Chris Brown And Rihanna Reunite On 'Cake' Remix

It was only a matter of time. For the past few weeks the world has been at a stand still with rumors swirling of one time lovebirds Rihanna and Chris Brown working with each other again. Just in time for her 24th birthday C Breezy and Rihanna made their reunion official releasing the remix to Ri's "Birthday Cake" track.

On the Internz/The-Dream produced record, Breezy adds his melodies to the song crooning about his fantasies to blow the candles out on Rihannas cake.

"Girl I wanna f--k you right now. Been a long time I been missing your body" Brown sings on the remix. "Lemme, lemme turn the lights down. When I, when I go down it's a private party."

During the 2012 Grammy Awards weekend word began to spread that Rihanna and Brown were spotted at the same event with some reports suggesting the two were seen holding hands. A day later "Cake" producers Da Internz hinted Rihanna was getting ready to release a "big" remix with a special guest that would "shock the world."

"We got the Rihanna 'Birthday Cake' coming out in a week," a bespectacled Kosine told MTV News on the red carpet of the Pepsi-sponsored ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Brunch, held over the Grammy weekend.

"It's gonna be crazy," his production partner, Tuo, said shaking his head.

"And the feature on there is gonna shock the world," Kosine chimed.

Words never lie.

Three years after their infamous fallout at the Grammy Awards Rihanna and Chris Brown are back together again ... at least musically. Clearly the start of a new beginning. Stay tuned.

LISTEN TO THE FULL TRACK HERE

'The Voice' Recap: Christina Aguilera Picks Up Usher Sound-Alike

"The Voice" judges Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and Cee Lo Green proved as picky and discerning as ever on Monday night's fourth round of blind auditions. Several strong performers were turned away as the judges continued to carefully select the contestants they hope will go all the way to the finals — and in turn, win bragging rights for the last judge standing. And Cee Lo continued to inexplicably stroke a white cat during his to-the-camera interviews. "The Voice" is so weird and wonderful ... now, on to the show.

Team Christina
Aguilera got off to a strong start, scoring the night's first two contestants (well, the first two who got picked at all, that is). First up was Jonathas, a 23-year-old father of two who moved to the U.S. from Brazil at age 5 to escape poverty and violence. Sounding so much like Usher with his rendition of "You Got It Bad," Jonathas fooled the judges at first. "I thought that was a prank," Cee Lo told the singer. "I thought that was actually Usher."

Again distinguishing what sets "The Voice" apart from its competition, Aguilera, who turned her chair for Jonathas at the last minute, noted that as a pop singer, she has experience with choreography and the inner workings of pop star packaging, things that could aid Jonathas in his quest for stardom. "She's got packages on her mind," Cee Lo joked, trying to steal away the crooner. But it didn't matter, he picked the big-voiced Xtina.

Aguilera didn't have to win the night's next contestant, Monique Benabou — she was the lone judge to turn her chair for the singer on Shelton's recommendation. The country star felt Aguilera could shape Benabou as a vocalist. In a rare non-bickering moment, Shelton even called his fellow judge the best female vocalist of her generation.

In another last-minute chair swivel, the "Beautiful" singer also picked up the Texas-born son of a mega-church pastor, Anthony Evans, who sang Marvin Gaye's classic "What's Goin' On."

Team Blake
Shelton, who worked well with female vocalists last season, played to his proven strengths and added two unique-sounding ladies to his team: Naia Kete and Charlotte Sometimes.

Host Carson Daly hand-delivered Kete's invitation to the dreadlock-sporting street performer on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California, where she performs with her brother and boyfriend. The singer's textured delivery of "The Lazy Song" earned an immediate chair turn from Blake, who took another atypical vocalist, Dia Frampton, to the finals last season (and on tour with him this year).

As interesting as Sometimes' voice also was, her backstory was arguably even more compelling. As a child, the singer suffered from a jaw problem that nearly left her unable to sing and required surgery and several weeks with her mouth wired shut to correct. Her throaty, rock-rooted take on Timbaland and OneRepublic's "Apologize" got all of the judges' approval. While it seemed for a second like she might go with Cee Lo, Sometimes ultimately surprised and chose Shelton — after he reminded everyone that his unique-voiced ladies from the show's first season earned recording contracts, of course.

