Ok ladies and gentlemen, apologies for the second Britney blog of the day but considering today's date it's understandable. If you don't already know (and why not?), today is Miss Spears 27th birthday. In true Britney style, there's no stopping her busy schedule, not even on this special day. Nope, Britney will spend the early part of her birthday performing on Good Morning America before spending the remainder of her day promoting her new album (which hit stores today) and single.

However, while Britney may be working through her birthday, I for one want to stop and wish Britney a happy 27th year. Considering the trials and tribulations of last year, it's great to have Britney back on her feet again. Here's hoping that 2009 is even sweeter for good old (yeah right) Britney!

Oasis fan Jessie May Shoesmith just sent us her thoughts on the band's new album Dig Out Your Soul and we thought we'd share it with you fellow music lovers. Check it out!

Dig Out Your Soul – A Fan’s Opinion

Words: Jessie May Shoesmith

What a brilliant album! Oasis has certainly proved that they're well and truly one of the best bands out there. Admittedly, the album isn’t as good as Definitely Maybe or What’s the Story Morning Glory but then what will be? With a selection of fresh and exciting tracks, all of which provide easy weekend listening, Britain is sure to go “mad-fer-it.” I seriously cannot understand why people are slating this album, saying things such as “It's awful...a poor man's Beatles.....bad Lennon solo album.”

It's all I seem to listen to these days; every single track on this album is a work of art! The lyrics have a certain significance about them, no more so than in the single I’m Outta Time where the lads sing: "If I'm to fall, would you be there to applaud or would you hide behind the law.”

Oasis has consistently made outstanding albums and Dig Out Your Soul is one of them. Oasis has been around for seventeen years now and still they continue to produce brilliant, record breaking albums. Oasis is, in my opinion, one of the best rock bands and always will be!

Once again the Mancunian fivesome has produced an album full of epic songs that stick in your head all day long. However, if you’re not already an Oasis fan it could take a few plays of Dig Out Your Soul for you to become attached to the band’s brilliant and individual sound, and eventually find a few songs that are worth listening to again and again.

Be sure not to miss this sunday's 'Britain’s Got The Pop Factor And Possibly A New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly On Ice.' It's showing on Channel 4 at 8pm. Click here for more information

Oh how we love a celebrity showdown! It appears that Kanye West and 50 Cent are set for round two of their head-to-head battle (ahem, publicity stunt). Having already battled it out in the album stakes, the two rappers will scrap once again when their forthcoming albums are released later this year.

While Fiddy’s ‘Before I Self Destruct’ will be released on December 9th, Kanye’s ‘808s & Heartbreak’ will hit stores on the December 16th meaning that the two albums will be available within a week of one another.

Hmmm, is this just bad management or do I smell a stunt?

Kanye is already one up on Fiddy (his 2007 album ‘Graduation’ sold more than Cent’s ‘Curtis’) but Fiddy appears to be raring to go second time around. According to a report, at a NY concert last week 50 'poked fun' at West’s new single, Love Lockdown, with a sarcastic rendition of the song, with Tony Yayo pretending to smash a camera, a reference to Kanye’s recent skirmish with a paparazzi at LAX.

Kanye responded on his blog and reportedly joked, “I guarantee this will be 50’s favourite album of mine. This will be gangster's album of the year."

Which rap star wins remains to be seen but my money's on Kanye. What do you guys reckon? Who’s your favourite? Who should win? Share you thoughts...

Our best wishes go out to Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and DJ AM who were involved in a tragic plane crash in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Their Learjet skidded off the runway in South Carolina after the plane’s tire reportedly blew-out seconds before take-off.

The pair remained in critical condition yesterday. Barker and Goldstein's doctors said that both Los Angeles natives were expected to fully recover from second- and third-degree burns sustained in the wreck.

How shocking is this?

It just goes to show how short life can be. Our thoughts go out to the families of those who perished in the accident.

We also wish Travis and DJ AM (real name Adam Goldstein) a steady recovery. Feel free to post your well wishes here.

We look forward to hearing from you guys again soon!

