Monica joined Jermaine Dupri's YouTube blog Living The Life alongside writer Bryan-Michael Cox. The video gave insight between the friendly brother/sister interaction between Monica, JD, and B.Cox.



Monica even gave some relationship advice to B. Cox...which was entertaining to see. JD and B.Cox worked on a hot ballad for Monica's upcoming music project. JD and Monica worked together previously on her songs "Everytime Tha Beat Drops" and "The First Night." Hopefully these two can work their late '90s magic in 2009. (Have you hear her HOT single, "Still Standing" featuring Ludacris yet?)

Labels: Celeb Offspring, Jermaine Dupri, Monica, Music Hoopla

Ciara released the video treatment for her new single, "Never Ever" featuring Young Jeezy last night on BET's "Access Granted." True to form, Ciara exhibited the one known factor about her talent - dancing.




I love that Ciara and the video director Chris Robinson added a snippet of "Promise" in the beginning. Close friend Monica and Usher's R&B group One Chance added brief appearances in the video. Cici's video honey is cute!

Polow Da Don and Ciara arguably have musical chemistry as he spinned the classic Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ “If You Don’t Know Me by Now" for this new Cici track.

"Never Ever" would lead off Ciara's much delayed yet highly anticipated third solo effort Fantasy Ride with appearances by T-Pain, Ludacris, Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown. Hopefully "Never Ever" would then ignite buzz back into the project. Go ahead Super C!

Labels: Ciara, Monica, Music Hoopla, One Chance, Video Hoopla

Good friends Keyshia Cole and Monica partied at the Platinum party at the Velvet Room in Atlanta to celebrate the release of Keyshia's third solo record, "A Different Me" and ATLPICS.NET was on the scene with the photos. According to Necole Bitchie the two were also spotted at the Dreamz nightclub on New Year's Eve.



Teyana Taylor performed and danced to Beyonce's hit, "Single Ladies" as a tribute during one of her recent performances in Brooklyn, New York. (Thanks Fresh & Fab!) Fast forward to :30 to check it out...


I think Teyana did a great job with the song and dance moves. Teyana's new single with Pharrell called "I Feel Alive (Spinnin’)" drops sometime this month.

Labels: Hot Night Spot, Keyshia Cole, Monica, Out and About, Teyana Taylor, Video Hoopla

Brandy and Monica performed their Grammy Award-winning duet "The Boy is Mine" for the second time ever at the V-103 Sessions event in Atlanta and Necole Bitchie was on the scene with feedback.


Wasn't that performance great? They even had the crowd going. (I even went on YouTube and Dailymotion for more Brandy/Monica videos as you can see for yourself above.) Monica's new album with the lead single, "Still Standing" and the Keyshia Cole duet "Trust" is expected in early 2009. Brandy's latest album "Human" pulled in 73, 000 units in its first week which now sits on the #15 spot on Billboard.

Labels: Brandy, Monica, Music Hoopla, Throwback Video

Keyshia Cole teamed up with good friend Monica on the duet, "Trust" which appeared on Keyshia's upcoming third album, "A Different Me" (out December 16th). Keyshia and Monica's voices effortlessly blend together. So far this album is turning out to be another solid R&B record from Keyshia especially thanks to the leaked track, "You Complete Me." Hopefully Keyshia would release "Trust" as a single in the future. Check out Keyshia's new song with Nas over at The Talk of Town. In related news, Monica's clothing line Regions of Rock did a photoshoot last night with Derek Blanks which you can check out over at Straight From The A.


So do you like this new Keyshia Cole/Monica song or not?

Labels: Keyshia Cole, Monica, Music Hoopla, New Music

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are on the December 2008 cover of "Essence" magazine. The Smiths talked about their long lasting marriage in Hollywood. And I quote Jada: "...People have said to me, 'Oh, you make it look so easy,' and I'm like,'Have you been in a relationship?'"



