Kelly Rowland
Photo: Evan Agostini/ Getty Images

Former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland couldn't help but be proud of the way her former bandmate handled herself on Sunday night at the VMAs. Rowland thinks that it was really "classy" of Beyoncé to invite Taylor Swift onstage with her while accepting her Video of the Year Mooman, after Kanye West interrupted Swift's speech for Best Female Video.

"Beyoncé is such a classy, gracious woman," Rowland told UsMagazine.com. "I actually tweeted that, and everybody was like, 'It's so true.' "

Rowland went on to say that she though that West's outburst about Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" video deserving the award more than Swift's was "disturbing." "I think that as ... a fellow artist, it's important to know that there is room for everybody," she added. "Kanye is a genius. No one takes that away from him, but [he should] be moral and be a [good] person."

Beyoncé's dad and manager, Matthew Knowles, also spoke about his daughter's actions at the show. "It wasn't my decision to bring Taylor out," he told UsMagazine.com. "It was all Beyoncé's decision. I want to be clear about that. My job is to execute and come up with some ideas, but ultimately, that was Beyoncé's decision. I can only say it was a proud night for me as a manager, but more importantly as a father."

After the show on Sunday, Swift spoke to MTV News about how she felt when West first jumped onstage. Initially, she was "excited" to see him up there with her, she said, but that feeling soon faded. She was grateful to Beyoncé for allowing her another chance to accept her award.

"It was just so wonderful and so incredibly classy of her and just gracious and wonderful to let me say something," Swift said. "She's just been my hero and one of my idols ever since I was little. She's a great person."

For his part, West has now apologized for his actions twice on his blog and a third time on Monday night's "The Jay Leno Show."

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards may have wrapped, but the party is far from over. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, party reports and much more.

• VMA 2009: The Entire Show On Demand

• VMA 2009: Show Highlights
• Kanye West's History Of Outbursts

• Beyoncé
• Kelly Rowland
• Destiny's Child
• Taylor Swift
• Kanye West

Kelly Clarkson in "Since U Been Gone"
Photo: RCA

Valentine's Day — you either love it or hate it. It makes sweethearts swoon and others want to stab fat cherubs with a bow and arrow. Between the chocolate hearts, the red roses and the teddy bears shoved in our faces, the holiday stirs up a cocktail of emotions: happiness, despair, jealousy, grief, sadness, desire ...

MTV News has all your mood swings covered. In honor of this beloved and dreaded holiday, we're rolling out the Best Love Songs, Best Breakup Songs, Best Makeout Songs and Worst Love Songs in recent memory. It's our Valentine's Day gift to you, minus the dinner-and-a-movie part. So slip into something comfortable, and stay for a while.

Can we just be friends? After all the late-night phone calls, the love notes, the long talks, the weeks spent making promises, that's all you get. Thanks a lot!

There's no gentle way around it — breakups blow. When your heart (and ego) has been ripped to shreds, these artists offer some solace. Walk away from the Ben & Jerry's and rock out to our "screw you" breakup ballads.

10. No Doubt - "Ex-Girlfriend"
Gwen Stefani and crew visit the "woulda-shoulda-coulda" mentality that often rears its ugly head when a relationship kicks the bucket.

9. Jennifer Lopez - "Ain't It Funny"
J.Lo shows her ex the door in this 2002 anthem. Nexxxxxt!

8. The Ting Tings - "Shut Up and Let Me Go"
We couldn't have said it better than the title, which is why we heart the Ting Tings.

7. Kanye West - "Heartless"
Kanye asks the same question on all our minds: "How could you be so heartless?"

6. Carrie Underwood - "Before He Cheats"
Channel all your anger through this 2007 breakup ballad. Just don't follow Carrie's lead by keying your ex's car or slashing his or her tires. Restraining orders aren't "sexy."

5. Pink - "So What"
Think of Pink as a burly high school football coach. In this song, she lyrically smacks your ass and tells you to get back in the game.

4. Justin Timberlake - "Cry Me a River"
Long rumored to be about his famous ex Britney Spears, Justin doesn't mince words: He's pissed and he wants revenge. And after her last few turbulent years, something tells us Brit did a lot of crying.

