R&B songstress Mary J. Blige stopped by the Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday to perform the latest single to be lifted off her ‘Growing Pains’ album ‘Stay Down’. Check out the performance below:

Mary nailed it! The band definitely add an extra element to the track and it helps that Mary was on her ‘A Game’ vocally too. ‘Stay Down’ is hands-down my favourite Mary track since ‘Be Without You’, so it’s great to see the song get the single/performance treatment.

What do you think of the performance?

Solange - 'I Decided (Freemasons Mix)'Though Solange’s new single ‘I Decided’ was released digitally a while back, it is this, the Freemasons remix, that will be released as her official first single over here in Europe (it is being touted as the ‘Part 2’). Having worked their magic with Kelly Rowland’s ‘Work’ earlier this year, the ‘Masons really came through for Solange; I’m actually liking this mix more than the original. What’s more, considering the music that is dominating the charts on this side of the pond, Solange may just have a chance of doing big things on this side of the pond also.

Hit or Miss?

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The video for The Game’s latest single ‘Game’s Pain’, featuring R&B songstress Keyshia Cole, premiered on BET today. I’m really feeling both the song and the accompanying vid too. ‘Game’s Pain’ is the first single to be lifted from the California rapper’s forthcoming album ‘L.A.X'(due July 1st) via Interscope.

What do you think of the video/ song?

Pussycat Dolls - 'When I Grow Up'After a brief hiatus, the Pussycat Dolls are back on the music scene with their blazing new single ‘When I Grow Up’. Produced by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, the uptempo song is definitely one for the clubs. Interestingly, it seems that it’s not only Nicole on vocals this go round. Good stuff.
The girls are set to perform the song for the first time on Jimmy Kimmel Live next week Tuesday (May 20th) and at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards on June 1st. Their sophomore effort is set to hit stores in the summer.

Hit or Miss?

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Jennifer Hudson - 'Spotlight' The long-awaited debut of Jennifer Hudson’s first official single is over; ‘Spotlight’ surfaced earlier on today. I’m kinda on the fence with this one; it’s certainly not what I expected. Is it me or does Jennifer sound kinda like she’s holding back vocally? I’m here waiting for her to belt like we know she can, yet she doesn’t. I’m guessing those calling for her to stop ‘over-singing’ will be appeased. Saying that, I do feel the song has ‘grower’ potential. Hudson’s debut album is set to hit stores in September via J Records.

Hit or Miss?

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Beyonce - 'Now I Know' (Snippet) As Beyonce continues work on her third studio album, another snippet of new material – presumed to have been recorded recently – has surfaced titled ‘Now I Know’. I must say the ballad sounds great – she’s really on top of her vocal game as well.

Hit or Miss?

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Foxy BrownFoxy Brown’s long-awaited LP ‘Brooklyn’s Don Diva’ was released recently. In what has to be some kind of joke, the rapper claims she’s only just heard it:

“Unfortunately, during my incarceration, this CD was compiled without my approval. I heard this CD in its entirety, for the first time, just says ago and was devastated.

In another phase of my life and career, I would have dealt with this situation with litigation, but for the benefit of my fans and in the wake of the profound spiritual cleansing I recently underwent in prison, I made the decision to settle our creative differences amicably.’

Foxy is so confident she can re-up and bring the album back to the level of her previous releases, she promised to ‘deliver the biggest street album in female rap history.” {Source}

Could the lack of interest among the record-buying public be the cause for Foxy’s sudden charge of heart in regard to the album? She’s not fooling anyone if she’s trying to say she didn’t know the album was going to be released. If it’s wack and she just found out, that’s all on her and no one else. SMH…

Your thoughts?

Danity Kane are continuing along their promo grind, this time performing a set for Yahoo’s Pepsi Smash. Check out the performances below:
Damaged

Poetry


Showstopper
The ladies were great, as usual. Where are Day26?

What do you think of the performances?
Michelle Williams Update The video for Michelle Williams’ new single ‘We Break The Dawn’ was supposed to premiere yesterday but has since been delayed. In her latest MySpace blog, the singer spoke on, among other things, the video’s debut as well as strategy for the single:

I don’t think the video will be ready to premiere as posted!!! I thought that I should let you know!! Trust me….I am so ready for it to be out, but at the same time I want it to be perfect for you guys!!!! I know that I’m disappointing many of you out there who have been ANXIOUSLY waiting!!! That’s kinda why I hate when dates are set and made public and then the artist or label decides to change it!!! It’s been a lot of that lately in the industry!!! Hopefully by Monday…..the world will see it!!!

