Jay Z is pretty busy for a rapper that put down the mike years ago. "American Gangster" is the second album he has released since he 'retired.' After the drubbing "Kingdom Come" received, "American Gangster" takes steps to repair Jay Z's credibility.

Holiday is a preachers’ son. Raised in the church by a hardworking mother, the pull of secular music was still too much for him to ignore. Fascinated by the early ‘90s R&B vocal groups such as Boyz II Men, H-Town and Jodeci, J. Holiday soon became enamored with hip-hop, marveling in the intricate rhymes of Jay-Z and OutKast. But it was during a high school talent show when a 14-year-old Holiday knew he had a passion for singing. However, local bands were unable to recruit the budding vocalist, whose mother had plans for her son to finish school before seriously pursuing music. Two years later, J. Holiday would discover the music of Marvin Gaye, an experience he calls a “revelation.” From myspace.com

Calling Dr. Phil! Mary J. Blige, R&B's most mistreated female since Tina Turner, returns once more to publicly work through her issues. That, and get back the attention Amy Winehouse has stolen from her lately.

With crossovers being all the rage these days, throwing together two of rap's up-and-coming stars was a logical move. But is it a successful one?

Timbaland's new album promises many big names and songs done solo by him. Can it hold up to the hype that people are giving to it?

In 2007 Alicia Keys released her third studio full-length, the poppier As I Am, which included contributions from Linda Perry and John Mayer, among others.