Billboard alleges that Mariah Carey's return to Sony Music through LA Reid's Epic Records is now a nearly finalised multi-album deal. However, there was no bidding war like there had been when she signed a four-album, $80 million deal with EMI’s Virgin Records back in 2000. Different times and a testament to her less than prominent pulling power, because the source states that “Sony’s was the only deal on the table, and it came in far lower than she expected.”
A collaboration between Christina Aguilera and Pharrell Williams is bound to yield some interesting results. I'm totally here for it. We knew about it already, but now that she's officially confirmed it, we can be amped about it in the coming months. Aggy is bringing it thick and fierce this year. Her interview with Extra this week sees the singer discussing her upcoming new album, new daughter Summer Rain and returning as a coach on NBC's The Voice. Check out her newest interview below.
Apparently, Rihanna has come under fire by accusations that she copied FKA Twigs' look and style for her ‘i-D’ magazine shoot. The accusations are stupid. This look is a very general ethnic hairstyle. This is a popular black girl hairstyle which was rife in the 90s. My mother even has throwback photos of my sisters and I when she use to do our hair in similar styles, and even Rihanna similarly rocked it in her childhood back in the 90s. Anyway, enjoy these new pics from the shoot. They're amazing!
It's about time Ciara did some form of promo for her new single 'I Bet.' I enjoyed watching her perform it in acoustic. The stripped down nature allowed for her voice to take center stage. As we all know, she is not a vocalist, but she did pretty well expressing her hurt through the break-up ballad. She was accompanied by three background singers, a pianist, and a guitarist for the performance, which is in support of her upcoming new album 'Jackie.' Check out the previously teased performance in full below.
This photo right here had me cracking the f*** up! I am sure Britney Spears appreciates her fans, but the look on her face here is priceless! The pic was taken last night backstage at her 'Piece Of Me' show. She looks how I look while watching an episode of 'I'm A Celebrity' and the celebrity is told that they have to eat kangaroo nuts and live earth worms. This is EXACTLY what my face looks like. I know the fan is no looker, but perhaps he just didn't smell very nice or he farted himself up a storm. Either way, Britney clearly wasn't here for the pic!
Someone is in lurve and wants the whole world to know it. Last night at her 'Piece of Me' show in Vegas, Britney Spears debuted a brand new outfit during her 'Me Against The Music / Gimme More / Break The Ice / Piece of Me' performances. Britney rocked a sleeveless denim jacket that had the words 'I love Charlie.' I'd say someone has it bad, so let's hope this relationship is the real deal for her. If anyone deserves to be happy after everything she's been through, it's most definitely her.
During a visit to The Ellen Degeneres Show this week, Grammy nominee Usher and Ellen discussed the provocative lyrics in his hit song 'I Don’t Mind.'
Unfortunately, music of substance is no longer something people will support. When an R&B veteran chooses to sing about love, heartbreak and social issues, they get shunned. Their music gets shunned. And they get left out in the cold. Let him sing about his love of strippers and twerking and people will jump all over it and make it a hit.
Here is the extremely photogenic Rihanna serving early 90s Janet Jackson on the cover of this months ‘i-D’ magazine. "She really is one of the most creative, talented and inspiring women I've ever had the pleasure of working with," says i-D's Fashion Director Alastair McKimm, who teamed up with Rihanna and Paolo Roversi for i-D's cover shoot in Paris. "The energy and enthusiasm she brings is intense. She's the ultimate icon of our time." A very understated, but beautiful cover for the magazine's 'Music Issue.' Gwaaaan Robyn!
Being in 3LW and then The Cheetah Girls gave The Real host Adrienne Bailon all the experience needed to go solo. It was fun back then, but following her short-lived deal with Def Jam, her struggles to go solo, was met with certain obstacles. Everything from being afraid to step out on her own, to lacking the confidence needed. These are some of the things she failed to overcome. I have to be honest, and say she had a chipmunk-ish tone to her voice and at times it wasn't always very pleasant.
Rihanna's new single 'FourFiveSeconds' is a hit! The song featuring Kanye West and Paul McCartney, debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 54! The song sold 53,000 downloads, according to Nielsen Music. This is a feat that was achieved in less than two full days on sale! The song is not my cup of tea at all, but I am glad it's doing well. She needs to start promoting so that it doesn't lose steam. Hopefully, if reports are true that she's performing it at the Grammy Awards, this would be a good start. The cut serves as the first single from Rihanna’s next studio album.
