Ciara brought her booming brand of stage-blazing to New Orleans last night as headliner at the final show of the 2016 Essence Festival.
The sassy siren’s set followed previous gigs from Maxwell and Mariah Carey at the three-day event.
During the 30-year-old’s show, which was watched by fiance Russell Wilson and close friend Kelly Rowland, she delighted with hits such as ‘Body Party,’ ‘Promise,’ and ‘Goodies.’
The coveted slot comes at an interesting time for the singer. She recently parted ways with Epic Records and has told fans she’s working on her best album yet.
Pending its arrival, peep more pics after the jump…
‘Vision of Love’ belter Mariah Carey was quite the sight at this year’s ‘Essence Festival.’
The pop icon, billed one of the events headliners, translocated aspects of her critically acclaimed Vegas showing at the Caesars palace to the Mercedes-Benz Dome in New Orleans this weekend, much to the delight of her faithful #Lambs.
Reminding spectators that she still has “it” and “it” in abundance, tuck in below to see highlights from updated renditions of classic hits ‘My All,’ ‘We Belong Together,’ ‘Emotions,’ ‘It’s Like That,’ and even a surprise guest appearance from longtime collaborator/producer Jermaine Dupri.
It’s been a week since the 2016 BET Awards and, like many, we’re still on a high from what was a phenomenal show.
That Grape Juice was in the house for what the annual special’s 16th anniversary. And while on the carpet, we caught up with a host of notable names.
‘Chasing Destiny’s’ Frank Gatson chatted it up about what to expect from June’s Diary – the girl group he created alongside Kelly Rowland on the show.
Akon also dished on winning the Global Good Award ahead of the telecast; Jacob Latimore spilled on new music; and ‘Rise Up’ songstress Andra Day opened up about her relationship with Stevie Wonder.
The likes of ‘Empire’s Yazz The Greatest, LeToya Luckett, Beyonce stylist Ty Hunter, Rae Sremmurd, Anderson, .Paak and more also showed love.
2016 saw Beyonce get all the ladies and fellows in fiery ‘Formation.’ However, a decade earlier, it was all about the Funk.
2006’s ‘Deja Vu’ is this week’s selection for From The Vault.
After eliminating the competition and doubt about her solo viability with a perfect run of singles from her first LP and announcing the end of Destiny’s Child, expectations were rather high for Ms. Knowles to deliver with her sophomore set ‘B’Day’.
With ‘Deja Vu’ she managed to swiftly come back swinging. Sonically similar to ‘Crazy In Love’ thematically and musically (with a guest feature Jay Z to boot), the cut was produced by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins.
A Stateside hit, the track peaked #4 and was also a smash overseas, topping the UK charts and reaching Top 20 status in numerous European countries.
[Sidenote: Surely we’re not alone in longing for a Bey x Darkchild reunion?]
Just like ‘Lemonade’ 10 years later, the song’s visual was shot in New Orleans and depicted the diva in various high fashion ensembles. Directed by Sophie Muller, the editorial piece saw a boisterous Bey striking many a pose and dancing up a storm.
Prior to then, the singer – still under 25 – had only scratch the surface when it comes to her sensuality. As such, the video was deemed “controversial” due to its not-so-subtle interaction between her and then-boyfriend Jay.
It’s funny what a difference a decade can make: from premium Pop diva to music royalty, the past 10 years have seen Mrs Carter go from strength to strength and establish herself as a trailblazer, an artist cemented in Pop culture eternally.
Will the next 10 years see her join the likes of Michael, Janet, Whitney, Madonna and Prince? Untouchable figures; the rare breed whose star’s have soared past the highest skies into Pop Nirvana. We firmly believe so.
Classic urban romantic drama ‘Love Jones’ [Larenz Tate/Nia Long] is finding new life via a musical adaptation.
Helmed by the writer and director of the 1997 theatrical version, Theodore Witcher, the touring stage version is set to kick off this fall and feature a list of some of R&B’s most celebrated acts including Musiq Soulchild, Chrisette Michele, and more.
Tavis Smiley, renown television host and political/social commentator, is extending his talents once again to the pen via ‘Before You Judge Me’ – an in depth look at the tragic last days of King of Pop Michael Jackson.
Released in late June, the biographical page-turner “examines Jackson’s highs and lows — including his constant hunt for privacy in a life that was more public than almost any other and the pressures he endured as someone whose fame made him socially fragile and almost unable to live.”
Now, while blazing the promo trail in support of the project, Smiley dishes with ExtraTV on his intention to turn the book into a TV series and even reflects on MJ’s reported longtime feud with fellow pop icon Prince. Details inside:
With a career that spans over 20 years, 60 million+ albums sold, 7 Grammys, and countless other honors, R&B veteran Toni Braxton is long overdue a worthy tribute. Thanks to the good folks at Essence, that time finally came this weekend.
Billed as one of the festival’s “must see events,” some of R&B’s most prized acts were assembled to pay homage to the singer’s life and times, which includes her critically acclaimed discography and ongoing philanthropic efforts in support of Lupus and Autism research and funding.
Calling on the talents of Kelly Price, Eric Benet, Kenny Lattimore, and, of course, Braxton’s talented sisters Traci, Towanda, Tamar, and Trina to serenade, attendees were escorted down memory lane to the sounds of Toni’s memorable hits ‘Breathe Again,’ ‘Unbreak My Heart,’ ‘Another Sad Love Song,’ and more.
Keen to see how the performers fared? See the full showing below:
Currently thrilling fans all over the world with hits found aboard her ‘Anti’ tour, Colombian music fans keen to pop and pat to the jams of p-patting performer Rihanna were dealt a crushing blow when recent reports indicated the singer would not be making a pit stop in the South American country.
Set as the headliner of the forthcoming ‘Lollapalooza’ fest there, Rih reportedly pulled out of the September-set gig due to fears of Zika virus. However, the cancellation not only affected her fans, but fans of all the other acts as well.
Tuck in below to find out why Lana Del Rey lovers in the area aren’t exactly pleased with the Bajan beauty’s move:
As if having the highest rated SuperBowl-showing ever and being the only female artist in history to launch five #1 singles from one album aren’t enough, now Katy Perry – thanks to her ever-faithful #Katycats – has clawed her way to the top of another record book: Twitter.
Besting reported numbers from rival Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Beyonce, and Shakira tuck in below to find out the whopping figure that’s made Katy the Queen of Twitter:
If ‘Beg For It’ beauty Iggy Azalea expected former fiance Nick Young to publicly beg for her forgiveness after she slammed him for infidelity, apparently she thought wrong.
The Grammy-nominated rapstress denied rumors of him cheating on her with his ex by confirming she caught him on surveillance sneaking women into their home. As the story made its rounds, the basket-baller Young clapped back by offering a statement of his own.
Is it time for Iggy to let it go and move on? He thinks so…