Team Cee Lo
The always colorful Cee Lo Green assembled what was easily the night's most diverse team, ranging from a flamboyant Broadway showman to a guitar-strumming sandwich shop worker from Chicago.

Green was the sole judge to turn his chair for theater vet Tony Vincent, who has starred in "Rent," Jesus Christ Superstar" and "American Idiot." For his audition song, he chose Queen's "We Are the Champions," and he did so with good reason: He was lucky enough to get to work on the song with the surviving members of the band when he went to London and later Las Vegas to work on their musical "We Will Rock You."

He also snagged Jamie Lono, whose take on "Folsom Prison Blues" got Adam to turn his chair immediately. When Lono announced his profession as a sandwich maker, Cee Lo joked, "We should hook up then, 'cause I eat sandwiches." The music Renaissance man — a trait that continues to prove itself his biggest draw as a mentor — also picked up a favorite of Daly's, 30-year-old Justin Hopkins.

Hopkins used to play in the house band for Daly's late-night talk show, "Last Call With Carson Daly," and the host couldn't help but pull for his old buddy, saying, "I'm rooting for you, selfishly." Hopkins was also really hoping Cee Lo would turn around for him, gushing about the "Forget You" singer in his pre-performance interview. He got his wish.

Team Adam
The always charismatic Maroon 5 frontman was basically shut out until late in the show, picking up the night's final two contestants. The two lucky ladies to join the handsome singer's team couldn't have been more different.

First up was Nicolle Galyon, a classically trained pianist who sings country. Defiant that she would not have to change her instrument of choice to suit her genre, Galyon sang a fine rendition of "You Save Me" that nevertheless brought out her nerves. "I lose my voice when you're around too," Shelton jokingly said of his bro Levine (they seem a little bro-y these days, yes?).

Adam also added onetime med school student Mathai to his team, though he had to fend off Cee Lo and Blake to win over the young singer. Mathai only recently chose to break from the conventions of her conservative family to pursue music. Her performance of Adele's latest single, "Rumour Has It," inspired Blake to declare, "Attention, we are looking at a star." But ultimately, Mathai went with Levine, who now only has two open spots remaining on his 12-person team.

A few other singers were picked up by the judges, though their full performances did not air on the episode. Blake added Jordan Rager, whom he called a "true country singer," which is no doubt a mighty compliment coming from one of the most successful singers in the country game, as well as rocker Alyx. Adam seemed quite happy to add Karla Davis to his roster.

The judges were very picky tonight, letting many talented singers walk away from the competition. First among them was the artist Ducky, whose moustache Blake complimented before offering the rocker a drink to ease the pain of not getting picked up. Also given their walking papers were Erick Macek, who brought his own distinct acoustic flair to Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'," Dallas-born Eric Tipton and 19-year-old Dylan Chambers, who Aguilera liked but ultimately decided needed a few years to let his voice mature.

Miranda Lambert, Chris Brown Feud Heats Up

When Miranda Lambert was a child, her parents were private investigators who frequently took in abused women. Witnessing the pain those victims endured at the hands of the men who were supposed to love and protect them, the country star was inspired to write songs like 'Gunpowder and Lead,' about getting revenge against an abuser.

Her passion for the fight against domestic violence is what sparked Miranda's outrage at last week's Grammy Awards, which saw two performances from and a win for Chris Brown. It was just three years ago that the pop/R&B star was arrested for physically assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna.

"Chris Brown twice? I don't get it," Miranda tweeted the morning after the Grammys. "He beat on a girl ... Not cool that we act like that didn't happen. He needs to listen to Gunpowder and lead and be put back in his place. Not at the Grammys."

"Hate all you want becuz I got a grammy now! That's the ultimate f--- off," Chris tweeted that same day. (The tweet has since been removed.) Though it's not clear whether that was in direct response to Miranda, she probably took it as so. "For all who are asking ... I have a Grammy too," she tweeted back.

Miranda continued her tirade on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, posting, "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything," along with, "Be who u are and stand for what you believe in. NO MATTER WHAT!"

On Thursday, the reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year further shared her fury with a live audience, bashing Chris on stage during her show at the University of Massachusetts. Before launching into 'Gunpowder and Lead,' she held up a neon green poster that said, "Take notes Chris Brown."

