Britney Spears' Producer Opens Up About Her New Album

'She is actually damn professional,' Shellback says in radio interview.
By Jocelyn Vena

Britney Spears
Photo: Eric Charbonneau/ Le Studio/ Wireimage

Britney Spears fans are gearing up for the release of the singer's new music in 2011. With the album due out in March, and a single expected to drop before then, details are slowly emerging about the music and what it was like to work with Spears on the follow-up to 2008's Circus.

"Right now we are preparing for Britney's upcoming album, which will be released in March. Some other things too, but the main focus is the album," Swedish producer Shellback said in a recent radio interview. "It works in many different ways [when you work with Britney]. You can make something absolutely new, or take a beat that's three years old and come up with a good sound."

Shellback, who worked with Pink on "Raise Your Glass," collaborated with Dr. Luke and Max Martin on music for Spears. The producers are donating a guitar they used on the album to charity.

"[Britney]'s actually damn professional. You read a lot on the Internet that Britney is not singing and mimes, but she is actually damn professional," Shellback said. "She's done it since she was 16. And just rhythmic way, she is f---ing awesome! And you do not have to go through and talk about the rhythms and stuff that you sometimes have to do. She's very easy in the studio."

Spears has shared her excitement about the new album with fans via her Twitter page. "I'm almost done with my new album and it will be coming out this March," she wrote. "I AM IN L-O-V-E WITH IT!"

Are you excited for Britney's new album? Tell us in the comments below!

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Grammy Hits And Misses: Ke$ha Shut Out, Bruno Mars Cleans Up

Big Boi and Alicia Keys are also left out, but Florence and the Machine and Ray LaMontagne get some much-deserved love.
By Gil Kaufman

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What would the annual Grammy nominations announcement be without the next-day quarterbacking and bellyaching about who got dissed and who got just the right amount of Academy love?

While this year's batch of contenders is mostly devoid of the WTF factor of past nomination seasons, when veteran acts such as Steely Dan, Robert Plant and Herbie Hancock sucked most of the air out of the room, there were still plenty of surprises, omissions and flat-out questionable choices to go around.

The one most people were buzzing about Thursday (December 2) was the blank delivered to Ke$ha, who earned a grand total of zero nominations for her debut, Animal, despite launching several hits and earning a major spot in the pop-culture universe in 2010. The snub was even more noticeable because one of her producers, Dr. Luke, was nominated in the producer category and four of the eight songs that earned him that spot were from Ke$ha's debut.

We spoke to Entertainment Weekly music critic Leah Greenblatt about that oversight and many others in this year's nominations. She said the Ke$ha situation was surprising, especially considering the love that the similarly poptastic Katy Perry got for Teenage Dream, which has sold well but, like Animal, was not critically adored upon release.

"But I think it's really cool to see Florence [and the Machine] get that nomination [for Best New Artist], and I think it's awesome that Esperanza Spalding also got nominated [in that category]," she said of the little-known jazz singer who likely sent many people to Google on Wednesday night.

Greenblatt was also excited that raspy-voiced singer Ray LaMontagne snagged a spot in the Song of the Year category for "Beg Steal or Borrow" and another in the Best Contemporary Folk Album category.

"As fogie-ish as the Grammys are, it seems like this year they went more towards a Teen Choice Awards direction with a noticeably younger group of nominees," she said, wondering if it was a conscious decision to try and make the show hipper or if it's a signal of the changing demographic of Grammy voters. "And I think Bruno Mars deserves all of his nominations," she added about the singer/songwriter/producer who scored seven nods. "He only had one hit, but he really shaped popular music this year with the songs he did for Travie McCoy, B.o.B and Cee Lo. He brought so much musicality to R&B and pop. He's making music and playing instruments and he's insanely melodic. He's not just jacking samples."

