I first discovered Nicki Minaj back in December of 2009 through a promotional video for “Itty Bitty Piggy,” one of the tracks off of Minaj’s 2009 mixtape, Beam Me Up Scotty.

Gum snapping, eyes rolling, breasticles ready to burst from her tight blouse at any given moment–I knew it was love at first sight.

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“Stomp, stomp, I’ve arrived,” Jessie J declares off the first verse of her debut UK single, “Do It Like A Dude.”

Above is Jessie J, a new-ish artist from the UK preparing to debut.

While there’s not a lot of information on Mizz J at the moment, her official website offers a few important hints: She’s major label (Universal Republic/Island), she’s got an album coming out soon called Who You Are, and she loves being covered in paint.

She’s also got a debut single, and it’s a stormer called “Do It Like A Dude”: “I can do it like a brother, do it like a dude / Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you,” the lady taunts above the song’s hard-hitting chorus. It’s the very definition of a ‘boss bitch’ track, as Miss J works her swag along the song’s infectious array of grinding drum beats.

For fans of Rihanna‘s Rated R album, Ciara‘s “Like A Boy,” and X Factor‘s Cher Lloyd, you’ll want to give “Do It Like A Dude” a try.

Yet the other songs on Jessie’s MySpace reveal a versatility than one probably wouldn’t expect after hearing “Do It Like A Dude”: Songs like “Who’s Laughing Now,” “Price Tag” and “Casualty of Love” take a step away from the drum machines and into swinging ’60′s melodies, all while revealing the singer’s incredibly melodic natural voice.

In fact–it isn’t just melodic, it’s major. The power and force she supplies in her live vocals is actually awe-inspiring. Want proof? Look no further than her YouTube account, which features several jaw-dropping, show-stopping acoustic covers recorded on the fly.

With her other songs, the singer tackles issues of fame, fortune, and all the insecurities that come along for the ride, all while supplying some excellent R&B and soul-infused Brit pop in the process–not unlike Pixie Lott, Natasha Bedingfield, or even Alicia Keys.

Strange array? Just listen to the songs–you’ll see: This ain’t no one-genre pony.

For more on Jessie J, check out her MySpace or her official website.

Thanks to Muuser Calen C. for bringing her to my attention.

I don’t want to tempt fate, but if that’s not a number one, I’ll eat my sofa.

As the man responsible for such songs as Diana Vickers‘ “The Boy Who Murdered Love,” The Saturdays‘ “Chasing Lights,” and Will Young‘s “Anything is Possible,” as well as some of the upcoming material from Pixie Lott and JLS, pop songwriter and producer Chris Braide has seen his fair share of glory in the UK Top 40 recently.

Two weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of speaking with the busy producer from his studio in London (which is about to be packed away and carted stateside!)

I’m quite proud of this interview–we touched upon all sorts of artists and ended up having a really in-depth discussion about the very nature of pop itself.

Read on to hear all the gossip from behind Braide’s soundboard–loads of pop nerd chatter ahead!

Click “Read More…” to view the entire interview.

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Above is the newly released video for “Gravity,” the latest single from Pixie Lott.

I’ll admit, I’m a bit late jumping onto the P. Lott bandwagon. Additionally, I don’t think “Gravity” is anywhere in the league of the songs that initially attracted me to her (please see ““Mama Do” and “Boys and Girls”).

Nonetheless, I still think it’s a pretty solid pop tune. Very airy, very fluff…it’s all a bit Natasha Bedingfield meets Jordin Sparks‘ “No Air.”

In case you’re thinking of counting her out as a one-dimensional pop tart, don’t. Just Check out her Live Lounge cover of 2009′s summer smash “When Love Takes Over” by Kelly Rowland and David Guetta and tell me that isn’t some raw talent.

“Gravity” will be released on March 8.