The worrying link between African-American chattel slavery and mass incarceration is explored in ‘13th‘, an eye and mind opening new documentary by Ava Duvernay.

Now available to watch on Netflix, the project scratches beyond the surface level slavery narrative often presented in the school system to expose the government’s ties a system which enslaved African-Americans after slavery was abolished in 1865.

Even more frightening is how this system is still in place…today.

People don’t know about this…history. They don’t know how we’ve gotten to this moment where people have to actually protest and be in the streets and say, ‘My life matters.’ My hope is that you see this and we start to change as people, we start to think twice about how we treat each other.

I cried a lot making this. It was emotionally exhausting. It was really, really challenging to do, but they must be done.

Trailer below…

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If you thought Beyhive stings were limited to pop culture figures, we’d suggest you think again. Yep, after former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee learned last year, politicians are not exempt from the wrath of the devoted fan base.

Now, just a month away from what could be a historic U.S. presidential election, former New York lieutenant governor Betsy McCaughey and current economic advisor to Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump should’ve sought some advising of her own before taking to CNN to slam Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton for supporting Beyonce.

Citing lyrics from the Grammy winner’s 2016 top 10 hit ‘Formation’ as evidence of Clinton’s hypocrisy for slamming Trump’s recently uncovered misogynistic rant from 2005, the move appears to have backfired as the ill-prepared comments set Twitter alight.

Check below to see the video that’s got the Beyhive stirring:

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After taking a much needed break following 2014’s critically and commercially shambolic ‘Paula,’ Robin Thicke returns with a new Nas-assisted single titled ‘Deep.’

Showing off his oft-praised falsetto, ‘Deep’ sees the R&B crooner give fans the first taste from his yet-titled, reportedly yet-finished 8th studio album.  And, as he prepares to perform the cut and many others from his hit collection on October 15th’s ‘TIDAL X:  1015,’ tuck in below to for your first listen:

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Kendrick Lamar has amassed commercial and critical acclaim by merit of his talent and compelling bodies of work.

In recent times, he’s also become in-demand for major Pop features; case in point Taylor Swift‘s ‘Bad Blood’ and Beyonce‘s ‘Freedom.’

The latest of latter comes courtesy of Maroon 5, who’ve enlisted the rap titan for their new single.

Dive below for details…

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Funnyman Kevin Hart is the latest name to be immortalised on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. 

The comedian and actor received the 2591st star on the iconic strip and was watched  on during his ceremony by his children, his current wife + ex wife, actress Halle Berry, and Ice Cube.

Beyond cementing Hart’s name in the history books, the honor arrives at an apt time for the 37-year-old.

This Friday brings with it the premiere of his new comedy movie ‘Kevin Hart: What Now?,’ while 2017 will usher the release of his ‘Jumanji’ remake with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Pending then, peep more pics below…

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Alicia Keys is back!

And That Grape Juice were in the house to see the 15-time Grammy winner.

Head below to read our NYC correspondent Richard Pittman‘s exclusive recap.

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Camilla Cabello continues to make slow but serious moves into solo territory this year with help from Machine Gun Kelly.

The name of their collaborative song?

‘Bad Things.’

I got what you dream ’bout. Nails scratching my back tat, eyes closed when you scream out.You keep me in with those hips. While my teeth sink in those lips.

Give it a spin below…

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Together and apart, Drake and Rihanna have amassed a wealth of success.

Those achievements have been noted by the organizers of the 2016 American Music Awards; for the the dynamic duo (and rumored lovers) lead the list of nominations.

Announced moments ago, Drizzy tops the pack with a whopping 13 honors – besting a 32-year-record held by Michael Jackson, who scored 11 in 1984 during the ‘Thriller’ era.

To her credit, RiRi bagged the next highest amount of nominations – earning 7.

With the 2016 AMAs airing November 20th live from LA’s Microsoft Theater, find out who’s up for what awards below where the full list of nominees awaits…

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After five years of independent distribution Wiz Khalifa‘s ‘Taylor Gang Entertainment’ has found a home in Atlantic Records.

Good news for all involved below…

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Venomous may be one word to describe Hillary Clinton’s latest encounter with her Republican rival Donald J. Trump.

Laced with personal insults and jabs at their problematic and occasionally horrific histories, the debate stood as the second of three set up to take place before voting day arrives on November 8th 2016.

Watch their toxic showdown below…

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Drake may have only just wrapped his Stateside ‘Summer Sixteen’ trek, but he’s already gearing up to hit the international circuit from this winter.

Moments ago, the rapper announced his aptly titled ‘Boy Meets World Tour,’ which’ll be kicking off in Europe in January.

The jaunt is being erected in support of the rap titan’s latest album ‘Views’ – which has dominated the global music landscape since its release in April.

With Drizzy continuing to wrack up chart wins with the LP, he looks poised to pocket triple figure millions from the touring arena too.

Find out when the Canadian is hitting a town near you below…

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Today, From The Vault journeys back to a time when Rihanna was only beginning to embrace her “bad gyal” persona. This week’s pick is her joint single with Maroon 5 ‘If I Never See Your Face Again.’

Originally sung solely by M5’s frontman Adam Levine and included on the band’s second LP ‘It Won’t Be Soon Before Long,’ ‘Face’ received quite the facelift when chart Queen RiRi was added to the mix.

The collaborative remix was dually serviced as a single from the re-release of Levine and co’s album as well as from Ms. Fenty’s ‘Good Girl Gone Bad.’

Produced by Tricky Stewart and Mike Elizondo, it was first intended as a duet with Janet Jackson which couldn’t materialize because of label issues.

A moderate hit for its headlining acts, it cracked the US Top 40 during Summer 2008 and climbed to number 28 in the UK; still, it managed to peak at #11 and #12 in Australia and Canada respectively.

RiRi’s frequent collaborator Anthony Mandler directed the song’s visual which focused heavily on editorial shots of sexy Rihanna, dapper Adam, and their titillating (yet understated) teasing.

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Some, at the time, christened this collaboration random, yet it still “worked.”

Evidence, ladies and gents, of how Team Rih have successfully managed to broaden her brand and secure her place as the resident crossover crusader.

We wish more artists would follow that route and mix and match up for diversity. The results, as highlighted here, can be bliss.

Your thoughts?