Shontelle and Beyonce - twitter.com/shontelle_layne

For many new artists, the first year after the release of their debut albums are filled with highlights. Getting into swanky parties, meeting some cool fellow artists, maybe flying first class for the first time.

One of the biggest highlights for Barbados-born beauty Shontelle, is getting to tour alongside one of music’s most adored superstars, and her idol, Beyonce. The 24-year-old singer, who found success with her irresistible single “T-Shirt,” opened for the Mighty B on her tour across Europe and the UK last spring.

“That changed my life,” Shontelle told Neon Limelight in a recent phone interview. “Just that feeling that you’ve been embraced by one of the biggest stars in the world, and not just her, but her entire team, that made me really feel like I’m [doing this] for a reason.

“Even when it feels like everything isn’t going the way you want, or it’s moving slow, or it’s come to a stop completely, you have an experience like touring with Beyonce and it reminds you of why you do this.”

Beyonce, who Shontelle describes as “an amazing human being,” made it a point to sit down and meet Shontelle to share some kind words. “She literally looked me in the eye and said ‘You are so beautiful. I see your videos on TV all the time… I hear your voice every night and [it's] incredible. I want you to work really hard because you’re gonna do so well.’ And I’m like ‘Beyonce is telling me this!? Are you serious right now?’”

She says touring with Beyonce was a once in a lifetime experience she made sure to pay close attention to in hopes of picking up some pointers. “I watched how she’s not afraid to experiment. She’s not afraid to try different types of music and different things, and I feel like that’s why her fanbase is so huge.

“I watched her perfectionism. She won’t even hide that. She’ll tell you ‘I am a perfectionist. You had better get this right or I will get mad.’ I watched her soundcheck, her rehearsals, hung out with all of the dancers, the stylists, and everybody has a story to tell about Beyonce.”

Being on the tour with Beyonce, she says, pushed her from just being a fan of the Grammy winning singer to “stan status.” “I can’t thank Beyonce enough. It really did change my life.”

Up next for Shontelle is a promo tour in support of her new single, “Licky,” which will lead her as-yet-untitled sophomore album, in stores spring of 2010.

LIGHTS and Owl City - Warner Bros. Records/Pamela Littky.

Electro-pop star LIGHTS is enjoying the release of her first ever full length album, The Listening, which hit stores in the beginning of October to critical acclaim, and with the release, she’s been hard at work touring.

The 22-year-old Canadian keytar chick is close to wrapping her first headlining tour which hit cities like Baltimore (see our exclusive Live Shots gallery from the show), New York, and Salt Lake City, but she’s already thinking about her upcoming tour with fellow synth lover Owl City who is currently enjoying a No. 1 record with his hit “Fireflies.”

“It seems like it’s been a long time coming,” LIGHTS told Neon Limelight by phone Saturday (October 30) while stranded in her hotel room outside of Denver due to a snowstorm. She says the two of them have followed each other’s careers since they were still building their fanbases from the ground up on Myspace. “I knew he had something really special and now he’s just skyrocketed and I’m so happy to the point where I feel invested because I’ve been watching him from the start.”

“I couldn’t think of better person for me to tour with as far as even positivity and vibe and sound and energy,” she continued. “There’s just so many things that make sense.”

Since they mesh together so well sonically, it’s only natural to assume that maybe they’d get together and blend that positive energy in the studio. LIGHTS says she’s definitely not ruling it out. “I’d love to do something like that. I’ll play that one by ear.”

Besides looking forward to seeing Owl City perform every night on the tour (”I love his music!”), she says she can’t wait to make her sister jealous. “She emailed me and told me she recently went to his show in Vancouver, and she’s like ‘It made me cry!’ I got like a little wave of jealousy and wrote her back like ‘How come my shows don’t make you cry!?’” “This will make her jealous. She loves him, too,” she laughed.

LIGHTS’s tour with Owl City and Deas Vail kicks off January 21 in Kansas City, MO (see full tour itinerary here).

David Archuleta and Demi Lovato - Wireimage

Something happened Sunday (November 1) in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The casino town normally filled to the brim with little old ladies ready to hit it big on the slots was flooded with tweens, teens, and twenty-somethings thanks to David Archuleta and Demi Lovato, two uber-talented teens from two of pop culture’s biggest juggernauts, American Idol and Disney.

