With little warning, Hip Hop veteran Missy Elliott sent fans into a frenzy when she announced the release of her long-awaited project, ‘ICONOLOGY.’ 

Hitting digital shelves on August 23, the 5-song EP – her first body of work since 2005’s ‘The Cookbook’ LP – came as a celebrated reunion with longtime collaborator Timbaland and was also accompanied by a Dave Meyers-directed music video for its first single, ‘Throw It Back.’  Later promoted as part of a medley during her MTV VMA Video Vanguard performance (click here to watch), ‘Back’s first televised showing helped kick off a week of promo for the femcee which also featured radio and Web interviews.

Now, with its first official tracking week of sales in its rearview, Elliott – despite stiff competition from the likes of Taylor Swift and more – can see the fruit of her labor.  Look inside to find out where she landed on this week’s Billboard 200:

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While celebrated in some corners, journalist and civil rights activist Shaun King – despite having made a career of championing efforts on behalf of disenfranchised members of communities of color – has often found himself embroiled in controversy.  Most of the heat from spectators centers on what they say are questionable funding sources and the allocation of said funds upon receipt by King and his team.

Murmurs of his alleged unethical practices went into overdrive when it was reported the 39-year-old was set to  be among the year’s honorees at the Rihanna‘s annual Diamond Ball (as we reported here).  In response to the backlash and calls for cancellation, King – in an effort to clear his name – opted to publish a whopping 72-page report to detail where “every single penny [he’s] ever raised” went on behalf of a number of civil rights causes (namely Black Lives Matter).

Following the publication with an interview at “The Clay Cane Show” on SiriusXM Urban View earlier this week, Shaun also addressed any lingering issues the report may have caused or failed to address.  Hear it inside:

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Those who have followed the trajectory of Taylor Swift‘s career are well aware of the fan anxiety that preceded the release of her seventh studio album, ‘Lover’ (August 23).  In addition to the pressures of following three LPs that sold over 1 million copies their first weeks respectively, ‘Lover’ is also Swift’s first studio effort since 2010’s ‘Speak Now’ not to have one of its singles top the Hot 100 ahead of its parent project’s premiere.

Yet, the absence of a #1 single certainly hasn’t stopped ‘Lover’ from becoming a historic beast in its own right, namely on the Hot 100.

First, thanks to the album’s lead single, ‘Me!,’ vaulting from #100-#2 back in May, the Grammy winner entered history books for the largest one week position jump on the tally (click here to read more).  Next, before ‘Lover’ even touched shelves she tied Madonna‘s longstanding record for most top 20 hits among females (click here to read more).  Now, with all 18 of the project’s tracks impacting the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously, she’s penciling her name on record pages for a number of other unprecedented achievements.

More inside:

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Camila Cabello may be shifting focus to her latest solo efforts, ‘Liar’ and ‘Shameless’ (as we reported here), but that certainly hasn’t stopped the Grammy-nominee from dropping by boyfriend Shawn Mendes’ hometown of Toronto to surprise fans with a live performance of their chart-topping hit, ‘Señorita.’ 

Just two weeks after taking to the MTV Video Music Awards stage to give the tune its inaugural televised performance, the duo reunited at the city’s Rogers Centre Friday night (September 6) for the latest stop on Mendes’ self-titled tour.

Sending fans into a frenzy, look inside to see their latest showing of the steamy song:

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Chance the Rapper‘s daughter, Kensli, is a big sister!

Great news for the Bennetts inside:

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The stars aligned and shone bright last night at the Harper’s Bazaar ICONS gala.

Held at The Plaza in New York City, the sixth annual celebration featured a spirited performance from Alicia Keys. 

Also in attendance were the likes of Normani, Kehlani (and new boo YG), Tiffany Haddish, Winnie Harlow, Janet Mock, and more.

Check ’em out as they style and profile below…

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Miley Cyrus lays her emotions bare on new single ‘Slide Away’ – the video for which premiered moments ago.

The song, which she debuted live at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards, comes on the heels of the end of her marriage to Liam Hemsworth. 

For its visual, she’s seen trying to navigate her new circumstance after a love gone wrong.

Needless to say, she’s not shying away from her real-life narrative.

Watch the video after the jump…

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With Q4 looming, the time is nigh for that annual frame that sees some of music’s biggest names unleash new material.

Indeed, with the lucrative holiday season fast approaching, it appears some of your favorite names and ours are gearing up to capitalise on the increased spend from consumers.

And while today’s climate has seen surprise drops become the new norm, it looks as though fans have been gifted early insight into when some of their most anticipated album releases are incoming.

Dive below for details…

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Nicki Minaj made headlines last night after declaring that she was retiring to start a family with boo Kenneth Petty. 

And while fans were taken by surprise, the tea is that her team were too!

Details below…

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R&B royalty showed up and showed out last night at the taping of 2019 Black Music Honors. 

Hosted by LeToya Luckett and Rickey Smiley at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, event saw songbirds Xscape presented with the Urban Music Icon Award in salute of their 25 year career.

Also celebrated were the likes of Yolanda Adams (who received the Gospel Music Icon Award), Tamia, Freddie Jackson, and Arrested Development. 

The show, which airs October 20th on Bounce TV,  featured tribute performances from Jagged Edge, Kelly Price, Melanie Fiona, June’s Diary, Keke Wyatt, Avery Wilson, Dee-1, Jade Novah,  Jekalyn Carr, Naughty By Nature,Kelly Price, Le’Andria Johnson, 702, MAJOR. and more.

Peep pics below…

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After frighteningly close brush with death, Demi Lovato has been using the year since the incident to work on mind and body. And she’s celebrating the latter in all its flawless beauty.

Details below…

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Stormzy is firing from all cylinders as the campaign for his sophomore album heats up.

Armed with the momentum of a widely praised performance at Glastonbury and chart-toppers ‘Vossi Bop’ and ‘Take Me Back To London’ (alongside Ed Sheeran), the rapper has unleashed new single ‘Sounds Of The Skeng.’

Produced by Sir Spyro, the track fuses the fiery brilliance of the British Grime scene with Stormzy’s unstoppable flow.

Take a listen below…

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