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Usher unleashed his eighth studio album ‘Hard II Love’ on the masses last week. And though the final tally has yet to be counted, the official sales forecast sent the net into a flutter.

For, the set – led by singles ‘Crash’ and ‘No Limit’ – is on course to debut with 25,000; the lowest US numbers of the crooner’s career.

Given the unforgiving nature of today’s age and the fickleness of select fans, some have deemed it “the end” for the 8-time Grammy winner.

We’re not so sure about that, but can’t distract from the fact that something is…off.

Join us below as we unpack the problems and size up the solutions…

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Lady Gaga has experienced quite the career roller coaster of late – with a number of peaks and troughs.

But, on the eve of the release of new single ‘Perfect Illusion,’ there’s no denying anticipation is at fever-pitch for the cut’s housing album.

Affectionately codenamed ‘LG5’ by fans, the singer’s fifth studio effort features production from the likes of Mark Ronson, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, and BloodPop.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, the latter opened up about what listeners can expect from new Gaga.

His words await below…

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Yeah, the summer may almost be over, but that hasn’t stopped former Danity Kane frontwoman D∆WN from bringing the heat.  This time, the songstress has given the visual treatment to fan favorite ‘Cali Sun.’

Getting by with a little help from friend Rob Coin, the eccentric singer took to Rolling Stone to unveil an animated clip in support of the tune.  She tells the mag:

“I’m excited to go back to animation,” she said. “I started in animation with my own comics and drawing, and even the Danity Kane name came from a character I created in high school.”

Coming as her latest innovative trip into visual territory (after the virtual reality-inspired ‘Not Above That’ released in June and launching YouTube’s first live 360-degree performance), tuck in below to see the blazing ‘Sun’ D∆WN’s delivering:

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Keen to replicate profit-swelling success stories of yesteryear record labels often use model their new artists on the artists who came before them.

Janet-Britney

Madonna- Lady Gaga

Anita Baker – Toni Braxton

Mary J. Blige – Keyshia Cole- K. Michelle

Beyonce- Rihanna

Gwen Stefani- Charli XCX.

For one reason or another, this practice isn’t always as obvious when the artists are men, perhaps because said labels rarely require male artists to look like the artists they are pulling from.

Unfortunately for Future, he has learned just how problematic this trend can be when a new musician succeeds in “borrowing” their sound.

For, after he was accused of “borrowing” his style from T-Pain, he has been forced to watch the rise of the charismatic and eerily identical Desiigner and his smash hit single ‘Panda.’

Why his thunder-stealing ascent is set to rub the Southern star the wrong way once more?

Desiigner’s decision to cover his latest single…

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We may be only a day away from the highly anticipated release of Maxwell‘s newest album, ‘blackSUMMERS’night,’ but the next few hours seem like nothing after a nearly 7 year wait.

Indeed, 2009 was the last time we got a full body of work from the Grammy winning crooner who recently revealed the wait was due to having to sift through over 300 songs to narrow down ‘SUMMERS’ – the second installment in a trilogy of similarly themed albums – to its present 12-song tracklist.

With only hours separating them from part 2 of the trio of opuses, some fans have already begun anticipating its follow-up [blacksummers’NIGHT] with fear there may be another 6-7 year wait before they can get their hands on it.  However, a recent chat with our friends at ‘EW’ should ease those fears as the singer not only revealed why he took such a lengthy break, but also that part 3 is already nearly completed!

Details on what you should expect from it await below:

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The Billboard Music Awards 2016 certainly provided many a notable moment courtesy of the host of music stars who took to the stage.

Now, following show-stopping performances from the likes of Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Madonna, Pink, Fifth Harmony and more, see who walked away with the show’s biggest star – its coveted trophies!

A full winners’ list awaits below…

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Lil Kim wants you to know that she can sing…and that she uses auto-tune.

In fact, according to her, she’s been using it since her second album, “The Notorious K.I.M.” Speaking to Rolling Stone, the “Jump Off” rapper dished on making her “Lil Kim Season” mixtape and whether or not she plays the cut for her daughter.

Interested? Keep reading.

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It’s that time of year!

The Billboard Music Awards are back for its 2016 instalment and today the much anticipated nominees were revealed.

Hosts Ciara and Ludacris were on-hand for the partial announcement today on Good Morning America.

In the time since, the full list of finalists for the May 22nd ceremony (which airs live on ABC from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas) has surfaced.

See who’s up for what after the jump. We imagine some choices will have you scratching your head…

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Queen of Pop Madonna proved a long time ago her reign was far from limited to pop charts.

Currently holding the record for the most successful tour ever by a solo act (see:  2008’s whopping $408 million-generating ‘Sticky and Sweet Tour’), the songstress is now making more noise in touring history books thanks to her current outing ‘The Rebel Heart Tour’ (christened after her 13th album of the same name).

And, while the ‘Living For Love’-led project is the worst-selling of her career, its supportive tour is singing a much different tune.

Get the details below:

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…and the claws are out!

In what appears to be another episode of “Somebody Pissed in Elton John‘s Cereal,” the piano-tickling legend wasn’t exactly in a laughing mood when quizzed on his thoughts on one of music’s most celebrated stageblazers – Janet Jackson.

Slamming the songstress with claims of lip-syncing, similar to those he hurled at her fellow pop queen Madonna years ago, John went all the way in and off on Jackson in his recent sit down with Rolling Stone magazine.

The reports already have JanFans in a furor, many of whom have taken to Twitter to speak out against the ever-outspoken ‘Tiny Dancer’ divo.  Did you miss any of the action?  It awaits below:

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With nearly two months of pure chart domination to her credit it appears at this point Adele‘s only competition is herself.  And, as recent reports suggest, she’s even winning there too!

Indeed, by saying hello to her 9th week atop the Billboard Hot 100 she’s also notched a new career milestone.  Besting her previous longest run, ‘Rolling in the Deep,’ by two weeks, Addy was also greeted with news ‘Hello’ boasts one of the longest consecutive reigns ever on the Hot 100’s summit by a song that debuted there.

According to Billboard, only 3 songs separate her from the top spot on that historic tally:

16 weeks, “One Sweet Day,” Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men, 1995-96
14 weeks, “Candle in the Wind” / “Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” Elton John, 1997-98
11 weeks, “I’ll Be Missing You,” Puff Daddy & Faith Evans feat. 112, 1997
9 weeks, “Hello,” Adele, 2015

This means, with her 9 weeks in tow, she already vaunts claim to the longest consecutive run at the top by a #1-debuting song by a solo female. But, only time will tell if she’ll snatch the overall title from Billboard queen, Mariah Carey‘s, legendary hands.

Until then, get the rest of this week’s Hot 100 chart check below:

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The Adele media flood continues to make waves.

’25,’ the singer’s third studio album, is selling super-sonic numbers, a trend that looks set to extend well into the New Year.

Still, that hasn’t halted the songbird’s ambition to spread the gospel of her return. This time (and aptly so) it’s TIME Magazine that she graces.

Serving in regal red, the striking shot follows recent features for the likes of i-D, Rolling Stone, and The Observer.

While an inevitable truckload of additional sales await ’25’ in 2016, so too will a push for its official second single ‘When We Were Young.’ 

Check it out below. You’ll undoubtedly be hearing it on airwaves imminently…

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