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…

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?

Whether it’s his skills on the field, dance moves, or boys trips with Trey Songz, Odell Beckham Jr has never been against sharing.

Hence, it’s little surprise that his latest ink job has been chronicled on Instagram.

The New York Giants star playfully poses in the snap above as he’s tattooed on his hips and derrière.

It goes without saying that this definitely has tongues wagging; but ultimately we wouldn’t be seeing this if he didn’t want us to.

Do you OBJ, do you.

Your thoughts?

Bruno Mars may have only just hit #1 with ‘That’s What I Like,’ but he already has his sights set on its follow-up.

Given the all-round slay that is his ’24k Magic’ album, he has a buffet of songs to pick from and it appears he’s made his selection.

Multiple sources confirm that the crooner pre-recorded his performance of ‘Versace On The Floor’ for the Billboard Music Awards last night. It took place at the 2nd Amsterdam show on his ’24k Magic World Tour.’

Mars is confirmed to have performed the track twice, with the final edit set to air when the BBMA’s does on May 21st.

We stuck wondering why he’s yet to service ‘Chunky’ (an obvious smash in waiting) as a an official release, but we also tip our hats to him. For, with each single issued thus far, he’s showcased the various tempos that the album houses. A smart play in itself.

Listen to ‘Versace’ below…

Your thoughts?

Hailed as the Beyonce of his group, Quavo of House Migos continues to soar towards Pop culture’s platinum throne with a brand new number.

The name of his latest solo effort? ‘Paper Over Here.’

**** what a hater even got to say. Me, myself, and I cruise down the highway.  Pull up to the bank, I walk right out with $100K.

Launched as he gears up to support Liam Payne‘s foray into Hip-Hop, the cut arrives as he continues to enjoy the company of Chris Brown’s former flame/ current enemy Karrueche Tran and as Migos’ ‘Bad and Boujee‘ continues to rock charts home and away.

Listen below….

Your thoughts?

Season 9 of the ‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ has come to an end and so too has Phaedra Parksstint with the popular Bravo show.

As widely seen, the attorney/philanthropist/mortician got caught in a “mega-watt lie” pertaining former friend Kandi Burruss and Porsha Williams.

Her mute response as the drama unfolded confused many, but according to Parks sources close to Parks editing was the reason for this. Because, she did indeed point the finger at someone.

Page Six explains:

“Phaedra tried to blame producers for manipulating the scenario, and it was cut from the reunion show. They’re not allowed to break the ‘fourth wall’ and talk about production. It may not have been entirely Phaedra’s fault, but she has to take the fall,” the source said.

A Parks source said there was “a producer who told her the drug and rape story, which she repeated to another cast member. It snowballed. The editing was not kind to her.”

A Bravo rep said, “Production is not involved.”

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This does make a lot of sense. After all, had they let that breaking of the fourth-wall air, it would have compromised the “real” in “reality” and dented the credibility of the show overall. No way would that have been allowed to happen, hence why Phaedra (in her uncharacteristic silence) seemed almost resolute to being the sacrificial lamb.

However, it still doesn’t explain why she’d repeat the alleged production whisper as first-hand info to a fellow cast-mate and supposed friend Porsha. Like as much as we rode for Phae, that aspect of the narrative is inexcusable.

It figures then why the rest of the cast apparently rallied together to demand she not be brought back – something creator Andy Cohen and Bravo higher ups reportedly decided anyway immediately after the reunion. With word on the curb being that not only was the nature of the lie problematic at a network level, it saw Phae break a “morality clause” that forbids any comments that could be considered as libel.

Still, we don’t anticipate this being the last we’ve seen of Ms. Parks on the show.

She’ll no doubt need to let the dust settle, new dramas play out, and change occur in her real life. But when the time is right, it’s entirely plausible that she’ll be reintegrated into the mix. There’s too many juicy avenues to explore on that front, namely her life after the chaos, mending her relationship with the ladies, and her romantic liaisons.

Just our two cents. What are…

Your thoughts?

Cop a gander of Missy Elliott!

