Jennifer Hudson took to ‘Ellen’ today to deliver a live rendition of her new song, ‘Remember Me,’ viewers wouldn’t soon forget.

The Grammy-winning belter, who gave fans of The Voice UK’ the first live taste of the tune over a month ago, finally brought it to Stateside shores for American audiences.

Curious to see how she fared?  Tuck inside to see:

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After a tepid response to recent comeback single ‘Chained To Rhythm’, Katy Perry has reloaded and is aiming to make a splash with new number ‘Bon Appétit.’

The Pop superstar caused a commotion on social media with confirmation of the track, which fans had been speculating about for weeks.

Joining her on the track are Hip-Hop outfit Migos, who’ve enjoyed chart-topping success with ‘Bad And Boujee.’

Can they collaboratively cook up another hit?

The answer isn’t far off because ‘Bon Appétit’ premieres this Friday (April 28th).

Your thoughts?

Kelly Rowland is the latest star to sign on to VH1‘s upcoming Mother’s Day special – ‘Dear Mama: An Event To Honor Moms.’ 

The Grammy winning singer will take to the stage at the May 8th event to perform for a surprise guest.

She joins previously announced performers DJ Khaled (who’ll be tributing his fiance) and Robin Thicke.

Taping from the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena CA, the event will hosted by Anthony Anderson and La La Anthony. [Source]

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Ms. Kelly’s ‘Dear Mama’ gig comes on the heels of heavy promotion for her new book ‘Whoa, Baby,’ which is aimed at new mothers. She’s also starring as a coach on the current season of ‘The Voice Australia’ and working on a new album that’s due later this year.

Busy times.

Your thoughts?

Solange has always marched to beat of her own drum and she’s continuing with the push for new album ‘A Seat At The Table.’

Unwrapped last October, the set became the songbird’s first chart topper and earned a Grammy this Spring.

Renown for her abilities both on record and on stage, many have been awaiting  tour dates from the 30-year-old.

They may be waiting a while, though. Because the singer has cultivated a less traditional means of plugging the project.

Speaking to Complex, Solo revealed:

“No, there’s no tour in the works—Right now I have two different shows. I have one that is more a performance piece show that is being performed in museums—and more in the art context. And then I have festival shows. As of now, I’ve not scheduled a proper tour in the more traditional sense.”

The soul maestra’s museum dates include San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art and New York’s Guggenheim Museum as part of Red Bull Music Academy’s month-long installation. [Source]

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Much respect to Ms. Knowles for consistently doing “her.”

It’s clear a lot of thought goes into her sound, aesthetic, and positioning. But it never feels contrived or convoluted.

Click here to see when Solange is heading to a state (or museum) near you.

Your thoughts?

Viola DavisJuVee production company has announced the birth of a brand new TV series named ‘Two Sides of the Truth’.

The series, which is yet to bag a premiere date, seeks unearth the truth behind high profile cases linked to the Black community and law enforcement in America.

Davis shares..

Every other week we hear about these horrific incidences and many of them go unsolved and unresolved. We hope that this show can take those headlines and humanize them.

The visionary announced news of the project’s arrival as she set her sights on the next season of the TV thriller ‘How to Get Away with Murder’.

Unfamiliar with the series?

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Brian Bowen Smith]

Dionne Warwick is the latest diva to find herself on the receiving end of an Aretha Franklin diss.

Today, Aretha sent a lengthy fax to members of the press berating Dionne for starting a rumour about her.

What it was?

That she was Whitney Houston’s godmother.

Aretha believes that at Houston’s funeral in 2012 Dionne intentionally drew attention to the fact Franklin wasn’t in attendance without being sure that she was during the speech she shared to honour the star’s short life.

‘Ree’s not here, but she is here. She loves Whitney as if she were born to her. She is her godmother.

The Associated Press explains:

At the time, Franklin said she was suffering from swollen feet and had to skip the funeral so she could perform later that night at Radio City Music Hall in New York, which she said she was contractually obligated to do.

Five years after Dionne made the comment and Whitney’s mother Cissy revealed that Aretha wasn’t Whitney’s godmother, the ‘Respect’ performer has decided to “clap back” and argue that Dionne knew it wasn’t true “because I was far too busy to be anyone’s godmother”.

There’s been so much going on around her (Houston), around the service, around the drugs, around her and Bobby (Brown) supposed to be fighting, I didn’t want to add anything to that and I didn’t want to be a part of that.

Why now?

Well, Aretha revealed that she and Dionne bumped into each other at the Tribeca Film Festival’s premiere of mentor Clive Davis’ documentary, “Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives”. Dionne, who had no idea Aretha was upset with her, attempted to hug her.

Aretha’s response?

She said, ‘Give me a hug.’ I said, ‘Oh hell no. You couldn’t be serious.’ I don’t care about her apology, at this point it isn’t about an apology, it’s about libel.

She added:

We’ve never been friends and I don’t think that Dionne has ever liked me.

Dionne learned of Aretha’s diss this morning and had her publicist issue the following statement:

She will not dignify a response to the statement made by Aretha Franklin.

The pair’s tumultuous relationship inspired the YouTube series ‘Got 2 Be Real’.

Watch here.

Your thoughts?

Mary J. Blige summons the ‘Strength Of A Woman’ on her 13th studio album of the same name.

Due in stores this Friday (April 28th), the set sees the soon-to-be-divorced R&B star bare her soul as she works through life’s hardships.

Getting her promo on ahead of the LP’s arrival, MJB stopped by the Ellen show today to perform the project’s lead single ‘Thick Of It.’

Watch the emotion-soaked showing below…

Great showing.

We’ve loved this song since it dropped, hence we’re hopeful it gets a second run of momentum during the project’s push.