"I've been in a world of hurt with Chris Brown fans lately," Miranda told her audience (quote via the New York Daily News). "But see, I just have to speak my mind because where I come from, beating up on a woman is never OK ... So that's why my daddy taught me early on in life how to use a shotgun."

Chris' response to this news from Massachusetts was filled with sarcasm: "Using my name to get publicity? I love it! Perform your heart out!" he tweeted, followed by his only direct mention of Miranda: "Go buy @miranda_lambert album! So motivational and 'PERFECT'!"

Chris then thanked his fans, along with another jab at Miranda and her supporters, posting, "Goodnight to all the people who live life and who aren't stuck in the past!"

The Virginia native is still on supervised probation for assaulting Rihanna the night before the 2009 Grammy Awards, but the restraining order against him has been lifted. He has completed domestic violence and anger management classes but still has community service and two more years of probation to fulfill. In a surprising twist, Chris and Rihanna are apparently friends again -- possibly even romantically linked -- with his attendance at the 'Umbrella' singer's birthday party last week further fueling the rumors.

Akon Sued Over $51k Construction Bill Pay Up Right Na Na Na Na Na

Akon is up to his neck in $51,000 of construction bills on his Georgia mansion ... and he still hasn't paid up -- this according to a new lawsuit filed by a local contracting company.

Southern Electric filed the lawsuit against Akon in Georgia Superior Court, claiming it completed over $344,000 of work on Akon’s place -- electric work, framing, molding -- but he refused to pay $51,941 on their final invoice.

According to the suit, Southern Electric contacted Akon’s mommy last November ... not just to tattle, but because his mother was acting as his agent in the deal ... but still, S.E. has not received a dime.

They’re now suing for breach of contract for the amount allegedly owed, plus interest.
 
FYI -- Akon’s Georgia palace is a two-story four-bedroom, eight-bath model that he forked over 1.65-MILLION clams for.  Calls to his rep have not been returned.

Whitney Houston's Family Sells Funeral Footage To "Benefit Bobbi Kristina"

Whitney Houston's "home going" ceremony has turned into a money maker for her Estate -- which very quietly struck a deal to sell the video of the funeral.

Here's how it went down ... Associated Press provided a live pool feed of the funeral to media outlets around the world (including TMZ) on Saturday -- but everyone had to pull the footage 24 hours later. Why?

A rep for the family confirms the family has now "agreed to license footage to several media outlets." The rep says the family is charging "customary fees" to ... "help maximize the estate for the benefit of Bobbi Kristina."

Rick Ross Proves He's Bawse As Hottest MC In The Game

When Rick Ross experiences a personal moment of triumph, a hearty grunt typically marks the occasion. Built up from the bowels of his belly, Rozay's baritone call has become as ubiquitous as his titillating one-liners — not that a simple ad-lib is the only thing that earned Rick Ross the #1 spot on MTV News' Hottest MCs in the Game VII list, his first time up top.

Rozay was on pace to release his fifth studio album until he faced a pair of "minor setbacks," as he so poetically dubs the two seizures he suffered in October.

"God Forgives, I Don't was slated to come out in 2011, and he had the two seizures, and we thought it was going to make him fall back completely — but he came back and hit us with Rich Forever," MTV News senior hip-hop writer Rob Markman pointed out during the Hottest debate.

The truth is, Rozay's 2011 reign didn't hinge on an album release. The Bawse set things up properly in February of last year when he signed his Maybach Music Group record label over to Warner Music Group and scooped up newcomer Meek Mill (this year's #7 Hottest MC), Wale (#10) and later Stalley. Musically, Ricky Ro put his team in position to dominate with the label compilation Self Made, Vol. 1. Rather than taking all the shine, Ross passed the baton to Meek, who delivered "Ima Boss" and "Tupac Back." Wale contributed the rhythmic gem "That Way," and even ousted MMG spitter Pill logged serious miles on the LP.

"You wouldn't even know that he didn't have an album out [early last year], because he was all over the radio," said Rahman Dukes, director of hip-hop news at MTV News.