3. Destiny's Child - "Survivor"
Gather your strength and move on with the help of Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. You will get through this.

2. Alanis Morissette - "You Oughta Know"
Have they already forgotten about you and moved on? Alanis leaves a nasty reminder note in this ultimate breakup song.

1. Kelly Clarkson - "Since U Been Gone"
This "American Idol" alum tells her ex to suck it! If this 2004 single doesn't bring a smile to your face, nothing will.

Do you love it or are you just not that into our picks? Tell us why in the comment section below.

Now that you have the tracks to set the mood, you should gauge your plans with what the celebs are doing. No date? Don't forget that there are single, hot guys that you might have a chance with. Happy Valentine's Day!

• Valentine's Day: Best Breakup Songs

• No Doubt
• Kanye West
• Carrie Underwood
• Destiny's Child
• Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Rowland
Photo: Evan Agostini/ Getty Images

Destiny's Child sang on their 2000 hit "Independent Woman" that they depend on themselves to pay their own bills. Perhaps founding member Kelly Rowland is taking that motto to heart.

The singer announced in a joint statement Wednesday (January 28) with Mathew Knowles that the two are severing their working relationship. Knowles is Beyoncé's father and manages her, in addition to her sister Solange, and Destiny's Child. He also oversaw Rowland's career since she released her first solo LP, 2002's Simply Deep.

"Mathew Knowles has been a positive influence in my career," Rowland said in the statement. "I have had great success under his guidance — both as a member of Destiny's Child and with my solo projects. Although we have decided to part ways professionally, the Knowles family and the entire Music World Entertainment team will always be my family."

Destiny's Child split in 2005 but have maintained the split is not permanent.

The move comes more than a year after Rowland's last album, 2007's Ms.Kelly. The album was delayed a number of times, but upon its release, the project was received well by critics. The album, featuring the single "Like This" with Eve, however, failed to live up to the commercial success of her debut, which sold over 500,000 copies and was certified gold.

Rowland was practically raised by the Knowles family, making the split that much more surprising. The singer moved into the Knowles' Texas home during the formation of Destiny's Child and often refers to Beyoncé as her sister. Mathew Knowles acknowledged their ties, saying Rowland will always continue to be a part of the Knowles clan.

He also stressed that no animosity was involved in this business separation.

"After a very positive meeting between Kelly Rowland and myself, we have amicably agreed to end our professional relationship," he said in the statement. "My company, Music World, will continue to manage Destiny's Child as a group. As an artist Kelly has incredible talent and I only wish her the best. We will always be family first and foremost, and as a dad I only have love for Kelly."

As of press time, it is unclear if Rowland has retained new management.

• Kelly Rowland
• Beyoncé
• Destiny's Child
• Solange

Beyoncé on "TRL" on Tuesday
Photo: Jason DeCrow/ AP Images

On Tuesday (October 14), Beyoncé announced that she'll be performing on the show's last episode, "Total Finale Live," on November 16 at 8 p.m.

The singer, who stopped by the show to debut two new music videos, said she owes a lot to the video-countdown show, which debuted back in 1998.

"I can remember being 16 or 17 when they asked us to be on the show, and it was our big moment," she told host Damien Fahey. Although she looks back on the memory fondly, she admits that seeing a teen version of herself was weird. "It's not cool to document your moments at 17," she joked.

Tuesday's episode was dedicated to counting down Beyoncé's greatest video achievements. Even the pop star said it was crazy to see how far she's come over the last decade. "I mean, I dreamed [I would have this kind of success], but I never thought it would be a reality," the former Destiny's Child frontwoman said on the show.

Although she is excited to be a part of the show's fond farewell, she has yet to decide on a song. "What should I perform?" she asked the audience.

The singer also talked a bit about her new singles — the midtempo ballad "If I Were a Boy" and the dance number "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" — both of which will appear on her November 18 album, I Am ... . "I recorded over 70 songs, and I took a lot of time and made sure it was something that would last forever, something that never goes out," she said.

Beyoncé described "Single Ladies" as being "upbeat and fun," while she described her other single as "folk music."

