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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.”

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Jennifer Hudson fought off food poisoning just in time to treat her fans to a 50-minute performance at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater. Looking stunning in a body-hugging black dress and heels, the Grammy-winning songstress opened with “Feeling Good,” before tearing down the roof with songs from her latest album I Remember Me, including “Where You At,” “Angel,” and “Gone.”

“If ya’ll was gone, I don’t know what I’d do with myself,” she told her supporters before showing off some rarely seen dance moves during the upbeat “No One Gonna Love You.” She even brought up a fan to dance with her onstage during “Why Is It So Hard,” sharing insight into the album with the crowd that included music mogul Clive Davis.

Take a seat and enjoy J-Hud’s soulful session.

Read the rest of this entry »

Jennifer Hudson was looking right for summer. The svelte singer, showing off her legs in a black skirt and red heels, was in the “Spotlight” on the “Good Morning America” Summer Concert Series. J-Hud performed past and present hits in New York’s Central Park and spoke about her forthcoming weight loss memoir, as well as her roles as a nun in The Three Stooges and a drug-addicted single mother in an Alicia Keys-produced film.

Read the rest of this entry »