Despite generating fan frenzy, a critically and commercially acclaimed reunion tour, and highly viewed reality show since the announcement of the reunion of 90’s R&B girl group, Xscape, member Kandi Burruss remained quite vocal about not wanting to record a new album.

Her decision (and subsequent scheduling conflicts due to Broadway) left the quartet’s remaining members – Latocha, Tamika, and Tiny – to pursue new musical ventures as a trio (as we reported here).  In the time since their 2018 ill-fated EP’s release, the ladies have also gone on to explore solo music and television outings – much to the dismay of fans who continued calls for new music from the whole group.

Over a year later, after accepting the Urban Music Icon Award at this year’s Black Music Honors (hosted by Letoya Luckett and Rickey Smiley), Burruss confirms the reception from the audience – as well as pressure from her mother, Joyce – has encouraged her to put aside her hesitation to record new music.

Details inside:

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Post Malone‘s short, but storied career has come with no shortage of triumphs on the Billboard charts.

Just last year when his sophomore LP, ‘beerbongs & bentleys,’ topped the album charts with a whopping 461,000 units moved its first week, the accomplishment was accompanied with reports all 18 of its songs charted simultaneously (a feat that puts him in a very exclusive club of hitmakers).  As 9 of those 18 entries placed above #21 on the Hot 100, he set a record for most concurrent top 20 hits – a record later broken by Drake when his album, ‘Scorpion,’ entered 12 of its tracks in the same frame.

Now, with the release of his third studio effort – ‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’ (September 6) – the 24-year-old’s expected to dominate next week’s Billboard 200 with predicated sales of 450,000-500,000.  But, before the final count’s reported, Malone’s already being greeted with good news that the set’s single is continuing his careerlong Hot 100 domination.  As this week saw his latest single, ‘Circles,’ debut at #7 on the latter tally, the song became his fifth top 10 single in 2019 alone.  The feat mean’s he’s broken his tie with Ariana Grande for ‘most top ten singles (of any artist) this year.’

As we extend our congratulations to the rapper, look inside to see who joins him in the top 25 on this week’s ‘TGJ Chart Check.’

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It’s been nearly a year since R&B veteran Usher delivered new music, but now the 40-year-old’s giving fans a taste of what he’s been cooking up with South African DJ/producer Black Coffee.  The collaboration, called ‘LaLaLa,’ sees Ush spread his smooth tenor across an Afrobeats-inspired gem.

“Can we take it all the way now? Can I take you all the way down like this?” he croons.

Certainly earning its fair share of replays here at TGJ HQ, the cut precedes the release of his first studio effort since 2016’s Billboard top 5 hit, ‘Hard II Love.’  Billed ‘Confessions 2,’ the forthcoming set may not have an official release date as of time reported, but from what we know of the Grammy winner’s past offerings he’s not afraid of sonic experimentation.  Could ‘LaLaLa’ be a foretaste of what’s to come?

Hear it inside and tell us your thoughts:

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The talkshow sphere is undeniably crowded. However, it seems like it’s making room for two new names on bloc.

For, both Kelly Clarkson and Tamron Hall are off to ratings wins with their freshman shows.

Full story below…

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Christina Aguilera embraced her ‘Liberation’ last year and is now feeding fans via the medium of film.

For, fresh from confirming that she’s in talks to contribute to the ‘Mulan’ soundtrack, Xtina has officially been confirmed to feature on the upcoming OST for the new ‘Addams Family’ flick.

Details below…

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Nine lucky cities will host media mogul Oprah Winfrey on her first tour in five years.

Sponsored by Weight Watchers, the ‘Oprah’s 2020 Vision:  Your Life in Focus’ arena tour is set for a January 4 kick off and is scheduled to touch down in U.S. hot spots Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and more.  Winfrey took to press to discuss the inspiration behind the venture:

“What I know for sure is we can all come together to support a stronger, healthier, more abundant life — focused on what makes us feel energized, connected and empowered,” she said in a statement. “As I travel the country, my hope for this experience is to motivate others to let 2020 be the year of transformation and triumph — beginning first and foremost with what makes us well. This is the year to move forward, let’s make it happen in 2020!”