"I just wanted people to get to know me and the two extremes," she said.

• Beyoncé
• Destiny's Child

Jonas Brothers
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

The Jonas Brothers aren't necessarily three young men you'd normally associate with football, what with their curly locks and their love of skinny jeans. But they'll be on hand to perform at the halftime show during the Thanksgiving Day game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks, The Associated Press reports.

The performance kicks off the 2008 Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas campaign, which has raised more than $1 billion since the Cowboys began partnering with the program in 1997. That money has been used to help 30 million people each year.

"I was born in Dallas, which makes performing with my brothers at the Cowboys' halftime on Thanksgiving an incredible honor," youngest brother Nick said, according to MarketWatch.com.

"This year, more than ever, the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign will make a huge impact for families at Christmas and throughout the year," Kevin said. "It's very important for us to give back. We'd like to thank Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys, Israel Gaither and the Salvation Army for inviting us to be part of this awesome Thanksgiving tradition. We'll remember this for a long time to come."

In the past, "American Idol" winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have performed at the game, in addition to Sheryl Crow, Destiny's Child and Jessica Simpson. Last year, the campaign, which runs through Christmas Eve, raised a record $118 million.

The guys also recently revealed more info on their latest video, "Lovebug," a "Notebook"-inspired clip that they made with director Philip Andelman. The brothers told People.com that Camilla Belle (10,000 BC, When a Stranger Calls) makes a cameo in the video, which will debut October 19 on the Disney Channel.

• Jonas Brothers
• Carrie Underwood
• Kelly Clarkson
• Destiny's Child
• Sheryl Crow

Kelly Rowland
Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK — Kelly Rowland may have classed it up alongside Eve in the clip for "Like This," the lead single from her sophomore album, Ms. Kelly, but in her next video, for the Snoop Dogg-assisted "Ghetto," let's just say that Rowland is taking a decidedly less-proper approach.

"Oh my gosh, it's a really great feeling," Rowland told MTV News last week on the set of her ESPN college football promo collabo with Perry Farrell and 50 Cent (see "50 Cent, Kelly Rowland And — Huh? — Perry Farrell Team Up For ESPN Theme"). "I'm working with Andrew Gura on this video. It's very, I'd say ... gosh, I'm trying to get the right word out because I don't want to sound crazy. ... It's ghetto. It's really fly. I feel like everybody has some sort of element of ghetto in them. Think about it. Right? Wouldn't you say so? And everyone knows what the ghetto is."

Rowland just shot the video for "Ghetto" last Thursday in Los Angeles, but according to her, the song was actually written quite some time ago by crooner Tank and upstart Lonny Bereal. The former Destiny's Child singer cut the track a year ago. She said when it was time for Snoop to lay down his rhymes, the rapper came into the studio without skipping a beat (see "Kelly Rowland Scraps Sappy Story, Picks Up Snoop").

"He [just] put his Snoop-a-fied player-isms on the track," Rowland said. "It's hot."

Although Rowland has recorded two proper solo albums, she said she still finds herself adjusting to post-DC life. One of the benefits of each lady doing her own thing, Rowland said, is that the knowledge each member has gained could improve a reunion — should one ever happen.

"There's an element of freedom [in being on your own], but at the same time, of course, you miss your ladies," Rowland explained. "But there's always time for growth. And I feel like growth must take place, and that's definitely what's happened amongst all three of us: Michelle, with her doing Broadway; and Beyoncé doing the tour; and me going out and doing the record and performing at different places. So I feel that it's really great. All of us are basically doing everything on our own, so if we do decide to come back together as Destiny's Child, it just makes it even stronger."

But don't expect a reunion just yet.

"I said 'if,' " she joked. "If."

• Kelly Rowland
• Snoop Dogg
• Destiny's Child

Raekwon
Photo: Matthew Peyton/ Getty Images

Even though it's at the top of the Billboard albums chart, Raekwon doesn't seem to be feeling Jay-Z's Kingdom Come. At the New York stop of the Rock the Bells tour on Tuesday night, the co-headliner told the audience in the middle of his set that he didn't care for Hova's new LP adding, "I don't give a f--- about him." The Chef did say he respects Jay's business acumen, though. Opening act Smif-N-Wessun brought out the whole Boot Camp Clik during their set, while Redman, the last performer of the night, took it all the way back to 1992's Whutt? Thee Album. He also played some new material with his Gilla House crew as Julito McCullum from "The Wire" and others stood in attendance. ...