As for how Eminem ended up with the most nominations at 10, she chalked it up to the "Sandra Bullock factor," speculating that Grammy voters might have just thought it was Marshall Mathers' time to shine again. "He's not universally liked for his sparkling personality, but it seems like it's his time," she said of the rapper, who had the year's best-selling album with Recovery and stormed back with some of the most melodic, accessible music of his decade-plus career. "It almost seemed like he was deemed safe enough for the Grammys this year ... and the album is so incredibly commercial. It's as safe as Eminem gets."

As for who got left off, Greenblatt said she was surprised at the lack of "American Idol" names on the list, with season-eight winner Kris Allen getting shut out and that season's runner-up, Adam Lambert, only getting a bid for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Whataya Want From Me."

And for a song that was one of the best-selling singles of the year, it was surprising that Train's "Hey, Soul Sister," Grammy bait if there ever was, managed only one nod for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals — for a live version of the tune.

There were other glaring omissions to be sure: no love for rappers Rick Ross and Big Boi, just a pair of nominations for last year's big winners Kings of Leon, a shutout for Lady Gaga's smash "Bad Romance" in the Record and Song of the Year categories (it did show up in Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) as well as for B.o.B and Hayley Williams' mega-hit "Airplanes," which scored only a Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals acknowledgment.

Greenblatt was also disappointed that Alicia Keys' The Element of Freedom got blanked, despite the handfuls of Grammys the singer has taken home in the past. And considering its major impact on the pop-culture landscape, "Glee" only got noticed in the Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media category and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals for "Don't Stop Believin'," which Greenblatt said may have had something to do with the fact that the songs on the show are covers and not original compositions.

In the end, though, she said this year's Grammys were mostly devoid of the giant head-smacking omissions and inclusions of past years and with the strong recognition to a new generation of singers, another potential sign that the show might be inching in a new direction.

Which artists or albums do you think got too much (or not enough love) this year? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Michael Jackson Fans Celebrate Michael's Release With DJ Cassidy

'It was always my dream to DJ for Michael Jackson,' Cassidy says at album-release party Monday night.
By Steven Roberts

Michael Jackson's <i>Michael</i>
Photo: Epic Records

NEW YORK — Many a Michael Jackson fan lined up outside of the Roseland Ballroom on Monday night to celebrate the release of the King of Pop's posthumous Michael album. Dozens of dancers and fans filled the ballroom's floor, decked out in costumes inspired by MJ's iconic looks from throughout his esteem career. One of those fans also happened to be the evening's master of ceremonies, DJ Cassidy.

"I'm here to make the fans dance," he told MTV News. "I think that's why Michael essentially made the music. He wanted to make people dance. He wanted to make people feel the emotion he felt, and I'm here to do just that. I'm here to help the fans in the celebration of the king."

Dressed in a leather suit with a pink shirt and socks, a red bowtie and shell-top Adidas, Cassidy said that he's been a fan of Jackson for as long as he can remember. The late singer has been his inspiration in anything artistic in his life, from music to fashion.

"So much of my fashion comes from Michael," Cassidy explained. "So much of how I play music comes from how he formed his songs, how he created his sound that really inspired the way that I DJ. And really, it inspired me to want to be a DJ, to want to make people dance.

"So, when I became a DJ at the age of 10, it was always my dream to DJ for Michael Jackson," he added. "Tonight's just a small way for me to really celebrate his music."

The party's guests also included producers Teddy Riley, Eddie Cascio and Neff U, who each had a hand in producing Michael's tracks. But before he began to spin for the night, Cassidy was thinking back to the classics, particularly his favorite party song, 1979's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."

"You can be anywhere in the world, any city, any small town, any type of crowd, black, white, old, young, poor, rich, at any type of venue," he said. "They could be wanting to hear house music, hip-hop music, anything in between, but 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' will turn that party out."

What's your favorite Michael Jackson song? Share it in the comments.

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Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Katy Perry Pick Up Platinum Certifications

Releases by Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, B.o.B, Bruno Mars also recognized by recording-industry organization RIAA.
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On Wednesday, the Recording Industry Association of America handed out their latest round of gold and platinum certifications ... and if your name was Ke$ha or Justin Bieber, well, then it was a very good day for you.

