Usher‘s 8th opus, ‘Hard II Love,’ may have lived up to its title after all.
Indeed, after gaining mixed review from industry insiders and fans alike (see: thumbs down for “trend-hopping,” “lack of overall theme,” etc.), ‘Hard’ – released September 16th – was predicted to make little impact on the Billboard 200 after a full tracking week.
In fact, analysts projected the project would not only bomb – much like Ush’s ‘Hands of Stone’ movie that preceded it by two weeks – but it would give the Grammy-winning R&B vet the lowest first week sum of his 20 year+ career.
Needless to say, they were right. Tuck in below to find out the official figures Billboard is reporting:
Fantasia has found herself on the receiving end of a firestorm after it was announced that she’d be headlining an ‘All Lives Matter’ concert.
Initially set to be staged in her hometown of Charlotte yesterday, the gig has been postponed until next week for reasons unknown.
But the furore surrounding her involvement remains a very present problem.
Particularly in the current climate, with the advent of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ initiative; which itself was born out the continued injustices against Black people in the US and across the world.
Feeling the heat, Fantasia took to Facebook to defend herself. View the her video statement below…
In 2014, Chris Brown revived interest in Omarion’s career by featuring on his single ‘Post To Be.’
Alas, it now appears that their creative pairing may have been anything but straight-forward now the former B2K frontman has been rocked by a $300,000 lawsuit.
‘Controlla’ crooner Drake enjoyed the views from the top of the Billboard 200 for over two months with his latest album ‘Views.’ Now, if his short film is any indication, it looks like he may be inspired to do it again.
Tapping director Anthony Mandler to helm, the rapper/singer has unveiled a new short film titled ‘Please Forgive Me’ (inspired by his most recent chart-topping album). The visual, which was due to drop at midnight, may have come nearly an hour late, but dedicated Drizzy fans are already raving the set was worth the wait.
This week’s From The Vault ventures to the year 1997 with Aaliyah and her aptly titled ‘Journey To The Past.’ Specifically her live showing on The Rosie O’Donnell Show.
Lifted from the soundtrack to the movie ‘Anastasia,’ the track represented a marked departure from the singer’s slick and slinky strand of R&B.
A rousing Pop ballad, ‘Journey’ saw the late songbird do away with the seductive coos and instead showcase her vocal prowess. And to stellar effect.
She delivered a performance that was powerful, assured, and wilfully and skilfully controlled.
Almost two decades later, this particular showing continues to resonate with us.
Commercially the release never journeyed to the summit of any chart; it hit #28 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary tally, but missed the Hot 100 entirely and only managed a #22 peak in the UK.
Still, what the song lacked in success, it makes up for in enduring live performances like this. For such showings make us nostalgic about times of past; times when singers – regardless of the length of their range – still had to be able to sing.
Aaliyah wasn’t a Whitney or Mariah vocally, yet she consistently showed up and showed out with the skill-set she’d be blessed with; a practice many of today’s talent would be wise to draw from.
For now and forever, we’ll continue to salute this titan talent – one that managed to make a pronounced mark in a tragically short space of time.
Long live Aaliyah.
Tidbit: Did any one notice Tank in his backing singer role?
Rihanna brought her ‘ANTI’ campaign to the 2016 Global Citizen Festival last night.
The 28-year-old was tapped to headline the annual extravaganza, which aims to raise funds to end poverty worldwide.
Following in the footsteps of last year’s bill-topper Beyonce, the Bajan belle rocked New York’s Central Park with current single ‘Love On The Brain,’ seismic smash ‘Diamonds,’ and 2015’s oft-forgotten ‘FourFiveSeconds.’
Britney Spears may not be experiencing chart ‘Glory’ will her new album, however the singer is still dancing her way across the promotional circuit.
Last night saw her light up the stage at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival in las Vegas.
Backed by an army of dancers and ample production, the performer raced through classics such as ‘Crazy’ and ‘Baby One More Time,’ as well as newer numbers like ‘Make Me’ and ‘Do You Wanna Come Over?’