Britney Spears will host New Year's Eve at the nightclub Pure in Las Vegas. "She's going to do the countdown, a champagne toast and watch the fireworks from the terrace," a club rep said. Nick Lachey will be holding the mic at Pure the night before to host a "goodbye 2006" party. Cheers. ... And while conflicting reports suggested Spears and Paris Hilton were in line to co-host the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, the show's spokesperson said late Wednesday (November 29) that neither is confirmed. In the meantime, however, Pharrell and Young Jeezy will join previously announced performers Gwen Stefani, Ludacris and the Killers for the ceremony, set to air Monday at 8 p.m. on Fox. ...

There's more Lachey news too: The sports enthusiast now has a professional team to call his own. On Wednesday, Lachey was announced as part of the new ownership group for the Tacoma Rainiers, the Washington state AAA affiliate of Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners. Lachey was introduced at a press conference along with other representatives of the Schlegel Sports Group, a Dallas organization that already owns minor-league teams in Texas and Iowa. "When I was given the opportunity to purchase the Rainiers with [SSG founder] Kirby Schlegel, I jumped on it," Lachey said in a statement. "Baseball is a true passion of mine, Tacoma is a growing city and I have every intention of playing an active ownership role in the Rainiers as we continue to grow." ...

"Destiny's Child Groove" — a mobile-phone game featuring images of Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams — will pit players against game characters in a dance battle. The game — which includes "Survivor," "Bug a Boo," "Say My Name" and "Lose My Breath" — is due to roll out on cellular carriers in the winter. ... Tyrese is trying to put together a collaboration between himself, Mary J. Blige and Lauryn Hill that, he said, would find them "singing and rhyming all on the same record." In the meantime, his half-rap/half-R&B album, Alter Ego, is due December 12 and will feature Game, Lil Jon, David Banner, Method Man and R. Kelly, among others. ...

Chris Brown has been working on his second album for the past three weeks, including sessions with production team Dre & Vidal. "I think I am going to name the next album Graduation because I'm 18, last year of high school and stuff like that," he told MTV News. "I am still going to keep it so my younger fans can continue to listen to my music, but I got a couple of joints on there that's for some of the older people." ... Celebrity-covered tote bags featuring the faces of Ludacris, Avril Lavigne and Good Charlotte's Joel and Benji Madden are currently available for $5 at Aldo stores and YouthAIDS-Aldo.org. Proceeds from the bags — along with Hear, See, Speak campaign tag necklaces — support the efforts of the YouthAIDS initiative. ...

Hanson have released an Internet-exclusive song in recognition of World AIDS Day. "Great Divide," which was recorded on the group's trip to Africa this summer and features a South African children's choir, is available for download via iTunes. Proceeds from the song, priced at 99 cents, will benefit the Perinatal HIV Research Unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa. ...The massive electronic-music gala Giant is returning to Los Angeles for its annual New Year's Eve. Now called Giant Maximus, the eight-hour event will boast three "big tops," under which Sasha & John Digweed, Armin van Buuren and other electronic heavyweights will spin. ...

DJ Clue will release The Professional, Part 3, the long-awaited follow-up to 2001's The Professional 2, on December 19. Kanye West and Fabolous appear on the first single, "Like This," while Snoop Dogg, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Cam'ron, Juelz Santana, Game, Rick Ross, Jadakiss, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, M.O.P., Mobb Deep, Beanie Sigel, Cassidy, Styles P. and Jagged Edge also guest on the disc's tracks. ... Human-rights groups that expressed concern over Madonna's adoption of 1-year-old Malawian boy David Banda will have a say in the court's decision, The Associated Press reported. The judge who granted Madonna and husband Guy Richie an interim adoption last month — allowing the couple to take custody of the child and bring him to their London home — ruled Wednesday that rights organizations will have a say in the court's assessment of the couple, which is due in May. Under Malawian law, adoptive parents must remain in the country for an 18-month evaluation, a process that the rights groups say they are trying to protect in an effort to combat child exploitation. ...

