Beyoncé’s new album 4 may be highly anticipated but what we have heard from the album so far has failed to impress critics and her fans alike. The lead-off single Run The World (Girls) disappointed on the charts and the epic music video didn’t seem to help it’s performance either. So what’s B’s next move?

Donovan introduced us to a leak from the future album titled End Of Time which actually caught my attention more than the previous single but learned that she had announced 1+1 would be her next single. She even performed the track on the American Idol Finale. Well, it seems as though these plans are now changing.

Beyoncé and her camp are confirming that even though 1+1 is out, her next single will actually be Best Thing I Never Had. This single could prove to be the one for B if you follow her superstitions. It is the fourth song on her fourth album titled 4. Coincidence? Beyoncé has also revealed the entire track list for her upcoming album title by title, hour by hour on Facebook.

Check out the “4″ track list after the jump.

Sorry for the delay in pumping out the recap for American Idol’s Season 10 finale. I went to Usher’s concert last night where Akon, Dev and The Cataracs opened. One of the best concerts I’ve been too in a while. I’m going to do a separate review later on. Afterward, we headed to the official after party and had even more fun. Sufficed to say, I got home pretty late and woke up a bit groggy. Let me tell you, two hours of Idol isn’t the most effective hangover cure. So enough background, let’s get to the show.

I’m sure at this point, you probably already know who the winner is so I won’t pretend to skirt around that issue. After a record-breaking 122 million votes cast, Scotty McCreery was crowned this season’s winner. He clearly was the frontrunner for most of the season, so I’m not completely surprised. That being said, I gave Lauren an outside chance she could pull it off based on the previous night’s performance. All in all, I’m pretty content with the results. Let’s hope Scotty breaks the recent trend of declining sales for an Idol winner.

With Simon Cowell leaving, many were curious to see if Idol would survive without him. Not only has it, but it’s thrived. Along with the aforementioned record-breaking votes, the finale ratings were up an impressive 12% over last year’s show. A fitting ending to a great season. If you missed any part of the season finale, check out the picture-by-picture recap below.

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Just when I was beginning to turn the corner on my dislike for Beyonce’s “Run The World (Girls)”, I find this out. While I’m still not a fan of her track, the chorus has grown on me and B blew my mind with her visually spectacular performance at the Billboard Music Awards. As it turns out, the concept which wowed me wasn’t an original thought from Beyonce.

Plagiarism accusations are bound to happen to successful artists. It’s par for the course. Just look at Lady Gaga’s laundry list of plagiarism claims for “Born This Way“. For that matter, Beyonce is no stranger to copying claims either. In 2003, a lawsuit was filed alleging lyrics for her hit, “Baby Boy” were stolen. Her House of Dereon has also been accused of stealing designs. Beyonce was seen purchasing leggings at London’s TopShop, then miraculously a similar heavy metal legging popped up on the singer in a House of Dereon ad a year later. Which brings me to this.

The internet is abuzz that the white effects screen Beyonce incorporated in her Billboard performance was copied from Italian singer Lorella Cuccarini. I admit there is a fine line between plagiarism and inspiration. For instance, her iconic “Single Ladies” music video was inspired by Bob Fosse’s choreography, which she’s publicly admitted. Perhaps a public thank will be coming Cuccarini’s way soon. B’s been in a thankful kind of mood lately. After a messy breakup, Beyonce finally thanked the original Destiny’s Child members during her acceptance speech on Sunday night.

watch the side by side comparison after the jump

Last night, the Billboard Music Awards had Vegas all shook up at the MGM Grand with performances by the chart toppers of the last year. No doubt about it, Vegas knows how to party and who better to host a party in Vegas than Hangover 2 star Ken Jeong. He introduced himself with a great little musical cabaret number featuring Nicki Minaj and the lead singer of Train. Truly entertaining and the lyrics were hilarious.

The night was littered with performances very heavy on the pop/dance genre. We were treated to a little S&M from Rihanna who was then joined by Britney to round off the performance. Side note: Britney’s bod is looking real good. Cee-Lo’s performance was outstanding while Ke$ha brought the party as per usual with a herd of men dressed as red horses. Nicki Minaj returned to the stage to perform her new single Superbass and was joined by Ms. Spears who sang lip synced Till The World Ends.

