While ‘Put It Down’ put Brandy back on the map commercially, it was the track’s housing album ‘Two Eleven’ that truly marked the Grammy winner’s return in the eyes (and ears) of music lovers the world over.

One of the LP’s most talked about tracks is the Frank Ocean penned ‘Scared Of Beautiful’ – which the newly engaged singer was recorded rehearsing recently for a live show.

Watch The Vocal Bible showcase many a chapter and verse after the jump…

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Our very first From The Vault of the New Year journey’s back over a decade, to a time where “King Of Dancehall” Beenie Man heated up the charts with R&B belle Mya for the infectious ‘Girls Dem Sugar’.

The track, which was released in late 2000, is loosely based on Beenie’s international breakthrough hit ‘Who Am I (Sim Simma)’ and was produced by dynamic production duo The Neptunes for the Jamaican star’s studio album ‘Art And Life’.

A Reggae-R&B fusion, the track manages to juxtapose the Grammy winner’s Caribbean drawl with Mya’s soft delivery on the mesmerizing production. The overall sound might have been ‘pop-ier’ than his previous material, but still it didn’t prevent the 39 year from remaining a figure-head of Dancehall music.

Considered a minor hit in the US, ‘Girls’ charted at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100 but fared better on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts where it reached the 16th position. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at #13 on the Official Singles Charts. Despite its commercial shortcomings, we dare you to find an Urban house-party where this song isn’t played.

Its neon heavy promo visual was helmed by Little X and serves up a PG rendition of exactly what goes down during Jamaican bashes. Ms Harrison’s whining deserves a special nod of approval too.

Color us crazy, but a certain air of “they don’t make them like this anymore” inhabits us whenever we play that song. Maybe it’s the nostalgia or perhaps it’s simply the truth. Either way, we’ll be patiently waiting for songs of this variety to make a splash on the mainstream tallies again. As the saying goes, trends run in cycles and until tracks like this re-surface in a Top 40 context, we’ll keep hitting replay on this undeniable gem.

Your thoughts?

Anyone who has followed Mariah Carey‘s illustrious career will be well-versed in the stormy nature of her relationship with  Tommy Mottola.

The powerful music exec signed the songbird in her late teens, flexed his corporate and financial muscles to ensure she became a global megastar, and went on to marry her in 1993. At the time of their grand nuptials, the budding diva was 23 while Mottola was 20 years her senior.

Unfortunately for the duo, their marriage would crumble in 1997 amidst claims from Carey that Mottola was too controlling and that he abused her “mentally and emotionally”.

Despite this, Carey’s run-in with her ex and his new wife in 2005 suggested any issues were water under the bridge; an observation  which makes the existence and timing of Mottola’s new book ‘Hitmaker’ particularly suspect.

Set to hit stores on January 15th – a day before MiMi makes her televised debut on American Idol, the memoir sees the industry supremo relay his “side” of the story.

And while freshly released excerpts suggest he won’t be throwing his former bride under the bus, he does make a number of interesting remarks.

Read on for check them out…

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Cop a gander of Janelle Monae!

Sporting her now-trademark black and white, the ‘Tightrope’ singer strikes quite the pose on the February cover of Elle Canada.

The feature comes on the heels of a “break-out” window of sorts for the the skilled stage blazer. Indeed, the 27 year old’s debut LP ‘The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)’ was nominated for a Grammy award and connected with enough folk to keep her consistently touring for the last two years. Perhaps most importantly, though, is the fact that it’s been on heavy rotation here at TGJ HQ since its release in 2010.

It goes without saying that we can’t wait for its follow-up!

Your thoughts?

What a tangled web Rihanna weaves.

Yes, while her team’s ear for a hit has seen her become Pop’s reigning singles chart Queen, it seems they are yet to convince fans that the albums they come in aid of are worth their hard earned cash.

For, in what will come as a cruel and unusual shock for her loyal supports, her 2010 LP ‘Loud’ is still yet to hit US sales of 2 million copies, after being outsold by Nicki Minaj‘s debut LP ‘Pink Friday‘- released in the same month.

Unfortunate news below…

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They’re smart, talented and have taken their respective lanes by storms, but despite being worlds apart creatively this week has seen Lady GaGa and Nicki Minaj make significant gains on Billboard’s Social 50.

Find out how below…

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With only weeks to go before she hits ‘Superbowl 2013′ for what many hope will be a groundbreaking performance, Brand Beyonce is set to reach all new heights in the months that follow.

Now watch as Darmirra Brunson taps into the intensifying demand for the star with a hilarious take on her, in the spoof ‘Celebrity Therapy With Dr.D‘.

‘Ratchet’ behaviour below…

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Peep this pic of ‘Radio’ beauty Beyonce, striking a wicked pose on the streets of NYC days ago.

Rocking her now trademark ‘ninja bun’, the 16 time Grammy winner shared the snap with fans just weeks before they are fed more news pertaining her fifth studio album, set for launch via Columbia.

Until then, join us as we celebrate some of our favorite videos from the star below…

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For Brandy, it was ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer‘ and for Usher it was ‘The Faculty’. Now, R&B King Trey Songz is the latest staple from the genre to take on the world of horror, as the star of new flick ‘Texas Chainsaw 3D’.

Playing Ryan, the ‘Neighbours Know My Name’ singer sat down with the guys over at ‘Clevver’ with co- star Alexandra Daddario to push the movie, which hit theatres January 4th.

Though awkward at times, the interview did make for interesting viewing- showcasing a cooler and less contrived side to the singer’s personality.

However, in what may leave some questioning his business acumen, he made a branding ‘no no’ when revealed that ‘SAW 1’– and not the original ‘Chainsaw’ – was his favorite horror movie.

Watch below…

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‘It’s not so hard to be a superstar‘.

Though her chart hiatus has made it a little easy to forget, Lady GaGa‘s arrival has been to Pop what Gary Catona could be for Rihanna’s voice. Game changing.

However, what’s most startling about her meteoric rise to the top is the humility that millions around the world remain enthralled by. Not sure what we mean?

Watch the singer open up her dreams and the power of prayer during a recent ‘Born This Way Ball‘ gig in St.Petersburg, inviting fans on stage as she reminisced on her days as an NYC club act, and thanking them for their undying support.

Inspirational footage below…

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Given the performance (or lackthereof) of Ashani‘s recent efforts, many have been scratching their heads as to why the singer is releasing her project via own label Written Entertainment.

For, while her present-day stock may not be high, her Platinum flavoured achievements from yesteryear precede her. Hence, the   former INC songstress would likely be a shoo-in for a fresh deal at any major label of her choosing.

In an interesting new interview with Sirus radio, the 32 year old sounds off on her reason for going independent and the difficulty in turning down a whopping seven record contracts in the time since her last studio album ‘The Declaration’.

Her words after the jump…

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140 characters (or less) have consistently proven themselves to be just enough ammunition for a certain Azealia Banks.  For, as the last few days have seen her engaged in an ongoing battle with fellow rapstress Angel Haze, now it seems Banks has her sights set on another diva – blogger Perez Hilton.

Indeed, Hilton nor Banks are any stranger to Twit-evoked controversy, but Friday night saw the twosome go camel toe to toe via the social media network over Hilton’s commentary on the Haze/Banks showdown.  While most of the exchange has been deleted, some of the most damaging quotes were captured.

See what we mean below (updated with apology):

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