Universal Music Group Really Hoping That People Will Want To Buy Albums This Holiday Season

So apparently that cryptic message about Nov. 23 left on Rihanna’s Web site last night was not about anything egg-related, despite its use of “ova”; instead, it was meant to be a signal that the Barbadian singer’s still-untitled fourth studio album will come out on that day. That’s the Monday before Thanksgiving, and the Monday before the holiday-shopping season kicks in. And to celebrate, Universal Music Group is apparently readying six big-name releases for that day! The list of “Super Monday” albums, via Rap-Up: 50 Cent, Before I Self Destruct Birdman, Pricele$$ Jay Sean, All or Nothing Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster Rihanna, Title TK Timbaland, Timbaland Presents Shock Value II Well, OK, so the definition of “big” is a little bit elastic there. (How long has that 50 Cent record been “coming soon,” honestly.) But the one-two punch of GaGa and Rihanna—and maybe even the guests on Timbaland’s album, which is rumored to include guest shots by the likes of GaGa, Justin Timberlake, and Brandy—should certainly lure people over to the parts of Wal-Mart and Target that sell records, and maybe even cause them to blow out the cobwebs at their local FYE. (There are still a few of those left, right?) Also on the docket for that week as of now: TV-spawned sensations Adam Lambert and Susan Boyle, and the Pope. Confession time, though: This reporter is really thinking that this holiday season’s record-release gift is the Robin Thicke album currently scheduled to drop in early December. But you might disagree! Universal Readies Super Monday Lineup [Rap-Up] Earlier: Rihanna Is Apparently Hatching Something