The performance of the night for me definitely goes to the epic multimedia performance from Beyoncé who was the recipient of the Millennium Award. Prior to her performance she was honored in a video montage from Barbara Streisand, Lady Gaga, Michelle Obama and more. After building her nation on a giant white screen behind her, she was joined by an army of women who followed their leader with military dance move precision. By the way, did anyone else catch Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez’s little smooch?

Get the full list of Billboards 2011 Winners here.

After a five-year hiatus, the Billboard Music awards came roaring back. I, myself, haven’t seen it yet as I’ve been out of town, but from what I’ve read it was an amazing show. Due to low ratings, the magazine took a break from producing a telecast show. They still gave out their yearly awards, just not in a grand public manner. Since it was a dawn of a new era, the show bumped up their normal Fall broadcast to a Spring date. Thus creating a perfect platform to promote upcoming concerts, movies, CDs and other projects. Plus with the warmer weather, it gave the ladies a chance to show off more skin in revealing outfits. I’ve picked a few of my favorite and not-so-favorite looks from the red carpet. Check them out below and be sure to cast your votes.

Destiny’s Child Fashion Smackdown

Beyonce was on hand to receive Billboard’s first ever Millennium Award. In other words, let’s create a brand new award so Beyonce can show up and pimp out her new projects. Her former band mates may have been there to support her, but both Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams stole the show with their red carpet looks. Rowland looked sexy in a tight hot pink body-hugging dress, while Williams put her spin on the little black dress. Backup no more. WERK, ladies.

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view more fashion battles after the jump

Hallelujah, Beyonce is unofficially moving on from the “Run The World (Girls)” debacle. A new song from her upcoming album, titled “4“, just leaked online. Rumor has it “Till The End of Time” will be the next cut from the CD. On a side note, what is up with all this apocalyptic talk. Aren’t you glad the world didn’t end yesterday as some had predicted. Just think if it had, you would’ve never heard Bey’s new cut. The horror.

Sometimes when a track leaks, it comes in an unpolished version or with annoying voiceovers. Such is the case with “Till The End of Time“. Every few seconds “for internal use only” tags pop up, destroying any possible groove you were starting to feel. Even with that hindrance, I’m feeling the new track. It’s more laid-back and melodic than the frenetic “Run The World (Girls)”. Check it out below.

listen to the track after the jump

It’s the Final 3, ya’ll. We’re only one week away from crowning this year’s American Idol. Who’ll it be? Scotty, Lauren or Haley? Millions of people are waiting on the edge of seats to see who’ll battle it out at the Nokia Theater next week. I can’t believe I’m one of those people. At this point last year, people (including me) were wondering if Idol could survive without Simon Cowell. Surprisingly, the answer is a resounding… yes.

As in past years, the remaining Idols sing three songs apiece- contestant’s choice, Jimmy Iovine’s choice and judges’ choice. Beyonce was on hand this week to coach the Idols with their individual picks. Obviously, B wasn’t just there to show off her mentoring skills but rather to promote her new single and debut her brand new music video for “Run The World (Girls)“. Not surprisingly, she wasn’t the most insightful when it came to give the singers constructive comments.

All three received a hero’s welcome back in their respective hometowns. Even fourth place James Durbin attracted a sizable crowd for his homecoming. I’m sure with tomorrow’s hour long results show we’ll see much more of their hometown visits. Unfortunately, one of them will be heading back home tomorrow. Metaphorically speaking of course, since the finale is next week and everyone is sticking around to practice for it. Check out how each contestant fared in each round below.

watch all the performances after the jump

After much delay, Beyonce’s “Run The World (Girls)” music video finally premiered. Taking a page out of Jennifer Lopez & Steven Tyler’s books, she debuted it on “American Idol“. Lopez’s “On The Floor” has amassed over 170,000,000 views. Would Beyonce’s garner as much? Mmmm, probably not. I wonder if using Idol as a launching platform was contingent on her being the guest mentor this week? I’m thinking probably so.

When B delayed the release of her music video, I wrote a post pondering if anything can save “Run The World (Girls)”. Ever since its release, her latest track has experienced a free fall on Billboard and iTunes’ charts. So much so, former bandmate Kelly Rowland was beating her. I don’t think that’s ever happened in their solo careers.

Fans have claimed the reason the song has stalled is due to the lack of any promotion from Beyonce for the single. Personally, even with this lavishly epic visual, I don’t think it’ll help one iota. There’s no saving this bomb. Admittedly, the hook is catchy but that’s a sample so that’s not her doing. The verses, bridge and everything is too much. Too produced and too frenetic.

watch the music video after the jump