Once again “momma” is sooooooo sorry about this!!!!!

Y’all like that new picture huh?? It shows my mature, “sophisterated” side!! (yeah yeah…before it hits national press….I know the word is SOPHISTICATED!!!) I was the winner of many spelling bee’s back in my day!!! LOL

I want to also address to many people who have concerns about WBTD getting radio airplay……there is a plan for impact at radio….BUT you guys can still request it!!! The politics of the business is what it is!!! I can’t stress it enough but show business is 90% business and 10% show!!!! That’s why you gotta love it to wanna stay and deal with the craziness!!! To whom much is given, much is required!!!

I’m definitely rambling all over the place!! I just wanna make sure that I cover everything!!!

I love, love, love each and every person reading this!!! Thanks for the love and ENCOURAGEMENT!!! I haven’t felt so much love in a lonnnnnnnnnng time and I appreciate ALL of you!!!! Thanks to everyone who purchased my single!!! If I could I’d personally kiss ya!!!! (on the cheek that is!!!!!) I feel that this year is a BIG one!! The number 8 means new beginning….2008 I’m definitely chartering on new territory…..but I need you guys to help me win!!!!

Ummmmmmm what else??? I think I’ll save the rest for my video blog…. but I have yet to figure out how to articulate what I feel!!! I’ll sign off by saying…. ladies ALWAYYYYYYYYYYYS trust your gut!!!!! Do what’s right for the long run!!!!! I still have love for the fellas….I won’t leave you guys out!! Anyhoo……..God Bless You!!!!

Michelle

It’s a shame about the video. Monday is just around the corner, so here’s hoping it debuts then. Random tidbit: you’ve just got to love Michelle’s personality.

Any thoughts?

Rihanna Tops Billboard Hot 100 Rihanna’s latest single has rocketed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making history in the process. Check out the report via Billboard:

The song’s bump is the second-best leap to No. 1 in Hot 100 history, trailing only Maroon 5’s 64-1 jump with “Makes Me Wonder” last May. Coincidentally, Rihanna is featured on the band’s “If I Never See Your Face Again” which will debut tomorrow at No. 57. With the lofty digital take, Rihanna now owns two of the top three opening week download tallies in chart history. Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body” set the mark with 286,000 last month, surpassing the 277,000 moved by Rihanna’s “Umbrella” when it debuted in the June 9, 2007 issue. “Take a Bow” is one of four new songs on an expanded CD/DVD edition of Rihanna’s “Good Girl Gone Bad” album, due June 17 via Def Jam.

Call me a hater or whatever, but that is some garbage right there. Simple as. It’s very disheartening to see an artist put out any old rubbish (and ‘Take A Bow’ is rubbish IMO), and hit the top if the charts. In all fairness to Rihanna, even the best artists have had wack songs perform very well; but it’s getting a little worrying when the top spot seems to be occupied by whoever’s ‘shove (insert artist name) down your throat…till you like it’ promo team did the best job. SMH…


Does ‘Take A Bow’ deserve to be #1?
Nelly's 'Brass Knuckles' Pushed BackWord has it that Nelly’s latest LP ‘Brass Knuckles’ has been pushed back yet again. The St. Louis native had been set to release the album on June 24th, following a series of unmet release dates prior. The record is now slated to hit stores on August 19th. It’s worth noting that ‘Brass Knuckles’ was set to compete with efforts by The Game, G-Unit as well as Ne-Yo which were set to drop on the same date – yet all have been delayed.
I’m guessing the label are going for the 2 single approach, having already released ‘Party People’ (which seems to have peaked at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100). Here’s hoping all these push-backs don’t reach the stupendous levels seen last year by the likes of Mya, Mario etc.

Any thoughts?
R&B star and American Idol (Season 3) winner Fantasia returned to the Idol stage yesterday to perform on the elimination show. Sporting a new highlight red ‘do, she gave a rousing performance of ‘Bore Me (Yawn) from her self-titled sophomore set. Check it out:

For all her hollering and ‘church wailing’, I must say that Fantasia ‘brought it’ and then some. Even with the song not really being catered to that audience, she still managed to engage the studio audience. Definitely anticipating the new album. Good stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

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