The Real Housewives Of Atlanta is back and blazing for its 12th season. And despite over a decade on-air, the Bravo smash is losing none of its scorching steam.

Already delivering on its promise of shady twists and turns, the latest instalment of the ensemble title is proving a must-see.

Want to know what Nene, Kandi, Porsha Cynthia, Eva and the returning Kenya will be serving up on episode 7 / season 12?

Watch a sneak peek below to find out out below…

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As Nicki Minaj celebrates her 37th birthday, what better time than the present to salute the hit song responsible for turbo-charging the success of the prolific Rap Queen.

Today’s From The Vault pick is the ever-booming ‘Super Bass.’

Released in 2011, the tune was penned by Minaj alongside Ester Dean – who also sings its catchy chorus.

The Hip-Pop number helped shape the career of the rapper as a crossover artist.

‘Super Bass’ was Nicki’s first of many worldwide Top 10’s – peaking at #3 in the US, #8 in the UK and #6 in both Canada and Australia.

The track’s video was directed by Sanaa Hamri. A colorful affair, it saw Onika and her girls engaging in playful choreography and eyeing up muscled eye-candy. The glow-in-the-dark scene remains one of Minaj’s most memorable visuals moments to date.

‘Bass’ bagged an MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video during that year’s ceremony and as of today has been viewed over 800 million times on YouTube.

Following co-signs from Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, this song was inescapable to the masses and really put Ms Maraj on the map. While many have criticised its pop leanings, it  undoubtedly elevated Nicki to a level not many (if any) femcees had reached before and was the beginning of a new era for the genre.

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No matter how it’s diced or sliced, Nicki’s influence on the music industry this decade has been undeniable. From her sound to her aesthetic, she has served a key player in the Pop cultural landscape and single handedly brought the female rap game back to life on mainstream scale.

Hopefully her current time off helps her recenter so she can go back to doing what she does best: crafting music’s most delicious bops akin to this.

Happy Birthday, Queen!

Your thoughts?

Camila Cabello fans, affectionately called #Camilizers, were undoubtedly excited and worried when the 22-year-old dropped her sophomore album, ‘Romance,’ last week (December 6).

The set – despite the singer’s onslaught of television, Web, and print promo in the months leading to its release – failed to garner a top 40 hit to precede it.  Beyond the monster success of her Shawn Mendes-duet ‘Senorita,’ which is included on the tracklist of ‘Romance’ but was originally featured on the deluxe edition of his self-titled third album, Cabello’s LP was believed by many to be released on the back of little buzz.

Peruse of iTunes charts around the globe, however, has seemingly canceled that presumption.

As of time reported, the effort has manged to hit #1 on the real-time sales tallies of the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, and over 45 other countries.  To add, it also sits at #1 on iTunes and Apple Music’s ‘Worldwide Album Sales’ charts.

Apparently an out-of-the-box success (even though industry analysts have yet to reveal their official predictions), Cabello is not resting on her laurels – a feat evidenced by her visit to ‘Ellen’ the day of the project’s release.  If you missed her stunning rendition of ‘Romance’ single ‘Living Proof,’ hop inside:

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From health issues to money woes and family troubles, August Alsina‘s life challenges have been quite well-documented over the years.  Yet, despite the hardships, the 27-year-old vows to persevere – a declaration the ‘Testimony’ singer made plain in his motivational new single, ‘Today.’

“I’m gon’ work like they gon’ put me in the ground today / I ain’t certain they won’t put me in the ground today,” sings Alsina. “Still goin’ hard everyday, tryin’ to overcome, that’s real / Still speaking from the heart, tryin’ to give the people something they could feel.”

The empowering anthem was accompanied by the release of the trailer for ‘The Rise of August Alsina:  stateofEMERGEncy.’  An autobiographical documentary, the film will chronicle the performer’s rise from the hard streets of New Orleans to the top of R&B charts and every obstacle he faced before, during, and since.

More inside:

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After thrilling ‘Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ viewers with the first televised performance of his soon-to-be-hit ‘Heartless’ (click here to see),  singer The Weeknd returned to give his other new single – ‘Blinding Lights’ – similar treatment (December 6).

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‘Commander’ singer Kelly Rowland commanded yet another solid viewing audience for Lifetime, this time courtesy of her starring role in the holiday film, ‘Merry Liddle Christmas.’

Airing last Saturday, the movie – loosely based on a true story from one of the Grammy-winner’s past Christmas hosting experiences gone wrong – tells the story of a successful single tech entrepreneur [portrayed by Rowland] who hosts her dysfunctional family in her new home over the holiday.

Executive produced by Kelly and husband Tim Weatherspoon, ‘Christmas’ went to ratings battle against the likes of highly anticipated Hallmark holiday films, “must see” college football, and more on November 30.

Curious to see how it fared? Look inside:

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Beyonce made headlines this weekend when a report claimed that she was gearing up to launch a Las Vegas residency.

However, a rep for Queen Bey has quickly quelled the speculation.

Full story below…

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In breaking news, it’s been confirmed that rapper Juice Wrld has died aged just 21.

Full story below…

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Shaunie O’Neal is stepping up to defend herself against the ‘Basketball Wives‘ production insider who leaked information about the future of the show to the reputable blind items website ‘Crazy Days and Nights.’

The business woman’s response?

Wait and see.

Full story below…

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With the arrival of ‘212,’ Azealia Banks looked poised to storm the music industry in 2012.

Signed jointly to XL Recordings and Interscope, the femcee was seen as having the dream team needed to fuel her ascend to the top.

And yet a series of public spats (including fallouts with both imprints) saw the rapper released to continue as an indie act.

But with her behaviour following an increasingly volatile trajectory and beefs being barbecued on an almost weekly basis, her career hasn’t boomed as hoped.

Clearly in a reflective space, Banks now says she wants back in to her original label.

Her words below…

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Earlier this month, it was announced that Ciara will be co-hosting Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve – her third time anchoring.

Now, it’s been revealed that she’ll be taking to the stage too.

Details below…

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Jennifer Lopez lit up Saturday Night Live this evening.

And even though the ‘Hustlers’ star wasn’t the night’s musical guest, she still showed and showed out.

She opened with a monologue recapping her phenomenal year (including her marriage proposal and Super Bowl reveal) and participate in many a skit.

Check out all of J.Lo’s SNL action after the jump…

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