Clothing firm Candie's just gave Fergie $4 million to promote their brand by singing a song about the company. The songs are expected to appear on her second solo album (yes, she is coming out with another one). An executive at Fergie's record label Interscope said:

"With record sales in decline, you must find novel ways to make money out of the music. The trick is to make the brand part of the song so that it slips down easily rather than chokes the fan. Candie's will reach teens, but it has no say over exactly what Fergie will sing, or when. Fans might think she is just singing about candy. But it's got to work in the song. Fergie does not sing jingles."

So, I guess this is what the music industry has come to. Soon all songs will include some form of product placement and there will be no escaping it. Click on the thumbnails below to see Fergie singing at the Princess Diana benefit concert.