As Solange Knowles preps the release of her sophomore effort ‘Soul Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams’ (due in August), another track from the set has surfaced. Titled ‘God Given Name’, the soulful jazz-inspired cut sees the youngest of the Knowles clan delve into more personal territory lyrically. With lines such as ‘I’m no sister…I’m just my God-Given name’, the song does provide an interesting listening experience. Saying that, I’m still undecided as to whether I’m sold on this ‘Solange the Soul Angel’ idea just yet. I guess time will tell. It’s also worth noting that Michelle Williams is also set to drop her album ‘Unexpected’ in August too…hmmm.
At one point the standard-bearer for R&B/Hip-Hop, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Bad Boy Empire has undeniably fallen on hard-times in recent in years. Following the departure of several of the label’s key acts, Bad Boy has been MIA on the charts for longer than their supporters and more so Combs would have liked. Enter Day26; a five-piece consisting of Willie, Qwanell, Robert, Mike and Brian. Formed on the popular MTV show, aptly titled ‘Making The Band’, the guys are part of Combs’ plan to stage a Bad Boy revival of sorts. With this their self-titled debut (out March 25th), Day26 show that there may be hope yet for Diddy’s once-sinking ship.
As the US release of Leona Lewis’ hugely successful ‘Spirit’ LP draws nearer (due April 8th), the UK songstress stopped by ‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno’ last night to perform current single ‘Bleeding Love’. Granted this is probably the 100th time I’ve seen her perform the song, especially being here in the UK, I still enjoyed it. I really have no choice to, considering she nails it each and every time. Great performance. ‘Bleeding Love’ sits atop of the iTunes chart, as at writing.
A Talent Booker at the ‘Wendy Williams Experience’ show has filed papers with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that she was hounded to have sex with Wendy Williams’ husband Kevin Hunter – by Hunter himself. What’s more, the worker, Nicole Spence, also claims that Hunter physically abused the radio personality around the studio. See the report via NY Post below:
“Mr. Hunter repeatedly sexually propositioned me at work in the most crude and vulgar ways, telling me over and over that he wanted to ‘f- – -’ me,” Spence charges.
I also feared Mr. Hunter because he repeatedly physically assaulted Ms. Williams at or near the WBLS studio,” Spence says in the complaint.
In one instance, Mr. Hunter stormed into the studio, demanded that other employees leave and openly physically abused Ms. Williams, pinning her against the wall with his hand around her neck, choking her while repeatedly pounding his fist into the wall directly by her head.”
It’s no secret that Williams and the younger Hunter have had a turbulent relationship – one filled with drugs, abuse and infidelity. Though Wendy asserts that things have changed, one has to wonder if there’s truth to these claims.
As reported earlier on today, Mariah Carey performed at the season 3 premiere of popular MTV show ‘The Hills’ yesterday night. Check out her renditions of ‘Touch My Body’ and ‘We Belong Together’ below:
I’ve got a love/hate thing going on with Mariah this go-round. ‘Touch My Body’ has grown on me considerably, but these performances are not cutting it. Whether comparing them to ‘Old Mariah’ or the standard of any good performance, her showing last night still falls short. Though ‘We Belong Together’ was better, the years of wear and tear are made overly evident when Mariah tries to reach for them notes she sadly cannot hit (live) anymore.
The following may sound controversial, but IMO 2008 Mariah Carey seems little more than a studio singer (the best of the bunch, of course). Some may be quick to think ‘WTF’ as she obviously is leaps and bounds more talented than artists labelled as such. Yet, the simple fact that she can’t do her own songs justice live any more, IMO makes her a studio singer. Even the oh-so-critiqued performances to support her last LP weren’t as cringe worthy as her most recent. What makes the whole episode worse is that she seems to put more effort into her look/image than how she sounds. I guess much of this won’t be of much relevance, as Mimi is cruising toward her 18th #1 single with ‘Touch my Body.
Following the success of Kelly Rowland’s recent releases here in Europe, it is being reported that the ‘Like This’ singer is set to start recording her third solo album next week. No further details are available at time of writing. {Source}
Diva Mariah Carey was snapped leaving Gotham Hall in New York yesterday night in New York City. The singer was there to perform at the season 3 premiere and after party of popular MTV show ‘The Hills’. At 37, Mariah really is giving the young ones a run for their money…she’s looking on-point.
