Every morning and every evening this past summer, I saw the same face on the way to and from work: Mapei going in, Mapei going out, Mapei going in, Mapei going out, Mapei going in, Mapei going out and so on. The last block I had to traverse to MTV’s downtown Manhattan office space was plastered with posters for every artist from Ariana Grande to FKA twigs, but it was this one of the mysterious Mapei who always caught my eye.

For all the “Simpsons” fans out there, the effect got kind of “GABBO GABBO GABBO” by the end, though I’m happy to report that the material Jacqueline Mapei Cummings delivered is about a thousand times better than some unsettling ventriloquist act. Her debut album, Hey Hey, was released last Tuesday (September 23), and if you haven’t listened to it yet, here are three standout tracks to convince you to do otherwise.

1.) “Don’t Wait”

It’s like there’s a party on my Tumblr dash, and everyone’s invited. But underneath the super-cute styling of, like, literally everyone in this video lies one of the most intimate, affecting songs I’ve heard in a while. When Mapei says “No one’s got your back like I do,” even the most jaded person in the world would believe her.

2.) “Change”

Lest you think she can’t give you vocals, Mapei absolutely explodes out of the frame on “Change.” Performed live for the YouTube channel Transmitter, this rendition of “Change” suddenly winds ...

On his debut album, In The Lonely Hour, Sam Smith spun heartbreak into chart-topping gold. If anyone’s got a reason to celebrate, it’s probably him, so can you blame him for doing exactly that on “Restart”?

The uptempo, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”-esque follow-up to “I’m Not The Only One” sees the 22-year-old singer not only coming to terms with an unrequited love from his past, but, um, pretty much dancing on its grave.

“The truth is I’m better on my own, and I don’t wanna live in the past,” Sam sings, later concluding that “you’re the one who looks like a fool.” Way harsh, Tai.

The Michael Holyk-directed clip follows that celebratory vibe, showing us what life on the road with Sam Smith is really like. Think lots of laughs, lots of pints and luh-huh-huh-lots of sing-alongs of Beyoncé’s “***Flawless,” and you’ve got the general idea.

Oh yeah, there’s also this one particularly terrifying umbrella. Sidenote: I relate to this screengrab so hard, you guys.

Capitol Records Ltd.

John Walker

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Stop what you’re doing. No matter what it is, it pales in comparison to Aretha Franklin’s cover of Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep.” Why? Because Aretha Franklin. Also, Adele. End of reasons.

The legendary Queen of Soul unleashed her version of the 21 single on Monday (September 29), and it truly must be heard to be believed. If the sliding switch from chest to head voice on “rolling in the deeeeeeep” doesn’t give you your entire life, then the totally unexpected interpolation of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” toward the end will. Check it out, below.

The track comes to us from the “Respect” singer’s upcoming covers album, Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics. Out October 21, the LP will also include Franklin’s take on Etta James’ “At Last,” Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” The Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” and Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” later made famous by Sinéad O’Connor.

Wait, so I guess that means that Aretha has dubbed “Rolling In The Deep” a “Great Diva Classic”? I never thought Adele would ever top her Oscar and her M.B.E. honors, but here we are.

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John Walker

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Amanda Bynes was arrested in Los Angeles on Sunday and charged with driving under the influence. She has since been released on bail.

Records from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department show that California Highway Patrol officers took the 28-year-old actress into custody at 4:10 a.m. PT. to the LAPD’s Valley Jail, also known as Van Nuys Station, where she was booked on a misdemeanor DUI.

Related: A Timeline Of Amanda Bynes’ Troubles

Bynes had been living in California with her parents, who were granted temporary conservatorship over their daughter, following a series of run-ins with the law. TMZ reports that the conservatorship ended earlier this month, and that she’s been living in an Orange County apartment ever since. A source told the tabloid site that “things started going haywire” after the termination of the conservatorship.

Although records from the LAPD show that Bynes was assigned permanent housing at 7:06 a.m., she was released on $15,000 bail a few hours later at 12:44 p.m.

The star of “Hairspray” and “Easy A” is due in Van Nuys Municipal Court on October 23.

Twitter

Bynes has largely stayed out of the public eye following a string of much-publicized personal and legal troubles. Those events included a misdemeanor DUI, alleged hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license, plus an arrest for tossing a glass bong out of her New York apartment building and smoking marijuana in the lobby. Bynes also notably exhibited very Read More →

Anyone who’s been following Britney Spears’ lingerie promo blitz through Europe this past week knows that the “Work Bitch” singer has really stepped up her styling game. But, does this mean our goofy Brit of yesteryear is gone for good? Is this the price of “artsy-fartsy”?

Related: Britney Spears’ Next Album Will Have “I Hate Men Songs

Something about this photo that Spears tweeted on Friday (September 26) tells me no. I mean, would an all-neutrals ice queen dare smother herself in shmata aboard her private jet — with Pippi Longstocking-esque pigtail braids, no less? I REST MY CASE.

Britney says this is the “THE intimate Britney Spears.” Into it.

Twitter (@britneyspears)

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For those who ship Chris Pratt and Ariana Grande, today is your day.