The winners of YouTube's underground-band contest were announced on "Good Morning America" Wednesday morning. Nashville pop quintet Greenland nabbed Best Song honors for their tune "The Way It Is"; Maldroid's A-Ha-inspired "He Said, She Said" clip earned them Best Music Video; Los Angeles hip-hop/soul collective Ostrich Head notched Best Creative Work for "Freak Show Carnival"; and Philadelphia rockers Pawnshop Rose landed Best Live Performance for "Gets So Hard." Among the prizes were Gibson instruments, trips to NYC and more. ... The Matches, I Am Ghost, Escape the Fate and the Higher are heading out next year to support the punk label the bands currently call home. The 2007 Epitaph Tour starts February 1 in San Diego and winds down March 18 in Las Vegas. ...

"Pelt-wearing party girl" Nicole Richie tops the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' worst-dressed list for 2006. Actresses Ashley Olsen, Christina Ricci and Eva Longoria were also named for wearing fur. Missing from this year's list is PETA's 2005 worst-dressed celebrity, Paris Hilton, who said she's had a change of heart since watching a fur-trade exposé, according to the organization. ... My Morning Jacket, the New Pornographers and Cat Power have been added to the fifth annual Langerado Music Festival, held in Sunrise, Florida, from March 9-11. O.A.R., Matisyahu, Cut Chemist, the Hold Steady, Widespread Panic and former Phish frontman Trey Anastasio are also on the bill.

11.28.2006

Hilary and Joel are no longer an item. Madden confirmed to MTV News on Tuesday (November 28) that his relationship with Duff is over. He said there are no hard feelings between the two, and that he is focusing his energy on Good Charlotte's Good Morning Revival, due next year. ...

Game and Snoop Dogg are in talks to co-headline a second How the West Was One Tour. "We have to get the paperwork right and the money and the promoters and the agents and all that stuff, but once we figure that out, we will hit it," Game said. And speaking of the rapper, he's thrilled with the reviews Doctor's Advocate has earned. "As long they love the record then I'm good," he said. "I don't care about being #1 or #2, it's just about making a good record, making classic music and having longevity in hip-hop." The album recently opened at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, with 358,000 copies sold. ...

Fergie will perform on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2007" as well as host the Hollywood portion of the event. Natasha Bedingfield and Meat Loaf will also perform in Hollywood. ... Another Black Eyed Pea, founding member Apl.De.Ap, is using his birthday celebration Tuesday night in Hollywood to support a worthy cause. Apl and his indie label, Jeepney Music, announced that proceeds of his bash will go to Operation Smile, an international medical charity that originated 24 years ago in Apl's home country, the Philippines. The Peas play Los Angeles' Staples Center on Friday. ...

A book report from Britney Spears' junior high days can be in your hands Monday if the price is right. No, the singer isn't going into the term-paper business, but she has donated her take on a translation of Sophocles' "Antigone" — which scored her an 88 and a reminder to "write more neatly" — to be sold via a Christie's auction. One of 170 items Spears donated to go up on the block, the single page is expected to draw a winning bid ranging from $500-700, with proceeds benefiting the singer's charity foundation. ... Christina Aguilera has commissioned Italian designer Roberto Cavalli to exclusively design the '40s- and '50s-style costumes for her Back to Basics tour, according to a report in Women's Wear Daily. Think white satin tuxedos, white fox stoles and silk bustiers with tails for the onstage look of Aguilera's U.S. run, which kicks off in February. ... In other fashion news, young startlets' takeover of the modeling world continues, with Lindsay Lohan recently shooting the spring 2007 ad campaign for Miu Miu, the girlier, lower-price line from Italian fashion label Prada. ...

