Only one week remains until August Alsina‘s all-important second studio album ‘This Thing Called Life’ lands in stores.

The record follows the New Orleans native’s debut ‘Testimony,’ which opened at #2 on the Billboard 200 in April 2014 with first week sales of 67,000.

To help best that LP’s total (278k), the 23-year-old has enlisted the likes of Lil Wayne and Chris Brown – with latter appearing on the song ‘Been Around The World.’

Much to the delight of their fervent fanbases, the pair have premiered the track (which samples Lisa Stansfield‘s 1989 classic ‘All Around the World.’)

Take a listen below…

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Mariah Carey‘s 2014 effort ‘Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse’ may have scored major points on a critical front, yet it failed replicate said success where sales were concerned. Indeed, the LP (though one of our favorites of her 00’s releases) saw Mimi sweep up her lowest opening week digits to date.

Today, the star’s camp seek to revive interest in her career with a Las Vegas stint and lucrative partnerships with brands such as MAC and ‘Game of War.’ The goal? To restore the commercial clout she’d possessed during her heyday – or perhaps more realistically following chart-wowing ‘Emancipation.’

Therefore, as she pens the new chapter of her personal  and professional life, TGJ throws on its A&R hat to share what we feel would work best for the vocal butterfly before she drops new cuts.

Will you like what we have to say?

Find out after the jump….

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With its star-studded cast featuring the likes of Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, rapper Common, David Allen Grier, and ‘Orange is the New Black‘s Uzo Aduba, NBC’s highly anticipated live remake of the 70s classic ‘The Wiz’ whizzed right on by all of the competition to top Nielsen’s ratings last night.

Matching its critical acclaim with blockbuster numbers, the soulful musical – the third of NBC’s live remakes – has given the broadcast network its highest Thursday night ratings in 2 years!

Curious to know how many tuned in to watch Dorothy and her crew ease on down the road?  We thought you’d be. Ease on down under the jump and get the numbers:

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Just a year after he burst onto the scene with his critically and commercially acclaimed debut ‘Testimony,’ New Orleans native August Alsina readies a redo in the form of ‘This Thing Called Life’ – his sophomore album.

Dropping next Friday (December 11th), the 15-song set sees appearances from some of R&B and Hip-Hop’s heaviest hitters like Chris Brown, Lil’ Wayne, Anthony Hamilton, Jadakiss, and more.  Going head-to-head with the genre’s leading monarch R. Kelly, tuck in below to see the album’s official trailer and take a peek at the full length track list:

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The must-see event of the holiday season may have wrapped up last night, but Twitter is still alight with positive reviews of the NBC live remake of the classic stageplay-turned-film ‘The Wiz.’

Led by Grammy winning superstars Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige, the show was highlighted by stunning stage props, high octane choreography, and, of course, must-hear revamps of some of the production’s memorable musical numbers.

The new ‘He’s The Wiz,’ ‘You Can’t Win,’ ‘No Bad News,’ and ‘Home’ renditions all earned thumbs up from critics and viewers last night, but if you missed any of the action (or simply want to relive the magic), it all awaits below:

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J. Cole has found a friend in HBO.

How and why?

All you need to know below..

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The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin has enjoyed a career spanning many a decade, hence the ‘Respect’ singer has seen an endless list of names come and go.

With this generation very much dominated by blue-eyed soul songbird Adele, it’s little surprise that the outspoken legend has an opinion on the ‘Hello’ belter.

More below…

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‘Before You Walk Out My Life’ beauty Monica has yet another treat for fans before they walk into record stores to purchase her forthcoming opus ‘Code Red’ (in stores December 18th).

Already giving fans a taste of things to come with the Lil Wayne-assisted ‘Just Right For Me’ and the album’s title track (featuring Missy Elliott), now Mo shows off her oft-envied chops with the ballad ‘I Know.’

Tuck in below to hear the stunner belt like only she can:

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‘What If I Kissed You’ rapper Drake is making a beeline for the Los Angeles fashion scene.

How?

Details below…

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Brandy stays busy.

Having recently wrapped a successful stint on Broadway’s ‘Chicago,’ the Grammy winner is currently working on a brand new album – her first since ‘Two Eleven’ (which was released three years ago).

The singer/actress found time in between to shoot a new BET sitcom, christened ‘Zoe Ever After’ – which she stopped by the Wendy Williams Show today to promote.

Naturally in true Wendy fashion, ‘Zoe’ was just one of a number of topics covered. For, thrown Brandy’s way were questions about motherhood,her brother Ray J and his antics on ‘Love & Hip-Hop.’ 

Check it out below…
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Much ado has been made about the 2016 Super Bowl headliner. But, if new reports prove true, the mystery is over. For, Coldplay have been named for multiple sources as the first artists set to rock the coveted stage.

Details below…

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Having penned hits such as ‘Diamonds’ and ‘Chandelier,’ Sia stands as one of our favorite songwriters. And, based on her latest sit-down with Rolling Stone, she’s an equally compelling interviewee.

The hit-vendor is gearing up for the release of her seventh album ‘This Is Acting’ (due January 29th) and makes no secret (or apologies) about the fact the entirety of the set is made up of songs she crafted for other artists.

Speaking with RS, she dished on her experience with tracks she was initially pitching to Rihanna and Kanye West.

Her words about their creative process (or arguable lack there of) make for fascinating reading…

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