IT was certainly an evening to remember when Craig David joined Usher during his Past, Present and Future residency at London's O2 Arena.
And it seems the pair don't want their time on stage to become a distant memory, as they are now in talks to collaborate on a new song.
Insiders told me Craig and Yeah! singer Usher have both touched base with their writing teams with the idea of penning a new track for the pair.
My music source told me: "Usher and Craig have always had a huge amount of time for each other and there is a lot of respect between them.
"After Usher had Craig up on stage with him at the O2 earlier this mo- nth, they then talked about working together on a new song.
"Now they have asked their writers to get to work on some ideas.
"Usher has been quietly putting together a new record and maybe Craig could be a featured artist if they can find the right song."
During their turn on stage on April 5, Usher paid tribute to 7 Days singer Craig in front of the 20,000-strong crowd and said: "Every time we've ever met it's been positive, every chance we get to celebrate each other, we have.
"I've learnt a lot from my audience to your audience.
"Thank you for your contribution to R&B, the celebration of your music, you deserve it all week all year."
Craig replied: "Me and this dude go way back, it's been a beautiful journey.
"Anyone who's been there from the start, all the way through, we're grateful because your legacy is what we live for."
Craig wasn't fibbing, with him later revealing rare footage of them in a recording studio together years ago, when they were both starting out in the music business.
He posted a clip of them freestyling over the radio around the same time he was releasing Fill Me In, while Usher was working on his album 8701 in 2001.
I have no doubt that these two would come up with some musical magic.
MILEY THE IRON LADY
COULD Miley Cyrus be a secret fan of Marvel's Iron Man?
She wore a mad leather combo in similar colours to the superhero while heading out in Paris.
Miley, more recognisable without her shades on, inset, has been busy promoting her ninth album Something Beautiful, which comes out on May 30.
Over the weekend, she was seen out and about in the French capital, and surprised some lucky fans who'd waited to meet her by filming a TikTok video with them.
Alongside six of her hardcore followers, Miley sang her new track End Of The World, which I've no doubt will help rack up millions of streams on their account.
What a little legend she is.
FEKKY ON THE FARM
IF you're a fan of Clarkson's Farm but fancy something a little edgier, I suggest taking a look at Fekky's latest venture.
The musician, who counts Ed Sheeran and Skepta among his pals, has swapped rap for roosters after buying a farm, complete with 50 chickens, in 2021.
He's filmed the transition for a new YouTube docu-series, Hood 2 Farm, which begins on May 25.
Fekky tells me in an exclusive chat that going from the streets of Lewisham in South London to rolling fields was a shock to the system.
"F Manor is a lot of upkeep and you don't expect it to be that," he says.
"You've got to top the fields and these days they grow quicker than my hair.
"I've got two cockerels, too, which start up at 5am, and 50 chickens, so every day it's cleaning them out and collecting eggs.
"But I love it. In London I couldn't walk down the street without being stopped. In the countryside I feel free."
In his series, Fekky will travel to farms across the country to learn more about agriculture – and hopefully open that world up to a whole new audience.
He adds: "It's like the meeting of two worlds.
"I grew up in Lewisham and we didn't see animals.
"I remember seeing this big pig and I thought pigs were all small, because the only ones I had seen were in books.
"I want to open up farming to everyone and help educate young people."
Alongside his successful music career, Fekky has his charitable organisation, CC Foundation, which helps young people and the wider community in Lewisham.
He opened the first laptop library in the area, meaning young people could borrow one to take home.
Every Christmas, alongside Ed, Skepta, Anthony Joshua, Raheem Sterling and a host of other big names, Fekky organises a turkey drive to families in the borough.
Last year they dished out 15,000 – and Fekky isn't finished there.
"My food bank in Lewisham now gets eggs from my farm," he explains.
"In the future, I want to turn F Manor into something far bigger and to open it up to young people to come and stay and learn about farming.
"A lot of people don't know where their food comes from and about what work goes into it.
"We'll have a pub where people can come and eat the food from the produce and a shop too.
"I feel like people look at farming and it's old school.
"I want to open that world up and make it for everyone."
EM'S SPELL AS WHITE WITCH
WHITE Lotus actress Emma Mackey has got herself another top role.
She will play the White Witch in Greta Gerwig's reworking of Narnia on the big screen.
Emma is in good company, with Meryl Streep in place to voice Aslan the lion. Greta wrote the script off the back of C.S. Lewis' sixth novel, The Magician's Nephew, in which the White Witch has a prominent role.
Filming is due to start soon and the movie is expected to be out in November of next year.
It's just one of a handful of very exciting parts on the go for Emma. I revealed this month she has joined The Beatles biopics line-up, to take on the part of George Harrison's ex-wife Pattie Boyd.
We love to see you rise and rise, Emma.
CBB'S WILL HITS THE AIRWAVES
WILL BEST moves on to the airwaves fresh from his stint hosting Celebrity Big Brother with AJ Odudu.
He kicked off his first show on Hits Radio Breakfast today and was given a special welcome from co-hosts Fleur East and our pal James Barr.
Fleur headed down to Abbey Road studios in London to record a new jingle for the show, which she sang with some help from Will and James.
Will said of working with Fleur and James: "I've been wanting to join the 5am club for a while – all the influencers are doing it, aren't they.
"I think I'll cope all right with the early mornings. I'll just go to bed.
"Honestly, I'm unbelievably excited and the thought that I get to hang out with Fleur and James every day just fills my heart with joy."
DEMI A PROPER CHARLI
AFTER seeing this picture of Demi Lovato online, I had to double check it wasn't Charli XCX.
Demi shared moody selfies on her Instagram account – and she looks the spitting image of Charli in these shades.
The Brat singer, is coming into this summer with some exciting plans, including a huge performance at Glasto in June.
No wonder Demi is getting in on the act and, as they say, imi-tation is the sincerest form of flattery.
IF you're pals with someone called Bella, ring them up and book a date on Wednesday.
Restaurant chain Bella Italia is offering a £100 voucher to anyone with that name as part of "Bella Appreciation Day".
Head to your local branch with ID and you'll get £100 to spend.
I'll be contacting all the Bellas I know!
CAUGHT LIVE
THE LUMINEERS, OLYMPIC HALL, MUNICH
★★★★☆
FESTIVAL season has started early thanks to The Lumineers.
The US indie-folk group brought their light and breezy tunes to Munich's Olympic Hall, which was packed with a feelgood factor.
The two-hour show was an escape from the doom and gloom of the world, with 2021 breakout track Ho Hey going down a storm, along with last year's single Ophelia.
Proving you don't need cheap gimmicks and pyrotechnics to put on a show, The Lumineers brought the focus back to live music, using everything from multiple pianos to some BEZ-style tambourines during the gig.
The set list was a real celebration of their music, with tunes from the 2012 self-titled debut album to their fifth record Automatic, which came out in February.
They kick off the UK leg of the tour next month, with shows including London's O2 Arena.
You'd be a fool to miss them.
Jack Hardwick
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