New Jersey's Eyeball Records will reissue My Chemical Romance's debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, on December 12. The updated version of the 2002 LP, which was produced by Thursday frontman Geoff Rickly, will feature two previously unreleased videos from the band. ... A Guns N' Roses concert scheduled to go down Tuesday at Milwaukee's Bradley Center has been canceled due to Axl Rose suffering an ear infection and strep throat, according to a press release. Doctors have ordered the singer to rest for several days. "I have been fighting this off for a long time but the doctor told me tonight that the only way not to jeopardize the balance of the tour is immediate rest," Rose said in a statement issued Monday. "We will now have three days off before continuing Friday. We are sorry to miss the fans in Milwaukee." ...

Connecticut state police arrested two men Tuesday in connection with the shooting of a 21-year-old man waiting to purchase a PlayStation 3 earlier this month, The Associated Press reports. William J. Robertson and Andrew Patnaude were charged with attempted murder, robbery and assault, and are being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending court appearances. Michael Penkala, who was shot outside a Wal-Mart in the early hours of November 17 when he refused to give up a wallet containing more than $2,500 in cash, is still recovering from his injuries. ... Comedian Tracy Morgan of "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" note was arrested early Tuesday in New York on charges of drunk driving, AP reports. Police told the news outlet that the 38-year-old failed a breathalyzer test at a police station, after which he was allowed to leave without posting bail but had to surrender his driver's license. ...

The reunited Dinosaur Jr. commence a series of gigs starting Tuesday night in Portland, Maine. The band will stage four more U.S. shows before heading overseas to play the All Tomorrow's Parties "Nightmare Before Christmas" shindig, some concerts opening for Sonic Youth and more. The band also has set a May 8 release date for its first-ever DVD, "Dinosaur Jr.: Live From the Middle East," which was filmed at the Boston club of the same name. The trio's first studio album in 18 years is also due around that time. ... Nirvana's breakthrough single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has been named the best pop song of the last 20 years by Britain's Q magazine, besting the likes of Madonna, U2 and Britney Spears. "The thing about 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' it was a watershed moment in rock music. It changed everything," Q's deputy editor, Gareth Grundy, said. "It put heavy music back on the map in the early '90s, really, that combination of punk-rock anger and the heavy Black Sabbath '70s metal. It was something new. Sulky kids everywhere loved Nirvana and continue to do so." ...

Metallica's James Hetfield jammed with Alice in Chains during the band's Sunday night set in San Francisco. Hetfield joined the band band onstage for a rendition of "Would?" ... An exhibit curated by Franz Ferdinand guitarist Nick McCarthy will open Saturday at Los Angeles' Lightbox Gallery. Featuring the works of Manuela Gernedel, Celia Hempton, Shana Moulton, Jo Robertson, Niklas Schechinger and Hank Schmidt in der Beek, Lucy Stein and Anna Witt, the exhibit is expected to run through January 20. ... The reunited Glassjaw will play a handful of shows next month, hitting Nashville (December 14); Fort Worth, Texas (December 16); Tulsa, Oklahoma (December 17); Kansas City, Missouri (December 18); Minneapolis (December 19); and New Haven, Connecticut (December 31). ... Buckcherry and Three Days Grace will tour together early next year. The road trip's routing will be announced next month. ... After a few weeks of work, hardcore icons Agnostic Front have written 10 songs for their forthcoming LP. The band will track the effort before February, and have East Coast gigs lined up through January.

• Raekwon
• Jay-Z
• Redman
• Britney Spears
• Pharrell Williams

Kelly Rowland
Photo: MTV News

While Kelly Rowland was originally planning to follow 2002's Simply Deep by digging deeper into her own experiences, the former Destiny's Child singer has since decided to, well, come up for breath.

My Story, which was slated for a summer release (see "Kelly Rowland Hooks Up With Beyonce's Sister Again For Solo LP"), was shelved in favor of a yet-untitled album with a different vibe due in the spring.

(Kick it with Kelly in the studio as she shares her sassy new sound and more in these video clips.)

"It was basically a list of songs that I put together about the past three years of my life, with love and relationships," Rowland said of the album. "And I remember listening to the record, and I was just like, 'I don't want this to be too deep to where, you know, [I] lose people.' I still wanna have my party records, and I still wanna make people get up and bob their heads and vibe a little bit. And the record was too full of midtempos and ballads, so I wanted to bring it up a little bit. I mean, I'm 25. I'm young!"

