Over her nearly 40-year career, R&B legend Anita Baker has racked up accolades and acclaim the world over – renown for a velvety alto that’s gifted music lovers unforgettable hits like ‘Sweet Love,’ ‘Giving You the Best That I Got,’ ‘Body & Soul,’ and more.

But, despite venturing to dizzying heights of fame, Baker – like a number of other African Americans – has been a victim of unfair treatment from law enforcement officers.

In the wake of one of the hottest spotlights shone on racial injustice in recent memory, the GRAMMY winner is using her platform to connect with fans and inform them she too has had negative run-ins with police.

Her story inside:

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Detractors who have branded Justin Bieber‘s ‘Changes’ era a “flop” will be sorely disappointed by the enduring commercial performance of the set’s second official single, ‘Intentions.’

While not reaching the Hot 100 heights of its predecessor, ‘Yummy’ (which peaked at #2), the Quavo-assisted song’s been a mainstay in the tally’s top 10 for months.

Now, four months after its official debut, ‘Intentions’ has bounded into the chart’s top 5 for the first time thanks to 60.6 million streams, 7,000 digital song sales, and 13 million streams. 

The win is accompanied by a couple of history-making mentions:

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Alicia Keys has been in activism overdrive and we love to see it.

While hot on the promo trail in support of her recently released memoir, ‘More Myself,’ the diva watched her two singles – ‘Underdog’ and ‘Good Job’ – unexpectedly become anthems for healthcare and frontline workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, she’s setting her sights on erasing racial inequality and seeking justice on behalf of slain Louisville, KY healthcare worker Breonna Taylor.

Taking to Trevor Noah‘s ‘Daily Show’ Monday (June 15), the 15-time GRAMMY winner discussed Taylor as well as her forthcoming #VERZUZ battle against fellow GRAMMY winner John Legend.

Hear all of this and more inside:

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Tekashi 69 is pointing at Meek Mill and laughing at him.

Find out why below…

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Over a year after announcing her latest album was finished, the follow-up to 2016’s ‘Charlene,’ R&B soulstress Tweet has been steadily teasing buzz tracks over the last few weeks to culminate to the release of new song, ‘I Admit It.’

While admitting ‘Admit’ is ‘not an official single,’ the Charlie Bereal-produced tune is just a way to hold fans over until her official LP is ready to launch.

“You’re not the guy, the one I dreamed of / I can tell ’cause I only give just enough / Say what I had to to save your feelings / But I don’t want to lie to you anymore,” she sings. “So I’ll just close the door and leave you alone / Please forgive me, I admit I’m wrong / I admit I’m wrong.” 

Hear it inside: (more…)

‘Gravity’ hitmaker Lecrae soared to the top of Twitter’s trending topics over the last 24 hours after a conversation he had with  Atlanta megachurch pastor Louie Giglio and Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy went viral.

The interaction may have been billed as “honest conversation about race on the church,” but it may have gotten a little too honest when Giglio suggested ‘White privilege’ be henceforth referred to as ‘White blessing’ in reference to how the present day affluence of many in the United States is rooted directly from the benefits of hundreds of years of slavery.

Lecrae became a target of criticism due to his submissive response as he nodded his head ‘yes’ as the pastor spoke.

Look inside to see his response to the hoopla as well as the video that got it all started.

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And I…oop!

Not long after we revealed 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj‘s newest soon-to-be-hit ‘TROLLZ’ had colored itself into YouTube history books for “most 24-hour views of a Hip Hop clip,” the video platform has gone to press to repudiate the report.

Details inside:

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Monday’s episode of NBC’s reality songwriting competition ‘Songland’ saw R&B veteran Usher join as guest celebrity judge (June 15). A prized singer-songwriter himself, the GRAMMY winner sung the show’s praises ahead of choosing the song he wanted the record.

“This show is a necessity. People really don’t understand what we have to go through in creating a song. I love that it teaches people that there’s a process,” said the ‘Yeah’ singer. “What do I typically look for in a song? I think versatility makes a great song. I think you have to take people on a journey.”

The “journey” referenced in his quote must have taken him straight to the Sunshine State as one songwriter, Ryan Tedder, saw his song ‘Staying Over’ revamped by Ush and retitled to ‘California.’

Tapping GRAMMY-nominated Cali native Tyga to assist, listen inside for the latest from Mr. Raymond:

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Rock the Vote is set to kick off its Democracy Summer campaign Thursday (June 18) with a two-hour virtual concert.

Co-headlined by GRAMMY-winning Pop group Black Eyed Peas and GRAMMY-nominated Pop diva Katy Perry, the star-studded affair – hosted by Logan Browning and Rosario Dawson – will stream live beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Look inside to see what other big names you can expect to rock the event:

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Despite industry analyst prediction ‘TROLLZ’ – the newest duet from 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj – will power its way to a #2 debut on next week’s Hot 100, the duo are pulling out all the stops to push it to the chart’s summit.

In addition to selling the single for $.69 and offering to pay fans to help promote it (click here to read more), now Minaj is keeping conversation around ‘TROLLZ’ going with the reveal of an alternate version.

Taking to Twitter Tuesday (June 16), the GRAMMY nominee explained the official version was actually her 11th take whereas the alternate has a different verse and even changes the beat.

“The official #Trollz verse was version 11. This was version 1,” said Nicki of the ‘TROLLZ’ alternate. “Verse changes and beat changes… but now u guys get a glimpse of where my verse begins vs. how it ends up once my creative process is complete.”

Curious to hear it? Look inside:

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Chloe x Halle aren’t letting lockdown halt the push for new album ‘Ungodly Hour.’

The critically acclaimed set was unleashed last week and is powered in earnest by dynamic jam ‘Do It.’

Moments ago, the singing sisters took to the Today Show to deliver a potent performance of the track.

Watch the Parkwood pair get creative on a tennis court after the jump…

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Teyana Taylor is finally ready to unleash ‘The Album’!

And it’s coming sooner than you may think.

Full story below…

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