was actress Kimberly Elise with her 10-year-old daughter Butterly.

Labels: Box Office Hoopla, Celeb Offspring, Estelle, Fantasia, JD, John Legend, Out and About, Rihanna

Two of R&B's female vocalists Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia team up on the vintage Jazz-inspired track, "I'm His Only Woman" which will appear on Jennifer's self-titled album out on September 30th. As soon as I hit play, all I can think was that Jennifer needs to come out with this song officially or at least perform it with Fantasia. Word is that Jazmine Sullivan, JHud's J Records label mate, was originally featured on the track but Fantasia eventually got that vocal position. Thanks to that hilarious phone conversation in the beginning between JHud and Fantasia, this track may very be the 2008 "The Boy is Mine."



The two singers paid tribute to Patti Labelle via two live performances of "Lady Marmalade" and "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" for the 30th Anniversary of "An Evening of Stars" event. Patti enjoyed Fantasia's rendition of "Marmalade" while JHud kept it simple for the "Wizard of Oz" tune.



Ashanti was seen out on a dinner date with boyfriend Nelly (not pictured) outside Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills.The twosome were in town for Nelly's recent "Leno" TV gig. Ashanti also wore the same Torn by Ronny Kobo tank top she had on during the recent Fashion Rocks rehearsals.


Photo credits: GETTY/WIREIMAGE/ASHANTIHQ.COM/SPLASH

Labels: Ashanti, Fantasia, Fashion Hoopla, Jennifer Hudson, New Music, Out and About

Fantasia Barrino and Jennifer Hudson are best known for their vocal prowness during "American Idol" Season 3. (JHud went on to win a Oscar while Fantasia - the deserving "Idol" winner - thrilled her critics with a stellar performance in Broadway's "The Color Purple".)



The twosome showcase their vocal talent during the Taste of Chicago concert where they performed Fantasia's "Baby Mama". As you can tell from the following video clips, the crowd loved what they saw and heard.



Taste of Chicago according to this site has become the world's fastest growing food festival. U.K urban artist Estelle was also the event . Thanks to J-Hudson.com and DYNISLUVZBEYONCE!

Labels: Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Music Hoopla

Fresh off the heels of her 24th birthday bash in Atlanta, Fantasia Barrino has a new single out called, "Broke Master." I'm not sure if the track would be included on her upcoming disc but I do know that the funky-groove song was produced by Midi Mafia.



A new leaked track from Solange's upcoming disc, "Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams" caused a frenzy on the urban music blogosphere today. The song in question is called, "I Told You So." Without listening to the track, the first thought that came to my mind was Solange taunting her critics about seeking fame outside of her sister Beyonce's shadows. But when I listen to the song, I stood corrected. According to RAP-UP.COM, the song was produced by Shea Taylor. Anyhow congrats to Solange on securing her first major successful hit via ("I Decided")which landed on the #44 spot on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart last week.



Michelle Williams must have read the online buzz about her "We Break The Dawn" video treatment. I say this because critics called Michelle as a younger Whitney Houston so the underdog Destiny's Child vocalist took that positive criticism and ran with it. Michelle incorporated a vintage Whitney track into a live performance of "We Break The Dawn" at Nighclub in New York City. Michelle also performed a new song off her "Unexpected" album called, "Hello Heartbreak." (Thanks BigKingofNY!)



Ray J posted up a video reponse on his official website about rumors of a sex tape featuring him and two members of Danity Kane. D. Woods and Aubrey O'Day made a brief cameo towards the end of the clip. Well Ray J has to keep his name out there somehow I guess. You can't knock his hustle, lol! Thanks to Nick of World Star Hip Hop, you can check out the video below...

Labels: Danity Kane, Fantasia, Michelle Williams, Music Hoopla, New Music, Ray J, Solange

Fantasia celebrated her 24th birthday in style with boyfriend Young Dro, Xcape members Tiny & Kani, and Trey Songz in attendance. The celebration was held at Atlanta night spot, Dreamz.



Did you notice Trey Songz's new hair? He cut off his braids for new low-cut style which Necole Bitchie has the info on. Trey just wrapped up the video treatment for his single, "Missing You" and you can check out behind the scenes footage over at Rolling Out TV's YouTube page.



Photos: THA HOT SEAT via ALLTHEPARTIES.COM.

Labels: Fantasia, New Couple, Out and About, Trey Songz

Fantasia and boyfriend Young Dro were some of the several known faces who attended last night's season 7 finale of "American Finale." Soon after, Fantasia and Dro were seen at Mr. Chow's and you check out the hoopla of that here.



Former "American Idol" contestant LaToya London and Tamara Mowry pose together on the red carpet. I like that Prada dress Jordin Sparks wore for her performance...




Jordin Sparks and Seal both performed at the finale. Seal performed with "American Idol" season 7 contestant Syesha his hit, "Waiting for You" which you can check out below:




Evan Ross, Mario, Elise Neal, Christina Milian, Amerie, Will.i.am, and the Pussycat Dolls attended Maxim's 100 party. Check out who made Maxim's 100 Hot list here.



Meagan can be seen next in "The Love Guru" while Christina has started filming her next film project with Matthew McConaughey.


Rocking a new funkier hairstyle, Amerie had on a one-shoulder Herve Leger which you can grab over at INTERMIX.



Melody wore the same black and neon yellow Giambattista Valli 'victoria' (re: Victoria Beckham)sandals Rihanna rock to a recent Fendi event (see insert).




Nicole Scherzinger rock a pair of YSL tribute pumps - the very same pair Janet Jackson wore to the L.A Reid Grammy bash.

Photos: WIREIMAGE, GETTY IMAGES

Labels: Amerie, Elise Neal, Evan Ross, Fantasia, FFW, Jordin Sparks, Mario, New Couple, Out and About, PCD, Rihanna, Tamara Mowry

Fantasia performed "Bore Me (Yawn)" during last night's "American Idol" live telecast. (You can check out another performance of "Bore Me (Yawn)" over at her official myspace spot.)



That energy to her fiery red hair 'do certainly proved why Fantasia won! After the performance, Fantasia confirmed that she's working on her third solo effort.

Omarion performed Michael Jackson's "Thriller" during last night's "Dancing With The Stars". (For those keeping track, this performance is his first after getting dropped by Columbia Records.)




There's no doubt the pop culture influence MJ left behind, huh? The 25th anniversary tribute to MJ's classic was nice.

G Unit label mates (50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo) dropped by BET's "106 & Park" to discuss their latest musical project, "T.O.S (Terminate On Sight)". (The group's first single is called, "I Like The Way She Do It".)



The interview completely went into nice mode which is contrast to Roci going off on 50 during the whole "Kanye West vs 50 Cent" fiasco. Check out Rocsi's thoughts on 50's music here.

Labels: 50 Cent, Fantasia, Omarion, TV Hoopla

Fantasia sang "Amazing Grace" as she visited children in Angola, Africa during past Wednesday "American Idol" special, "Idol Gives Back". Isn't it great to see Fantasia using her celebrity platform for a greater cause?

On the musical aspect of Fantasia's career, the former Broadway star recently was diagnosed with polyps on her vocal cords. Just last week, the former "Idol" champion was seen leaving a medical building in Beverly Hills.



Photos: WENN/IDOL GIVES BACK

Labels: Fantasia, Platform