Today is the day Ne-Yo officially drops his brand new album 'Non-Fiction.' The album boasts production from Shea Taylor, Stargate, Key Wane, and Glass John, as well as appearances from T.I., Jeezy, and ScHoolboy Q. Any standout tracks? Let us know! Ne-Yo (alongside rapper Juicy J) also performed his latest single 'She Knows' during the Winter Concert Series on Good Morning America. As for the album, the 19-track deluxe edition can be streamed below via Spotify.
Since giving birth last year, Christina Aguilera is set to give her first televised performance at the NBA All-Star Game on February 15th. Aggy will perform a “New York themed medley” during player introductions and will be backed by dancers The Rockettes. She is also in good company with another big voiced singer as Ariana Grande is confirmed to perform too. Although she's still working on her new album, this will give Aggy the chance to show everyone that she can still slay a performance with those post-birth vocals.
Details are sketchy right now, but according to reports, Janet Jackson may be looking to do a future Las Vegas residency. It has been alleged on and off that Janet has been working on a new album. Well, during a visit to the Marco Glaviano ‘Supermodels’ exhibition at the Keszler Gallery in 2012, she revealed herself that she began planning the direction of her next record, only to shut down that claim last summer. If she does put out a new album, it may exclusively be recorded for the residency.
Chris Brown fans are pissed. And they have every right to be. I know I would be. You spend good money on tickets. You book a hotel. Then a DAY before the singer's ‘Between The Sheets’ tour with Trey Songz is due to kick off, he waits to tell his fans that the tour has been postponed? Unacceptable. Not by days. But bloody effing WEEKS. Several fans had booked hotel accommodation too, so can you imagine their anger at losing their money? The tour was slated to kick off today.
It's so cute how Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz take it upon themselves to out do each other every birthday. Weeks after the couple celebrated the birth of their second son, Alicia had a 34th birthday party over the weekend which saw the pair dressed in matching 8 Ball pajamas. Swizz surprised his wife with the 90s themed House Party bash and invited friends, family, and the cast of House Party (Tisha Campbell-Martin, A.J. Johnson, Christopher 'Kid' Reid & Christopher 'Play' Martin). They performed their iconic dance moves, including the famous Kid-N-Play. Niiiice.
Excessive much? Lady Gaga ate a whole lot of pizza during a pal's bachelorette party in NYC over the weekend. Then proceeded to literally show the world that in no way was she going to let that forbidden pizza kick her in the ass (or get into it.) These yoga poses are getting more talk than all of her music combined, which now sees disco maestro Giorgio Moroder getting on board. He confirms (alongside RedOne) that he’s going to work with Gaga on songs for her upcoming new album. This sounds... interesting.
Usher is an icon. He has slayed the R&B world for the best part of two decades, and even though he's lost his way musically, it still doesn't take away from his amazing accomplishments. What other R&B male has had an album go Diamond in the States? What male artist in general has broken his record, period? Usher certainly deserved his Musical Arts Award, which he collected from Bobby Brown and Ben Vereen during the BET Honors 2015 this past weekend.
Sometimes, all it takes is a push from a certain nemesis. Ciara's new single 'I Bet' has just been sent to iTunes. Over the weekend, Rihanna broke the Internet in ‘FourFiveSeconds’ with her new single, so this was most likely the incentive Ciara needed to get her single out there. It should not have taken another rival's instant digital push for her label to react and distribute the track to iTunes. Even if Rihanna had no impact on this, and they'd always intended to drop this today, what excuse did they have for delaying the release?
So this is what all the big name artists are doing now? Dropping music without announcements? Rihanna did just that last night. I go to bed a little earlier only to wake up and find she's released a "first glimpse" of her new music. This happens to be a track about wilding out on someone, in collaboration with Kanye West, and Beatles legend Paul McCartney (who doesn't sing on the song but contributes guitar). As far as direction goes, ‘FourFiveSeconds’ is boldly very different for Rihanna.
In some ways, I always felt that Rihanna was a mini-me version of supermodel Tyra Banks. They have similar physical traits and if Rihanna was not a singer, she would have dominated catwalks everywhere. The two of them hooked up after the Fashion Los Angeles Awards this week and showed that when it comes to fierceness, they are both on equal ground. Tyra wrote: "Posing last night with a model, oops, I mean a recording phenom. I sometimes forget she’s not a model because her photo shoots are so beyond amazing." It's hard not to agree with those sentiments.