"Billboard" magazine placed Keyshia Cole on its latest cover. During the interview, Keyshia talked about her upcoming third album, "A Different Me" (out December 18th) and a duet with her close friend Monica called "Trust." The new season of Keyshia's BET reality show, "The Way It Is" airs tomorrow night at 10 PM EST.



On the new album: “The first two albums were more … painful. It’s a different me this time: a young woman who’s still growing and finding myself, exploring life through different routes musically and in other areas. I wrote more about other people’s situations than my own. I’m moving forward.”

Labels: Jada Pinkett Smith, Keyshia Cole, Monica, Music Hoopla, Newsstand Snapshots, Will Smith

Derek Blanks posted up these new photos of actor Lance Gross onto his myspace page. New photos of the upcoming actor of "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" TBS sitcom fame surfaced online last week. Eva Pigford Marcille (as in Lance's girl) - hats off to you!



Check out this new Dereon AD featuring Beyonce. By the looks of it Beyonce still has that high-fashion swagger on. Her new album drops this Fall and everyone (who admires her dedication) including Entertainment Weekly cannot wait to hear new material from Mrs. Carter.




Also at Atlanta's "For Sisters Only " event was Ashanti who performed a series of her old and new songs like "Foolish", "The Way That I Love You" and much more. Monica, Ludacris, T.I, Tiny, Young Joc, Jazmine Sullivan, and Ludacris were also spotted at FSO. Ashanti will join her boyfriend Nelly to sing "Body On Me" this Thursday on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Tomorrow the pair will appear on "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and on Wednesday they'll set to appear on "Ellen." (Thanks John!)



The Pussycat Dolls offered a brief glimpse via PopEater of their music video, "Whatcha Think About That" featuring Missy Elliott. (Didn't Danity Kane feature Missy on their second single but that's just my opinion. Regardless of that small tidbit, I personally enjoy PCD's first disc especially their duet with Avant.) "Doll Domination" the second disc from PCD will be release on September 23rd. (Thanks Jamie!)

Labels: Ashanti, Beyonce Knowles, Keisha Knight-Pulliam, Lance Gross, Ludacris, Monica, Music Hoopla, Newsstand Snapshots, Out and About, PCD

Monica joined Ludacris over the weekend at the "Sisters Only Festival" in Atlanta to perform their single, "Still Standing." The clip made its way on Disturbing Tha Peace's YouTube page. They also perform their hot collaboration a week ago at V-103 Soul Session for the first time. (Thanks Freddyo.) Monica still has that vocal prowness, huh? As to why Monica picked her cousin Ludacris to be on her lead single off her upcoming album, "Lessons Learned", do paid a visit to Straight From The A.



Lil' Wayne rock the "Saturday Night Live" stage to perform "Lollipop." This particular episode had Olympic champ Micheal Phelps as the host and Barack Obama was a no-show. Anyhow, Weezy did ok...

Labels: Ludacris, Monica, Music Hoopla, TV Hoopla

Over in Manhattan, Rihanna grab a bite to eat at McDonalds in a trendy Louis Vuitton scarf and these Chanel Diamante jelly sandals. The singer is in town for NYC Fashion Week AND Fashion Rocks ... or maybe that's just my strong assumption.




Lately folks have worn style pieces after Rihanna was photographed in it BUT R&B singer Monica beat her to the punch when she wore this green LV monogram scarf while shopping at Rodeo Drive back in July. Keyshia Cole was seen in the same Chanel sandals as Rihanna after a performance gig on "David Letterman".

Soon after her early morning Mickey D's visit, Rihanna was seen with her boyfriend Chris Brown and Chris' mother Joyce Hawkins outside their Uptown Manhattan hotel. (You already know Joyce approves of her son's relationship with Rihanna.)