AC’s Trump Taj Mahal was the home of the final rescheduled date on their joint tour that was supposed to wrap in August. As the night got underway, it was clear that although there was understandable disappointment initially regarding the date shuffle, it was well worth the wait.

First up was Archuleta. Unfairly dubbed the opening act until several shows were abruptly postponed (Oh, Disney!), Archie made the most of his impressive 50-minute set. He’s a bit of a minimalist when it comes to showmanship — not a bad thing. He skips the flash and gimmicks many singers use to cover up their shortcomings and gets right to the meat of performing live — actually singing, and doing so damn well.

Backed by a four-piece band, he went through songs from his self-titled debut album like “Touch My Hand,” “A Little Too Not Over You,” “Don’t Let Go,” and the surprisingly swaggerific “Your Eyes Don’t Lie,” where he allowed the crowd to take over the whistling since he’s “not the best” at it. After the performance, he asked the crowd what they were for Halloween and mistook someone yelling out that they were candy corn as “Mandy Moore.” Those small engaging moments with the audience made Archie’s show even better. Not only did we get to see his amazing talent, we got a feel for who he really is: sweet, funny, and a real charmer.

One of the biggest highlights from his set was a bare-bones cover of OneRepublic’s monster hit “Apologize.” Archie sat at his piano, spotlight fixed on him, and belted the tune with his smooth, haunting voice. Idol fans might recall season 8 winner Kris Allen’s version from the show — David’s slaughters his, and buries the original right next to it.

17-year-old Demi Lovato may not have the commercial success as her Disney colleague and pal Miley Cyrus, but what she has over Miley, and pretty much any other Disney-bred singer/actress combo, is an extraordinary voice.

Like David, Demi relied heavily on the basics. She had no costume changes, no pyro, no stunts. What she did have to accompany her silky vocals were a piano and guitar she switched up using during her hour-plus set, and a five-piece band.

“You guys are my last show so let’s make it memorable!” she told the crowd after warming up with “La La Land” and ” Gonna Get Caught.”

Her set was a perfect mix of songs from her debut album, Don’t Forget, and the painfully underrated sophomore set Here We Go Again.

As she went on performing, it was clear she was a novice — she looked a bit awkward trying to make use of the big stage — but has great potential to grow if given the chance. Even though her stage presence needs work, her voice shined. It was a bit strained from touring and the constant work on the set of the recently wrapped movie Camp Rock 2, which she promises will be “bigger and better” than the original, but all was forgiven, especially when she picked up her guitar to sweetly croon the three-parts ballad, one-part rocker “Catch Me.”

Taking a break from the party to get a bit serious, Demi dedicated “Two Worlds Collide” to a close friend who she says deals with bullying in school — something she’s all too familiar with. “Rumors and gossip can do so much more than a punch in the face,” she told the crowd about her days of being picked on in school. “You could go so much further being good to people. I didn’t do anything back [to the bullies], and I’m here on this stage tonight.”

Another dedication was a cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman,” which went out to the moms in the audience. “I know it’s impossible to do these songs justice but I have fun singing them,” she said. Quite the contrary. Of course it wasn’t an Aretha-sized effort, but Demi held her own against the big song, her voice soaring with soul over the chorus.

That could be said of both Demi and David. In an industry dominated by big shtick and big images, these two will hold their own against it all by relying on what matters most: big talent.

Jadyn Maria and Katy Perry - twitter.com/jadynmaria/Complex.com

The pop world is flourishing with a new crop of fearless, outspoken females. 24-year-old newcomer Jadyn Maria is itching to put her name on that list, and with her new single, “A Man’s World,” she could rise to the top. Neon Limelight is proud to premiere the single we’re sure will be the girl power anthem of 2009!

The singer/songwriter — who is  signed to Ne-Yo’s Compound Entertainment — teams up with pop it-girl and BFF Katy Perry (Jadyn plays one of Katy’s bride’s maids in her video for “Hot N’ Cold“) to write and duet on the single about some fierce female empowerment. “I bought him a drink before he could get away/And in the morning stole his jeans/They look better on me anyway,” Jadyn opens the song. Her boldness doesn’t let up as she continues: “Yeah I got the beauty but I got the brains/So don’t play with me boy cus I’ll beat you at your own game.”

