The score for director James Cameron’s epic, 3D sci-fi adventure “Avatar”–which recently passed the $1 billion box-office mark, making it the fourth-biggest movie of all time–was composed by longtime collaborator James Horner, who won an Oscar for his work on the director’s 1997 blockbuster “Titanic”. Never one to shy away from familiar motifs, Horner’s vaguely wistful main theme weaves its way unapologetically throughout the film on the back of his “Titanic” love theme. And hoping to recreate their success with Dion, Cameron and Horner recruited English post-reality show singer Leona Lewis for the torch ballad “I See You”, a lovely yet somewhat strange song for a film about 10-foot tall blue aliens.

by Mark Emge

Though he would later dismiss it as “rubbish”, songwriter Noel Gallagher initially had great expectations for the Oasis song “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”. Calling it an “epic weepy”, Gallagher explained, “A friend of mine was going through a pretty bad time and I sort of wrote it with him in mind. I hope it does for us what ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ did.” It almost did, jumping to No. 2 in the UK. Now some tart from telly has a go at it, and undisputed pop champ Leona Lewis may finally take the track to No. 1.

by Mark Emge

The goal of Leona Lewis‘ 2007 debut, “Spirit”, was to prove that an “X Factor” winner could be a phenomenon outside the UK. Mission accomplished. The goal of “Echo” is to prove that success was no fluke. The dubiously titled sophomore set uses “Bleeding Love” as its template, creating a sheet of sound equal parts Euro-pop and modern American R&B. Which isn’t to say that Lewis doesn’t sing the hell out of the songs: There’s nary an ounce of diva in Leona, who she seems to enjoy singing for the sake of it. “I Got You” is the disc’s second single.

by Mark Emge

No one thought following her smash debut album, “Spirit”, was going to be easy, but British songbird Leona Lewis might have already topped “Bleeding Love” with her new single, the ballad “Happy”. “I honestly feel it is the most beautiful song I’ve ever been a part of,” says co-writer and producer Ryan Tedder. With its distorted drums and groaning keyboards, the track was cut immediately after Tedder and Lewis finished writing it. “The vocal was totally spontaneous,” Leona recalls. “Sometimes it’s better not to over-think things.” “Echo” is the upcoming sophomore disc.

by Mark Emge

British pop singer Leona Lewis may be the Next Big Thing for a while. With Simon Cowell and legendary record man Clive Davis taking a personal interest, the former “X Factor” winner’s debut album, “Spirit”, has soared on the strength of her multiple-octave voice–like a less-needy Mariah Carey–and can’t-miss song selection. The Avril Lavigne ballad “I Will Be” was originally released on the Limited Edition of Avril’s “The Best Damn Thing”. Fellow pop singer Katy Perry says of Leona’s version, “Be prepared to hear this song at every wedding for a long time.”

by Mark Emge

On the final night of British vocalist Leona Lewis‘ triumphant series 3 of “The X Factor”, she took the stage with Take That to sing “A Million Love Songs”. Afterward Gary Barlow told Simon Cowell, “This girl is probably 50 times better than any contestant you have ever had on this show, and it’s your responsibility to make her the best you can, so please do that.” Mission accomplished! Lewis first covered “Run”, the song that gave Snow Patrol its first mainstream hit, on BBC Radio 1’s Live backed by a 14-piece band. Commented Jo Whiley, “People did cry.”

by Mark Emge

Congratulations to British songstress Leona Lewis - she has been nominated for three Mobo Awards, for best UK female, best video and best album. The 13th annual Mobo Awards will be held in London at Wembley Arena on 15 October. Other nominees this time around include R&B star Estelle, (who lead the nominations with five nods), Dizzee Rascal, Adele, Duffy and M.I.A., to name a few.

by Mark Emge