No Lady Gaga. No Beyonce.  No (new) Adele. No major rap act.  And it shows…

Despite top acts like Madonna, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Frank Ocean, and more managing to score impressive debuts this year, it seems their combined efforts have paled in comparison to a number of old releases.

So much so, reports are now indicating that 2012 has seen – for the first time in U.S. history – albums released before January 1st of this year have outsold new releases in this year…

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Hip Hop titans Rick Ross, Dr Dre and Jay-Z team up for the aptly titled ‘3 Kings’ – a cut the Maybach Music leader’s latest LP ‘God Forgives, I Don’t’.

What are you waiting for? Take a listen after the jump…

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Pint sized femcee Lil Kim hails the ‘Return of the Queen’ in the latest edition of her web series.

The 38 year old’s career in recent years has been anything but royal, yet we’re all for her claiming the title (which, at present, resides with a certain Nicki Minaj – almost by default given the lack of competition). Perhaps then, it’ll spur the ‘Whoa’ rapper on to deliver something worthy of such status. We can only hope.

For now, peep week 2 / part 2 of the mini-series below…

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Guess which Pop sensation was snapped wowing fans in Toronto last night.

Hint:  Her debut album was certified 4x Platinum in the US and 5x Platinum in Canada.

Find out who the ‘Real’ diva is below…

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Rihanna was a picture of health hours ago, striking a pose with friends in Capri yesterday.

Indeed, while her seventh album is being crafted for her, the nocalist was caught partying it up on a yacht in seemingly high spirits.

All this, months before she is set to launch a 2013 world tour following from the so so received ‘Loud Tour’.

Ever the hard worker eh?

More below…

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Mariah Carey is to be honored at September 7th’s BMI Urban Awards, for her contributions to Pop music which span an impressive two decades.

The icon will be awarded in the company of her industry peers at the Beverly Hills event – which takes place shortly before the expected release of her long awaited new studio album.

Details below…

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Check out this shot of ‘Fame’ genius Lady GaGa, enjoying a studio session with Dr. Dre‘s Kendrick Lamar.

Surfacing online this morning, the pic’s arrival sparked reports the maestro is to work on her forthcoming LP in some capacity, following their meeting last weekend captured here.

Unfamiliar with Lamar’s work, check him out in action below…

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X Factor graduates Little Mix may still be whipping up their debut album, however the quad are in full promo mode for the LP’s lead single ‘Wings’.

Proving that they aren’t the typical talent show act, the ladies served up a harmony-heavy rendition of the track. Check it out after the jump…

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As the Urban community awaits Brandy‘s ‘Put It Down’ video with baited breath, the Vocal Bible debuted the song live in Washington, DC last night.

Taking front, stage, centre at the Howard Theater, the songstress  rocked the house with a heavily choreographed spectacle.

All the action after the jump…

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Feast your eyes on ‘Fame – Formulation‘, the visual piece in aid of Lady GaGa‘s forthcoming fragrance ‘FAME‘.

Released by the megastar on the social networking site Twitter last night, the clip sees the creative conception of the perfume, billed as  the “First Ever Black Eau de Parfum”.

Watch below…

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Perhaps in a bid to boost her ‘inexpensive’ stock, Team Tulisa have done quite the job trying to bill the star as the second coming of Cheryl Cole.

For, just in case her ‘Sexiest Woman Of The World’ win wasn’t enough to convince the public she was worth paying attention to, it would appear they have turned to other artists to give the singer very public nods of approval.

Not sure what we mean? Peep comments allegedly made by 50 Cent on the ‘Young’ chart topper below…

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‘Put It Down’ diva Brandy is looking to put down rumors that she and ‘The Boy is Mine’ co-star Monica are feuding.  For, as fans remember, the two-some’s R&B reunion ‘It All Belongs To Me‘ may have not set fire to pop charts, but it did spark interest in the two co-headlining a tour in support of their 2012 album efforts.

When B-Rocka later rocked headlines with quotes of not wanting to tour with Mo to “do her own thing”, the rumor mill instantly began spinning.

Now, as the ‘Have You Ever’ hitmaker readies her long awaited solo return, her promo rounds have led her to address many pressing issues including the ill-fated tour plans with Miss Thang and news of ‘Two Eleven’ collaborator Frank Ocean‘s recent announcement.  Hear her thoughts on this, her last moments with idol Whitney Houston,  and more below with our friends at BlackAmericaWeb:

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