The ladies are taking charge this year. Cassie, JoJo, Solange, and V V Brown pop out from the pages of V magazine’s annual Music Issue. The singers were named “fearless females” by the fashion publication, going glam in the colorful close-ups photographed by Mick Rock. They each spoke out about their upcoming projects.

Cassie on her new sound and image: “In my video we called it ‘giving ’90s supermodel.’ It’s the perfect definition of who I am right now and what I’m going through. People aren’t going to expect me to come out with what I have.”

JoJo on being a voice for her generation: “I love Britney Spears and Madonna and Lady Gaga. I love pop music, those big pop records, but I still want it to feel like my sound. I hope people feel like, ‘Damn, that’s exactly what I’m going through, that’s what I’m thinking but I wasn’t sure how to put it into words.’ I want to sing what people are thinking and feeling. I want it to be the soundtrack to their lives.”

Solange on her new music: “My references for the record were all Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, not just their typical Janet and Prince stuff, but SOS Band and their b-sides with Chaka Khan. At first the songs were really dark because I had a premonition before the record that I was going to die. I was having panic attacks and wiling out.”

V V Brown on her sophomore album Lollipops and Politics: “My second album has a message: it’s about my generation and things going on in the world. But I didn’t want it to come across preachy. I love writing upbeat songs with darker undertones.”

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Which artists were getting lots of play on JoJo’s iPod this year? The pop star shares her five favorite albums of 2011 including a dynamic duo, an “odd” newcomer, pop queen, Drake (“I love it when he sings. He really creates an atmosphere”), and Beyoncé.

“I think it was the best vocal performance of this year, especially by a female,” JoJo told Rap-Up TV of B’s 4 while on set of her Clearasil PerfectaWash commercial. “I don’t think anyone’s topping Beyoncé.”

Find out who landed a spot on JoJo’s list.

Rap-Up TV was on the scene as JoJo unveiled her new role as spokeswoman for Clearasil PerfectaWash. The pop star, who celebrated her 21st birthday on set of the TV commercial, shared her excitement about teaming up with the skin care company for the national campaign, which features her sassy song “Sexy to Me,” produced by Danja.

“I was excited that Clearasil is allowing me to be myself and to really put my personality into this campaign,” said JoJo. “They’re really kinda stepping out on a limb and doing something that I think is pretty cool.”

During her downtime, she gave us an update on her album Jumping Trains, due next spring. “We’re just really being nitpicky about it and just securing some features and mixing, and going back in and fine-tuning. It has to be what we envisioned.”

Now that she’s 21, JoJo is looking forward to going out to clubs with her friends. She also shared her touring plans for 2012. “My intention is to do something that’s really intimate,” she explained. “I want to create an atmosphere and let people in on what I want Jumping Trains to represent.”

JoJo made the holidays a little brighter by lending her star power to the Holiday Tree Lighting at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles last night. The pop starlet hit the stage in a burgundy Alexander McQueen suit and John Galliano heels while performing her latest single “Disaster” in front of the 54-foot LED tree in Nokia Plaza. “American Idol’s” Pia Toscano, Casey Abrams, and Haley Reinart also lent their voices to AEG’s Season of Giving fundraising efforts.

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JoJo pulled off a leggy look in a blue body-hugging number while attending the Xbox Miracle of Music Benefit on the eve of the American Music Awards. The “Disaster” singer joined her peers including Soulja Boy and Estelle on the rooftop of Siren Studios in Hollywood to help raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Video game fanatic Soulja Boy flaunted his wild style in a cheetah-print backpack while playing Kinect for Xbox 360, and Estelle kept it classy in a long patterned dress with leather jacket. The British songstress, who will co-host today’s online AMA pre-show, presented the 2011 Miracle Award to Eileen Garrido, an 11-year-old heart transplant recipient who started her own non-profit to help other young heart transplant recipients.

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With his new album Take Care flying off shelves, Drake jetted from New York to L.A. to perform at the launch of Google Music at Mr. Brainwash’s studio in Los Angeles last night. Drizzy showcased new material from his well-received album for the VIP crowd including JoJo, Serena Williams, and Paris Hilton.

YMCMB’s newest member Busta Rhymes, who released his Chris Brown-assisted single “Why Stop Now” earlier in the day via the new music service, got the crowd hype with Spliff Star and Travie McCoy teamed with Adam Levine for “Stereo Hearts.”

In an interview with Angie Martinez, Drake responded to the mounting criticism he’s faced. “I feel like the grace period of just strictly being new and exciting has passed. Now it’s more about, ‘OK, well how long can you keep it up?’” he said. “I delivered a project that at least lets people know I’m still capable of making music that they enjoy.”

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JoJo keeps the covers coming. After wowing with her renditions of Rihanna’s “What’s My Name?,” Bruno Mars’ “Grenade,” and Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good,” the popstress powered through an acoustic version of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” during her show at the Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago. Watch the songbird soar to new heights.

“Disaster” strikes in the video for the first single from JoJo’s third album Jumping Trains, due early next year. The pop star’s relationship with her boyfriend, played by British actor Rafi Gavron, takes a turn for the worst in the Benny Boom-directed clip.

“I am so excited about this video,” JoJo told Rap-Up TV. “I think it’s sexy and young and rock ‘n’ roll. It’s definitely gonna be a reintroduction for me.”

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