Macy Gray, newly signed with 429 Records, is preparing for the release of her stunning new album “COVERED”–a collection of all new recordings of handpicked songs she’s chosen to reinterpret in her own inimitable fashion. Produced by Hal Willner (Lou Reed, Metallica), “COVERED” tackles material largely drawn from indie rock songs from the last decade–interpretations her fans will be familiar with as she’s been performing them live over the years. The album contains biting, dark signature tracks such as Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up” or My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers” which Gray subversively overhauls into something wholly her own. Also included are short skits featuring J.B. Smoove, Nicole Scherzinger and a guest appearance by Idris Elba. “COVERED” will be released worldwide on 429 Records March 27th. In addition, Macy is planning a worldwide tour and has wrapped filming with director Lee Daniels (Precious) for his forthcoming film ‘The Paperboy” which also stars John Cusack, Zach Effron, Nicole Kidman and Matthew McConaughey. The film will debut @ Cannes in May with confirmed worldwide distribution in October.

“COVERED” Track Listing:

1) Here Comes The Rain Again (Eurythmics)
2) Creep (Radiohead)
3) You Want Them Nervous (skit featuring J.B. Smoove)
4) Smoke 2 Joints (The Toyes)
5) La La La (Teaching The Kids) (featuring Layann Al Saud, Avery Albert, Happy Hinds & Siena Stelber)
6) Teenagers (My Chemical Romance)
7) The Power of Love (featuring Hugh Salk)
8 ) Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)
9) Sail (AWOL Nation)
10) I Try Is Cool And All But…(skit featuring Nicole Scherzinger)
11) Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
12) Love Lockdown/Buck (Kanye West/Nina Simone)
13) Mel Rap (featuring Mel Hinds)
14) Bubbly (featuring Idris Elba) (Colbie Caillat)
15) Wake Up (Arcade Fire)
16) Really? (skit featuring MC Lyte)

Source: MarketWatch

will.i.am has revealed that he has teamed up with Nicole Scherzinger for a classical track on his upcoming album.

The Black Eyed Peas rapper said that the former Pussycat Dolls star is just one of a host of names due to appear on his new record #willpower.

Speaking about his collaboration with Scherzinger, will.i.am told Capital FM: “I made this song with Nicole Scherzinger that you would never expect. It’s classical music.

“I have this girl singing like, ‘Who’s that?’ The internet is very, very powerful – LMFAO have 300 million views on ‘Party Rock Anthem’ – so sometimes you should make things just for the ‘net.”

He added: “This classic piece of music that I did with Nicole, it’s beautiful. That girl sings like I’ve never heard anybody sing like that in pop culture. She is thebomb.com/isthatnicole?”

will.i.am has also confirmed that Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, LMFAO and Shakira are among the other collaborators who will feature on his new material.

His new single ‘T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)’ – which features Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger – is available to download now in the US and on February 5 in the UK.

Source: DigitalSpy.com

Flipsyde – IGNITE (F.I.G.H.T Mixtape Series) (Mixtape) – Listen Here
Buzzmaking trio Flipsyde (made up of emcee Piper, vocalist/guitarist Steve Knight and lead guitarist Dave Lopez) has joined forces with The DJBooth to bring listeners their latest street release, the IGNITE mixtape. The second entry in Flipsyde (F.I.G.H.T.), a mixtape series showcasing unreleased material recorded over the course of the group’s career, the project features five original jams from the Oakland representatives. Included on the tracklist is reader-approved leak “It’s Goin’ Down.” Nicole Scherzinger makes the sole guest appearance on IGNITE, which boasts production by AmpLive (of Zion I), Akon, Reto Peter, Kardinal Offishall and Flipsyde themselves.

Source: BallerStatus.com

UK boy band, JLS, have said they want to collaborate with Nicole Scherzinger in the future.

As well as Rihanna, Williams confessed that JLS are also keen to work with the likes ofAdele, Nicole Scherzinger and Jessie J.

He revealed: “We haven’t actually collaborated with a solo female artist apart from Kylie Minogue. Nicole Scherzinger would be amazing. We should give it a try.”

Source: mtv.co.uk

Mohombi uploaded a new picture of him and Nicole on the set of his music video for the song “Coconut Tree“. The video is not out yet, but according to Mohombi, we should be expecting it soon.

Picture Source: Mohombi’s Twitter

Steven Tyler’s video for his debut solo single, “(It) Feels So Good” ft. Nicole is set to air on American Idol on May 12th.

From MTV:

Steven Tyler has made it clear all along that he intends to make “American Idol” work for him. Though his Aerosmith bandmates questioned his decision to appear on TV’s #1 reality show, Tyler has been savvy about his unlikely gig, making sure to place the band’s music in multiple episodes, which has helped their catalog creep back onto the Billboard charts while keeping their name in the press.

Now, seeing how the “Idol” bully pulpit has helped fellow newbie judge Jennifer Lopez reboot her musical career thanks to the show’s debut of her video for “On the Floor”, Tyler is prepping his own turn in the spotlight.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 63-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will premiere the video for his debut solo single, “(It) Feels So Good,” on the May 12 episode of “Idol.” The song will get its radio debut Monday on “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM morning radio show. Though “Idol” sources would not confirm the report for MTV News, unnamed sources told the Reporter that the video would air on the elimination episode that will reveal this season’s top three.

The video for the song, written by Tyler and frequent Aerosmith collaborator songwriter Marti Frederiksen, was shot just after Easter by director Ray Kay (Lady Gaga, Britney Spears) and was described by a source as “everything you would expect to get from a classic Aerosmith video … pure, classic Steven Tyler in all of his rock star glory.” Rumors say it features a cameo from former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger.

Source: MTV