Explicit version. Grammy nominated, Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx returns with his 2008 album Intuition. As a follow up to his platinum selling, J Records debut album Unpredictable, this album is sure to please with writing and production by The Dream, Timbaland, Sean Garrett, Tricky, Salaam Remi and Marsha Ambrosia. The first single, 'Just Like Me' features rapper T.I.

A Different Me is the third studio album by R&B singer and songwriter Keyshia Cole. The road to riches wasn't easy for Keyshia yet her hard work and great voice are her successful rewards. Besides the release of a 2008 album, the new season of her BET reality show, touring and personal appearances, Keyshia is gearing up for the production of a movie based on her life. The lead single off the album, "Playa Cardz Right" featuring Tupac, originally appeared on Tupac's Pac's Life, and this version was rearranged by the hugely successful Grammy nominated Cole with producers Ron Fair plus Carvin and Ivan.

The ten-time Grammy Award® winning musical phenomenon, rapper, producer, and now singer embarks on a new musical journey taking his audience to new heights. Kanye West returns with his fourth album 808s & HEARTBREAK. His highly anticipated new album set for release on November 25th, featuring the heart pounding first single LOVE LOCKDOWN which premiered live for the first time on the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. LOVE LOCKDOWN quickly exploded at radio with the video premiering nationwide on the Ellen Degeneres show. "Heartless," the second single, is next up to hit the airwaves further amplifying the story behind the musical direction for 808s & HEARTBREAK.

Explicit Version. P!nk comes right on time in 2008 with her highly anticipated and provocatively personal Funhouse album, addressing both her public and private persona, as only P!nk can. Teaming once again with hitmakers Max Martin, Billy Mann, and others, P!nk is poised to leave another memorable mark worldwide! Since her debut in 2000, P!nk (Alecia Moore) has been widely hailed as a fearlessly talented singer, songwriter and the Pennsylvania native's genre-defying creative risk-taking has propelled her to global stardom. To date, the chanteuse has sold 22 million albums cumulatively worldwide. 12 tracks.

Brandy releases her 2008 debut album on Epic Records, entitled Human which is her most personal album to date. Per Brandy, 'I have grown so much since my last album. Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can't describe.' Reunited with executive producer Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins, who first collaborated with Brandy on her 1998 multi platinum selling album Never Say Never. Human shows a side of Brandy no one has ever seen before. Having sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, Brandy has been one of the top selling female recording artists in Pop music history. Brandy has more than 100 awards worldwide.

Deluxe two CD pressing containing five bonus tracks. One of 2008's most hotly anticipated album releases, I Am..Sasha Fierce marks the artist's first new studio collection since the Grammy-winning multi-platinum-selling B'Day debuted at #1 on charts around the world shortly after its international release on September 4, 2006. With all songs co-written and co-produced by Beyonc‚, the artist's third studio album is her most personal, reflective and revelatory collection to-date. 16 tracks.

Ace Hood, born Antoine McColister in Broward County, Florida, knew he was destined for greatness. After an injury derailed his burgeoning football career, Ace turned to his true passion, rapping. At the age of 17, Ace teamed up with the Broward-County-based entertainment label, Dollaz & Dealz, to record the hit "M.O.E." (Money Over Everything") which sparked an immediate buzz in South Florida. After fine-tuning his craft on local crowds, he set his sights on performing for DJ Khaled at his annual birthday bash. "We was outside the radio station not even trying to get a deal, just hoping to perform at his birthday bash," Ace recalls. Although DJ Khaled had to go to a meeting, he stopped, looked at Ace and said, "I love your image!" Ace handed him his demo CD which resulted in a phone call to Ace's manager that night. Khaled said, "I love his swag, I hear starvation in his music and I want to take a meeting with him." That meeting turned into Ace becoming the first artist signed to "We the Best Music Group," an exclusive partnership with Def Jam Recordings. Since then, Ace has released two singles, which are setting the stage for his debut album, GUTTA, in-stores and online September 23rd.

Explicit Version. Grammy Award winning artist Common returns with his unique brand of cutting edge Hip Hop on his 8th album Universal Mind Control. The 2008 album on the G.O.O.D. Music /Geffen label is executive produced by multi-platinum producers The Neptunes & Kanye West and features the Neptunes on the bulk of the production. The lead single, 'Universal Mind Control' is a club hit and a radio add for Urban & Rhythmic Crossover. Common has been an actor on the big screen for the last two years in critically acclaimned films, Wanted, American Gangster & Smoking Aces, plus a co-starring role in the 2009 blockbuster Terminator 4.

