Max Martin News

This week saw the second Britney Spears-centric episode of the musical dramedy series GLEE, "Britney 2.0", as well as the second three-hour block of new episodes of the reality singing competition THE X FACTOR, the latter featuring none other than new judge Britney Spears as it continued to offer up even more preliminary auditions as the arbiters hone in on a Top 20 and we gear up for the live shows starting soon. While the theme of Thursday night on Fox may have very well been their $15 million investment given glam, grand primetime treatment as only the network AMERICAN IDOL and GLEE built really could, both shows proved that the pop princess of the 21st century is at the top of the entertainment heap for very good reason, leaving X FACTOR fans, gleeks and entertainment junkies alike left requesting one thing and one thing only by the time 11 o'clock rolled around: "Gimme gimme more."

This year's breakout pop sensation Carly Rae Jepsen releases her eagerly anticipated U.S. debut album, entitled, Kiss, today via 604 Records/Schoolboy Records/Interscope Records. The Canadian singer and songwriter wrote or co-wrote songs on the album, collaborating with songwriters and producers Max Martin, Dallas Austin, LMFAO's Redfoo, Toby Gad, Marianas Trench singer Josh Ramsay and Matthew Koma. "This Kiss," another surefire pop earworm co-written by Jepsen and produced by LMFAO's Redfoo and Cherrytree/Interscope artist Matthew Koma, is the first single from the album which Billboard says is "poised to be the Canadian's singer's second stuck-in-your-head hit" while Entertainment Weekly raves about the track's "fun fizzy dance beat."

P!nk, Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter and pop culture icon, announced that she will tour North America for the first time in four years, beginning on February 13, 2013.

TVGuide reports that pop star Justin Bieber will lend his voice for an animated cameo appearance on the long-running FOX comedy THE SIMPSONS. The singer recently wrapped up recording the episode titled 'The Fabulous Faker Boy' which is expected to air in 2013.

CBS Interactive Music Group's award-winning concert webcast series, LIVE ON LETTERMAN, presented by AT&T, will showcase GRAMMY® Award-winning quintet Maroon 5 in a live webcast concert from the world-famous Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, available on CBS.com and VEVO, tonight, June 26 (8:00 PM, ET/5:00 PM, PT).

On the eve of their new album release, Overexposed, Grammy Award winning band, Maroon 5 will take MTV by storm tonight, June 25, 2012 at 7:53 p.m. ET to exclusively premiere their new music video "One More Night" during "MTV First: Maroon 5."

On the eve of their new album release, Overexposed, Grammy Award winning band, Maroon 5 will take MTV by storm on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 7:53 p.m. ET to exclusively premiere their new music video "One More Night" during "MTV First: Maroon 5."

Platinum-selling pop singing sensation Justin Bieber has announced a headlining tour of North America in support of his fourth studio album, BELIEVE, set for release today, June 19. As part of the "Believe" Tour, U.S. and Canadian residents ordering tickets online will have the opportunity to pre-order a digital copy of Justin Bieber's BELIEVE album with every ticket purchased.

CBS Interactive Music Group's award-winning concert webcast series, LIVE ON LETTERMAN, presented by AT&T, will showcase GRAMMY® Award-winning quintet Maroon 5 in a live webcast concert from the world-famous Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, available on CBS.com and VEVO, Tuesday, June 26 (8:00 PM, ET/5:00 PM, PT).

Justin Bieber returns to The World's Most Famous Arena on Wednesday, November 28 at 7PM, featuring special guest Carly Rae Jepsen, presented by AEG Live.

Kelly Clarkson, Linkin Park, Nelly Furtado and Usher have been announced as the second round of artists to perform at the '2012 Billboard Music Awards,' airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on SUNDAY, MAY 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Paramount's Insurge Pictures today announced they have partnered with Katy Perry, Direct Management, Imagine Entertainment, AEG and co-financing partner EMI on a 3D feature film starring Katy. To be released on July 5, 2012, KATY PERRY: PART OF ME will be a first-ever big-screen look at the international superstar's life both on- and off-stage. Watch the trailer for the movie below!

The theme song to the highly anticipated action adventure comedy MEN IN BLACK 3, titled 'Back In Time,' has been written and recorded by RCA Records/Polo Grounds Music/Mr. 305 recording artist Pitbull, it was announced today by Lia Vollack, President of Worldwide Music for Sony Pictures.

Pitbull and Hot Chelle Rae will join previously announced Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber as performers, live from New York, on 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012.'

Columbia Records and Nickelodeon have announced the release of iCARLY - iSoundtrack II - Music From And Inspired By The Hit TV Show available on January 24, 2012, with an iTunes pre-sale beginning December 20, 2011.

Pitbull and Hot Chelle Rae will join previously announced Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber as performers, live from New York, on 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012.'

Glee: The Music, Volume 6, the final official album release of Glee's second season, is available on Monday, May 23, 2011. With the return of fan favorites Kristin Chenoweth on Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams,' Jonathan Groff on Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep' and Gwyneth Paltrow on Adele's 'Turning Tables,' Glee: The Music, Volume 6 has something for everyone. Among its 18 tracks, Glee: The Music, Volume 6 features 3 new and original tracks including 'As Long As You're There' (featuring Charice), 'Pretending,' and 'Light Up The World' a New Directions showcase co-written by Max Martin (see below for full track listing).

Glee: The Music, Volume 6, the final official album release of Glee's second season, is available on Monday, May 23, 2011. With the return of fan favorites Kristin Chenoweth on Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams,' Jonathan Groff on Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep' and Gwyneth Paltrow on Adele's 'Turning Tables,' Glee: The Music, Volume 6 has something for everyone. Among its 18 tracks, Glee: The Music, Volume 6 features 3 new and original tracks including 'As Long As You're There' (featuring Charice), 'Pretending,' and 'Light Up The World' a New Directions showcase co-written by Max Martin (see below for full track listing).

Singer Adam Lambert's meteoric rise began with his appearance as a contestant on the 2009 season of American Idol, when he became a favorite of judges and the public with his memorable and masterful performances. He is nominated for a 2010 Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal for 'Whataya Want From Me,' a song co-written by Pink, Max Martin and Shellback, which was the second single released from his million-selling debut album For Your Entertainment. Lambert's Acoustic Live EP soared to the number one spot on iTunes Album Charts and received raves from music critics. The Houston Chronicle praised his 'flawless, fearless vocals,' saying 'he approaches every song with a ferocity that soars above most of today's pop stars.'

The excitement is building for 'The 44th Annual CMA Awards' with today's announcement that Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Reba, George Strait, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban have been added as performers for 'Country Music's Biggest Night(TM).' Previously announced performers include Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton and the pairing of Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson. 'The 44th Annual CMA Awards,' hosted by Paisley and Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network.