Jennifer Hudson steps out of the box and commands the dance floor on “Night of Your Life,” her adrenaline-fueled collaboration with David Guetta off the French producer’s new album Nothing But the Beat (Aug. 29). The iron-piped songstress proves that big ballads aren’t her only forte, effortlessly gliding over the DJ’s hypnotic sounds. Jennifer Hudson, dance diva?

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Jennifer Hudson kept the memory of her late nephew alive at the inaugural Julian D. King Gift Foundation Hatch Day celebration. The Oscar winner was joined by her son David Daniel Otunga Jr. and sister Julia at the De La Salle Institute in Chicago over the weekend. The sisters and volunteers wore shirts that read “Happy 10th Birthday Julian” as they handed out supplies to children for back to school. Julian was tragically murdered, along with Hudson’s mother and brother, in October 2008.

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Jennifer Hudson trades in the power ballads for a dance floor anthem on her unexpected collaboration with David Guetta. The iron-piped diva makes her man work hard for her lovin’ while belting over the French DJ’s hypnotizing rhythm. Sample the tune below and look for the full song on Guetta’s album Nothing But the Beat (Aug. 29), featuring collabos with Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Usher, and more.

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Jennifer Hudson brought the house down for a good cause. The Grammy-winning singer lent her powerful pipes to Russell Simmons’ 12th Annual Art for Life Benefit at the music mogul’s estate in the Hamptons on Saturday. The Def Jam founder was joined by his ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons, brothers Rev Run and Danny Simmons, nieces Angela and Vanessa Simmons, and the rest of his family. VIPs including Mary J. Blige, Taraji P. Henson, and L.A. Reid bid on unique items to help raise money for his non-profit organization and Miri Ben-Ari entertained guests by playing the violin.

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Thousands of music fans packed the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on Friday for the start of the 17th Annual ESSENCE Music Festival. The jam-packed lineup for Day 1 included Miguel, Tank, Charlie Wilson, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, and Usher.

“American Idol” alums Hudson and Fantasia shared the bill on the Main Stage. A glammed-up J-Hud delivered material from her latest album I Remember Me, while Tasia kicked off her shoes and took fans to church during her stirring set. ’90s groups Boyz II Men and Dru Hill resurfaced with nostalgic performances that appealed to older festivalgoers.

Headliner Usher closed out the day with his last big show of the year, tweeting, “To everybody that came to the show tonight…much love! I had an incredible time…as I told ya’ll last show this year on that level.”

LeToya Luckett soaked up the soulful sounds with fellow Houstonian Slim Thug and Mary J. Blige was honored for her philanthropic efforts at the 365 Black Awards.

Kanye West will headline tonight and Blige will round out the festival on Sunday.

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Jennifer Hudson mixes two of her passions—music and acting—in the video for “No One Gonna Love You,” the second U.S. single from her sophomore album I Remember Me. In the Diane Martel-directed clip, the Oscar winner celebrates her anniversary, reminding her unreliable boyfriend (“The Wire’s” Hassan Johnson) about the special occasion. But when she arrives at the restaurant for their dinner date, he’s a no show. A disappointed Jen comes back to her apartment to discover that he’s planned a surprise.

In addition to showcasing her powerful pipes on the Rich Harrison-produced song, J-Hud busts out a few moves. “This is the first time that I’ve had the chance to dance,” explained the star of the upcoming Winnie Mandela biopic. “But it was probably the part I anticipated the most and I actually had a lot of fun. I thought I accomplished it. You be the judge.”

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David Guetta is firing up the dance floor this summer with some of music’s biggest names. The French hitmaker has enlisted an all-star cast of collaborators for his new album.

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Jennifer Hudson got into the groove on set of the video for “No One Gonna Love You,” the second U.S. single from her sophomore album I Remember Me. The svelte Grammy winner shows herself in a new light in the Diane Martel-directed clip, practicing choreography with her dancers. Hassan Johnson (“The Wire”) plays her “annoying love interest” who tries to win her back.

“This is the first time that I’ve had the chance to dance,” said J-Hud. “But it was probably the part I anticipated the most and I actually had a lot of fun. I thought I accomplished it. You be the judge.”

Check out Jen’s moves when the video premieres Friday, June 24, on VEVO.

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