Frank Ocean crowns a week of surprises with a definitive win atop of the Billboard 200.

Full story on how the crooner’s sophomore album ‘Blond’ blazed the charts after the jump…

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Today is the day!

The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards are upon us.

Set to air live tonight from Madison Square Garden, the NYC extravaganza will boast performances from some of Pop’s most potent forces.

Join us after the jump as we rundown one of the most action-packed line-up’s in recent memory.

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If there’s one guarantee with social media, it’s that there’s no such thing as predictability. This week’s From The Vault celebrates that with Monica‘s recently revived ‘So Gone’ – the 2003 hit behind the popular #SoGoneChallenge.

After ironically struggling to garner attention with the shelved ‘All Eyes On Me’ in 2002, the R&B belle went back to the studio to cook up a second incarnation of the album. Clocking time with producers such as Missy Elliott, Mo was ready to re-rev the campaign’s engine in 2003. ‘After The Storm’ was the new title and ‘Gone’ served as its lead single.

It was the first time the singer unleashed the MC in her, which would somewhat became a habit for her from then on.

Released to rave reviews, the throwback cut – which samples The Whispers ‘You Are Number One’ – saw the R&B diva return to chart glory. The cut peaked at #10 on the US Top 10 and #1 on the Hip-Hop/R&B tally. It was also a Top 20 hit in Canada.

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For the Chris Robinson directed visual, Mo’ got her crazy on, playing the role of a suspicious girlfriend who goes quite literally insane thinking her lover is cheating on her.

Though we would have preferred it was by way of her latest album ‘Code Red,’ we’re glad Monica’s name is on everyone’s lips again.

Who knows how this whole #SoGoneChallenge came about, but we’re glad more people are taking part in it.

We love it when the today’s consumers appreciate the greatness of previous eras in music; so color us excited about the resurgence of this R&B classic by a highly gifted and enduring artist.

Monica, we salute you

Your thoughts?

Rumors have been rampant about Beyonce taking to the stage at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

And with the show being exactly 24 hours away, buzz has reached fever-pitch.

Until now, the network has remained mum about the reclusive singer’s supposed showing.

That all changed. Just now.

Join us after the jump to find out how…

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Ciara‘s star has been shining luminously of late.

Indeed, beyond being the face of postmodern love with husband Russell Wilson, the R&B stunner has been juggling a growing list of endorsement deals.

The newest saw her promote Women’s Equality Day in partnership with Keds.

To plug the initiative, the 30-year-old spoke with WWD.

During the chat, she also opened up on her upcoming 7th album, as well as her thoughts on contemporaries such Beyonce and Rihanna.

Peep quotables below…

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Few Pop stars can rival the success or longevity of Britney Spears.

That reality sees any release from the performer serve as a “stop, look, and listen” moment for the masses.

The roll-out of her latest offering ‘Glory’ was no different.

Preceded by single ‘Make Me,’ the LP was teased in earnest with a slew of promotional tracks – including ‘Clumsy’ and ‘Private Show.’

With a heavy press presence thanks to looks such as ‘Carpool Karaoke’ and tomorrow night’s VMAs, all eyes are on what numbers the diva will deliver.

Find out what the forecasts are saying below…

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Kehlani continues to fly the flag for Contemporary R&B with ‘You’ this week, a release fronted by the rapper Belly.

Waiting below for the ‘America’s Got Talent’ contestant’s fans is the song’s music video!

In it, fans will catch the pair in throwback action as K continues to battle the likes of the gifted and talented Tinashe and Sevyn Streeter to claim their genre’s crown.

How the video below compares to Tinashe’s ‘Superlove’ visual?

Watch and weigh in below…

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The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards are set to kick off in interesting fashion.

For, Rihanna will officially open the show tomorrow.

Full story below…

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Given the unforgiving temperatures of the desert of Dubai, Fat Joe and Remy Ma may have been the ones cookin’ in their latest music video.  But, just as the teaser dropped days ago alluded, the Terror Squad duo serve up some major heat via the French Montana and RySoValid-assisted visual for the most recent release from their highly anticipated joint album ‘Plata o Plomo.’

Keen to see what the twosome are serving via this TIDAL exclusive?  Find out below:

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Pop powerhouse Christina Aguilera may be hard at work on her new album, but the diva remains ever-committed to motherhood.

This week saw her celebrate the 2nd birthday of her adorable daughter Summer Rain.

Thrown at the singer’s elaborate home, the event was Super Mario themed and saw the youngster surrounded by dad Matthew Rutler and big brother Max.

Peep more pics, courtesy of PEOPLE, after the jump…

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The Reggae-friendly label Island Records has welcomed Sean Paul to its family this week.

Details on the signing below…

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While many-a-Britney Spears fan will point to the singer’s lengthy catalog of hits as reason why she has “nothing to prove,” 2016’s reality – nearly 20 years into her storied career – spells of quite the contrary.

At one time the diva, even at her worst and most “absent,” was still able to shift units on the strength of her name alone.  2013’s ‘Britney Jean’ brought evidence of the opposite, delivering with it the first time the stageblazer rightfully missed the top of the Billboard 200 on the premiere week of an album release (see:  Eagles/Billboard drama during ‘Blackout’ era).  Granted, most will defend the misstep by citing her Vegas residency as reason it was not properly promoted, but others took the failure as indication her popularity had finally begun waning.

Fast forward to 2016, post her history-making run in Las Vegas and a redemptive Billboard Awards performance, “forgiveness” in the court of public opinion may have very well been granted if critical response to the singer’s 9th album, ‘Glory’ (in stores today), is anything to judge by.

Based on the set’s first releases – ‘Make Me’ (featuring G-Eazy), ‘Private Show,’ ‘Clumsy,’ and ‘Do You Wanna Come Over’ – some worried the pop diva’s nonary effort was set to crash and burn.  However, upon the set’s full unveiling early this morning, critics are singing quite a different tune – some even citing it as her best effort since 2007’s underrated, game changing ‘Blackout’:

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