Perry purrs in on the second verse: “I know where I’m going/Don’t need directions/Sit back boy/I’ll teach you a lesson/I’ma kiss you first/Don’t need no permission/Cus girls like me break the tradition.”

Jadyn might be a “good girl” who likes “bad boy” as she says in the first single from her album, “Girl Girls Like Bad Boys” featuring Flo Rida, but she’ll still put him in his place. The buds come together on the chorus, singing: “It’s a man’s world but I’m the type of girl/It really doesn’t matter cus I can do it better.”

“A Man’s World” was produced by D. Smith and is the second single and title-track from Jadyn’s full length debut album coming in 2010.

Exclusive First Listen: Jadyn Maria featuring Katy Perry – A Man’s World

For more on Jadyn Maria, visit her official Myspace page and follow her on Twitter @JadynMaria.

Chris Brown - Getty Images

Chris Brown has a lot to prove. After a year that he admits has been one of his worst, he’s facing practically starting his career over. But it’s a challenge he intends to meet head-on.

He’s done well so far. His first single, “I Can Transform Ya” featuring Swizz Beatz and Lil Wayne, has already entered the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and the second, the gorgeous ballad “Crawl,” is receiving rave reviews.

The only hurdle left to clear is getting back on stage to perform. Last night at Power 105.1’s annual Powerhouse concert at the IZOD Center in New Jersey, Brown not only cleared the hurdle, but made a record leap towards his comeback.

From the minute he took the stage just after 10PM, you could sense there was some apprehension coming from the 20-year-old singer, but he wasn’t going to crumble under the pressure. There’s no doubt he knew critics from bloggers to newspaper journalist were watching, waiting for him to stumble.

Satisfaction they did not receive. Brown put on a show full of energy, packed with hits, and had just a hint of vengeance towards those praying for his downfall.

He looked every bit the young Michael Jackson, donning a red and black sequins jacket to perform in, starting with “Transform Ya,” backed by several helmeted dancers. Swizz Beatz joined him on stage to add a little extra boost as this was his first time performing the new track.

More comparisons with the late King of Pop seemed inevitable, even completely warranted, as Brown breezed through fan favorites like “Yo (Excuse Me Miss),” “Gimme That,” “Take You Down,” and “Kiss Kiss,” in fine voice, all to deafening screams by the mostly-female audience.

Brown seemed overwhelmed by the show of support from the crowd at times. He took time out to sincerely thank his fans for sticking by him despite his past. “For all of y’all, I’ma be a better man,” he said, as the crowd screamed, many yelling “We love you, Breezy” in response. He vowed to entertain “Forever,” then went into his smash hit of the same name. Though the performance was flanked with technical difficulties — the autotune on his mic was turned off and thus it did not have any sound — he tried to make it work for as long as possible, performing the choreography without missing a beat. He stopped midway through when the sound issues were resolved. “Y’all wanna do that again?” he said with a charming smile. Well, obviously! He picked the song up from the top and the complete performance could be described as nothing but perfection.

After one more thank you session, he danced off stage — and back into the hearts of those who understand that immense talent such as Brown’s triumphs over personal turmoil any day.

The 15-year-old pop/rock upstart made her mixed bag of influences known as she performed songs from her as-yet-untitled debut album, backed by a three-piece band. She channeled Pink, Katy Perry, and Fefe Dobson while bouncing around on stage with a zest that told her age and explained why she’s being called the “Bajan Miley Cyrus.” Luckily for Vita, her vocals are much stronger than the Hannah Montana star, as showcased in her closing number, the click-clacking bass-bumper “Like Boom.”

View our exclusive gallery of pics and learn more about Vita by visiting her Myspace page.

Listen: Like Boom

photos: Stacey Johnson/Neon Limelight

Lights Performs In Baltimore - Stacey Johnson/Neon Limelight

If the world of electro-pop is looking for a savior, it’s found it in LIGHTS. Not just because it’s the title of her US debut single, but because the 22-year-old Canadian sensation lives it, breathes it, and fights for it.

