Did You Hear?

:: Justin Bieber is one social butterfly. After collaborating with Far East Movement (among a cornucopia of artists for his upcoming album Believe), The Bieb hit the studio with Maroon 5′s Adam Levine. “Long night in the studio. good seeing big bro @adamlevine – we got a big idea coming! #newSupergroup,” tweeted the 18-year-old pop star. [Pop Crush]

:: TV personality Piers Morgan went on a rant against model Kate Moss, and found some energy to throw some serious shade at Madonna: “She’s looking even more barbaric than ever at the moment, utterly grotesque,” he told the Mirror. “She’s a complete con artist and those arms are just terrifying.” Her arms look fine to us in these promo pics! [Gawker]

:: Bow Wow – né Lil Bow Wow – celebrated his 25th birthday with Chris Brown and Lil Wayne in Los Angeles. [Rap Radar]

:: Here is Selena Gomez is a seafoam green bikini, on set of her new movie, Spring Breakers. You’re welcome. [Celebuzz]

:: Lana Del Rey isn’t the only Guns ‘N Roses fan. Newly engaged couple Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose were seen at a band’s concert in LA. [Rap-Up]

After the jump, find out which music acts you can find on the tube today.

Music On TV:

:: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC) — Meat Loaf
:: Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) — the Ting Tings
:: Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC) —  the Crystal Method featuring Martha Reeves
:: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC) — All American Rejects (Repeat)
:: Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC) — Ed Sheeran (Repeat)
:: The Ellen DeGeneres Show (NBC) — Chris Rene

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. For music fans, that means being serenaded by power ballads, slow jams and schmaltzy love-song dedications every time you turn on the radio. But what if Cupid’s arrow whizzed straight past you this year and hit someone else? Nobody wants to hear “The Power Of Love” while heating up a TV dinner for one. Happily, we’re here to provide you with a selection of vastly less-depressing alternatives. No matter if you’re single by choice, brokenhearted, bitter or just resigned to living alone with 10 cats, there’s a song to get you through February 14. Jump below to find solace in these 11 top tunes for singles on Valentine’s Day.

11. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson (Video)
Nobody does bitter quite like Kelly Clarkson. Her seminal 2004 hit “Since U Been Gone” set the bar for break-up anthems, and she’s churned them out with alarming regularity ever since. What makes the inaugural American Idol’s latest single the perfect soundtrack for pissed-off singles this Valentine’s Day is the positive spin it puts on finding yourself man- or woman-less. “You know the bed feels warmer sleeping here alone,” purrs Kelly before declaring “doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone” later in the song.

10. “Ridin’ Solo” – Jason Derulo (Video)
While Kelly wears her single status like a badge of honor, Jason Derulo couldn’t really care less on “Ridin’ Solo”. He’s too busy reveling in his bachelorhood — partying with friends and hooking up with pretty ladies — to even remember his ex. “Now I’m feeling how I should, never knew single could feel this good,” sings the 22-year-old on this memorable 2010 Top 10 hit. Play “Ridin’ Solo” on your way to the club this February 14.

9. “Me, Myself And I” – Beyoncé
Blue Ivy’s mama is the Queen of female empowerment anthems. From DC’s “Independent Women” to her own 2011 hit “Run The World (Girls)”, Beyoncé has been issuing directives to ladies (both in and out of relationships) for the past 15 years. And while “Single Ladies” is her most famous musical mission statement, “Me, Myself And I” is arguably the better Valentine’s Day choice — at least for jaded daters who can’t be bothered putting gloss on their lips or having a man on their hips. As Queen B preaches: “I took a vow from now on / I’m gonna be my own best friend”.

8. “Dancing On My Own” – Robyn (Video)
If you’re looking for music to cheer you up this February 14, then it’s probably best to skip Robyn’s depressing synth ballad about watching an ex hook up at the club while you dance alone in the corner. However, if you’re a glutton for punishment and feel like wallowing in your own misery, this is the V Day jam for you!

7. “Ain’t Thinkin’ Bout You” – Bow Wow Feat. Chris Brown (Video)
Here’s one for the boys. Bow Wow and Chris Brown join forces to plot a game plan for the emotionally fragile single gentleman. “Tonight I’m gon’ get tipsy, over 21 all the girls have fun and watch the ladies jump on me,” croons Breezy before concluding, “I ain’t thinkin’ ’bout you tonight”. The message is clear. Move on and hook up with someone new after popping bottles at the club. It clearly worked for these two in-demand Romeos.

6. “I Don’t Need A Man” – The Pussycat Dolls
The title says it all. Ms Scherzinger and her back-up dancers are not particularly well remembered for their lasting contribution to feminism, but the gang struck a blow for independent women everywhere on “I Don’t Need A Man”. Nicole sings a shopping list of self-worth mantras, including “I don’t need a ring around my finger to make me feel complete” before going there: “I can get off when you ain’t around”. Men, you have been put on notice.

