When the Dancehall icon Spice joined the cast of ‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’ many of her fans hoped she would receive the respect an artist of her calibre is deserving of.

Alas, she found herself pulled in dysfunctional low-brow reality fodder thanks to feud with her far less-accomplished cast mates.

Fortunately, the performer was sure to remind the world of her brilliance when she delivered a ‘Black Panther’-themed performance at Reggae’s ‘SumFest 2018.’

Watch below…

(more…)

DJ Khaled is sharpening his creative tools and gearing up to carve out a new radio smash with Quavo and Justin Bieber!

Full story below…

(more…)

When ‘Insecure’ returns for its third outing next month, fans will note the absence of a familiar face. For, it’s been confirmed that actor Jay Ellis is taking a break from Issa Rae‘s smash HBO dramedy.

Details below… (more…)

Maxwell is hitting the road!

The Soul-filled serenader is gearing up for the release of new album ‘NIGHT’ (the concluding part of his ‘BLACKsummers’night‘ trilogy).

So what better way to amplify buzz than to launch a companion show?!

Officially christened ‘Maxwell: 50 Intimate Nights Live,’ the trek kicks off in September in Richmond, VA and will see the crooner rocking stages across the US right through to December.

The dates will take place after the gifted singer rocks AfroPunk Paris and North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam earlier this month.

Find out what Maxwell is hitting a city near you after the jump…

(more…)

Lady Gaga is on a roll!

Now just months away from the release of her version of the ‘A Star is Born‘ story, the globe-trotting superstar is said to have recorded a brand new album in her hometown of New York.

Good news below….

(more…)

R. Kelly bares all on candid new song ‘I Admit.’

Coming in at a colossal 19-minutes, the track sees R&B’s Pied Piper wax honest about his present predicament, clap-back at his detractors, and make a serious of surprising revelations.

Covered on the song are the following:

– He’s broke
– Signed all his publishing away
– Confirms he is illiterate, cannot spell after dropping out of school
– Owes $20 million to IRS, had to borrow money from label
– Couldn’t read the teleprompter at the GRAMMYs
– Hasn’t seen his kids in years
– Admitted he loved Aaliyah romantically
– A family member molested him from childhood to 14
– Took his virginity while he was sleeping
– His ex-team having bad intentions & his illiteracy the reason for money issues

Take a listen to ‘I Admit’ below…

(more…)

Justin Bieber‘s decision not to attend a deposition in his ongoing egging case has seen him slapped with the heavy hand of the law.

Bad news below…

(more…)

Nicki Minaj‘s reluctance to physically promote her music in the United Kingdom continues to confuse her fans in the market now that her new single is ‘Bed’ is making substantial gains…with little support.

Full story below…

(more…)

Troye Sivan‘s made it no secret that his latest international hit, ‘Dance To This,’ was inspired by Janet Jackson‘s 2004 hit ‘All Nite (Don’t Stop).’  Now, as its official accompanying video (directed by Bardia Zeinali) makes its rounds, that inspiration can be seen and heard manifold.

Tapping Ariana Grande to assist, the cut’s already managed to make a dent in U.K. and Australian charts, but now he’s undoubtedly looking to tackle the U.S. Hot 100 as well.

Will the video be just what the doctor ordered to help him achieve the feat? Watch inside and let us know:

(more…)

Five years have separated Kelly Rowland fans from a new LP from the Urban Pop diva, a truth that certainly isn’t lost on her.  After months of promising fans she was hard at work on the follow-up to 2013’s critically acclaimed, ‘Talk A Good Game,’ Rowland’s finally lifting the lid on the delay of its long-awaited successor.

Busy, of course, with motherhood, ‘The Voice Australia,’ endorsements, and more, the 37-year-old took to ‘Vogue Australia’ recently to specifically address what’s kept her out of the studio but also reassure her faithful #RowlandStones that new music will be rolling their way very soon.

More inside:

(more…)

Although he’s currently recuperating from a horrific beatdown that left him hospitalized (click here to read more on that), rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine is still enjoying quite the fanfare from his latest release, ‘Fefe,’ which features the Harajuku Barbie herself Nicki Minaj.

With a whimsical, Willy Wonka-inspired video to accompany it, the Murda Beatz-produced cut sees the trade some toned down bars while sharing ice cream cones and other delights.

See it inside:

(more…)

What do you get when you take a R&B group showdown and sprinkle in a little Mariah Carey on top?

The answer? This week’s From The Vault pick: Allure and 112‘s ‘All Cried Out.’

A powerful vocal quad, Allure were a female-group signed to Crave Records, a short-lived label founded by none other than Mariah Carey. During their brief but intense run, they managed to score several hits in 1998, including ‘Cried’ which peaked at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Official Singles Charts in the UK.

Interestingly, the track was actually a cover of a Top 10 Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam song, and the band’s mentor can be heard throughout the majority of the tune, providing powerful background vocals. She also co-produced the cut with Corey Rooney and former partner in crime Walter Afanasieff.

112’s presence elevated the the production to seismic heights.

*********

Directed by Christopher Erskin, the song’s visual focused on the fictional failling relationship of the groups’ respective lead singers. Though it is filled with happy memories of the couple, its ending echoed the poignant lyrics and left them at a point of no return.

*********

Sure times have changed, but there’s still nothing as moving as meaningful lyrics, and when the melody is as rich as this, it’s an inevitable home-run.

Thankfully in recent years, this strand of song has been making a slow and steady comeback courtesy of acts such as Adele et al.

And we’re genuinely appreciative, because as much as we love ourselves a good “turn-up” session, diversity will always be our favorite flavor. So, here’s hoping there continues to be a place and space for power ballads of this ilk.

Your thoughts?