Melanie Fiona answered her fans’ prayers by unveiling the release date and cover art for her oft-delayed sophomore album The MF Life. The follow-up to 2009’s The Bridge will drop March 27, she announced via Twitter. It was pushed up (gasp!) from its May release. The Rico Love-produced single “4 AM” debuted at No. 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week.

What do you think of the artwork? Share your thoughts below.

Waka Flocka Flame takes us behind the scenes of the video for “Round of Applause.” The video, shot in Los Angeles and Atlanta, was directed by Mr. Boomtown and co-stars Draya from VH1’s “Basketball Wives L.A.” Drake is also expected to appear in the final version.

Earlier today, Brandy and Monica reunited onstage to rehearse for the Pre-Grammy Gala honoring Sir Richard Branson. The ladies sounded just as good as they did 14 years ago while performing their Grammy-winning collaboration “The Boy Is Mine” and new song “It All Belongs to Me,” backed by a live band. Whitney Houston even stopped by the Beverly Hilton ballroom to support the girls for their big performance on Saturday. (Excuse the low-quality pics.)

Diggy Simmons gets ready to take on the world with his debut album Unexpected Arrival. The project, which touches down March 20, includes the singles “Copy, Paste” and “Do It Like You” featuring Jeremih. The son of hip-hop royalty is seen pushing open the door to his bright future on the cover art. What lies ahead for the rap phenom?

50 Cent is a man of his word. The hip-hop mogul traveled to Africa with ABC News reporter Dan Harris this week as part of his Street King initiative to provide a million meals to impoverished nations.

He visited a refugee camp in Somalia, where he served food to the children, and journeyed to Kenya, dancing with his young fans. “At times today, this [very] confident rapper was left speechless,” tweeted Harris.

The philanthropic rapper posted photos of himself on Facebook with a message. “I’m in Somalia this week to show the world the devastation that is taking place,” he wrote. “Children going hungry everyday, even dying everyday from hunger. I am going to keep sending thru images from out here. I need you to take these photos and re-post to your friends. The world needs to see what is going on.”

[HipHop-N-More via Dan Harris]

Flo Rida follows up his Etta James-sampled smash “Good Feeling” with “Wild Ones” featuring Australian singer Sia. The montage for the club anthem features footage of Flo traveling to exotic locations, driving fancy cars, skydiving, and partying with beautiful women. His fourth album Only 1 Rida (Part 2) drops this spring.

It’s André 3000 like you’ve never seen him before. The OutKast rapper is getting animated with virtual band Gorillaz for a new collaboration.

As part of footwear brand Converse’s “Three Artists. One Song” initiative, Gorillaz have recorded a new song entitled “DoYaThing” featuring 3000 and former LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy. The free track will be available for download on Converse’s website on February 23.

Past Converse collaborations include “I’m a Goner” with Soulja Boy, Andrew W.K., and Matt & Kim, and 2008’s “My Drive Thru” with Santigold, Pharrell, and Julian Casablancas.

André 3000 can also be seen in television spots for Gillette’s Fusion ProGlide Styler campaign with actors Adrien Brody and Gael García Bernal.

The wait is over. Months after assaulting the airwaves, Jay-Z and Kanye West finally debut the visuals for “Niggas in Paris,” the Hit-Boy-produced single off their acclaimed album Watch the Throne. The seizure-inducing video features footage from last year’s Watch the Throne tour stop in Los Angeles, where the hip-hop titans performed the song 10 times in a row. Now that shit cray.

Clinton Sparks is the definition of a workaholic. He has 10-plus projects staring him in the face at the moment and he strives to obtain about 10 more. Some of the endeavors have already hit the airwaves, like the remix he created for Lady Gaga’s “Bloody Mary,” of which the original has scored him a 2012 Grammy nomination. For a Boston boy who had his head buried in turntables and production equipment on the come-up, the nod is a dream come true. However, it’s an accomplishment earned due to his tireless work ethic.

But just because he’s constantly behind the boards doesn’t mean he’s a bore. “I have become the life of the party,” Sparks tells Rap-Up.com. Besides mixing records in the clubs, on his syndicated SmashTime Radio show, and playing some of his latest mixtape cuts on SiriusXM’s Shade 45, the DJ interviews Hollywood’s biggest stars and the music industry’s chart-topping talents as an E! correspondent. He uses his charm and comedic personality to deliver exclusive information to the masses. With over 14 years in the business, getting down to the nitty-gritty is second nature.

Looking at Sparks’ résumé proves his skill in crafting substantial tracks. Plies, T-Pain, Bun B, the Notorious B.I.G., Beyoncé, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, and Akon are just a few of the names he’s produced and written records for. Yes, Clinton Sparks is a songwriter too.

Read on as the Interscope Records signee—he has an official album due this year—gives insight into the hectic life he leads, explains why he’s connected to a disco ball, and reveals the next track he’s dropping with Pitbull.

