A couple of weeks ago, both Kelly Rowland and Mya gave performances at the ‘Fashion Cares 2007’ event in Canada. Check out the videos:

Kelly Rowland Performing Dilemma

I liked this performance; it seems Kelly has improved on her live vocals. The Patti Labelle ‘Love, Need and Want You’tie-in (the song Dilemma samples) was a nice touch. Although, it didn’t help that the crowd was almost completely dead. {LOL at the mess dressed in white..’Watch It’}

Mya Performing ‘I Am’

Watching this performance made me realise how much I actually like the song – why isn’t this a single? Anyway, the performance was pretty good. Mya’s vocals were on-point and the song works well live. As was with Kelly, the lack of crowd response slightly took away from the overall performance. I don’t understand why people go to these shows to sit silent and unresponsive.

What did you think of Kelly & Mya’s performances?

Rapper 50 Cent covers the July issue of VIBE magazine. Upon first seeing the cover, I thought it was a joke – but it really is genuine. If Mary J Blige thought her cover was bad, she hasn’t seen this yet. 50 looks constipated…not a good look. The issue hits newstands in the next few weeks.

Fresh from a recent promotional stint in Europe, Amerie performed in Korea this week. The ‘One Thing’ singer- who is half Korean herself – performed her current single ‘Take Control’ on the M Countdown show and did a great job. It’s only recently that I realised how good a live performer she actually is. For the most part, the choreography was really on-point.

What do you think of the performance?

Bad news for those holding out for the return of The Fugees. Former member Pras has gone on record to state that the status of his reunion with fellow members Lauryn Hill and Wyclef is “Straight dead”. Speaking to SOHH, Pras explains “You know, unfortunately Miss Hill, she got some things she needs to deal with. I wish her the best, but life goes on.” The critically acclaimed trio were scheduled to release an album last year marking 10 years since the release of their classic LP ‘The Score’; a single, ‘Take It Eazy’ was even released in late 2005. Currently each member is focusing on their own projects; including Pras’ new album/movie project and Lauryn Hill’s upcoming overseas tour.
Whatever the case, I say they should hurry up and get it together. Look at how many 90’s groups try to reunite after so many years away – only to find that no one cares anymore.

You holding out for The Fugees reunion?

In a week that has seen many new video debuts, Kanye West adds this video for his latest single ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing’ to the mix. I got word that this isn’t the official first single from West’s upcoming third album ‘Graduation’ – it’s a street/buzz single. The video is very reflective of this; it’s pretty underwhelming for a ‘first single’. Can’t say I’m feeling the song much more either. I’m hoping that Kanye comes better than this with the singles/video’s from the CD. ‘Graduation’ hits stores September 18th.

Hit or Miss?
Rapper 50 Cent has announced that his new album ‘Curtis’ has been pushed back from June 26th to September 4th. Citing his International following as the reason for the delay, the G-Unit leader said ‘I’m an international artist…my fans worldwide deserve to receive my album at the same time as my fans here in the U.S. Taking that into consideration moving the album to September was a necessary course of action.’
This news isn’t all that surprising to me; the lead single from the album ‘Amusement Park’ has been lukewarmly received and the hype surrounding the project is noticeably less than that of his previous albums. I don’t buy the ‘International market’ excuse; he is ’50 Cent’ – meaning he is a big enough artist to drop an album worldwide at anytime.

Will you be picking up ‘Curtis’?
After numerous set-backs, including being struck with deafness, Foxy Brown has finally set a release date for her anticipated ‘Black Roses’ album. The controversial rapper revealed to Billboard that ‘Black Roses’ – her first album in 6 years – will hit stores on September 4th via her new label of the same name. Regarding the album, Foxy said ‘No disrespect to anyone, but gear up baby, because when I come, it’s over…this album is going to be a lyrical testimony of everything I’ve gone through and survived the last couple of years. It’s just incredible.’ Planned collaborations on the album are set to include Jay-Z, Baby Cham and Spragga Benz.
It’s refreshing to hear news regarding Foxy’s music and not a run-in with the law. With Eve doing her thing now as well, it seems female Hip-Hop is experiencing a revival. Lil’ Kim should follow suit and hurry-up with her post-prison album too.

Do you care for Foxy’s return?

The video for Eve’s new single ‘Tambourine’ debuted last night on BET and Launch. I’m loving the video already; it’s a straight concept video and Eve is looking ON-POINT throughout. The video was directed by Melina – who directed many of Beyonce’s new videos from the B’Day re-release. She definitely did a better job with this E-V-E vid. The single is taken from Eve’s upcoming album ‘Here I Am’ (due later this year).

What do think of the ‘Tambourine’ video?

As some of you may know, comedienne Mo’Nique was announced as the host of the 2007 BET Awards last week. The last time she hosted the annual award show was in 2004 when she gave her infamous ‘Crazy In Love’ performance. Judging by this pre-recorded message – screened at the BET Awards press conference- she will be just as hilarious this year. Check it out…

It has been announced that R&B songstress LeToya is to be honored by the ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) during its 20th Anniversary Rhythm and Soul Music Awards on June 26th. LeToya’s hit ‘Torn’ is also set to be honored at the event as one of ASCAP’s top songs of 2006. Her career is going from strength to strength.
In other LeToya news, angry fans have started a petition to BET querying why the ‘She Don’t’ singer was completely left off the nominee list for the 2007 BET Awards. It makes alot of sense, considering LeToya was a major feature on BET last year. ‘Torn’ was #1 on the 106 & Park video countdown for a number of weeks and had to be retired from the chart. Not forgetting the ‘H-Town Chick’ reality show on the network which documented LeToya’s daily activities in the run-up to the release of her debut album. All of this and not even one nomination.
This is apparently the cover for 50 Cent’s third studio album ‘Curtis’. It’s cool, but perhaps would have been more suited to the album’s previous title ‘Before I Self Destruct’.

‘Curtis’ hits stores June 26th.

The video for Mario’s lead single – ‘How Do I Breathe’ – from his new album ‘Go’ premiered tonight. Whilst the song has grown on me, the video is a disappointment. After Mario being out of the limelight for a few years, I would have expected his label to spend more on this video; yet it comes across kinda cheap-looking. Personally I would have preferred Mario to stray from the sound of his biggest hit ‘Let Me Love You'(which ‘How Do I Breathe’ attempts to replicate) and come with something fresh. Still, there’s hope with some of the great tracks I’ve heard from the set such as ‘Kryptonite’ and ‘Crying Out For Me’. ‘Go’ drops July 30th.

Hot or Not?

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