Just days ahead of learning his latest tune, ‘Franchise,’ would make a historic #1 premiere on the Billboard Hot 100, Travis Scott gave the cut a live showing on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Thursday night (October 1).

Acting as the night’s lead guest and musical performer, Scott brought along M.I.A. and Young Thug (who are also featured on the recorded version of the song) along for the assist.

Did you miss the action when it first aired?  See it inside:

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‘Midnight Sky’ has taken Miley Cyrus from the MTV Video Music Awards to the iHeartRadio Music Festival and beyond in its promotion – a journey that’s helped hoist it to a #1 peak on Worldwide iTunes as well as a Hot 100 height of #14.

To help the Disco/New Wave-tinged tune (the first single from her forthcoming LP ‘She Is Miley Cyrus’) return to its former chart glory, Cyrus continues her promotional onslaught in its support.

Her latest effort sees her team with MTV to reboot its legendary ‘MTV Unplugged’ show.

Details inside:

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21 Savage enjoys a bit of delayed gratification in the music video for his latest single, ‘Runnin’ (featuring Metro Boomin).

The 27-year-old hitmaker may have nabbed the GRAMMY for ‘Best Rap Song’ at this year’s ceremony in January, but he celebrates the win in the music video for the tune with a victory lap around Atlanta.

Showing off the shiny trophy to everyone from kids on the playgrounds to professionals at the strip club, look inside to see the action in the first official music video lifted in support of the duo’s long-awaited reunion album, ‘Savage Mode 2.’

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Brandy is climbing with latest single ‘Borderline.’

Full story below…

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‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’ was the song the world couldn’t escape. But, as it turns out, one person who wishes they could is none other than the man who sings it – Justin Timberlake. 

Full story below…

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Cop a gander of Justin Bieber, who covers the October 2020 issue of Vogue Italia with wife Hailey Bieber.

Lensed by Eli Russell Linnetz, the spread sees the Pop pin-up celebrate year two of the  marriage to the model.

The high profile spot arrives on the heels of Bieber’s new single ‘Holy (ft. Chance The Rapper)’ and ahead of his forthcoming studio album.

Peep more pics below…

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Travis Scott has done it.

The rapper has premiered atop of the Billboard Hot 100 with new single ‘Franchise.’

And he’s made history in the process.

Full story below…

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Joe Biden‘s presidential campaign has enlisted a slew of music heavyweights for his “Get Out The Vote” ads.

Ludacris, Monica, Jeezy, and Jermaine Dupri have all been tapped for the ads, which focus on Black voters in battleground states.

Now Dupri has opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about the ads.

His words below:

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Queen Naija‘s debut album, ‘missunderstood,’ is finally coming.

Full story below:

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SZA is not holding back.

The R&B singer took to Twitter, where she responded to Drake‘s claim that they dated back in 2008.

Her words below:

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Jhene Aiko is doing her part to ensure people vote in the upcoming election in November.

The singer shared a new song, entitled ‘Vote,’ to help raise awareness around the subject. Additionally, the song is set to appear on an election-themed episode of ‘Black-ish.’ 

Across the track she sings:

“I just want to get to the ballot / I just want to feel like I’m valid / It’s the best way to make my voice heard / And it should be automatic / That’s my American right / I just wanna focus on my vote.”

In March Aiko earned her fourth No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top R&B Albums chart with ‘Chilombo.’ 

Listen to Aiko’s inspiring new song below:

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After having folks screaming ‘Yeah!’ a few years prior, 2010 saw Usher make the masses want to chant ‘OMG.’

The will.i.am-assisted bop is this week’s From The Vault pick.

Released at the height of the Euro-Dance era, the track served as the fourth single from ‘Raymond v. Raymond’ and is notable for teaming the singer with will hot off the success of the Black Eyed Peas – resulting in a stadium-sized smash.

The single was met with mixed reactions, with some criticizing the vocalist’s use of autotune and others commending his newfound electronic sound.

Despite the polarizing response, the song went on to become Usher’s ninth US #1 single and will’s first as a solo artist, as well as a huge global hit topping the charts in the UK and Australia.

Anthony Mandler directed the tune’s visual, which showcases Usher evolving across several edgy sets. At times Hitchcock-inspired, others 80’s influenced, it is above all a performance video where the entertainer shines in all his glory. will.i.am also features in the video.

It was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards in 2010.

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Whether people were screaming ‘OMG’ out of admiration or disdain, this very track is a classic for the ages and was responsible for placing Usher back on top of the charts.

Mr Raymond’s legacy in music is something that will forever be undeniable. Still, we feel he could have been an even bigger force in the contemporary climate had he and his team decided to not totally abandon danceable Pop (amidst complaints from his core R&B fans).

Make no mistake, Usher has always been R&B fundamentally. Even when some argued otherwise.  But, in the seeming excitement folk had to charge him with “ditching” the genre, we feel there isn’t enough appreciation of his ability to adapt to the prevailing sound and climate of the time. Nor is there enough recognition of the fact that his flirtation with Pop delivered strong, qualitative music that he’ll be performing for the rest of his career. Not just ‘OMG’s and ‘Scream’s,  but lesser known cuts like ‘Euphoria’ too.

With a Vegas residency in the works as well as new material on the horizon, maybe there’s still time to find balance once more.

In any case, in the here and now, Usher we salute you.

Your thoughts?

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