If headlines are anything to go by, controversial Kanye West hasn’t had much to smile about of late.

However, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) released news to the contrary today.

The rapper’s latest album ‘Yeezus’ has been officially certified Platinum in the US.

Details after the jump…

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They’re three of the world’s most lucrative entertainers, all responsible for turning the writers behind their material into millionaires.

Not sure what we mean? Well, simply ask the likes of The Dream, Sia, Elijah Blake and Miguel how ‘financially fruitful’ cuts penned for Beyonce, Rihanna, Ciara and Mariah Carey have been for them, providing a stability few entertainers can say they’ve enjoyed at any point in their careers.

Now, in a move that’ll make the business of songwriting even more appealing to chart hopefuls, SoundExchange has announced plans to launch a monthly royalty payment system, seeing writers reap the fruits of their creative labor faster than ever before.

Details below…

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Hip-Hop titan Drake is gearing up to host Saturday Night Live on NBC this weekend.

In traditional SNL form, a series of promo’s have been released to plug the star’s appearance on the show.

As ever, hilarity ensues. Peep the previews after the jump…

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Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank drop by ‘Arsenio Hall’ to perform ‘I Need’ – the latest single from their 2013 hit album ‘Three Kings’.

The Braxton sisters, sans Tamar Braxton, were spotted on last night’s Arsenio Hall to promote their top-rated WeTV reality show ‘Braxton Family Values’. While there, however, the sisters were put in the hot seats about their respective love lives – namely rumors that Towanda is dating former NFL starKordell Stewart (ex-husband of ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ starlet Porsha Stewart) and more rockiness in the marriage of Trina.

Click play to hear their thoughts on this and also Mama Evelyn weighs in on reports about her recent run in with the law.

Your thoughts?

For most acts, dealing with the inevitable horror that is a commercial decline oft goes a long way to bruise legacies when said decline prompts desperate measures they believe will reverse, or at least delay, the inevitable.

Fortunately for ‘You Had Me’ performer Eve, she isn’t like most acts.

Indeed, in penning a positive chapter in the novel that is her career, the Rapper has secured a lucrative new deal with Bob Iger‘s ‘ABC‘, who have handed her her very own television series.

Wonderful news below…

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As Shakira swoops down and sits on the tree that is #6, Katy Perry storms through Pop’s forest on the hunt for higher ground today, riding the digital beast that is her Urban number ‘Dark Horse.’

Looking for good news?

Knock on the door below and say we sent you…

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Individually, they’re more than capable of pushing hits big enough to give their creatives cause to rejoice and the competitors cause to recline.

Together, they just may have launched one of the year’s fastest rising smashes, doing so before they grace the year with brand spanking new studio albums.

Who we’re talking about?

Shakira and Rihanna of course, the ‘Roc Nation’ riots who kicked down iTunes UK’s door this morning, looted its Top Ten and have now made away with #6 spot today.

Pour yourself a freshly made jug of ‘Chart Juice‘ below…

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Def Jam divo August Alsina releases the latest number from his arsenals of single by way of “Make It Home” – his Jeezy-assisted slow jam acting as the latest representative from his NNTME/Def Jam debut album ‘Testimony’ (due April 15).

Fans of Alsina may still be bumping the likes of ‘I Luv This’ and ‘Ghetto’ from his well-received debut EP ‘Downtown: Life Under the Gun’, but now they can make room on their musical plates for the singer’s latest tune.

Get into it below:

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With 90 sold-out dates already to its name, Bruno Mars‘ ‘Moonshine Jungle World Tour’, April 18th shall bring with it a revised version of the stage show…armed with the Pop force that is Pharrell Williams!

Sound exciting?!

All the details below!

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JoJo is back!

Following an exhaustive legal wrangle with former label Blackground, the powerhouse singer has not not only succeeded in severing ties with the controversial imprint, she has already inked a new deal at Atlantic Records.

Details after the jump…

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Behold the bombshell that is Snoh Aalegra, the ARTrium Records beauty on course to take 2014 by storm!

Indeed, with Sony Music in her corner, double-take inducing looks to her benefit and a voice that gave us no choice but to follow up on recommendations made a number of industry tastemakers, the Swedish stunner kicked off the year with a brand new video she hopes will push her name far beyond the arena it currently resides in.

Why we’re billing her ‘one to watch’?

‘Burning Bridges’ below…

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