Since then, Rowland has collaborated with Snoop Dogg on the Tank-produced track "Ghetto" and spent last week with producer/songwriter Sean Garrett, currently on the charts with Fergie's "London Bridge" and the Pussycat Dolls' "Buttons" (see "Sean 'The Pen' Garrett Might Keep Beyonce, Usher Hits For Himself").

"In general, I'm going in the urban, more R&B route," Rowland said during a break from the Garrett sessions. "Of course, that's what I started with with Destiny's Child, [but on] my first solo album I did more of a pop-sounding record. So I wanted to go back to my roots and dibble and dabble with some beats."

Although Rowland is still recording — she has sessions booked with Rich Harrison, Rockwilder and Solange — she's trusting her gut that one of the Garrett tracks, tentatively titled "Wooo!" or "Bump Like This," will be the first single.

"I'm so happy because you spend so many months recording and then you finally run into that song that definitely sticks out," Rowland said. "The song is very sassy. One thing I love about Sean is that he takes the time to know the artist and to know their personalities, and you know we'll sit and have conversations forever and he'll just start to write and you're like, 'How did you know that about me?' "

"It's a great combination of her thoughts and her feel on the type of music that she likes to do," Garrett added. "It's a cross between something in a club and on mainstream radio. We're just trying to stay a step ahead of what's going on."

And Garrett is certainly an authority on what's going on, especially in R&B. He's scored smash hits with Usher, Chris Brown, Ciara, Jamie Foxx and Mary J. Blige. Garrett's also had hits with Destiny's Child and Beyoncé (including her current single, "Ring the Alarm") — not that Rowland's trying to emulate her former bandmate.

"If you work with the same producer, you're like, 'Look, I want my own sound,' " Rowland said. "You definitely want it to be different from Beyoncé and Michelle, and you definitely have to express that."

Rowland has been inspired by Beyoncé and other singers while recording her new album.

"I listened to a lot of Whitney Houston for her vocals," Rowland said. "I love her. I love Beyoncé's voice, and I love Brandy. Those are three vocalists who inspire me. I love how different they are. I love how they take themselves to the next level."

Aside from Snoop ("I've been wanting to work with him forever," Rowland exclaimed) and Tank, who also sings on a song called "The Show," Rowland plans to load up with a few more guest appearances. She's also planning to revive a few of the My Story songs.

"There's one record called 'I'm Still in Love With My Ex,' and that's one of the deepest songs on the record to me," Rowland said.

So can we assume it's about former fiance Roy Williams, who called off their wedding? "People are gonna ask all those kinda questions, but it's just a song," Rowland said. "Sometimes you enhance!"

• Kelly Rowland
• Destiny's Child
• Snoop Dogg

Beyoncé
Photo: Carlo Allegri/ Getty Images

Don't know what to get Beyoncé for her birthday? That's OK, because the singer is more in the mood to give than receive this year. She's got three offerings on the way — a new album, movie and division of her clothing line.

Beyoncé is releasing B'Day, the follow-up to 2003's multiplatinum Dangerously in Love, on September 5, the day after her 25th birthday. Rodney Jerkins co-produced the first single, "Déjà Vu," which features the singer's prolific beau, Jay-Z. Rich Harrison, the Neptunes, Swizz Beatz and Sean Garrett also co-produced tracks on the album, and Garrett recently told MTV News that Beyoncé had been pulling 12-hour days writing, arranging and co-producing the record. "She's in a place I've never seen her in before," Garrett said. "She's very vibrant, very happy and her mindset is incredible. She's in a zone."

Though Beyoncé worked on Destiny's Child's most recent album while shooting "The Pink Panther," she didn't want to pull double duty while filming her latest movie, "Dreamgirls," due December 22 (see "Beyonce Slimming Down And 'Completely Becoming Deena' "). "Usually I'm writing an album and performing and touring and doing all these crazy things at the same time," Beyoncé told MTV News in February, "and for the first time, I've committed six whole months [to do nothing but the movie]. I've put mostly everything aside."

