♫ NEWS: CASSIE UP TO PAR? / TRINA TOPS RAP BILLBOARDS / BOBBY V. LEAVES DTP / YOUNG BUCK + G-UNIT DRAMA

Thursday, April 10, 2008

( Photo: Splash News )

Ryan Leslie protégé, Cassie will return to the music scene this summer with the release of her sophomore album.

The Bad Boy/Next Selection artist has been working with some of the hottest producers for her sophomore release. Though the album tracks are not finalized, Cassie did tell Billboard earlier this year that she teamed up with Ryan Leslie, Seven, Mario Winans, Bryan Michael Cox, Eric Hudson, Sean C and LV for her follow-up album.

Bad Boy label head, Sean “Diddy” Combs, told Billboard.com that a surprise is in store for Cassie fans.

“There’s a huge [cry] out there for a younger Britney Spears, a younger Janet Jackson. Those two great artists have paved the way.”

On the topic of Cassie’s growth since the 2006 incident, Diddy said, “I just don’t think she was ready. I think that we threw her into the spotlight without the artist development — that goes on with a lot of new artists. We pulled out, we took our time, we developed her for like, a year-and-a-half. People are just going to see her there and be like, ‘Wow, she’s really cocooned into a butterfly.’”

Trina’s 4th album STILL DA BADDEST, debuts #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop album charts, #1 on the Rap album chart, #3 on the R&B album chart and #6 on the Top album chart. The #1 chart debut was driven by Trina’s current singles, “Single Again,” and “I Got A Thang for You” featuring Keyshia Cole and her loyal fan base. The new single, “I Got A Thang For you” featuring Keyshia Cole is building at urban mainstream and Rhythmic Top 40 radio after recently being the #2 most added single.

In an exclusive interview with DJBooth.net, singer Bobby Valentino explained that he is no longer signed to either Def Jam or Disturbing The Peace (DTP). The news of Valentino’s exit comes just three weeks before the release of his new EP, “Come With Me.”

“The decision to leave [the label] was totally mine,” said Valentino. “I sat down with Ludacris and Chaka Zulu, and I explained to them that it was time for me to venture out on my own. They had no problem with it; they are cool with it, no beef at all.”

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50 Cent has officially tossed rapper Young Buck out of G-Unit, as he told Hot 97’s Miss Jones on Monday.

“You can look at it and see that’s Game all the way. I was giving him a chance, giving him the benefit of the doubt (to remain with the group). You can take this as an official notice right here - pretty much you can say: Young Buck is no longer in the group G-Unit, but signed to G-Unit (Records) as a solo artist.” [ LISTEN ]