With plans to take the piece to Broadway, R.Kelly unlocked behind the scenes footage pulled from ‘Trapped in the Closet’ today, lifting from its 33rd chapter.

Switching from rehearsals to footage from its final edit, the 2 minute clip features commentary from Kelly himself, shortly before the unveiling of his new album, ‘Black Panties’.

Press play below!

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Rap icon Jay Z  and ‘I Was Here‘ vocalist Beyonce met with the mother of Trayvon Martin recently, after openly declaring their support of the victim’s family and their quest to seek justice for his murder.

Snapped alongside civil rights activist Al Sharpton, Sybrina Fulton reportedly spoke with the influential pair who publicly joined the quest to have Martin’s killer George Zimmerman jailed last night, via a tweet published on Beyonce’s official Twitter account.

Her statement below…

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Before the likes of Rihanna, One Direction and Iggy Azalea are to celebrated at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, the network has launched an exciting new project- which sees them hunt for this summer’s ‘Hottest’ artist.

The best part about it? They want you to decide who it is!

Indeed, weeks before the VMAs kick off at NYC’s Barclays Center on August 25th, today saw them launch the competition, revealing that they are to announce its winner on August 31st on MTV itself.

Want to get involved?

Well, all you have to do to ensure your favourite act wins is to tweet #MTVHottest followed by their name!

It’s that simple.

Peep our example below and get tweeting!

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Chris Brown is in a giving mood.

That’s right, with his new LP ‘X’ eyeing a reported August 26th release, this morning saw the Pop Prince unlock two new songs from the album, teasing them into separate visuals.

The first? A sizzling effort named ‘Sex You Up’, followed by a tamer piece billed ‘So Special’.

Meet ’em below…

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Peep this pic of Roc Nation stars Rita Ora & Calvin Harris, snapped on what appears to be a shopping trip minutes ago.

Uploaded to Ora’s personal Instagram page, the snap sees Harris play photographer as Rita browses a shelf dedicated to Dior Cosmetics, shortly before the pair continue to craft the star’s debut US album.

This pic comes shortly after UK debut ‘ORA’ was certified Platinum in the market for sales of over 300,000 units while its single sales brought the entire campaign to sales of 1.3 million.

Eight minutes after the above snap was posted, it scored a whopping 3,719 likes and 47 retweets from the ‘Radioactive’ belle, who now boasts a Twitter audience of 3,175,883 followers!

Your thoughts?

After beginning a three month prison sentence for tax evasion this month, ‘Zion’ performer Lauryn Hill has penned a letter from the establishment she’s currently being held at, detailing her experience thus far and thanking those who have supported her through her recent trials.

A minimum security facility, Hill’s time at Danbury’s Federal Correctional Institution sees her housed in a barracks type setting, and not the typical prison living arrangement many had feared she’d be forced to endure.

Read her words after the jump…

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Which former ‘Bring It On’ star was snapped embracing a fan in London last night.

Hint: She’s a lyric-contralto boasting 3 octaves and Gold status to her debut album’s name.

What? You still don’t know who it is?

Alright, her identity below!

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Fiery femcee Lil Kim rung in her 39th birthday this month with the debut of her latest single ‘Look Like Money’.

The track may have been met by a less than unanimous response, yet that hasn’t stopped the Hip-Hop veteran from pressing on with the cut’s accompanying video.

As with most things Kim, no date is attached to the visual’s release. However, in a bid to build buzz, the pint sized star unwrapped a teaser clip.

Has the Queen Bee still got her sting? You be the judge after the jump…

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Luke James has yet to release his debut album ‘Made To Love’, however that hasn’t stopped the accolades from pouring in.

As the opening act on Beyonce‘s ‘Mrs Carter Show World Tour’, the New Orleans native has been blessing fans with his gift since the sell-out trek set sail in April. However, it was James who was on receiving end of a gift at one of the tour’s many sell-out dates.

Cheered on by the thousands in attendance, the soulful crooner was presented with a commemorative plaque for the Grammy nomination his debut single ‘I Want You’ received earlier this year. The honor was handed to James by manager (and King B’s Creative Director) Frank Gatson and Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich. 

Peep more pics and performance footage below…

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Cop a gander of Ciara!

The R&B stage blazer looks all sorts of stunning in these new snaps she shared on Instagram moments ago.

Having rocked a short hair do for much of this year, the star – who hit #2 on the Billboard 200 this week with her self-titled album – has added length aplenty to her luscious locs.

What do you think of the ‘Body Party’ singer’s new look?

Peep more pics below and let us know!

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Kanye West‘s one-sided battle with the press took a dramatic turn for the worst today.

The temper-prone rapper flipped all the way out when a photographer asked him why he (and fellow press) are “not allowed” to talk to him.

What ensued next was a physical alternation which saw paramedics called…for the photographer.

Watch the shocking events, which took place at Los Angeles’ LAX Airport, after the jump…

 

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Her third studio album may be a year or so away, but that hasn’t stopped the buying public from celebrating Nicki Minaj‘s ever polarising music.

Indeed, after creeping nearer to the 3.9 million mark in the last week, sales of her debut album ‘Pink Friday’ have seen her combined global album sales make their way to the 6 million mark- three years after ‘Friday’s debut.

In doing this, the Rapper extends her lead as one of the last decade’s fastest selling debutantes, with her combined solo single sales now cruising past 30 million, helped in part by the recent Gold certification awarded to 2010’s ‘Roman’s Revenge’.

Now, perhaps in celebrating her winning streak, the Rapper set Instagram alight last night when she uploaded footage of herself ‘twerking’ in her swimming pool…and on a motor cycle.

Fun times with Ms. ‘Va Va Voom’ below.

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