Ke$ha's Animal was certified gold (meaning it passed the 500,000-sales mark) and a spate of her digital singles went multiplatinum, with "Tik Tok" being downloaded more than 5 million times and "Your Love Is My Drug" racking up another 2 million. "Blah Blah Blah" and "Take It Off" both were certified gold, meaning that, all told, she's sold more than 8.5 million downloads to date.

Bieber earned his first-ever multiplatinum award, as the RIAA certified sales of his My World 2.0 album at more than 2 million copies. "Baby," his team-up with Ludacris, also was certified as double platinum.

Wednesday also was a great day to be the Black Eyed Peas, as their massive tune "I Gotta Feeling" was certified 6-times platinum (that's more than 6 million downloads) — making it the RIAA's highest-ever digital-song certification.

Following (somewhat) close behind the Peas were the likes of Katy Perry, B.o.B, Taio Cruz and Rihanna, who had their respective mega singles "California Gurls," "Airplanes," "Break Your Heart" and "Don't Stop the Music" certified as triple platinum. Perry and Rihanna also each picked up a double-platinum certification — for "Teenage Dream" and "Rude Boy," respectively — bringing their total hauls to more than 5 million units sold.

The Bruno Mars track "Just the Way You Are" was certified platinum, giving the crooner his very first solo plaque. B.o.B's "Magic" and former "American Idol" champ Kris Allen's "Live Like We're Dying" also picked up platinum certifications.

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Michael Jackson Fans Celebrate Michael's Release With DJ Cassidy

'It was always my dream to DJ for Michael Jackson,' Cassidy says at album-release party Monday night.
By Steven Roberts

Michael Jackson's <i>Michael</i>
Photo: Epic Records

NEW YORK — Many a Michael Jackson fan lined up outside of the Roseland Ballroom on Monday night to celebrate the release of the King of Pop's posthumous Michael album. Dozens of dancers and fans filled the ballroom's floor, decked out in costumes inspired by MJ's iconic looks from throughout his esteem career. One of those fans also happened to be the evening's master of ceremonies, DJ Cassidy.

"I'm here to make the fans dance," he told MTV News. "I think that's why Michael essentially made the music. He wanted to make people dance. He wanted to make people feel the emotion he felt, and I'm here to do just that. I'm here to help the fans in the celebration of the king."

Dressed in a leather suit with a pink shirt and socks, a red bowtie and shell-top Adidas, Cassidy said that he's been a fan of Jackson for as long as he can remember. The late singer has been his inspiration in anything artistic in his life, from music to fashion.

"So much of my fashion comes from Michael," Cassidy explained. "So much of how I play music comes from how he formed his songs, how he created his sound that really inspired the way that I DJ. And really, it inspired me to want to be a DJ, to want to make people dance.

"So, when I became a DJ at the age of 10, it was always my dream to DJ for Michael Jackson," he added. "Tonight's just a small way for me to really celebrate his music."

The party's guests also included producers Teddy Riley, Eddie Cascio and Neff U, who each had a hand in producing Michael's tracks. But before he began to spin for the night, Cassidy was thinking back to the classics, particularly his favorite party song, 1979's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."

"You can be anywhere in the world, any city, any small town, any type of crowd, black, white, old, young, poor, rich, at any type of venue," he said. "They could be wanting to hear house music, hip-hop music, anything in between, but 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' will turn that party out."

What's your favorite Michael Jackson song? Share it in the comments.

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It's Britney Spears' Birthday! A Look At What's Next For Her

Spears, who turns 29 on Thursday (December 2), hints about new tracks.
By Jocelyn Vena

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Photo: Fame Pictures

Britney Spears remained relatively low-key in 2010. She was too busy recording her new album, a follow-up to 2008's Circus, to do much more than make an appearance on an episode of "Glee" dedicated to her.

