Artist: The White Tie Affair
Song: 'Mr. Right'/'Candle (Sick and Tired)'
Why You Should Watch: In this video from their debut album 'Walk This Way,' the Chicago-based dance rockers throw a bikini-themed masquerade, followed by frontman Chris Wallace's morning cruise with a lovely lady.

Artist: Cascada
Song: 'What Hurts the Most'
Why You Should Watch: The German Eurodance trio gives Mark Wills' original country tearjerker a serious makeover with the use of colorful tattoos, heavy mascara and, of course, a highly infectious beat.

Who: Danger Radio
Album: 'Punch Your Lights Out'
Hails From: Seattle, WA
For Fans Of: Maroon 5 and Panic at the Disco

Why They're About to Pop: This funky electropop 6-piece is making waves in the rock scene. While their sophomore EP, 'Punch You Lights Out,' dabbles in many genres and is laced with synths and drum machines, the band has honed their unique sound into a smoother sense of soul -- like diet Maroon 5 for the younger pop rock generation. Tipping their hats to Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and even Justin Timberlake, Danger Radio is about to take the country by storm. They've already opened for the likes of Gym Class Heroes and Hot Hot Heat, and have also had successful stints at festivals like Bamboozle and Bumbershoot. You can catch them on the PacSun Tour with Envy on the Coast, the Audition and Another Day Late through February 16.

Listen to 'Party Foul' by Danger Radio

Artist: Cascada
Song: 'Last Christmas'
Why You Should Watch: German dance sensation Cascada is back with a spiced up electronic version of the popular holiday song.

U.K. pop sensation Mika brought his signature falsetto to the Kentish Town Forum in London for a special taping of AOL's Winter Warmer concert. Rocking a fiery pair of red pants and suspenders, the 24-year-old singer heated up the crowd with lively hits from his debut album 'Life in Cartoon Motion.'

The London-based singer will be packing his bags for a brief U.S./Canadian tour beginning January 28 in Montreal. But until then, catch dance-pop fever as Mika sings 'Grace Kelly,' 'Relax, Take It Easy' and his Grammy-nominated single 'Love Today.'

Following the international success of their single 'Everytime We Touch,' German dance group Cascada are back with two new brand new songs: a pumped up cover of Rascal Flatts' 'What Hurts the Most' and a rendition of the holiday favorite, 'Last Christmas'.

Natalie Horler, DJ Manian, and Yann Pfeiffer were also the winners of the Best German Artist category at the 2007 World Music Awards last month. In a post on Cascada's MySpace blog, Horler wrote: "This year has been amazing and I'd like to thank everybody out there for making this all possible. Without your support we never would have won and we're so proud to have such incredible fans!"

Cascada's version of 'What Hurts the Most' will appear on the group's forthcoming album, 'Perfect Day,' and both songs are currently available for purchase on iTunes worldwide.

Listen to 'What Hurts the Most' by Cascada

Listen to 'Last Christmas' by Cascada

Britney Spears' long-awaited comeback album is officially here. The quirkily titled 'Blackout' features the single 'Gimme More,' plus 11 more danceable tracks. 'Piece of Me' finds the diva half-rapping her best tough guy impression, issuing a challenge to her paparazzi pursuers. 'Radar' borrows vocal effects from Madonna's last outing, while 'Heaven on Earth' sees Spears inching towards Kylie Minogue's electro-pop territory. Judge for yourself whether the one-time pop queen can reclaim her crown.

It's not just alternative bands like Radiohead that are looking to kiss their major-label connections goodbye. Pop icon Madonna is close to abandoning her long-time relationship with Warner Bros. in favor of a less conventional, $120 million deal with concert promotion firm Live Nation Inc. that could change the landscape of the music industry.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Madonna would receive a mix of cash and stock in exchange for allowing Live Nation to distribute three studio albums, promote concert tours, sell merchandise and license her name for 10 years.

Industry insiders feel that if the unprecedented deal does go down, it could open the floodgates for similar partnerships between popular music artists and companies that would tie them to all-embracing deals, rather than separate recording and touring ones.

