As the age old adage goes: “any publicity is good publicity”. Just ask a certain Cher Lloyd.

The 18 year old today saw her debut single ‘Swagger Jagger’ charge into the Official UK Singles Chart at #1 – a feat which saw her knock off fellow X Factor alumni JLS off the top spot.

Very much a Marmite song, the song and its accompanying video attracted a 100,000 dislikes on Youtube. Yet, the record-buying public reaffirmed their support for the Mulvern native when and where it matters.

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Long before American band B2K and UK’ers JLS began ruling the charts in their respective countries, R&B boyband Boyz II Men were serving quite the winning formula (“male-groups-who-dance-and-harmonize”).

Today, From The Vault will focus on the boys’ first ever single, ‘Motownphilly’ – lifted from their exquisite ‘Cooleyhighharmony’ LP.

The 1991 track, written by the guys themselves and produced by Dallas Austin, was a huge success, peaking inside the Top 5 and giving them a taste of the success which characterised much of their recording career.

A classic in every way, the New Jack Swing cut is the group’s claim to fame of sorts. Indeed, not only does it narrate how they got signed to Michael Bivins’ (of Bell Biv DeVoe fame) label, as well as how they never stopped believing in their dreams, but it also showcases their trademark “hip-hop doo-wop” style – which juxtaposed intricate retro harmonies with modern beats.

‘Motownphilly’s accompanying  visual is everything we love about the early 90’s: crazy hairstyles, bold colours, energetic dance routines, the whole nine yards.

Although many had tried to vie for their title, Boyz II Men remain the biggest selling R&B male group. Indeed, even though a commercial chart resurgence for the 40-somethings is truly unlikely at this point, no one can deny that they upped the standards for boyband’s (and R&B, moreover) on a global scale. Boys II Men, we salute you.

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(Re)newlywed Monica has taken to Twitter to unveil her new ‘do’:

The ‘Everything To Me’ singer is said to be in preparations to film the visual to ‘Anything To Find You ft. Rick Ross‘ – the lead single from her forthcoming album ‘New Life’ (due in October).

The song is already in Billboard’s R&B Top 50.  More photos below:

Thanks to MonicaSoul:

Your thoughts?

While former 3LW star Naturi Naughton is making waves on the big screen, former bandmate Adrienne Bailon is making a splash in the studio.  The singer is said to be recording with R&B crooner Ne-Yo, working on a remix to Daddy Yankee’s hit “Ven Conmigo.” Fans may be hearing alot from the pair as they not only share the same label, but also the same management.

And, while the two may be working on contributions to the singer’s upcoming Def Jam debut, Bailon took to our friends at Rap-Up to address the long-awaited album’s delay:

“I refuse to put out anything that’s not going to be perfect and not be a good representation of me.  Ever since the 3LW days, I’ve always wanted to do something with a Latin influence.  We’re going in a completely different direction and I’m much happier with it. I’m actually even more excited about these songs because I’m more in my own lane now. I don’t want to be just another R&B girl.”

See more photos of the pair below.

Via Rap-Up:

Your thoughts?

Herefordshire, England saw ‘Heartless’ rapper Kanye West perform at ‘The Big Chill’ this weekend.  During his set (regarded as a highlight of the night), the rapper took time to announce that ‘Lost In the World’ will be the next single lifted from his platinum-selling  ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’.

Give the Bon Iver assisted cut a listen and see Kanye in action at ‘The Big Chill’ after the jump:

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Not only have Kanye West and Jay-Z built up an unparalleled buzz for the collaborative effort ‘Watch The Throne’, the duo (collectively known as The Throne) look set to pull off the impossible – not having the album leak.

Due exclusively on iTunes tomorrow, the Hip-Hip heavyweights instead tease the release with snippets of the entire LP.

Take a listen below…

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Check out the latest commercial by L’Oreal starring Jennifer Lopez in support of their ‘Paris True Match’ cosmetics.

As well as this, fans of the ‘If You Had My Love‘ singer will be pleased to know that behind the scenes footage from the performer’s latest shoot with Vanity Fair surfaced online just hours ago.

Watch both below…

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Peep the second trailer for Jay Z and Kanye West‘s  joint LP ‘Watch The Throne’ which surfaced online just moments ago, ahead of the album’s release in two days time.

Watch below…

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Seemingly back on top, the climate was altogether quite different for R&B crooner Usher back in 2008.

Indeed, some years removed from the record-breaking success of global smash ‘Confessions‘, the singer found himself in somewhat of a tricky spot with his fans. Billed as a ‘lothario’ of sorts, the new married-with-a-child Usher did little to help such a cause; a cause which -until- had arguably been his biggest selling-point. Paired with a very public dispute with his mother over his wife and life, Mr Raymond‘s musical release that year – ‘Here I Stand‘  – seemed almost destined to perform poorly. Indeed, though being certified Platinum, the project’s lack of hits beyond first single ‘Love In This Club’, sunk it faster than the titanic.

Fast forward to today and one could be forgiven for believing the above-mentioned never took place. For, off the back of gargantuan hits such ‘OMG’ and ‘DJ Got Us Falling In Love’, Usher is every bit the chart force he was for much of the previous decade.

However, for some, this renewed success has come at a price – his R&B roots. Yes, his latest effort ‘Raymond vs Raymond’ served up Urban geared cuts such as ‘Lil Freak’ and ‘Hey Daddy’. Yet, some argue, there’s no coincidence that it was the Dance flavoured songs which received the most backing and ultimately the most success. As such, Usher in 2011 has emerged as quintessentially Pop. A problem, it seems, for some of the R&B enthusiasts who helped propel him in the first place.

As such, That Grape Juice took to the streets of Hollywood to hear what the people think of Usher in 2011. Did he sell out? Are they still fans? How does he compare to the new breed? This is ‘The Word…On Usher’.

Your thoughts?

Misdemeanor is most certainly back on the mic.

For Rap Queen Missy Elliot has lent her vocals to an official remix of Katy Perry‘s #1 single ‘Last Friday Night (TGIF)’.

Expected to generate buzz for the performer’s own upcoming LP, it marks the first time that she and the ‘I Kissed A Girl‘ entertainer have worked together.

Listen below…

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The year is 2008.

Britney Spears‘ and co are still twiddling their fingers in delight over the critical and commercial success of her ‘Blackout‘ LP and the Popverse has just been introduced to wide eyed upstart Katy Perry.

Armed with her Pro Girl  smash ‘I Kissed A Girl’ and the Pop/Rock forward debut LP ‘One Of The Boys‘,  Ms. Perry was undeniably 2008’s breakout sensation.

Well, at least we thought she was….

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