From The Vault is back this week with a yet another Urban classic courtesy of a a prolific femcee and a premium R&B songbird.

Today’s pick is ‘Gangsta Lovin’’ by Eve and Alicia Keys.

After the chart success of previous singles ‘Who’s That Girl ?’ and ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind,’ the pressure was on for the Ruff Ryder‘s star to keep the momentum going after her breakthrough era. And that’s exactly what she did in 2002 with ‘Lovin’’.

The first offering from the rapper’s third LP ’Eve-Olution’, it featured then-new Alicia Keys, who was riding high from stellar reviews and sales of her debut album.

Murder INC’s Irv Gotti served as producer. Already known as industry exec, he was (at the time) becoming noted for crafting hits for the likes of Jennifer Lopez; namely ‘I’m Real (Remix)’ remix and ‘Ain’t it Funny’ – which both went #1 in the US.

‘Lovin” became a worldwide hit peaking at #2 in the US, #4 in Australia and #6 in the UK. Billboard named it the 19th biggest song of the year 2002.

Director X – then Little X – directed the summer-soaked video. E-V-E and Ms Keys can be seen lounging by the pool and on the beach. A life of luxury.

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We’re still waiting for a proper follow-up era to this from Eve; her tone and flow would work wonders in today’s musical landscape especially with female Hip-Hop garnering attention again. As for Alicia, we need her next album to be a bit less ‘Here’ but more ‘Gangsta Lovin’’ and ‘No One.’ Strong melodies, with street but sweet appeal.

Before these ladies grant our wishes, we’d like to know: when it comes to the “greats”, is there a rap-sung collaboration you’re still waiting to witness?

Your thoughts?

Tinashe is on to something new.

Still hard at work on her sophomore studio set, the South African stunner took to the net to reveal that new music isn’t the only thing she’s been creating.

Behold her new look below…

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Janet Jackson and her team of writers are often praised for raising awareness for society’s ills through song.

One of their greatest moments? ‘What About‘, a cut in which Jackson tells the tale of a woman facing the horrors of domestic  abuse.

Today, decades after its release, the song still moves the star to tears.

Watch what happened when she performed the song live on tour hours ago below…

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Netflix has been praised for the part it continues to play in the fight for diverse programming today after announcing the birth of an African-American anime series starring Jaden Smith.

Its name? ‘Neo Yokio.’

Its creator? Ezra Koening of ‘Vampire Weekend.’

Good news below…

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Showtime’s controversial Whitney Houston documentary, ‘Can I Be Me’ was a bombshell to say the least.

An in-depth look at “the real Whitney,” the film acted as an expose of sorts that documented the singer’s meteoric rise to the pinnacle of fame and catastrophic fall – underscored by a series of personal failures that included marital, financial, and health woes alongside hinting at an alleged secret lesbian love affair with Robyn Crawford.

Though a hit among critics for its grittiness and seemingly no-holds-barred approach to telling the pop icon’s life story, some fans thought it to be a bit too personal.  Others, namely her longtime mentor and producer Clive Davis, thought it to be flat out ‘inaccurate.’

To paint a better, well-rounded picture of the fallen songbird, Davis is in heavy promotion of his own documentary – ‘Soundtrack of Our Lives.’  With it, he claims he will give the truest depiction of Houston “the person” to date – separate from her persona as a pop star – with hopes of giving fans the realest glimpse into her life they’ve had yet…

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Less than two weeks after informing fans she’s hard at work on her next album, the follow-up to 2016’s chart-topping ‘Joanne,’ pop superstar Lady Gaga has dropped jaws with news she’s “taking a rest” from music.

Taking to Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre to not only belt out a hit or two but also premiere her long-awaited Netflix documentary, ‘Gaga:  Five Foot Two,’ the songstress spoke candidly with the audience and media outlets there…

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No stranger to remixing or covering a hit or two by pop potentates (Michael Jackson, Beyonce, etc.), Urban music’s mysterious maestro – The Weeknd – is lending his unique vocal take on yet another of one of a music royal’s biggest hits:  King of R&B R. Kelly‘s ‘Down Low (Nobody Has To Know).’

The song, a top 5 hit for Kellz when it was released in 1995, has been revamped Abel-style for today’s OVOSOUND Radio.  Luckily for fans, the ‘Starboy’s version doesn’t stray too far from the original arrangement.

Find out if he did the song justice below:

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The Hip-Hop royal Cardi B has something to say to her critics…and it isn’t polite.

Bored of their efforts to downplay the milestones she’s reached since her days as an Instagram star the rapper made her way to the ‘Gram to offer the words below…

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Slick Rick, Tinashe & Ciara were among attendees at this year’s New York Fashion Week festivities, descending on the city to take in all its sights, sounds and social scenes had to offer.

Finding it hard to keep up with what they got up to.

Fear not.

Snaps below..

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The legendary director Spike Lee and the box office rocking creative Jordan Peele have teamed up to tell the true story of a black man who successfully became a member of the murderous and sadistic Ku Klux Klan.

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The stars were out in full force tonight at Harper’s Bazaar‘s gala celebrating ‘ICONS’ by Carine Roitfeld.

Nicki Minaj, Ciara, and Kim Kardashian were just some of the names who sparkled in fine fashion on the arrival carpet.

Other names at The Plaza Hotel event included

Peep pics below…

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In less than 24 hours, pop crooner Sam Smith‘s new single, ‘Too Good at Goodbyes,’ has said “hello” to the #1 spot on U.S. real-time iTunes charts.

His long-awaited return and first official release since 2015’s ‘Writings on the Wall,’ the song – written by Smith, Jimmy Napes and production duo Stargate – has also found itself at #1 at iTunes in over 20 other countries including the U.K., Canada, Australia, and more…

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