1. How long have you been a DJ?
Ten years.

2. What are you currently working on?
I am always working on multiple things simultaneously, so today I am working on music for everyone’s album from Usher to Enrique [Iglesias] to Mike Posner. Additionally, I am working on my album with awesome pals like Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, DJ R3hab, [and] DJ Snake, and I am preparing to release my first single titled “Watch You” featuring Pitbull (Get Familiar/Mass Appeal/Strictly Rhythm). I am also going to release My Awesome Mixtape 2 and consistently put out remixes and bootlegs. I’ll also release my own music; I have a new song produced by Jim Jonsin on My Awesome Mixtape 2 titled “The Life of the Party.” I just finished editing the video to my band UGHmerica’s second single “Outta Town.” We’ll release that with the song next month and I just posted a remix to the song that got me my 2012 Grammy nomination—Lady Gaga’s “Bloody Mary”—which can be downloaded free, along with all my other songs and mixes, at clintonsparks.com.

3. How did you get your first big break?
I don’t think I ever had one big break. It’s been a culmination of many little victories—from becoming a host on E! News, to being Diddy’s tour DJ, to my syndicated my radio show, to writing and producing some platinum records, to becoming a resident DJ in Las Vegas, to being able to work with some huge names in the business, to being recognized as a top DJ by Rolling Stone, to endorsement deals with Pepsi [and] Ciroc, to creating and owning Mixunit.com, which was the biggest mixtape culture website that I am no longer apart of. The list goes on. I have been very fortunate to consistently be a part of some amazing things. Life is awesome!

4. Moment when you knew you had made it?
I don’t think that I have “made it.” I’m not naïve to know other people may think I have achieved great success, but I have really high standards and I am a workaholic [and] overachiever so when, for example, I’m told that I am nominated for a Grammy, my next thought is, “Great! What do I got to do next?” I never really relish in accomplishment. I am always nervous it will all go away tomorrow, so I keep my head down and stay working. I’m probably going to be one of those guys that work until I die. The great thing about my work is that it’s what I would be doing for fun.

5. Favorite artists right now?
I don’t have one favorite artist out right now. I think there’s so much talent out and not technically “out” but [instead] on the Internet or underground. I love that artistry has demolished the rules and guidelines of what an artist traditionally has to be in the eyes of record labels. Artists are writing, producing, singing, rapping, shooting their videos, editing them, [and] taking pics. They are self-sufficient and they pull from all types of music. A kids’ iPod doesn’t just have one genre of music any longer and that is indicative of what these new artists, including myself, reflect—a melting pot of everything we grew up on. A hybrid artist with no category.

6. Artists to look out for in 2012?
Clinton Sparks, Sammy Adams, UGHmerica, and Disco Fries.

7. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
Convincing people to believe in my vision and ideas. It was difficult to just get out of Boston and convince people there and outside of what I had in my head. I just consistently kept putting music out and didn’t understand the word “no” or realized that obstacles even existed. Therefore, once I set a goal, it was accomplished, every time. I could tell 100 stories of triumph by not letting hate or doubt get in my way but that’s an interview in itself.

8. Future goals?
I want to make people happy and create music that people can use and not just listen to. I’m working on my album and crafting music that not only people can relate to but feel something emotionally as well. I love to write about scenarios that we all go through and can relate to. A lot of my writing for this album has been speaking to people who love, whether it’s life, others, partying, or yourself. I am threaded in the party life. It has become a massive part of my life. I’m connected to the disco ball and chain.

9. What record always gets the party started?
Whatever record I decide to play. It’s not about the song, it’s about how you play it, set it up, and use it. Of course for certain crowds, there are go-to, no-brainer records that will get an immediate reaction. I like records that have energy and drive. Records that even if you never heard it, it evokes an emotion that makes you want to rage.

10. What’s your advice to aspiring DJs?
It’s very important to establish who you are, your style, taste, [and] personality to get a fan base to like you for you and to stand out. Virtually anybody can say they are a DJ but what you do and how you do it is the difference between you saying, “I’m a DJ” to people saying, “That’s my favorite DJ.” It’s also important to produce music as well. Be the first “you” and not the second “somebody else” and you will, for certain, find people that do not like you, but more importantly, ones that love you.

To find out more about Clinton Sparks, visit his website and follow him on Twitter @ClintonSparks.

After a few delays, Estelle is ready to share her third album All of Me. The follow-up to 2008’s Shine features Chris Brown and Trey Songz (“International (Serious)”), Rick Ross (“Break My Heart”), and Janelle Monáe on the Ne-Yo-penned “Do My Thing,” plus contributions from Akon (“Thank You”), John Legend (“Cold Crush”), No I.D., and Jerry Wonda.

Estelle is currently traveling across the country on her “All of Me” tour with Luke James and Stacy Barthe. She will also perform on Thursday’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

See which 15 tracks made the cut and read our preview in advance of the album’s February 28 release.

All of Me Tracklisting

1. “The Life”
2. “International (Serious)” feat. Chris Brown and Trey Songz
3. “You and I”
4. “Love the Way We Used To”
5. “Cold Crush”
6. “Don’t Break It”
7. “Break My Heart” feat. Rick Ross
8. “Thank You”
9. “Who We Are”
10. “Wonderful Life”
11. “Found My Way…”
12. “Back to Love”
13. “Blue Skies”
14. “Speak Ya Mind”
15. “Do My Thing” feat. Janelle Monáe