Ms Spears unleashes the first promotional picture of 'The Intimate Britney Spears Spring/Summer' collection. She scrubs up really well in the photo but then if I'm being totally honest, anyone would if they were photoshopped to the Gawds. I think she's starting to give Mariah Carey a run for her money, although I still chuckle at that 'Elusive Chanteuse' cover art. Anyway, Britney has some really nice stuff in her lingerie collection. It's definitely worth checking out.
Nowadays, the struggle lies in holding on to your record deal. Just because you get signed doesn't mean you've made it. Former Youtube phenomenon Esmée Denters previously had a record deal with Justin Timberlake but her career never really took off the way he wanted it to. She didn't become the next Beyoncé and so, he harshly dropped her from his label. She had so much potential and now she's working in a shop selling frozen yoghurt to make ends meet.
It hasn't even been a year since Ashanti dropped her last studio album 'Braveheart.' Yet, here she is, recording new music for what is believed to be her next studio album. This girl sure hustles. I am sure she misses the advances of being on a major label though, or she would not be considering signing to the disaster that is Young Money. Even Tamia, who has dropped a few albums independently, went back to a major with her Def Jam deal. I think she should pitch a bid to Atlantic Records.
When TLC were asked if Rihanna inspired them, they said she didn't. They elaborated that they are trendsetters and have always been in their own lane. They praise Michael Jackson for being a game-changer, but when it comes to the top females of today, Beyoncé is mega successful and Rihanna has great songs but they don’t hear about great superstars like how it used to be. Artists from back in the day are ones they admire the most because being hot and being a game-changer are two different things.
As of now, Mya is catching some serious flack for dancing at a strip club. People see that as a major career decline.
She took to the stage at G5ive last night in Miami for 'Divas Friday,' and fans have voiced their disapproval. They believe she is way too talented to be pop-locking, and ticking at a strip club and feel this is not a good look at all. I don't care what Mya does for a living, good look or not. She is a grown ass woman. She can do whatever she wants. If this is what she needs to do to pay the bills, so be it.
I watched some clips and it's not like she was overly trashy with it. In fact, she's not doing anything Beyoncé didn't do at the Grammys last year. The difference is, she did it at a strip club and not at some prestigious award ceremony or an outdoor concert. So while Mya is making her money in less favourable ways, I will continue to wait for that new album to drop.
A lot of people may see this as shade, but I consider it genuine honesty. When Jennifer Lopez sat down for an interview on 'Watch What Happens Live' with Andy Cohen, she was asked who would she prefer to see in Vegas. Mariah Carey or Britney Spears? Her answer was Britney, because Britney dances. I get it, really. Jennifer sees herself in Britney. She is an entertainer, who like Britney, can't really sing that well, yet they rely solely on theatrics, high octane choreography and backing tracks to entertain their audience.
This is some pretty cool nostalgic artwork from Chris Brown. Everything about it is straight up 90s imagery. So oldschool! It's like Kriss Kross meets De La Soul meets Kid N Play, all the things I use to love during my time growing up. That was my life back then. I dig the concept a lot, and it really is a great homage to a remarkable era. Chris Brown and Tyga drop their 'Fan of a Fan' album on February 24th, and this is preceded by their latest single 'Ayo.' Peep the lyric video for it and more 90s themed promo shots below.
I bet ya'll ran in here thinking they were pictured together. Wishful thinking, bitches. Their Twitter squat a few years ago should never have escalated the way it did. So let's talk about the pics. Rihanna supported her matching designer pal Jeremy Scott, who won an award for his work last night. Although Rihanna was serving 70s fashion glam, I was not feeling her look at all. On the other hand, the hair and subtle make-up was on point. Kanye West, who is set to release his Rihanna collaboration any day now, was clearly not here for Katy Perry nattering in his ear.
Yeah, yeah, I know there is a lot of R8 news out there that I have not reported on. I see it all, but there's so much speculation, you just don't know what to believe these days. My honest opinion? I don't think Rihanna is releasing an album anytime soon. She will more than likely drop the conceptual album for 'Home' first before we get an inkling of R8. I don't think we will be getting that album until the fourth quarter which would tie in perfectly with Rihanna's trademark time frame for releasing albums.