Madonna, who has been signed to Warner Bros. since 1983, still owes the label a new studio CD and a greatest-hits package before she will be free from her contract.

Who: The Secret Handshake
Album: 'One Full Year'
Hails From: Dallas, TX
For Fans of: Hellogoodbye and Daft Punk

Why They're About to Pop: Luis Dubuc is the man behind the Secret Handshake. Inspired by a Mouse on Mars show, the charismatic Texan purchased a laptop and began programming the songs that would eventually become his debut album, 'One Full Year.' Dubuc's high-energy, R&B-influenced electropop sound has attracted the likes of Spank Rock, P.O.S. and Dillinger Escape Plan to remix his unforgettable single, 'Summer of '98.' Dubuc has toured with the likes of Hellogoodbye and Powerspace, and seems destined to become a fan favorite.


Listen to 'Summer of '98' by The Secret Handshake

After a heroic battle with breast cancer, some relationship woes with on-and-off longtime boyfriend, actor Oliver Martinez -- not to mention enduring some blatant copycat behavior on the part of the new gen of pop divas -- Kylie Minogue is back. And now with more sparkles!

The Aussie siren revealed this week that her new song, '2 Hearts,' will be released in November. Until then, we'll be feasting our eyes on the single's sexy, whimsical art and and na na na-ing to ourselves at our respective cubicles.

The biggest pop star on the planet turned 49 today and we're celebrating her Madgesty's birthday with a look back at the her most memorable music videos, stage fashions and more.

Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie reportedly marked the occasion with a party at their country home in Wiltshire, England. Thirty close friends attended, including Police frontman Sting.

But the down-home celebration was small potatoes compared to the Queen of Pop's plans for her big 5-0. She's rumored to be planning a blowout summer concert in New York's Central Park after she kicks off her world tour in June 2008.

From 'Like a Virgin' to 'Hung Up,' see pictures of Madonna's music video evolution after the jump!

Madonna sizzled at Live Earth, and her top-secret recording sessions with Justin Timberlake have the blogosphere buzzing. A fan website now reports that the Material Mom has set a tenative release date of October 29 for her new album. If the danceable leaked song 'Candy Shop' is any indication, the collection picks up where the disco-happy 'Confessions on a Dance Floor' left off.

Music's Hottest Moms
Watch Madonna Videos

Somebody call Fiddy. The title of the first Madonna collaboration with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland off Madge's upcoming album is an innocuous little ditty called 'Candy Shop.'

The song is said to be a mix of dance, pop and hip-hop. Rumored lyrics to the chorus are: "I'll be your one-stop candy shop/Everything that I got/I'll be your one-stop candy store/Lollipop/Have some more."

Madonna's new album is expected to be released in November, with Timberlake and Timbaland sharing writing, producing and vocal credits to several songs. Other confirmed collaborators on the album include hip-hop phenom Pharrell Williams and Brit-popster Mika.

Justin Timberlake took a break from canoodling with Jessica Biel to speak with Scotland's Daily Record about his collaboration with Madonna, which he says has already resulted in five songs.

"Some of the dance stuff hasn't the in-your-face energy of 'Hung Up,' but it's got this mellow R&B thing on top of dance accompaniment which Timbaland is doing the beats for," JT says. "It's all still in demo phases, and I don't know if it'll be an album, but four or five songs will make really good records."

We're not really sure if JT actually revealed anything in that quote, but we can't wait!

Justin's new video for 'LoveStoned'

Justin Timberlake's first signing to Tennman Records

Madonna's Live Earth song

Justin takes Good Charlotte on the road

Jennifer Lopez is reportedly receiving death threat letters from an anti-fur extremist. Last year at New York's Nobu 57, Beyonce was ambushed by two PETA members with a DVD player showing a graphic video about the fur industry. Paris Hilton was pelted with flour last February on her way to a party during London's Fashion Week. Now J. Lo is the latest celebrity to be targeted by animal rights activists.

I'm not big on fur, but I wouldn't threaten someone's life because they wear it. Do you think organizations like PETA have gone too far? Or do they need to make public spectacles to get their message in the media? Tell us your thoughts.

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