Is it us or are the members from Mary Mary rolling super solo these days?

Last week, sister Erica Campbell was snapped looking somewhat annoyed after a rehearsal with sibling Tina. Yesterday saw the powerhouse pose it up solo (again) at the Essence Black Women In Music gala in Los Angeles.

Erica’s singular showing will do little to quell speculation that internal tensions have the group at breaking point.

As keen appreciators of their music (and weekly WE tv show), we’re hopeful any issues are ironed out pronto. The ladies still have much to give to Gospel and beyond. {Hits ‘Play’ on ‘Shackles’}

Your thoughts?

Rita Ora arrived at Mahiki in London town last night, hitting the high end spot to celebrate the London showing of her sold out ‘Radioactive’ Tour.

Snapped in the company of many a UK artist- including ‘Who Are You?’ Rapper Chip- the ‘R.I.P.’ belle enjoyed her night after wowing fans at the show which took place at West London’s Shepherds Bush Empire.

 More from her fun night out below… (more…)

With their loyal fan bases and infectious numbers, Pop’s leading ladies are no doubt the glue that keeps the industry’s finances in place.

From Beyonce to Lana, Ciara to GaGa, numbers generated by these femme fatales stay at the center of arguments for and against their causes. Only right then, that we dedicate to today’s Chart Check to these leading ladies- showcasing the heights of their commercial prowess.

Check it out below…

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With the world still buzzing about Destiny’s Child‘s reunion at the Super Bowl, member Michelle Williams sat down with Billboard to discuss the reunion everyone is talking about.

Already back on the road with hit musical FELA, the singer-actress spoke with the industry bible about what it was like performing with her girls again, the difficulty keeping it a secret, and her hot new Gospel album.

Peep excerpts below, where live performance footage from FELA also awaits…

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The Queen Of Pop Janet Jackson looked all sorts of lush last night at the amFar New York Gala.

An ardent campaigner for Aids awareness, the reclusive singer made the appearance to support amfAR’s unique drive to promote health education during New York Fashion Week 2013.

Looking like a bag of money and good living, Ms. Jackson was on a 10 – and all for a good cause.

Peep more pics below…

Your thoughts?

Despite the addition of Grammy-winner Jennifer Hudson and a host of promotion, it appears the second season of its forethought hit ‘Smash’ was no smash at all.  For, after much hype, last night’s debut came in with a 60% drop from the show’s 1st season premiere.

Via E! Online:

“Smash‘s season-two premiere seriously underperformed in the ratings last night, bringing in a series-low average of 4.5 million viewers and a 1.1 demo rating. Smash‘s season-one finale drew 6 million viewers, meaning last night’s premiere saw a 25 percent drop. And if you compare it to the series debut last year (11.4 million), the season two opener plummeted a whopping 60 percent.”

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What this spells for the show is uncertain.  But, given the costliness of the show, we’re sure NBC is going to pull out all of the stops to ensure their prized musical is a hit…somewhere…somehow.

Your thoughts?

He. Is. Coming.

Indeed, listeners still rocking to ‘Suit & Tie’ should ready themselves for its co-occupants aboard the third solo outing of pop megastar Justin Timberlake.

The follow-up to his 2006 top seller ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’, fans of the pop prince were excited with news that ownership of his latest work would be in their very near future.

But, as we ready for the JT takeover, the newlywed shares the album’s cover and full tracklisting.  Get your view of the new-new below:

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While hard-at-work judging talent hopefuls on season 12 of ‘American Idol’, multi-octave songbird Mariah Carey is still booking studio time with longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri and more.

Readying her first full length album since 2009, those looking for a taste of what Carey is cooking up may have to deal with an appetizer until the main course is done if recent reports are to be believed.

While we wait on the official new new from Mimi, news has it a brand new single from the diva in due in days…

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R&B legend Anita Baker has much cause to celebrate these days.  For, along with a storied career featuring timeless hits like ‘Sweet Love’ and ‘Giving You The Best That I Got’, her 2012 remake of Tyrese‘s hit ‘Lately’ nabbed The Songstress her best debut ever and flew right to the top of the R&B charts.

Now, as Baker preps for this week’s Grammys (her version of the tune was nominated for “Best Traditional R&B Performance”), she made a rare appearance this week by Jimmy Kimmel Live to lend the first televised showing of her latest smash.

Also taking the crowd to task with a rousing showing of ‘Same Ole Love‘ from her signature ‘Rapture’ album, see Mama Anita at work below:

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This girl is indeed on fire!

After notching her 4th #1 album with 2012’s ‘Girl On Fire’, Grammy-winner Alicia Keys has been racking up the promo points with guest appearances on high profile outings such as the Presidential inauguration, the 2013 Superbowl (national anthem), and now the 2013 NBA All Star Game.

Just one week from her anticipated showing on the 2013 Grammy stage, Keys will be in full effect at the 62nd annual event to lend a medley of fan favorites.

With fellow R&B acts John Legend on hand to sing the national anthem and Ne-Yo onboard to sing some of his greatest hits, it looks like R&B is coming back in a big way! Tune into TNT on Sunday, February 17, to see all the action!

Your thoughts?

Frank Ocean isn’t the only R&B Prince who’ll be performing at the Grammy Awards come Sunday night.

Indeed, in what really is a testament to his inspiring journey, ‘Adorn’ singer Miguel has been named as the latest entertainer to hit the event’s stage.

Details below…

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Gaunt and visible down-trodden, Chris Brown was snapped arriving at a Los Angeles court-house today for an emergency Probation hearing.

Accompanied by girlfriend Rihanna and his mother Joyce Hawkins, the 23 year old was summoned to stand before a judge due to accusations that he violated his Probation (ironically issued in his sentence stemming from “that” incident with… Rihanna).

Prosecutors claim that the singer deliberately falsified reports that he was completing court ordered tasks in Virginia when he was in actuality on a private plane in other State.

According to TMZ, the judge has requested additional time to review the evidence against Brown and has insisted in the interim that the singer meet with his Probation officers to discuss the issue. A new court date has been set for April 5th.

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It’s all a bit of a mucky mess at present, with no clear resolve in sight. Sad.

Your thoughts?