Oh kids, do I have something special for you this month! Spectacular things are going on in the world of music right now. I scroll through my iTunes store and favorite music blogs and just get hit again and again with great new song after great new song. I can barely keep up!

In case you’ve been too busy cramming for midterms, searching for that perfect Halloween costume, or just getting mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to head back home for Thanksgiving – here’s a quick recap of pretty much all the exciting news in music you’ve been missing out on. Rest up, peeps; November is gonna be a big month!

-Fabulous artists like Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, and Chiddy Bang all released albums within the last couple months. Bruno Mars’ new single “Grenade” is especially one to check out.

-Rihanna’s fifth studio album, LOUD, is scheduled to be released November 16 and if the rest of the tracks are as hot as her latest single, “Only Girl (In the World),” this albums is going to be killer.

-Pink released the first single, “Raise Your Glass,” off her greatest hits collection entitled Greatest Hits… So Far!!!, which is also scheduled to hit stores November 16. (Do I smell a battle of the divas?! Oh wait, that’s just my new shampoo…)

-Ke$ha premiered her first single, “We R Who We R,” off her upcoming album Cannibal, which hits stores November 22. If you like Ke$ha (or brushing your teeth with a bottle of Jack) at all, you’ll love this one.

-Some other big names in music coming out with albums to watch for this month include: Kid Cudi (on the 9^th), Kanye West (on the 22^nd), Nicki Minaj (on the 23^rd), and the Black Eyed Peas (on the 30^th).

Pheww!—almost lost my breath there for a second. Can you handle all of this excitement? The best part about all this is, this music was practically made for drinking. That’s why this month’s pre-party playlist features just some of these artists’ feel-good, totally danceable, totally new tracks and more.

So grab a drink, raise your glass, and then click here for this month’s playlist to–in Pink’s words–“get the party started!”

So if you watched the VMAs last night, you saw Taylor Swift’s yawn-inducing performance.  When she took the stage and that reel of last year’s run-in with Kanye began to run, I was probably thinking the same thing as you.  Wait, you were actually surprised to find out she wrote a song about someone who did her wrong?  Right, because she’s never tried that one before.  (Ahem: Tears on My Guitar, You’re Not Sorry, Picture to Burn, Should’ve Said No…shall I go on?)

I’ll be honest, while blond country-pop crossover phenomenon was up there strumming away, I waited on the edge of my seat for Kanye to pop out (also barefoot) and join her for a few notes. And after I realized that wasn’t going to happen, I spent the rest of that dreadful performance thinking of the other great artists out there who should have been in the spotlight instead.

Pink
Talk about one talented lady who was totally overshadowed at this year’s VMAs.  Not only is she tough stuff, Pink has been belting out tunes and hanging from tightropes and doing all crazy stunts lately.  I would have loved to see her tear it up on MTV with something a little more exciting than strumming a guitar on a chair.  You know she would have delivered.

Katy Perry
Granted she did get a couple nominations, but sadly Ms. Perry didn’t walk away with any moon men.  Putting aside the fact that I’ve been completely obsessed with Teenage Dream lately, I think she would have put on a great end-of-summer performance.  Maybe a cameo from Russell Brand as back-up dancer or a duet with Snoop to California Gurls… Would have been pretty amazing.

Miley Cyrus
Oh wait, JK.

The Black Eyed Peas
Seriously, what happened to them?  Did I miss the break-up memo?  Since Will.I.Am has been celebrating a hit with Usher this summer, it seems like the rest of the group has been sitting back.  The VMAs would have been a great opportunity to have the whole gang come back with a stellar performance.  They could have introduced a new song, gotten crazy with the pyro, or Fergie could have worn a hideous ensemble while doing backflips.  I mean, I could be making fun of her camel toe right now instead of hating on Taylor Swift.  Totes better.