1. Human Intro 2. The Definition 3. Warm It Up (With Love) 4. Right Here (Departed) 5. Piano Man 6. Long Distance Interlude 7. Long Distance 8. Camouflage 9. Torn Down 10. Human 11. Shattered Heart 12. True 13. A Capella (Something's Missing) 14. 1st & Love 15. Fall

'Love's Crazy' is chock full of the sensual sounds fans have come to know and love from Slim. With an aesthetic that takes all the best elements of hip hop and R&B and combines a present day mainstream appeal, 'Love's Crazy' is filled with hits that will re-direct the focus of popular R&B back to a time of immense quality.

1. Free 3:02 2. The Way Things Used To Be 3:22 3. Dream On 4:57 4. Come To My Rescue 3:25 5. In Love 3:42 6. Like I Do 3:58 7. Change 4:06 8. Yellow 3:35 9. Let It Go 3:35 10. Follow Me 2:53 11. Keep Running 4:15

American Idol winner David Cook is set to release his self-titled debut album on November 18th, 2008. Produced by Grammy winning Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Kid Rock), David Cook is a quality album full with radio hits. Cook co-wrote 9 songs from his debut, along with songwriters like Chris Cornell, Brian Howes & Cathy Dennis. The 1st single "Light On" was co-written by one of rock music's most influential innovators, Chris Cornell, lead singer and songwriter for Soundgarden and Audioslave, and acclaimed producer / songwriter Brian Howes, who has worked with superstar rock bands such as Hinder and Puddle of Mudd.

Nickelback have established themselves as one of the biggest rock bands in the world. With over 26 million albums sold worldwide they have made their mark in rock and roll history. Their new album, 'Dark Horse', is one of the most anticipated releases this year. The band brought in legendary producer Mutt Lange to produce the record with Nickelback and longtime collaborator Joey Moi.

singer/songwriter/producer, Akon burst out of the starting gates with the winningly melodic and compulsively danceable single "Right Now (Na Na Na)." The song is sparking up the charts in a record-setting pace that's familiar to Akon's millions of fans worldwide. "Right Now (Na Na Na)" is the lead track from Akon's 3rd upcoming album FREEDOM. The infectious song is the #1 Most Added at Rhythm Crossover radio stations in its first week of release. FREEDOM features collaborations with Hip- Hop's "man of the hour" Lil Wayne ("I'm So Paid") and Akon's platinum artist T-Pain ("Holla Holla"). Akon broke out on the music scene in 2004 with the platinum album TROUBLE that featured singles, "Locked Up" and "Lonely." He returned in 2006 with the triple-platinumcertified KONVICTED CD. The Senegalese native broke chart history in 2007 as the first artist to simultaneously hold the #1 ("I Wanna Love You") and #2 ("Smack "That") positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart twice. He went on to become Billboard Magazine's Top Artist of 2007, the #2 Hot 100 Producer of the Year, and #2 Hot 100 Songwriter of the year. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ALBUM FROM Q-TIP - "THE RENAISSANCE" The album mixes soul beats, piano, guitars, and Q-Tip's usual thoughtprovoking lyricism, which takes you on a trip from relationships and summer songs to social issues of late, and has a kind of '90s feel to it. "The Renaissance" features Raphael Saadiq, Norah Jones, D'Angelo and Amanda Diva.

The album Evolver features superstars Kanye West, Andre 3000 and Estelle.The album's first single 'Green Light' impacted Urban & Rhythm formats August 19th, 2008. John Legend's debut CD Get Lifted & sophomore CD Once John Legend is the winner of five Grammy Awards.

Explicit Version. 2008 release from the Hip Hop artist, producer and songwriter. It's evident T-Pain has another hit on his hands with the album's first single, 'Can't Believe It,' featuring Lil Wayne which is a about "getting a girl to ride with you," says T-Pain. Other tracks on the album include 'Freeze', featuring Chris Brown, an up-tempo jam that is destined to be the dancefloor hit of the year, 'Chopped & Screwed', a lyrically clever urban anthem featuring Ludacris, 'Karaoke', a personal and controversial declaration to the industry featuring DJ Khaled and 'Therapy', a collaboration with Kanye West.