As 2010 comes to a close, and Spears blows out another candle on her birthday cake — she turns 29 on Thursday (December 2) — fans are readying to hear some new jams from the pop princess.

In November, Spears' manager, Adam Leber, revealed that she would be recording a track with "... Baby One More Time" mastermind Max Martin, as well as fellow superproducer Dr. Luke, calling the tune a likely "smash." He also shared that the album would sound "progressive" and that ''it'll be a departure from what you've heard" in the past.

In mid-November, she tweeted about the Martin/Luke track, writing, "Just finished recording a monster with @TheDoctorLuke and #MaxMartin. Get ready..."

And Dr. Luke, while not specifying that he's referring to Britney, in a not-so-subtle hint tweeted last week, "Time to get this song out the door and out to mix.. I think you know what artist i'm talking Bout... Right???"

While not much has been confirmed about the album or when it might be released, several producers have talked about working on songs for the singer. "We can start one way and end up a totally different way. I really don't know," Danja said earlier this year. "I'm definitely gonna do my part and try to make it hard-hitting, up-tempo, high-energy. That's what I think we need, and that's what I'm gonna shoot for."

Send birthday wishes to Britney in the comments section below!

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Britney Spears' Producer Opens Up About Her New Album

'She is actually damn professional,' Shellback says in radio interview.
By Jocelyn Vena

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Photo: Eric Charbonneau/ Le Studio/ Wireimage

Britney Spears fans are gearing up for the release of the singer's new music in 2011. With the album due out in March, and a single expected to drop before then, details are slowly emerging about the music and what it was like to work with Spears on the follow-up to 2008's Circus.

"Right now we are preparing for Britney's upcoming album, which will be released in March. Some other things too, but the main focus is the album," Swedish producer Shellback said in a recent radio interview. "It works in many different ways [when you work with Britney]. You can make something absolutely new, or take a beat that's three years old and come up with a good sound."

Shellback, who worked with Pink on "Raise Your Glass," collaborated with Dr. Luke and Max Martin on music for Spears. The producers are donating a guitar they used on the album to charity.

"[Britney]'s actually damn professional. You read a lot on the Internet that Britney is not singing and mimes, but she is actually damn professional," Shellback said. "She's done it since she was 16. And just rhythmic way, she is f---ing awesome! And you do not have to go through and talk about the rhythms and stuff that you sometimes have to do. She's very easy in the studio."

Spears has shared her excitement about the new album with fans via her Twitter page. "I'm almost done with my new album and it will be coming out this March," she wrote. "I AM IN L-O-V-E WITH IT!"

Are you excited for Britney's new album? Tell us in the comments below!

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Michael Jackson Fans Celebrate Michael's Release With DJ Cassidy

'It was always my dream to DJ for Michael Jackson,' Cassidy says at album-release party Monday night.
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Michael Jackson's <i>Michael</i>
Photo: Epic Records

NEW YORK — Many a Michael Jackson fan lined up outside of the Roseland Ballroom on Monday night to celebrate the release of the King of Pop's posthumous Michael album. Dozens of dancers and fans filled the ballroom's floor, decked out in costumes inspired by MJ's iconic looks from throughout his esteem career. One of those fans also happened to be the evening's master of ceremonies, DJ Cassidy.

"I'm here to make the fans dance," he told MTV News. "I think that's why Michael essentially made the music. He wanted to make people dance. He wanted to make people feel the emotion he felt, and I'm here to do just that. I'm here to help the fans in the celebration of the king."

Dressed in a leather suit with a pink shirt and socks, a red bowtie and shell-top Adidas, Cassidy said that he's been a fan of Jackson for as long as he can remember. The late singer has been his inspiration in anything artistic in his life, from music to fashion.

"So much of my fashion comes from Michael," Cassidy explained. "So much of how I play music comes from how he formed his songs, how he created his sound that really inspired the way that I DJ. And really, it inspired me to want to be a DJ, to want to make people dance.

"So, when I became a DJ at the age of 10, it was always my dream to DJ for Michael Jackson," he added. "Tonight's just a small way for me to really celebrate his music."

