As evidenced by the rant of ‘Believe’ beau Justin Bieber‘s manager, it’s pretty safe to say that some camps are still up-in-arms about the 2013 Grammy nominations unveiled last night.

Indeed, every year sees some scorned team or artist supporter feel “cheated” due to an absence from the nominations tally (see: Jill Scott’s rant last year), but this year marks a noted difference in that  A) the male domination of categories, B) the absence of hip-hop and R&B from major categories, and C) the glaring, 2011-instated removal of “gender-specific” categories.

With only acts who released material from September 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012 eligible for consideration, the wealth of overlooked talent is earning a collective side-eye from many-a-music lover.  Just ask fans of Brandy & Monica‘s ‘It All Belongs To Me’, Mary J. Blige, Lana Del Rey, Madonna,  and, of course, Nicki Minaj & Justin Bieber…

(more…)

With the likes of Adele and Taylor Swift serving as today‘s mega sellers, it’s easy to forget sales feats scored by ‘Luv The Hurt Away’ singer  Britney Spears.

Welcoming first week sales of 1,319,193 units with 200o’s ‘Oops!…I Did It Again’, Spears- even today- boasts sales that even the likes of Lady GaGa and Rihanna are unlikely to ever see.

Now, after taking Will.i.am’s ‘Scream & Shout’ to the top of iTunes, she has landed a record that makes her run as a global icon all the more mind blowing.

Details below…

(more…)

Longtime viewers of WE tv hit Braxton Family Values will be well-versed with Tamar Braxton‘s quest for stardom in her own right. Fast forward two years since the show’s launch and it looks like the youngest of the clan is onto a hit with new single ‘Love & War’.

Details after the jump…

(more…)

Perhaps by way of careful managerial moves, Justin Bieber‘s transition from Teen Pop sensation to Pop ‘bad boy’ has undoubtedly been a success for the star, hitting #1 with his new album ‘Believe’ earlier this year.

However, in what comes a shocking blow for his continued efforts to elevate his brand to the next level, last night saw him snubbed by the Grammy committee’s  2013 nomination list.

This, much to the horror of his manager Scooter Braun.

His thoughts below…

(more…)

Beyonce & Jay Z lent their support to their good friend Lebron James last night, arriving at the ‘Sports Illustrated Gala’ in NYC.

Named the ‘Sports Illustrated Sportsman Of The Year’, James arrived with the power couple who hit the event two months before Beyonce performs cuts from her new album at ‘Superbowl 2013’.

Both dressed in suits, Blue Ivy’s parents watched as Lebron was honored for his contributions to the sport of Basketball, which will also see him cover the December issue of the magazine.

Snaps below…

(more…)

From doo wop pop chick to top chick?  That’s clearly the motto ‘Braxton Family Values’ breakout star Tamar Braxton has adopted.  Indeed, the multi-octave songbird has long sung of her desire to soar on the solo tip.

And, if she thinks that ‘Love & War’ – the lead single from her forthcoming, yet-titled LP will be the key to flying the coop…then she just may be right!  Fire awaits below:

(more…)

It’s UK counterpart may have crash and burned on a ratings front, but that hasn’t stopped Rihanna from readying the launch of ‘Styled To Rock USA‘ next year.

Set to launch on the ‘Style Network’, the fashion series will boast 10 episodes which will see fashion hopefuls from across the US compete in weekly challenges, to be crowned the winner…under the close eye and pupilage of fashion heavyweights.

On the show, Style shared:

“Rihanna is a trailblazer, a trendsetter and the epitome of style. She has a powerful and unique point-of-view that transcends every aspect of pop culture, including fashion, and is a leading creative force. On the heels of our successful network rebrand,Styled to Rock and Style’s new partnership with Rihanna will reinvent the fashion competition genre, fueling our viewers insatiable appetite for all things style.”

Check out an episode from its UK sister above…

Your thoughts?

LL Cool J and country/pop princess Taylor Swift tagged team hosting duties were in full effect at the annual Grammy Nominations Special/Concert.  Boasting a performer’s roster that included Ne-Yo, Maroon 5,  and more, it’s safe to say the 2-hour special was rocking from start to finish!

Click below to see who blazed the Bridgestone arena stage:

(more…)

Nashville played host to the 2012 Grammy Nomination special where the likes of music’s biggest names gathered for the unveiling of the 2013 Grammy nominations.

While we won’t find out who will be walking away with the coveted gram-o-phones until the show airs live on CBS February 10th, click below to find out if your fave was able to nab a nomination. 

Frank Ocean, Kanye West, and Jay Z are among the males dominating this year’s nominations (with 6 each) while pop tart pals Katy Perry & Rihanna nabbed multiple mentions as well.

See the list in its entirety:

(more…)

While ‘Epic’ X Factor US alum Marcus Canty is winning fans over left and right with his debut offerings, the season 1 champion of the show Melanie Amaro (also signed to EPIC) unveils her long-awaited, official debut single ‘Long Distance’.

Set to kick off her debut LP ‘Truly’ (2013), find out below if the song has truly been worth the wait…

(more…)

Despite being out of the spotlight for some time, rest assured there’s no need to ask ‘Where You At’ to Grammy winning powerhouse Jennifer Hudson as she can be found on the cover of the latest ‘Lucky’ magazine.

While fans await her forthcoming album, said to feature heavy production from electropop producer Redone, the singer can be found alongside fellow ‘American Idol’ alum Katharine McPhee on season 2 of NBC’s ‘Smash’ (Feb. 5th).

Until then, see the behind the scenes action of her ‘Lucky’ photo shoot below (as reported by our sisters at SheIsDiva):

(more…)

In a bid to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump, Ke$ha has been aggressively promoting her new album ‘Warrior’. Indeed, the rap-singer’s campaign has seen her touch many a stage in support of the set, which arrived in stores this week and was preceded by chart smash ‘Die Young’.

And while today brought with it another performance on the ‘Conan O’Brien Show’, it also ushered in the first week sales predictions for what many have earmarked one of the year’s biggest Pop releases.

So what is is ‘Warrior’ on course to sell? The answer (and Conan performance) await after the jump…

(more…)