MTV PREMIERES "BRITNEY SPEARS: I AM THE FEMME FATALE"

Still from Britney Spears: I am the Femme Fatale&nbsp

MTV premiered their Britney Spears: I am the Femme Fatale Special last night, giving Fans a special look behind-the-scenes at the making of the megastar’s seventh Disc. In the broadcast, Spears revealed that she has her hesitations after not having toured for a couple years and spending most of her days putting her sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James first. “I haven't been out (on stage) for a year... I have jitterbugs”, she says.

On her regular routine, she claims to be most productive when her Kids are at school. “…I usually get them up in the morning, and I'm usually at the gym, and I help cook dinner sometimes ... a lot of the stuff that I do I do early in the morning.”.

She was seen working on Track Big Fat Bass in the Studio together with The Black Eyed Peas’ Frontman will.i.am. Spears tells MTV, “I like to choose songs which empower people”. The Special follows Spears as she made a surprise appearance at Palms Hotel in Las Vegas recently, previewing new Tracks off her album for an enthused Audience and also we see her prepping for her Video, Till the World Ends where she claims that she denied herself time to go to the Bathroom in helping save Production costs.

Where Spears raised a few eyebrows was at the end of the Special where she was asked if she will continue being an Entertainer for long. The 29 year-old says, “"I hope so… or maybe I'll be doing nothing!". This has Fans speculating whether or not Spears truly is happy with her Career right now.

Watch the Special in full below:

NEW MUSIC: CAST OF GLEE - (I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE

It's Dirty Dancing fever allover again. Jennifer Grey makes a triumphant return to the spotlight earlier this week with a win on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. The Black Eyed Peas sample (I've Had) The Time of My Life by Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley on their new hit single The Time (Dirty Bit) and now the cast of Glee do a rendition of the guilty pleasure on next week's episode. The track will also be on Glee: The Music, Vol. 4 in stores next Tuesday! Too amazing.

Although a bit more subdued with the Glee makeover, the whole cast gets a chance to shine on this version with Dianna Agron and Chord Overstreet on top and there's even a nice little Key Change thrown in for effect near the end. Love it. Best song ever. And anyone who doesn't have a soft spot for it needs to be charged with Perjury.

Listen below (audio content owned by Sony Music - Flash Player required):

THE BLACK EYED PEAS - THE BEGINNING REVIEW

Fans of Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D. Electro-Pop era will revel at the Electronic splendour of the quartet's newest offering The Beginning, which is being spun as a Sequel to that 18 million-selling fifth album.  It amazes me the speed of output at which The Black Eyed Peas are able to release their material and more so, how well it connects with audiences consistently especially considering their rigorous touring schedule. Some of the material featured here was recorded on their Toronto stop-off this past July (click 1 2 for more details).

First single The Time (Dirty Bit) which samples Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley's 1987 Pop Classic I've Had the Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing despite initially teetering on annoying, actually has grown on me after a few weeks of my having denied it. In contrast to much of the group's more energetic hits, The Beginning is actually a much more subdued, moodier listening experience.

The Collection draws from Euro influences, dictated undoutedly by the massive success of their last album's more Electro and effects-heavy singles I Gotta Feeling and Boom Boom Pow. Play it Loud with its insistent U2-esque Guitar Hook, surely will connect with the Urban and Rock audiences alike and it should be no surprise that they have teamed together with French DJ David Guetta, who has brought them much success.  Multi-layered Just Can't Get Enough would also appear to be single-worthy based on its catchiness, each member getting a chance to shine on the track.

JUSTIN BIEBER IS TOPS AT 2010 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

Justin Bieber performing at 2010 American Music Awards

America, Land of Opportunity. America has spoken and its people have chosen Canadian teen sensation Justin Bieber as their Artist of the Year at ABC's 2010 American Music Awards. Pulling a complete shocker, 16 year-old Bieber became the youngest Artist ever to be award with the honour and he was a multiple winner this evening taking awards home for Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist and Favourite Breakout Artist too. In accepting his award for Artist of the Year, Bieber asked his Mentor Usher to join him on stage. Usher too won an award for Favourite R&B Album (Raymond v. Raymond) earlier in the evening.

Other winners tonight included a straight-haired Taylor Swift who won Favourite Country Female Artist, The Black Eyed Peas who won Favourite Pop/Rock Group and Rihanna as Favourite R&B Female Artist. 

 For a complete list of winners, visit the official site for the American Music Awards.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

FERGIE AWARDED BILLBOARD MAGAZINE'S "WOMAN OF THE YEAR"

Fergie in Toronto, August 2010

Billboard Magazine announced today that Fergie is its 2010 Woman of the Year.  With Fergie's contributions, The Black Eyed Peas have been able to hold the record for longest consecutive streak of weeks at Number One.  First single from The E.N.D., Boom Boom Pow, held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for twelve weeks.  Second single I Gotta Feeling reigned for a whopping 14 weeks.  The latter is the Best Selling Digital Song of the Nielsen Soundscan era.

