Beyonce has largely earned praise aplenty for her foray into Country music with her blazing new album ‘Cowboy Carter.’

However, some corners of the Country circuit have been vocal in their critique of the superstar’s creative exploration.

And while much of their discourse has centered on her status as a beacon of R&B, it’s only served to spark deeper debate about the true reason for the issues – a reason many speculate centers on her race and her intentional spotlight on the genre’s true origins.

One of the notable names in Queen Bey’s corner is the legendary Smokey Robinson.

Find out what the Motown icon had to say when quizzed on the matter below…

(more…)

J. Cole looks set to make a major mark on the US album chart with his latest LP, ‘Might Delete Later.’

Arriving sans any prior notice, the Hip-Hop star’s project brought with it ample buzz – most especially thanks to it housing the track ‘7 Minute Drill,’ a return shot at Kendrick Lamar following the MC’s hit diss ‘Like That’ (with Future and Metro Boomin).

With the first-week forecasts now in, check out how the numbers are stacking up after the jump…

(more…)

Afrobeats belles Simi and Tiwa Savage link up for the creatively titled ‘Men Are Crazy.’

Produced by Big Fish and penned by Simi alongside Prince Omoferi, the captivating cut sees the ladies muse on the magnetic and chaotic pull of their romantic interests.

Trading verses over the flavorsome beat, the duo mirrors the energy in the track’s accompanying music video – which was directed by pink.

Watch after the jump…

(more…)

Beyonce has long made an indelible mark on both music and culture. And it’s clear that her impact extends to business too – and not just her own.

The megastar’s latest album ‘Cowboy Carter’ has been thrilling audiences worldwide with its Country anchoring and eclectic mesh of sounds.

One of the songs that has the masses buzzing the most is the Post Malone collaboration ‘Levii’s Jeans’ – which creatively gives a nod to Levi’s Jeans within its romantic narrative.

Its immediate popularity is resonating fiscally too.

Full story below…

(more…)

For years, fans and critics alike have pitted Usher and Justin Timberlake against each other.

However, not only are the chart-toppers supportive of each other, but they actually were in the process of cooking up material together.

Full story below…

(more…)

While Future and Metro Boomin made history with their dual domination of the Billboard 200 and Billboard Hot 100 thanks to their joint album, ‘We Don’t Trust You,‘ and its Kendrick Lamar-assisted single, ‘Like That,‘ global superstar The Weeknd – the co-star of the duo’s ‘Young Metro‘ – was breaking records of his own.

As reported here, thanks to ‘Young’ the Canadian hitmaker became the first artist this century to chart a top 10 hit over 11 consecutive years when the tune entered the all-genre chart at #6.

In a bid to help it reach even higher Hot 100 heights, the trio have unveiled a behind-the-scenes look at the song’s official music video.

Hop inside to see the Hidji World and Omar Jones-directed action.

(more…)

Reggae and Dancehall icon Sean Paul is gearing up to bring his greatest hits to a venue near you aboard the North American ‘Greatest Tour.’

Boasting two decades of unforgettable smashes like ‘Get Busy,’ ‘Gimme the Light,’ ‘I’m Still in Love with You,’ ‘Temperature,’ and more, Paul will launch the 22-date trek in Orlando on May 2 before venturing to major markets like Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and others ahead of the final stop in Charlotte on June 16.

Curious to know if the ‘We Be Burnin’ star will be blazing a stage near you? Hop inside to see the official dates.

(more…)

As if making headlines recently for her 2011 smash, ‘Super Bass,’ becoming the highest-certified female Rap song of all time wasn’t enough to boast, Nicki Minaj also welcomed news her latest album, ‘Pink Friday 2,’ made her the first female rapper this century to have 5 Platinum LPs.

While the #Barbz continue celebrating their fearless leader’s latest slew of accomplishments, they may have overlooked another feat the record-conquering Queen quietly attained.

Details inside.

(more…)

Just weeks after thrilling fans with the ‘I Love This Feeling‘ music video, Nas returns to gift yet another cut from the critically acclaimed ‘Magic 3’ album a visual.

Tapping Leff to direct, this time the Rap icon delivered a “day-in-the-life”-esque clip for the tune ‘Sitting with My Thoughts.’

“I’m a concierge for most people I know / I’m in the studio with Hit, Cash-Apping my folks / That shit come with being great, it’s a lot on my plate / I would give it all away for a smile on they face,” he raps on the Hit-Boy-produced jam.

Featuring backstage footage of the well-received ‘Empire State Of Mind Tour’ with fellow Rap icons Wu-Tang Clan and De La Soul, look inside to see the ‘Thoughts’ video in full.

(more…)

GloRilla‘s new mixtape ‘Ehhthang Ehhthang’ has City Girls star JT in a tizzy and it’s resulted in a fiery exchange between the ladies on social media.

The freshly released set features the track ‘Aite,’ on which GloRilla addresses rumors of a rift with JT.

She rapped “Me and JT ain’t the best of friends but we ain’t beefin” on the song, which also saw her encourage female unity in Hip-Hop more broadly – calling for the likes of Cardi B and Nicki Minaj to settle their differences.

However, JT didn’t take well to the mention of her name and popped all the way off – prompting GloRilla to bite back.

Full story below…

(more…)

Leigh-Anne Pinnock lights a match under her newest single ‘Stealin’ Love’ with the launch of its music video.

Lifted from the Little Mix star’s forthcoming EP, ‘No Hard Feelings,’ the track was produced by Ian Kirkpatrick and The Runners.

Centered on the intense and shapeshifting nature of love, the song has been paired with a dance-driven visual mirroring its roller-coaster lyrics.

‘Stealin’ Love’ follows Pinnock’s previous taster efforts ‘Don’t Say Love’ and ‘My Love’ featuring Ayra Starr.

Watch after the jump…

(more…)

The show must go on and, according to Xscape, it most definitely will be.

All week there have been murmurs that estranged member LaTocha Scott allegedly fired off a legal letter to the group and promoters of ‘The Queens of R&B’ trek with SWV claiming that her ownership in the band’s name means the tour cannot go ahead without her approval. At least not under the “Xscape” moniker.

However, members Kandi Burruss, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, and Tamika Scott are pressing on.

Full story below…

(more…)