Despite album sales suffering a steep decline over the past years, single sales have conversely & steadily reported upward trends since the advent of download services such as Itunes, Amazon, and more.

And while pop acts like Rihanna, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, & Lady Gaga have seen their names atop many a digital tally in months past, a rap act has acted as a silent dominator – boasting almost double single sales of many of his nearest hip hop competitors.

With Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Lil Wayne, and others consistently reigning as hip hop heavyweight champs over pop and urban charts, see who Billboard recently named the best selling rapper of the ‘digital age’ (comprised of data reviewed from 2003-2012).  It may come as quite the surprise…

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Only hours remain until the Stateside release of highly anticipated film ‘Sparkle’.  The cast of which, comprised of pop icon Whitney Houston, ‘American Idol’ alum Jordin Sparks, and more, has garnered favorable reviews in regards to Houston and her final performance.

Now, as promo efforts for the project are still moving full speed ahead, the ‘Battlefield’ beauty has teamed with Billboard for a short sit-down to remember the late songstress in a touching segment of her interview for the film.

Remembering some of her favorite moments, takeaways, and more with the diva, find out what Sparks shared about her ‘Celebrate’ co-star and the impact she has made on herself and pop music below:

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Love her or hate her, we challenge anyone to question Rita Ora‘s status as the UK’s leading Pop Princess.

Set to enjoy her third consecutive #1 single in the country this Sunday, the trendsetter was snapped on her way out of London’s Capital FM this morning after taking to the station to push her latest effort ‘How We Do‘.

This, after she invited members of the British press to a listening party held for debut LP ‘ORA’ last week, and gave That Grape Juice an exclusive preview of material she is gearing up to release later on in the year, on Monday.

Still haven’t picked up your copy of ‘Party‘?

Download here.

Your thoughts?

Boisterous femcee Azealia Banks is blowing all the way up…literally. Case, point her controversial cover for ‘Dazed & Confused’ magazine.

The ‘212’ lyricist playfully blows into a condom in the shot, yet not everyone saw the funny side. According to the publication’s distributors, early previews of the issue saw it banned in several countries.

Just been told our upcoming @azealiabanks cover has been banned from 7 countries so far. Thank God for the Internet, huh?

— Dazed and Confused (@DazedMagazine) August 8, 2012

As a rebel with quite the cause, this will no doubt only serve to boost Ms. Banks’ rise in the run-up to the release of her debut album ‘Broke With Expensive Taste’.

Peep more pics below…

Tidbit: Click here to check out Azealia’s latest video, ‘Van Vogue’.

Your thoughts?

As the release of ‘Quickie’ crooner Miguel‘s sophomore album ‘Kaleidoscope Dream’ is quickly approaching, the buzz surrounding the project steadily mounts.  And, as if the projects two promo EPs are not enough to do the trick, the young singer has lifted the lid on the 11 tracks that will feature on the October 2-due set.

Preceded by the recently released ‘Kaleidoscope Dream: The Water Preview’ & ‘Kaleidoscope Dream: The Air Preview’ (September 11), find out what new cuts Miguel fans will be rocking to in October after the jump:

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R&B rookie Elle Varner is just one of many new faces being attributed to the genre’s revival on radio as of late.

With hits like the J.Cole-assisted ‘Only Wanna Give It To You’ and smash ‘Refill’, fans of the jazz-tinged vocalist looking to get their fill of her offerings have taken to record stores in groves in support of her debut album ‘Perfectly Imperfect’.

Seeing its release this week, the sales (doubly) exceeded industry insider expectations and landed the songstress her first top 5 debut.  Find out how much the set is expected to sell and where it landed after the jump:

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Love it or hate it, there’s no denying the impact Lady GaGa‘s 2011 album ‘Born This Way’ made on both her commercial and branding front.

On a commercial tip it serves as one of 2011’s best US sellers, pushing a sweet  5 million copies worldwide by the year’s end.

However, despite being heralded for being socially aware on a thematic tip, the project saw her once light, bright and refreshing  message obliterated to make room for a cause some felt was a little…stifling.

Now, ‘Turn Me On‘ producer David Guetta has shared his thoughts on the release, and its long awaited follow up ‘ARTPOP’.

Details below…

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Her fans had hoped for its release this year.

However, in a conversation with Billboard.Com, Mariah Carey‘s manager Randy Jackson has revealed that the icon has eyed March 2013 for the launch of the long awaited project.

Full story below…

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Good things come to those who wait.

And “wait” Brandy fans have for the hotly anticipated video for her comeback single ‘Put It Down’.

After serving up a titillating teaser, the Vocal Bible has finally announced when the masses can expect the Hype Williams helmed visual.

The Lipton awaits after the jump…

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Get into snippets released from Rita Ora‘s debut LP ‘ORA‘.

Released on iTunes UK this morning, the previews give arrive before the project’s August 27th release and await your listen-and opinions- below…

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Eclectic crooner Miguel is taking a colorful approach to the release of his October 2nd-due sophomore project ‘Kaleidoscope Dream’.  Leading the series of releases is first single ‘Adorn’ – which is already gaining rave reviews from critics and fans alike.

Now, to shine even more light on the single, the ‘Sure Thing’ hitmaker is unleashing the behind the scenes footage of the cut’s video (which just dropped last week).  Accompanied by the singer’s ‘Anniversary Issue’ cover of ‘Unleash’d’ magazine, get into all the action below and see a few snaps from the mag’s set after the jump:

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R&B crooner Trey Songz today unwrapped new promotional single ‘Hail Mary’.

Already previewed in snippet form, the Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy assisted cut featured on the singer’s fifth studio album, the aptly titled ‘Chapter V’ (due August 19th).

With his “lane” at its most competitive (see: Chris Brown, Usher), can Songz serve up something that’ll help him pull ahead of the pack? Find out after the jump…

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