Drake continues to kill the competition on Billboard charts.

As if nabbing his sixth non-consecutive week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 wasn’t enoughis h (thanks to his hit ‘One Dance’), the singing-rapper sits tight on the perch of the Billboard 200 with its parent album ‘Views.’  Courtesy of some history-making streaming figures, Drizzy fends off the likes of Nick Jonas, Beyonce, Rihanna, and so many more to keep his seat atop the album charts.

While industry analysts anticipate his reign will come to an end next week due to some stiff competition form The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Drake’s streaming numbers have continued to keep him paces above the pack.  Until we get the final word on that, tuck in below to see where all of your favorites from today landed on this week’s refreshed Billboard 200:

(more…)

Cop a gander at Zayn!

As his album ‘Mind of Mine’ continues its free-fall down the Billboard 200 (this week at #63), the former One Direction star continues to point his promotional efforts away from live showings and in the direction of print.

Just a week after making headlines for gracing the cover of ‘Dazed’ magazine, the hitmaking heartthrob can be spotted a-front the latest issue of ‘Paper’ magazine.  Dishing on everything from his love of singing about sex, love of getting high, and love of girlfriend/model Gigi Hadid, tuck in below to read some of his comments on those hot topics and see some of the smoking shots (literally) from Z’s sizzling shoot with the mag for its summer ‘Sexy’ issue:

(more…)

Drake‘s first run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 (as a lead act) is proving itself worth the wait for the rapper and his fans.  Coming via the hit ‘One Dance,’ this week brought with it news the tune is enjoying  its 6th non-consecutive week at the chart’s summit.

Fending off the likes of Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and more, ‘Dance’s domination is showing no signs of slowing and may claim #1 next week.  But, before we get ahead of ourselves, tuck in below to see where all of your favorite hits from today landed on this weekly edition of ‘Chart Check’:

(more…)

Three restaurants owned by the performer Gladys Knight have been raided by Georgia authorities today.

How and why her thriving businesses have come under legal fire?

Details below…

(more…)

The untimely passing of Simone Battle forced the masterminds behind the group G.R.L. to reshape and rebrand its members to accommodate the unfortunate matter.

Now, fans of its original line-up will be shocked to learn the group has welcomed brand new members.

Details below…

(more…)

Carla Marie Williams is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after writers to emerge from the United Kingdom and now, after penning magic for Beyonce‘s ‘Lemonade‘, she has teamed up with Britney Spears to build a very ‘Private Show.’

Epic news below…

(more…)

All roads lead to July 1st for soulful singer Maxwell.

The Columbia Records crooner will unleash new album ‘black SUMMERS’ night’ on said date after a seven year hiatus from the charts.

Buzz is booming too.

Lead single ‘Lake By The Ocean’ has created all the right raves at Urban A/C radio. New number ‘1990x’ has also been received well.

Now, ahead of this Sunday’s performance at the BET Awards, the star has invited the masses behind the scenes of the ‘Lake’ video [which was directed by Philip Andelman].

Check it out below…

(more…)

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…

(more…)

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…

(more…)

‘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:

(more…)

The ink is officially dry!

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

Full story below…

(more…)

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…)