Janet Jackson is the name on everyone’s lips after she served up a rocking live set of her greatest hits as headliner of the 2022 Essence Fest last weekend.

When not dazzling the New Orleans crowd with a metal-paneled, form-fitting, sparkling black jumpsuit, the 56-year-old showed off iconic footwork as she zoomed through classic numbers like ‘Rhythm Nation,’ ‘If,’ ‘Escapade,’ and more.

If the overwhelmingly positive response to the high octane performance wasn’t indication enough of how well it was received, reports of the Pop Queen popping box office records certainly should do it.

Details inside:

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Rising rapstress Lakeyah is making it her business to keep her latest single ‘Mind Yo Business’ front and center amid promotion of its parent project – the June 17-released EP ‘No Pressure (Pt. 1).’

The Latto-assisted jam, which famously samples Iconz‘ classic ‘Get Crunked Up,’ appears to be Billboard-bound thanks to gained traction on TikTok.

In a bid to give it a bit of a boost, Lakeyah is inviting viewers to take a special behind the scenes look at the tune’s sizzling accompanying music video.

Look inside to see the Maya Table-directed action.

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‘I Try’ hitmaker Macy Gray is trying her hardest to clean up a PR disaster after taking to an interview with Piers Morgan to reveal she believed that ‘just because you go change your parts, doesn’t make you a woman’ (as we reported here).

Even doubling down on the notion by asserting her belief that transwomen have no place in sports, the comment got tongues wagging with many critics pointing out the untimeliness of her message (in relation to the end of Pride month) and the fact Gray herself is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

As the backlash swelled, the 54-year-old has taken to social media and to press to suggest her statements were taken out of context.

Look inside to read her defense.

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Issa Rae turns the volume all the way up with her new show, ‘Rap Sh!t.’

Serving as the ‘Insecure’ creator’s newest offering, this series tells the story of two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion).

Reuniting to form a Rap group, they are tasked with navigating layered lives, complex dynamics, Black womanhood, and a music world that is both magnetic and manic.

As reported, Hip-Hop duo the City Girls are in the mix as co-executive producers.

Prior to its premiere on HBO Max on July 21, check out the newly hatched extended trailer…

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Congratulations are in order for Alexandra Burke and her footballer boyfriend Darren Randolph.

Because the couple has announced the birth of their first child together.

Full story after the jump…

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Beyonce has had the world dancing with her dynamite new single ‘Break My Soul.’

And fans in the US have taken to the ‘Renaissance’ track in earnest.

Because, in its first full week of tracking, the song has rocketed into the top 10 and become a cornerstone achievement of the diva’s career.

Full story below…

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Macy Gray is now weighing in on the transgender debate and it has caused her to catch a lot of flack.

Full story below…

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Big Freedia was left in shock thanks to Beyonce.

For, the Queen of Bounce is now detailing the moment that she heard was sampled for Beyonce’s ‘Break My Soul.’

Full story below…

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Saweetie is getting candid.

For, the ‘Tap In’ rapper is now opening up about the delay of her highly-anticipated ‘Pretty B*tch Music’ album.

Full story below…

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Big Sean was the subject of big news over the weekend as rumors swirled his longtime girlfriend/GRAMMY-nominated singer Jhene Aiko is expecting.

Showing off her baby bump (as seen in the photo above), snaps of the R&B diva looking visibly pregnant surfaced online as she and Sean enoyed some shopping time in West Hollywood on Saturday (July 2).

Sending the lovebirds’ names to trending status on Twitter, the rapper took to the social media shortly after to push the talk into overdrive by indirectly addressing the hoopla.

Look inside to see what he said:

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Fresh from rocking the stage at New York Pride, it looks like Madonna and Saucy Santana may have another collaborative effort on the way.

See what we mean after the jump…

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Playboi Carti is renowned for delivering a spectacle at his high-energy shows.

However, he made for quite the sight during his performance at the opening weekend of the Wireless Festival in London.

For, the rapper took a tumble…off of the stage.

Full story below…

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