The group's new album The Beginning will be released on Tuesday, November 30, 2010.  But the real question is when Fergie will be releasing her follow-up to her fantastic solo debut The Duchess!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BLACK EYED PEAS BID ADIEU TO TORONTO AND SAY "ALLO" TO MONTREAL (PICS)

Black Eyed Peas bid adieu to Toronto tonight after two successful back-to-back shows at Air Canada Centre. Having launched their The E.N.D. World Tour last September, the six-time Grammy-winning group are well adept enough at performing without much rehearsal by now. This was the case as tonight's show was scheduled to start at 7:30 PM and most band members did not head to the venue until approximately 6:30, some more towards the 7:30 mark - late by most standards.

Leaving four-star The Cosmopolitan Hotel, tucked-away discreetly in the city's financial district, it seemed as though they had an endless array of Luggage, requiring a separate Discount Rental Truck to transport their belongings.

Members of the group went about their afternoon in a low-key manner. Taboo whom I had met last night at the group's After Party at Muzik Night Club, was seen with his wife and newborn daughter walking to Eaton Centre to do a bit of shopping earlier this afternoon. They came back with a few purchases from H&M. Group members Fergie, apl.de.ap and leader will.i.am remained in the Hotel for the whole day, the latter two undoubtedly recovering from last night's late night partying.

BLACK EYED PEAS TORONTO CONCERT AFTER PARTY

After filling Air Canada Centre this evening, Black Eyed Peas proved they could equally fill Muzik Night Club for their own After Party on Canadian National Exhibition grounds. Corporate sponsor Blackberry and the group's fans who purchased VIP Tickets to tonight's and tomorrow night's shows, were rewarded with a special DJ set from group members will.i.am and apl.de.ap. It was surprising to see will.i.am, the heart and soul of the Quartet, still full of energy, dancing and regularly giving shout-outs to Toronto in his 90 minute set which was a majority Electro, interspersed with '80s throwbacks.  His set had a recurring motif of I've Had The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing, which he sang with interesting Pitch Control.

The group's main vocalist Fergie however, was absent unfortunately at the Party, leaving Taboo and apl.de.ap took turns greeting party-goers in the back Patio of the Club. Taboo, left the party shortly after 1:00 AM, while will.i.am and apl.de.ap continued to party-it-up.  I did get a chance to meet Taboo earlier in the evening (as seen above) and he was an absolute gentleman, I must say.  

Upon leaving the venue at 3:10 AM, will.i.am and apl.de.ap by-passed fans in waiting, while their v. confrontational Security Guard commented "I don't know what it is about Canadians and why they are so rude" when there was little disorder to be seen.  Meanwhile the two remaining group members headed straight into their Van with a few ladies seen dancing at the party earlier, in tow.  "Absolutely no photos, please", the Guard requested.  Right - gotcha.  Perhaps there may be truth in Team Perez after all?

Here are some photos of will.i.am in action earlier this evening:

THE GRAMMYS: A QUICK RECAP

As predicted, Beyoncé cleaned up at tonight's Grammy Awards at Los Angeles' Staples Centre.  Picking up an astounding six Grammys including the important Best Female Pop Vocal and Song of the Year categories for Halo and Single Ladies respectively.  And deservedly so.  People are often quick to express their displeasure with her, but the fact remains that she is a legend at the top of her game.  I mean Lady Gaga is fantastic, but Beyoncé does it time and again based on sheer talent alone and this needs to be respected.

Taylor Swift should be extremely proud of herself right now, winning the evening's most coveted award, Album of the Year in addition to three other awards.  A humble Swift also was victorious in the category of Best Country Album, although the public really should understand why it is she isn't  quite ready for a Best Female Pop Vocal award after hearing her extremely flat performances of new single Today Was a Fairytale and You Belong With Me (featuring Stevie Nicks). Alas, I won't be too harsh on her because when I was her age, I didn't even have a fraction of the talent she has.

Lady Gaga fans are all ecstatic having set  Twitter afire, in making her a hot trending topic this evening.  Gaga, despite not being eligible for the Best New Artist award, still won Best Electronic Album and Best Dance Recording. This should come as no surprise really, seeing how she has done wonders again for dance pop music's presence on the mainstream charts.  She arrived on the red carpet tonight with bright yellow highlights in her hair, looking like an assignment from the Space unit of a grade school Science class, once again making her the center of attention.  More importantly her theatrical performance featured a very strong vocal tonight in a medley of Poker Face and Speechless (featuring Elton John), the latter which I swear she keeps performing just to prove that she can really play the piano.  Superb.