Swedish songstress Robyn will soon be joining Madonna on the European leg of her ‘Sweet and Sticky’ tour. The ‘Be Mine’ star took to Madonna’s official website on Tuesday, declaring her excitement: “Having been a fan of Madonna since I was a little girl, I'm very excited about sharing a stage with her and playing to her audiences...I'm thrilled."

Robyn will support Madonna on the following dates:

Having watched numerous rap-stars parade ridiculously expensive jewellery in music videos and having paid absurd fees to witness superstar songstresses merely wiggle their bottoms on stage, it’s refreshing to see a genuinely talented band keep their feet firmly on the ground and give back to the fans who helped make them a success.

Despite being one of the world’s best-selling bands, Coldplay haven’t let success go to their heads and they want their fans to know that they appreciate their unwavering support. So exactly how does one thank millions and millions of fans? Easy really, offer them the chance to download your latest single for free, which Coldplay did and to great avail may I add.  

In just one week, Coldplay’s new single ‘Violet Hill’ was downloaded an astonishing 2 million times.  And now that the single has been made available through regular digital downloads – the single was previously only available through the band’s official site – downloads figures are expected to soar through the roof.

Had the single been sold commercially, it would have outsold last week’s combined Top 40 singles four times over. However, Coldplay collectors need not worry as the physical format of the single is available with the latest copy of NME Magazine.

And if that wasn’t quite generous enough, Coldplay will also be performing free concerts at London’s Brixton Academy on June 16^th and New York’s Madison Square Garden on June 23^rd.

The group's new album 'Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends' is released on June 12th.

Things certainly seem to be getting better and better for Kylie. Just days before her world tour kicks off in Paris, the petite pop star has been awarded France's highest cultural honour, the Order of Arts and Letters.

Presenting Kylie with her award, culture minister Christine Albanel said the Australian star was a "Midas of the international music scene who turns everything she touches into gold".

"I want to publicly salute the courage you showed by revealing publicly that you had cancer," Ms Albanel said. "Doctors now even go as far as saying there is a 'Kylie effect' that encourages young women to have regular checks."

Kylie, who attended the ceremony with her parents, reciprocated the compliments, stating that she had "fallen in love with France" the first time she visited the country. Minogue described the award as "an enormous honour".

"I feel so grateful that I have had so many moments in my life that I have experienced and loved that are thanks to this country and the people here," she said.

Previous recipients of the honour include Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Meryl Streep, Clint Eastwood and Uma Thurman.

The Order of Arts and Letters was established to recognise artists and writers who have contributed significantly to the arts in France and throughout the world.

Pass the tissues!

Would your vocals put Beyonce in the shade? Can you bust some JT inspired dance moves? If you answered yes to either of these questions then you could be Alicia Keys new back-up singer. The 'No One' star is asking wannabes to "audition" to be a part of her touring group via her MySpace website.

However, you must act quick as hopefuls – who must be aged between 21 and 30 and be "physically fit and able to dance" – only have until the end of the day to make their mark. Keys wants singers to submit a 30-second video featuring themselves singing a cappella, videos received after today's cut-off will not be considered.

Best of luck!

'Rehab' star Amy Winehouse has reportedly threatened to quit Island Records and branch out on her own. The troubled star is said to have been discussing her options with new love interest Alex Haines and is looking to leave her label after releasing her next album.

A source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: "For the first time in her career Amy is beginning to have her head turned by the cash she can make."

"It's never been a huge deal in the past but she is beginning to realize everyone else is making money out of her success."

"Her deal with Island ends after her next record. That's why they are trying to get her to clean up first and make sure it's a classic."

Brazilian alternative band CSS have announced that their new album 'Donkey' will be released on July 21. The band who are also known as Cansei de Ser Sexy – meaning "I got tired of being sexy" in Brazilian Portuguese – have made their preview single "Rat Is Dead (Rage)" available for free download on their official website.

The first single from the album will be 'Left Behind', which will be released on July 14. The album will be released in Canada and the United States by label Sub Pop and in Europe by Warner Bros. Records.

Jay-Z certainly has friends in high places but it seems he also has some very unexpected celebrity friends. Following recent criticism for his Glastonbury appointment, Brit resident and Jay-Z fan Gwyneth Paltrow, has defended her rapper pal, insisting that the star will be 'brilliant for Glastonbury.'