Whether on his own singles ("You the Boss," "I Love My Bitches") or on tracks that he was featured on, the M-I-Yayo MC turned in multiple unforgettable performances. "Ima Boss" was technically Meek's song, but the casual listener may have missed that fact. Lil Wayne's "John" was basically a remix of the 2010 Ross track "I'm Not a Star," and on the summer anthem "I'm on One," Rozay flexed his muscle alongside Drake and Weezy.

"Rick Ross makes raw records, he makes street records. When he gets on a verse, his beat selection is impeccable," MTV Jams' Tuma Basa said, before pointing to Ross' star-making ability with Meek and Wale. "He's making other people hot, and these are people, without Ross, may not have been on this list. They're on this list thanks to Ross."

It's deeper than rap with the Double-M-Genius. Beyond the studio, the Bawse proved his worth in the boardroom as well. "I don't think any artist did a better job of branding than Rick Ross," said MTV RapFix blog editor Nadeska Alexis. "He was just a marketing genius this year, and you gotta give it to the man."

Ross meets all the criteria to be considered the Hottest MC in the Game. His impact is irrefutable: Even without a solo album, he maintained a healthy and consistent buzz throughout the year, notching a #1 rap album with his Self Made compilation. Lyrically, Rozay has grown from his "Hustlin' " days and become one of the game's most celebrated spitters, and his swag is through the roof. Check his big-boned, shirtless confidence, immaculately groomed beard and top-of-the-line designer-sunglass collection.

If that weren't enough, the rotund Rozay cemented his #1 spot in January when he dropped his free 19-song Rich Forever mixtape. While there is no SoundScan or Billboard chart that can measure its impact, with Rich Forever, Ross proved in this era of overdone crossover singles that rap still rules.

"Rick Ross, I think, provides hope to that MC, to that kid growing up who just wants to rap and make street music and say, 'You know what? In this world where hip-hop has become pop, you can still just rap,' " Markman said.

Michael Jackson Estate Sues Former Manager

Michael Jackson's estate sued the singer's former manager on Friday, claiming he lined his own pockets by persuading the pop superstar to sign unconscionable contracts in the final year of his life.

The lawsuit against Tohme R. Tohme came after more than a year of wrangling between Jackson's estate and the former adviser who has claimed he is owed 15 percent of the more than $310 million collected by the estate since the singer's death.

The lawsuit seeks the return of Jackson's property and financial records along with damages and a ruling that Tohme is not entitled to any money from the estate.

The contracts involved a refinancing of Jackson's debt related to Neverland Ranch and a producer's fee that Tohme negotiated for himself for Jackson's series of planned comeback concerts in London.

"This lawsuit is necessary to finally put a stop to abuse of fiduciary obligations owed to Jackson and seeks to unwind the self-serving and unconscionable agreements (Tohme) encouraged Jackson to enter into" and to compensate the estate for failing to return Jackson's property, the complaint states.

Tohme's attorney Paul Malingagio did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment Friday.

Tohme served as Jackson's manager from January 2008 until March 2009.

Estate attorney Howard Weitzman wrote in a statement that he expects Jackson's former manager to file his own lawsuit to try to gain money from the estate.

"We believe the facts will show that Mr. Tohme's claims are meritless and that Mr. Tohme engaged in wrongdoing with respect to Michael Jackson starting early in their relationship," Weitzman wrote.

The lawsuit states that Tohme forced Jackson to pay him a finder's fee for introducing the singer to a group that saved Neverland Ranch from foreclosure. That deal earned Tohme more than $2.4 million and was just one of several deals he was involved in that the estate claims improperly benefited the adviser.

Tohme also negotiated a producer's fee of $100,000 a month for the "This Is It" shows planned in London, although Jackson died before the concert series began.

The legal action also alleges that Tohme improperly signed away the rights to artwork created by Jackson.

Tohme told The Associated Press in July 2009 that he had turned over more than $5 million to Jackson's estate that the singer had stockpiled to purchase a "dream home" in Las Vegas.

In September 2010, Tohme sought more than $2.3 million from the estate and claimed he was owed 15 percent of revenue from the film "This Is It," which used footage from Jackson's final rehearsals.

Tohme was credited as Jackson's personal adviser in the film.

MC5 Bassist Michael Davis Dies

Michael Davis, the bassist for the politically-charged proto-punk band MC5, died on Friday of liver failure. He was 68.

