Today's Pick

Jason Derulo goes through the motions of proposing to his real-life love affair with his girlfriend Jordin Sparks in the new music video for his upbeat love song, "Marry Me," the second single in the US Market (third overall) from his just-released third studio album, "Tattoos." The 24-year-old R&B crooner seems to be reflecting what may come true in real life as he's shown shopping for a wedding ring, which his 'ring for Jordin may look' like. It's sexy and it's sweet.
During an interview with On Air with Ryan Seacrest, the Miami-born singer pop revealed that he wrote the love song back in 2012 and, it's an ode to his girlfriend Jordin Sparks, as he said: "'Marry Me' is one of those very pulling heart strings kind of record, it's very different than 'The Other Side'... Basically it's talking about getting ready for that moment when I ask you to marry me." Derulo has simultaneously granted the world its next top wedding tune and given girlfriend Sparks good reason to go shopping for a fancy white gown.
"Marry Me" neatly shows off Derulo's vocal chops and poignant songwriting savvy. It's a heartfelt, hook laden and soaring melodic ballad with a proper stomp that drives home the key message of the song. Speaking on the red carpet of the 2013 MTV VMAs, Derulo also told E! News the melodic ballad was written about his partner. He revealed: "It is about Jordin, actually, and it's talking about how amazing it will be when I get down on one knee and it will be the greatest moment of my life." Derulo gushed: "You can't fake anything because true love is true love, and that's the basis of our relationship."
The musical couple make expert use of their natural chemistry in the new video. Cuddling in bed, they eventually get hot and heavy, kissing passionately. They even get seductive in the kitchen, playing with food in between more caressing and smooching. But he really gets down to business when he sings a romantic song about lasting love and matrimony, "Will you marry me?" to Sparks while in bed. He even selects the ring he'll propose to her with as he may eventually do in real life. Their natural attraction for each other is apparent in fervid, playful displays that have a can't-keep-your-hands-off-each-other, almost giddy appeal.

Giving us a peek at the pop music icon Whitney Houston's fourth and final big screen role before her tragic death in February, a music video made in support of Jordin Sparks and the late legendary R&B icon's duet "Celebrate," has arrived in full. The upbeat bubbly cut finds the two stars singing of celebrating life. The clip is capped off with a message that reads "In loving memory of Whitney Houston."
This upbeat and '80s-inspired R.Kelly-produced track is a simple yet fascinatingly uplifting vintage-sounding R&B song which both Houston and Sparks flawlessly executed it. It was the very last song Houston ever recorded before her untimely death at the age of 48, and is also featured in the upcoming musical-drama, "Sparkle," brings its light to theaters August 17. A remake of the 1976 classic Irene Cara flick, which finds Houston playing a mother of three daughters who rise to fame in the music industry, but face challenges when the family begins to fall apart.
Talking about the song "Celebrate," the 22-year-old said, "I first heard the song after she passed and it was one of those out-of-body experiences because she sounds so happy and you can feel the joy when she's singing." Sparks also shared about the concept behind the video was to throw a party in the late diva's honor: "When we did the song, we planned on [the video] being Whitney and me," Sparks, who plays Houston's daughter in the film, told BET. "But she's not here, so we wanted it to be a tribute to her. So it's fun, upbeat and exciting."
The supremely happy video is a mix of newly-shot scenes and footage from the actual "Sparkle" movie, in which, the American Idol winner effuses positive light beams while hosting a jubilant house party gathering with a handful of her "Sparkle" co-stars in honor of the late R&B icon. It's some kind of family get-together maybe and cupcakes, and goofy chair dancing and, if at all possible, ample movie footage of Houston's sparkiest Sparkle moments. Anything can be cause for a love-stuffed celebration!