Ludacris is gearing up for a multi-tiered and mutli-faceted plan to introduce his newest release to his fans. There are plans to rollout consecutive new singles and videos leading up to the November 25th release of THEATER OF THE MIND, the most important album ever recorded by Disturbing Tha Peace CEO and DTP/Def Jam recording artist Ludacris. The unprecedented schedule got underway last week (Oct. 14th) when the song "Undisputed," went up on iTunes, followed this week by the premiere of the video for "Undisputed," which co-stars boxing champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather. On October 20th, the second new single "One More Drink" co-starring T-Pain impacted radio formats, in advance of going up on iTunes. In between, on Oct. 23rd, Ludacris will perform on the annual syndicated BET's Hip Hop Awards '08 and on October 24th, Ludacris will perform on MTV's Veteran's concert live from Nokia Theater. The "One More Drink" video premiere will then take place on Election Day, Nov. 4th. One week later (Nov. 11th, Veteran's Day) comes the third new single. The final element, a video podcast on Nov. 18th (details to be announced in the weeks ahead) sets the stage for the eagerly anticipated arrival of THEATER OF THE MIND in the physical and digital marketplace on Nov. 25th.

Playing upwards of 200 dates a year, more than 2,500 shows in their career and selling more than 20,000 CDs independently, Zac Brown Band has only begun its ascent. The band's aggressive touring has helped it develop a fanatical grassroots following by winning over believers one person at a time. Driven by awe-inspiring musicianship, skillful songwriting and a dynamic live show that inspires word-of-mouth buzz, Zac Brown Band is already embraced by audiences who sing along with every word.

In preparation for her new album, Loose, NELLY FURTADO tried out collaborations with a who's who of producers, and she tried to create a music more of the body than the mind. A prime example of the latter is first single "PROMISCUOUS," a duet with Loose producer TIMBALAND, known far and wide for his groundbreaking work with, among others, MISSY ELLIOTT, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE and AALIYAH. It stands to reason that gold and multiplatinum certifications (for 2003's Folklore and 2000's Whoa, Nelly!, respectively), a pair of Top 10 singles ("I'm Like a Bird" and "Turn Off the Light"), and a Grammy Award (for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance), to name just a few accomplishments, would afford a certain level of confidence. But nothing has inspired Furtado to throw caution to the wind more than motherhood. "Motherhood makes you fearless," she says. "The album is very youthful-sounding," Furtado continues, "and I think that's partly due to the presence of this two-year-old in my life. I was with her all day every day and then I'd go to the studio at night, and I think that translated into a playful energy I feel onstage but that hasn't really been heard on my records." Starting with her longtime production team of Track & Field, she also knew she wanted to check out a variety of producers. "Working with new producers," she hazards, "is like trying on new clothes - you never know what you look good in until you try it on. And sometimes they will see something in you that neither you nor anyone else could see." So she traveled with her daughter from Toronto to London to work with NELLEE HOOPER; to Los Angeles to work with LESTER MENDEZ (who produced, "Te Busque," her moving duet with JUANES) and RICK NOWELS (co-writer and producer of the gorgeous ballad "In God's Hands"); and to Miami to work with PHARRELL WILLIAMS and SCOTT STORCH and finally, TIMBALAND. Indeed, the raw, lighting-in-a-bottle spontaneity of the collaborative process is at the heart of Loose. "This record shows who I am in a jam-type environment, where I really feel the excitement of the creativity flowing," Furtado reveals. "It's who I am at my most artistic. I live for that, and I'm very grateful to be able to share it."

With A Girl Like Me, the Barbadian teen-queen Rihanna is looking to transfer all claims of royalty to the summertime pop charts. If anybody's going to rule them, she pretty much proclaims by way of "SOS," a song no less irresistible, intoxicating, and all-out cool than 2005's "Pon de Replay," off her debut, she's it. That's not to say this new disc is anything like its predecessor overall. Where Music of the Sun was mostly what its title suggests--a romp through an anglo-friendly island with no sunscreen required--A Girl Like Me is more reflective and a little rueful; you get the sense it was crafted in part to show her range, with executive producer Jay-Z guiding her through it gracefully. "Unfaithful" is a noir-ish testing of the R&B waters, and it goes so well that Rihanna wastes no time skinny-dipping her way into the deep end--"Final Goodbye," "P.S. (I'm Still Not Over You)," and "A Million Miles Away" all betray juicy bits of Beyonce. Back in barefoot bikini-girl land, though--a territory that covers roughly half this disc--the party's still going strong. Rihanna gives dancehall legend Sean Paul a run for his money with the bouncing "Break It Off," and "We Ride" makes you want to roll down the windows and stick your head out the passenger side. Crank it up and keep the sunglasses handy

