This video is Rihanna doing what Rihanna does best: look pretty and lipsynch. At this point, I’m not even mad because what’s the point?

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW THE JUMP!

Before I could even give Beautiful Monster a first listen, Twitter and the blogs were already slamming it so hard that I thought about leaving it well enough alone. But I listened.

Is it great? No. But it isn’t as ZOMG shockingly awful as the urban blogosphere would have you believe. Ne-Yo is obviously capitalizing on the urban-y dance music craze that’s swept the nation. It’s catchy enough to pick up some steam on Top 40 radio, but I doubt that’s what Ne-Yo was going for.

For some reason, I get the feeling Ne-Yo thought he was going to revolutionize pop/urban music with this (look at the single cover. He’s serious y’all.). He didn’t. He churned out the same stuff we’ve been hearing for the last few months. Ne-Yo is urban/dance/pop’s Xtina. He’s a day late, and noboby’s that impressed.

That being said. This will probably go Top 10. Eh? That's life.

Ne-Yo - 'Beautiful Monster' [Download]

Kelly did a round of interviews with UK blogs, but this one by That Grape Juice was my favorite. She is bubbly and giggly and gracious as ever. But underneath that uber positive exterior, you can see Kelly has been through it in this industry.

CONTINUE READING KELLY ROWLAND EXPOSED...