More inside:

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Another day, another legal drama for R&B bad boy Chris Brown.

The Grammy-winner may currently courting audiences of thousands on his electrifying ‘INDIGOAT’ tour (click here to see dates), but he may be summoned to court if a former backup dancer has her way.

According to recently obtained legal documents, dancer Danielle Griffin has filed a lawsuit against Breezy with claims he should be held liable for an eye injury she sustained on an unspecified video shoot of his.

Read more inside:

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At this point we’re convinced Ciara just needs to teach a masterclass on what it means to ‘level up.’

When not collecting awards for everything from music to philanthropy (click here to watch her acceptance speech at this year’s Black Girls Rock!), the R&B diva’s stunning on red carpets, blazing stages, or hosting award shows and TV specials like Nickelodeon’s forthcoming ‘America’s Most Musical Family’ (click here to read more).

Now, not even a month after being announced as the face of Kohl’s latest campaign, Cici’s partnered with IPSY to act as the glam brand’s newest ambassador.

Details inside:

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Classified as one of the Internet’s leading trolls, entertainment mogul 50 Cent‘s no stranger to making headlines for his often controversial opinion.  However, the ‘Candy Shop’ hitmaker may have bitten off a bit more than he could chew when he took to Instagram recently to declare Chris Brown had unseated Michael Jackson as the reigning King of Pop.

The backlash not only led to criticism from his followers on the social media platform, but even MJ’s daughter, Paris, entered a war of words with 50 (born Curtis Jackson) over his comments.  After Brown politely disagreed with the 44-year-old’s assessment (click here to read), Curtis – hot on the promo trail in support of the latest season of STARZ’ flagship series, ‘Power’ – took to our friends at Hot 97 to double down on his belief that Breezy’s the best to ever do it.

Hear him inside:

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Although strategic endorsements and business partnerships have kept “brand K. Michelle” afloat over the last two years, the reality TV maven/singer’s primary claim to fame – music – can’t boast the same buoyancy.  Despite a string of R&B chart-topping albums from 2013-2016, 2017’s ‘Kimberly: The People I Used to Know’ – after a #56 debut on the Billboard 200 – quickly fell off the tally and, to date, has not made an impact comparable to that of its predecessors.

Now, after putting the finishing touches on her fifth studio effort, ‘All Monsters Are Human,’ the 34-year-old is looking to turn a new page on her career narrative.  Sending fans into a frenzy, she recently announced a slew of new ventures including a new tour in support of the LP and more.

Details inside:

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December 20 marks the date the star-studded film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Weber‘s Broadway classic ‘Cats’ pounces into a theater near you.

Starring Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, James Corden, Rebel Wilson, and many more familiar names, fans of any of the aforementioned can expect to see much of them in the coming months hitting the promo trail in support of the Tom Hooper-directed flick.

The latest in a string of visuals to that point comes in the form of a behind the scenes teaser released Monday (September 9).  Highlighting the fancy feline footwork of the film’s stars, the clip shows the work that went into conditioning the actors for their portrayals of cats.

 “If you told me I was going to get to be a cat, for work? What?” Swift gushed of her role of Bombalurina.

Castmate Corden echoed the sentiment:

“You’re gonna take a load of people, and they’re going to pretend to be cats,” he says in the new teaser. “Like, if you just say it out loud, it’s bonkers. But that’s where the most fun happens, really.”

See the magic inside:

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With the like of ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Aladdin’ delivering big time at the box office, Disney are charging ahead full steam with their live-action remakes.

Next up is ‘Mulan,’ and it looks as though Pop icon Christina Aguilera may be back on-board for the film’s musical component.

Details below…

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