Almost three years after alleging he was the victim of a hate attack, Jussie Smollett was convicted on five counts of fabricating the entire incident.

As reported, a Cook Country jury found the former ‘Empire’ actor guilty on all but one of the charges he was hit with.

The six men and six women opted to side with the account given by key prosecution witnesses Abel and Ola Osundairo, who say they conspired with Smollett to plan the January 2019 hoax.

In the wake of the verdict, Smollett’s legal team issued a statement at the front of the courthouse confirming that they will be mounting an appeal to prove his innocence.

Full story below…

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Burna Boy continues to blaze on a global scale and his heat streak has taken the GRAMMY winner all the way to New York’s Madison Squarw Garden.

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Ashanti stopped by The Breakfast Club today and chopped it up about many a topic.

Basking in the afterglow of being crowned Lady of Soul at the 2021 Soul Train Awards, the R&B veteran opened up about the decision to re-record her masters and Irv Gotti’s less-than-endorsing comments.

The 41-year-old also revealed she is working on a documentary that will shine a light on a lot of the behind-the-scenes drama few folk know about.

She also spoke on maintaining a private love life and much more.

Watch the insightful interview after the jump…

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Music superstars Kirk Franklin and Mya Harrison were just a few of the big names tapped to help Lifetime bring in some holiday cheer this year via their annual #ItsaWonderfulLifetime campaign, with each GRAMMY winner toplining one of the network’s most highly anticipated showings.

With Franklin’s ‘A Gospel Christmas’ and Harrison’s ‘My Favorite Christmas Melody’ premiered December 4 and December 5 respectively, the musical-laden Lifetime movies packed a potent, 1-2 punch on the critical and ratings front.

Look inside to see how each fared.

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Nearly a month after Rick Ross first introduced his fans to ‘Outlawz’ – the first single from his 11th studio album ‘Richer Than I Ever Been’ – the GRAMMY nominee has released the official accompanying visual for the Jazmine Sulllivan and 21 Savage-supported tune.

The cinematic clip sees its three stars bring out their inner hustlers as they take to the streets to share a glimpse of life on the wrong side of the law.

Premiered just moments after ‘Richer’ hit major digital platforms (as we reported here), look inside to see the captivating ‘Outlawz’ music video.

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Saweetie fans, affectionately called #IcyGang, who were bummed the rising rapstress didn’t make good on her promise to release her serially delayed debut album, ‘Pretty B*tch Music,’ over the summer will be thrilled to know the ‘Icy Chain’ hitmaker won’t be leaving them in the cold this winter.

As she continues to revamp the project to bring it up to her standards, the 28-year-old (born Diamonté Harper) is set to tide music lovers over with a 7-song EP

More inside:

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Rick Ross may have caused a commotion with the ‘church usher’-inspired original cover to his 11th studio album, ‘Richer Than I Ever Been,’ but by the LP’s December 10 release date the Biggest Bawse pulled a swerve by taming the project’s artwork.

Arriving on digital shelves on the wings of its previously released lead singles, ‘Outlawz’ (featuring Jazmine Sullivan and 21 Savage) and ‘Little Havana’ featuring The Dream & Willie Falcon), the 10-song opus also features high profile appearances from the likes of Future, Wale, Benny the Butcher, DreamDoll, Blxst, and more.

Speaking on ‘Richer,’ Ricky Rozay:

“…I feel this is the best album I’ve ever done. I make progress every day. I feel like some of the stuff I’m saying on this album is really going to separate it from others.”

Stream it inside via Apple Music and Spotify to see if you agree.

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Barely a years after getting fans acquainted with her seventh studio album, ‘ALICIA,’ singer-songwriter Alicia Keys has already unveiled its follow-up in the form of ‘KEYS’ – an ambitious double LP.

The 26-track set, which features the previously released singles ‘Best of Me’ and ‘Lala’ (featuring Swae Lee), arrives on digital platforms Friday (December 10) after ample teasing. One one disc, fans will be treated to the original versions of 14 new songs while the other disc boasts 12 different versions of those same songs.

Boasting appearances from Pusha T and Brandi Carlile as well as Lil Wayne, Khalid, Lucky Daye, and more, look inside to stream ‘KEYS’ via Apple Music and Spotify.

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A week after what would’ve been Juice WRLD‘s 23rd birthday, fans of the late Rap superstar are being gifted yet another collection of previously unreleased music to commemorate his legacy.

Titled ‘Fighting Demons,’ the 18-track project – which features the already-released ‘Wandered to LA’ (featuring Justin Bieber) and ‘Already Dead’ –  comes less than 2 years after his first posthumous drop, ‘Legends Never Die’ (which boasted guest appearances from The Weeknd, Kid LAROI, Halsey, Trippie Redd, and more).

Like ‘Legends,’ ‘Demons’ is chockfull of guest appearances from some of today’s biggest Urban music stars including Polo G, Suga of BTS, and more.

Making its way to digital shelves December 10, hop inside to stream ‘Fighting Demons’ in full courtesy of Apple Music and Spotify.

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In breaking news, Jussie Smollett has been found guilty by a Cook County jury on five counts of making false police reports.

The charges were leveled against the ‘Empire’ star in the wake of a hate attack he claimed to have experienced on January 29, 2019.

Full story below…

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When not making the masses say ‘Have Mercy,’ Chloie Bailey is reminding them of her vocal gravitas.

Taking to social media, the rising solo star unwrapped a rousing rendition of Adele‘s chart-topping smash ‘Easy On Me.’

Showcasing her vast range, the 23-year-old wowed with a spirited take on the ’30’ anthem.

The performance comes as ‘Have Mercy’ continues to make major strides on both Rhythmic and Urban radio.

Check it out below…

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Drake dropped jaws this week when he announced intent to withdraw entries for his blockbuster last album, ‘Certified Lover Boy,’ from GRAMMY consideration despite being nominated for Best Rap Album (‘Certified Lover Boy’) and Best Rap Performance (‘Way 2 Sexy’ featuring Future & Young Thug’) at next year’s ceremony.

While shocking to some, the move is in line with his previously revealed stance about the Academy – one voiced in earnest during last year’s headline-grabbing fiasco with his fellow Canadian hitmaker, The Weeknd, when the latter was snubbed and didn’t see any of his ‘After Hours’ songs recognized by the GRAMMYs (despite being one of the year’s biggest albums).

With more eyes on the Academy’s voting committee than ever with regards to improved transparency, diversity, and inclusion, its CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., sat down with Billboard recently to discuss these subjects and more.

Hop inside to see what he said.

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