It was only a matter of time before Chris Brown featured his on/off girlfriend Karrueche Tran in one of his music videos. Perhaps since she's half Asian, and his 'Autumn Leaves' video is very Asian-inspired, it actually meant she was good for something. The track is lifted off his Grammy-nominated album 'X.' The Colin Tilley directed clip, which was shot in Hawaii, sees Chris playing a sword-wielding samurai, while trailing the woman he loves. I like that he spends real money on his videos to give fans something cinematic and high quality. Watch below.
Adele!
Having recently took selfies with pop icons Britney Spears and Mariah Carey, it's pretty evident now that Lady Gaga is on a roll! There's no way I see a collaboration in their future because their music is so different, but then that is what would make this collab so intriguing. Gaga, who has been working on her new album with longterm producer RedOne, is probably aiming for her most challenging selfie victim yet... Madonna! Bookmark me!
No one is checking for a Black Eyed Peas album without Fergie. She may not have been in the group from the start, but from 2003 onwards, she largely contributed to the group's success and helped them become a household name. The group are planning to drop a new album to commemorate their 20th anniversary and Fergie kind of ruled out being a part of it. Reason being, she was not there from the start and she can't juggle two sets of studio time (such as BEP and her own album) due to motherhood. So she just wants to concentrate on her own album instead.
Despite marrying someone that is NOT her baby daddy, it is great that Jhené Aiko is still on good terms with the fella she has a daughter with. So good that she enlisted Omarion’s brother and her child’s father O’Ryan Grandberry to play the love interest in her new video 'Spotless Mind.' The track is lifted off her latest debut album 'Souled Out.' The Jay Ahn-directed clip sees Jhené playing multiple personalities in this quasi-love story such as hippy chick, goth chick and bondage vixen. Poor fella struggles to keep up and leaves. Watch below!
This week, TLC started a kickstarter campaign to fund their last and final album. The good news is... Chilli and T-Boz have met their Kickstarter goal of $150,000. The bad news is... less than 2,000 people donated to the cause. While it is good news that they achieved their target in just three days, it is not good news that so little people have shown an interest. It just shows that people aren't checking for TLC as legendary as they are. What is TLC without Lefteye? Obviously, the millions of people that supported them at their peak agree.
I think it's a smart move that Usher has snagged himself a performance slot at this years Grammy Awards. He has a hit on his hands now that 'I Don't Mind' has peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #23 (his biggest hit since 2012). We can assume this is what he will be performing on the night. He should release the album in a month or two to keep up with the momentum, though I understand he is still recording it. I'm glad that 'I Don't Mind' is about to get maximum exposure as I think it's definitely one of his better songs to drop this era.
I don't know what I just listened to. All I know is that it was over 4 minutes of my life I won't be able to get back. Christina Milian jumped at the chance to remix Beyoncé's latest hit single 'Drunk In Love.' The track appears on Lil’ Wayne's 'Sorry 4 The Wait 2' mixtape which he dropped last night. So Christina and her rumoured squeeze go back and forth delivering a dirtier, sordid rendition of the track while addressing whispers surrounding their relationship. And that brings me onto another thing.
The NBA All-Star weekend just got interesting. Very interesting. Ciara was scheduled to perform at Sydney’s ‘MVP Nightclub,’ at around the same time the NBA All-Star festivities kicks off on February 12th. The club confirms her appearance was postponed to February 28th due to being booked to perform at the NBA event. Reportedly, Roc Nation is also in talks with Rihanna to perform at a splashy public concert in the Flatiron District during the NBA All-Star weekend on February 12th.
Sometime this year, Mya is set to release a brand new album. No one knows when exactly, but she previewed one of her new songs on Instagram. The grown and sexy slow jam features a smooth guitar riff, which she worked on with production & songwriting duo The HitList. I'm definitely liking the production so far and can't wait to hear the track in full. She has also hinted that she may debut new music when she takes to the stage live this Friday at the G5ive Lounge in Miami, FL!
This is pretty "reductive" from Madonna. This controversial play on religious imagery has been an on-going concept in her career for the past 30 years. I bet you can name multiple shoots and promo images that she's done similar to this. Sometimes it gets boring, like she's running out of ideas. Her 'MOJO' cover was shot by her favourite photographers Mert and Marcus, and the issue is available to buy on January 27th. Let's see what she has in store for her upcoming Cosmopolitan cover shall we?
I don't understand why people blatantly lie about their plastic surgery, when it is written all over their face. If you've had a drastic nose job, obviously we're going to SEE it. Dawn Richard has practically taken that same route as Letoya Luckett and Leona Lewis by claiming they had no work done on their faces. By work, we're talking the obvious nose job. I guess nobody wants to admit to it as it would be like admitting to your insecurities. And if you don't want to admit to it, fine, don't admit to it. Just don't lie about it, when everyone can see what was done.