Enjoy these red carpet pictures from the Associated Press, Wired Images and Getty Images. Glee's Lea Michele, I must say, knows glamour.  She's looked fantastic at every award show she's been invited to this season. And doesn't Jason Mraz look just effortlessly handsome?

BILLBOARD MAGAZINE'S BEST OF THE 2000s

Billboard Magazine just released its Best of the 2000s charts today based on the past ten years of chart statistics and there were some surprises among the bunch.

Mariah Carey owns the title to the Number One Song of the Decade with We Belong Together, which charted fourteen non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Hot 100 Chart in 2005. The latter part of the decade however, hasn't been as successful for Carey with her latest album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel only garnering one lukewarm hit with Obsessed. The single peaked at number seven this year on the Hot 100 Chart.

Coincidentally, Obsessed was intended as a strike by Carey against Billboard Magazine's selected Artist of the Decade, Eminem. Beyoncé had the notable distinction of being shortlisted twice in that same category also as both a solo artist (ranking fourth) and in her stint with Destiny's Child (ranking ninth).

Although now defunct, boy band 'N Sync topped was named Best Selling Album of the 2000s, selling over 10 million copies of their 2000 sophomore album No Strings Attached. Sadly, with album sales on the decline, artists posting these type of numbers has become a thing of the past.

The Rolling Stones just edged out U2 as the Top Touring Act of the 2000s, earning $869,471,325, while the latter took in $844,157,925. Madonna, whom you would think would have topped the list, came in third with $801,299,671.

It was announced also that 2009's Top Selling Album was Taylor Swift's Fearless, just re-released in a Platinum Edition format this October. Swift was also named Artist of the Year too. The final sales tally has yet to be announced, although it looks as though Susan Boyle is edging up with her debut I Dreamed a Dream which continues to sell at an alarming pace.

The year's number one song is Black Eyed Peas' Boom Boom Pow, followed impressively by a Lady Gaga double of Poker Face and Just Dance respectively in second and third. Unfortunately there will be no awards ceremony for The Billboard Awards, after having ceased in 2007 due to a behind-the scenes fallout.

NEW MUSIC: FERGIE - BE ITALIAN

Long before she found success as a recording artist, Fergie appeared on one of my favourite Saturday morning programs Kids Incorporated. The show featured essentially, a cast of kids singing age-inappropriate pop songs with tied-in story lines. Thus, acting has always been in Fergie's skill set. Nonetheless, I was very surprised to learn that Fergie was cast by one of my favourite directors Rob Marshall (CHICAGO, Memoirs of a Geisha) in his latest project NINE, out on December 18, 2009.

Fergie plays the role of Saraghina, prostitute lover of Guido Contini (Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis). In the film, she is given the plum assignment of singing signature number Be Italian and I must stay I am thoroughly impressed by her versatility. She sounds incredible here and I am sucker for a woman who is willing to undergo a transformation in the name of her art. Allegedly, she put on at least 30 lbs. for this role. I have said it many times before, but I am thrilled to see this film.

NINE - The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be in stores December 22, 2009. For now, you can enjoy Fergie's stunning performance below (courtesy of Geffen Records/Universal Music):

Fergie (seen to the left in this photo I got in a 2007 Toronto visit) is known to many of us for her string of Top 40 hits with Grammy-winning group The Black Eyed Peas. She is also a successful solo artist in her own right having sold six million copies of her 2006 album The Dutchess worldwide. Many of us however do not know Fergie (née Stacy Ann Ferguson) as an actress.

NEW MUSIC: BRITNEY/LADY GAGA/BLACK EYED PEAS (AARON PAETSCH MIXES)

I am honoured to present to you some hot remixes courtesy of my co-producer Aaron Paetsch. Many of you have e-mailed me some very nice feedback on our collaboration Hollywood Ending (out November 17, 2009), featured a few days ago here. If he still seems unfamiliar, this won't be the case for much longer. For those of you who frequent dance music blogs and forums, you might recognize some of his work which has been circulating around the net for some time now.

Paetsch first caught my attention with his smoking hot 2005 remix of Hollaback Girl (Gwen Stefani) under former moniker DJ Amokk. Now going solely by his real name, the 27-year old Saskatoon based DJ is hitting his best stride as a remix producer with his mixes of Circus (Britney Spears) and Disturbia (Rihanna) gaining a fair amount of buzz. His brand of mainstream dance is pretty much internationally recognizable and he cites acclaimed duo Thunderpuss as his biggest influence. He currently is working on remixes for Lady Gaga's next single Bad Romance and like you, I'm excited certainly.

You can check our some of Paetsch's earlier work on his Myspace page. He has contributed a few remixes here for your enjoyment, Mavenati:

Britney Spears - 3 (Aaron Paetsch Radio Edit):
Lady Gaga - Just Dance (Aaron Paetsch Radio Edit):
Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feelin' (Aaron Paetsch Radio Edit):