The party's guests also included producers Teddy Riley, Eddie Cascio and Neff U, who each had a hand in producing Michael's tracks. But before he began to spin for the night, Cassidy was thinking back to the classics, particularly his favorite party song, 1979's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."

"You can be anywhere in the world, any city, any small town, any type of crowd, black, white, old, young, poor, rich, at any type of venue," he said. "They could be wanting to hear house music, hip-hop music, anything in between, but 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' will turn that party out."

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Michael Jackson Fans Celebrate Michael's Release With DJ Cassidy

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Photo: Epic Records

NEW YORK — Many a Michael Jackson fan lined up outside of the Roseland Ballroom on Monday night to celebrate the release of the King of Pop's posthumous Michael album. Dozens of dancers and fans filled the ballroom's floor, decked out in costumes inspired by MJ's iconic looks from throughout his esteem career. One of those fans also happened to be the evening's master of ceremonies, DJ Cassidy.

"I'm here to make the fans dance," he told MTV News. "I think that's why Michael essentially made the music. He wanted to make people dance. He wanted to make people feel the emotion he felt, and I'm here to do just that. I'm here to help the fans in the celebration of the king."

Dressed in a leather suit with a pink shirt and socks, a red bowtie and shell-top Adidas, Cassidy said that he's been a fan of Jackson for as long as he can remember. The late singer has been his inspiration in anything artistic in his life, from music to fashion.

"So much of my fashion comes from Michael," Cassidy explained. "So much of how I play music comes from how he formed his songs, how he created his sound that really inspired the way that I DJ. And really, it inspired me to want to be a DJ, to want to make people dance.

"So, when I became a DJ at the age of 10, it was always my dream to DJ for Michael Jackson," he added. "Tonight's just a small way for me to really celebrate his music."

The party's guests also included producers Teddy Riley, Eddie Cascio and Neff U, who each had a hand in producing Michael's tracks. But before he began to spin for the night, Cassidy was thinking back to the classics, particularly his favorite party song, 1979's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."

"You can be anywhere in the world, any city, any small town, any type of crowd, black, white, old, young, poor, rich, at any type of venue," he said. "They could be wanting to hear house music, hip-hop music, anything in between, but 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' will turn that party out."

What's your favorite Michael Jackson song? Share it in the comments.

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Ke$ha Reflects On 'Really Intense' Breakout Year

Billboard cover girl is the magazine's Hot 100 Artist of the Year.
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Ke$ha on the cover of the December issue of <i>Billboard</i>
Photo: <i>Billboard</i>

She was overlooked by the Grammys, but Ke$ha dominated radio and the charts in 2010 with her Auto-Tuned electro-pop and a distinctive "garbage chic" style that had everybody talking.

In the latest issue of Billboard, the party-girl pop star opens up about her whirlwind rise to the top, saying she has no regrets about her breakthrough year.

"Are you kidding me? I pretty much feel like I've been reborn into this completely different existence," the singer told the magazine when asked how life had changed for her. "My entire life has become making music and playing shows, and I love it. I've accepted the fact that my fans are now my family, and I won't be having boyfriends. I'll just be having a really amazing relationship with the radio."

The pop star said that although she "wasn't clueless" about what fame might bring, it far exceeded her expectations. "It's just not at all what I expected it to be like," she said. "It's really intense, more intense than I ever thought it would be."

Recalling paparazzi chasing her as she made her arrival at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, Ke$ha said, "I was having an anxiety attack, like, 'I just wrote some pop songs, man!' "

Ke$ha, who graces the mag's cover wearing a crown as she pops a bottle of champagne, also talked about her big debut single, saying, "Sometimes I need to remind myself that 'Tik Tok' only went to #1 in January, because it kind of feels like it was 17 years ago."

