'I think that all of these shows are great for the music business,' Seacrest tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Jim Cantiello

Ryan Seacrest
Photo: MTV News

On Wednesday night, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and the rest of the "X Factor" gang kicked off the show on American TV.

It's the latest (and perhaps one of the most high-profile) addition to a television market already full of singing competition series.

While both shows airs on Fox, "Factor" doesn't directly compete with Cowell and Abdul's old "American Idol" stomping grounds, but it does raise a question: Will TV viewers have singing fatigue by the time "Idol" kicks off next year?

When MTV News caught up with host Ryan Seacrest at "Idol" auditions in New Jersey on Thursday (September 22), he said he wasn't concerned about that at all.

"I'm not worried about audiences being burnt out," Seacrest told us as he made his way to meet with contestants. "I think that all of these shows are great for the music business and they're great for people who want to make it in the music business. The more opportunity, the more shots, the more chances dreams come true, right?"

Just as "X factor" wraps things up in December, "Idol" will be gearing up for a January kickoff. But Ryan insisted to reporters that things are "friendly" between the two shows, even revealing that he has spoken to "Factor" host Steve Jones. "I didn't give him tips; he's done this for a long time. I had a chance to meet him not too long ago and he was very, very kind and very nice and I wish him the best of luck," he said. "I think he'll enjoy his time with Simon. I had a decade with him. I think it's time for him to endure Simon."

In addition to all of the "Factor" chatter, Seacrest gushed about the talent "Idol" has seen for the upcoming season. "Good. So far, so good. I have no idea what they sound like yet [today], but they look like they have potential, don't they?" he said. "We've had a really good run so far with auditions. It's been very, very impressive. The contestants have been very, very good."

Calvin Harris-produced track is the first release from Rihanna's forthcoming album, due in November.
By Jocelyn Vena

Rihanna
Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Rihanna has been amping up her fans for the release of her new single, "We Found Love." In a flurry of tweets on Wednesday, she shared with fans the lyrics to the Calvin Harris-produced track, as well as the single's cover art.

It all led up to the single's release on Thursday (September 22) morning on Facebook and the radio. As you would expect from a producer like Harris, "We Found Love" is a party-ready track. A synthy keyboard plays as Rihanna sings the opening lines of the song. It's a pretty sparse dance track that simply plays up her robotic-like vocals, a pulsing beat and a synth sound. The layers of the song are found in her vocals and Harris' production.

On the song, Ri sings about finding that special someone. "Yellow diamonds in the light/ And we're standing side by side/ As your shadow crosses mine/ What it takes to come alive/ It's the way I'm feeling, I just can't deny/ But I've gotta let it go," she sings on the first chorus.

The chorus simply features the line "We found love in a hopeless place" repeated four times. On the second verse, she sings, "Shine a light through an open door/ Love and life I will divide/ Turn away 'cause I need you more/ Feel the heartbeat in my mind/ It's the way I'm feeling, I just can't deny/ But I've gotta let it go."

For the art, Rihanna is punked out in a pompadour, loose-fitting jeans, chains, a denim jacket and chunky boots. She looks fiercely into the camera, arms crossed as she walks through the city.

Both Rihanna and Harris are giving the single four thumbs up. "Excited for people to hear the new @rihanna song, i can tell u she sounds like an #angel !" Harris tweeted.

After the song dropped, Rihanna had this message for her fans: "*pulls out glow stick*."

"We Found Love" serves as the lead single off Rihanna's as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2010's Loud album. The album is set to drop in November.

• Rihanna

'1 of the most #Legendary performers ever is joining the album!!' Bieber's manager tweets.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber
Photo: WireImage

On Tuesday, Justin Bieber had this message for fans eagerly awaiting some new music from the teen star: "oh yeah ... and i think LESS THAN A MONTH ... I'm gonna give you some #newmusic." Bieber is busy in the studio locking down features for his forthcoming Christmas album.

With rumored collaborations with Sean Kingston and Taylor Swift, as well as a confirmed track, "Falalalala," with Boyz II Men, Bieber is hustling to get the album done.

"He thought we'd be perfect for it," Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman said of their work with the star. "And we went in and locked in."

On Wednesday, Bieber not only confirmed another guest for the album, the Band Perry, but also teased a secret one. "@thebandperry heard the final version of our song for the Christmas album!! Love it. glad to have you!" he wrote, before going back and forth with his manager, Scooter Braun, about that other feature.

"Wow. Just got an #epic phone call regarding @justinbieber xmas album. 1 of the most #Legendary performers ever is joining the album!!" Braun tweeted.

Bieber responded, "@scooterbraun cant believe it ... completely #HONORED. I think people are going to be shocked. I was. #christmas." In addition to all the feature updates, Bieber revealed, "working hard on this #SOMEDAY shoot. they are playing my first single from the christmas album. what is the name of it again .... hmmmm ....."

Bieber apparently also has something big in store for fans this week. Braun only had this to say about it: "kinda hyped right now .... @justinbieber has something pretty wild in store for this week. #remix."

• Justin Bieber

Rapper is fined $180 and called out for 'inexperience.'
By Gil Kaufman

Sean Kingston
Photo: MTV News

If Sean Kingston had taken a boating safety class and been paying more attention, he may not have been involved in the near-fatal jet-ski accident that took place near his Miami home on May 29.

According to TMZ, a newly released police report claims that investigators cited Kingston's "inexperience" and "inattention" were to blame for the crash, during which he slammed his watercraft into a bridge at 35 mph.

Police said that Kingston did not know basic safe-boating procedures that he would have learned if he'd taken a boating safety class or read the manual of the watercraft. According to the report, the potential cause of the accident was that Kingston mistakenly released the throttle while turning and steering the wheel at the same time, causing him to lose control of the jet ski.

The details of the three-month police investigation reportedly reveals that Kingston was closer to death than reported at the time. According to images taken from the crash scene, Kingston crashed into the bridge with such force that his head, arms and upper chest left an imprint on the bridge.

In the end, Kingston was fined $180 and cited for "careless operation in an accident."

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• Sean Kingston