Usher may quite fairly lay claim to the King of R&B title, but what is equally hard to deny is that the superstar’s impressive longevity is partially a result of his embrace of other genres.

Notably EDM and Dance-Pop.

Indeed, who can forget global smashes such as ‘DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love Again’ and ‘OMG’ – both of which helped the stage blazer dominate all over again in the early 2010s.

However, for all this renewed success, Ush’s embrace of the dancier sounds ignited deep debate among his loyal R&B fanbase. For, while some took to the fresh approach, others detested it and suggested the singer had “turned his back” on his core genre. A debate that occasionally rears its head ’til this day.

With humor and charm, though, Mr. Raymond playfully acknowledged this on stage at his My Way Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live.

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Cardi B is setting the record straight after oddly being accused of using black magic by fans of another artist – and arguably the artist themselves.

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This week marks the 25th anniversary of Mariah Carey‘s iconic ‘Butterfly’ album and the celebratory activity is plentiful.

Indeed, as reported, Mimi announced a full suite of activations to commemorate the milestone – including an expanded re-release and a mini-documentary.

The latter was unlocked moments ago and it’s centered on the music video for ‘Honey.’

Carey is joined by a host of key figures who helped helm the Paul Hunter-directed visual, which was lensed in Puerto Rico in 1997.

Check out the insightful deep dive into the ‘Honey’ vid after the jump…

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Ari Lennox is hard at work promoting her sophomore album ‘Age/Sex/Location.’

And The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1 was her latest stop.

The appearance serves as the first time the songbird has nested on the popular platform and it proved worth the wait because the interview was oh so intriguing.

Chopping it up with Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy, and Angela Yee, the ‘Pressure’ belter opened up about her LP, humble beginnings (including driving Uber), dating, and her roller-coaster relationship with her father and how that’s affecting other aspects of her life more broadly.

Lennox also shared that she felt that Diddy’s declaration that “R&B is dead” was “dismissive.”

Watch the full interview after the jump…

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New music from Mariah Carey could be on the way.

For, the Songbird Supreme has now revealed that she has recorded a new album.

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Cardi B is not holding back.

For, she is now responding to claims that she stole her hit song ‘Hot Sh*t.’

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Bad Bunny continues to dominate the charts.

This time around, he has scored a major feat.

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In today’s installment of random R&B beef, it appears August Alsina and Tory Lanez have clashed in colossal fashion. And the ruckus has left one man bloodied.

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This week has seen Usher celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ‘My Way’ album. So, what better time than the present to join in the festivities? As such, the latest installment of From The Vault salutes the title track of the superstar’s sophomore set.

Issued as the third and final single from the LP in 1998, ‘My Way’ was written by Usher alongside Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal – the latter two of whom also produced the track.

Armed with the colossal success of preceding efforts ‘You Make Me Wanna’ and chart-topper ‘Nice & Slow,’ the then-rising star further cemented himself with ‘My Way’ which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Interestingly, the juxtaposed success and underperformance of ‘Nice & Slow’ in various international regions capped the commercial clout of ‘My Way’ as a single and saw the track not even released in certain major markets like the United Kingdom.

 Still, that didn’t deter Ush from delivering s dynamite visual.

Directed by Paul Hunter, the clip saw the performer dance up a storm in a broken-down garage stationed at a colorful location. Mr. Raymond leads one ensemble, while the rival group is helmed by none other than Tyrese.

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Two and a half decades on, ‘My Way’ – as a song, an album, and an era – remains the blueprint for so many that came after Usher. Here’s to this force receiving his flowers while he’s here to smell them.

Your thoughts?

Post Malone‘s show at St. Louis’ Enterprise Center ground to an abrupt halt last night (September 17) after the star took an almighty tumble on stage.

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As elusive albums go, few are as elusive as Rihanna‘s long-awaited ninth studio effort.

Codenamed ‘R9’ by the superstar’s super patient fans, the project has long promised in earnest – but has taken a notable backseat as the Bajan belle grew her billion-dollar Fenty empire. The pause button was also hit when the 34-year-old welcomed her first child with partner ASAP Rocky in May.

Now, though, a fresh sighting suggests music may well be on the way. Finally.

Join us after the jump…

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Kelela is back.

After a lengthy hiatus, the alt-R&B chanteuse returns with hypnotic new single ‘Washed Away.’

The track serves as the star’s first original material to be released since 2017’s ‘Take Me Apart’ (home to the much loved ‘LMK’).

Speaking on the Yo van Lenz-produced track, the 39-year-old began by saying:

“A B*TCH IS BACK and feeling v ⛲️after my hiatus. please TRUST the bangers are on the way. but first: how’s your heart? ‘Washed Away’ out now!”

Expanding, she added:

“Recorded this track in the midst of uncertainty and a lot of my first takes made it to the final. I really didn’t think I’d hit on anything that would resonate out the gate, but I can see now that it was my willingness to try that paved the way for self belief and renewal. Hope it makes you feel the same.” 

Watch the song’s Yasser Abubeker-directed video jump…

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