Davis had been studying fine art at Wayne State University in Michigan when the Detroit-based MC5 recruited him in 1964. He promptly dropped out of art school to join the band. MC5 were soon taken under the wing of poet John Sinclair, whose affiliation with the radical-leftist anti-racist White Panther Party galvanized the band’s political energies. Kick Out the Jams, the first of the band’s three albums, was released by Elektra Records in 1969.

After MC5 split up in 1972, Davis went on to join the band Destroy All Monsters with Ron Asheton of the Stooges. He would later join MC5 again when they reunited for a tour in 2004. Davis also co-founded the non-profit Music is Revolution Foundation, which supports music education in public schools.

Davis died at the Enloe Medical Center in Chico, California after receiving a month-long treatment for liver disease. He is survived by his wife, Angela Davis, as well as three sons and a daughter. 

Whitney Houston Dress, Earrings Up for Auction

There had to be an auction, but so soon?

A black velvet dress that belonged to Whitney Houston and a pair of earrings she wore in "The Bodyguard" will be sold to the highest bidder next month.

Celebrity auctioneer Darren Julien said Sunday the pieces and other Houston items became available after the singer's unexpected death on Feb. 11 and will be included among a long-planned sale of Hollywood memorabilia such as Charlie Chaplin's cane, Clark Gable's jacket from "Gone With the Wind" and Charlton Heston's staff from "The Ten Commandments."

Julien said celebrity collectibles often become available after their namesakes die.

"It proves a point that these items, they're an investment," Julien said. "You buy items just like a stock. Buy at the right time and sell at the right time, and they just increase in value."

But could it be too soon to profit from Houston's passing? She was just buried on Saturday.

"It's a celebration of her life," Julien said. "If you hide these things in fear that you're going to offend someone - her life is to be celebrated. These items are historic now that she passed. They become a part of history. They should be in museums. She's lived a life and had a career that nobody else has ever had."

Houston is "someone who's going to maintain a collectability," he said. "For people who are fans of Whitney Houston and never would have had a chance to meet her and never got to talk to her, these are items that literally touched a part of her life. They are a way to relate to her or be a part of her life without having known her."

The singer's floor-length black dress is valued at $1,000 but likely to collect much more. Same goes for the vest she wore in "The Bodyguard," listed at $400, and the faux-pearl earrings that start at $600.

Houston fans and other collectors can bid online, by phone or in person during the "Hollywood Legends" auction on March 31 and April 1. Lots will be shown during a free public exhibition beginning March 19 at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, Calif., just blocks from the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where Houston died at age 48.

Drake Dominating Rap and R&B/Hip-Hop Charts

Drake's domination of the genre charts continues. Billboard reports that Drake's "The Motto" remains at the top of the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts for a second week while the song also hit #1 on the Rap Chart. The song, which features Lil Wayne, moved up from #3 to #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Chart, knowing his own "Make Me Proud" featuring Nicki Minaj out of the top spot. He's the first person since Alicia Keys to replace himself in the chart. Keys did it in 2008 with "Like You'll Never See Me Again" following "No One" at #1.

"Make Me Proud" sits at #2, with Wale's "Lotus Flower Bomb" featuring Miguel. Beyonce's "Love on Top" stays even at #4 while Young Jeezy's "I Do" stays at #5.

Meanwhile, Darke is also at the top of the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart as Take Care spends a ninth week at #1. It's the biggest hit on the chart since Eminem's Recovery in 2010.

Check out the top 10 R&B/Hip-HOp Singles anmd Top 5 Albums below:

1. Drake (ft. Lil Wayne) - "The Motto"
2. Drake (ft. Nicki Minaj) - "Make Me Proud"
3. Wale (ft. Miguel) - "Lotus Flower Bomb"
4. Beyonce - "Love on Top"
5. Young Jeezy (ft. Jay-Z) - "I Do"
6. Chris Brown (ft. Kevin K-MAC McCall) - "Strip"
7. Tyga - "Rack City"
8. J. Cole (ft. Trey Songz) - "Can't Get Enough"
9. Big Sean - "Dance (A$$)"
10. Beyonce - "Party"

1. Drake - Take Care
2. Rihanna - Talk that Talk
3. Mary J. Blige - My Life II…
4. Young Jeeze - TM; 10-3
5. Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne

Adele Predicted to Have Her Biggest Week Ever

Adele's 21 is set to get an even bigger Grammy bump than predicted. Billboard reports that the album is predicted to sell between 650,000 - 680,000 by week's end. That will be the biggest sales week for an album since Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV bowed with 964,000 the week of Sept. 17, 2011. It will be 21 biggest single week sales as well, beating out the previousa record of 399,000 over Christmas.

