Britney's New Album: Who's In and Who's Out

The following italicized article is from www.eonline.com:

Britney Spears shouldn't expect to work with Jermaine Dupri on her new album.

The über-producer, who's worked with some of the biggest names in the music biz—Mariah Carey, Usher, Kanye West and girlfriend Janet Jackson, to name a few—had an unexpected response when I asked him why.

"I don't think she needs me," Dupri told me yesterday. "Her last album was a good album. She probably would have sold three million records if everybody wasn't paying attention to her babies and all that."

Ne-Yo, on the other hand, says he'd hook up with Ms. Spears, because they were supposed to work together on her last album. Plans got sidetracked, because of Brit's then-troubled private life. "It's entirely up to her now," Ne-Yo said at the House of Hype's VMA festivities this weekend. "I'm not calling them. They can call me this time…Once she gets focused, I think she'll be alright."

While Akon is working with Spears on her upcoming album, he is thinking about some other things these days, like acting. He said, "I'm definitely going to be doing some movies."

Source: E! Online

Britney 'Getting Opportunity to Start Over' at VMAs

The following italicized article is from www.people.com:

Britney Spears is back. Or at least she will be – in some capacity.

The pop star will again open MTV's Video Music Awards, which will broadcast live from Los Angeles's Paramount Studios on Sunday night (9 p.m. ET). But unlike last year, where Spears delivered a memorable (and critically derided performance, the pop star is not expected to perform on the show.)

"She gets an opportunity to start over again," hip-hop producer Jermaine Dupri told PEOPLE at Friday's TAG Records Official MTV VMA Kickoff party in Hollywood at Avalon. "A lot of people don't get a chance to do that again. I just hope she kills it."

And the man who's helped launch the careers of platinum artists TLC, Kris Kross and Da Brat added, "Last time, I didn't think her performance was that bad, but people ragged her so bad, then I saw the press."

So what will she do?

The singer's role on the show has been a tightly guarded secret. Regardless of how she fares live, Spears may just prove to be the talk of the night. That's because she's nominated for the show's top honor, video of the year, for "Piece of Me." The pop star has earned two other nominations, including best pop video and best female video – also for the same single. (If Spears wins, it will be her first "Moonman" despite 16 prior nominations.)

Also up for top honors are the ceremony: the Jonas Brothers (for "Burnin Up"), Chris Brown for "Forever," the Pussycat Dolls for "When I Grow Up" and the Ting Tings for "Shut Up and Let Me Go."

Nominees the Jonas Brothers will also perform on the show. They will join a starry group of singers, including Rihanna, who will take the stage with rapper T.I., and Pink, who will also grace the stage. "I Kissed A Girl" singer Katy Perry is expected to perform a cover of Madonna's "Like A Virgin" and Kid Rock will perform with rapper Lil Wayne. Kanye West will close out the evening with a performance.

Hosting this year is British comedian Russell Brand, known for his role a lothario musician Aldous Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. But he will be joined onstage by Pete Wentz, who will act as a co-host of sorts. (Wentz's wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is expected to present on the show.)

Also presenting: previously announced stars including Miley Cyrus and Lindsay Lohan. In days leading up to the ceremony, MTV has added new presenters, including Christina Aguilera and Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford.

Source: People

Producer Jermaine Dupri: Britney Spears Makes Hot A-- Records!

The following italicized article is from www.usmagazine.com:

Producer Jermaine Dupri doesn't want to work with Britney Spears.

The reason? Spears is just fine on her own, he says!

"I would just talk to her because she is good," he told Usmagazine.com at the TAG Records official MTV VMA kickoff party at Avalon in L.A. Friday night. "She doesn't need JD.

"She has hot a-- records by herself," he added. "She just needs to make sure she pays focus on that.

"She doesn't need a producer, she is good," Dupri said. "She and Danger and Timbaland and whoever did her last record - they sound perfect together."

Spears, 26, has been practicing her dance moves to new music. Although she isn't set to perform at the VMAs Sunday night, she is opening the show.

She's also up for Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year for "Piece for Me." She's been nominated 17 times, but never won a "Moonman" award.

Reps for the singer confirm to Us she spent the summer working on her sixth album.

"She’s working with a team of top-notch producers and songwriters and we’re very excited about what she’s accomplished so far. No album release date has been confirmed yet," read a July statement released by her manager Larry Rudolph and Jive Records.

Spears' last album, Blackout, debuted at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The first single "Gimme More" was her most successful single in the U.S. since "...Baby One More Time."

The 25th annual VMAs, hosted by British actor/comedian Russell Brand, will air live at 9 p.m. ET/PT Sunday from Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

Source: US Weekly