While the release date of LeToya Luckett’s sophomore effort ‘Lady Love’ still up in the air, new material from the set has surfaced in the form of ‘Don’t Need You’. Produced by Madd Scientist (Beyonce & Jay-Z’s ‘Hollywood’), the mid-tempo ballad is a cleverly written take on oft-tackled issue of relationships. The cut also really illuminates the fact that LeToya’s voice has really matured with this new record.

Having been somewhat on the fence with much of Ms. Luckett’s new material (sorry, but ‘Not Anymore’ was not cutting it), I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about ‘Lady Love’ after hearing this.

Hit or Miss?

If you thought the Nas and Kelis divorce was going to be a mess-free affair, think again! According to TMZ, Kelis has lifted the lid on the nitty gritty of the couple’s separation…and it’s not a good look for Nas:

Kelis claims estranged hubby Nas has left her high and dry … not offering her a penny in the wake of her impending birth … and she says she’s broke — “I have run out of money.”

Kelis filed legal papers claiming Nas isn’t paying her support, pre-natal expenses — nothing, even though she claims he is filthy rich.

Kelis is asking the judge to order Nas to pay for spousal support, child support, all pregnancy-related expenses, and one-half of all medical expenses after the child is born. She also wants $3,500 for the baby nurse after the child’s birth, and $20,000 for strollers, cribs and other baby supplies.

Kelis says, “My survival is based on [Nas’] will at this time. If he does not want to pay for an expense, it does not get paid.” The couple was married in 2003. The baby is due this month.

Kelis says she’s entitled to maintain the lifestyle to which she became accustomed during their marriage — they have 5 homes, fly first class, go to fancy restaurants, and on and on. Most interesting — “There were many expensive pieces [of jewelry] such as a princess-cut diamond tennis bracelet that was recently appraised for $190,000. My engagement ring is an approximately nine-carat cushion-cut diamond solitaire. I have numerous watches…such as Cartier, Rolex, Frank Muller and Chopard.”

Her lawyer, disso-queen Laura Wasser, says in a separate declaration she’s asked Nas to ante up some $$$ for Kelis and the unborn baby but he hasn’t responded.

Wow. Can you say ‘drama’ or what! While there are three sides to every story (hers, his, and the truth), this really doesn’t bode well for Nas in the court of public opinion. Nonetheless, the whole situation is real, real unfortunate.

Your thoughts?

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All the makings of an epic performance…and what an epic performance it was! Yes, Ms. Kelly has had better days vocally, but that couldn’t take away from the overall swagger all the ladies possessed on this one. Summed up as simply ‘the business’, this performance was everything and sure had me itching for a DC3 reunion record / tour /or something in the near future. Good stuff.

Your thoughts?

Check out this footage of Ashanti performing during rehearsals for her stint as Dorothy in the Broadway adaptation of ‘The Wiz’, which kicks off next week.

While her vocal showings early in her career left a lot to be desired, I never quite understand why people still get on her on the vocal tip these days. As this video shows, she can actually *sang, sang*. More power to her!

Your thoughts?

Reports surfaced yesterday suggesting that R&B star Usher has filed for divorce from wife of 2 years Tameka Foster. Today, the speculation was confirmed, with the court divorce filing hitting the net also. Peep the report and the filing below:

ATLANTA (AP) — R&B singer Usher filed for divorce Friday from Tameka Foster Raymond, less than two years after their glitzy wedding at a Georgia resort.

The 30-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Usher Raymond IV, filed the petition in Superior Court in Atlanta. Records posted to the court’s Web site did not give any details about the split between the R&B star and his wife, who were married in August 2007.

About 200 people attended the wedding between the two at resort built in the style of a 16th-century-style French chateau on 3,500 hilly acres outside Atlanta.

They have two young sons, 1 1/2-year-old Usher Raymond V and 6-month-old Naviyd Ely Raymond. His wife has three children from a previous marriage.

E-mail and telephone messages to Usher’s publicist were not immediately returned.

In a May 2008 interview with The Associated Press, Usher addressed negative feedback from bloggers over his relationship with his wife, who’s 8 years older than him and was once his stylist.

“People are so attracted to drama. That’s easier to take than a story of righteousness,” Usher said at the time.

“I decided to marry this woman, then I decide to be a father to my child,” he said. “… It’s not like I got caught with a gram of coke in my car or speeding or was caught for murder, so why would I be ridiculed, that’s why I don’t understand – that’s the part that is mind boggling. Why would I be ridiculed for that, even a year later.”

Prior to the marriage, Usher had a string of public romances, most notably his three-year relationship with Chilli from TLC. {Source}

Another one bites the dust. Sad. I see a lot of folk rejoicing and suggesting Usher’s career will hit sky high because of this, yet since when should someone else’s sadness or heartbreak be a good thing in the eyes of others?

Your thoughts?

It seems JoJo’s record label rant last week has proved worthwhile, as news and new material from the immensely talented 18 year old has been coming thick and fast; the most recent of which is new track ’25 To Life’. Currently unknown is whether or not the track is the lead single from her ‘All I Want Is Everything’ LP, nonetheless it’s a winner! From the catchy hook, to the clever tempo changes, to Ms. Levesque’s stunning vocal delivery (as usual), I’m really feeling this. What’s more, it has me salivating for more new material from her. Great track.

Hit or Miss?

The video for Cassie’s brand new Diddy-assisted single ‘Must Be Love’ premiered today. Put simply, the clip for this ‘Bad Boy Classic’ (Diddy’s words not mine) is ‘blah blah blah’. Besides the video lacking substance and featuring subtlety hilarious choreography by Cassie and Diddy, it really highlights the lack of direction with Cassie generally. A few months ago she debuted a radical new look, yet this song and video don’t match that and she comes off looking foolish. Contrived, contrived, contrived. Next.

What do you think of the video?