"Inside every woman is a Pussycat Doll," says Robin Antin, the creator of the singing-and-dancing ensemble that has risen from underground cool to major-label hot. "It's about female empowerment, about being confident with who you are. It's about singing and dancing in front of a mirror by yourself and having fun." With their debut album released by A&M Records in summer 2005 (led by "Don't Cha," a duet with Busta Rhymes, written and produced by Cee-Lo), the Pussycat Dolls go beyond being extraordinarily beautiful. With tremendous voices, and after working with today's top songwriters and producers, the Pussycat Dolls are ready to stamp their mark on music and on attitudes. "To me, a Pussycat Doll is fearless but also vulnerable," says lead singer Nicole Scherzinger. "We're strong but we like to play too. The line in 'Don't Cha'--'don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me'--is meant to be empowering. The Pussycat Dolls are not about just being hot but also about saying something with real feeling." From Scherzinger, who earlier scored a Top 10 album and single while in girl group Eden's Crush, to Jessica Sutta, the one-time captain of the Miami Heat dance troupe; from Carmit Bachar, the La Vida Loca girl on Ricky Martin's world tour, to Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt, two of the most talented young dancers in Hollywood, and Melody Thornton, a stunning singer chosen from an open audition, these Pussycat Dolls are the new incarnation--more contemporary, more street--of the group whose Sunset Strip performances became the hippest ticket in Hollywood.

1. Just Dance 4:19 2. Just Dance 5:01 3. Just Dance 4:38 4. Just Dance 6:15

We're not a band that just goes through the motions," says Chris. "We go at everything hard. What I'm most proud of about the new album is we left ourselves a way out. Everybody hit the proverbial brick wall. Everybody fell down and everybody got back up, then we all went back in the room and, what was great, was we found all these different paths to go down." `Different' being the operative word here. Because what 3 Doors Down did after reconnecting with family, and `soul searching', was opt for a new process to the creative part of their relationship. One that emphasized the undeniable strength of the group. The fact that the sum is greater than any individual part. "It is all about getting in that room and hashing it out," recalls lead guitarist Matt Roberts. "If you look at a song like `Train,' it was one of the first songs we wrote for this album. It's kind of a building block that exemplifies the spirit of collaboration. Brad came with words and a melody and we hammered it out." "I remember I had that one in my head at home," laughs Brad. "I was singing it so much a friend threatened to kill me if I didn't get it down." Matt also remembers it as one of the `most fun songs to put together. "The best moments of this band have always been about keeping it a fun ride. You need that sense of accomplishment, but you also need to keep the process comfortable.". Adds Chris: "I think it's also fair to say we are one of the only `southern' bands who has the balls to put a song like `Train' out there these days."

1. New Tattoo [Explicit] 4:22 2. Addicted [Explicit] 3:42 3. She Got Over Me [Explicit] 4:02 4. 18 Days [Explicit] 3:51 5. Drowning (Face Down) [Explicit] 3:55 6. In God's Eyes [Explicit] 3:56 7. Sailed Away [Explicit] 4:18 8. Beautiful Day [Explicit] 4:14 9. Out Of My Face [Explicit] 10. Running From You [Explicit] 11. Beautiful You [Explicit]

1. Shake Down - Akon, Tuinfort, G. 2. Blown Away - Akon, Tuinfort, G. 3. Smack That - Akon, Mathers, M. 4. I Wanna Love You 5. The Rain 6. Never Took the Time 7. Mama Africa 8. I Can't Wait 9. Gangsta Bop 10. Tired of Runnin' 11. Once in a While 12. Don't Matter

1. Right Now (Na Na Na) 2. Right Now (Na Na Na) [Instrumental]

2008 Digipak Album, Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan contains 24 classic tracks personally selected by the artist from her award-winning catalog, as well as two newly recorded and previously unreleased songs, "U Want Me 2" and "Don't Give Up On Us", working with her longtime producer Pierre Marchand.

