2008 X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's album was originally scheduled for a March 2009 release in time for Mother's Day. However, Simon Cowell has confirmed that her album is now scheduled for release later in the year to allow Burke to polish her skills and find the right songs for the album. On 13 February 2009 it was reported that Burke has signed a £3 million, five-album US record deal with Epic Records. Later in March Cowell announced that he believes Burke will enjoy a similar success to previous X-Factor winner Leona Lewis, having already picked 4 songs for the album. Producers Pharell Williams and Akon are said to be producing songs for the album. British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz has also confirmed that he is producing songs for the album and commented that "Burke's vocals are sounding amazing". She has recorded tracks with British dance duo The Freemasons who are best known for their remix of Kelly Rowland's "Work".Ne-Yo has confirmed that he is currently working on tracks for Burke. Pixie Lott also revealed that she has written a song for Burke's upcoming album.
After their duet of Listen on The X Factor, Burke claimed on the companion show The Xtra Factor that Beyoncé had expressed an interest in having Burke join her as a support act on her upcoming British tour. American rapper 50 Cent has expressed an interest in Burke, correctly predicting that she would win The X Factor and invited her to appear in an upcoming music video of his, most likely for a song from his upcoming album Before I Self Destruct. After visiting Burke in the studio, Beyoncé has spoken of possibly recording a duet with Burke. Lots of people would die for a chance to duet with Beyoncé. Beyoncé also announced that Burke could become an international artist after she visited Burke in the studio. Burke was asked to support Beyoncé on her European leg of her I Am… Tour, but couldn't accept as she was still recording her debut album. However it has since been revealed that Burke will be one of two support acts for Beyonce's second European leg of her I Am... Tour.
On 11 and 12 July 2009 two previously unheard songs surfaced on the internet believed to be produced by The Stereotypes and Ryan Tedder. It is unknown whether these songs will appear on the album or not but Cowell did confirm that they were early demos that were stolen by hackers who gained access to one of the producer's computers at his record label, Syco's HQ in London. A criminal investigation has been launched into the incident.[17] A new song, "Before The Rain"[18], written by Ina Wroldsen and Steve Mac and produced by Mac has been confirmed for inclusion on Burke's debut album.[19] HMV have confirmed that the album is currently scheduled for release on October 26, 2009 in the UK [20] On July 19 2009, Burke confirmed that she had signed a six figure contract with Italian fashion designers Dolce & Gabbana, which would see her become the face of a new fashion line. She will also model their clothes and accessories in her music videos.[21]
Burke's first commericial single from her debut album is title "Bad Boys". The single featuring Flo Rida and produced by upcoming production group The Phantom Boyz premiered in the UK on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 on 25 August 2009.[22]. In early reviews Popjustice has called the song "phenomenal" and "literally amazing".[23]
Labels: ALEXANDRA BURKE, BIG NEWS
