Factually speaking, we’re in an era where vocal ability is almost an “etcetera” for singers rather than a requirement.

Thankfully, there are still a select few flying the flag for talent. Case in point R. Kelly.

The R&B star, whose new album ‘The Buffet’ drops December 11th, performed the US National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) at the Brooklyn Nets NBA game last night at the Barclays Center.

Proving his voice has aged like a fine wine, Robert belted like no other.

Watch below…

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Rap icon Missy Elliott is storming the comeback trail with galactic new single ‘WTF (Where They From).’ And she’s wasting no time hitting the promo circuit either. Check out her new Billboard magazine cover above.

The Virginia native’s return is one many thought they’d never see. After all, in an industry where audience attention spans are shrinking, her 10 year hiatus as an artist (guest features excluded) may as well have been double that.

Yet, as the age old adage goes, patience is a virtue. And Elliott’s fans, as well as the music industry at large, were rewarded handsomely when the Pharrell assisted jam was unleashed one week ago.

In a juicy sit-down with with Billboard, the femcee opens up about her return, being shy, and her new album. She also offers an interesting response when quizzed (naturally) on Nicki Minaj.

Excerpts below…

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Slight change of plans for Chris Brown.

The R&B crooner was set to unleash new album ‘Royalty’ next week, but fans will have to wait a short while longer for the project.

Details on C.Breezy’s delayed gratification after the jump…

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Michael B. Jordan‘s promotional train stopped at Men’s Fitness this month.

Why? The actor is the star of the movie ‘Creed’ which follows the story of the son of Rocky character Apollo Creed. Jordan is currently gearing up for the movie’s November 25th release alongside his co-stars Phylicia Rashad (‘The Cosby Show’) and Mr. Rocky himself Sylvester Stallone.

More below…

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Sony Music Entertainment has high hopes for its leading lady Adele and her latest set ’25.’

How high?

Find out below…

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For some artists brand diversification only serves as a means to a profitable end.

For others, like say the singer Patti LaBelle, it gives them the opportunity to share more of who they are through services and products targeted at the lifestyles of fans who have already purchased their material.

Today, LaBelle’s authentic foray into food has seen her prove that magic happens when the right persons takes a risk and presents the right product to the world.

Full story below…

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The terrorist group ISIS’ horrific slaughter of innocent Parisians last week has forced the Pop royal Madonna to employ a number of new security measures to protect she and her fans during her forthcoming European shows.

Her plans after the jump…

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‘Straight Outta Compton’ is going straight into the history books after adding yet another shining achievement to its already long list of nods.  As fans know, the movie – released in August 2015 – set a number of records its first weekend including:

• Highest opening weekend for a musical biopic ($60 million)
• Highest August opening weekend for an R-rated film

Fast forward three months and $200 million later, the NWA biographical film now boasts two new records:  highest grossing musical biopic of all time and highest grossing film by a black director (F. Gary Gray).  But, while the legendary rap group may be lifting a glass to celebrate the accomplishments, there’s one who isn’t exactly thrilled at the news:  their former manager Jerry Heller…

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“That darn Adele.”

We’re pretty sure that’s a phrase being uttered by many-an-artist lining the Billboard’s Hot 100 for the past two weeks and will probably be for the next two years.  Indeed, the elusive chanteuse returned with fury to the chart with a blockbuster comeback single ‘Hello’ – which set a first week sales record upon its premiere.

Now, three weeks in, the song still shows a slow decline in streaming and sales.  Shifting an additional 480,000 this past week, it remains comfortably perched atop the tally.  Elsewhere, courtesy of Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor, and relative newcomer Elle King, the Hot 100 finally gets a much needed dose of estrogen.  We said the same thing last week due to Ariana Grande‘s promising premiere of ‘Focus’ at #7.

…well, that was then.

The funky, horn-driven groove has slipped, tripped, and dipped right out of the top 10.  See where it, and all of your faves from today, landed on the refreshed chart below:

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Fresh information has surfaced from the drawing board use to sketch plans for a Tupac biopic.

Hit the link below to learn all about it…

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Missy Elliott isn’t just back. She’s blazing.

The iconic rapper broke the internet when the video for her comeback track ‘WTF (Where They From)’ landed last week.

Indeed, in what is becoming a real rarity in today’s age, the Dave Meyer‘s directed visual very much felt like an event and was greeted as such (the clip has racked up over 13 million views and counting).

In an interview with Hattie Collins for i-D magazine, Elliott waxed honest about her return; how she’d adjusted to the “normal life,” the apprehension she felt (she literally messed up her weave with nerves), and how Pharrell Williams and Katy Perry were central to her resurgence.

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Adele is setting the record straight.

Earlier this month, erroneous rumors begun doing the rounds; rumors which suggested that the ‘Hello’ hitmaker had turned down a collaboration from her label-mate Beyonce.

During an interview with Beats 1 radio to promote new album ’25’ (due Nov. 20th) the British superstar shot down the claims and asserted her allegiance to Queen Bey – declaring that she’d never disrespect her.

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