Nine years.

It’s astounding to think that almost a decade has passed since Missy Elliott last blessed the charts with a new album.

The hit-making rapper has maintained a low profile, choosing in recent years to primarily produce for others. And while 2012 brought with it new material in the form of new songs ‘Triple Threat’ and ‘9th inning’ (both produced by longtime production parter Timbaland), the parent album ‘Block Party’ has yet to hit stores.

During a recent interview on The Yo Show on Yahoo, Elliott explained at length the reasons for her hiatus and offered an update on her comeback.

Check out the interview below…

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Cop a gander of Lady GaGa!

The Pop titan serves up diva aplenty on the cover of March’s Harper’s Bazaar magazine. And while the singer looks a picture of happiness here, she reveals inside her in-depth interview that the last few months have been anything but joyous. Indeed, Mother Monster goes as far as to say that she was “depressed”.

Her words come amidst clouds of uncertainty that surround her latest album ‘ARTPOP’. Released last November, the project has been plagued by departing managers, so so sales, and the fact it’s delivered just one music video – last Summer’s ‘Applause’.

Sharing somewhat of an explanation, GaGa’s words await after the jump…

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After shining a bold light for the genre in the 90s and taking it to new heights in the ‘noughties’, Beyonce‘s relationship with Urban music took an unsurprising turn for the better this afternoon, when she handed it a gift few of its contributors will ever be able to match…ever.

Haven’t heard the good news already?

Join us after the jump…

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‘What’s My Name’ rapper DMX saw his name atop headlines all morning as the selected participant out of 15,000 contenders to square up with George Zimmerman in a celebrity boxing match.

Now, reports have it that a rep for the former hit rapper hasn’t signed him up quite yet and won’t until the pitbull-lover gets a whiff of the contract figures…

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‘Confident’ crooner Justin Bieber has at least one thing he can definitely be confident about these days – that over 244,000 Americans want him out of the country.

An online petition to have the Canadian beau deported boasted approximately 111,000 signatures by January 31st, an accomplishment that warranted review from the White House.  Now, less than a week later, the signature total has doubled and nears the 250,000 mark while a counter-petition to keep Biebs ashore rest at 7,945 as of time reporting.

Jay Carney, White House Press Secretary, announced via press conference last week that “…response will come I’m sure relatively soon.”  To make matters worse, public officials, including U.S. Senator Mark Warner , have openly announced their support of the petition to oust the pop bad boy…

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Is Ciara one of the hardest working women in show business? We’d say so.

Seemingly eager to continue working all throughout her Future-induced pregnancy, the Grammy winning R&B Queen spent yesterday supporting pal LaLa Anthony‘s ‘The Love Playbook‘ signing, doing so as she joins Epic records in creating a brand new album!

So, as to share her apparent joy with her ever loyal C-Squad, the heavily pregnant entertainer shared intimate snaps of both she and her bump with them hours ago.

A glowing Cici below…

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Let’s face it, Tamar Braxton is winning.

With criminal Grammy snub in her rearview, the baby of the Braxton clan otherwise enters 2014 on the hems of a number of critically acclaimed high notes including her sophomore album ‘Love & War’ and the singles it has thus far spawned.

A particular highlight of the singer’s career so far was her memorable showing at the 2013 Soul Train Awards.  Twitter Tamartians applauded the diva for her emotional acceptance speech and stunning medley of tunes while simultaneously offering a few less complimentary comments on the singer’s wardrobe choice.

Visiting Bravo TV’s ‘Watch What Happens…With Andy Cohen’, Braxton weighed in on Twitter’s response to her costume and offered them “several seats” like she does so well…

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As his talent and hit-making habits continue to place him at the forefront of R&B, Trey Songz‘ journeyed to the new technological heights recently, when he joined mentor Kevin Liles to trial ‘Google Glass.’

Led by a company spokeswoman during his time there, Songz’  ‘Google’ arrival saw him receive a detailed explanation on how the ‘wearable computer’ works, as he continues work on his hotly anticipated sixth studio album.

In the mood for a fun-filled tech lesson?

Press play below…

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They share a dancer in Ashley Everett and a musical director in Kim Burse, but today- more than a week after celebrating the 56th annual Grammy awards- it’s good news Beyonce & Ciara find themselves dividing between themselves.

Why?

Full story below…

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Music, motherhood, marriage. Beyonce quite literally does it all.

In recent times, the superstar stage blazer has opened up her world to the masses – sharing shots from her life  via Instagram.

The latest batch were posted today, and show King B with her 2-year-old daughter Blue Ivy on the set of a new photoshoot. Also included in the “update” are snaps of the singer sporting items branded in the font of her blockbuster visual album.

Flip the hood to see more Bey below…

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Whoa!

In an age where so many R&B belles fail to shoot and release album artwork striking enough to attract passing trade, Ashanti gets it righter than right this time around…doing so for her new LP ‘Braveheart.’

For, perhaps in realising that it takes far more than an album’s material to turn a doubting shopper into a willing customer, the ‘Happy’ vocalist takes the breath right out of our lungs with a brand new cover shot in support of the aforementioned project, still set for an independent release later on this year.

So, with the masterpiece above in mind, we ask…

Has an album’s artwork ever prompted you to pick it up?

If so, why?

Let us know below!

1) Toni Braxton & Babyface – Sweat

2) Christina Aguilera – WooHoo (ft. Nicki Minaj)

3) Usher – Euphoria

4) Trina – Don’t Trip (ft. Lil Wayne)

5) Beyonce – Drunk In Love

What are Your Top 5 Songs of The Moment?