While many have been quick to blame poor Glastonbury sales on the hip-hop star, Gwyneth has Jay-Z's back, claiming that: "He's the best rapper of all-time and I think he'll knock it out of the park."

The Oscar winning actress was a witness at Jay-Z's recent hush hush wedding and previously provided backing vocals for the star on stage at his Royal Albert Hall gig in London in 2006. Jay-Z has also collaborated with Paltrow's husband Chris Martin.

There really is no stopping Rihanna. Fresh from her success in Kanye West's 'Glow in the Dark' tour, Rihanna is undertaking a collaboration with Maroon 5.

The 'Umbrella' songstress spent last week in LA filming the video for the band's song 'If I Never See Your Face Again.'

Talking about the upcoming video, Maroon 5's Adam Levine said: “It’s really stylish and beautiful.” Rihanna added that: “I don’t do a lot of videos where I have so much chemistry with the other artist.” The track will be on re-packaged versions of both acts’ recent albums in June.

It seems, we really can't get enough of Rihanna! You go girl!

The Sex and the City franchise certainly has some high profile fans. As singletons around the globe eagerly await the movie's imminent release, A-list celebrities are climbing overthemselves to get a piece of the action.

Whilst huge stars such as Jennifer Hudson strut their stuff in the slick and sexy movie, glamorous muscians such as Fergie belt tunes louder than Samantha's numerous and notorious groans.

Not content to contribute her 'Labels or Love' anthem - which will be the theme to the Sex and the City film – Fergie is hoping to record a video with the fierce foursome.

Talking to MTV last week, Fergie said: "I'm so thrilled that they picked me to do it. ... I grew up with those characters. I used to watch with my mom all the time - we'd tune in every week."

"And so I loved those characters, and to be a part of the whole thing was such an honor. I would die to do a video with the girls - I would just want to see what was in their stylist's closet - to see how many trailers they would bring filled with clothes for the video," Fergie added.

Whether a 'Sex and the City' video actually surfaces remains to be seen but in the meantime we can look forward to more killer tunes from Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas. When asked whether the Black Eyed Peas were planning to release any new material, Fergie replied: "We'll all get back in the studio this year. I'll get back in the studio this year. ... We'll keep working. We're workaholics."

Now that's something to look forward to!

Surprising very few, Madonna has scored her 13^th number 1 with her latest hit '4 Minutes.' Despite being praised and criticised - many old school Madonna fans weren't impressed by this mainstream hit - in equal measure, there's no doubting Madonna's ability to create catchy, chart topping hits.

With Justin Timberlake and Timbaland on board it seemed only natural that Madonna would knock Estelle and Kanye West off the top of the UK singles chart and reclaim her position as the queen of pop.
'4 Minutes' is not only Madonna's 13^th number 1 but it's also her first since 2006's 'Sorry'. Only Elvis Presley (21 number ones), The Beatles (17), Westlife (14) and Cliff Richard (14) have hit the top spot more times.

He may have only just found mainstream success with his 2007 hit 'Superstar' but it seems that Lupe Fiasco is already looking to retire from the limelight. However, don't panic just yet, the hip-hop star is still planning to produce a third album before he goes.

Talking about his possible retirement, the rapper - who's second album 'The Cool' was released in December last year – told MTV, "I don't want to say I'm 100 percent sure, like, 'Yeah, this is it.' But 85 percent. That 15 percent is the X factor. That could be bills. Like, 'Lupe, you got to pay the bills.' 'Oh, man, I got to put out another album.'"

He added, "I love the performing, I could perform forever. I'll be on stage until I'm 90 doing 'Kick, Push' and all that stuff if I can. But it's the whole process of it that wears you down."

However, we can still expect to hear a great deal from Fiasco as the star plans, with the help of Pharrell Williams, to send shockwaves through the music industry with their group Child Rebel Soldiers.

