Are TLC re-moulding the game for independent artists? It could certainly be argued so.

During their heyday, the group were hailed as innovators and trailblazers. And, against the odds, it appears they’re reminding the naysayers why they enjoy such status.

As widely reported, the trio’s surviving members T-Boz ‘Tionne’ Watkins and Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to facilitate the recording of their fourth and final album.

With a set target of $150,000 and 30 days to reach it, the ladies appealed to fans to “become part of the process” by donating and giving incentives such as fitness classes with Chilli and trips to the movies with T-Boz.

Shade as some may, it’s working. Because less than two days since going live, the campaign is fast approaching its target total.

Details below…

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Check out Rita Ora!

The chart-topping singer and Oscar nominee glows on the cover of the February issue of L’Officiel magazine.

A major coup for the Roc Nation star, the feature arrives during her televised stint as a coach on The Voice UK and ahead of the release of her new single and album. She’s also gearing up for the debut of the ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ movie, which she she stars in as Mia Grey.

Busy times!

Your thoughts?

That Babs reign just will not let up.

For, over 50 years after her debut album, Barbra Streisand saw her September 2014-released, #1 album ‘Partners’ deliver one of the year’s highest first week sales for a female – a feat all the more impressive as it was accompanied with news that it was her 10th chart-topper on the tally.

Extending her lead from nearest competitor Madonna (who has 8 number 1 albums), reports surfaced today that the album’s newly established platinum certification has helped her leave three other top-selling divas in the dust – Reba McEntire, Madonna and Mariah Carey.

Read more below:

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Worried hype for Ciara’s new single ‘I Bet’ may be losing steam?

If so, worry no longer, for the R&B diva is said to have booked a performance spot at a major sport event set to turn her VEVO water into iTunes wine!

Full story below…

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There are only two artists in music history to lift five Hot 100 #1s from a single LP – Michael Jackson and Katy Perry.  Via their ‘Bad’ and ‘Teenage Dream’ albums respectively, the duo launched a quintet of chart-toppers to the coveted tally on the hems of awe-inspiring music videos and very dedicated fanbases.

Jackson’s iconic hits spent a collective 7 weeks atop the charts while Perry’s forgettable modern pop offerings spent nearly triple that time reigning.  But, while the latter has his name etched in history books as the ‘King of Pop,’ Billboard thought it time to  remind fans that this pop princess’s impressive sales performance is by no means anything to downplay.

Indeed, it’s no secret that her domination of today’s charts knows few rivals.  But, just as the diva’s takeover of Superbowl XLIX’s halftime show approaches, the music Bible stacked up the pop titans’ follow-up records, ‘Dangerous’ and ‘Prism’ to see how well they compare to their respective preceding releases as well as each other’s.

Weigh in below:

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Lil Wayne‘s ‘Tha Carter V’ album is still nowhere to seen in the wake of his public spat with Cash Money Records, however the Rap titan appeases fans with new mixtape ‘Sorry For The Wait 2’.

An aptly titled sequel to 2011’s ‘Sorry 4 The Wait’, the 17-track set sees the Hip-Hop force recreate some of Urban culture’s most notable numbers – including Beyonce and Jay Z‘s ‘Drunk In Love’ which he tackles with his girl Christina Milian.

What are you waiting for? Listen and download below…
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The promotional trail for Dawn Richard‘s ‘Blackheart’ album is seeing the former Danity Kane singer break her silence on the cause of the trio’s embarrassing split.

Naturally, the New Orleans native (whose punch to bandmate Aubrey O’Day disintegrated the group last Summer) is being quizzed about the incident on each of her press stops.

The latest grilling came today on The Breakfast Club.

Renown for their no-holds-barred approach, hosts Charlamagne, DJ Envy, and Angela Yee asked Richard about the drama directly.

Interestingly, not only did she answer, she also provided fresh insight into the behind the scenes melee that led up to the final meltdown.

Dawn on DK’s break-up below…

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It may be hard to believe, but Ne-Yo has been blazing the charts for almost a decade.

During a promo trip to Big Boy In The Neighborhood this week, the ‘She Knows’ chanteur served up a potent reminder in the most unique way.

There to promote new album ‘Non-Fiction’ (due January 28th), the singer/songwriter was challenged to perform a non-stop medley of his biggest hits.

He obliged and turned in an impressive showing.

Watch Mr. Smith hit all the right notes below…

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‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ star Claudia Jordan has been branded a racist by fans of the show today, given the unfortunate label after she called an African-American man a monkey during a standup comedy performance.

A shocking scene below…

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Cop a gander of Fergie!

The singer delivers dynamic divadom in the latest issue of Allure Magazine.

Presently piecing together her second studio album (which is due to arrive seven years after her debut, ‘The Duchess’), the Black Eyed Peas front-woman revealed that – despite recording for so long – she was torn between coming back and family life. She told Allure:

“I felt that it was either going to be another baby or an album. And I had to decide which one first. How long can you hold on to a song for?”

Selfish, perhaps, but we’re glad she chose to make her return now. ‘L.A Love (La La)’ remains an almighty bop and its staying power on iTunes proves that she still has an audience.

Bring on the album.

Pending then, peep more pics below…

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Check out Pharrell Williams!

The singer, songwriter, and producer poses it up on the February 2015 cover of GQ Magazine.

It’s apt, as next month is gearing up to be an important one for the N.E.R.D frontman. Because, as reported, he’s up for a whopping six Grammy Awards at the February 8th ceremony.

For now, he’s “winning” with this cover. Sharp!

Randomness: What potion is Williams sipping on? Still hard to believe he’s 41! Ageless chanteur.

Your thoughts?

Charli XCX and Rita Ora keep their respective buzzes booming with the video for their collaboration ‘Doing It’.

The ladies, who both enjoyed success with separate hits alongside Iggy Azalea, prove they have a winning formula of their own and celebrate it in the colorful clip for the Power-Pop anthem.

Lifed from Charli’s debut album ‘Sucker’, the clip awaits below…

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