Jay-Z To Help Girls Aloud’s Cheryl Cole Crack America

This should serve as fair warning so next year when people are going on about, "How'd this shrill cockatoo land a record deal?" they can at least recall the moment when hip-hop king Jay-Z agreed to assist her in her bid to break America. Which is a past-time for many British pop artists. Perhaps Cheryl Cole, one-fifth of Britain's biggest girlband Girls Aloud, is more suited for American conquest as a solo performer than with the band which made her a tabloid fixture overseas. To her credit, Cole's already courted goodwill within the hip-hop scene, lending her tinny vocals to a will.i.am single -- who also executive produced her debut record. And unlike much of her band's material, Cole's solo work decidedly leans more towards a generic urban pop vibe. Which, given the success of acts like the Pussycat Dolls, shouldn't be a terribly tough sell for Jay-Z to make to the American public.

Cole has already admitted to being a fan of both Jay-Z’s and Beyoncé’s work. Furthermore, according to a fruit bat hanging from the rafters or from wherever The Mirror collects their sources, she’s now thrilled that the feeling appears mutual. Cole and Beyoncé had their love-in back-stage just after Beyoncé had finished performing with the woman pegged to succeed Leona Lewis when the world tires of Lewis. 

In addition to excellent references, Cole’s resumé also bears the glossy credential of X-Factor judge. Other notes: Her first single “Fight For This Love” became the fastest-selling single of this year, reaching #1 in the UK and selling in excess of 130,000 copies in a day. Her album, 3 Words, also went to the top of the pops for a couple weeks. Below, Cheryl Cole demonstrates how to perform some slick dance moves while paying tribute to Stalinist soldiers.