JOE Thomas, New Man, is one of the most anticipated R&B releases of 2008. Collaborating with music industries top and newest hot producers and songwriters D Mile (Janet Jackson, Feedback), Bryan Michael Cox, Stereotypes and Rodney Jerkins to name a few, this album truly lives up to it s title, JOE Thomas, New Man.. The album includes 11 incredible cuts from JOE and 5 song snippets from the next album, Signature scheduled to release on February 10, 2009 just in time for Valentine s Day (a brand new album of all new & original ballads written, produced, arranged and performed by JOE)

The Pussycat Dolls are back with their highly anticipated album, DOLL DOMINATION! The album includes their new hit single, "When I Grow Up". This track is featured in the movie "House Bunny" and in the new Dance Dance Revolution game (October 2008).

The Sound album released in 2008 shows Mary Mary are not ones to shy away from in-your-face declarations of faith, the girls are now more intentional than ever about whom they adore, without for a moment compromising their call to innovation and growth. The introspective 'Seattle' is a prime example, a pensive prayer that asks the Lord to descend upon the soul the same way rain falls on the Emerald City. In the vein of Mary Mary standards 'Can't Give Up Now' and 'Yesterday,' a couple of ballads on The Sound stand out for their passionate delivery: 'I Trust You' (feat. Marvin Winans) and 'I Worship You' are easily the sonic and spiritual plateaus of the album.

Disney's High School Musical phenomenon leaps onto the silver screen in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR! In which America's favorite high school students hit senior year. Amidst a basketball championship, prom and a big spring musical featuring all of the Wildcats, Troy and Gabriella vow to make every moment last as their lifelong college dreams put the future of their relationship in question. For the first time, two versions of the soundtrack will be available on street date. Featuring more songs than ever before, the HSM3:SENIOR YEAR includes all-new songs by the original songwriters and performances by the original cast, including Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and more! The LIMITED EDITION, PREMIERE EDITION is a 2 Disc Set that includes the original Soundtrack, plus a DVD of behind the scenes footage, the movie trailer, music video, 3 ringtones, a voicetone, mobile game and mobile wallpaper PLUS digital downloadables

Twilight is an action packed, modern day love story between a vampire and a human. Bella Swan has always been a little bit different and when her mother sends Bella to live with her father in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she doesn't expect much of anything to change. Then she meets the mysterious and dazzlingly beautiful Edward Cullen, a boy unlike any she's ever met. Soon, Bella and Edward are swept up in a passionate and decidedly unorthodox romance. Like all vampires, he's immortal. But he doesn't have fangs, and he doesn't drink human blood. To Edward, Bella is that thing he has waited 90 years for: a soul mate. But the closer they get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the primal pull of her scent, which could send him into an uncontrollable frenzy. But what will Edward and Bella do when James, Laurent and Victoria, the Cullens' mortal vampire enemies, come to town, looking for her? This is the first movie from the book series from author Stephanie Meyer. The series are currently some of the most popular books written for young adults, with sales exceeding 50 million copies worldwide since the Twilight debut in 2004 and over 7.7 million copies sold in the U.S. alone. The fourth book in the series, Breaking Dawn, was released on August 2, 2008 and sold over 1.2 million units on the first day.

Deluxe Edition. Explicit Version. The Game returns with his third and supposedly last CD LAX. Keisha Cole is featured on the lead off track 'Game's Pain.' Other guests include Ice Cube, Raekwon, Ludacris, Bilal and Raheem DeVaughn, appearing on "State of Emergency," "Bulletproof Diaries," "Cali Sunshine" and "Touchdown," respectively. Cool & Dre, Irv Gotti, Nottz, J.R. Rotem, Scott Storch, DJ Toomp, Hi-Tek and Kanye West lend their production efforts to the album. This deluxe edition comes expanded packaging and artwork.

Explicit Version. Exit 13 into the 2008 release by LL Cool J who has enjoyed one of the most successful and sustained careers in Rap history since releasing his recording debut as a youth. His aggressive style has achieved Grammy Awards and platinum sales with massive crossover success. This album has several songs featuring special guests like It's Ya Girl Nicoletter, Jiz, Lyrikal, Richie Sambora, Ryan Leslie, Funkmaster Flex, Wyclef Jean, Fat Joe, Sheek Louch, Elan of The DEY, Grandmaster Caz, Ticky and The Dream. 19 tracks.

