MARC ANTHONY (May 2010) It’s been six years since Marc Anthony’s last original studio album. That effort ‘Amar Sin Mentiras,’ won Anthony a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album. More recently, Marc released his second greatest hits compilation, ‘Sigo Siendo Yo’ and the soundtrack to ‘El Cantante’ which featured remakes of Hector Lavoe classics. 2010 will finally see Marc returning to the airwaves with new music after a long hiatus. Not content to just create one album, rumors persists that Anthony is currently prepping THREE projects for release this year! The first of those projects will be a new Spanish pop album available sometime in late spring. While details remain slim, sources at Anthony’s label say the album is a collection of covers that pays homage to some of Marc's favorite Latin singers. Produced in collaboration with Julio Reyes (who worked on Marc’s last Spanish pop album ‘Amar Sin Mentiras’), the album will include songs popularized by the likes of José Luis Perales, Juan Gabriel, and José José. After the Spanish pop album is released, plans are to have a new traditional salsa album ready for late summer. It is not clear, however, if said salsa album will be made up of remakes from the pop album ala what was done for Marc’s ‘Valió La Pena’ (which was a re-recording done in salsa of the pop tracks from ‘Amar Sin Mentiras’) or if the salsa album will feature all new original offerings. Also speculated to appear later in the year (fall perhaps), is a new English album. Rumored to feature production from Kenneth “Babyface” Edmunds, the album is said to be a mature adult-contemporary collection of R&B and pop which showcases Anthony’s glorious vocals to full effect. Currently, Marc can be heard on the just released Cypress Hill single ‘Armada Latina’ which also features Pitbull and is garnering praise for its inspired and eclectic sound. Regardless of how many albums he releases this year, the news that Marc Anthony is back is sure to please fans that have waited so long to hear fresh material from this timeless talent.
NELLY FURTADO (June 2010) After a successful foray into the Spanish music scene with her last album, Nelly Furtado is ready to return to her pop roots. Nelly’s new English album is due this summer and will see her returning to the pop style of her debut ‘Whoa, Nelly!’ while flexing the effervescent cool she picked up on the multiplatinum selling ‘Loose’. This new album will be funky, with the majority of production being handled by Timbaland (the person responsible for much of the beats on ‘Loose’). Nelly will also be working with popular writer/producer Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic. This marks the first time the two have worked together, and Tedder is noteworthy for his work with female artists such as Leona Lewis, Beyoncé, and Kelly Clarkson. Fans are eagerly awaiting what both Timbaland and Tedder will bring to the table for Nelly’s latest project. Nelly is also negotiating to have British electro-pop duo La Roux (love me some ‘Bulletproof’!) appear on her new album as well. Thus far, Nelly’s latest seems to have all the makings of a hit. Summer 2010 will be a hot one for sure, with Furtado taking over the airwaves and dance clubs once again. Preceding the album will be Nelly’s brand new single which is expected to drop in May.
JOHN LEGEND (Fall 2010) Looking to shake things up musically, John Legend has big plans for his next album. Tentatively titled ‘Wake Up Sessions’, Legend announced the new album will be a collaboration with Grammy Award winning hip-hop band The Roots. With each album he’s released, John Legend has perfected his craft and taken risks so as not to be pigeonholed as the ‘piano playing soul-man’. His last release ‘Evolver’ certainly showed a new side of himself and this new album looks to be no different. Information regarding ‘Wake Up Sessions’ is being kept under wraps for now, but fans should expect strong production and lyrics, which have become hallmarks of Legend’s career. Keeping busy before the album’s release later this year, John recently wrote the song ‘Shine’ for the documentary ‘Waiting for Superman’. ‘Waiting…’ just premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Paramount Pictures for distribution. The documentary is an investigation of the crisis in U.S. public education, as told through the stories of several students, their families, and educators who are trying to find solutions to restore the dysfunctional system. Legend stated he was so inspired by what he saw that when an offer was made for him to write, there was no way he could refuse. Legend has also recorded a new collabo with Rick Ross for his upcoming album ‘Teflon Don’; the two collaborated on Ross’ last album on the single 'Magnificent'. Also in the works is a duet with Fantasia scheduled to appear on her highly anticipated new album this spring. Numerous collaborations aside, John Legend has always been a name synonymous with quality music. The teaming of Legend with The Roots is inspired, as each side offers something to the other. Given their pedigree and past success, The Roots and John Legend might want to begin making room in their trophy case for the Grammy their new album will certainly receive.
