As the age old adage goes: time flies.

Indeed, this week marks one year since the passing of superstar musician Prince.

To honor his life and legacy, Rogue Music Alliance are readying the release of a brand new EP christened ‘Deliverance.’

The six song project is comprised of undiscovered studio recordings from 2006–2008 and will hit stores this Friday (April 21st). It’s presently available for pre-order on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play. A physical edition will follow on June 2nd, with the lion-share of profits from all versions going to the Prince Estate.

[Despite a recent deal making the Purple One’s back catalogue available on streaming services, there’s no word on whether ‘Deliverance’ will be streamable on the Spotify’s and the like.]

Interestingly, the set sits outside the new major label partnership in place to maximize exposure of the legend’s classic and unheard music because he recorded the songs while an independent act.

Prince co-penned and co-produced ‘Deliverance’ with his mixing/recording engineer from 2004–2009, Ian Boxill.

In the year since his death, Boxill has worked round the clock to complete the cuts.

Speaking on the finished product, he said in a statement:

“I believe ‘Deliverance’ is a timely release with everything going on in the world today and in light of the one-year anniversary of his passing. I hope when people hear Prince singing these songs it will bring comfort to many. Prince once told me that he would go to bed every night thinking of ways to bypass major labels and get his music directly to the public. When considering how to release this important work, we decided to go independent because that’s what Prince would have wanted.”

Listen to a preview of the title track below, where the full tracklist awaits…

‘Deliverance’ Tracklist:

1. Deliverance
2. I Am
3. Touch Me
4. Sunrise Sunset
5. No One Else
6. I Am (Extended)

Your thoughts?

The iconic athlete Mike Tyson and the rising chart force that is Migos have teamed up with GQ to create an epic treat for their respective fans.

As part of the publication’s May 2017 issue, the group visited Tyson’s grand home for a conversation which saw them discuss their bourgeoning stardom, their issues with Sean Kingston and much much more.

Watch below…

I ain’t get the opportunity to get coached into being a star. I came straight into this ****. The whole ‘Versace’ ****, I wasn’t in the video. I missed out on all that. I came home as a star. I had a lot of money. I was wilding, I was being young, I was just living and experiencing life, though. So I ain’t got no regrets. You got to grow up and mature when you see you’ve got something going for real.

Fantastic.

Migos’ new album ‘Culture’ debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and has spawned the hit single ‘Bad and Boujee’ which recently crossed sales of 600,000 units in the same market.

Yet to hear the set?

1. Culture ft. DJ Khaled
2. T-Shirt
3. Call Casting
4. Bad and Boujee ft. Lil Uzi Vert
5. Get Right Witcha
6. Slippery ft. Gucci Mane
7. Big on Big
8. What the Price
9. Brown Paper Bag
10. Deadz ft. 2 Chainz
11. All ***
12. Kelly Price ft. Travis Scott
13. Out Yo Way

Listen here!

Your thoughts?

Usher has toyed with many different sounds in his time, but his look has remained  relatively consistent.

Until now.

Currently on downtime after the release (and subsequently underperformance) of last year’s ‘Hard II Love,’ the R&B icon is using the window to experiment with his aesthetic.

Hopping on Instagram today, the 38-year-old shared snaps of his new blonde hair hue.

Check it out above and below.

In keeping it 100, we’d much prefer he instead debut new music sooner rather than later. Especially given how he fared on his last outing. Time waits for no one – and these days not even names that are known and loved.

Your thoughts?

‘The Real’ is readying a month’s worth of sassy guest hosts.

Indeed, since the dramatic departure of Tamar Braxton last year, the FOX talkshow has welcomed a lengthy list of ladies to fill in her vacant seat.

Word on the curb is that many of the visitors are in actuality testing out for a more full-time role on the show. Although, the validity of that remains to be seen.

What is certain though is that producers have lined up an array of engaging names for April through May.

Included are Joseline Hernandez (who we loved during her initial stint), radio personality Angela Yee, rapper Remy Ma, Mel B. The latter is especially interesting given the messy divorce she’s currently living out publicly.

Peep the full calendar below…

Your thoughts?

Just as rumors about the reboot of juggernaut reality singing competition series, ‘American Idol,’ were laid to rest last week, the show’s network home – FOX – has announced its intent to revive another historic talent show:  ‘Showtime at the Apollo.’

As we reported here in October 2016, Steve Harvey (the series’ host from 1993-2000) joined FOX for an ‘Apollo’ special.  Fast forward months later, that venture was so well received the network has opted to restore it to a weekly, hourlong showing.  Set to kick off later this year, tuck inside for all the details:

(more…)

Nicki Minaj is keeping the content a’coming.

Despite the video for ‘No Frauds’ featuring Drake and Lil Wayne being due imminently, the rapper has surprised fans with a teaser for solo effort ‘Regret In Your Tears.’

Lensed by Mert & Marcus, the visual looks like a highly stylized affair.

Peep the newly unwrapped preview below…

I’m feeling super generous today. Who’s ready for the #RegretInYourTears? VIDEO shot by the legendary, ICONIC #MertAndMarcus ☺️? pic.twitter.com/8yL7lvWhya

— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) April 18, 2017

Onika is really being fervent with this flood of the media arena. We’re not complaining, but are keen to see what the end game is. Is she creating buzz? Are these even “singles” in the traditional sense? Time holds the answer.

Your thoughts?

Kendrick Lamar is already on-course for a colossal opening on the charts with latest album ‘DAMN,’ and gifts himself streaming points with the arrival of the video for ‘DNA.’