The Black Keys
Oh, how I lust for these guys’ music.  It’s indie done right.  They won for Breakthrough Video and I certainly think a stage performance would have gone so well.  While Taylor put me to sleep while she waxed poetic on Kanye West’s morals, The Black Keys could have kicked a little ass and rocked out.  And if you haven’t seen the video in full, watch it and tell me that little kid who “smells like ranch dressing” isn’t the cutest ever.

Thank god for bikini waxes, right Gaga?

As we all know, The Grammys engulfed the television sets of many last night for an evening full of awe-inspiring musical performances and the outrageously and glamorously dressed.   From the minute I glued myself to my couch with my left-over Chinese food to the minute Taylor Swift accepted her award for Album of The Year, the Grammys did not seize to amaze me and leave me in an abyss of un-answered questions.

Let us recap.

Who was the kid Rihanna and Jay-Z brought up to accept their award; a mysterious love child?

And what happened to my home girl, Lady Gaga? I was pleasantly freaked out by her presence only once. Couldn’t the Grammys have chosen one of the five awards presented to be accepted by Gagaloo herself?

Where was Britney Spears? Where was Kanye? Why didn’t he drop down from the rafters every (effing) time Taylor won an award?

And let’s talk about water acrobatics… in the air…. while singing….with a sparkly vagina; why doesn’t Pink get more credit? Or any credit?

And, really, while no one told me I’d need my 3-D glasses for the MJ tribute (and watching without it gave me a headache), why was everyone at the Grammys wearing them? I mean, isn’t being there already 3-D?

But the biggest question of all (well, besides why people are still giving Taylor Swift awards) is who had the best performance of them all last night. Because that’s what it’s all about, right? I mean, I thought the Grammys were about giving awards, but I guess I was wrong because there were, like, 4 acceptance speeches the whole night. But the performances were some of the best I’ve seen since Janet flashed her nip at the Super Bowl.

Pink and her acrobatic theatrical performance to  ‘Glitter in the Air’:

Lady Gaga & Elton John’s opening performance to “Speechless”:

The Michael Jackson Tribute:

Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy”:

Black Eyed Peas’ futuristic rendition of “Imma Be”:

Jaime Fox and T-Pain’s “Blame It”:

So who’s performance was the best of the night? My vote is for Pink. (Britney can’t even dance and sing at the same time, but Pink can hang from ribbon suspended from the ceiling? Amazing.) What do you think?

This Sunday, January 31st, the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will air on CBS. And you must know what we’re thinking: it’s the perfect excuse to drink on a Sunday! (Until the Super Bowl, that is.)

Nothing goes better with good music than an ice cold beer (or 12), so we at CollegeCandy have come up with the perfect drinking game to accompany the big night. So go brush your teeth with a bottle of Jack, put on your Poker Face and see who takes home the big awards… and which of your friends will make it to the end of the show.

I gotta feeling…that Sunday night’s gonna be a good (good) night…

Take a shot:

(Of Hennessy) every time someone makes a Kanye West joke.

Each time of Lady Gaga changes her wardrobe. Take a double if it involves a mask, a cone, or fake blood.

(Of Jack Daniel’s) and some Oxycontin (just kidding) if Britney wins for Womanizer.  Then go shave your head and make a Starbucks run.

Every time a performer does something sexually inappropriate. Make it a double if it involves a head in a crotch. Triple if it’s guy on guy.

Take a sip:

Every time Gaga dedicates an award to the gays or her “little monsters.”

Every time the camera flashes to Jay-Z and Beyonce (inevitably seated in the front row).

Every time Taylor Swift wins an award (might wanna keep a barf bag nearby…)

(Out of a chalice) for every person wearing sunglasses inside.

(Of wine) every time someone thanks Jesus.

Drink It Up:

Drink “plenty of beer” when Ke$ha goes on stage to present.

Drink (big) whiskey each time you swoon over Dave Matthews. (What? Just me?)

Drink double every time you see Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers or Justin Beiber (since they can’t do it themselves).

