Reports from HOT 107.9’s Birthday Bash XXII – which took place in Atlanta over the weekend -are claiming that Young Buck launched a profanity-filled attack on G-Unit leader 50 Cent. The tirade allegedly took place during Buck’s set and signals his departure from the Hip-Hop collective. However Hot 97’s Miss Info denies anything went down; ‘Eyewitnesses say that he talked about his new label Cashville Records, which he recently found a home for, but he never dissed 50 and G-Unit’ she said.
This really doesn’t surprise me. It’s obvious being with the G-Unit is doing nothing for anyone else’s career apart from 50’s. What’s more is that 50 has become increasingly vocal about his views of his fellow G-Unit members; in this month’s issue of VIBE magazine he even labelled Lloyd Banks ‘lazy’. With 50’s career showing signs of fatigue, Buck would be smart to get out of there quick.
According to the Miami Herald, Pop superstar Janet Jackson is in Miami recording a new album. The ‘All for You’ singer has booked 3 months of recording time at Circle House Studios. Interestingly, Def Jam head LA Reid has accompanied Jackson on the trip. Though boyfriend Jermaine Dupri has yet to been seen with them, he is slated to produce on the project.
It’s great that Janet is already recording the follow-up to ’20 Y.O’. I’m guessing LA Reid’s presence confirms the speculation that she has signed with Def Jam. As one of the few that enjoyed Jermaine’s contribution to her last CD, I’m glad that they’re collaborating again; though, it may be in her best interest to keep his presence on the CD to a minimum. This new album really will be ‘make or break’ for Janet – whose career has been struggling since the Superbowl incident a few years back. I’m hopeful she’ll make a spectacular comeback. If Def Jam put as much money/promo into the project – as they did for Mariah’s last CD and Rihanna currently – then I’m sure Janet will do great.

Are you anticipating Janet’s new CD?
R&B superstar Beyonce has officially been added to list of performers at the 2007 BET Awards. Also confirmed to perform at the event is Beyonce’s fellow Destiny’s Child band-mate Kelly Rowland. The pair join an already star-studded line-up of performers including 50 Cent, T.I. Ciara and Ne-Yo. Comedienne Mo’Nique hosts the awards which will air live on June 26th.
With both Beyonce and Kelly performing, the comparisons will be inevitable. Throw Ciara into the mix and tongues will definitely be wagging. I see Kelly as having the most to prove; hopefully she comes hard with her performance. Generally, I’m really anticipating the show; the line-up is the most impressive it’s been in the last few years.

Whose performance are you most wanting to see?

It seems the, somewhat, underwhelming opening sales of Rihanna’s new album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ hasn’t affected her promotional campaign. The Def Jam star stopped by The View to perform her international smash ‘Umbrella’. Aside from the obvious technical issues, this is performance was disappointing; she didn’t seem all that into it and the vocals were kinda shaky.

What did you think of the performance?

This is the official art work for Common’s latest LP ‘Finding Forever’. I’m liking this. The album, led by first single ‘The Game’, will hit stores and iTunes on July 31st.
What do you think of the cover?

The video for Timbaland’s latest single ‘The Way I Are’ premiered yesterday. Upon listening to the producers’ album ‘Shock Value’ a while back, I felt ‘The Way I Are’ to be one of the few decent cuts on the CD. Yet the video is poor. Similar to the vid for the first single ‘Give It To Me’, it’s cheap and no thought appears to have been put into the concept. What’s more is that it does little to introduce Timbaland protégée, Keri Hilson (who features on the track) to the masses; she just wonders aimlessly across the screen. Disappointing.

What do you think of the video?