American Idol youngest winner Jordin Sparks has been away from the music scene for a while and you may have been wondering what Sparks has been up to since 2009's "Battlefield" album? Sparks has finally returned and has teamed up with Disney to premiere a video for her new song, "The World I Knew" from Disney Nature's upcoming wildlife "African Cats." Footage from the film appears prominently throughout the video, and the 21-year-old seems so innocent throughout the scenes gazing longingly into the camera. Sparks's always great at these big vocal power ballads so it's no surprise that Sparks prevails on this track.
"African Cats" movie, is a right tale of three different animal families in the wild. The talent is unique as this is real-life footage of animals with the storyline natural fiber around the animals. The film focuses on a young lion cub being raised by his mother, a leader defending his family from a lion, and a mother cheetah who is raising five newborns. "African Cats" brings "The Lion King" to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill ("Earth"). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, "African Cats" leaps into theaters on Earth Day, April 22.
"The World I Knew" serves as the anthem for "African Cats," isn't specifically about nature, but its soaring chorus make it a good fit for a cinematic feature. The song's lyrics may describe a desire to stop the clock and relish in a fleeting love affair, but set to footage of African animals in their natural habitat. It effectively captures the wildness of Africa and curbs that exotic nature with a motherly touch. As the film focuses on real life felines in their natural environment, The song complements the spirit of the film and speaks of interdependence and how it is an innate part of life. The 'American Idol' champ's voice may just help raise awareness for the plight of endangered species.
Sparks's silhouette shines against the Moon and goes exotic in her new video for "The World I Knew," which is typical Disney magic, in honor of their new film "African Cats," and places Sparks in a surreal world of sparkling butterflies and magic waterfalls, as she shares the spotlight with lions and cheetahs, and sings about eternal love. The video begins with the season six 'American Idol' champ blowing out a candle and hunkering down for bed inside a tent in the African savanna. An animated butterfly appears and guides Sparks through the grassland, where she encounters a waterfall and witnesses sunrise.

Jordin Sparks is teaming with Walt Disney Studios and recorded her cover version of the theme song "Beauty and the Beast" and filmed an accompanying princess-themed music video with director Philip Andelman, to support the 2010 DVD/Blu-Ray re-release diamond edition of the No.1 most requested Disney animated favorite classic movie. Sparks submerges herself in a fairytale in her brand-new video and her beautiful velvet voice for new version give this classic record a resfreshingly new cheesy pop feel.
The Academy Award winner song is a ballad about the love developing between Belle and the Beast. It was written by composer Alan Menken and late lyricist Howard Ashman. It was very successful on the charts around the world, becoming Céline Dion's first international hit. Both Angela Lansbury and Céline Dion belted out the title song in Disney's 1991 hit "Beauty and the Beast." Now, American Idol champ is taking a crack at the classic. "'We didn't change the song too much, but it is poppier," Sparks says. "I wanted it to be different, so people aren't like, 'Oh, she's trying to be Céline.'" Sparks is a great fit for Disney as the edgiest attempt from the young beauty was performing a duet with Chris Brown. The gorgeous, voluptuous singer/songwriter has made it her purpose to shy away from any attribute that would tarnish her sweet, bubbly persona.
It has been nothing short of a whirlwind: The youngest contestant to ever win 'American Idol,' Sparks was just 17 years old when she won the coveted title. In reflection, it was the best training ground she could have ever had. In the three years that have followed, Sparks has released two albums on 19 Recordings/Jive Records. Her self-titled debut went platinum, selling over 2 million copies worldwide. So with domination of popular music checked off her bucket list, what was Sparks going to do next? The Glendale-based 'American Idol' winner is currently making her Broadway debut in "In the Heights." Sparks has indeed made a difference in people's lives.
With her headlining tour, upcoming Broadway debut, big city living, charity work and more, it's hard to believe she hasn't even turned 21, something that's coming up on her agenda at the end of this year (December 22nd). With everything she has achieved, what does Sparks think about turning twenty-one? She laughs, "It's weird for me to even think about! Time is going by so fast. I could go to a club if I wanted to, but I still can't rent a car! I take things day by day. I just want to keep learning and growing and trying new things. Right now, I am good right where I am."

