I can’t get over “Saxon,” a track recorded as a reference track for Rihanna’s Rated R sessions. I know it’s not new, but after hearing it again on the recently released Barbie World mix-tape (which is sadly fan-made), I’ve fallen in love again.

The backing track of the song (originally called “Saxon”) was created in 2008 by Chase & Status, the same London dubstep duo responsible for producing “Mad House,” “Wait Your Turn,” and “G4L” on Rihanna’s brilliant Rated R.

Sung by the baddest bitch in the building, Miss Nicki Minaj, “Saxon” has all the makings of the gritty follow-up to the album’s dead serious intro piece, “Mad House”: “Guess who? You bitches, it’s Riri,” Minaj deadpans as the dirt beat slaps against the speakers time and time again. The rapper commands the thumping bass with ease, utilizing her usually untapped lower register to go all-out reggaeton for one nasty little ditty.

“Saxon” would have made for a delicious addition to an already fabulous album. All we can do now is hope that a Rihanna-recorded version surfaces sometime soon. Please?

Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, otherwise known as La Roux, are going on tour stateside.

To order tickets, click here.

I will most likely be in attendance at one of these dates, if only to hear “Bulletproof” and “Colorless Color” (“Colourless Colour”?) in person.

Don’t worry, the hype hasn’t gotten to her head yet: Ellie Goulding is still a dork.

The BBC’s #1 “Sound of 2010″ singer has just released the video for her most brilliant upcoming single, “Starry Eyed,” a song I’ve been waxing bloggy about for the past six months or so.

In all, it’s basically a combination of stop-motion cinematography, awkward squeezy hand gestures and glittery stars, but to a greater extent, it’s just the right formula for what I’d imagine an Ellie Goulding video ought to look like.

With any luck, the single’s release on February 22 will tide us over until the release of Goulding’s debut album Lights, due out on March 1. Let’s make this chart something major!

Kylie Minogue is finally gracing the cover of Vogue Spain, a photo series originally shot in Ibiza by photographer Vincent Peters during August of last year.

Click here to see the entire photoshoot. You can also watch a short ‘n’ sweet behind-the-scenes video of the shoot right here.

Simply put, it’s a stunning collection. Has she ever looked better?

I do believe these are some of Kylie’s greatest photographs of all time.

Click here to check out the entire series of photos for Madonna‘s upcoming campaign with Dolce & Gabbana.

I don’t care what anyone says–I love this spread, and it’s a whole hell of a lot better than last year’s Photoshop filter-overkill campaign with Louis Vuitton.

Christ on a Christmas cracker–the 2010 BRIT Award nominations are in!

I can’t believe it’s time already for the ceremony to begin once again. It seems like only yesterday I was sitting in my bed watching in disbelief as Gaga robo-danced her way on stage with pieces of shattered china plates glued to her lady bits. Ahh, memories.

As per usual (see 2009), I’ve gone ahead and bolded my favorites for the crown and added a few insightful comments and/or snooty one-liners to the end of each category.

And awayyy we go! (Thanks to The Guardian for the full list of nominees.)

Click to read…

This better not be Circus era part two…

According to Britney‘s official site, Team Spears have signed with Candies once again to promote their upcoming 2010 Kohl’s clothing line. From the press release:

New York, January 19, 2010 — Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICON) announced today it has renewed its exclusive partnership with international icon, Britney Spears for its Candie’s brand, which is available only at Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) and Kohls.com. Spears will appear in the Candie’s only at Kohl’s marketing campaigns throughout 2010.

Commenting on the partnership, Britney Spears stated, “I had a great experience working with Candie’s and Kohl’s last year and I am thrilled to be asked to sign on again for a second year. We’re planning some very cool photo shoots and I can’t wait for my fans to see them.”

Above is a brand new picture from the 2010 campaign.

She looks like she really wants to do this.

FREE BRITNEY!

MuuMuse wants to wish Utada Hikaru a very, very happy birthday today!

You and your music are an inspiration and a creative driving force for both myself and countless other fans. Thank you for continuing to be one of my favorite music idols of all time. So happy to have Hikki in my life!

PS: See you real soon on tour!

xoxo
b