Along with unleashing her first full length album of synth-heavy sensitive yet kick-you-in-the-balls pop tunes on Tuesday (October 6), entitled The Listening, LIGHTS stars in her very own motion comic called Audio Quest: A Captain LIGHTS Adventure, showing on MTV and MTV.com.

LIGHTS rolled into Baltimore, MD on October 3 to play the second date of a 22-city US tour in support of The Listening. It was a city she longed to play after having to cancel earlier in the year due to illness — the only show she’s ever canceled. She made more than good on her promise to make it up to the crowd of fans that packed the standing room area only Sonar Lounge.

You don’t just see a LIGHTS show, you experience it. It’s like taking a voyage through a galaxy of sounds and emotions. With her beloved keytar in hand throughout most of the show, she performed album stand-outs like “Ice,” “River,” and “February Air,” which might be familiar to many TV viewers as it was used in an Old Navy campaign in 2008.

View our gallery of exclusive shots from the show and learn more about LIGHTS by visiting her official Myspace.

Watch: Ice/Saviour/February Air

Mr. Hudson - Wireimage

A few years ago, hip hop stars like Jay-Z and Kanye West were scrambling to get Chris Martin to appear on their tracks. Both succeeded with the Coldplay frontman being featured on Jay’s “Beach Chair” from his album, Kingdom Come, and Ye’s “Homecoming” from his smash album Graduation.

Fast forward to now and it seems the new go-to British bloke is London-based singer/songwriter/producer extraordinaire Mr. Hudson, who’s already landed cameos on Jay and Kanye’s most recent albums, The Blueprint 3 and 808s and Heartbreak, respectively.

Not surprisingly, the features have garnered quite a few comparisons between the two musicians. Comparisons Hudson tells Neon Limelight aren’t exactly fair at this point. “I kind of see him as being a few laps ahead,” he told us. “He’s a massive star in his own right with his band. They’re like U2 or something, aren’t they? Whereas I’m that street level guy you’ll find in the club, or trying to get into the club!”

Hudson says hip hop artists might relate with him more because unlike him, Martin was “never on that scene.” “You’re not going to find Chris Martin…outside a club flyering my own [show], trying to shop my beats, trying to give you a copy of my mixtape.

We might be two skinny white guys from London and we might sound vaguely similar, but we’re from two very, very different places musically.”

With the release of his album, Straight No Chaser, on the horizon this October, comparisons and competition are the last things on Hudson’s mind. His main concern is trying to deliver music as great as the artists who’s paved the way. “You know how people are like ‘Oh no, someone is putting an album out the same week as us,’” he said. “It’s like, you know there are already a ton of great albums that are already out in the stores that you’re up against.”

“They get excited like ‘oh Asher Roth and Kid Cudi are out the same week’ — it’s like no, you’re up against Biggie Smalls. You’re up against Rakim. You’re up against Michael Jackson. That, for me, is the competition. David Bowie and the Beatles.”

“I’ll be in the studio and I’ll play some Bowie to inspire myself and it’s kind of depressing,” he continued. “It’s like, I’m never going to be as good as this, but lets try and get halfway there.”

The Canadian singer/songwriter received a nomination for Breakthrough video for her single, “Boom.” One look at the video and you’ll know exactly why she got the nom even without the star power of a major record label and previous hit records.  The video, directed by Andria Petty,  is dark, it’s animated, it’s emotional.

Anjulie as an artist is as captivating as the visuals in her video. She leaves her heart and soul in her music. No topic is safe from the strike of her pen and pad, no experience is too small to turn into a record.

Her self-titled debut album arrived in stores in August to sweeping acclaim. Critics praised the openness of her lyrics and swooned for her Nelly Furtado-ish voice.

We chatted with Anjulie soon after the release of her album to get the scoop on her debut, how she felt about her surprising VMA nomination, her secret career as a songwriter, her need to meet Russel Brand, and how she’s just a bit crazy.

Neon Limelight: Your album is finally out. That has to be exciting!

Anjulie: It’s really exciting for me. This record has taken my whole life really to make. I’ve been thinking about my first record since I was like 12 years old, so it’s a relief and it’s great to finally have it out there.

NL: What does release week look like for you? What’s your schedule like and how is it different than before?

