It’s official:  the new Usher era is well under way.

After the drop of not one, but two new singles in a week’s time (see:  ‘Crash’ and the Young Thug-assisted ‘No Limit’), reports of signing with new management and readying a performance at the 2016 BET Awards indicates to us that the 8-time Grammy winner is going full speed ahead for his new album, ‘Flawed.’

Now, to bring the already hot anticipation for his newest to a boil, the ‘Burn’ singer/songwriter took to France to sit down with Billboard and Ryan Seacrest to discuss what fans can expect from his new album, its supporting tour, and so much more.

See highlights below:

(more…)

After thrilling fans with their remix to ‘I’m the Man,’ dynamic duo 50 Cent and Chris Brown re-team for a redo courtesy of their latest collabo, ‘No Romeo No Juliet.’

Taking to the strip club for the violin-laced number, of course, to highlight the acrobatics of some exotic dancers, the 50/Breezy adventure sees the twosome counting stacks while surrounded by no shortage of p-poppin’ performers.

Need some twerk action to brighten your day?  You’ve come to the right place.  See it all below:

(more…)

After a nearly-decade long absence from charts as a leading act (and time filled with a number of “buzz” singles), ‘Hot Boyz’ hitmaker Missy Elliott kicked off 2015 by reminding any naysayers that she was hotter than ever.  An undoubted highlight of Katy Perry‘s otherwise forgettable ‘Super Bowl’ Halftime Show (the most watched in history), Elliott’s energy, stage presence, and resume of hits not only resonated with the viewing audience, but only seemed to amplify cries for the multi-talented diva’s full-on return to music.

It would literally be 10 months before their prayers were answered via the Pharrell Williams-produced ‘WTF.’ Dripping every “Elliott-ism” fans had grown to know and love over her 20 year career (see: futuristic & bass driven beat, colorful rapping), the bumping bop proved itself well worth the wait.  A welcomed departure from the dearth of quality rap ruling radio, by the time the tune’s out-of-this-world, Dave Meyers-directed video surfaced fans were sure the return to form would act as the much needed catalyst to put Missy back on top.  Even the rapstress herself bragged in the song:  ‘this another hit I got a(n) Ace in the hole.’

Unfortunately, Billboard charts wouldn’t exactly boast the same…

(more…)

Beyonce has lifted her visual for her single ‘Sorry‘ from the ‘Lemonade’ visual album and placed it on VEVO.

Unleashed to support the album and the song’s sales and streaming run on the Billboard Hot 100, the visual features an appearance from the athlete Serena Williams and originally featured in the ‘Apathy’ portion of the aforementioned ‘Lemonade.’

Check it out below…

(more…)

Belacalis ‘Cardi B’ Almanzar is in a peculiar space.

Rising to fame via fifteen-second Instagram rants, the 20-something now finds herself heralded as ‘Love & Hip Hop New York’s leading lady after she joined the series’ latest season.

Why this space is peculiar?

For, she alongside a group of net-famous millennials, now has the strange yet exciting task of elevating her online brand to “mainstream” levels without the benefit of a template actors and musicians use to find their footing in the game.

Great, as it allows the outspoken New Yorker to build that template for herself.

Problematic, as it leaves a large amount of room for things to go terribly wrong.

How she’s dealing with it all?

Find out by watching her conversation with Hot 97’s Ebro Darden, Laura Stylez and Peter Rosenberg below…

(more…)

As Hip-Hop leads the way for Urban music’s return to radio 2016 has undoubtedly delivered a diverse group of smash hit singles.

One of these cuts, much to the delight of its performers MNEK and Zara Larrson, is ‘Never Forget You‘ which now stands as one of the highest-selling releases of the year…so far.

Where it lands on a list which also includes Drake, Rihanna, Bipolar Sunshine and Future?

Find out below…

(more…)

Drake has pulled the plug on all meet & greet sessions following the horrific murder of the vocalist Christina Grimmie.

Details on his decision below…

(more…)

‘Hollywood Divas’ is making its way back to TV One…with a little help from ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians.’

Good news for ‘R&B Divas‘ younger sister below…

(more…)

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Bow Wow and Ciara were the “it” teen couple of music.

Covering a number of Urban and teen-skewed publications, rumors of the duo’s dating life were hushed when their hit ‘Like You’ dominated the Billboard Hot 100 in 2005 and confirmed they were indeed an item.

Fast forward a decade after the two went their separate ways, they are both parents and seem to have left their time together far in their rearview.  However, thanks to an interview with our friends over at VladTV, Bow admits he reminisces often on his time with the former ‘princess of crunk N’B.’

Recounting a never-before-told run down of what caused their breakup, tuck in to hear the rapper/actor dish on his love for Cici, thoughts on Future and Russell Wilson, and so much more.  If you missed any of part of his heartwarming statements, they all await below:

(more…)

Drake continues to kill the competition on Billboard charts.

As if nabbing his sixth non-consecutive week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 wasn’t enoughis h (thanks to his hit ‘One Dance’), the singing-rapper sits tight on the perch of the Billboard 200 with its parent album ‘Views.’  Courtesy of some history-making streaming figures, Drizzy fends off the likes of Nick Jonas, Beyonce, Rihanna, and so many more to keep his seat atop the album charts.

While industry analysts anticipate his reign will come to an end next week due to some stiff competition form The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Drake’s streaming numbers have continued to keep him paces above the pack.  Until we get the final word on that, tuck in below to see where all of your favorites from today landed on this week’s refreshed Billboard 200:

(more…)

Cop a gander at Zayn!

As his album ‘Mind of Mine’ continues its free-fall down the Billboard 200 (this week at #63), the former One Direction star continues to point his promotional efforts away from live showings and in the direction of print.

Just a week after making headlines for gracing the cover of ‘Dazed’ magazine, the hitmaking heartthrob can be spotted a-front the latest issue of ‘Paper’ magazine.  Dishing on everything from his love of singing about sex, love of getting high, and love of girlfriend/model Gigi Hadid, tuck in below to read some of his comments on those hot topics and see some of the smoking shots (literally) from Z’s sizzling shoot with the mag for its summer ‘Sexy’ issue:

(more…)

Drake‘s first run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 (as a lead act) is proving itself worth the wait for the rapper and his fans.  Coming via the hit ‘One Dance,’ this week brought with it news the tune is enjoying  its 6th non-consecutive week at the chart’s summit.

Fending off the likes of Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and more, ‘Dance’s domination is showing no signs of slowing and may claim #1 next week.  But, before we get ahead of ourselves, tuck in below to see where all of your favorite hits from today landed on this weekly edition of ‘Chart Check’:

(more…)