LL Cool J – Queens

Following the poor sales of LL Cool J’s last album ‘Todd Smith’, the rapper has been very vocal about his disappointment with Def Jam -his label since 1984. LL, 39, continues the trend on this new track ‘Queens’. The song, which features 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, Tony Yayo, and Kool G Rap, sees LL taking shots at the reknown label; he raps ‘I wish Rick (Rubin) and Russell (Simmons) was back. I miss the old Def Jam ’cause them new monkeys act like they don’t know who I am.’ The track itself is decent, but I’m not feeling LL’s approach on this. Considering that ‘Queens’ is slated to feature on LL’s upcoming final LP under Def Jam -‘Exit 13’, I don’t think it makes sense for him to go at the label that will be releasing the album. Does he really think they’ll properly promote an album bashing them?

LISTEN: Queens (ft. 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, Tony Yayo & Kool G Rap)
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Cassidy – My Drink N’ My 2 Step
It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from Cassidy; a 2005 conviction and a life-threatening car accident in 2006 have kept the rapper out of the limelight. This new song, ‘My Drink N’ My 2 Step’, reunites Cassidy and Swizz Beats (‘I’m A Hustla’, B-B Stance) for what is a great track. Cassidy addresses his many setbacks and proclaims ‘The Husta’s home’. Swizz Beats production on this uptempo track is on-point too. The pair are currently in the studio working on Cassidy’s third album.

LISTEN: My Drink N’ My 2 Step (ft. Swizz Beats)
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Dawn Richard – Phase
This new track by Danity Kane’s Dawn surfaced earlier this week. I’m unsure as to whether she’s working on a solo project, whatever the case she’ll have to do better than this. The main problem with ‘Phase’ is Dawn’s hit and miss delivery. Initially she sounds ok, yet as the song progresses she doesn’t really take the track anywhere vocally. The subject matter is kinda tired as well. On the plus side, the production is good.

LISTEN: Phase
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What do you think of the New Songs?

Singer T-Pain performed his #1 hit ‘Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin)’ on Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier this week. I’m not really feeling this performance; it’s one of the first times I’ve heard his voice without the vocoder effect and he didn’t sound too good. Nonetheless, the live band added an extra umph to the performance and the crowd were hyped throughout.

What do you think of the performances?

It’s been somewhat of a slow news day and this video just came to my attention. I’m aware some of you may have seen it already, but after watching I just can’t stop laughing. It’s well-known that Mariah isn’t the best dancer, yet I honestly didn’t realise…well just watch lol.

What do you think of Mariah’s moves?

Following the massive success of Mary J. Blige’s last album ‘The Breakthrough’, the R&B star has revealed that she is currently working on her next LP. Speaking to Hamptons Magazine, Blige explained the upside to taking her time to perfect the album:

“It’s like the difference between a rotisserie meal and a microwave dinner. It takes hours to get right, but it’s going to be really good and you won’t forget it. I’m a nice rotisserie — caramel-colored and well-seasoned.”

I’m really anticipating Mary’s new CD. ‘The Breakthrough’ was a solid album and restored my interest in her as an artist. It’s refreshing to know that there are still artists who take time to perfect their craft, instead of dishing out ‘Fast-Food Hits’ .

Will you be checking for Mary’s new album?

The video for T.I.’s latest single, ‘You Know What It Is’ premiered last night. As with the song, the video just doesn’t move me. There isn’t anything remotely entertaining about it; it seems to just goes on and on. Wyclef’s presence (along with that fake Caribbean accent) is kinda jarring too. This all makes me wonder if T.I.’s latest effort ‘T.I. vs T.I.P.’ will have been worth the wait. He needs to step up his game, because as of now he isn’t delivering. ‘T.I. vs T.I.P.’ hits stores July 3rd.

What do you think of the video?

Kelly Rowland performed a full set at London’s G-A-Y venue last week. The R&B star performed a number of her hits including ‘Dilemma’ and ‘Can’t Nobody’ as well as showcasing newer tracks such as ‘Flashback’, ‘Work’ and ‘Ghetto’. Seems like she did great. Check out videos of some the performances below {Thanks Andy for the vids}.

Work / Ghetto
Flashback

Bootylicious

Click here to see more videos (including a Destiny’s Child Medley)

What did you think of Kelly’s performance?

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