Jason Derulo is pouring out more for fans to ‘Swalla.’

Re-joined by Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign, the singer has today served up the ‘After Dark Remix’ of their club jam.

A more stripped back affair, the new incarnation of the track skews somewhat acoustic.

Thus far, the original has peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Can the new version help it climb higher? Listen below and let us know…

It’s definitely…different. We commend the effort, especially as it’s a nod to times of past when a remix brought something entirely fresh to the table rather than a pasted in verse.

Your thoughts?

Now years removed from his departure from Roc Nation today sees Elijah Blake begin a new industry journey with the single ‘Black & Blue‘.

A lot’s changed since my last conversation with TGJ.  Since then, I’ve been working on my new LP which is uptempo, inspired by Funk and fearless. A lot of it was inspired by Prince and his death. Actually, Prince dying encouraged me to leave Def Jam.

I felt a void in the industry and an empty space where unique artistry should be. I tried to play the game and stay at Def Jam but it didn’t work even when they started to believe in me but it wast enough.

In our final meeting Steve Bartels said he’d seen me grow up and loved my music but the trust was gone and we both knew it. No I.D, who signed me, was leaving the label too and he was one of the only people who was backing me and understood me.I feel like others had a difficult marketing me because I didn’t fit into a narrow stereotypically box.My new team understand the direction and I’m excited about the freedom I have now and that extends beyond the music to the brands who believe in me and the project and the parts they can play in supporting it. I believe that’s where music is going. Brand partnerships are becoming popular among artist circles who may not be interested in the major label system.

 

 

It happens whenever there are changes (Vinyl, CD, Tape, Streams) and I’m embracing it because I’m changing too. My older music was moody because I was in a dark place artistically because I didn’t  feel I didn’t get as many opportunities as I would have liked.

Now, I’m alright with knowing I’m not for everybody and I’m making music and celebrating the liberation of myself and that joy’s coming through in the sound.

So, is he against major labels?

I tried to avoid the major labels when I left Def Jam and I went into meetings  with presidents and realised I may have been close to making the same mistake. I needed the time to figure out who I was. As it stands now I’m tailoring my deals to fit my artistry so it works both ways. Social media puts pressure on all of us to make it seem like we have it all figured out but I am happy to say I don’t have it all figured out. I’m learning that there’s strength in that growth. So many artists sign their lives away for an advance so they can buy chains and cars not realising how much more thy can make with brand partnerships in long term if they put art before their money.

Why he feels said brands are keen to fund projects from Black artists in today’s world?

The only reason black music “died” is because the label execs refused to spend on it. Streaming reflects the people’s interests which is why music created by the black community came back. Now is the right time for my music.

A release date in mind?

It drops in summer. I was Sony Music today and they heard it and agree it was made for the summer so I’m looking forward to that. The coolest thing about the album was that a lot of it was co-created by British producers and that lends to its sound. I’m in a positive space and by the grace of God the music is too.

Your thoughts?

Beyonce‘s efforts to prevent fraudsters from exploiting her daughter’s name and brand have been blocked.

Why?

A company named the Blue Ivy Company was founded three years before Blue was born and has successfully blocked Beyonce’s attempts to acquire the name…even with the surname Carter attached.

The NY Daily News:

It’s not the first time the Blue Ivy corporation has attempted to foil Beyoncé’s trademarking aspirations. The “Sorry” singer was denied her effort to trademark the name Blue Ivy in 2012, with the court siding with the event company.

Want more Bey news?

Click here to learn more about her latest efforts to push her well-received set ‘Lemonade’.

Your thoughts?

Halle Berry‘s long-awaited ‘Kidnap’ has finally secured a new release date.

After spending two years in limbo because of financial issues caused by its parent studio Relativity, the thriller will arrive on August 4th.

Industry insiders fear that the serially-delayed release may not fare as well as it should because of its pushback.

Fortunately, the project is said to have tested quite well among African American audiences and is now being backed by a newly-formed distribution company named Aviron Pictures built by David Dinerstein, formerly of Paramount Classics and Fox Searchlight.

Unfamiliar with its plot?

A single mother named Karla McCoy (Halle Berry) lives a perfect life with her young son Frankie (Sage Correa). One day, upon entering a local park, Karla sees her son suddenly being abducted out of the blue by a kidnapper. To save Frankie from being taken, Karla goes out on a mission to demand people in the city to help rescue her son.

Source.

Your thoughts?

Nicki Minaj and DNCE have unlocked the safe which held their visual for their collaborative cut ‘Kissing Strangers’!

The video was built to support the band’s next studio set (which is yet to bag a title or release date) and sees them enjoy a wild time with the ‘Pink’ power player who is still hard at work on her next LP.

Watch below…

Your thoughts?

‘Scandal’ is back!

Following a longer than planned hiatus (to accommodate Kerry Washington‘s pregnancy), the show picks up right where it left off – with fireworks!

Forming a central part of the revived TGIT (Thank God It’s Thursday) block of programming, the political drama promises (and is already delivering) many a twist and turn for its sixth season. Election, anyone?!