Ranking at #2 is the 2012 Grammy Nominees compilation album, up from #8 last week. The Now 41 album is predicted for #3 while Paul McCartney's Kisses on the Bottom and Van Halen's A Different Kind of Truth are predicted for #4 and 5. The full Soundscan Building Chart of predictions is below:

1: Adele - "21"
2: Various Artists - "2012 Grammy Nominees"
3: Various Artists - "Now 41"
4: Paul McCartney - "Kisses on the Bottom"
5: Van Halen - "A Different Kind of Truth"
6: Coldplay - "Mylo Xyloto"
7: Bruno Mars - "Doo-Wops & Hooligans"
8: Lady Antebellum - "Own the Night"
9: The Civil Wars - "Barton Hollow"
10: The Fray - "Scars & Stories"

Bruce Springsteen Says Wrecking Ball Is A Patriotic Album

Bruce Springsteen says that his new album Wrecking Ball is inspired by a "critical, questioning and often angry patriotism".

He held a press conference at Theatre Marigny in Paris earlier this week. The album will be released on March 6.

He said that the songs were inspired by the current economic problems in the US and added: "What was done to our country was wrong and unpatriotic and un-American and nobody has been held to account. There is a real patriotism underneath the best of my music but it is a critical, questioning and often angry patriotism. I have spent my life judging the distance between American reality and the American dream."

Madonna's Daughter Joining Her On Tour

Madonna has enlisted her daughter to join her on tour. The pop star's fifteen year-old daughter Lourdes will join her on her fifty-country tour as a dancer, according to a source.

"It is the first time Lourdes will have appeared on stage with her mum," said the source. "There are risqué dancers and some blatantly sexual dance routines – but Madonna is really excited about Lourdes making an appearance."

Lourdes helped Madonna choose her tour dancers during rehearsals at Pineapple Studios in London.

Adeles Father Devastated By Her Claims To Never Want To See Him Again

Adele's father says he is devastated that she vowed never to see him again.

She told Vogue magazine earlier in the week that she would spit in Mark Evans' face if she saw him again. She said this after Evans walked out on Adele during her childhood and then sold a story to The Sun about his alcoholism and divorce from her mother Penny.

He said: "I can't believe she said that [that she would never see him again]. It's devastating. I don't know where it's come from. What's done is done. I can't turn the clock back. I know I was a rotten father, but, in the end, she's made it. She deserves all the happiness and success in the world."

Elton John Cancels Las Vegas Concerts Due To Food Poisoning

Elton John was forced to cancel a show at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas on Friday and Saturday due to food poisoning.

His representative says that he is doing "much better now" and will be ready for his next concert in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Robin Thicke Arrested for Marijuana Possession

Feb. 17th, Robin Thicke was arrested for marijuana possession.  According to New York Daily News, the singer was arrested at 12:25 pm, today, by police who saw him "smoking a joint while sitting in a Cadillac Esscalade near 3rd Ave. and E. 21st" street.

"He was arrested and a small amount of marijuana was recovered on him," Police told Daily News.

Thicke was calm during the arrest. "He was taking pictures with the cops," a source told Daily news. "They were coming over to him and getting autographs."

On Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), Robin Thicke took the stage at "Jimmy Kimmel LIve!" to perform two songs off his recent album, "Love After War," including "Pretty Lil' Heart."

Depeche Mode Will Start Working On A New Album This Year

Depeche Mode will start working on a new album this year.

Founding member Martin Gore said they would begin recording in March and hope to be done by the end of 2012. It would be their first album since 2009's Sounds of the Universe.

