Christmas week 2015 saw music superstars Chris Brown & Monica go head-to-head in the name of R&B amidst a fray of the year’s top sellers (see: Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Adele).  Hoping to capitalize from the holiday rush, the RCA labelmates respectively lent their 8th official projects (‘Royalty’ and ‘Code Red‘) to much critical fanfare.

On the commercial front, however, the responses saw a wider margin of variance.  Both launched without a top-performing single on the Hot 100, the R&B sets also took a more demure route to promo. While Mo hit the streets for a 22 date Stateside tour (and sparse media stops), Brown relied on a few print features and a slew of music videos to spread awareness about his project.

Were their approaches just right or did they miss the mark?   Find out below:

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‘2 On’ performer Tinashe is calling out the music industry for only championing one black female artist at a time.

Read her point of her view below…

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Thanks to its lighter, brighter and far more positive storylines season eight of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ continues to watch its ratings rise with every passing week.

Its numbers are set to rise once again in a matter of weeks with the “surprise” return of its leading lady NeNe Leakes who now seems to have walked in on a feud between cast mates Kenya Moore and Kim Fields.

Why Moore feels Fields doesn’t belong on the hit show?

Watch below….

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R&B crooner Sammie, formerly known as Leigh Bush, is ending his 2015 on a high note with a new mixtape for his devoted fans.

Titled ‘Indigo,’ the 12-track digital project boasts penning by Sammie in its entirety.  An emotional affair for the 28-year-old singer, he says the project is representative of his own personal and professional growth.

“This project is closure. I’ve been conflicted for so long on how to prioritize my life that in the process of doing so the most important thing which is love, got pushed to the bottom of the list. I’m finally at the point where nothing else matters to me but love. From my mistakes, I’ve learned the lesson. And those very same mistakes molded me into the man I am today.”  – Sammie

Your listen awaits below:

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Earlier this year ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s star NeNe Leakes made headlines when she slammed the women of ABC’s ‘The View’ for given her a frosty reception when she joined them to promote her run on Broadway’s ‘Chicago.’

She went on to claim she was most offended by the show’s newbie Raven-Symone.

Now, Symone has responded to the drama as she prepares for ‘View’s next season in the New Year and defended the controversial remarks she has made on the ABC series.

Watch below….

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To work hard doesn’t always mean one is “working smart.”

Unfortunately, the above is a lesson R&B prince Chris Brown is yet to learn as he joins the artist Cal Scruby to release the visual for the song ‘Ain’t Sh** Change.’

Pulled from the latter’s ‘House in the Hills’ EP the song and its supporting video now stands as one of many impressive yet forgettable  releases the ‘Fine China’ singer has released to aid his latest album ‘Royalty.’

Why we say Brown is working hard but not “smart”? The video below, when joined by all the others seemingly released without rhyme or reason this month, pulls the public’s focus away from the main event (‘Royalty‘s material) while robbing Brown’s brand of the high end exclusivity it once had.

That’s enough from us.

Peep the video below….

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If there are two things Urban fans know K. Michelle for it’s her big voice and big booty.  But, just last month the R&B diva revealed the surgically-enhanced latter would soon be placed on a permanent hiatus.  In a telling interview, she shared:

“For me, and my career right now, and me doing business — like really being on the frontline in business — I don’t need to have a man looking down at my ass when I’m trying to talk numbers. I can’t wear designer clothes. It’s always a problem when it comes to designers and like when they have to get stuff to fit my body.”

Well, it appears she’s kept her word.  Taking to Instagram, Michelle showed off her newly shaped bum (which she has affectionately nicknamed ‘Betsy’) and accompanied it with a touching caption.  See the full pic and Mz. New Booty’s words of wisdom below:

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Superstar songstress Toni Braxton reminds that her beauty is one that endures on the latest cover of Upscale Magazine.

The sultry contralto glows in the feature, which is one of many media spots lined up to promote her Lifetime biopic ‘Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart.’

Premiering January 23rd, the movie will re-tell the private and professional highs, lows, and all in-between that have defined the life of one of modern music’s most captivating talents.

On a relatively random note, we’re crossing our fingers, toes, and everything crossable in hope that Toni seizes on the “moment” and serves up new music with the swiftness.

Unlike some of her contemporaries, her voice is still in amazing shape and she hasn’t lost any of her stage gravitas (or sensualness). With the right push, she could be the definitive diva in the Urban adult contemporary arena.

Your thoughts?

Hailed as the second coming of Tyson Beckford by many the supermodel Broderick Hunter has stepped out to weigh in the world’s problem with racism this month.

After launching an organisation designed to mentor children in need of positive guidance the 22-year-old, who was discovered on Facebook, has spoken openly about what he feels can be done to combat prejudice.

Will you agree with his point of view?

Watch below…

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Iggy Azalea is laying the foundations for what she hopes will be a fruitful 2016.

Now Def Jam‘s leading lady following Rihanna‘s departure from the label the entertainer has kicked off the campaign for her next studio album by releasing a snippet from its first official single.

Its name?

‘Team.’

Listen below…

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With the help of the industry power player that is Jay Brown and his Roc Nation camp Rihanna has risen in Pop’s ranks to rival artists she once considered her idols.

Alas, after shocking the world with messages published here the singer’s producer Glass John claims the star plans to follow in the footsteps of ‘Size’ sales clerk turned Pop superstar Rita Ora by leaving the company.

Full story below…

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Meet Leomie Anderson, the British model gearing up to take the world by storm in 2016.

Fortunately, following in the footsteps of Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks, the fashion forward newbie now stands tall as a ‘Victoria’s Secret‘ model and is set to make even grander moves in the New Year with the help of companies eager to align themselves with her bourgeoning brand.

How she feels about her ascent to superstardom?

Watch her weigh in on it all on ‘Victoria’s Secret Live‘ alongside her pal, and fellow model, Gigi Hadid below…

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