Monica

R&B singer Monica issued some bittersweet news this week by announcing the pushback of her highly anticipated album "Still Standing," inorder to focus on expanding the project with Ne Yo, Ludacris, Missy Elliott and Bryan Michael Cox. Currently gaining airplay, Monica's new single "Still Standing" featuring Ludacris has built anticipation for the project which was originally due for release this fall. Referencing a recent studio session with Ne Yo, who worked with her on several songs last month, Monica says "He knows how to take a love song, whether it's happy love or hurt in love and make it right."   Focusing more on ballads for this effort, which many would argue is Monica's strongest area, the singer says "I will not neglect the ballad area, ballads are what I love to do."   In addition to hitting the studio with Ne Yo/Stargate, Monica looks forward to linking up with Missy Elliott this month with whom she worked with on the hit album "After The Storm" in 2002.   Although a release date has not been confirmed at this point, "Still Standing" -- the album, is expected to be released early 2009.