– Details about West’s fourth album – coming possibly at year’s end (billboard.com, 9/5) – are scant. But here’s one tidbit: Songwriter Michael Dean is one of the collaborators who will be heading back into the studio to work on the album. Dean won two awards at BMI’s recent Urban Awards ceremony for his collaboration on West’s hits “Good Life” and “Stronger.” Dean has also completed work on Scarface’s new album.
– Songwriter Carlos McKinney – aka L.O.S. Da Mystro – follows up his success with J. Holiday’s “Bed” with several new artist projects, including Charlie Wilson, Britney Spears, David Archuleta (“American Idol”) and Holiday’s sophomore album. McKinney has also signed several singers to his production company, Da Mystro Music, including Karlie Redd and Erica Rivera.
– Soulja Boy Tell’em has so far enlisted Polow Da Don, Bow Wow and Mr. ColliPark for work on his sophomore album, title “ISoulja Boy.” In describing the upcoming project to Billboard, he says, “I’m expanding my sound but I’m still partying, still making fun music for the kids and clubs.” Noting that he and Mr. ColliPark will make a “joint decision” soon about the project’s first single, Soulja Boy hopes to release the song before the end of September.
– James Ingram won his first BMI Urban Award (9/4) when Kanye West’s “Good Life” was honored. The song samples the Ingram/Quincy Jones collaboration and Michael Jackson hit “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).” Ingram’s own next album will be his first all-inspirational CD, “Stand (in the Light).” Inspired by the plight of Hurricane Katrina victims, the album is due Oct. 14 via Intering Records/Music One/WEA. The 10 tracks comprising the album are a collection of new (lead single “Mercy,” a collaboration with noted choreographer Debbie Allen) and classic (“Blessed Assurance”) songs. Ingram also includes a new version of his Grammy-winning song “Ya Mo Be There.”
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