Remy Ma’s attorney admitted in the closing arguments of rapper’s case today that the former Terror Squad star did, in fact, shoot her friend during disagreement in July last year. Check out the report via MTV.com:
Lawyer Ivan Fisher called the shooting, which left Makeda Barnes-Joseph hospitalized, an accident. Fisher claimed Remy Ma (real name: Reminisce Smith) and Barnes-Joseph struggled over the latter’s bag when the two argued over missing money after leaving a birthday celebration for a mutual acquaintance. The former Terror Squad star accused Barnes-Joseph of pocketing upward of $3,000 in cash.
Fisher told the jury the women’s hands hit the rearview mirror of Barnes-Joseph’s car during the tussle and the gun then went off, according to AP.
“There is no other explanation for why Remy Smith would have chosen that unique moment in time to shoot her,” Fisher said.
The surprising admission was a far cry from Fisher’s opening remarks when he attempted to characterize Barnes-Joseph as a celebrity groupie who was misrepresenting the nature of the events in order to win money from the “Lean Back” rapper. In December, Barnes-Joseph filed a multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit against Remy Ma.
In July, Remy vehemently denied shooting Barnes-Joseph. When reporters gathered around the rapper’s New Jersey home, she maintained her innocence.
“I didn’t shoot my friend!” she yelled.
Jury deliberation in the case begins Tuesday. If convicted, Remy Ma could face up to 25 years in prison.
Looks like it’s a done deal for Remy. I really cannot see a jury believing her paper-thin alibi, I mean come on now. Then again, with celebs increasingly getting preferential treatment by what’s supposed to be a justice system, anything could happen.
R&B star Kelly Rowland really is loving this side of the pond these days. The former Destiny’s Child star was part of BBC 1Xtra’s Live show this past Saturday in Coventry here in England. I’m sure a few of the doubters will be surprised, as Kelly really exuded a stage presence not really seen until now. Perhaps it’s the success she’s been enjoying over here as of late. The full band and back-up singers was a nice touch too. Anyway, check out Kelly’s setlist as well her full set below:
Like This Dilemma Can’t Nobody Destiny’s Child medley Daylight Work Reprise
According to MTV.com, rapper Fabolous is set to release a ‘concept album’ ala Jay-Z’s ‘American Gangster’ as his next LP. Check out the report below:
“What Jay-Z did [with ‘American Gangster’] … he took that Frank Lucas character and put it in the frame of his Jay character,” Fab opined. “That’s what I wanna do. I don’t wanna say I that I’m actually the character, but take some of his scenarios or some things I went through and tell it in my tone.”
Fab refused to disclose the movie he was patterning his album after, but he said it isn’t too old, though it is classic. He doesn’t anticipate too many cameos, and producers on Loso’s radar include DJ Toomp, Kanye West, Just Blaze and Polow Da Don. With a structure in place, he feels he can complete his opus at a more expedient rate than usual.
I’m anxious to see what Fab comes up with. For some reason, his last LP ‘From Nothing To Something’ didn’t really shift as many units as it should have IMO, so I’m definitely hoping for big things this go-round.
Following on from the release of one of the banned episodes of the popular, yet controversial TV show ‘The Boondocks’ earlier this week, yet another of the ”unseen’ episodes has surfaced. Once again taking aim at BET, this time with the black-hating black character Uncle Ruckas getting his own BET reality show. Check out the episode below:
As Solange Knowles preps the release of her sophomore effort ‘Soul Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams’ (due in August), another track from the set has surfaced. Titled ‘God Given Name’, the soulful jazz-inspired cut sees the youngest of the Knowles clan delve into more personal territory lyrically. With lines such as ‘I’m no sister…I’m just my God-Given name’, the song does provide an interesting listening experience. Saying that, I’m still undecided as to whether I’m sold on this ‘Solange the Soul Angel’ idea just yet. I guess time will tell. It’s also worth noting that Michelle Williams is also set to drop her album ‘Unexpected’ in August too…hmmm.
