M.I.A will be missing in action at this year’s Afropunk Festival.

The eclectic rapper had been tapped to serve as a headliner at the London edition of the Urban music celebration.

However, after feeling the furore of members of the Black communication following her controversial comments about the #BlackLivesMatter movement, the Brit-bred talent has decided to vacate her spot on the bill.

Details below…

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With the world still digesting the tragedy that was Omar Mateen‘s slaughtering of 50 LGBT revellers at Orlando‘s Pulse Night Club, singer Frank Ocean has weighed-in on the incident –  and much more.

As widely reported, the ‘Pink Matter’ crooner shocked the world when he “came out” in 2012  ahead of the release of his debut album ‘Channel Orange.’ Though the singer didn’t specify labels, he did confirm that he had indeed fallen in love with a man.

The move, which remains virtually unheard of in the Black music sphere, earned Ocean the respect of many and generated fresh conversation about inclusion and acceptance.

In the time since, he’s remained a relative recluse and largely avoided the glare and flare of the spotlight as he works diligently on sophomore set ‘Big Boys Don’t Cry.’

Yet, clearly moved by mass murder and its wider context, the 28-year-old broke the silence with potent commentary that pulled from his own personal experiences.

His words after the jump…

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‘Give Your Heart A Break’ belter Demi Lovato simply can’t catch a break on social media after she inserted her unsolicited opinion about Mariah Carey on a meme designed to diss Ariana Grande (as we reported here).

Lovato clearly expected the backlash to die down over the weekend, but as more and more outlets reported the incident, it only intensified the heat on the former ‘X Factor’ judge.

As the attacks continue into the next week, the 23-year-old took to Twitter to announce it may be time for her to take a social media hiatus.  Get into her words below:

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The ink is officially dry!

Rita Ora has a new label home – and is finally opening up about it.

Full story below…

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With just 445,000 copies of ‘ANTI’ sold since January, Rihanna isn’t the surest of bets at retail.

However, for organizers of the 2016 Made In America Festival the hope is that she’ll be able to move tickets for the Philadelphia extravaganza when it returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Set to take place Labor Day Weekend (September 3th-4th), this year’s instalment of the Jay Z created spectacle will be headlined by RiRi and also feature performances from the likes of Coldplay, Bryson Tiller,  and Lil Wayne.

Peep the full line-up below… (more…)

Alicia Keys‘ ‘Case of the Missing Big Budget ‘Put In A Love Song’ Music Video Featuring Beyonce Which Never Saw the Light of Day’ has been rocked by a plot twist.

For, after fans of the Sony siblings resigned themselves to the fact that they may never see the music video shot to support Alicia’s ‘Element of Freedom‘, the star has hinted that it “may” surface.

Watch below…

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Hot music alert!

As her mother, the actress Vanessa Williams, prepares herself to star in VH1’s ‘Satan’s Sisters‘ the vocalist Jillian Hervey continues to make sweet sounding moves as one half of the duo Lion Babe.

Joined by Lucas Goodman, the entertainer releases the cut ‘Endless Summer’ to support their latest body of work ‘Sun Joint.’

Hit the play button to pick up what this ferocious pair are putting down below…

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Over the course of Alicia Keys‘ illustrious career, the singer has routinely used her platform to promote worthwhile causes.

It’s a trajectory that continues with the premiere of new short film ‘Let Me In’ – which also features the star’s latest song ‘Hallelujah.’

The flick aims, in partnership with charity We Are Here, to raise awareness for World Humanitarian Day and support those fleeing to safety.

On the project, Keys said:

“I want us all to imagine if we were the refugees, if we were the ones torn from the arms of our families and loved ones. While some seek to stoke the flames of division and turn us against our fellow neighbors, we’re here to make the case for love and compassion. How would we feel if it were happening to us?”

Watch the Jonathan Olinger directed visual below…

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Accusations made by the Pop princess Kesha against her former producer Dr. Luke and the release of the documentary ‘An Open Secret‘ have ignited a conversation about sexual abuse within the entertainment industry.

Weighing in on the matter this week is the R&B songbird Mya.

Yes, in an interview with ‘Vlad TV‘, the ‘Case of the Ex’ performer spoke openly about the industry’s problematic way of dealing with cases when they surface and how misogyny protects those accused of preying on vulnerable talent.

Watch below…

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Ebro Darden and company enjoyed the company of ‘In Common’ deliverer Alicia Keys this morning.

There, on Hot 97, the ‘Diary’ writer discussed her forthcoming album and the lifestyle changes responsible for its bold, brave and stripped back direction.

Their conversation is an interesting one, as it also sees her share her thoughts on several issues away from the world of music and invites fans to join her on the latest stage of her creative and personal journey.

Watch below…

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The ladies of Fifth Harmony are proving they’ll more than ‘Work From Home’ to cement their success.

Lauren, Ally, Nomarni, Dinah, and Camila continued their quest for world domination last night when they took to the stage at the 2016 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards in Canada.

Backed by an army of female dancers, the Epic Records collective turned all the way up.

Watch ’em work and werk below…

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Drake‘s quest for the iron  Pop throne reached a major milestone last night when he dominated the Much Music Video Awards!

Awesome news below…

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