The music industry is struggling to figure out a successful business model in an environment changing at a pace possibly beyond their ability to quickly react. Any chance they can get to encourage a customer to reach for his or her wallet is welcome, hence the hype fest that has been the “showdown” between Kanye West and 50 Cent, both releasing albums today, Tuesday, September 11.

While Kanye is more the critical darling, 50 Cent has some big names on his album to help along his battle for sales. Akon, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Mary J. Blige, Eminem and Dr. Dre all make appearances on the new album Curtis. And Lead Doll from the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger, gets in on the action as well, singing the hook on “Fire.”

But this wasn’t the only piece of questionable musical history that Nicole is tangentially related to in the past week.
Nicole, once again performing solo from the Pussycat Dolls, also appeared in the pre-show to MTV Video Music Awards. That event garnered even more media attention than usual since this year, it also featured Britney Spears’ “comeback” (in case you’ve been under a rock or in a coma or otherwise blissfully removed from the media storm around this event).

Reactions to Nicole’s performance of “Whatever U Like” with Lil’ Wayne guesting in place of T.I., who performed on the album version, have been somewhat muted as most bloggers and critics have been busy trying to process what the heck Britney was doing on Sunday night. But, unlike Brit-Brit’s performance, Nicole’s was full of energy, and she once again appears to be confident and in command even when not front her fellow Pussycat Dolls.

Who will win the 50-Kanye Showdown, and whether or not Britney’s career can survive the critical beating she’s been withstanding remains to be seen.

In the meantime, Nicole continues to put in her time and work hard to build anticipation for her forthcoming solo CD. She’s also be recently featured in commercials for the CW Network, and while they don’t directly link her to the new season of Pussycat Dolls: Present, one assumes she will also take a break from her solo performing and promoting to appear in some episodes of the show as well.


- Leslie Seaton, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: AP
(Image courtesy of Yahoo)