Continuing the cinematic appeal established by preceding release ‘Humble,’ the clip was was directed by Nabil and features Don Cheadle.

More than just a cameo, the award-winning actor turns in a spirited performance after being introduced interrogating K.Dot.

What are you waiting for? Check out the visual for ‘DNA’ below…

Sure this wasn’t as instant as ‘Humble,’ but continued to kudos to Kendrick for pushing his creative output to exciting heights. Kudos.

Your thoughts?

As a core member of the ‘Power’ cast, Naturi Naughton‘s career is glowing – and so is she.

The former 3LW member recently announced that she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Ben.

And despite being 6 months along, she paid a visit to The Wendy Williams Show today to discuss her pending arrival and season 4 of her hit Starz show.

The 32-year-old even brought along a treat in the form of a sneak peek of season 4 of the increasingly popular series.

Check out the interview and the preview below…

Great interview.

We’re elated for Naturi – for the wins in both her private and professional life.

More power to her. No pun intended.

Your thoughts?

Jennifer Hudson may have an Oscar to her name and an omnipresence in the acting arena, but she still has music on the mind.

Fresh from a successful stint on The Voice UK, the songbird has returned to the studio to work on her fourth studio album.

Having already served up a taste in the form of promo single ‘Remember Me,’ J.Hud stopped by Sway’s Universe to open up about the project.

Refreshingly candid, the powerhouse revealed that she finally understands herself as an artist – rather than just a voice.

She went on to elaborate that her approach this go round is to not merely be a vessel for a producer’s vision, but to relay her own views.

Peep the informative sit-down below…

Exciting.

As keen appreciators of Jennifer’s talent, we’ve been awaiting that definitive body of work that really showcases her as the caliber of artist she can be.

Listening to articulate her goal with this LP piques our interest.

Fingers crossed the finished project delivers.

Your thoughts?

Drake has discovered that his $7.7 million mansion was burgled this month.

On April 3rd, a member of the rapper’s entourage entered the YOLO Estate and received the shock of his life when he found a woman dressed in the ‘Passionfruit’ purveyor’s clothes standing in one of his six rooms.

When confronted, the trespasser- who is yet to be named- claimed that she had permission to be in the property and admitted that she had helped herself to some of the beverages in the hit maker’s fridge.

It wasn’t long before the LAPD was called who, after stepping into the strange scene, charged her with a felony burglary and taken into custody.

The house is now available to purchase for $20 million.

Your thoughts?

Beyonce has got her legal team in ‘Formation’ in a bid to squash a lawsuit levelled against her for the 2016 hit.

The superstar singer, who is heavily pregnant with twins, was sued by a relative of deceased New Orleans comedian Messy Mya (real name Anthony Barre) back in February. She wasn’t the only name listed on the suit – pretty much everyone connected with the track and its video were served papers.

So what was the issue?

In the ‘Formation’ visual, Mya’s voice is heard twice – first at the start of the clip (“What happened at the New Orleans”) and later on (“B*tch, I’m back by popular demand.”)

The suit, filed by his sister Angel Barre, claims the samples infringe the rights in two works of Barre’s performance art, ‘A 27 Piece Huh?’ and ‘Booking the Hoes from New Wildin.’ Angel seeks royalties, damages and an order that her brother be credited as a writer, composer, producer and artist on the ‘Lemonade’ lead single.

Bey’s team say not so fast. 

Her attorney Mary Ellen Roy makes an important point clear from the onset about the production company that produced the video – Pretty Bird:

“[W]hile beyond the scope of this motion, Pretty Bird licensed the YouTube Videos from Mr. Barré’s family before plaintiff Angel Barré had herself appointed as the administrator of the Estate of Anthony Barré weeks after the Music Video’s premiere — presumably for the purpose of bringing this action.”

Roy goes on to stress that Barre’s sister has grossly overstated the use of her brother’s work in the clip and its subsequent use during live performances. She notes that the claim erroneously includes ‘Super Bowl 50,’ during which Beyonce performed the song but didn’t even use the clip of his voice.

As for the use of Mya’s speech in the video and live performances on the ‘Formation World Tour,’ Bey’s motion to dismiss hits back with the fact that just 6-10 seconds were used on each occasion. Hence, it ultimately falls under the protection of Fair Use. And if it didn’t, that wouldn’t matter as the proper licences were secured by the production company ahead of time.

**********

Sounds like Bey a strong case. But time will tell how it all plays out.

Your thoughts?

Spinning towards ABC from Shonda Rhimes‘ Shondaland is ‘Still Star Crossed‘, the epic new drama starring the British actress Lashana Lynch!

Its due date? May 29th.

What it’s all about?

Following the deaths of Romeo & Juliet, their respective families engage in a bloody war which threatens to destroy the city in which they live.

How its prince plans to solve the matter?

Press play below to find out…

‘Scream Queens’ star Lucien Laviscount portrays Romeo alongside Clara Rugaard who plays Juliet.

Lashana, who hails from London, plays Rosaline, Juliet’s cousin.

Check out the show’s full list of leading cast members below…

• Lashana Lynch as Rosaline
• Wade Briggs as Benvolio Montague
• Sterling Sulieman as Prince Escalus
• Ebonée Noel as Livia, Rosaline’s sister
• Zuleikha Robinson as Lady Giuliana Capulet
• Anthony Head as Lord Silvestro Capulet
• Grant Bowler as Damiano Montague
• Torrance Coombs as Count Paris
• Dan Hildebrand as Friar Lawrence
• Medalion Rahimi as Princess Isabella
• Susan Wooldridge as The Nurse

Your thoughts?