The 2017 Billboard Music Awards are blazing out of the gate.

Set to take place on May 21st live from Las Vegas, the extravaganza will play host to performances from some of music’s top names.

Bruno Mars, who just scored a #1 with ‘That’s What I Like,’ leads the pack.

Joining him on the bill is Nicki Minaj, who’ll be making her first award show appearance since the start of her new era. Her Young Money comrade Drake will be igniting the Sin City extravaganza too.

Former Fifth Harmony star Camila Cabello will also be gracing the stage. Word on the curb is that she’ll be giving the first performance of her debut solo single.

Rounding out the list of performers are John Legend, Celine Dion, Ed Sheeran, Lorde, and Florida Georgia Line. And more names are reportedly set to be announced.

Be sure to keep it locked on TGJ for your complete BBMA fix!

Your thoughts?

Nicki Minaj has unwrapped the cinematic video for ‘Regret In Your Tears’ – one of three new songs she issued simultaneously

The critically acclaimed Mert & Marcus take the directorial helm for the clip, which presents the Hip-Hop star in an array of stunning setups. It’s the photographer’s second video ever, with Madonna’s ‘Girl Gone Wild’ being the first.

Minaj recently declared the video the definitive favourite of all her visual offerings, which speaks volumes given the sheer mass she’s churned out. Especially of late.

Will ‘Regret’ serve as a favourite of yours too? Watch below and, as ever, let us know…

Your thoughts?

Jay Z has added major live date to his calendar – the festival he created Made In America.

This year’s installment of the annual extravaganza takes place Labor Day weekend (September 2nd-3rd) at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.

Joining Jigga as co-headliner is J. Cole, whose phenomenal success narrative continues with recently released LP ‘4 Your Eyez Only.’

Also on the bill are Solange, Migos, Tiwa Savage, The Chainsmokers, Pusha T, and UK wonder Stormzy. 

Check out the full line-up here…

Issa lit line-up – and also lends credence to suggestion that Jay is gearing up for a chart return. Surely, he’s not doing the festival rounds this summer “just because”?

Click here for ticket info.

Your thoughts?

As reported, Beyonce and family united in celebration of the Wearable Art Gala over the weekend.

The event served as a fundraiser for mother Tina Knowles’ WACO (Where Art Can Occur) initiative, which she set-up with husband Richard Lawson.

Initial snaps spotlighted appearances from the likes of Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, and LeToya Luckett. 

Now, Bey has posted more as has Tina who she tributed with the following message:

I am super proud of my beautiful mother for creating such an awesome event. Close to $1 million was raised for The WACO Theater Center to benefit young people through their mentorship programs and the arts. Mom, you inspire us all to be generous, selfless, positive, to have empathy, to love and to praise creativity in the world. It brought tears to my eyes to be a witness to what you and Richard have created together. WACO is a safe place truly Where Art Can Occur. I love you

Peep the pics above and below. Solange, Blue Ivy, Jay Z‘s mom, and more feature…

Tina with Jay Z’s mom Gloria

Tina’s stepdaughter (and Bey’s stepsister), ‘Queen Sugar’ actress Bianca Lawson

Your thoughts?

It was a family affair for Tamar and Toni Braxton last night at the 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

The singing siblings posed it up as they arrived on the red carpet for the star-studded Los Angeles event.

Grammy winner Toni was on-hand to support the youngest of her sisters, who defiantly attended after being nominated for her involvement with ‘The Real.’

The ‘My Man’ belter’s decision to attend surprised many given that she was dramatically dropped from the talk show last year.

Braxton’s former cast-mates revealed that the show’s producers extended an invite to the outspoken media maven.

Good to see everyone getting along. Somewhat

Peep more fab snaps below…

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: Getty]

Katy Perry is in trouble.

For reasons her label will be keen to understand, the general public’s perception of the usually likeable entertainer seems to have sullied since her decision to step out to support the Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Since then the star, who enjoyed a scandal-free and drama deficient run atop Pop before then, now finds herself becoming public enemy #1 within music industry circles.

Now, as she faces fire for an Obama-related joke shared here and “leaks” said to be coming from those close to her see baseless rumours about her splattered all over blind items pages, she has been hit with another scandal.

The Weeknd‘s producer Mano shocked his Twitter followers recently when he claimed that Perry called him a ni**** and used the disgusting word regularly and comfortably.

yep it happened in a club in paris…….smh she really thought she had the right. honestly my feelings were hurt and i was offended https://t.co/ErCscb3BbC

— 20/3 CrashOvrrd MANO (@CallMeMano) April 30, 2017

if y’all don’t believe me ask @HXLTMUSIC he was right there.

— 20/3 CrashOvrrd MANO (@CallMeMano) April 30, 2017

this was the day b4 ye fashion show. while she was juke’n my cuz she started calling us her “niggas” and we asked her 2 stop a few times

— 20/3 CrashOvrrd MANO (@CallMeMano) April 30, 2017

she couldn’t understand why and we had 2 explain 2 her that it wasn’t endering and it was really offensive

— 20/3 CrashOvrrd MANO (@CallMeMano) April 30, 2017

Mano’s story comes after industry murmurs rise about a video which allegedly captures the star in problematic action.