He also commented on working with former band member Vince Clarke on their album Ssss under their VCMG name. He said: "It was a nice break for me to be able to go and do something completely different that doesn't involve poring over lyrics and having to think about vocal melodies. I think I went back to actually writing for the band with much more vigour afterwards, because I had taken such a break. It gave me a real creative impetus."

The album will be the first time the two have worked together in 30 years. Ssss will be released on March 13 with the following track list:

'Lowly'
'Zaat'
'Spock'
'Windup Robot'
'Bendy Bass'
'Single Blip'
'Skip This Track'
'Aftermaths'
'Recycle'
'Flux'

Katy Perry's New Single Expected to Make Big Debut on the Billboard Charts

Katy Perry is on track to have the biggest single sales debut since last February. Billboard reports that "Part of Me" is expected to sell between 400,000 to 420,000 downloads by week's end, which would make it the biggest opening week since Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" sold 448,000 the week of February 26th, 2011. The song should easily claim the top spot of the Digital Songs chart with Adele and Whitney Houston battling for #2. "Rolling in the Deep" should net Adele north of 250,000 downloads while "I Will Always Love You" should get between 250,000 and 300,000. fun.'s "We Are Young" is also aiming for around 250,000.

Nicki MInaj's new single "Starshups" will sell around 150,000, while Chris Brown's "Turn Up the Music" should sell between 150,000 to 170,000 as well.

Black Keys Headed Back to Studio This Year

The Black Keys aren't resting on the laurels of El Camino. With that album less than three months old and their North American tour still upcoming, Dan Auerbach told Billboard that their next album is "already on the books." Check out the highlights of the interview:

On the upcoming album: "We don't know when it would come out, but we want to try to get in the studio this year just to start working. We won't know [about the sound] 'til we get in there. We don't get to practice together on the road. We're always trying to write and keep ideas going, but where we're most comfortable is in the studio. I can't wait to get back in there."

On his Easy Eye Studio in Nashville: "It's really busy, to be honest. I wasn't sure I wanted to open it to the public, and it's not really open to the public. But people are starting to book it, people I sort of know or trust, and it's pretty cool 'cause I love making records. It's my favorite thing to do. And having a place I got to design and flow the way I wanted it to is really nice, a total luxury. But Pat and I, we can record anywhere -- basements, abandoned buildings, studios. Location doesn't matter. All that matters is that it's Pat and I."

On their tour: "We're bringing everything with us. The sound is ours now. All the lights are ours, the stage itself. Pretty much everything you see we're traveling with, so we get to customize it. Hopefully we can have it sound really good. We're keeping it pretty simple in terms of lights, but we're doing a bunch of stuff. I don't want to ruin the surprise, but it's all kinda cool, old school lights, plus some videos."

Black Sabbath Tour Changed to Ozzy and Friends Tour

Black Sabbath has altered their plans for a 2012 tour based on Tony Iommi's recently-announced fight with lymphoma. The band announced that they will scaled back their planned European tour and will only do the Download Festival in Donnington, U.K. In place of the tour, Ozzy Osbourne will do a15-date tour as part of "Ozzy & Friends." The councert tour will feature guests like Slash, Zakk Wylde and Sabbath member Geezer Butler on select dates.

A press release notes that Iommi "continues to make excellent progress" in his battle and that the planned Black Sabbath studio album is still in the works. The tour dates for Ozzy and Friends are below:

May 23: Helsinki, Finland (Hartwall Arena)
May 25: Stockholm, Sweden (Stadium)
May 27: Jelling, Denmark (Jelling Festival)
May 29: Bergen, Norway (Bergen Calling Festival)
May 31: Oslo, Norway (Spektrum)
June 2: Malmo, Sweden (Malmo Stadium)
June 4: Dortmund, Germany (Westfalenhalle)
June 6: Prague, Czech Rep (O2 Arena)
June 10: Donnington UK (Download Festival) -- as Black Sabbath
June 15: Vitoria, Spain (Azkena Rock Festival)
June 17: Clisson, France (Hellfest)
June 22: Dessel, Belgium (Graspop Metal Meeting)
June 24: Milan, Italy (Gods of Metal Festival)
June 26: Vienna, Austria (Stadthalle)
June 28: Belgrade, Serbia (USCE Park)
July 1: Athens, Greece (Rockwave Festival - Terra)