June 12 brought with it the highly anticipated release of Chloe x Halle‘s sophomore album, ‘Ungodly Hour.’

Powered to chart competition by its bopping lead singles, ‘Do It’ (their highest charting song to date) and ‘Forgive Me,’ the sister set not only upped the ante on the visual front with increased sex appeal and choreography to boot but also delivered their most radio-friendly offerings yet.

Amplifying awareness of the LP’s arrival with an aggressive promo campaign that saw them touch down on television, Web, print, and more (as we reported here), the campaigning seemed to be doing the trick as ‘Ungodly Hour’ shot straight to the top of real-time sales tallies.

Now, with the inaugural tracking week behind them, Chloe x Halle can celebrate earning their best first week sales to date.

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Hi, hater! Bye, hater!

Detractors who prayed who for 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj‘s reunion single, ‘Trollz,’ to miss the top spot on the Hot 100 will be sorely disappointed to learn the tune is sitting atop the refreshed tally.

Details inside:

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Teyana Taylor’s fascination with the 90s and all of its trappings is celebrated on her new album ‘The Album’….;launched via GOOD Music and Def Jam last week.

Today she gave the world fresh insight into the experiences which inspired its conception and its exploration of love, lust, rage and loss during an interview with ‘The Breakfast Club’.

There, she also revealed that many of her songs sample tracks released by the black stars of yesteryear to introduce them to younger audiences and preserve their legacies.

See below…

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Issa Rae, Sarah Paulson & Bette Midler in the same release?!

It’s happening.

Learn all about the ‘Coastal Elites‘ project…

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The BBC is determined to dissolve the barriers which block black creatives from soaring in the work place.

Learn how they intend to do so after the jump….

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Ja Rule is once again being roasted.

Once a fixture at the top of the charts, the rapper now finds himself a mainstay in the media melee.

And this time it centers around a commercial he stars in for Papa Cristo’s Greek deli, whose menu he asserts will “make you wanna slap yo mama.”

Full story below… (more…)

Last week saw Teyana Taylor unleash ‘The Album’ – much to the delight of her fans.

The set’s arrival served as the manifestation of her promise to not leave a lengthy gap between 2018’s ‘K.T.S.E’ project and new material.

Offering ample incentive ahead of ‘The Album’s’ release, Taylor rolled out a slew of singles such as ‘Morning (ft. Kehlani),’ ‘We Got Love (ft. Ms Lauryn Hill),’ and ‘How You Want It? (ft. King Combs)’. 

While additional guests on the set include Missy Elliott, Future, Davido, and Rick Ross. 

With ‘The Album’ finally out, attention now turns to its commercial performance.

Head below for info on its first week predictions…

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Justin Bieber says he doesn’t take sexual assault lightly – especially when he’s been accused of being an offender.

Over the weekend, the Pop pin-up found his name at the center of a Twitter storm when an anonymous account published a story on the platform alleging he sexually abused her in 2014.

A fiery inferno erupted – with one corner praising the “bravery” of the alleged victim and another vigorously defending Bieber.

Now, the singer is stepping up to clear his name. And he’s doing so with a stacked-pack of receipts.

His lengthy clap-back below…

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Having taken the stage by storm, ‘Hamilton’ is heading to screens worldwide.

As reported, a filmed version of the Lin-Manuel Miranda production – which tells the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton – was set for the big screen.

Yet, with the global health pandemic, plans pivoted and it’s instead heading to new streamer Disney+. A move many have hailed as a masterstroke by by the company – who are said to have won a fierce bidding war for the rights to the taped special.

Ahead of its premiere on July 3rd, an official trailer for the flick – which stars Miranda and Leslie Odom (pictured above) – has been unleashed.

What are you waiting for? Check it out after the jump…

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In an industry now inundated with watered down and flavour-deficient R&B, Charlie Puth is a breath of fresh air.

On his last album ‘Voicenotes’, the entertainer successfully merged Pop, R&B & Gospel to create a soulful universe powered by tales of jealousy (‘Attention‘), short-lived love affairs (‘LA Girls‘), the perils of fame (‘The Way I Am‘) and inequality (‘Change‘).

Now he is ready to deliver its follow-up and will launched its campaign with the unveiling of its lead single ‘Girlfriend.’

More below…

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As celebrate the fathers and father figures of the world today, From The Vault journeys back to 2003, when one of the founding fathers of modern R&B was releasing his final album.

Today’s pick is ‘Dance With My Father’ by the late, great Luther Vandross.

‘Dance’ was one of many acclaimed gems that could be found on the  four-time GRAMMY-winning album of the same name. Written by Vandross and Richard Marx, it dealt centered on happy childhood memories the singer had of his dad – who died due to complications of diabetes.

Because he was hospitalized at the time of the song’s release, Vandross wasn’t able to promote it. Still, it became one of the most requested songs at the time, and was a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It topped the Adult R&B Songs charts and peaked at #21 in the UK.

The video for the jam was shot while the singer was still hospitalized. It featured various famous friends of his, some appearing with their fathers, some with their kids and others alone with pictures of them and their deceased loved ones. Beyoncé, Monica, Brian McKnight, Babyface, Stevie Wonder, and Celine Dion all appear alongside many others.

Throwback images of Luther are also shown throughout the visual.

Before he passed in 2005, Luther Vandross was able, with this song and parent album, to remind the world that it was his unique brand of R&B that birthed a plethora of chart-topping artists. Put simply, that he was your favorite artist’s favorite artist.

We send love and light to all the kings out there. May they continue to teach, nurture and inspire us.

Your thoughts?

Camila Cabello marks Father’s Day with the release of new video ‘First Man.’

In the emotional visual, the singer pays homage to her dad.

Home footage is sewn together with shots of the star – who is seen teary-eyed with appreciation for Cabello Sr.

Watch the latest video from the songbird’s ‘Romance’ video below…

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