Fiasco tells MTV, "Pharrell [Williams] came up with the idea 'Let's do a group, Child Rebel Soldiers,' So, I did a song. Took Thom Yorke's 'Eraser,' cut it up, put 'Us Placers' on it, because I was going to do a mix-tape called 'Us Placers' and remake Thom Yorke's album and Radiohead's stuff. I sent the record out, and it was initially supposed to have Kanye, and I wanted The Streets. The Streets, I got no response. He asked me to do the song for one of his artists. Then Kanye jumped on it and was like, 'I'm going to send it to P.' Then P sent it back, and it was like, 'This is the first song right here. Let's do it.' That was, like, a year and a half ago, and the whole time we've been figuring out what to do."

Whether collaborating with Kanye or Pharrell, you can be sure that this won't be the last we hear from Fiasco. Rap fans can look forward to Fiasco's third album and his funky future collaborations.

If you thought Ozz Fest was wild then get ready as the first ever Crue Fest is set to kick off on July 1st and we're guessing it's going to be a messy musical affair. Motley Crue announced yesterday that not only will the summer rock festival include the four original memebrs - including  singer Vince Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx, guitarist Mick Mars and drummer Tommy Lee – but artists such as  Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M. and Trapt make-up the remainder of the line-up.

Despite their raucous reputation the band insist that they have outgrown their wild off-stage shenangians but are quick to point out that their on-stage antics have stood the test of time: 'The second we hit the stage, everything is exactly the same,' Lee said. 'But when the house lights go up these days, everybody leaves and goes back to their hotel room or bus or airplane or whatever. It's different now. People have families and kids.'

In preparation for the summer festival the band will release their nineth studio album ' Saints of Los Angeles,' the first featuring all four original band members in more than a decade, on June 17th.

Welsh vixen, Charlotte Church, is set to ditch her pop career and return to her classical roots. The star is reportedly taking singing lessons in a bid to rediscover the remarkable voice which first catapulted her to stardom at the age of 12.

Since bursting onto the music scene in 1998 with her debut album 'Voice of an Angel' Charlotte has become better known for her personal life than her professional life. Following the disappointment of pop album 'Tissues and Issues' in 2005, Charlotte left Sony by mutual consent in 2006.

However, Charlotte – who appears to have given up her partying ways thanks to the constant presence of long-term beau Gavin Henson and the arrival of daughter Ruby in 2007 – appears to have finally outgrown her rebellious streak and is hoping her stint with classical music will be just as popular the second time around.

As one friend states: "Charlotte wants to get back to the songs which launched her career in the first place. "She is fed up with the pop stuff she's done and the scene has moved on since then anyway."

Here's hoping Charlotte's lastest endeavour will be as popular as her first!

Grammy-winning producer Mark Ronson has aligned his Allido record label with Interscope Records and has been quick to build upon his popularity by appointing emerging rapper, Wale.

Following on from his success with Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black,' which won five Grammy's, and Lily Allen's debut album 'Alright, Still' Ronson has now set his sights on Wale. 'He's the first rapper from (Washington) D.C. who sort of has the chance to make it. He's incredibly intelligent,' Ronson told The Associated Press last week of the artist, who is expected to release his debut later this year. 'Wale has all the elements to make one of those great classic hip-hop debut records.'

We look forward to hearing a lot more from Wale and Ronson!

If rumours are to be believed and Jay-Z is in fact set to pull-out of Glastonbury then festival go-ers need not worry as Purple Rain superstar Prince looks set to replace him. Following reports that Jay-Z has cancelled his appearance in favour of London's O2 Wireless festival, Prince has stepped up to replace him, a welcome relief to Glastonbury fans angry at Jay-Z's involvement. In contrast to Jay-Z's controversial appointment, Prince is said to be a popular choice amoung fans, many of whom no doubt caught the star's hugely successful stint at London's O2 arena late last year.

It seems that Liv Tyler has been inspired by the recent success of multi-talented Hollywood beauties Jada Pinkett Smith, Scarlett Johansson and Minnie Driver and is seriously considering undertaking the difficult transition from movies to music.

Having auditioned for the musical movie Moulin Rouge and been raised in a musical household – thanks to rockstar dad Steve Tyler – Liv Tyler has always had musical roots but admits to being shy about showcasing her vocal talents.

However, it appears that Liv has had a change of heart - no doubt thanks to the success of Scarlett and co - and is now considering taking her passion a step further.