5. “June 28th (I’m Single)” – Ruben Studdard (Video)
It’s been a couple of years since we’ve heard new music from Ruben, but the victor of American Idol season 2 is back in 2012 with an album about his recent divorce and this soulful jam about his new single status. This makes it perfect Valentine’s Day fodder for people that unexpectedly find themselves back on the market. The 33 year old’s approach to finding a new lady is advertising. He sings: “When you see me on the street don’t be scared to speak, I’m single”. Time to start letting random strangers know you’re available!

4. “(This Is) A Song For The Lonely” – Cher
Cher has your back. The patron saint of heartbroken clubbers (note: “Believe” and “Strong Enough” are equally appropriate choices for down-on-their-luck singles) delivered a message of hope for the desperate and dateless with this single off her most recent album. Lady Gaga’s future duet partner urges fans not to give up by declaring, “Wherever you may go I’m right beside you, you don’t have to look no more”. Who needs a relationship when you’ve got a 65-year-old pop legend by your side?

3. “Single” – Natasha Bendingfield
Natasha Bedingfield raises a number of salient points on her 2004 UK debut. First, being single is a valid lifestyle choice (“I’m single right now, that’s how I wanna be”). Second, playing the field is a lot of fun (“I know I’ll settle down one day, but till then I like it that way”). And last but not least, it’s not cute to settle (“I’m not gonna get hooked up because you say I should”). E-mail the Brit’s feisty anthem to unhappily partnered friends this February 14.

2. “Young, Wild & Free” – Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa Feat. Bruno Mars (Video)
Who cares if you’re single on a holiday invented to sell cards and flowers? Take the advice of three wise men that know better and enjoy being young and irresponsible — “So what what we go out? That’s how it’s supposed to be, living young and wild and free”. Seriously, forget about your Facebook status. Which admittedly is a lot easier if you’re as baked as these guys.

1. “Lullaby For Myself” – Barbra Streisand
If you’re not wild, free or even particularly young, don’t worry. Spinsters have their own feel-good anthem this Valentine’s Day courtesy of Barbra Streisand! Recorded way back in 1977 for the diva’s Superman album, “Lullaby For Myself” sets out the benefits of single life in the most pragmatic (and hysterical) way possible. For starters, you can eat what you want (“not to share a pair of pork chops when you crave champagne and cheese”) and have free reign in the bathroom (“take an hour in the shower, use the water while it’s hot”). Brace yourself for Babs’ words of wisdom below.

Did we include your favorite singles’ anthem on our list? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section below, or by hitting us up on Twitter and Facebook.

We have no doubt that Chris Brown, at the tender age of 22, is “2 Young 2 Give A Fuck”, which is why he has no qualms naming his new song just that. We also believe Brown is 2 young 2 figure out what kind of artist he really is, as he continues to jump from electronic dance robot (“Beautiful People”), to pop star (“Next 2 You”), to sex fiend (“Spend It All”), to sensitive lover (“Open Road (I Love Her)”) to flippant mixtape-dropping hip-hop star (this song). It’s one thing to be diverse; it’s another to not even know what kind of music you want to be associated with. In any case, catch Breezy’s new song (with Bow Wow) below.

Chris Brown feat. Bow Wow — “2 Young 2 Give A Fuck”

No word on where this track will end up, but if it goes anywhere, it needs a whole lot more work, as it sounds like it was conceived and recording in about a half hour.

More entertaining was Brown’s show in Indianapolis last night, particularly when Breezy joined the Pop Star Tumble Club. For those who enjoy schadenfreude, jump to 3:09 to watch Breezy fall down while shimmying down a ramp.

106 & Park celebrated its 10th anniversary from BET’s studio in NYC (now relocated to 57th street since the show’s first airing) and from Hollywood and Highland in Los Angeles. The televised party was packed with appearances from hip hop artists including Bow Wow, Chris Brown, Nelly and Jamie Foxx—many of whom credit the show for their success. Fans were also treated to performances from Fabulous, Trey Songz, Ice Cube and Ashanti. Flip through to peep the highlights from 106 & Park’s “aluminum” anniversary—and if you missed the celebration, catch it here.

