Ask Billboard

THE FANTASIA FILE

Keith,

I was wondering why there seems to be no push for Fantasia Barrino? What is with her record company? I expected a big splash for her new release on June 22. How can an artist sell records if her company doesn't let the public know about her record?

Claudia

Hi Claudia,

Well, maybe last week it didn't seem like Fantasia was getting any press, but all that has changed this week. On June 21, she performed on NBC's "Today" and was profiled on "Access Hollywood." On June 22 she performed on "Entertainment Tonight" and on June 23 she sang on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

All of this TV action will certainly help sales of her single, "I Believe," which was released June 22 by J Records. The commercially available CD single includes three tracks: the title cut, "Summertime" and "Chain of Fools."


COME CLEAN ABOUT HILARY

Keith,

I just heard in the last day or two a part of a song on the radio but no title or artist was announced when it ended. A female was singing, had a good beat, and the chorus went something like, "When the rain falls down ..."

Can you ID the song and artist from this very brief description?

Thanks,

Ron Saxton

Hi Ron,

You heard Hilary Duff's "Come Clean." The track is available on her debut (non-holiday) Buena Vista/Hollywood album, "Metamorphosis." Released in September, the set topped The Billboard 200 in its second week on the chart.

Duff's current single is a cover of the Go-Go's "Our Lips Our Sealed," performed with her older sister Haylie. As previously reported by Billboard.com, the cut is from her forthcoming film "A Cinderella Story." Co-starring Chad Michael Murray, the movie is due July 16 in U.S. theaters. The soundtrack arrives July 13 from Hollywood Records.


PASS THE PEAS

Keith,

I was wondering if you could tell me the name of a hip-hop or rap song that was played recently before the NBA finals basketball game. I don't know if it was on the pre-game show or just a TV commercial, but I liked the song and tried to find it but I have had no luck.

Thanks,

Justin Traill

Hi Justin,

I'm going to take a guess here and say that it was "Let's Get It Started" by the Black Eyed Peas. Recorded specifically for the playoffs, the track was originally based on the song "Let's Get Retarded" from the Peas' Interscope album "Elephunk." The quintet changed the lyrics of the song for the NBA promotion.