Chug:

(A glass of milk) if Mariah’s boobs are hanging out.

(A beer/whiskey/anything, really) every time she opens her mouth and slurs her words.

If Snooki shows up. Chug another if she’s rockin’ the pouf.

If your vote (on CBS.com) for Bon Jovi’s performance wins.

If your favorite for Record of the Year (Beyonce – Halo, Lady Gaga – Poker Face, Kings of Leon – Use Somebody, Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling, Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me) takes home the award.

And, of course, bong a beer if Kanye West comes on stage and steals a microphone.

This past Saturday, the Black Eyed Peas showed up at the NRJ Awards (the top music awards show in France), and won the award for best international group. Just one more step in the unending world-wide dominance of the Black Eyed Peas, right? Wrong! The group was actually given the award by mistake. The new winner was announced, to the sound of boos.

As the host of the show said, “It happens!” Indeed. Embarrassing mistakes at award shows do happen… and so, in honor of this occasion, we present you with a round-up of the Most Amazing Award Show Mistakes of All Time.

Check them all out at Popeater.com!

For me, 2009 can be broken down to Miley Cyrus at football pregames, Lady Gaga at frat parties, and my best friend who cannot rest until she creates a line of people to each take a shot during the “Shots Shots Shots” chorus. There was also a bit of studying somewhere in there (which was accompanied by the Kings of Leon), and some working out (to Kelly Clarkson). And that is how I’ll always remember my year.

Now that 2009 is almost o-v-e-r, I put together a playlist of the biggest and baddest songs of 2009. This top 20 list will take you back to the days before Kanye and Taylor Swift. Before Sully landed a plane in the Hudson River. Before we lost Michael Jackson. Even before Perez Hilton got a black eye from the Black Eye Peas. (Remember that glorious day??)

Play it as you scroll through your drunken Facebook photos from the year. Play it as you get ready for that mega NYE bash. Play it in 2011 when there are all those new tween stars being overplayed on the radio and you just wanna hear a little Party In The USA, dammit.

Just play it.
Happy New Year!

Like most people, I thought this entire Perez vs. Will.I.Am sitch would be long over by now. But who am I kidding? This is Perez Hilton we’re talking about. He’s still dragging out the Miss California trainwreck out and it’s been months. Today Perez released an 11 minute video explaining his side of the story. I refuse to watch the video (because looking at this kid for 11 minutes is as painful as getting a 60 minute Brazilian) and even just knowing it exists has made me so angry I’ve been forced to indulge in a spoonful jar of peanut butter just to calm myself.

I know I’m going to get a lot of flack for saying this, but Perez deserved to be punched. I know violence is never the answer, but either is malicious gossip or name-calling. In fact, I’m surprised this is the first time Perez has taken a beat-down. Perez is an awful human being and here are my top 10 reasons (there are hundreds) that I’d totally punch that dude with all my might if I ever had the chance:

1. He’s a hypocrite: He claims he doesn’t speak for the gay community when he uses a derogatory term and pisses off GLAAD, but he acts as their spokesman when Carrie Prejean is involved.

2. He plays favorites: Perez claims to report the gossip on all celebs, but you will never see anything negative on that sh*tshow about Lady Gaga, Katie Perry, or any of the other other celebs he fawns over/stalks to be BFF with.

3. His clothing line: I haven’t seen anything that horrendous since Britney flashed her vadge.

4. His lack of talent: Perez beat the “gossip site” rush with his little “paint a penis on your face” idea, but the guy isn’t funny, witty, or smart. So why is he so successful?

5. Um, he’s annoying? I would love to go one day (ONE FREAKING DAY) without this douche bag stirring up some controversy or doing just about anything to get talked about.

6. He creates drama: You ever have one of those friends that is just surrounded by drama? You never want to be near them because it always seems to follow them/cause someone to cry? Well, that’s Perez. Only he’s a billion times worse. He creates drama (and ruined careers) in other people’s lives but doesn’t “want it in his own life.” You don’t get it both ways, ass.