A: It’s the same, you know, I hang out. [laughs] No, it’s been kind of hectic but it’s good. It’s been a lot of press, especially with the whole MTV [VMA] nomination. That’s kind of raised the profile a lot which is good.

NL: That’s huge! When you found out your video was nominated for a VMA, what did you do? Who told you first?

A: I got a voice mail from the director and she was like, “Hey, you got nominated for an MTV Video Music Award,” and I deleted the message because I thought it was a joke. I told my manager and he thought the same thing, so we looked online and it was true!

NL: The video is incredible! What was the process of making such a video because it’s not like the cookie-cutter, first for an artist type of video. It’s really creative and it pretty much lays out the roadmap saying, “I’m here. This is how awesome I’m going to be.”

A: Yeah, totally! It was really Adria Petty, the director of the video, who came up with it. We had a bunch of video treatments submitted and there was talk of maybe doing something with Michel Gondry and all this stuff. And then [Petty] sent the treatment in and I was in love. As soon as I read it I was like this is the video. We ended up shooting it in the backyard of her house.

NL: Wow! She must have a huge backyard!

A: She doesn’t even. She just put up all these green screens. She’s just really amazing.

NL: You said it took your whole life to think up this record, but when did you actually sit down and start working on it and how long did that process actually take?

A: Probably about three years ago. I wrote this song called “Jamba,” that isn’t on the record but it kind of started the whole process of the record. Then I moved to Toronto and started working on the production and developing the sound with Jon Levine, who is one of the producers on the record. Then we came down to [Los Angeles] to finish up. So, it took the span of three cities — New York, Toronto, and LA — and a lot of years and a lot of heartache.

NL: Did the direction of the album ever shift while working on it through these three cities and three years or was it pretty much the same thing from start to finish?

A: No, it definitely changed. It morphed. I have a really small attention span, so if I’m working on even a genre of music, I get really bored of it quickly. So it kind of is a little bit schizophrenic of a record but it works.

NL: A lot of new artists don’t really start out with the self-titled thing. What made you decide against an actual title?

A: It wasn’t so much of as me not wanting to have a title. I actually did try to think of titles. I spent like a really long time going through every lyric trying to think about what would be a really cool title for this record and it ended up that I just couldn’t think of anything. [laughs] That’s the truth. I couldn’t think of anything all encompassing because it does go all over the place emotionally, lyrically, conceptually. So this is the only title that really encompassed all these things.

NL: So no huge spiritual meaning. You just couldn’t think of anything.

A: Yeah. [laughs]

NL: You cultural background can be heard a lot throughout your music. Was it important for you to capture that in your sound?

A: No, and actually, I wasn’t even aware that it was incorporated into my music until people started saying that.

NL: Wow, really?

A: Yeah, I really wasn’t thinking about it at all. It wasn’t a conscious decision. I guess I do love live instrumentation. I do like percussion and horns and strings and beautiful instruments, so I guess that kind of added to these multi-cultural aspect of the record.

NL: Oh, OK. You said once that if people wanted to get to know you, they should just listen to the album. Do you still believe that?

A: Yes, absolutely. I mean, it makes it difficult for me to date, though, because everyone thinks I’m a freak. [laughs]

NL: [laughs] Why would they say that?

A: Because if you listen to my lyrics, I’m a little bit scary. In “Fatal Attraction” I’m writing this suicide note to this dude and I’m saying to him I’m gonna kill your girl and then I’m gonna kill myself.

NL: Wow…

A: It gets pretty crazy. But it’s all fun. Well for me it’s like making a movie and why not make it as intense and as dramatic… I was actually reading this letter I had written — sorry, I have like no media training, so I’m completely random in interviews. [laughs]

NL: [laughs] Don’t worry. I love that the most. The cookie-cutter answers are so oh God you’re boring, please stop! So go ahead and be yourself.

A: Oh, good! I was reading this email I have saved after this really bad relationship I had with this guy. You know how you write those letters and you’re like, “Dear so and so…” I did that and the letter was so insane. I knew when I started writing it that I was never going to send it. I was going off. It was so filled with jealousy and anger and obsession. I went back and read it and was like ‘Oh, now I get why that record is so crazy.’

