R&B vet, Usher is gearing up to take the stage at the Billboard Music Awards and is also featured on the May issue of the Magazine with the caption “Dirty Dancing with the Hitman.” The Grammy winner is riding high off the success of “Climax” — the lead single off his upcoming album, Looking For Myself — which hit #1 on the R&B charts and sits at #18 on the Hot 100.

Peep Usher’s boxing stance, which probably has something to do with him starring as Sugar Ray Leonard in an upcoming movie — Hands Of Stone, or that he wants to punch his ex-wife other male R&B acts out of the game. You choose. Once excerpts become available, we’ll have them for you.

Looking For Myself drops June 12 and the 2012 Billboard Music Awards airs May 20 at 8PM (et) on ABC.

TGH

Pop starlet, Rihanna will be returning to Saturday Night Live this weekend for a third time as the musical guest. The Bajan previously visited the show in 2009 (“Russian Roulette,” “Hard”) and 2010 (“What’s My Name, “Only Girl”) and was featured in two hilarious digital shorts with “Shy Ronnie.”

On Wednesday (May 2), SNL creator, Lorne Michaels told reporters that he hopes to get the Battleship star in a few skits:

“Yes, are hoping so. We’ll know [soon]. I wish I could report on everything that’s been written [and] if this were tomorrow, I could,” he explained. “I know that there are a lot of things in the works, but I don’t frankly know how they turned out. And I think it’s our intention.”

I’d personally would love for Rihanna to host one day. She has the personality and Battleship helped her acting chops, so it could be a hilarious episode.

This weekend, she will likely perform her new single “Where Have You Been” and “Talk That Talk,” but I wouldn’t be surprised if she performed old faithful — “We Found Love.”

Watch the cute promo clip below.

Coldplay performed for the first time EVER on American Idol tonight two songs from their fifth album — Mylo Xyloto — including ‘Paradise‘ and ‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall.’ Lead singer, Chris Martin played the keys on the former, then danced around on stage to the latter.

Back in March, Coldplay shot the video for ‘Princess of China‘ with Rihanna, but it won’t be released until the third week this month. I don’t know what the delay is, but it may have something to do with their current tour, which runs until the end of September. Some of the opening acts are: Rita Ora, Emeli Sandé, Frank Ocean, and Robyn.

Watch both performances below as we patiently await the ‘Princess of China’ video.

Carrie Underwood returned home to American Idol earlier today for a performance in promotion of her newly release fourth studio album – Blown Away.

Blown Away is expected to debut at #1 on the Billboard charts new week, selling around 275k. Although a slight dip from 2009′s Play On — which pushed 318,000 first week — it marks Underwood’s third #1 album.

Watch the Grammy winner perform the albums title track below.

After multiple teasers and behind-the-scenes footage, Nelly Furtado premieres the video for her new single ‘Big Hoops (Bigger The Better).’ The Rodney Jerkins produced track is the lead single off her fourth English album — The Spirit Indestructible. The video for Big Hoops was supposed to drop 5/7, but premiered surprisingly today on MuchMusic instead.

Watch below.

Teenage sensation Justin Bieber sent pre-pubescent girls everyone into a whirlwind when he released the first single “Boyfriend” off his sophomore album Believe. After re-shooting the video for the hit single and dropping multiple teasers, he finally premiered the full video on MTV a few minutes ago.

Watch Justin frolic with Selena-lite in the new video below.

Hmmm. This copied reminds me of a video by Nsync.

D’ Angelo is back to give his first U.S. performance in a DECADE. The “King of Neo-Soul” dipped his feet in the water a few months ago with a small, but praised European tour. He performed classics, and also new songs like “Another Life.” Now, he will be making his way to the U.S. D’Angelo will be a part of this year’s Essence Music Festival. The music festival starts from July 6-8 in New Orleans.

D’Angelo is also working on his next album James River. Hopefully D’Angelo won’t disappear after the show, and continues to perform in the U.S. He will be performing on the main stage of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on July 6th.

Watch a video from D’Angelo’s European tour back in January.

The 2012 Essence Music Festival will include performances from the Pointer Sisters, SWV, Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia & more. To find out more about ticket info, hotels arrangements, and about the show in general, visit www.essence.com/festivals/2012/essence-music-festival.

A$AP Rocky premieres the self-directed video for his new single, “Goldie.” The track is the lead single off his upcoming debut album -- Long.Live.A$AP.

Watch below.

Part 2 of Bobby Brown’s chat with Matt Lauer on Today aired earlier. In this segment, he discusses the drama at ex-wife, Whitney Houston’s funeral, Bobbi Kristina’s sobriety, and also three of his five children join the interview. Bobbi Kristina declined to be interviewed. Watch below.

Watch part 1 here.

Usher is back to doing what he does best. The R&B veteran will be releasing his 7th studio album Looking For Myself on June 12th. The album will be preceded by the hit single “Climax,” and his two most recent singles “Scream,” and “Lemme See” (ft. Rick Ross).  Now, Usher released the album cover and the track-listing for the upcoming album.

