According to Billboard, Sade is recording her first album of new material since 2000′s Lovers Rock.

Known for her long delays between releases, Sade and the group that bears her name are in the studio. Although Sony has not set a release date, the label hopes the record will be out by the end of 2009.

“She is in the studio and the album will come when it is ready,” a source at Sony told Billboard. “You don’t wait for years for one and then rush it.”

R&B crooner Maxwell, who’s releasing a record soon after a long hiatus, is said to have heard snippets of Sade’s new music. He sent a message via Facebook saying, “Trust me, it’s so monolithic it’ll shake you in your shoes!” Can’t wait!

Rihanna is busy prepping her upcoming album and has enlisted rising rapper Drake to help. In a recent interview with DJ Semtex, Drake revealed that he’s actually writing for Rihanna right now.

“I’ve never in my mind felt like, “Oh I could probably write something crazy for Rihanna,” that wasn’t my first thought. But being put up to the task, we’re coming up with some special stuff. It’s crazy,” Drake says.

Rumors hit the web that the two were doing more than making music together, but neither has confirmed or denied it. Drake said, “We’re young. We’re just having fun and enjoying life. That’s all.”

Drake is also working on his own debut, Thank Me Later, and said he’s looking forward to working with Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne. According to Billboard, Drake is close to signing a deal with Universal Motown in one of the biggest bidding wars ever.

After being dropped from Columbia last year, Omarion has signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money imprint.

Posting on his Twitter, he said:

Thanks 4 all tha love yall!! Young money! Omarion!! You will believe and see God’s power!! I’m so humble I kant wait 2 give yall tha new me.

According to SoudScan, Omarion’s last album, 2007′s “Face Off,” the collaborative project with Bow Wow, has sold 365,000 copies in the United States.