The Hip-Hop pioneer and all-round music maestra cuts a striking image a-front of ELLE magazine’s June 2017 edition – which also dubs as its Music Issue.

Due on newsstands imminently, the feature forms part of Elliott’s slow but steady return to the spotlight.

2015’s ‘WTF (Where They From)’ remains a club favorite, while this February saw her unwrap the surprise video for ‘I’m Better.’ 

On the horizon is a tell-all documentary too.

All we need now is that long-awaited album! With a major promo spot such as this cover, fingers crossed the LP isn’t far off.

Your thoughts?

Jennifer Hudson is heading back to The Voice – and this time on home-soil!

Fresh from winning her inaugural season on the UK branch of the show, it has been announced that the Oscar and Grammy winner will be joining season 13 of the US series.

Set to air this September, J.Hud will star as a coach alongside Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton. 

Speaking on her addition to the panel, NBC Entertainment president Paul Telegdy said:

“Jennifer is an extraordinary vocal talent and one of the premier voices of our time. She embodies the experience, expertise, positivity and sheer talent that The Voice stands for. Her exceptional skills as a singer and actress have extended to film, television and Broadway, which makes her an incredible addition and a natural fit for our show.”

The news comes as singer-actress readies her fourth studio album for release later this year.

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During Hudson’s run on the UK show, she easily served as one of – if not “the” – most popular personality on the panel. As such, she’ll most definitely be an asset.

Musically, we’re buzzed for her because this’ll also provide a solid platform to plug her new material too. A win for all.

Your thoughts?

New music from One Direction‘s former members is flying in from all directions.

Next up it’s Liam Payne.

Drawing on his sex appeal, the 23-year-old sent fans into the definition of a frenzy when he uploaded video clip of himself topless bearing a teaser of the track.

Word on the curb is that Payne, who welcomed a son named Bear with British singer Cheryl Cole last month, is joined by Migos on the song and will unwrap it in full later this week.

The clear Urban lean makes for an interesting development in the post-1D narrative. For, while Niall Horan and Harry Styles have embraced Pop and Rock/Pop respectively, Payne’s play sees him bid for the same market share as former band mate Zayn Malik – who too has anchored himself in a more Urban skewed sound.

With both housed under rival labels (Sony/Universal), it should make for a riveting watch as to who comes out atop. As should the collective race between all active 1D vocalists, who are uniquely all releasing within the same window.

Your thoughts?

Miley Cyrus is back.

Following a brief but controversial love-affair with Hip-Hop music, the singer is re-aligning with her Pop core for comeback single ‘Malibu.’

Issued as the lead offering from the 24-year-old’s sixth studio album, the track will be unveiled…tomorrow – as confirmed by Cyrus herself on Twitter:

Meanwhile, over on Instagram, the starlet revealed she’ll be performing the song at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards on May 21st. She also shared a preview in snippet form:

#Malibu x #BBMAs ? TV debut performance at the @BBMAs May 21 at 8e/5p on ABC!!! #1daytillMalibu

A post shared by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on

Your thoughts?

Season 7 of ‘Scandal’ looks set to be bittersweet for fans of the ABC show.

For on the one hand, its recent renewal means the political drama will stretch into next year. However, on the other, it’s being reported that it will indeed be its final instalment.

The news comes via The Hollywood Reporter, who asserts that the end of Olivia Pope and co will be announced formally at the ABC Upfront 2017/18 presentation next week.

Throughout the show’s run, creator Shonda Rhimes has been emphatic in stressing that she has always known when the show would end; asserting that it was never meant to be a “10 season type of series.”

However, following last year’s controversial US election, she admitted that the real-life political landscape had thrown the show’s for a loop and she was no longer sure of its end destination.

Well, it’s looking like an answer has manifested.

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Though longtime lovers of the show, we’re actually at peace with this. After all, the best titles know when to bow out. So, with ‘Scandal’ arguably nearing its qualitative ceiling, what time better than its 7th cycle to have its final curtain call.

As the age old adage goes: all good things must come to an end.

Your thoughts?

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