Like myself, some of you must have been wondering where signer/songwriter Johnta Austin has been. When interviewing him a few months back (click here to read the interview), everything seemed to be in place for the Grammy award-winning talent’s emergence as an artist. For whatever reason, the project came to, somewhat, of a halt.
Now, however, things seem to be on the up for Johnta and his album ‘Ocean Drive’ is tentatively scheduled for an early 2008 release. The long-awaited set is to be preceded by new single, ‘The One That Got Away’. Produced by Stargate, the song has been floating around for a couple of months now and has a steady buzz building. What’s more, a video for the track has been booked and will be directed by Ray Kay. For those yet to have heard the single, check it out below.

Hit or Miss?

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With songstress Alicia Keys on course to storm the charts next with her new album ‘As I Am’ (selling in the region of 600k-625k), there’s no doubt that the singer is onto another smash.
So for those who ‘obtained’ (lol) / bought the CD, what do you think about it? Did it live up your expectations? Best/worst tracks? Drop a your views in the comments section 🙂

Your thoughts?
R&B star Chris Brown’s recent appearance on the Tyra Banks show aired earlier this week. The teen singer performed ‘Wall to Wall’ and was interviewed by the supermodel-turned talk show host. The performance and part of the interview can be viewed below:

I’m liking Chris’ performances more and more these days; I wasn’t really feeling all the crazy dancing and huffing and puffing of his past performances. He came across well in the interview as well. Chris’ new album ‘Exclusive’ is in stores now.

What do you think of the performance / interview?

Brandy hosted a baby shower for Omar Epps and wife Keisha (formerly of Total) at her home in Calabasas, California earlier this month. Other guests in attendance included Marlon Waynes with wife Angela, Jackie Long and close friend/ former Total member Pam. Keisha (pictured above, along with Brandy and Pam) is due to give birth to a baby boy in December.
What do you think of the pics?

Check out the trailer for Ice Cube’s new movie ‘First Sunday’ which also stars Tracy Morgan and Katt Williams:

This actually looks pretty good. After a series of terrible flicks including the sleep-inducing ‘Are We There Yet’, Ice Cube may be onto a hit with this one. Look for a release early 2008.

Will you be checking for ‘First Sunday’?

R. Kelly’s publicist Regina Daniels, who worked for the singer for 14 years, has announced her decision to end all ties with him – effective immediately. See her press statement below:

“I have prided myself on loyalty, respect and professionalism. It saddens me that I was not always shown those same courtesies during my 14-year tenure as Mr. Kelly’s publicist … There are some lines that should never be crossed professionally or personally. Mr. Kelly crossed a line that forever altered the scope of our relationship. For this reason I made the decision to resign.” {Source}

Hmm..I wonder what went down…
In other R. Kelly news, some five or so years after being charged with 14 counts of child pornography, the singer is set to stand trial early next year.

Your thoughts?

Check out this behind the scenes look at Mary J. Blige’s great new video ‘Just Fine’ :

I’m eagerly anticipating ‘Growing Pains’, here’s hoping she delivers the goods.

Any thoughts?
A snippet of Kelly Rowland’s new single ‘Daylight’ (ft. Gym Class Heroes) has surfaced. The track, which is set to be the singer’s new single, goes for adds on radio in January. It sounds promising, although I will reserve full judgement until I hear the track in its entirety.

What do you think: Hit or Miss?

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Following her departure from Blackground Records earlier this year, R&B star Toni Braxton has been hard at work on her sixth studio album. Though currently untitled, the album is set for release early 2008. Most interestingly, the LP is slated to drop via J Records – reportedly Braxton’s new label. If true, it’ll be a homecoming of sorts for the ‘Unbreak My Heart’ singer, whose most successful years were when signed to Arista (now J Records). Bryan Michael Cox, Johnta Austin and Monica have all been tapped to work on the project. {Source}
Having really enjoyed Toni’s last album ‘Libra’, it’s great news to hear that she’s making new music. The ‘label did me wrong’ excuse is cited so often with artists these days, yet when you have a stellar album such as ‘Libra’ flopping, something had to be up. Here’s hoping she is successful with this new project.

Will you be checking for a Toni comeback?
Amy Winehouse’s tour manager has up and left the embattled ‘Rehab’ singer, claming that working for the star was harming his health. See the report below:

Troubled Amy Winehouse has been dealt another blow today after her tour manager quit amid drugs accusations.

Thom Stone walked out on the singer just a day after she had a meltdown during a gig in Birmingham, swearing at fans and falling over on stage.

Mr. Stone confirmed he had quit after it was said that he found working with Winehouse and her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil who is currently behind bars, was harming his health.

The last straw was when Amy, 24, and Blake were arrested with cannabis in Norway last month.

The Sun reported today that doctors found heroin in Mr. Stone’s system after he inhaled it passively on Amy’s tour bus.

The tour manager is said to have produced a doctor’s note which revealed traces of the class A drug in his blood.

“He insisted to the management team that the only way that could have happened would have been through inhaling it from Blake and Amy. Thom just had it up to here. It was a nightmare job,” the paper reported. {Source}

As much as I support Amy, there’s no denying the woman is out of her mind. Check out this vid of her allegedly taking ‘something’ on stage during her show in Zurich recently:

How and why she is still allowed to perform when it’s common knowledge she’s a crack head is beyond me. Someone needs to stop all this before it’s too late. SMH..


Your thoughts?
Rapper Chingy makes his official return to the DTP (Disturbing The Peace) fold with new album ‘Hate It Or Love It’, which drops on December 18th.
The album will be preceded by first single ‘Fly Like Me’ (ft. Amerie); the video for which will debut on BET’s Access Granted this coming Monday (19th November).

What do you think of the cover?
Actor Will Smith appears on the cover of the December issue of Men’s Vogue magazine. With Barack Obama, Tiger Woods and Denzel Washington all having appeared on the cover of the mag this year, it reinforces a positive shift with the Vogue institution as a whole – which has seen very few black stars grace its cover through the years.

What do you think of the cover?
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