7. His hair: I don’t know why, but just looking at that mop on his head makes me want to punch him in the throat. Who does he think he is, Kate Gosselin?

8. He’s a pussy: When I say mean things, I expect to hear mean things back. And I definitely knew that beer bottle was coming when I told some girl her highlights looked cheap. But not Perez. The boy can dish it out but he sure can’t take it. Unless “taking it” involves pissing, moaning and making an 11 MINUTE video trying to explain himself (that I refuse to link to, because I don’t want him getting any more traffic.)

9. He’s alive: Seriously, just knowing he’s out there makes me so angry I want to throw this coffee mug at his face.

10. He brings it all on himself: Perez starts everything, including this Will.I.Am business. You talk about people online, it will come back to you. The douche has never talked about me, but if I ever see him, you better believe my giant flower ring will be stamped in his forehead.

After reading the news of Will.I.Am’s alleged assault on Perez Hilton (the thought of which just makes me giddy), I feel like I need Seth Meyers to do one of his “Really?” news bits from Saturday Night Live.  Literally, aside from giggling and imagining the hurt that could rain down on Perez from a Black Eyed Peas beat down, all I could do while reading about this was say repeatedly, “…really?”

First of all, when I get smacked up (which is, like, all the time), I don’t think about ways of fitting my injury into a Tweet.  I do, however, think about calling the police.  And getting a hug from my mom.  Police first, though.  Unlike everyone’s favorite Gossip Queen, I wouldn’t think of calling the police via Twitter (or assume that the PoPo are following me/checking their Twitterfeed every 4 seconds).  I’m pretty sure the seven people following me on Twitter don’t care if I’m bleeding and Tweeting at the same time (although…what an accomplishment, no?).

I hope that Perez’s gut reaction to an (alleged) emergency doesn’t represent a trend toward alternative communication methods for emergency services.  I can just see it now: 15 years in the future, my child (haha yeah, sure) will be in elementary school and the teacher will be explaining what to do in an emergency.

“Now children, take out your Blackberries and access your Twitter accounts.  Make sure to describe your injury and ask several times for the police to come.  They are totes following your feed.  Also, it’s important to type ‘No joke’ at the end of your Tweet, because they will come faster and people will actually believe you.”

At least we all got some very enjoyable imagery from this…although I’m sure no one enjoyed it more than Will.I.Am.  Next time I see him around (which, unfortch, isn’t nearly as often as I hear Boom Boom Pow), I’m gonna buy him a round and give him a high five.  He deserves it!

You know how everyone loves to pick apart celebrity outfits — and also listen to awesome music, perferably at the same time? Well, Fashion Rocks 2008 is the answer to your worst dressed / best song hankerings.

The night was full of sequins, Beyonce belting out Etta James and dueting with Justin Timberlake, Rihanna sporting some serious scary feathers, and the continuation of trend that is celebs using their time to fight cancer. Although not everyone hit a home run on the red carpet fashion department (I’m looking at both of you, Solange and Tyra), the night looked a hell of a lot better than say…the MTV VMAs. At least people, you know, took the time to attempt classiness.

After the jump, peruse through some of the night’s more famous faces and click on the pics to see even more…

As usual, last night’s Video Music Awards blew.  The geniuses at MTV have succeded in turning what was once a borderline semi-entertaining awards show into a series of tedious advertisements between more advertisements.  Great Job!

But despite all the foolishness, the red carpet was chock full o’ eye-catching looks… some hot, some way not.  So, rather than making you search thru all those grocery-store-checkout-line-webzines for your VMA fashion fix, we have compiled the best of the best and the best of the worst for your viewing pleasure.

BTW Pink- You saying “Lemme Check My Flow” in a song has a way different connotation than when Eminem says it… and the thought makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

(click thumbnail to view full image)