Did you know that there is such a thing as an “air sex” competition, in which one’s ability to hump around with imaginary objects is graded for the purpose of winning notoriety and not much else? It’s true! There are even going to be some World Series Of Fake Love in Canada next month. Judging by the clip after the jump, however, the news that there is a competitive League Of Grinding Against Nothing In Particular has not yet reached the members of overly horny R & B boy band Pretty Ricky, even though their whole aesthetic is tailor made for chucking any pretense of a music career and devoting all their time to entering contests like the Air Sex competitions. At least, that has to be why Pretty Ricky member Spectacular “Sexy Spec” Smith has thrust he is calling a grinding challenge in the direction of his contemporaries, who include Chris Brown, Bow Wow, the members of Day 26, and whoever else is more famous than his band these days. And by “thrust,” I mean “wiggle his pelvis around in ways that are probably not safe for work in 99.9% of cases while his band’s not-very-good new single about, sigh, being drunk in a club blares in the background.” Clip after the jump, if you dare!



Personally, I am waiting for Peer Pressure to respond:



SEXY SPEC from PRETTY RICKY Gets “TIPSY” to the new Single!! [YouTube; HT ONTD]

Bow Wow

—the hip-hop star who grew up in front of America’s eyes over the past 16 years—has announced his retirement from the music business, telling RealTalkNY that “there’s no more that needs to be done on the music side, I’ve done everything.” And by “everything,” he means “released a record with a Parental Advisory sticker attached,” since that was the case with his latest album New Jack City II, which came out at the end of last month and debuted on the albums chart at No. 16, selling just shy of 31,000 copies in its first week on shelves. Bow Wow is claiming that he wants to focus on acting—he’s been on the bro-down Entourage and is currently working on a movie with Lil Wayne and Forest Whitaker—but I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a “comeback” record from dude within the next five years. After the jump, relive Bow Wow (when a Lil was attached to his name) appearing on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1993.

Real Talk With Bow Wow [RealTalkNY]
Lil’ Bow Wow – Arsenio Hall Show 1993 [YouTube]

“You may recognize Bow Wow when he pops up on HBO’s Entourage this September as a new client of Eric’s (Kevin Connolly), but don’t bother looking for his name in the credits. The 21-year-old rapper-actor is opting to use his real moniker, Shad Moss.” Yes, this is a prelude to Mr. Wow hinting at his impending retirement from the rap game, or as I like to call it, “getting out while the getting’s good.” [EW]

“You may recognize Bow Wow when he pops up on HBO’s Entourage this September as a new client of Eric’s (Kevin Connolly), but don’t bother looking for his name in the credits. The 21-year-old rapper-actor is opting to use his real moniker, Shad Moss.” Yes, this is a prelude to Mr. Wow hinting at his impending retirement from the rap game, or as I like to call it, “getting out while the getting’s good.” [EW]

In what can only be described as the most damning example of how the music industry has lost any semblance of influence and esteem in today’s artistic sphere, Bow Wow has declared that his number-one priority is now acting. While there were signs of fatigue in his oeuvre, like naming his last solo album The Price Of Fame, it’s still startling to see one of the most promising and imaginative rappers of the young generation say that acting is more important to him right now. “Music is second to me right now,” he told MTV. Acting is my number-one priority… and this is the first time in my acting career I’ve been able to do movies back to back to back. I don’t wanna lose that momentum. I don’t know if this opportunity will ever come around again, so I want to abuse it as much as I can.” Abuse. Interesting choice of words.

Don’t worry, fans, Bow Wow still has at least one more album, H.I.M. (History In Making) planned, and it has proposed tracks like “‘Pole In My Basement” and “Get Money N—as” as well as rumored guest stars like Lil’ Wayne, 50 Cent, Bone Thugs, and Ashley Tisdale. So it’s not like we’re being left without a dope beat to step to. Still, Wow seems so disillusioned with the industry that it’s hard to believe it’s only been eight years since this fresh-faced wunderkind first stepped on the scene.

Could it all have been so simple? If we’ve truly lost this talent to the silver screen and the teachings of Stella Adler, I’ll never forgive Jermaine Dupri.

Bow Wow Has Big Love For The Big Screen [MTV]
Lil’ Bow Wow [YouTube]

Much like Spank Rock and Benny Blanco’s greasy hindquarters, many of you think that Hell Rell’s For The Hell Of It happens to be one of the best album covers of 2007. (I happen to agree with you on this one.) Surely this means that the two faces of R&B/hip-hop evil will win this round in a walk? Or will the bullet-mouthed Diplomat have enough ammo to take out Bow Wow and Omarion?

