We’re not sure if it’s less advisable to release a song called “Fireworks” when the summer is deemed pretty much “over” post-Labor Day… or to release it when no less than three other Top 40 artists have already dropped songs with “Firework” in the name this year alone. But who’s R. Kelly to follow conventions? Check out the Polow Da Don-produced track “Fireworks”, off Kells’ upcoming Epic (out September 21), after the jump.

R. Kelly – Fireworks

“It’s a new day and I feel good / If I want to spread my wings, I know that I could,” sings Kells.

Between this track, Drake’s “Fireworks”, Kelis’ “4th Of July (Fireworks)”, and Katy Perry’s singular “Firework”, R. Kelly’s tune is the least bright and the most sizzling. Whereas his Motown-inspired song, “When A Woman Loves” was able to showcase a softer side of the oft-sexual (or just plain bizarre) R&B singer, this corny track sounds like it should be coming from the likes of Jason Derulo or Trey Songz—not somebody already so established in their career and who can clearly be more creative than this.

What do you think, folks? Is this just as inspirational, and worthy of Hot 100 success, like Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly”? Or is this tune way too melodramatic for you?

The new video from Missing Persons—oops, make that the Ting Tings!— is a synthy,’80s-drenched tour de force that rivals fellow Brit Mark Ronson’s recent offering, “Bang Bang Bang.” Produced by Calvin Harris, “Hands” is a frenetic track that’s given an Orwellian “Big Brother is watching you” video via director Warren Fu. Head below and watch if you’re working too hard.

The Prophet Blog notes that the clip is “Illuminati-heavy,” and references the fact that the Ting Tings are now signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Are the duo just funning with the already-existing Illuminati rumors that surround Hova?

Ah, who cares—they can worship the Jolly Green Giant as long as they keep cranking out fun pop like this.

What does the Queen Of Hip-Hop Soul have up her sleeve? Mary J. Blige has been playing coy about the real direction of her upcoming album: after new track “Break Up To Make Up” earned a resounding “meh”, she tweeted that the latest joints to surface online were merely “fun throw away records”. We wonder if that goes for new track “Anything You Want”, a Caribbean-flavored track that marks something of a departure for her. Hear it below.

Mary J. Blige f/ Busta Rhymes and Gyptian – Anything You Want

Produced by Jerry Wonder (the Haitian-born whiz behind the Fugees, Shakira and others), the track lets Mary float over a reggae beat with a little spice provided by Busta Rhymes (who offers up a verse in his classic patois) and Gyptian.

Is this still a “throw away”? Or is this a calculated effort to help Mary stand out at a time when every Fantasia and Jazmine Sullivan is biting her style? If nothing else, it’s a clear sign that Mary is willing to venture far from the hip-hop soul lane where she has long reigned.

One half of the Home And Home tour, Eminem, is the latest artist to star in MTV’s ever growing stack VMA promos. Unlike his predecessors, Em’s promo vid is dark and, quite frankly, kind of a downer. The ad begins like an Allstate commercial, with the bruised and battered rapper pulling himself from the rubble of a car crash. A crowd of people stare and then follow the Recovery performer as he stumbles down Hollywood Boulevard. Jump below to see how it all ends.

How do you think the “Love The Way You Lie” rapper’s clip compares to MTV’s other VMA spots?

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