The Recording Industry Association of America has handed the first Platinum certification of the year to an Urban album.

The name of the artist behind the chart-rocking project?

Find out below…

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R&B star Monica will turn the charts a hot hue of red on September 18th when her eighth studio album ‘Code Red’ charges into stores.

Proceeded by lead single ‘Just Right For Me (ft. Lil Wayne),’ the set was previewed for the singer’s label and select media in New York tonight.

To celebrate the event, the Grammy winner changed the main image on her social media accounts to the shot above – prompting suggestion that it may be the LP’s official cover.

Thereafter, she took to Instagram and posted a video with the same snap – further lending to the view that its the project’s artwork. Check it out below…

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Fact:  Love her or hate her, Rihanna is the pop star to reckon with in 2015.

Despite her latest, yet-titled project being greeted with a few slumps, bumps, and hiccups, there is no amount of failure (at this point) that can undermine the historic amassment of accolades that line her resume from chart triumphs, digital download domination, and more.

While, in a number of ways, her contemporaries pose no equal, historically there is only one other person whose career narrative vies successful comparison – Mariah Carey.

Check in below for this week’s Top 5 as we count down the reasons why Rihanna is unquestionably this generation’s ‘Mariah Carey.’

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As the world awaits ‘Straight Outta Compton’ – the highly anticipated biopic chronicling the rise and fall of rap supergroup N.W.A. – BET has announced its plans to tell the story of another of Urban music’s most prized acts from the 80’s…New Edition.

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R. Kelly is back!

Yes, next month will bring with it the release of the singer’s latest album ‘Buffet‘ which features the number ‘Backyard Party’ which is now available to spin below.

On the new album the grandfather of R&B shared:

You got hip-hop, you got old school music with the ‘Step in the Name of Love’ type music, ‘Happy People’ type of music, then you have traditional R. Kelly sensuous, sexual music.

Step inside Kelly’s ‘Backyard‘ below!

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‘Go Girl’ hitmaker Ciara has us saying exactly that after taking a peek at the September 2015 issue of ‘Shape.’

Hitting stands August 18th, the R&B songstress shows off her svelte figure for the fitness magazine and dishes on her whopping 60 lb post-pregnancy weight loss, love life with footballer Russell Wilson, and so much more.

But, before you can get your hands on the issue when it hits stands, tuck in below to see the recently unveiled cover and behind-the-scenes action:

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R&B chanteuse Ciara has hit the promo trail in support of new single ‘Dance Like We’re Making Love.’

Beyond co-hosting today’s episode of ‘Kelly & Michael,’ the sultry singer performed the sensual ‘Jackie’ jam – a showing which served as the song’s first televised performance.

How did she fare? Find out below…

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Nicki Minaj has a point to prove.

Yes, after her new boyfriend Meek Mill was ridiculed by the masses for losing in the war of words with his rival Drake, the ‘Anaconda’ belle used the latest showing of her ‘Pinkprint Tour’ to prove that it’s done little to break their bond.

How she did it?

Well, as this is a family friendly site we’d encourage anyone under the age of 18 to make their way towards “tamer” territory.

18 or over?

Snake charming action below…

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Recent years have seen the British soul singer Joss Stone withdraw from the public eye after she learned two British men had plotted to murder her in 2011.

Her decision to keep a low profile since then may be the reason many are unaware that she has released a brand new Reggae album named ‘Water For Your Soul.’

Yes, the ‘Super Duper Love’ provider dropped the project via her own record label ‘Stone’d’ with the support of Bob Marley‘s son Damian Marley who produced a number of its numbers.

Hit the button below to meet its lead single ‘The Answer’ below…

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Jordin Sparks‘ third album may not be available ‘Right Here Right Now,’ but as its August 21st release draws nearer, the songbird is hatching a series of new visuals in support of it.

The latest is for emotional ballad ‘They Don’t Give.’

Sparks slows things down on the cut, which follows the the visual for the LP’s title track and lead single ‘Double Tap.’

Check it out after the jump…

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The R&B singer Tyrese is echoing sentiments held by the rapper Azealia Banks.

Why he feels US radio is racist?

Find out below…

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Keyshia Cole’s debut single is this week’s From The Vault selection. ‘I Changed My Mind’ serves as today’s pick.

Produced by then-man of the hour Kanye West and written by Cole alongside John Legend, ‘Mind’ sees the songbird take back her love from an unfaithful companion. As it was customary at that stage of his career, West relied heavily on the use of samples, in this case a Dr Dre selection which itself uses a portion of Solomon Burke’s ‘Get Out Of My Life’.

The launching single off the singer’s ‘The Way It Is’ album, ‘Mind’ sadly didn’t set the charts alight in similar fashion to other material such ‘Last Night’ or ‘Let It Go’ and had to settle for a peak position of #71 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Benny Boom took charge of bringing the song to visual life and delivered a video that saw the chanteuse parade around her block as well as confronting her cheating boyfriend after finding out about his infidelity. Mr West can be seen in the clip alongside Cole.

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Artists such as Keyshia are very rare in this day and age; she’s an artist who doesn’t compromise her sound and brings much needed grit to the R&B genre.

And while her recent releases haven’t rouses the masses, we hope the songbird hasn’t gotten to that point of no return where the masses start singing back to her “I changed my mind, I don’t love you no more “.

While only time will tell whether Ms. Cole can make a successful comeback, we’ll keep rooting for her – as she’s an undeniable talent.

Your thoughts?