As well as featuring classic music videos, From The Vault gives a nod to memorable live performances too. Indeed, this week’s video is memorable – for all the wrong reasons; Cassie’s now infamous BET 106 & Park performance of ‘Me & U’. Terrible from start to finish; the 2006 showing left, and continues to leave, many puzzled as to how exactly she bagged a record deal.

Your thoughts?

After hitting the scene last year with her debut ‘Promise Ring’, 14 year old vocalist Tiffany Evans is back with her second single, the Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins produced ‘I’m Grown’. The video for the single, which features Bow Wow, premiered recently; I must say, I’m liking it. Yes, it’s simplistic and the concept has been done before, but I really respect the fact that she is being branded (songs/videos etc) in a age appropriate way that doesn’t alienate older listeners. With her self-titled album having been pushed back a few times, I’m anxious to see what this undeniable young talent will be serving up in 2008.

What do you think of the song / video?

You can now preview the self-titled debut from Day26, stars of Making The Band 4. This 6-track sampler serves to give give a taste of what the group’s LP (due March 25th) will be offering. Featured on the preview:

01. Diddy’s Intro
02. I’m The Reason
03. Got Me Going
04. In My Bed
05. Come In
06. Are We In This Together

Listening through this has kinda reignited my belief in the guys’ chances of success. The previously unheard ‘I’m The Reason’ as well as ‘In My Bed’ and ‘Are We In This Together’ are very solid cuts. The void left by the likes of 112 and Jagged Edge may just be filled by Day26.

Hit or Miss?

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There is mounting speculation that Def Jam have dropped several artists over at Ludacris’ Disturbing The Peace (DTP) imprint – a subsidiary of Island Def Jam. Check out the report via our friends over at SOHH Ya Heard:

The industry is all a buzz about Disturbing the Peace records. Apparently there is a major shakeup happening as we read.

According to SEVERAL of my close Def Jam sources all hell is breaking loose on Ludacris DTP imprint. Apparently when the label brought all their R&B artists to perform at Spotlight for LA Reid, along with a bunch of industry heads in NYC earlier this week, the feedback was less then thrilling. The performances were SOHH lackluster that a source told me that LA told Luda that he can take his acts and “hit the road”.

As of right now Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, and the extremely talented Stephan Jones, AKA Mr. Ordinaray has all been dropped. Sources close to Bobby claim that the artist plans on dropping his next untitled CD on iTunes. No word yet on where Shareefa, and Steph Jones will end up.

Word on the streetz is that DTP heads are planning on severing ties with Def Jam over all the drama.

According to other sources, the artist releases are set to be made official next week. I can’t say much of this surprises me; none of the dropped artists’ recent offerings have made any impact. Saying that, one has to question whether the fault lies with the artists or the label themselves. The moral of the story? Don’t ever sign with a rapper’s own label! LOL. For real, name me one artist signed to a rapper’s label that has actually blown up. Exactly. Chingy, be afraid, be very afraid….

Your thoughts?

As the release of Danity Kane’s sophomore effort, ‘Welcome To The Dollhouse’, draws nearer (due March 18th), the official album sampler for the set has surfaced. The seven-track preview includes:

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Pop superstar Janet Jackson continues her promo blitz for ‘Discipline’ – her 10th studio album, this time making an appearance on the Ellen Degeneres Show this morning. Check out the interview and performance of ‘Feedback’ after it: