As at writing, Ashanti’s ‘Braveheart’ album currently sits at #17 on the iTunes tally.

So what better time than the present to hit the promo trail in a bid to give the LP (her first independent effort) a much-needed boost.

The Grammy winning singer took front-stage center on BET’s 106 & Park this week, where she offered up a medley of current single ‘I Got It’ and confirmed follow-up ‘First Real Love’.

Watch Ms. Douglas dance up a storm below…

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Nia Long steps out in style for ‘Essence’ magazine this year, rocking the cover of its April edition in support of new movie, ‘The Single Moms Club.’

Now available to purchase, Long’s spread in the mag sees her dish on her Tyler Perry– driven role in the movie, which sees her star alongside her 13 year old son who pens an open letter to the actress, thanking her for the role she plays in his life!

On him scoring a part in the film, she explained:

“I was so nervous Massai wouldn’t get the job. I didn’t want to have to break disappointing news, so I explained to him that as long as he gave it his best that’s all that mattered. I also told him that life has highs and lows, wins and losses. Just as I was saying all this, the phone rang. It was my agent with the good news. We did the happy dance and started packing our bags…”

Want more from the mag?

Click here!

Your thoughts?

Following a few false starts, Future is revving up the promotional machine for sophomore effort ‘Honest’.

Due later this year, the album follows 2012’s ‘Pluto’ and its subsequent re-release ‘Pluto 3D’ – which spawned hits such as ‘Neva End (ft. Kelly Rowland)’ and ‘Turn On The Lights’.

Set to feature collaborations from the likes of Nicki Minaj, Kanye West and Drake, the LP saw its latest single ‘Move That Dope (ft. Pharrell Williams & Pusha T)’ receive its video premiere this week.

Peep the clip after the jump…

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For many, it was Beyonce and Jay-Z‘s dynamo rendition of ‘Drunk In Love’ at the Grammy Awards back in January caused the track to jump to the top of many a chart.,

Now, new footage is giving King B fans a sneak peek at how the show-stopping performance was pieced together.

The clip sees the singer giving a complete run-through of the performance beside her longstanding Creative Director Frank Gatson – who stood in for Jay-Z.

Mr Carter wasn’t far from the action, though. For, he appeared to be rapping his verse live off-camera, passing the mic to the power couple’s two-year-old daughter Blue Ivy who had words of encouragement for mommy dearest.

All the action after the jump…

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Watch out Mariah!

Breakout star Ariana Grande may be just 20-years-old, yet the singer packs enough vocal wattage to rock the White House.

The ‘Baby I’ belter was tapped by President and First Lady Obama to perform at the ‘Women Of Soul: Performances At The White House’ extravaganza yesterday (May 6th).

Set to air in full on April 7th on PBS, a titillating teaser of the show has made its way on-line, in the form of Grande’s  (full) performance of Whitney Houston classic ‘I Have Nothing’.

Peep Ariana’s show-stopping showing, as well as her performance of ‘Tattooed Heart’ below. A rendition of ‘Proud Mary’ (alongside Patti Labelle, Jill Scott, Janelle Monae, and more) also awaits…

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As the age old adage goes, greatness doesn’t die – it lives on and inspires.

Hence, it’s little surprise that the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, continues to do just that five years after his sudden passing.

With the assistance of MJ’s longtime label Epic Records and its present-day leader LA Reid, hitmaker Timbaland is currently hard at work on a project that will see previously unheard Jackson jams re-imagined for a modern audience.

So as to whet appetites, Timbo previewed a cut christened ‘Slave To The Rhythm’ as part of his Timbaland Thursdays series.

Last Summer, a tragic version featuring the unworthy vocals of a certain Justin Bieber hit the interweb, however it appears the cut has been polished aplenty and sanitized of that nonsense.

How is the song shaping up now? You decide below…

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As Rihanna keeps him occupied in the European city of Amsterdam, Drake joins Def Jam‘s YG in releasing the video for their bass-bringing banger ‘Who Do You Love.‘

Lifted from his March 18th release ‘My Krazy Life‘, the single’s clip arrives after it peaked at #35 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs tally, and as Drake‘s ‘Mine’ pal Beyonce saw sales of new single ‘Drunk In Love’ surf to US sales of 1 million units.

Could ‘Love‘ fare just as well?

Watch the vid and weigh in below!

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‘Scandal’ never looked so good!

The hit ABC drama, which is fronted by the award-winning actress Kerry Washington, charged  back onto the small screen for recently season three.

We’re already hooked, and by the looks of this episode 13 teaser, our Thursday night obsession with Olivia Pope and co will only grow stronger.

Your thoughts?

50 Cent is barking back!

Hours after learning he had been billed “irrelevant” by former boss Steve Stoute, the rapper took on the ‘Tanning of America’ mogul at Madison Square Garden during a New York Knicks game, as is explained here.

Reportedly confronting the industry executive over his remarks, 50- seemingly unsatisfied by the exchange- then took his personal Instagram page to post this image, arming it with “I ain’t saying nothing, but something ain’t right. Lmao.”

However, despite pulling the snap down minutes later, his baseless jab didn’t go unnoticed by Rick Ross, who addressed the matter on hit radio show, ‘The Breakfast Club.’

Watch below…

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With Mariah Carey‘s new single ‘You’re Mine (Eternal)’ fighting for a spot on the iTunes 1000, the singer’s ever-loyal Lambs want answers. Pronto.

Tensions are high in light of the track’s tanking and it appears the fans are directing their anger towards Mimi’s new manager, Jermaine Dupri.

Perhaps tickled by the fact the release of the song’s parent album is rapidly approaching, a sect of the star’s supporters took to Twitter to lay into Dupri – going as far as to bring the hitmaker’s ex Janet Jackson into the equation.

Interestingly, JD wasn’t mute during melee and hit back with a number of potent soundbites.

The juice after the jump…

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Before joining ‘Dreams’ weaver Gabrielle on her latest stage show, Dora Martin set their sights on Drake‘s territory this week, releasing covers of not one, but two of his more recent efforts.

Indeed, much to the delight of their rising fan base, the R&B duo unwrapped a brand new video for a mashup made up of Beyonce‘s ‘Mine’ and the rapper’s very own ‘From Time‘, featuring Jhene Aiko.

Why the likes of Brandy, Keyshia Cole, Anthony Hamilton and Teedra Moses consider themselves fans?

Watch below…

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Cop a gander of Shakira!

The Pop stunner serves pose aplenty a-front of Billboard Magazine‘s latest issue.

Currently coaching on The Voice, the singer is gearing up for the release of her self-titled LP – which hits stores on March 25th.

Preceded by moderate hit ‘Can’t Remember To Forget You (ft. Rihanna)’, the album boasts production from the likes of Sia, Stevie Mac, and Ina Wroldsen.

Are you excited for Shaki’s new album?

Your thoughts?