The first annual Billboard Music Festival took place at New York’s Jones Beach hours ago pulling music lovers in to catch performances by the likes of ‘Here I Am’ rapstress Nicki Minaj.
Her fan-captured set saw her deliver live renditions of some of her more memorable numbers with staging inspired from the set up erected at her ‘Pinkprint Tour‘ world tour.
Press play to peep a piece of her killer showing below…
Does anyone remember ‘FourFiveSeconds’ – Kanye West and Rihanna‘s ill-conceived attempt at delving deep artistically?
The Paul McCartney assisted number may have disappeared from the charts in a time not far removed from its title, however that didn’t stop West from paying homage to the track at the FYF Fest in Los Angeles this weekend.
As reported, the rapper was drafted in to replace Frank Ocean who cancelled just two days before the event.
Hoping to provide added value for those in attendance, Yeezy made his way over to Rih (who was in the audience) and lobbied for her to perform her part in the moderate hit – to which she obliged.
Michelle Williams continues to press on her ‘Journey To Freedom.’
The songbird nested on the stage of the Merge Summit in Baltimore this weekend and rocked the house with an energized showing of her hit ‘Say Yes.’
It’s little wonder why Williams is still plugging the cut a year removed from its release; for the Beyonce and Kelly Rowland assisted jam continues to earn critical and commercial success to this day.
Watch the vocal powerhouse electrify after the jump…
Taylor Swift may be in a league of her own atop of pretty much every credible chart these days, however she isn’t averse to sharing the spotlight.
Presently delighting fans across the US with her ‘1989 World Tour,’ the Billboard belle has made it routine to bring notable names on-stage to join her. Thus far, stars to honor her invitation include Little Mix, Fifth Harmony, and Ciara.
Last night, though, it was the turn of Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul Mary J. Blige.
MJB joined Ms. Swift for a spirited showing of her 2001 hit ‘Family Affair.’
Watch the duo get “crunk in this dance-er-ree” after the jump…
Long before Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX made the masses move with their infectious Hip-Pop collabo ‘Fancy’, a fierce duo were already bridging the gap between the Urban and and mainstream arena.
This week’s From The Vault is ‘Let Me Blow Yo Mind’ by rapstress Eve and Gwen Stefani.
‘Mind’ was the second single released from E.V.E.’s second offering ‘Scorpion.’. Unleashed in 2001, it was the first of two songs produced by Dr. Dre for the duo – with the second coming a few years later in the form of ‘Rich Girl.’
The single was a chart hit reaching #2 in the United States and peaking inside the Top 5 in the United Kingdom. It was ranked the 7th biggest song of the year 01 on Billboard.
The track’s visual sported “party crasher” theme with Stefani and Jeffers inviting themselves to a chic soirée before transforming it into a titanic “turn-up.” Humorously, producer Dr. Dre makes a cameo and bails out the girls (who are arrested for their antics) from their cell.
Helmed by Phillip G. Atwell, the clip won a MTV Video Music Awards in the ‘Best Female Video’ category in 2001.
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It’s pairings like these which make us root for “cross-genre” ventures. Indeed, with most of today’s collabos reeking of “convenient”, it’s refreshing to see two artists, completely different from one another, bring the best of their distinctive worlds together to make sweet music.
‘After the Storm’ songstress Monica is clearing the air once and for all as it relates to fans incessantly slamming her for her alleged knowledge of Future‘s infidelities during his highly publicized relationship with singer Ciara.
While rumor had it the severance of Ci’s nearly two decade long friendship with her came as the result of the rapper and his wild oats, Mo is now setting the record straight and clarifies the drama started elsewhere.
Tuck in below to hear her sound off against fans and detractors, lend an update on her new album ‘Code Red,’ and so much more:
Gospel force Tasha Cobbs is living up to her billing!
The vocal powerhouse, whose achievements include a Grammy and multiple Stellar honors, unleashed her newest album ‘One Place Live’ via Motown this week and is already making a beeline for the top of the Gospel tally.
Ushered by smash ‘Jesus Saves,’ the LP was recorded at Redemption Church in Greenville, South Carolina in front of 3,000 worshippers. The set, which features appearances from the likes of Kierra Sheard and Tasha’s mother Pastor Bertha Cobb, also boasts production from fellow Gospel superstar Vashawn Mitchell – who helmed much of the songbird’s debut effort ‘Grace.’
We’ve long loved us some Tasha and her rousing brand of “feel” music, a sound which never fails to touch us.
‘One Place Live’ is no different; we’ve had the album on replay here at TGJ HQ – a trend we envisage continuing.
Peep our must hear recommendations from the project below…
Last week the athlete faced shame and embarrassment when he stepped out to claim he was dating the performer Rihanna only for her to call him a liar….on Instagram.
She’s adamant that they’ve never met but that hasn’t stopped Barnes from continuing to spill details on what he says was a relationship.