Whether Liz draws up the courage to launch a debut album remains to be seen but until then, check out the latest album from Scarlett Johansson, titled Anywhere I Lay My Head, which has created a feeding frenzy amoung critics.

Leona Lewis' career continues to go from strength to strength. Not content to conquer our airwaves, Leona is now set to take over our movie theatres as Hollywood bosses fight to get their hands on Leona's huge hit 'Bleeding Love.' The 2007 single is at the centre of a bidding war among movie executives, all eager to include the popular anthem in their movie.

Leona is reported to have been offered 'seven figure' sums for the single and has also received interest for at least two other singles from her debut album 'Spirit.'

If Leona accepts one of these generous offers, which she no doubt will, then her career could continue to reach new heights. Many have drawn similarities between Leona and Whitney Houston whose hit 'I Will Always Love You' appeared on the 1992 'The Bodyguard' soundtrack, making a household name of Houston.

Leona already has an impressive CV, having recently become the first British solo female to top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in over 21 years and topping the charts in more than 27 countries with 'Bleeding Love.' Add to this Leona's insatiable work ethic and refreshingly down-to-earth attitude and it seems there's no achievement too big for Leona.

You go girl!

After weeks of waiting, Madonna's 4 Minutes video finally hit iTunes yesterday and received a largely positive reaction.
Filmed in London from January 30^th – February 2^nd, alongside Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, the video has been a tightly sealed piece of work. However, all that changed yesterday when the video became available on iTunes.

The video takes it's audience on a rollercoaster ride of choreographed chase scenes – including a run around a supermarket –  ambitious dance sequences, including a treadmill dance-off, and location changes. As the duo show off their numerous talents – Justin busts some of his notorious dance moves while Madonna proves she's still fit and flexible with an assortment of challenging yoga-inspired flips and twists - a clock counts down from four minutes. The video ends with the black background - which attempts to engulf them numerous times throughout the video - finally getting them and eating away at their skin. The video, which is directed by French duo Jonas & François of irene75, a Paris based production company, is sure to be a huge hit.

Controversial rock band Rage Against The Machine are set to headline this year's Reading festival whilst acts such as The Killers, Metallica, Queens of the Stone Age, Dizzee Rascal and Manic Street Preachers complete the impressive line-up.

Well-known for their hard-hitting lyrics, which regularly address such topics as human rights, capitalism and globalisation, Rage Against The Machine are sure to whip their audience into a frenzy. In between their political statements the band have racked up an impressive CV. Rage's debut album, the self-titled 'Rage Against The Machine', sold more than three million copies in the United States alone whilst performances of 'Tire Me' and 'Guerrilla Radio' made the band Grammy Award winners.

Indie Rockers The Killers are set to headline the second day whilst heavy metal masters Metallica are scheduled as the main event on the third day. Californian rock band Queens of the Stone Age, hip-hop star Dizzee Rascal and Manic Street Preachers are also included.

Pete Doherty, a regular festival no show, is expected to perform with The Babyshambles on the first day while his former Libertines band-mate Carl Barat will perform with current band Dirty Pretty Things on day two. The three-day festival will also feature over 150 newcomers including Vampire Weekend, Foals and The Wombats.

Fans of 'No Doubt' can breathe a sigh of relief as the band's long awaited sixth album is expected to be in stores within the year. After seven years of baby-making and solo projects, 'No Doubt' have finally set foot in the studio and are working hard on new material. The as yet untitled album, which will be produced by Mark 'Spike' Stent (Bjork, U2, Britney Spears), will follow 2001's 'Rock Steady' and is expected to reflect the developments in the band's personal lives.

Gwen Stefani took to the band's official messageboard on friday and declared her delight at being back in the studio. 'Been thinking so much about you all lately as I am back in the studio again with the boys trying to write some new music. What an amazing few years it has been. So inspired going through the dance record phase of my life,' says Gwen. Guitarist Tom Dumont shares Gwen's setiments, adding 'this year is going to be so great, making music together again. I don't want to disclose too much too soon, but we have a heap of new ideas being explored.' The album is expected to be released Spring 2009 and an extensive tour circuit is expected to follow.