In an era that has seen album sales at their collective worst, some stars have opted to employ innovative marketing schemes to ensure their sales stay afloat.  Arguably one of the most creative means of doing so was imparted by rap royal Jay Z in a recent endorsement deal with Samsung that saw the company purchase 1 million copies of his latest album ‘Magna Carta Grail’ for givewaway to users of Galaxy S III, Galaxy S 4, and Note II on July 4th by way of a specially created app.

While RIAA embraced the method and ensured such tactic would avail platinum certification to the hip hop hitmaker, Billboard, on the other hand, were not so welcoming and quickly slammed any notion the deal’s sales would impact the count honored by the music Bible.

Fast forward a month later, fans of Jay have cried foul after Billboard editorial director Bill Werde took to Twitter this week to share word that Lady Gaga – who recently announced her new album ‘ArtPop’ (November 11) would be introduced via a similar, app-based approach to album sales generation – would see her sales count…

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It’s a great time to be Robin Thicke right about now.

After a decade of imparting some of R&B’s most critically acclaimed numbers, the blue-eyed soulster has finally found roost atop Billboard charts with the hit ‘Blurred Lines’ – the title track to his newest album.

As the song notches its 8th week at #1 on Billboard Hot 100, its parent album is set for similar honor as it was reported to be next week’s #1 on Billboard 200.   Now, in a weeklong celebration of the “career firsts”, Robin continues his promotional promenade in support of the album with the latest appearances coming to ‘The View’ and ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’.

See both performances below as Robin continues to prove why he all of this newfound success is long overdue…

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Still in heavy promo mode for her latest self-titled chart topper, ‘1, 2 Step’ singer Ciara was all smiles as she stepped on set of the new ‘Kris Jenner Show’.  While there, the dancing diva showed off a few moves alongside rap mogul Diddy (who was acting as the day’s co-host).

After showering praise on Ci for her latest effort, Diddy faced off with the songstress in a “step team” battle.  An interesting watch indeed, tuck in below to catch the action:
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The masses have been feeling the latest offerings of ‘Feeling You’ songstress Solange.  From her well-received EP ‘True’ (featuring the web hit ‘Losing You’) to guest spots on a number of fellow artists’ mixes, longtime fans of the eccentric singer have patiently awaited news on the follow-up to 2008’s ‘Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams‘.

Well, wait no more.

For, in a recent interview with Billboard magazine, the youngest of the Knowles clan she was hard at work on a new album due next year on her independent label Saint Records.  The interview surfaced just a day after her stunning spread for ‘The Edit’ publication hit the net.  See it all below:

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Miley Cyrus finds a new friend in Lyrica Anderson today, honoured by the ‘King Me’ beauty in a scorching new number named…. ‘Miley Cyrus‘.

Lifted from Lyrica‘s new EP ‘King Me 2‘, the song welcomed the release of its official music video minutes ago, and- ever eager to showcase Urban’s freshest faces- TGJ has your first look at the clip below!

Meet ‘Miley’ after the jump…

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In celebrating its 55th anniversary this month (August 4th) Bill Werde‘s ‘Billboard Hot 100‘ have released a tally naming their ‘Biggest Hits of All Time‘, ranking each and every cut released between 1958 and now using its performance on competitive chart.

Counting down from #100, the list you’ll see below takes several chart rules changes into account, and sees each song earn its place with the context surrounding it in place…ie, streaming data counting towards week by week sales on the chart.

In adding to this, songs that spent the most weeks at #1 on the list and afforded the greatest value, which – in some cases- may see their rankings surprise you.

Want to see who came where?

We’ll meet you below!

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If you haven’t heard Ne-Yo’s latest offering ‘R.E.D‘, consider yourself unfortunate.

Sure, while it may have used a Dance number to push its cause, the album is home to many a stellar R&B jam.

One of which- ‘Should Be You’- should have been joined ‘Let Me Love You’ as a dual release to dominate Urban and Top 40 respectively before the LPs release.

Alas, no good crying over spilled milk- and it was that sentiment the star took when he rocked ‘Good Morning America‘ with a performance for their Summer Concert series.

Why we’re calling it a must see?

A genius at work below…

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August 27th marks the spot for Big Sean’s new album, ‘Hall of Fame’– the album many are hailing as his best piece of work to date.

Today, he unleashes the beast that is his new video ‘Fire‘, featuring ‘The Climb’ performer  Miley Cyrus, both under the direction of Mathew Williams.

Stunning to say the least, the video will no doubt be used to push sales of the new album, hopefully enjoying a run akin to J.Cole‘s ‘Born Sinner‘, and Drake‘s ‘Nothing Was The Same‘….due out one month later.

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In leaving nothing to chance, Katy Perry has whipped up momentum for her forthcoming album ‘Prism’ today, releasing a brand new teaser birthed in its honour!

Named ‘Burning Baby Blue’, the clip sees the ‘Ur So Gay’ belle do away with her style of yesteryear and take on a brand spanking new direction, just in time for the LP’s release.

Press play after the jump!

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‘Elle’ magazine welcomes Katy Perry to its home this month, rocking their September 2013 issue- as seen here.

Alas, while the bulk of her time with the mag saw her keep it light, bright and beautiful, things took an interesting turn when the ‘Prism‘ Princess was quizzed on her relationship with fellow singer Rihanna.

Her words below…

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It seems US music lovers just can’t get enough of Bruno Mars and ‘Crooked Smile‘ performer J.Cole.

Not sure what we mean?

Chart check below!!

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Before being forced to end the tour recently, Frank Ocean arrived at Melbourne’s Festival Hall to serve as one of the last nights of the ‘You’re Not Dead Tour‘.

While there, the high baritone performed his Andre 3000 assisted ‘Pink Matter‘, marking one of the night’s many highlights.

Watch him in all his understated glory below…

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