There is no proof that such a video exists.

no 1 cared that my feelings were hurt as a person. a famous caucasian person thought it was ok 2 say that word 2 me 2 relate with me. ?

— 20/3 CrashOvrrd MANO (@CallMeMano) April 30, 2017

u actually the 1st person who thought 2 empathize with me. thank u. i mean i wasn't traumatized but i did feel lower than i should. https://t.co/fXRWksdWZ4

— 20/3 CrashOvrrd MANO (@CallMeMano) May 1, 2017

Why do you think Katy has suddenly found herself in all this PR trouble?

As her new Migos-assisted single, ‘Bon Appetit,’ continues to underwhelm on the critical and commercial front, singer Katy Perry is seeing her name served a-front controversial headlines.

The singer/songwriter took to live stream to scold followers who weren’t exactly fond of her new blonde hairdo by stating:

“Oh, someone says, ‘I miss your old black hair,'” she said before sarcastically replying, “Oh, really? Do you miss Barack Obama as well? Oh, OK. Times change. Bye! See you guys later.”

Granted, Perry has been a longtime supporter of the former president, but many didn’t appreciate the comparison – some even claiming the quote housed hints of “racism” and “privilege.”  Needless to say, as the story made its rounds, Twitter was set alight.

See some of the fiery comments inside:

(more…)

The last decade has seen a number of Pop culture’s power players fall from grace following claims that they used their power to prey on the vulnerable and powerless.

(more…)

Kelly Rowland has added to her family in recent years after getting married and giving birth to son Titan Jewell.

The singer has also experienced painful loss, specifically the death of her mother Doris just three weeks after welcoming her newborn.

It’s a subject the solo Grammy rarely talks about, however she opened up about it during an interview segment on Australia’s 60 Minutes.

The emotional sit-down saw the 36-year-old detail all that was running through her mind as the ordeal took place and how life has been for her after.

Watch the touching moment below…

https://youtu.be/YxzIGPrEi6k?t=695

That was a hard watch. But we’re sure her story will help others going through similar hardships.

Your thoughts?

Brandy is baking a comeback album and we can’t wait to taste.

So as to satiate hungry fans, who’ve longed for a new album in the five years since her last offering, The Vocal Bible has been sharing morsels of music.

The latest came today on Snapchat. Take a listen below (use the arrows to scroll for more clips):

❤️❤️❤️Yooooo @4everbrandy is bout to unleash what everyones been missing! “I cant stand you nomore” ?? Im loving all of the different sounds shes giving us! Im lowkey waiting to hear that ballad tho! #Brandy101 #BrandyNorwood #Brandy #Slayana #TheVocalBible #VocalBible #Snapchat #BrandyOnSnapchat #SlayanaUniversity [?TheNextBrandy] SWIPE LEFT

A post shared by Slayana University (@4everbrandy101) on Apr 29, 2017 at 11:20pm PDT

Well, come through B-Rocka!

With her label legal woes reportedly over, the pathway seems clear for her march ahead with the project.

Fingers crossed it’s hatched sooner rather than later.

Your thoughts?

Last night’s Wearable Art Gala brought out a number of notable names – including Destiny’s Child.

A heavily pregnant Beyonce was in the house, as was Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams – and founding member LeToya Luckett. Despite not all posing together, all were snapped at the event, which was held at California African American Museum.

Joining the ‘Say My Name’ singers at the function were Bey’s mother Tina Knowles-Lawson, Jay Z, and Kelly’s husband Tim Witherspoon.

Peep all the snaps below…

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: Getty]

Today’s From The Vault pick is pulled from 2006 and sees  Hip-Hop legend Diddy and Pop royal Christina Aguilera team for the tantalising ‘Tell Me.’ 

The second single from Diddy’s ‘Press Play’ LP, the track was produced by Just Blaze and was instantly singled out as a highlight on the album by the press as well as fans.

Initially the song was a demo for the group that would become Danity Kane, but Diddy decided to use it on his own album. For Aguilera, it was a return to a more modern sound as she was deep into her ‘Back To Basics’ era, which saw her go all retro on the masses.

Though it had been coined for chart glory, it didn’t match the success of its predecessor, the Nicole Scherzinger-assisted ‘Come To Me.’ ‘Tell Me’ only managed to reach the Top 50 in the US and wasn’t even released everywhere in Europe. Still it got to #8 in the UK.

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Shot by Erik White, the first part of the video referenced the infamous ‘Maxell blown away’ commercial, while the second saw Diddy, Xtina and dancers “do that thing” on LED sets. Very 00’s – in the best way.

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Say what folk will about Diddy, there’s no denying that he consistently cooks up quality music and collaborations, whether successful on the charts or not. As for Xtina, she remains one of the best vocalists of today’s age, even a decade after this song was released.

All we’re waiting for now is new music.

Your thoughts?