The mag went on to ask if "Tik Tok" was the best way to introduced herself to the public. "I don't know. We didn't really know which song to come out with first," Ke$ha said. "It was kind of a debate, because I didn't initially come out as a rapper; I've always been a singer. So having my first single classified as kind of a rap song felt bizarre to me. But now it's become something of a trademark, and it's becoming more legitimate. I've talked to some of my favorite rap artists over the past year — artists who are idols — and they've given me mad props."

What was your favorite Ke$ha moment of 2010? Tell us in the comments!

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Eva Mendes says the only thing she demands in a man is that he ?bathe every once in a while?

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Lady Gaga's Shoe Tossin' Monster Ball Tour Wrap-Up

She?s definitely one of the more intense performers in pop music, and last night (December 21) Lady GaGa ended out her 2010 Monster Ball Tour with a bang.

The ?Just Dance? songstress hit the stage at the Palais Omnisports de Bercy in Paris, France in front of an eager and packed audience.

And at the end of the gig, Gaga addressed the crowd to say thank you and to throw her shoes out to her fans, per a dancer?s tradition.

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Michael Jackson's 'Hold My Hand' And More Posthumous Music Videos

Aaliyah, Tupac Shakur, Elvis Presley and more late superstars have popped up in videos after their deaths.
By James Montgomery

Michael Jackson in the video for "Hold My Hand"
Photo: Sony Music Entertainment

On Thursday (December 9), the late, great Michael Jackson returned to the music-video world with "Hold My Hand," a clip from the upcoming Michael album, which pairs his vocals with production work from some of today's top producers.

And much like that album, the "Hold My Hand" video is very much a retrospective affair, loaded with triumphant MJ performance footage and uplifting imagery (smiling children, sunrises, bright blue skies), not to mention a whole lot of Akon. And while fans can debate whether the clip is a worthy addition to the King of Pop's massive music-video legacy, it certainly carries on the tradition of the posthumous video, a rather ignominious — and incredibly profitable — wing of the music-industry machine.

Yes, ever since Elvis Presley shuffled off this mortal coil, record labels have been churning out videos by deceased stars, for reasons that run the gamut from tribute to pure profit. Out of necessity (since the star is no longer with us), these videos are usually by-the-numbers affairs, full of stock footage and performance clips, the occasional use of animation and, of course, the odd celebrity cameo. More often than not, fans love them — which is why we keep seeing them. And since "Hold My Hand" has just been unveiled, we decided to take a look back at some of the most notable examples of stars who may no longer be with us, but continue to make music videos. Here's our Posthumous Playlist.

Aaliyah
She died tragically in a 2001 plane crash, but her videos kept showing up on MTV. "I Care 4 U" was a collection of clips from the Japanese anime "Macross Pluss II," which feature her as a ghostly figure. "Miss You" was a tribute vid, starting with a heartfelt monologue by DMX and featuring cameos by the likes of Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim and Toni Braxton. "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" is a combination of footage from her old videos and newly animated bits, which reimagine Aaliyah as a superhero in a skintight getup.

Elvis Presley
He died in 1977 but found chart success once again in 2002, when a remixed version of his song "A Little Less Conversation" was featured in a Nike World Cup commercial. A video, featuring performance footage of the King playing on a TV monitor (and a bunch of hyperactive dancers and models re-enacting his famous "Jailhouse Rock" video) was quickly assembled to capitalize. It was appropriately massive.

John Lennon
Murdered outside his New York City home in 1980, Lennon's (then) just-released Double Fantasy quickly rose to #1 on the album charts and even won the Grammy for Album of the Year. The follow-up, Milk and Honey, was also a hit and featured the single "Nobody Told Me," which came with a posthumous video, complete with photos of Lennon as a child, his iconic wire-frame specs and even some of his illustrations.

Nirvana
After the death of Kurt Cobain, there was no shortage of Nirvana sundry released, though the video for "You Know You're Right" — one of the last songs he recorded with the band — is the true standout, full of performance clips and backstage footage that capture the grunge icon at his most powerful, moody and, strangely enough, happy.