This is clearly a homage. No I'm not a fan of that 70's Bowl cut wig, and I can't say whether she pulls it off very well, but it's certainly an interesting look for her. I suspect she will be gracing lots more magazine covers now that she's on The Voice, preparing to release an album and occupying a supporting role in the hotly anticipated 'Fifty Shades of Grey.' I don't know how well that's going to do, but perhaps it may just distract from the socialite tag she's been pegged with as late.
Jenny from the block certainly knows how to rock a leotard the right way. Her body is amazing but I'm not liking how much her face looks wooden in some of these pics. It really isn't a good photoshop job at all. In the assisting cover story, she talks about her everlasting sex appeal, failed marriage, latest movie, book and music. Speaking of which, her latest album 'A.K.A.' still hasn't moved 100k units since its release last June.
Black Eyed Peas front woman Fergie looks so unrecognisable on this latest 'Allure' cover. I shall take that as a positive, because more times than not, her face looks really harsh in photos. I'm loving the softer, natural Fergie Ferg here. It's just so... alluring. She looks nice.
In her assisting interview
with the magazine, Fergie, who is set to drop her second solo album this spring, opens up about her six-year marriage to Josh
Duhamel, taking care of her 14-month-old son and making a comeback to
music.
Letoya Luckett drops new song 'Together,' in collaboration with
the Caliber Foundation. She brings awareness around illegal gun
violence in America, and urges people to bond together because “together we find peace.” The production sounds like a typical Ryan Tedder ballad, but that aside, it's a pretty cute charity record. The message is appreciated and her vocals sound nice.
Now this situation right here, is a brand new kind of new. Fans being asked to pay for the artist to record a new album, only for fans to have to pay for it AGAIN. Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins and Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas must be short on funds again because they are asking their fans to raise $150,000 in the next 30 days.
They need it to fund their final album, which they hope to release at the end of the year. Sad times coming from a legendary Grammy-Award winning group huh?
With the way things are moving right now, fans could have Ciara's brand new album 'Jackie' in their hands as early as this Spring! Wouldn't that be lovely? This new photo, which was shot by her producer Polow Da Don (via Instagram), shows Ciara in the recording studio putting the finishing touches to the project. I hope we get a banger soon. 'I Bet' is a nice song, but it won't propel her career to where it needs to be.
In not so good news, Roger Friedman over at Showbiz 411 has revealed he was informed about a dinner that occurred last week between Mariah Carey, L.A. Reid and Epic’s new
Marketing/PR woman Laura Swanson. This points to the belief that Mariah may be considering signing to Epic. Swanson has worked for Mariah and Reid over at Def
Jam previously. Friedman says it's pretty much a done deal. I don't think signing with Reid is a good idea given that they have had their differences in the past.
Keri Hilson needs to stop bringing up the humiliating incident where she had to perform to an empty arena. People laughed and joked about it for a day and then, it was forgotten about. We all moved on from it. If I were her, I would not have addressed it at all. I would have been so content with my $100,000 (if true) that I would not have cared the hell what critics had to say. I'd have left it well alone. Addressing it on Twitter, and then writing a little sermon about it
on Instagram, just shows that she was truly butt hurt and caught in her
feelings.
You do not put yourself in the same league as Michael Jackson and James Brown and then not expect to get your ass served to you on a plate. Sorry Chris. You do realise that these are cultural icons that changed the face of music forever right? No one can deny those dancing abilities. He has always been a talented dancer, but this dude is straight up delusional! There is a big difference with being a great dancer and a great overall performer.
Beyoncé and Jay Z were spotted courtside at the L.A. Clippers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game at Staples Center on Friday. Beyoncé's deep tan is giving her that glow. She looks great. I want a varsity jacket just like hers, except... it would need to have my name on it and not Yoncé. I'm simply not one to embrace glorification of a celebrity by having their name plastered all over my clothes.
She took to the stage at G5ive last night in Miami for 'Divas Friday,' and fans have voiced their disapproval. They believe she is way too talented to be pop-locking, and ticking at a strip club and feel this is not a good look at all. I don't care what Mya does for a living, good look or not. She is a grown ass woman. She can do whatever she wants. If this is what she needs to do to pay the bills, so be it. 