Watch a sneak peek preview of episodes 15 and 16 (its finale) below…

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: ABC]

Bryson Tiller fans ought to mark those calendars. Because the R&B star has announced the release date of his sophomore album ‘True To Self.’

The hotly anticipated set follows 2015’s ‘T R A P S O U L,’ which produced hits such as ‘Exchange’ and ‘Don’t.’

Offering the masses a preview of what to expect from his next set ahead of its June 23rd release, the RCA Records star has unwrapped not one but two new songs.

The first is ‘Somethin Tells Me,’ while the second is a Young Thug collaboration titled ‘Get Mine.’

Listen to both below…

We approve of both. Do you?

Your thoughts?

Ever since the return of ‘American Idol’ was confirmed, original winner Kelly Clarkson had been touted as a strong favorite to join the new judging panel.

Well, that won’t be happening anytime soon because she’s just been announced as a coach on rival show ‘The Voice.’

In a statement issued moments ago, NBC confirmed Clarkson will appear alongside Adam Levine and Blake Shelton on season 14 of the talent search. A fourth coach will be unveiled soon.

Speaking on her appointment, the multi-time Grammy winner said:

“I’m so excited to join The Voice at NBC. We’ve gone back and forth about a role as a coach for years, but the timing hasn’t been right until now. I have always loved appearing on the show as an adviser or performer and established an amazing relationship with the network during my Christmas special. I can’t wait to turn my chair and see the faces of up-and-coming artists and provide them with the help and support they’ve needed to break into the industry. Watch out Shelton, I’m comin’ to win!!”

Paul Telegdy, president, alternative and reality group, NBC Entertainment added:

“Kelly has been a part of ‘The Voice’ family for many years as an adviser and performer. We are thrilled she has chosen to join us as a coach to mentor the next generation through our unique vocal boot camp. Every time Kelly Clarkson sings you are reminded what an incredible voice really is. We are looking forward to the sound of Kelly Clarkson on The Voice.”

Just yesterday, Jennifer Hudson was revealed as a coach on the 13th season – which airs this September. She will join Levine and Shelton as well as Miley Cyrus.

Clarkson’s run will air in early 2018.

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Talk of Clarkson and ‘American Idol’ seemed too widespread to be false. Which leads us to believe she was in negotiations with both shows. If indeed the case, it seems as though NBC pulled out all the stops to secure her as it prepares to go head-to-head with Idol on ABC.

Your thoughts?

Bow Wow became a global punchline this week when he got caught posting a fake picture of a private jet and claiming he was using it to travel for promotion of his new show.

The net erupted into a chorus of laughter, which then morphed into the #BowWowChallenge. A movement which saw the masses post clips of themselves posing as one thing only to reveal it bogus.

Looking to salvage the chaos, Bow – real name Shad Moss – visited Hot 97 and claimed that the whole thing was on purpose.

And while he wouldn’t elaborate, he told folks to tune into his show Growing Up Hip-Hop: Atlanta later this month to find out what he means.

Peep his interview with Ebro and co below…

At this point, he’s full-on ridiculous.

Your thoughts?

Well that didn’t take long.

Just one day after signalling his solo take-off, Liam Payne has officially announced his debut single.

Christened ‘Strip That Down,’ the track – as widely predicted – features Migos star Quavo.

And while it was believed that the song would be arriving tomorrow, it has been confirmed that the cut will land next Friday (May 19th).

Teasing the release more, Payne shared an elongated preview. Check it out below…

Mad excited to announce my new single Strip That Down ft. @quavostuntin out May 19th #STRIPTHATDOWN ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ZVviFrJmpd

— Liam (@LiamPayne) May 11, 2017

Buzzed?

Your thoughts?

In a surprising development, it has been announced that L.A Reid will be departing Epic Records after six years.

Variety confirmed the news moments ago, but have yet to to confirm additional details.

The move comes as a shock to many, given Reid’s recent streak of success with acts such as Future, Fifth Harmony, DJ Khaled, and Meghan Trainor. 

It’s also odd in light of the fact that Reid only just re-located Epic HQ to Los Angeles, moving himself – as well as the label’s main operations – from NY to LA.

What’s more, it arguably leaves a number of the high-profile acts he brought back to the Sony fold in limbo – such as Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey. The latter of whom only just partnered with Reid and Epic for her new Butterfly MC Records label.

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Reid joined the Sony Music imprint in 2011 and was immediately tasked with reviving what was, at the time, barren-land. It was far from easy and his job looked to be in jeopardy in those early days, but he eventually generated momentum. A reality which makes today’s development somewhat puzzling.

An established industry icon, Reid will likely find his footing once again.

After all, he has enjoyed wildly successful stints as part several labels housed under the Sony and Universal umbrellas; he’s also an integral part of the careers of superstars such as Rihanna, Usher, TLC, and Mariah Carey.

Your thoughts?

Miley Cyrus has returned with new single ‘Malibu.’

And, in wasting no time, the 24-year-old has debuted the song along with its accompanying video.

The track serves as the lead release from the singer’s sixth studio album and will be performed live for the first time at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards.

What are you waiting for? Check out the visual below….

Your thoughts?