NL: What song would you say is your most personal?

A: They’re all very personal. The one I would say is the most vulnerable is “Crazy That Way.”

NL: Love that one! How did that record come about? What was the experience like that made you write that record?

A: This guy I was seeing left town and he let me stay at his place and when he left, I was just so into everything in his apartment. It became like really crazy because I could feel his presence there, so that’s kind of where it stems from.

NL: Lets get a little personal really quickly since you are a new artist and many people don’t know a lot about you. What was your childhood like?

A: It was great. I grew up in a complete and total suburb outside Toronto called Oaksville. But I grew up feeling a little bit isolated because it was completely white, like the area that I lived in and I’m Guyanese and that was really different. I was definitely an ugly duckling. I wasn’t that pretty to look at. I was overweight, had glasses and braces, and the whole thing. So, I always felt like a bit of an outcast. The only place that I really had to feel good was when I was singing songs or dancing to music or just through expressing myself. I developed a total infatuation with the arts scene. I started writing a lot all the time and started dancing and doing acting lessons — anything to just become someone else and escape on stage is where I wanted to be. That’s how the obsession started.

NL: How old were you when you reach that turning point where you kind of found your own thing?

A: I was really young. I’d say around 10 or 11.

NL: So, you’ve performed a few places already and had a big showcase at Joe’s Pub. That’s kind of the place singer/songwriters go to break their music. What was it like performing there?

A: It was amazing. My last show there was unbelievable. I remember playing a show there when I was first starting out and there was like one person in the audience so it was really cool to play there and have the show so well received.

NL: What was the response like?

A: It was love. It was total love. It was just amazing for me to like experience. People were just really accepting of the music and really feeling it, so it was great. It was definitely a successful night.

NL: Have you’ve run into a frustrating comparison that makes you just want to say stop it, this is me? I’ve read a lot on you and the first thing that comes to mind for critics to compare you to is an Amy Winehouse or Nelly Furtado. Are those comparisons frustrating or do you welcome them?

A: I don’t mind the comparisons because it’s not like they’re comparing me to Paris Hilton. They’re comparing me to people who are fucking dope. Like Amy Winehouse and [Nelly Furtado], I totally respect them as artists and as songwriters and singers, so yeah. I’m not offended by those comparisons. It could be much worse.

NL: You mentioned Paris Hilton. Do you pay attention to blogs and the whole gossip scene or is that something you really want to stay away from?

A: I think they’re funny. I think it’s like kind of a different industry. I know that those girls kind of do music, but it’s kind of a different thing. For me, it’s more entertaining like American Idol.

NL: We already talked about your VMA nomination, but are you attending the show?

A: Oh yeah. Definitely.

NL: What are you looking forward to seeing? Is this your first big, huge event?

A: Yeah! I don’t even go to parties! I get like really nervous before I go out and I get a lot of social anxiety, so like even talking about it I’m feeling kind of…slutty. [laughs]

NL: [Laughs]

A: So, I think it’s going to be kind of difficult for me. I might have to have a glass of red wine before I go. But I’m looking forward to meeting [VMA host] Russel Brand. I think he’s so fucking gorgeous and hilarious.

NL: [Laughs] Are you looking forward to anyone who’s performing or meeting a lot of people?

A: No. I’m really just like forward to Russel Brand. [laughs]

NL: [Laughs] Are you hoping for a love connection — or is he married?

A: I don’t know. I don’t want a love connect. I don’t know what’s going on. You know how you know people and you kind of idolize them, but then you also respect them like they’re a really cool person to hang out with or they’re really smart, that kind of respect?

NL: Totally. That’s like my Gavin DeGraw moment.

A: Ooooh yes! He’s very sexy! Is he straight?

NL: Oh my gosh! Are you serious?

A: I don’t know!

NL: He’s completely straight!

A: Oh! He’s has this style and he’s cute so you never know! [laughs]

NL: [Laughs] That’s hilarious! So, I really wanted to ask you about this: you said in a video interview with MTV that you never had a boyfriend. Why is that?