It's an Idol worlds collide! Australia's very first ever Idol winner Guy Sebastian has teamed up with American Idol cutie winner Jordin Sparks for their slushy duet "Art of Love" music video, which is all a bit shouty but power ballad, and two astounding voices are brought together into the song.
Sebastian, the multi-platinum selling singer songwriter is the former Australian Idol winner from the premiere season in 2003, and his winning song "Angels Brought Me Here," which Carrie Underwood sang in the Season 4 Finale. He since has released five albums and recently wrote his hit song "Art of love" and then traveled to New York City to record the smashing hit with Sparks. The song was officially released as the second single from Sebastian's latest fifth highly anticipated album, "Like It Like That," which was released in Australia on October 23 by Sony Music, the first since his critically acclaimed 2007 "The Memphis" album which featured covers of classic 1960s and 1970s Memphis Soul hits, and went on to achieve triple-platinum certification by the ARIA, and it featuring Sparks.
Sebastian and Sparks filmed the music video in Los Angeles. Sparks looks gorgeous in her glammed-up attire. The song's nice too, especially the second chorus, which features Sparks's harmonies prominently. "I'm still overwealmed that she did the song, and now is doing the video," the Australian Idol said of his American Idol counterpart. "She's super humble and very sweet and killed the track. She sings it amazingly well. They were due to perform "Art Of Love" on the Australian Idol grand final last Sunday, but Sparks was unable to travel to Australia due to a sudden illness. Meanwhile, Sebastan will head out on the "Like It Like That" Tour in February 2010.

Jordin Sparks, the 19-year-old American Idol alum has released the music video to her latest and very infectious hit dance track "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)", the 2nd single off her sophomore album "Battlefield".
"S.O.S." is an uptempo electropop song that contains a sample of "Let The Music Play" by Shannon. It combine 1980’s synths with modern techno-dance beats. Sparks is out to the club and hitting the dance floor along with a bunch of clubbers. She explained why she decided to go in a dancer direction with this song: "I'll always be the ballad girl from American Idol, but I wanted to try something new, though not so far that people wouldn't believe me." The video was directed by Chris Robinson and shot in L.A. on August 10, and was released exclusively to MeetMark.com the website for the makeup company yesterday. Sparks is being praised for showing a side she has never before embraced, stepping out of her usual comfort zone as she stated.
With its potent and *snap snap* send off, the song is filled with charisma and perhaps the attitude and staying power that alongside Sparks’ pipes will allow her to be a prominent force in the music industry. Sparks is the younger, more demure, innocent-esque winner out of all the girls. Kelly Clarkson is the rock chick, Fantasia is the R&B/Lifetime girl, and Carrie Underwood is the country star which leaves Sparks to be the younger face of American Idol female pop music.
The song has some pretty great remixes out there already, and the song is going to be released to US radio on September 29, with loads of promotion while she tours with Britney Spears and will appears on the VH1 Divas special on September 17. The legendary live concert event will also feature voices like Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Miley Cyrus and Jennifer Hudson, and hosted by Paula Abdul. Sparks is looking forward to the next round of Grammy nominations, she’d love to do some acting (especially on Broadway), and someday, say 10 or 12 years from now, have "a significant other, but ultimately, I just want to be happy" she said.

The American Idol Season 6 winner, Jordin Sparks' 2nd studio album "Battlefield" hit stores today. Most reviewers agree Sparks' 2nd attempt trumps her 1st. Hear the album on AOL Music's Free Full CD Listening Party (Please note this listening party expires July 26th). You can also listen to select songs off the album on AOL Radio's Fresh 40 Station! The 19-year-old does prove why she deserved the 2007 "American Idol" crown. The 12-track set album named after the 1st single "Battlefield" because it was central to the themes and other recordings for the album, which is a mixture of contemporary R&B and pop although many critics have cited dance-pop and pop-rock influences. The majority of the songs are sad love ballads, but Jordin fails to make listeners emotionally connect.
The youngest-ever winner of American Idol said that "To me, the title 'Battlefield' is about strength and perseverance, things can go from good to bad in an instant, it could be family, friendship or work; and my favorite line in the song is, 'you better go and get your armor,' because it's telling you to be prepared for that time so that you can overcome it."