Mary J. Blige, keen to thank her fans for their loyalty, surprised the world when she welcomed them into the deepest and darkest points of her marriage after announcing it had come to an end.

Today, after her ex Kendu Isaacs was accused of bullying her and using her money to fund projects and a lifestyle she did not benefit from, Mary may find herself forced to address claims that he has been sleeping with one of her best friends.

Sources spilled what they say everyone in the music industry has known for years in an interview with ‘Page Six’:

Everyone knew. Mary was the last to know, but it’s like, how do you not know?It was more like one of those things where you end up believing what you want to believe. But Mary had her suspicions. It’s really messed up and low to have it done to her that way. Had it not been for Mary signing her, investing time and money…Because no one cared about her music. You’d see them out in the studio together, having dinner without Mary. And then Mary would be at events with her, and it was awkward because it was obvious they were sleeping together.

Starshell had this to say about rumours she was “going down” with Mary’s man in 2012.

Once you start getting hotter and hotter, or people start talking about you more and more, everything’s like soap opera life. You’re always looking for something. If someone’s too clean or too good, they have to attach something to you, so for me, it was a compliment like, ‘Oh my God! People are talking about me. People are trying to find something.’ But I don’t know where or how that came about and it’s something that I have to take with a grain of salt.

Kendu is yet to respond.

However, his lawyer has on his behalf.

Allegations that have been made about Kendu are false, unfair, mean-spirited and sad. The court can deal with it if it’s relevant. He’s a very pleasant guy. He’s not abusive. He’s not the one going to the press. His goal is to reach an amicable resolution with her and [have] this commentary cease and desist. It doesn’t help any of them. It’s misleading. He cares about Mary. He wants her to do well.

Your thoughts?

Zayn Malik seems to have found himself on the harsher side of PartyNextDoor‘s amiable personality.

After they teamed up to release  the cut ‘Still Got Time‘, the pair learned that the general public had uncovered what appears to be bad blood between them after the hit-making Party unfollowed Zayn on social media and scrubbed his pages clean of any references to him.

Unconfirmed reports claim that the rift kicked off because the ‘Work’ writer is unhappy with ‘Time’s unfortunate run on the Billboard Hot 100 which saw it peak at #57.

Zayn still follows the chart-topping performer.

Your thoughts?

Tamar Braxton is back and is drawing on real life for her her new single ‘My Man.’

Viewers of the current season of ‘Braxton Family Values’ will have seen the singer and her sisters spilling on the controversial split of their parents.

And now Ms. She, Me, Her chronicles the narrative on the debut offering from her next studio album.

Emotionally charged, the song sees Tamar lamenting about a woman, known to and loved by her family, who goes on to “take” her man.

The TC and Corey Rooney penned production is the first release on the songbird’s new label Tamartian Land Records.

So what are you waiting for? Check it out below…

A home-run!

While it’s difficult to see how this would fit into the contemporary radio climate, it almost doesn’t matter because it’s strong enough to grab interest on its own accord.

Vocally, Tamar turns in a stunning performance and conveys each lyric with conviction.

‘My Man’ is also a welcome throwback thematically to the pre-Girl-Power era.

Sure, we’re all for the fist-pumping ‘Independent Women’ narrative that has been “a thing” since the early 00s. But it’s so populous that it’s almost frowned upon these days to sing about the trifling “other woman.” So much so that it dilutes the pool of topics female acts can pull from and largely sees them aiming their lyrical bow and arrows at the man. As such, there was something deliciously delightful to hear Tamar scold the “heifer” who stole her bae.

After the lukewarm ‘Calling All Lovers’ album, this has renewed our excitement about Tamar musically.

‘My Man’ is available to purchase on iTunes.

Your thoughts?

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:

(more…)

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 Davis‘ JuVee 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.’

Sending a prayer out to one of the best to ever do it! Get well soon @JanetJackson We love you.

— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) December 24, 2015

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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?