As if Tumblr willed it, the “Guardians Of The Galaxy” star will host the Season 40 premiere of “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, and the “Break Free” singer will serve as musical guest. Needless to say, their “SNL” promos together are the best.

In the first one, Ariana tells Chris: “I’m such a big fan of your movies. Whenever I can’t sleep at night, I watch them, and they make me so, um…tired.” THAT’S COLD, GRANDE.

But, I think the second clip tops it. Pratt confuses her Italian ethnicity for Spanish and tries to save face after the flub by asking her, “Do you want to…pizza?” Literally no face was saved — except the right side of Ariana’s, which look flawless throughout.

Broadway Video/NBC

John Walker

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It’s cold. It’s wet. It’s already dark by the time I leave work. I came out to have a good time, and I’m honestly feeling so attacked right now. Thanks a lot, fall.

To counter this seasonal depression, let’s flash back to a happier, sunnier, summer-ier time. A time when male celebrities could be seen frolicking shirtless on the beach at a moment’s notice, flaunting their gloriously visible Apollo’s belts (those “V” lines super-sculpted guys have between their abs and their junk) all day long. We used to have it all. Never forget.

1.) Remember when Nick Jonas got kinda naked at some gay club in New York this summer?

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Still reeling from this torso ‘gram tbh. #diabeticinshape #2.0

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2.) Remember that time Zac Efron kept his shirt on?

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Me neither.

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3.) Remember that time OH MY GOD RYAN KWANTENNNNNNNNNNNNN.

AKM-GSI

Sorry. What I meant to say was RYAN KWANTENNNNNNNNNNNNN.

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4.) Weird. Let’s move on to his former “True Blood” co-star… MEHCAD BROOOOOOOKS.

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5.) Why aren’t you looking at this photo of Chris Pratt.

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6.) Let’s give an honorary mention to this fully-clothed Jared Leto GIF.

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7.) And a lifetime achievement award to D’Angelo for the “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” video.

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You want details about Britney Spears’ next album? You betta watch this.

The newly bob-haired “Work Bitch” singer is currently promoting her Brintimate Intimate lingerie collection all over Europe. Earlier this week in London, she spoke with On Demand Entertainment! about what fans could expect from the follow-up to Britney Jean.

When asked if her “recent experiences in love” — code for her recent breakup with David Lucado — would influence her ninth LP, Britney told ODE, “Yeah, I think you take your experiences that you go through and definitely put it into your work. So, I’m gonna have a lot of ‘I hate men’ songs and then a lot of ‘I love men’ songs.” You had me at “Yeah.”

The 32-year-old Vegas entertainer also revealed that she’d like to one day collaborate with Gwen Stefani, Katy Perry and Iggy Azalea, saying, “I think they’re all really great.”

After her stop in the U.K., Brit took her promo over to Poland, Germany, and, as of Sepetember 25, Denmark. No word yet on whether she’ll #partyinfrance before she leaves the continent, but, like, she has to, right?

John Walker

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Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is free to G.T.L. another day — that’s “gym, tan, laundry” — as long as he stays close to home. The “Jersey Shore” alumnus has been court-ordered to stay clean and sober and not leave New York or New Jersey until further notice.

The Sitch and his brother, Marc, were indicted for tax evasion, and they saw their day in court on Wednesday morning (September 24). They pleaded not guilty, according to NJ.com.

TMZ reports that a Newark federal judge has ordered the 32-year-old reality star, who was released on $250,000 bond, to maintain sobriety until his trial. He will be subject to random drug testing in the meantime, and has surrendered his passports. He is currently not permitted to leave the states of New Jersey and New York without first seeking approval.

Sorrentino’s attorney told TMZ that the sobriety mandate was established due to Mike’s past history with drug abuse — he went to rehab in 2012 to treat an addiction to prescription painkillers.

As reported earlier today, authorities indicted the Sorrentino brothers on charges of filing false income tax returns from 2010 to 2012; Mike was indicted on two counts while Marc, who serves as his manager, was indicted on three. Both men were charged with one count of conspiracy.

“Michael and Marc Sorrentino filed false tax returns that incorrectly reported millions made from promotions and appearances,” U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said. “The brothers allegedly also claimed ...

No one could ever accuse Ms. Jessie J of skimping on the vocals. (I mean, have you watched her perform “Bang Bang” acoustic? Chills.) But the 26-year-old Brit is putting another talent on display in a teaser for her upcoming “Burnin’ Up” video: her dancing.

Posted on Instagram Wednesday (September 24), the clip shows J staring down the camera as she busts a tightly choreographed move in a slick black one-piece. With her dancers lined up in V formation, I’m getting some major throwbacks to the music video dance breakdowns of yesteryear — think Jennifer Lopez’s “Love Don’t Cost A Thing” or Janet Jackson’s “Doesn’t Really Matter.” Needless to say, I’m here for it.

“Burnin’ Up” featuring 2 Chainz is the second single off of Jessie’s third studio album, Sweet Talker, which drops stateside on October 14. Ready your fire-safety preparedness now.

John Walker

Bad at filling out bios seeks same.