Competition.

It’s a concept that serves as the foundation for music of all genres. After all, as the old adage goes, “there can only be one number one.”

Hip Hop has been firmly anchored in this mentality – hence the epic showdowns between the likes of Tupac and Biggie, Jay-Z and Nas, and Kanye West and 50 Cent. And then, more recently of course, there’s Kendrick’s Lamar’s “heard around the world” “Control” verse.

Put simply, in Hip Hop, battling is business and business is battling!

It’s a fact driven home with ample entertainment value in Honda’s latest “16 Bars” series.

Watch below as Black Thought from the Roots shows us how it’s done.

Presented By Honda.

Your thoughts?

It may have been two years since she fed her fans with a new album, but a charitable Rihanna filled the stomach of one homeless man in New Yorks hours ago, after he rose to fame by way of socialite Paris Hilton.

Dominating the net after caught trying to woo Hilton on camera here, the homeless man joined Rihanna fans outside the city’s ‘1Oak’ club hoping to meet the star as she stepped inside. So, one can imagine how surprised he was when it was she noticed him!

What happened next?

A kind act from a chart-topping performer below…

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If there’s one thing Beyonce has proven over the course of her illustrious career it’s that she knows how to work it 365 days a year.

It’s apt then that today saw the ‘Drunk In Love’ diva unwrap her official 2015 calendar.

The stunning snaps were lensed by Yosra El-Essawy, Santiago & Mauricio, Nick Farrell, Robin Harper, and Mason Poole.

Peep their work below…

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Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is back!

The 72-year-old singer, with the help of Clive Davis, is breathing new life into a number of classic “diva” offerings from the likes of Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, and more.  Unveiling news on her newest album ‘Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics,’ if you’ve ever wondered what Franklin’s thrilling gospel style would sound like over the instrumental of Alicia Keys‘ ‘No One,’ then wonder no more.

With 10 tracks of Re-re revamps aboard one album, the decision of choosing one to kick off the October 21st due set had to have been challenging.  Alas, the selection came in the form of Adele’s monster hit ‘Rolling In the Deep.’

Will Franklin see her version roll the song right back to the top of charts?  You tell us after you listen to this must hear tune:

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October 7th marks the spot for R&B newcomer Tinashe.

The ‘2 On’ belter will unleash her debut album ‘Aquarius’ on the said date and aims to warm folk up with a taste of new track ‘Bet’.

Crafted by Dev Hynes (who also features on the track), the song is available to listen to below…

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A light and bright Lil Kim made her way to ‘The Breakfast Club’ this morning, joining the hit radio show for an interview filled to the brim with positivity!

Perhaps a far cry from her last conversation with its hosts, this interview brought with it talk of motherhood, new music and her new, improved and shrewd take to business.

Of course, it wouldn’t be ‘Breakfast Club’ interview without a little mess by way of a number of arguably uncomfortable questions.One of these, being Kim’s alleged use of “ghost writers.”

Oh…and her feud with singer K. Michelle, whom she has branded “a bag of pecans.” Another? Her alleged bullying of Nicki Minaj, who she says is obsessed with her.

Check it out below…

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Both signed to Atlantic Records, the ladies shared this snap of their time together hours ago, with Michelle revealing that she had enlisted Streeter to help her complete the project, with…

My love @Sevyn came by the studio tonight to support me, and help pick the track listing for my album #AWBAH.

 

Their meeting followed the release of the singer’s brand new single ‘Love ‘Em All’, pulled from her second studio album, set to be pushed with the backing of former Lady GaGa manager Troy Carter, who also manages ‘Adorn’ singer Miguel.

Does K have what it takes to release a commercially successful “crossover” album?

Weigh in below!

Her thoughts on Bey below…

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Much to the delight of Usher US fans, the singer recently announced the North American leg of his new tour ‘The UR Experience’.

European supporters needn’t fret, though. Because the R&B superstar is heading their way in 2015.

Kicking off in France next February, the trek will journey through Germany, Holland, the UK, among others.

The jaunt comes after the singer erased the latest release window for his new album, which at present doesn’t have a confirmed arrival date. And with the American branch of the tour set to commence in December and the Euro run in February, one has to wonder when exactly the LP will drop?

For now, though, check out the newest dates below…

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While actress Elise Neal won the role of Gladys Knight in a forthcoming Aaliyah biopic, the ‘Empress of Soul’ made it clear that she wants R&B diva Kelly Rowland to portray her if her own biopic ever comes to light.

But, does Rowland have her sights set on another music monarch?

The ‘Down For Whatever’ diva may be throwing subtle hints that she’s down to portray ‘Queen of Disco’ Donna Summer in a forthcoming film based on Casablanca Records – the label that brought Summer to fame.  Stirring fans into a heated frenzy this week when she took to Instagram to upload a snap of her rocking a hairdo inspired by the ‘Hot Stuff’ singer, her loyal #RowlandStones almost unanimously urged her to pursue the role.

Kelly has not made it clear that she is interested, but what is clear is that the film is happening (as we reported here) and is set to be led by Grammy winning star Justin Timberlake.

Details inside:

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Is “the dutchess” ready to reign atop charts once more?  One listen to her newest single, ‘L.A. Love,’ may give us an answer.

For, nearly a decade after releasing her critically and commercially acclaimed solo debut album, Fergie returns with a global shout out of a tune produced by DJ Mustard.  Coming as the first official single from her long-awaited sophomore project, Fergie Ferg’s next release – due in 2015 – will also feature production from Mike Will Made It, Mustard, and more.

But, before we can get our hands on the album in full, we have been blessed with its lead single.  Tell us how you feel about it:

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