Janet Jackson sent fans into a frenzy this week with her stunning new shoot for Essence Magazine. 

Aptly timed, the spread – which was lensed by Yu Tsai – arrives as the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer gears up to rock the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans next month.

Before then, Ms. Jackson is taking the masses behind the scenes of her striking feature.

Watch the Pop queen in action after the jump…

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Muni Long has been unveiled as the MTV Push artist for June.

To commemorate the honor, the singer-songwriter delivered a dynamic medley of new her new single ‘Baby Boo’ and  breakout bop ‘Hrs & Hrs.’

Arriving on the heels of her freshly minted joint venture deal with Def Jam, the showing saw Muni – who all at once is a major songwriter and rising artist in her own right – put a unique spin on both tracks.

Backed by a collective of instrumentalists, she showed up and showed out.

Watch the performances after the jump…

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Ari Lennox has pulled the plug on an array of live dates.

Find out why after the jump…

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Cardi B has re-upped with Facebook for another season of her show ‘Cardi Tries _____.’

The Messenger series (which is executive produced by the star alongside Jesse Collins) sees her trying her hand at new skills outside of her Hip-Hop rooting. From lacing up to become a ballerina, firefighter, car racer, teacher, and more.

She won’t be alone, as notable names and faces pop up to help her achieve her goals.

The latest episode of season 2 is here and sees Cardi learn how to make chocolate with the help of Teyana Taylor.

Watch below…

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Drake sprung a surprise on fans yesterday (June 17) with the release of his seventh studio album, ‘Honestly, Nevermind.’

Perhaps most surprising, however, was the fact that the unexpected LP saw the Canada-born titan delve deep into Dance music.

With the response thus far being potently polarizing, what are LP’s commercial prospects looking like?

The first-week sales predictions are in and bring with them the answer.

Full story below…

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With over two decades in the spotlight, Ciara is no stranger to the peaks and politics of the music industry.

And, in a new interview, she opens up about experiencing the latter in more recent times.

Full story below…

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FLO have new music on the way!

The new group (comprised of Renée, Jorja, and Stella) have been enjoying viral success with their breakout bop ‘Cardboard Box’ and now they are looking to follow up the MNEK-penned jam with another vocally-driven jam.

Full story below…

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VERZUZ is back and this time it’s an R&B showdown.

Because Omarion and Mario will be doing battle!

Full story below…

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John Legend may already be serving his fans a taste of ‘Honey’ via his latest single (which features singer-songwriter Muni Long), but just days ahead of the sweet tune’s arrival he was serving the video to ‘Dope.’

Assisted by JID, the Ian Kirkpatrick & Ryan Tedder-produced jam comes as the latest fix of the new music set to line Legend’s forthcoming seventh studio album – the follow-up to 2020’s critically acclaimed ‘Bigger Love.’

After winning over critics with the metaphor-laden tune, he’s now taking us behind the scenes to see the magic of how the ‘Dope’ music video came to life.

See the Christian Breslauer-directed action inside.

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Having already rocked headlines with the announcement of his new label Love Records and new album to be released via Motown Records, Diddy is ready to deliver the first fruit of the latter venture.

After a lengthy absence from the music scene as a performer, Friday (June 17) brought with it Diddy’s official return courtesy of the new song ‘Gotta Move On.’

The Bryson Tiller-assisted tune, which was first brought to the masses via a live performance at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards (which Diddy also hosted), sees the two exchange words of encouragement as they heal from the heartbreak of selfish lovers.

“If she don’t want my love, I’m guessin’ I gotta move on, I guess / I guess, I guess, I came a little too strong, I guess / She don’t want my love, I guess I got move on I guess (Gotta move on),” Tiller spits on the chorus of the RNSOM-produced cut.

Hop inside to hear it in full:

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‘Back Pack’ beauty Flo Milli had reached back in her bag of bops to pull out the new banger ‘Conceited.’

Produced by Fyre and Trinidad James, the braggadocious track – which made its arrival to digital shelves on Friday (June 17) – is set to line the tracklist of her recently announced debut studio album ‘You Still Here, Ho?,’

In its equally captivating video, Flo delivers fiery bars from the nail salon while rocking a ‘B.A.P.S.’-inspired blonde hairdo – and made it look effortless the whole time.

‘Conceited’ may clock in at a short but sweet 2 minutes and 26 seconds long, but that timeframe was more than enough for Miss Milli to get the point across.

Check out ‘Conceited’ inside.
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Congratulations are in order for Mariah Carey, who has officially been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 

Full story below…

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