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After 2010′s aggressively weird Maya , M.I.A. gets back to her brassy pop roots on “Bad Girls,” the first single from her upcoming fourth album. Produced by Timbaland protégé Danja, the song’s packed with thumping beats, slinky grooves and genius lyrics that never fail to flaunt the singer/rapper/hellraiser’s trademark souped-up swagger.

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New Song: M.I.A., ‘Bad Girls’

Credit: Soft Swells Soft Swells are a band of New York expats turned proud Californians — they named the group after the ocean, after all — though the music’s more rugged than you’d expect from the City of Angels. On single “Every Little Thing,” Soft Swells channel the Technicolor guitar-pop of Summerteeth -era Wilco , balancing high-flying synthesizer parts against guitars straight from the garage and frontman Tim Williams’ borderline-twangy vocals. Guitarist Matt Welsh’s former band, Phonograph, spent some time touring with the long-lived Chicago group, so it’s no surprise the elder act rubbed off — Williams, too, sounds more Midwestern than Brooklyn-bred.

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The Buzz On: Soft Swells

Credit: Getty Images What better way is there to pay tribute to the late, VERY GREAT Etta James than by singing one of her most famous songs at one of the world’s most famous venues? At her Radio City Music Hall show this past Saturday, Kelly Clarkson honored the singer, who passed away Friday after a lengthy battle with leukemia , by covering “I’d Rather Go Blind,” one of Etta’s most powerful and poignant songs. Though Kelly Clarkson is primarily known for her pop-centric pipes, she brought out her raspy (and may I add, effing incredible) blues side in an homage to Etta’s signature jazzy style

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Kelly Clarkson Covers Etta James’ ‘I’d Rather Go Blind,’ Completely Nails It

(Beyonce in “Cadillac Records”) By Jocelyn Vena Beyonce has been busy tending to baby Blue Ivy Carter but the singer made time to post a note on her website today, saying farewell to legendary blues singer Etta James who died on Friday (January 20) at the age of 73. The two songstresses have a bit of history, thanks to Beyonce’s portrayal of James in the 2008 film “Cadillac Records.” “This is a huge loss

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Beyonce Writes A Farewell Message To Etta James

By James Montgomery In mid-December Etta James’ live-in doctor Dr. Elaine James confirmed that the “At Last” singer was terminally ill after a long battle with leukemia and, sadly, the legendary blues songstress died on Friday (January 20) at the age of 73. Blues Singer Etta James Terminally Ill With Leukemia Best known for hits like “At Last,” “All I Could Do Was Cry,” “Tell Mama,” “Something’s Got a Hold of Me” and “Good Rockin’ Daddy,” James learned to sing in church, and first recorded professionally as a member of the all-girl doo-wop group the Peaches, with whom she’d score a#1 hit (“The Wallflower,” an answer to Hank Ballard’s “Work with me, Annie”).

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Etta James Dead At 73 After Battling Leukemia, Fans React

By Gil Kaufman Rihanna is currently enjoying some down time after wrapping up dates on her “Loud” world tour, but the singer will hit the stage again next month when she joins Coldplay for a performance at the Grammys . Rihanna will join Chris Martin and crew for a duet of the band’s single “Princess of China,” which appeared on their recent album Mylo Xyloto .

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Rihanna Is Performing At The Grammys With Coldplay

( Big Sean on G.O.O.D.

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Frank Ocean, Jay Electronica Record For G.O.O.D. Music Album

If you want to be the coolest person at Starbucks this week (and next month/next year/forever), you’re going to need to pour some Michael Kiwanuka into your life. With a voice that sounds like it’s been frozen in carbonite since 1967, the 24-year-old British soul man has drawn comparisons to American greats such as Otis Redding and scored a record deal with Interscope.

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The Buzz On: Michael Kiwanuka

By Nadeska Alexis Over the weekend Rihanna was photographed smoking weed (or, shall we say, a substance rolled in a cigar that is most likely weed) while vacationing in Hawaii. Queue the outraged cries over the singer being a role model and so and such forth, followed by more photos of Rih Rih smoking, paparazzi be damned. Rihanna was first snapped burning and lounging outside of her hotel room, then again while taking a solo stroll on the beach.

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Rihanna Caught On Camera Smoking Weed In Hawaii Again

Awards season is upon us, and on Wednesday night (January 11) Nicki Minaj was confirmed as a performer at the 2012 Grammys.

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Nicki Minaj Performing At 2012 Grammys, Fans React