CIARA (Summer 2010) Seeking to distance herself from the sales disappointment that was her last album, Ciara is putting the finishing touches on a new album with hopes to have it in stores this summer. Executive produced by hit-making duo Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, Cici’s latest album is expected to have more substance than her previous work. The goal here is to reconnect with fans and engage them the way she did with ‘Goodies’ her debut, and records like ‘Promise’ which were quite successful for her. Ciara’s faced a ton of new competition in her segment, with people like Keri Hilson and Keyshia Cole vying for attention from the record buying public and succeeding quite exceptionally. Her new album will feature the up-tempo style of songs which gained Ciara fame initially. Producers on the album include Darkchild, Justin Timberlake, and Bangladesh (who previously worked with Ciara in 2004 on the track ‘Hotline’). To prep fans for her return to the charts, Ciara will be featured on the upcoming album from Ludacris, ‘Battle of the Sexes’. A new single is expected to drop in late spring before Ciara’s album is released in mid-summer. Competition may be fierce, but Ciara has already proven she is more than up to the challenge.
LIL JON (June 2010) It’s been quite some time since we last heard from the self-proclaimed ‘King of Crunk’. Mired in legal issues and the bankruptcy of his former label TVT, Jon has found a new home over at Universal Republic, and is FINALLY ready to release the long gestating ‘Crunk Rock’. To say the album will be a blend of styles is almost an understatement. Much like his last album, the platinum selling ‘Crunk Juice’, Jon’s new album will feature something for everyone. From R&B and hip-hop, to pop, reggae, Brazilian rhythms, crunk, and of course as the title implies, rock. One thing is certain; the bass-heavy sound Lil Jon is known for will be featured prominently. Over the last few months several buzz tracks have seen release. The electrified ‘Outta Your Mind’ with LMFAO, hypnotic sounding ‘Machuka’ which features Brazil's Mulher Filé and Mr. Catra, the new strip-club anthem ‘Pop Dat Pu**y’ and the current promo single, ‘Give It All U Got’ produced by RedOne. Jon’s projects have always been known for their numerous collaborations and this new album will be no different. While a final track list has yet to be set, artists confirmed to appear on ‘Crunk Rock’ include: R. Kelly, Mario, David Guetta, Snoop Dogg, Elephant Man, Pastor Troy, Ying Yang Twins, Akon, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, 3OH!3, Gucci Mane, Pitbull and siblings Damian and Stephen Marley, who guest on ‘On the Grind.’ Jon’s first official single from the album, ‘Miss Chocolate’ featuring R. Kelly and Mario, will be sent to urban radio later this month. Next month a single featuring Dr. Luke and 3OH!3 will be sent to pop radio in advance of the album’s June 8th release. While many release dates have come and gone, hopefully ‘Crunk Rock’ will finally be able to make this current one. Regardless, Lil Jon’s crazy music and out going personality will always remain a fixture in the club scene, it will just be interesting to see if he makes his mark on the charts as well.
MAROON 5 (Spring 2010) While rumors persist this may be their last album before disbanding, Maroon 5 are finally ready to release the follow-up to 2007's ‘It Won't Be Soon Before Long.’ Maroon 5 headed to Switzerland to record with producer Mutt Lange for their new album. Lange is a pop-rock mastermind who’s produced blockbuster albums for acts like Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, Shania Twain, and Foreigner. Despite rumors of Lange's quirkiness, the band says that a great sound was created by working with the famed producer. Fans can expect a new collection of songs that sound more organic, almost closer to Maroon’s first album than their last. Each member’s distinct personality will be showcased to full effect on this new project. A small college tour occurred late last year in order to build anticipation for the band’s new release. During the tour, several titles of new songs were made public, including: ‘I'm Never Gonna Leave This Bed’, ‘Wasted Years’, and ‘Don't Know Much About That’. With fan anticipation building rapidly, Maroon 5 will have quite a lot to live up to with this new album. Their last album saw collaborations with Rihanna and even Mary J. Blige (on the ‘Wake Up Call Remix’); no word on whether new collaborations are in the works—although rumored studio time with Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks is unconfirmed. One thing is certain; fans can expect more of their provocative and explicit music videos, as this has become a trademark of the band. While a final track list has yet to be set, the latest album from these soulful pop-rockers is on schedule for a late April release.
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Written by CJA "Babyboi"
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