1. Love Makes You Beautiful (Album Version) 2. Shine Through It (Album Version) 3. Mr. Johnson's Lawn (Album Version) 4. Sanctuary (Album Version) 5. No. 1 Fan (Album Version) 6. Spanish Love Affair (Album Version) 7. Plenty (Album Version) 8. I Remember When (Album Version) 9. It's All Game (Album Version) 10. She Was Mine (Album Version) 11. War (Album Version)

. What Is A Pyroclastic Flow? (Explicit) 2. I Got My Locs On (Explicit) 3. It Takes A Nation (Explicit) 4. Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It (Explicit) 5. Hood Mentality (Explicit) 6. Why Me? (Explicit) 7. Cold Places (Explicit) 8. Jack N The Box (Explicit) 9. Do Ya Thang (Explicit) 10. Thank God (Explicit) 11. Here He Come (Explicit) 12. Get Money, Spend Money, No Money (Explicit) 13. Get Use To It (Explicit) 14. Tomorrow (Explicit) 15. Stand Tall (Explicit) 16. Take Me Away (Explicit)

Grammy award-winning artist Nelly breaks four years of silence with straight hand-to-mic combat on his fifth studio album Brass Knuckles. The St. Louis rapper has sold 30 million albums to date -- and he's approaching his upcoming release with renewed intensity. "When you're the champion you have to psyche yourself into thinking you're the underdog, even if people don't see you as that," Nelly confesses. "Nobody going to give you anything, you got to work hard for what you want. You got to continue to press." Nelly makes his statement in the form of brass-tacks vocal tracks, dance floor anthems and suggestive, seductive slow jams. A master at dynamic collaborations, he's assembled a cast of all-stars to collaborate including Usher, Pharrell, Akon, Ciara, Chuck D, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Ashanti, Avery Storm and the St. Lunatics. "When you hear the energy change, or the tempo switches to a nice flow, it means something," he says. Nelly shows his versatility spitting rhymes with deep, percussive flow, and then switching it up to sing over soulful hooks. Party People: The first single, "Party People," pairs him with Fergie. It's a raucous attention getter, laying the foundation for what's to come - the party is in full swing. "People wonder why I keep the clubs jamming. You can't make a club song if you don't go to the clubs. People always think I'm going out partying, but what I'm doing is seeing what the DJ is spinning. I want to hear and see what's the next thing." Let It Go: Nelly gets dirty, Derrty style, with Pharrell on vocals over the Neptunes' crackly beats. Self Esteem: The vibe changes with "Self Esteem," a fluid, inspirational track featuring Chuck D about staying true in the face of struggle, such as a soldier serving in an unjust war. "There are so many obstacles in life to overcome and as soon as you jump over one, there come another one. But we got to be strong and stay strong." "My all time favorite collaboration is with Chuck D. I heard the track and did the song and I felt something was missing." Public Enemy's "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos" ran through his head. "Before Chuck even heard the song, he was like, I'll do it. That felt so good to me, that he trusted me. He knew that I wouldn't bring him no mess. That's Public Enemy, that's our CNN of hip hop." Long Night: Nelly smoothes it out with Usher on "Long Night" -- an intricate musical cut, stacked with thick harmonies. "Sometimes you do songs with R &B artists and you do your verse, and they sing the hook but this one wasn't like that. This one, we're into the song." Stepped on My J'z: The signature Nelly song featuring Jermaine Dupri and Ciara pays ode to the classic Jordan sneakers. "Shoes are a part of the hip-hop culture. I love my J's. I grew up in that era. I'm part of the reason why Jordan's don't come out on the weekday no more. I used to cut school to get a pair of the new joints" The time away from the spotlight has been wrought with life lessons for Nelly, balancing the personal and the public, with the loss of his sister Jackie in 2005 after a long struggle with leukemia. "That's the biggest thing to ever happen in my life. That was my heart. Everybody deals with pain differently. I am not one that's going to sit in the room and sulk. No one can harm me worse than I can harm myself. It put me in a different place, but it put me in a better place. I see what is now. It's really simple. It's your family. It's your kids. It's the charitable work that you do. It's keeping it real with yourself." While some would've thrown in the towel, Nelly never strayed far from the studio and he continued to grow his business ventures -- the Apple Bottom brand, Skybox a new St. Louis Sports Bar and part ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats -- and philanthropic work through his charities 4 Sho 4 Kids and Jes Us 4 Jackie. Nelly is a man about his business. An award-winning artist who's up for the challenge, primed for battle .....here we go, round five with Brass Knuckles - ding ding.