So after wrapping "Dreamgirls," Beyoncé turned her attention to her second solo album. Though she originally planned to record for six weeks, she finished in three, well ahead of the deadline she set for herself. But B'Day won't be the only album she contributes to this year — she'll also be featured on the "Dreamgirls" soundtrack, her first joint venture with the urban division of her record label.

All that would be enough for most performers, but Beyoncé hasn't stopped there. She's also expanding her clothing line, House of Deréon (taken from her grandmother's name), to include a juniors division, which will be simply called Deréon. "It's been in our business plan all along," the singer's mother and business partner, Tina Knowles, said. "But I am often approached by Beyoncé's young fans asking when a junior line would be launched, so I felt now was the time."

The collection, which will consist of denim, knits, fur jackets and vests, is slated to launch this holiday season in select specialty stores that target women in their teens and early 20s. And although hitting 25 doesn't necessarily knock Beyoncé out of that demographic, she's decided to feature her younger sister, Solange, as the face of the line — which pretty much takes care of that birthday gift this year.

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LeToya Luckett
Photo: Capitol Records

Six years after she was ousted from the group, original Destiny's Child member LeToya Luckett is getting another chance in the spotlight — and she's not wasting time poking fun at her drama-filled exit.

"I think my full name is 'Ain't you the girl LeToya who used to be in Destiny's Child?' My nickname is 'Girl from Destiny's Child,' " said the singer, who's now going by just her first name.

After their March 2000 departure from Destiny's Child, LeToya and fellow ousted member LaTavia Roberson filed a breach-of-contract and defamation-of-character suit in 2002, shortly after the release of the song "Survivor." The former members said they were dissed in the song. The matter was settled out of court (see "Destiny's Child Settle With Ex-Members Over 'Survivor' Dis").

Still, LeToya said she doesn't hold a grudge and still communicates with Beyoncé Knowles and her mother, Tina. (LeToya owns the Houston boutique Lady Elle and carries Tina Knowles' House of Derion clothing line.)

"That was a part of me," LeToya said of her tenure in the group. "A wonderful experience. God chose for me to go in a separate direction. I don't question Him. They've been blessed, they've had an amazing career, and I can say I was a part of that. Now I'm doing my thing and I don't see the bad in [my leaving the group]. I'm so in a different place. People ask me, 'What kept you strong?' I didn't look at it in a negative light. I kept it moving. I have a very strong spiritual base. I stay in church, listening to the Word."

LeToya is scratching the surface with her new single, "Torn," which she hopes will prove that Beyoncé and Kelly Rowlands weren't the only ones who could sing in the original Destiny's Child.

"This album is basically talking about everything I've been through in the last six years: love, life and relationships," she said of her self-titled LP, due this summer. "I just want people to get to know me.

"['Torn'] is very personal," she added. "I know a lot of people can relate to it. It's a relationship record, about a person. Trying to decide whether they want to stay in a relationship or leave. They're obviously in love, caught up. This person has their heart, so they're kind of torn. 'Do I stay, ride it out, or do what's best for me and leave?' That's a hard decision to make. I've been through that before. I know several people who have been through that, torn in between staying and leaving."

For her album, LeToya called up half of Houston to collaborate. Bun B appears on "Tear Da Club Up," Paul Wall jumped on "All Eyes on Me," "Hey Fella" has a guest spot from Slim Thug, and "Gangsta Grillz" features Mike Jones and Killa Kyleon.

"I love Houston music to death," LeToya gushed. "Yes, I was one of the first, but at the same time, I'm happy to be a part of what they're doing. 'Tear Da Club Up,' it's definitely repping Houston. It's a grimy, hard track, with Bun B on it. I also love it because it has the [New Orleans] bounce I grew up on. With New Orleans being so close, they would bring that music back, and that's what we would bounce to. At 14, 15, they would have clubs for teenagers, and we would go in there and sweat your hair out. That's what we really grew up on.

" 'All Eyes on Me,' " she added, "it's talking about you getting ready for the club and all the guys are going to be looking at you. It's really a self-esteem record."

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