The Notorious B.I.G.
He was killed in 1997, but his talent — and the prodigious amount of pre-recorded material he left behind — survives to this day. There truly is no shortage of posthumous Biggie videos, though the most notable are probably the flossy, glossy "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems," Spike Jonze's riotous "Sky's the Limit" (which stars nothing but children) and "Notorious Thugz," a team up with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony that features his ghost rapping inside a studio.

Sublime
Frontman Bradley Nowell died just before the release of the trio's breakout self-titled album, and so — mostly out of necessity — Nowell (and his beloved dog, Lou) continued to turn up in the band's videos, including "What I Got," "Santeria" and "Wrong Way."

TLC
Just before the release of their 2002 album 3D, founding member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes was killed in a car accident in Honduras. The group's two remaining members pressed on, releasing a series of videos that paid tribute to their late friend. In the video for "Girl Talk," they wear outfits emblazoned with her name, and she shows up in animated form too. "Turntable" is a more traditional posthumous clip, made up of performance footage of the trio taken from their live shows and videos.

Tupac Shakur
Unlike most late stars, Tupac left behind so much material that he never really left. The vaults were mined for more than a decade following his 1996 death, to the point where some believe he may actually still be with us. Not surprisingly, there are no shortage of posthumous music videos out there, including "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto," which picks up after he was shot (and was filmed from his "point of view"); "Changes," a solemn tribute clip made up of news footage, scenes from his videos and movies and still photos; and "Until the End of Time," a more sparse affair, featuring clips of him onstage and in the studio.

What is your favorite posthumous clip? Let us know in the comments.

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The 28-year-old hottie is featured in a nude photo spread for the January 2011 issue of Playboy magazine.

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SWTS: Illness sees Brandon withdraw

With so many close calls happening on the ice, Skating With the Stars viewers were shocked last night when the show bid farewell to its first casualty ? only it wasn?t by any on-ice accident. After falling victim to a stomach flu last week ? one that prevented him from performing ? Disney star Brandon Mychal Smith survived elimination and was set to skate again this week. That was the case until doctors ordered him to bed rest while they conducted more tests to find out what was wrong with him. Despite wanting to continue, Brandon had to deliver the devastating news on-air that he would be withdrawing from the competition. ?The journey has been fruitful and very fulfilling,? he told host Vernon Kay. ?It's been a roller coaster of a time. I'm feeling very disappointed.?

?We are both so disappointed,? Brandon?s partner Keauna McLaughlin told In Touch after the show. ?We both worked so hard for this and to go out like this feels like we didn?t get to finish what we started,? adding, ?Still, Brandon?s health is the most important thing, and he just has to work on getting better.? With all the stars set to return for next week?s finale, Keauna is unsure if Brandon will be well enough to return, yet remains hopeful. ?It would be great if he could,? she says. ?I?d love to skate one last time together.?

?He was really good and fun to watch,? fellow skater Jonny Moseley tells In Touch. ?It?s really bittersweet, and it?s not the same here without him.? Due to Brandon?s surprise exit, no one was eliminated last night, which means Bethenny Frankel, Rebecca Buding and last night?s highest scorer, Jonny, will all be vying for the top prize next week. But just what that prize is may be anyone?s guess.

?I am in the finals by default, but I?ll take it,? an elated Bethenny tells In Touch. ?Winner, winner, chicken dinner! I don?t know what the prize is, as we haven?t seen it, but even if it were an ice sculpture I would love it! An ice sculpture surrounded in caviar and food I?d use on a buffet.?

Next week, expect the ice to fly as all three finalists are in it to win. ?We might try to add a little more difficulty to the routine,? reveals Jonny, when asked about any tricks he has up his sleeves. And with just one point separating his and Rebecca?s score this week, you can bet she?ll have a trick or two of her own. ?I want to take him down,? Rebecca tells In Touch. ?I think I can, and I may skate a little more on my own. It?s scary, but I?ll try it.?

The Skating With the Stars finale airs on Monday, December 20 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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