A: I don’t know! Maybe I freak people out too much! I’m really like…I’m really focused on music and that’s like a difficult thing for a guy. I think it’s much easier when — I think it’s much easier for dude who are like rock stars to date chicks and stuff, because for me I find it so difficult. I’m really, really ambitious and my focus is constantly on my career, so if like I’m hanging out with someone and I get a call to be in the studio, I’m like ‘OK, I gotta go.’ So, it’s really difficult for guys to be in a relationship with me I think.

NL: Just a little music talk… What kind of music are you listening to currently?

A: I just got Crystal Castles’ record. I am looking forward to Fefe Dobson’s new record because I wrote five songs on it.

NL: Really?

A: Yeah, I wrote the first single and a bunch of others for the record. She’s an awesome artist, so I’m looking forward to that, her doing her thing. And, yeah. I’ve been writing a lot. I’ve been writing with Chris Brown and Lil Jon and Christina Aguilera… That’s definitely something that’s a huge part of what I do. In terms of writing, I kind of keep that more anonymous. I don’t think anyone would know I wrote the Fefe Dobson record or this song for Canadian artist Kreesha Turner who has a huge international hit called “Don’t Call Me Baby.” It was originally called “Don’t Call Me Anjie” but I changed it for her to sing it. I don’t think anyone sees me as being a songwriter other than writing my own stuff.

NL: Is that something you want to continue to grow or is your career as an artist top priority?

A: Simultaneously, because I really like to be in the studio and I can do that all the time. Like, I don’t have to be in the studio just working on my own record. I find it a lot of fun to write for other people, because like, I’m not a dance artist but if I’m writing a song for Lady GaGa, I can live vicariously through that. I don’t have to wear a one piece body suit. I can just write it and be done with it. [laughs] It’s kind of fun.

NL: That’s awesome! When people listen to the record, what’s the one thing you hope people take away from it when they’re done?

A: The realness that it has. You know, I think… I remember when I first heard “Jagged Little Pill” by Alanis Morrisette and I just thought, like, it was so refreshing to hear a girl speak so truthfully. Even with Fiona Apple, I was just watching the video for “Criminal” last night, and it was just…It’s liberating when you see women kind of acting in a really kind of real way with their emotions as opposed to…there’s a lot of artists that come off like they’re super sexy and they’re super swag and confident and independent and strong and that’s great, but I also feel there’s a whole underbelly. There’s a passionate, feminine, vulnerable side that is not really glorified. That’s what I’m trying to do, just kinda keep it real.

—–

More on Anjulie: www.anjuliemusic.com www.twitter.com/anjulierocks

Mr. Hudson carries "Rihanna" umbrella - WENN

One of the biggest perks to come with being down with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music crew is getting to meet some incredible people, says the label’s new crowning British jewel, singer/songwriter/producer Mr. Hudson.

He’s already gotten to meet and work with West and Jay-Z, but he’s certainly not shy about his admiration for another member of “the gang”: uber-pop star Rihanna.

“She’s one of the people that I’ve met on this crazy little rollercoaster over the last year or so,” he told Neon Limelight by phone last Thursday (August 27). But they didn’t just meet, they’ve become pretty good friends. In July, the two were spotted attending the London premiere of Quentin Tarantino’s new flick Inglourious Basterds.

He says the night out wasn’t a big deal at all. “She was hanging out in London at the studio and we just went to the pictures.”

He laughs at how “out of hand” the coverage of the outing got in the British press, but says they’d make an “amazing R&B power-couple.” “We’re just pals and I’m afraid that’s the extent of it, [but] I think she’s amazing.”

More amazing is the possibility that the British bloke and the Bajan beauty will team up for her as-yet-untitled fourth album. “It hasn’t happened yet,” he said of their studio session, “but I’d love to work with Rihanna. I’m gonna have to chuck a couple of beats at her and see what she thinks.

“I don’t get the impression she’s in any sort of rush to make a record and stick it out. I think she wants to make something that’s going to be really important and talked about. I think it’s going to be a really special album.”

When asked about working with another Barbados-native, “T-Shirt” singer Shontelle, Hudson cited time constraints as the reason behind them not being able to pair up. “It’s kind of just a rumor, but like Lil Wayne wants to f-ck every girl in the world, I want to work with every girl in the world.”

Mr. Hudson is busy promoting his new album, Straight No Chaser, which will land in stores stateside October 20.