7/7/17 saw Sevyn Streeter‘s star-studded debut album, ‘Girl Disrupted,’ land on shelves in a big way.

The long-awaited project was not only greeted with open ears (and arms) from the singer’s growing legion of fans, but is also welcoming critical acclaim as well – a feat she is undoubtedly hoping will be reflected commercially when the set’s premiere sales week finishes tallying.

To help, Streeter has called upon the help of hip hop heavyweights Wiz Khalifa, Jeremih, and Ty Dolla $ign to assist.  Joining her on ‘Anything U Want’ – a sample of SWV‘s 1992 R&B hit ‘Anything – the cut hears the foursome trade verses back and forth about wooing their love interests with expensive gifts and the like.

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At a time when Ciara is busy with marriage and motherhood, we salute one of the R&B star’s most bodacious bops. Her 2006 hit ‘Get Up’ is this week’s From The Vault pick.

Helmed by Jazze Pha and featuring rapper Chamillionaire, ‘Up’ was serviced as a promotional single for dance flick ‘Step Up’ starring couple-to-be Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan.

A few months later, the track was also included in the singer’s sophomore effort ‘The Evolution’. It quickly became a hit in the US, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and giving CiCi her seventh Top 10. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as successful in other countries – due to a lack of promotion.

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For the song’s visual, a newly-brunette Ci went for an “All Black Everything” approach, with she and her dancers reigning supreme over a dark city. Joseph Kahn directed the video which boasted ample special effects. The film’s leading duo make an appearance too.

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We’ll echo this again (and again): Ciara is one of the greatest entertainers of her generation, it’ grating in a way to see her uphill battle to achieve success as easily as she once did. We sincerely hope her next project will be “the one” that finally helps silence the naysayers when it comes to her artistic abilities as well as her chart viability.

The game and lane is Ci’s for the taking. Fingers crossed she plays her cards right.

Your thoughts?

Diana Ross‘ latest live show made its way to Louisiana recently, touching down to woo and wow locals with a new presentation of her hit-kissed discography.

Joined by a live band and stellar supporting vocalists, the entertainer soared through a set list which honoured her time in The Supremes and the brilliant solo career she’s enjoyed since her departure from the group.

Watch below…

Click here to purchase tickets to her next show!

Your thoughts?

When Leona Lewis debuted a decade ago, immediate comparisons were drawn between the songbird and legendary diva Mariah Carey.

Beyond their big voices, Lewis’ early material seemed to echo Carey’s earlier offerings.

In the years since, the Londoner’s narrative has taken on a different path and steered away from the big ballads that defined her astronomical ascend.

Now, it’s looking as though Lewis may be returning to said sound. Because she’s currently logging in studio time with the mighty Walter Afanasieff.

The composer is renown for his work with Mimi, crafting classics such ‘Hero’ and ‘Butterfly.’ He’s also proven so popular amongst’s Carey’s Lamb-base that they’ve been campaigning for a reunion between the two.

For now though, he’s working with Ms. Lewis, who confirmed the news recently on Twitter:

Singing with Walter A is like a dream come true, the most incredible pianist/composer/writer/ human ! ? pic.twitter.com/94trzo9v6Q

— Leona Lewis (@leonalewis) July 4, 2017

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It’s not the first time Lewis and Afanasieff have collaborated (see: ‘Here I Am’). However, the timing of this run is rather noteworthy.

Leona, having not fared as well with the underrated ‘I Am,’ is now tasked with staging a “comeback.” And teaming with a talent as respected as Afanasieff is a smart place to start.

Do you see it for Leona? Let us know below…

Your thoughts?

Omarion has journeyed to Japan for his latest musical adventure, which he chronicles in the video for new single ‘Word 4 Word.’

Jointly directed by the singer and Deji LaRay, the slick visual is the latest to be lifted from ‘Reasons’ – the crooner’s fifth solo offering.

Though initially set for release almost a month ago (June 16th), its arrival date is now somewhat of a mystery.

Still, O aims to tide folk over with this high-octane clip.

Check it out below…

Easily one of O’s better offerings of late. Sure, his style of choreo feels a touch dated, but kudos to him for pressing on. The song is sonically on par with what’s hot and the visual fits the bill too.

Solid.

Your thoughts?

The wins continue to roll in for JAY-Z.

Jigga released his 13th studio album ‘4:44’ last week and not only garnered mass attention but a Platinum plaque too – thanks to a smart partnership with Sprint (who themselves purchased 1 million copies of the LP which they gave away to subscribers).

Now, with the album available on all services sans Spotify, its commercial performance can be measured more traditionally. And the early reads have Jay as a shoo-in for the #1 spot.

According to Hits Daily Double, here’s what the numbers are looking like:

250,000-275,000
[Sales Plus Streaming]
—-
150,000-175,000
[Pure Sales]

Fascinatingly, though it’s “technically” ‘4:44’s second week in the marketplace, it’s actually heading into its first charting week.

This is because TIDAL – where it was streamed exclusively for a week – deliberately didn’t report numbers, thus making the set ineligible to chart during its debut window.

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If there’s any take-away from this it’s that Jay clearly has very smart think-tanks behind him. These wins have been engineered with almost scary precision – and we’re here for it.