Looking For Myself -June 12

 Tracklisting

1. “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop”
2. “Scream”
3. “Climax”
4. “I Care for U”
5. “Show Me”
6. “Lemme See” feat. Rick Ross
7. “Twisted” feat. Pharrell
8. “Dive”
9. “What Happened to U”
10. “Looking 4 Myself” feat. Luke Steele
11. “Numb”
12. “Lessons for the Lover”
13. “Sins of My Father”
14. “Euphoria”

Deluxe Edition
15. “I.F.U.”
16. “Say the Words”
17. “2nd Round”
18. “Hot Thing”

- RapUp

The Queen of Pop, Madonna is readying a major world tour in support of her 12th studio album, MDNA. With more than 76 dates ranging from arenas, to stadiums and special outdoor sites, over 1.4 million tickets are already confirmed sold. The tour was initially scheduled to kick off on May 29 in Tel Aviv, but was pushed back 2 days until May 31, due to production delays.

Take a look at some behind the scenes shots that the Queen revealed via facebook. I have a feeling that Madonna is cooking up something really special and creative this time around. Castle’s will crumble… lives will be changed..

Will you be in attendance?

TGH

JoJo was edging her way towards a comeback with “Disaster” late last year, but then her buzz fizzled out and the status of Jumping Trains is currently unknown. Still, the “Leave (Get Out)” singer finds ways to keep busy with performances and charity appearances from time to time.

Last month in L.A., JoJo covered Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” at a Harvard-Westlake Charity event. Watch below.

This was nice. Although the arrangement wasn’t drastically different from the original, JoJo’s soulful vocals surprisingly complimented the song. Bravo… now get back to that album!

RU

Bobby Brown appeared on Today this morning in part 1 of a 2 part interview with Matt Lauer to discuss losing his ex-wife, Whitney Houston. Brown said that he’s not to blame for her loss and wishes he had done things differently. He also said that he didn’t do narcotics prior to meeting Houston. Watch below.

Veteran hip-hop producer, Swizz Beatz stopped by The Breakfast Club this morning to discuss a wide range of topics including his work with K-Pop artists, his Reebok deal, MegaUpload, Ruff Ryder’s reunion and more.

Swizz Beatz also talked about being against 360 deals, working with Eve and his deal with Lotus cars. Does Swizz think that Hip-Hop artists have an expiration date? Watch below to find out.

Swizz Beatz is the ultimate businessman and has learned how to expand his brand into so many different industries. You can tell that he is very intelligent and forward thinking, which explains his longevity. Other producers/ artists should take note.

X-Factor UK winner, Alexandra Burke is playing no games with her upcoming sophomore album — Heartbreak On Hold. Last week, she premiered the video for her new single, “Let It Go,” and performed the track for the first time on The Voice of Ireland and today we receive not only the albums tracklisting, but the cover as well. Loves it!

1. Heartbreak On Hold
2. Elephant (ft. Erick Morillo)
3. Let It Go
4. This Love Will Survive
5. Fire
6. Between the Sheets
7. Daylight Robbery
8. Tonight
9. Love You That Much
10. Oh La La
11. Sitting On Top of the World
12. What Money Can’t Buy

Heartbreak On Hold drops June 4th in the UK.

Defpenradio

After a number of teasers and previews, UK singer Cheryl Cole finally releases the video for her new single, “Call My Name.” Watch the Anthony Mandler directed clip below.

The video was really simple and sexy and consisted mainly of shots of Cheryl getting down with her dancers. Although the moves seemed somewhat dated, I dug it.

“Call My Name” hits iTunes on June 10 and her third album — A Million Lights – drops June 18.

Carrie Underwood and B.o.B aren’t the only artists who dropped new albums on May 1. Genre-bending singer/ songwriter, Santigold released her sophomore album — Master of My Make-Believe in the states after a four year absence. Although the Philly native doesn’t have a promotional campaign as extensive as Bobby Ray and Underwood, she did stop by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Monday night (5/1) to perform her latest single, “Disparate Youth.”

Santigold is currently on a headlining tour across the country after ending her opening stint for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. See the remaining dates and watch the performance below the break.

Elle Varner has the country collectively asking for another round with her latest single, “Refill.” Last night at SOB’s, the MBK/ RCA singer took to the stage to perform the new hit, along with her first single “Only Wanna Give It To You,” “So Fly,” and more. Varner also performed a number of songs from her Conversational Lush mix tape.

Get filled up after the break!

Country princess, Carrie Underwood has been heavily promoting her newly released album — Blown Away and earlier today, she stopped by Good Morning America to sing a few songs and announce her North American tour.

The six time Grammy winner performed songs from Blown Away including, “Good Girl,” “Nobody Ever Told You,” “Cupid’s Got a Shotgun,” and also “Cowboy Casanova.”

Underwood said of the upcoming 50-plus date tour, “I can’t wait to get back out on the road and perform new music from my new album for my fans.”

“We have a lot of exciting things planned!”

The tour launches in Manchester, NH and wraps in Sunrise, FL, but not before making its way through Nashville, Portland, Reno, Charlotte, L.A., Dallas, Chicago and more. International dates are forthcoming.

Hunter Hayes will open and tickets go on sale May 11. $1 from each ticket will benefit Red Cross disaster relief. Classy.

View a full list of dates and watch Underwood’s performances from Good Morning America below.

Bobby Ray’s sophomore album, Strange Clouds is in stores NOW and the promo continues throughout New York with a stop by 106 & Park. In the 7 minute chat with Rocsi and Terrence, B.o.B explains where his name originated, the collaborations on Strange Clouds, his favorite track (‘Out Of My Mind’) and more.

Watch below.