Your thoughts?

Janet Jackson has been laying relatively low in recent weeks following news of her split from husband Wissam Al Mana.

The pair have, however, been seen out and about with their adorable newborn son Eissa.

Now, Janet has been spotted letting her hair down in London at Bruno Mars’24k Magic World Tour.’

Accompanied by brother Randy Jackson, the 50-year-old superstar appeared to be having a blast at the widely praised show.

Historically, Bruno and Janet have been very complimentary to one another. She’s consistently cited him as a favorite of hers from the “new skool,” while he continually professes his love for her.

Indeed, Mr Mars took to Twitter to publicly send love to the youngest of the Jackson clan when illness forced her to postpone her ‘Unbreakable World Tour.’

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Are we the only ones salivating for a collaboration?

Bruno’s sound is very reminiscent of early Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis – two of the most instrumental figures in Janet’s career.

Beyond that, he has a proven ability to produce greatness for other artists such as Adele.

With the world watching and waiting Janet’s next musical move, we’d love if she and Bruno cooked up something epic. Preferably uptempo.

Who knows, maybe that’s already on the cards.

Anyway, enough from us. What are…

Your thoughts?

Following Fox‘s decision to slice its ties to the alleged sexual predator Bill O’Reilly, Sony Music Entertainment appears to have followed suit after it revealed that it has removed Dr. Luke from his position as CEO of one of its subsidiaries.

In 2011, Sony and Luke built Kermasobe Records to house acts the producer sought to sell to the masses.

Unfortunately for him, allegations that he drugged, raped and abused his artist Kesha stand at the heart of the label’s decision to give him the boot.

The reputable ‘Hollywood Reporter’ explains:

Now, Dr. Luke’s relationship with Sony is under a microscope, and according to one source, the two sides are in the midst of negotiating a split. Another insider pushes back on the notion of a divorce. But according to court papers, he is no longer the CEO of Kemosabe Records and the company asserts he no longer has authority to act on its behalf. A page devoted to Dr. Luke on Sony Music’s website has also been taken down.

Your thoughts?

 

Aaron Hernandez murdered Odin Lloyd because he discovered that the athlete was gay.

For thousands of sporting fans across the globe the position above has found itself at the forefront of their worlds following Hernandez’ suicide last week and now, as they seek answers, news has surfaced which claims to support it.

Before his death, Hernandez penned three suicide notes.

One of them, according to reports, was sent to a man named Kyle Kennedy.

Aaron’s legal camp denied this allegation (and the rumours of a romance between the friends that came attached to it) but now find themselves forced to put out a fire ignited by Kennedy’s attorneys.

My client is obviously saddened by the loss of his friend, Aaron Hernandez.A letter was left to my client but neither I, nor my client, have seen the letter. We will be requesting that the letter be turned over to my client as soon as possible.

Now, with hopes of concealing the content of the letter, Aaron’s team have now attempted to block an order made by a judge which would see all three letters delivered to their respective recipients.

Problematic, as Kennedy would then be free to release his, and confirm (or deny) that it was romantic.

Hernandez’s lawyer Jose Baez had this to say about it:

Rumours of letters to a gay lover, in or out of prison, are false.These are malicious leaks used to tarnish somebody who is dead.

Your thoughts?

In 2o16, Rihanna unlocked her latest studio album ‘ANTI’ and, to thank fans for their patience, armed with it artwork and material she hoped would see her soar to higher creative ground.

Today, never-before-seen snaps from the shoot behind said artwork have surfaced online!

#ANTI #Rihanna

A post shared by Rihanna (@rfentyupdates) on

#ANTI #Rihanna

A post shared by Rihanna (@rfentyupdates) on

The shots hit the net minutes ago and arrive after the performer (who has made a beeline for Hollywood glory) was linked to a role in the next chapter of The Matrix’.

She is yet to confirm or deny claims she is to star in it alongside Michael B. Jordan.

Click here to learn more.

What do you think of the snaps?

All of this winning. 

Beyonce has made slayage look like child’s play over the course of her 20 year career, and the touchdowns show no sign of slowing.

Less than one week after being honored with the prestigious Peabody Award, Bey’s ‘Lemonade’ has been unveiled as the top selling album worldwide in 2016.

The revelation was made in the Global Music Report, which is compiled by International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). 

Mrs Carter, along with acts such as Adele and Drake, are credited with helping grow the global music business in a major way. For, 2016 registered revenue growth of 5.9% over the previous year.

The figure marks the biggest revenue growth since the IFPI began tracking the market in 1997. It’s also the second-straight year of growth after 15 years of decline.

So, how do 2016’s releases stack up comparatively? Check out the full list…

Top-Selling Albums Globally of 2016, According to the IFPI (Physical & Digital Sales Only)

1. Beyoncé, Lemonade (2.5 million)
2. Adele, 25 (2.4 million)
3. Drake, Views (2.3 million)
4. Metallica, Hardwired…to Self-Destruct (2.1 million)
5. David Bowie, Blackstar (1.9 million)
6. The Rolling Stones, Blue & Lonesome (1.8 million)
7. Bruno Mars, 24k Magic (1.7 million)
8. Twenty One Pilots, Blurryface (1.5 million)
9. Coldplay, A Head Full of Dreams (1.4 million)
10. Pentatonix, A Pentatonix Christmas (1.4 million)

[Source]

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All hail the Queen, so on and so forth.

It does make for a stunning sight to see how comparatively small global numbers are in 2017 compared to years of past. A lot of these figures would have been US totals once upon a time.

But ay, we’re in the streaming age. So, if anything, the numbers should be applauded in earnest.

Your thoughts?

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