It’s an all-star affair on today’s From The Vault pick. We are back this week with one of the Notorious B.I.G.’s biggest posthumous moment. ‘Nasty Girl.’

With 2005’s ‘Duets: The Final Chapter’, the late rapper proved that even in the afterlife, he could still get the clubs moving – worldwide.

Produced by Jazze Pha, ‘Girl’ featured Diddy, Jagged Edge, Nelly and Avery Storm. Biggie’s verse was lifted from ‘Nasty Boy,’ a track from his ‘Life After Death’ LP.

A moderate success in the US, where it peaked at #43, the cut earned the rapper his very first #1 in the UK – a year after rival – late Tupac – achieved his first chart-topper with the Elton John-assisted ‘Ghetto Gospel.’

The guestlist got even bigger for the track’s video: Pharrell Williams, Usher, Teairra Mari, Fat Joe, Christina Milian and Naomi Campbell joined the featured acts in the Sanaa Hamri visual.

Party atmosphere, celebrity cameos, video vixens all around, this essentially served as 2000’s version of his very own ‘One More Chance.’

*******

We’re welcoming of posthumous releases that aren’t all mournful and depressing, but instead upbeat and fun. It seems to us like the perfect way to keep an act’s legacy alive.

With so many top artists passing in the past decade, it’d be awesome to see their art celebrated in a colorful way as Biggie’s was in this releases. Michael Jackson’s ‘Xscape’ was definitely a step in the right direction; here’s hoping the likes of Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston’s estates follow suit.

As for Biggie Smalls, he remains one of the most cherished gems of Hip-Hop culture and it’s safe to say that shine is never going away.

Your thoughts?

The show must go on!

Fergie isn’t letting problems in her private life affect her professional hustle.

As widely reported, the Black Eyed Peas performer announced her split from husband Josh Duhamel after 8 years of marriage (and 13 years together).

Still, she made sure to show up and show out at Rock In Rio 2017 in Brazil this weekend.

The singer was on hand to promote her new visual album ‘Double Dutchess,’ which arrives at retail globally next Friday (September 22nd).

How did she do? Find out below…

(more…)

On December 15th 2005, the Hip-Hop empress Remy Ma released the single ‘Conceited.’

Shortly after, it peaked at #90 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Fortunately, that modest peak position has done little to harm the cut’s impact on Pop culture.

Good news below…

(more…)

Kevin Hart has foiled an attempt to blackmail and extort him by revealing what his blackmailer had hoped to hang over his head.

It isn’t good.

Watch his apology and admission below…

(more…)

Almost a year from the date Madonna fans threw ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ plagiarism claims at ‘Perfect Illusion’ – the first single from Lady Gaga‘s chart-topping last album, ‘Joanne’ – Little Monsters are doing the same to Nick Jonas thanks to his new single, ‘Find You.’

Unveiled in full September 15, the tune – the second release from his yet-titled follow-up to 2016’s ‘Last Year Was Complicated’ – has already shot to the top 20 of iTunes ahead of its video release.   Yet, while his fans are praising the cut for its stripped, guitar driven instrumentation, some (namely Gaga fans) are saying its chord progressions sound a little too familiar.

Did Nick take a page out of the songstress’s playbook or is it just a coincidence?  Listen to the two inside and tell us your thoughts:

(more…)

Despite debuting her fifth studio LP, ‘Lust for Life,’ atop the Billboard 200 with some of the year’s biggest first week sales for a female, songstress Lana Del Rey has had quite a time keeping it near the top spot.  In fact, just three weeks after its release the set saw an over 85% sales drop.

Nearly a month after announcing a tour to help support its sales, Lana’s finally unveiled the music video for ‘White Mustang’ – a fan favorite from the album.  Will it be enough to help ‘Lust’ gallop back up the charts?

Look inside and tell us:

(more…)

Keyshia Cole‘s new album has bagged a due date.

Full story below…

(more…)

Nicki Minaj is readying a mixtape?

Why her fans think this is the case?

(more…)

Over the course of Madonna’s illustrious career, the Pop empress has established herself as a master of reinvention.

Era after era, she has evolved her sound and aesthetic like no other.

Now, she’s expressed her desire to stage the biggest transformation yet; she wants to reinvent Pop tours.

Full story below…

(more…)

Janet Jackson is proving that age ain’t nothing but a number and she’s doing so with an exclamation mark.

The diva supreme, 51, is currently thrilling audiences in the US with her blockbuster ‘State Of The World Tour.’

This week the trek pulled in to the state of Texas and Ms. Jackson and her J-Tribe showed up and showed out.

Watch them electrify with hits such as ‘Feedback,’ ‘If,’ and ‘All Nite (Don’t Stop)’ below…

(more…)

September 8th kicked off Sam Smith’s sophomore era with the release of his single, ‘Too Good at Goodbyes.’

Since then, the crooner has been steadily working the promo trail to promote the track and its housing album.

Sitting down with SiriusXM’s ”1 on 1 With Larry Flick,” the ‘Stay With Me’ singer had this to say about the project…

(more…)

Rihanna was quite literally the belle of the Diamond Ball last night in New York City.

The Bajan star threw the charity gala, which was attended by Beyonce, Jay Z, and more, in support of her Clara Lionel Foundation.

When arriving on the red carpet, the 29-year-old was quizzed on whether or not she was take up a seat on American Idol.

As widely reported, ABC’s reboot of the singing contest is still looking for judges to join Katy Perry – who was paid an astonishing $25 million for her services.

RiRi’s response was characteristically witty.

Check out what she had to say below…

(more…)