Photo credits: CELBRITY-GOSSIP.NET/INFDAILY/SPLASH

Labels: Fashion Hoopla, Keyshia Cole, Monica, Out and About, Rihanna

Monica held a party in celebration of her reality TV show, "The Single" at Luckie lounge in Atlanta last night. The show will showcase Monica's recording session for her upcoming disc, "Lessons Learned" which has the planned lead single, "Still Standing." Tune in Tuesday August 5th on Peachtree TV to catch Monica's TV show and be sure to visit MonicaFanatic for behind the scene previews.


In attendance were Monica's husband-to-be Rocko, Keyshia Cole, Young Joc, celerity photographer Derek Blanks, Keith Sweat, Sisqo and Trey Songz. Check out the photos from ALLTHEPARTIES.COM.



I do love Monica's Prada Nappa ruffle satchel which can be seen in the brand's Fall 2008 collection. Sandra Rose has the complete rundown on Monica's outfit. Speaking of which, isn't Monica's handbag style on point?



Photo credits: ALLTHEPARTIES.COM

Labels: Fashion Hoopla, Hot Night Spot, Keith Sweat, Keyisha Cole, Monica, Out and About, Trey Songz

R&B singer Monica pose with her two sons 18-month old Romelo and three-year-old Rodney in this new Derek Blanks-shot mother and son portraits. Both sons are from Monica's long time boyfriend Rocko - (aka Rodney Hill, Jr.)



Monica's upcoming reality series called, "The Single: Monica" has its TV premiere on August 5th on Peachtree TV. The show according to Sandra Rose showcase the singer recording new material for her upcoming album and her life as a newly engaged mother.

Labels: Celeb Offspring, Monica, Newsstand Snapshots

Monica was spotted shopping on Rodeo Drive yesterday. The ATL-based R&B songbird had on a strapless Alice + Olivia jumpsuit and the ever popular Louis Vuitton Murakami Monogramouflage speedy. Monica's jumpsuit was worn earlier by Mena Suvari and Laura Prepon. Her LV speedy was seen on the arms of Rihanna and Trina last week. Moncia definitely knows style!



Photos: WENN/Star Traks/Splash News

Labels: Fashion Hoopla, Look on Lock, Monica, Out and About

Maybe Ashanti has her eyes set on making her apparent obsession with these Gucci Sevigny heels the next new shoe trend this Summer as she performed the National Anthem at Game 5 of the NBA Finals in yet another pair.



Maybe Ashanti is on to something as Jennifer Lopez, Rocsi, Ali Larter and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon ALL have been photographed in a pair. Anyhow Ashanti did a great job performing the National Anthem just as she did last November....



Rihanna made her way to the MuchMusic Video Awards where she accepted two awards for best international video artist on behalf of her hit single, "Don't Stop the Music" and for most watched video for "Umbrella". Speaking of 2007 summer anthem "Umbrella", Rihanna has a new re-release of her third solo record out this month called, "Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded." As for her performance outfit, Rihanna decided upon a ruffled Thomas Wylde top (re: Kelis and Monica put this designer on the map last September). Anyhow Rihanna performed, "Take A Bow" at the awards ceremony:




Bow Wow caused a bit of a ruckus among the blogosphere over the weekend. Apparently two of his ex-girlfriends (re: established video vixens) Dollicia Bryant and Rita G exchanged a few salty remarks about dating the former "Mr. 106 & Park" on two radio shows. To fill you in Dollicia used to date Jamie Fox and Rita G appeared in Kanye West's "Flashing Lights" video...



Bow Wow has released a comeback to Dollicia and Rita. Bow even played footage of Dollicia chilling with Bow Wow two days earlier before the video popped online:


Monica and her long-time boyfriend Rocko attended a birthday celebration over the weekend in Atlanta. Monica's upcoming album, "Lessons Learned" has a August album release date. The R&B songbird also announced plans of a new reality series called, "The Single: Monica", which will showcase her life as a mother to sons and her boys clothing line, Regions of Rock.

Labels: Ashanti, Fashion Hoopla, Monica, Out and About, Rihanna, TV Hoopla