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Why was Bow Wow hospitalized last week? First it was “stress,” then it was appendicitis, and now it’s a dressing-room-hissy-fit-inflicted injury to his hand in which he lost a lot of blood… even though neither of his hands have bandages on them in this videoclip of him explaining away his injury. This Chicken Littleing on Bow Wow’s part is starting to get almost as crass as the London bombing-inspired “Pray For Omarion” campaign that his cohort tried to lead a few years back. [MTV]

Why was Bow Wow hospitalized last week? First it was “stress,” then it was appendicitis, and now it’s a dressing-room-hissy-fit-inflicted injury to his hand in which he lost a lot of blood… even though neither of his hands have bandages on them in this videoclip of him explaining away his injury. This Chicken Littleing on Bow Wow’s part is starting to get almost as crass as the London bombing-inspired “Pray For Omarion” campaign that his cohort tried to lead a few years back. [MTV]

Why was Bow Wow hospitalized last week? First it was “stress,” then it was appendicitis, and now it’s a dressing-room-hissy-fit-inflicted injury to his hand in which he lost a lot of blood… even though neither of his hands have bandages on them in this videoclip of him explaining away his injury. This Chicken Littleing on Bow Wow’s part is starting to get almost as crass as the London bombing-inspired “Pray For Omarion” campaign that his cohort tried to lead a few years back. [MTV]

For the second entry in today’s Anatomically Incorrect bracket, we have pop emo godfathers Jimmy Eat World and their bald feathered metaphor for the place where babies come from (or out of) facing off (omg lol) against Bow Wow and Omarion’s collaborative efforts at facial reconstruction. Decide whether it’s two-in-the-face or one in the “bush” after the jump!

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You know, this cover for Omarion and Bow Wow’s kiss-and-make-up album would be almost fine–and I do stress almost if not for that weird Photoshopped smoke that’s serving as the “dividing line” between Omarion and Bow Wow’s faces. Especially since one of those smoke curls is coming out of Bow Wow’s nose in such a way, it makes it look like he forgot to blow his nose before he went in front of the camera. Oh ho–maybe the art director for this album is in Omarion’s employ, and is trying to start beef anew in time for the album’s press cycle!

Face Off [Amazon]

Kevipod Music has “Lil’ Love,” the new team-up from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Mariah Carey and Bow Wow. The track appears on the group’s upcoming Strength & Loyalty album, and it even features a Culture Club reference (hint–it’s not “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya”):

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony feat. Mariah Carey & Bow Wow – Lil’ L.O.V.E. [MP3, link removed]

Billboard notes the quirky chart notation for “I’m A Flirt,” the R. Kelly-penned song that appeared on Bow Wow’s album before getting remixed, and de-Bowed, by Kelly. Because of the two versions’ common ground, they will be tracked as a single entity on the Billboard singles charts:

The song has been recorded by both Bow Wow and R. Kelly. Bow Wow’s version features Kelly, who co-penned the track, while Kelly’s version subs out Bow Wow for T.I. and T-Pain.

Due to the similar characteristics of each song, the plays for both versions will be totaled under one chart listing. This week, it debuts at No. 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the attribution Bow Wow or R. Kelly (featuring T.I. & T-Pain).

We’re not sure who the “winner” in this odd new-era chart battle could be; even though we’ve been listening to Kells’ remix more, Bow Wow seems to have the advantage, since he’s getting top billing without having to do much more than pick a different song for his second single. So we decided to put it to science, and wouldn’t you know: Googlefight would seem to agree.

Who’s That ‘Flirt?’: Bow Wow, And R. Kelly, Too [Billboard]

- George Michael has pleaded not guilty to marijuana possession and unfit driving. [AP]
- Norah Jones’ new record was heavily influenced by M. Ward, Joanna Newsom, and Tom Waits. Somebody’s been reading Paste! [HitsDailyDouble.com]
- Did you know that Bow Wow and Omarion were feuding? Do you care that it’s over? [MTV via VH1]

Welcome to On The Shelf, Idolator’s weekly look at the week’s slate of record releases. It’s the final new-release day before the holiday season officially ends, and the new-release market is still giving a wide berth to the holiday shoppers looking for the tried-and-true out there (witness the continued chart moxie of Hannah Montana). As such, the new-release slate is once again pretty light; after the jump, we look at new albums by Nas, Bow Wow, and RBD.

Nas, Hip-Hop Is Dead … The N
The artist: Queensbridge’s pride and joy, post-Jay-Z reconciliation.
The sound: Old-school beats, with the occasional Langston Hughes reference thrown in.
The first in line: New York hip-hop partisans.

Bow Wow, The Price Of Fame
The artist: Former child rapper has shed the “Lil” ’cause he’s all grown up. Well, he’s 20, anyway.
The sound: Beats by Chris Brown (!) and Jermaine Dupri, tempered by the sort of sullenness that only a reformed child star can bring.
The first in line: Trainwreck aficionados who can’t wait to hear if Bow Wow has responded to being dissed by Lil Romeo. Er, we mean Romeo.

RBD, Rebels
The artist: Telenovela-spawned group that’s outsold Madonna and the Rolling Stones in Latin America.
The sound: Sleekly saccharine pop with the slightest spice of Latin influence.
The first in line: Young ladies in the know who are so over Hannah Montana.

On The CD Front [Pause & Play]