TIDAL got a rub, Jay got a plaque, and now he’s set for a Billboard #1…all on his terms.

Now that’s ‘Shining’ for sure!

Your thoughts?

The Pop prince Justin Bieber has learned that British police have thwarted plans put in place to murder his fans at one of his concerts.

Still reeling from the tragedy which was the Ariana Grande terrorist attack, the entertainer has been informed that a terrorist- who cannot be named- was planning to strike a Bieber concert in Cardiff after obtaining several weapons, a 6 inch sheath knife and a hammer.

He now faces two charges under the terrorism act.

One of these accusing him of illicitly preparing to commit acts of terrorism between May 29 and July 1 after conducting intense research into religiously-fuelled terrorist attacks.

Your thoughts?

It’s been an uphill battle for Iggy Azalea in her quest for a comeback hit.

Indeed, despite a smudge of buzz, nothing has “stuck” – a fact fans have been blaming on her team.

Wherever the issue lay, it’s led many to believe her sophomore album ‘Digital Distortion’ will be dead on arrival.

And, according to the rapper herself, that’s exactly what’ll be happening as she confirmed that her label will be releasing no further songs from the project.

The revelation came on Twitter in a series of responses to concerned supporters:

So, in essence, the LP is coming but without any more singles pre-or-post release.

Put simply, it sounds like a literal case of fulfilling a contractual obligation.

In a way we feel for Iggy because the music – love her or loathe her – has not been bad. Indeed, in the case of ‘Switch’ especially, she’s actually been bringing the hotness.

What’s more, the promotion – though seemingly plentiful – rarely felt strategized. Like, why has she been performing songs with no lyric or music video? It’s all rather…odd.

Still, the reality is that the music business is exactly that – a business.

Hence, if the label are not making a return on their investment and don’t foresee that ever happening, then it’s logical why they’d throw the album out without much fanfare.

The lesson for Iggy to chew and swallow is that, as an artist, she has to create her own buzz and likability by any means necessary. Because in today’s climate that’s almost as – if not more – important than the material she’s churning out.

Your thoughts?

Given the booming buzz surrounding TLC‘s Kickstarter campaign for their final album, its arrival – two years later – was noticeably mute.

Indeed, despite select specs of promotion in the weeks preceding, the group haven’t had much visibility in the media scape and instead appear to be focussing on their upcoming tour.

The approach, plus a multitude of other factors (including so-so reviews and the lack of pre-release hit) has had an undeniable effect commercially.

Because, with the final figures counted, it’s apparent that folk did not rush out to buy the self-titled set.

Per Hits Daily Double, the ‘TLC’ looks poised to premiere at #41 after shifting the following:

11,177
(Sales Plus Streaming)
—
9,442
(Pure Sales)

In a testament to changing times, even though the pure sales figure is shocking, had streaming not been factored in the ladies would have been looking at a #16 debut. However, with streaming now being the predominant means of consumption, that fact pushed the duo… ‘Way Back.’

Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. Although, the album was not the business. 

TLC are factually legends and have a hit catalogue that is undeniable and will have them always able to earn a living on the live circuit.

Your thoughts?

JAY-Z has made it crystal clear – he’s navigating the music scape with “new” rules. Or more specifically, by his own rules.

Such is the case with his latest album ‘4:44.’

Arriving via TIDAL on June 30th, the set remained on the streaming platform exclusively for one week. Unsurprising given its ownership (see: JAY-Z).

What’s interesting is that its numbers were not reported, thus rendering the LP ineligible to chart during its premiere week.

Yesterday saw the set arrive (with three extra tracks) on all platforms sans Spotify. Hence, ‘4:44’ will indeed debut on the Billboard 200 officially this week coming.

It’ll be intriguing to see how it fares, given that it secured Platinum status thanks to a lucrative partnership with Sprint. The phone giant “bought” a million copies of the project and redistributed them for free to their customers as part of a promotion. [Much like Rihanna’s Samsung strategy for ‘ANTI’.]

In any case, pending insight into where ‘4:44’ will land on the charts, its deliberate omission from the latest tally sees DJ Khaled – a Roc Nation artist – earn another week atop of the Billboard count with ‘Grateful’. Winning all round.

Your thoughts?

As his latest platinum album, ‘4:44,’ continues to win critical acclaim across the board, Jay-Z‘s dropped the video for its title track – a stunning ode to his wife Beyonce.

The second visual lifted from the set, the 8 minute visual captures behind the scenes and on stage footage of the duo in action as well as some touching clips of their daughter, Blue Ivy.

See it all exclusively on TIDAL below:

Your thoughts?

It’s finally time for Sevyn Streeter!

The R&B singer has, after long last, hatched her debut album ‘Girl Disrupted.’

It’s been quite the journey for the rising star, whose EP ‘Call Me Crazy, But…’ landed way back in 2013.

Joining her on the 13-track set are Ty Dolla $ign, August Alsina, Wiz Khalifa, Dave East, Cam Wallace among others.

After the long wait, has Ms. Streeter delivered? Listen below and let us know….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIbo980L5O0

Your thoughts?