Keyshia Cole Prepping Third Album During an interview with our friends over at SOHH, R&B songstress Keyshia Cole revealed that she is already prepping her third album for a late 2008 release:

“I’m writing down ideas now, just what I feel like the album should be about. This is the first time I’ve actually done that so that should be fun. They want it out by Christmas.”

Cole’s sophomore effort ‘Just Like You’ was recently certified Platinum, having sold approximately 1,028,200 in the US. I really see her star rising higher and higher.

Your thoughts?

Ashanti - 'The Way I Love You' Cover
The Official website for R&B star Ashanti unveiled the cover for her latest single ‘The Way I Love You’. F-L-A-W-L-E-E-S! She really does look amazing. Word has it, she will be shooting the video for the song in the Bahamas any day from now. Ashanti’s new album ‘The Declaration’ is due out on June 3rd.

What do you the cover?
Peep this pic of Jamie Foxx at the Pepsi STUFF launch, which took place earlier this week. Something seems a little off, but I can’t put my finger on it….

What do you think of the pic?
Mary J & Rihanna Join Grammy Line-UpThe Recording Academy have announced that R&B superstar Mary J. Blige and Def Jam’s Rihanna have been added to the list of performers at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. Blige will perform with legend Aretha Franklin, the Clark Sisters, Israel And New Breed, and Trin-I-Tee 5:7 in a special gospel segment. Rihanna will take to the stage with reunited group The Time.
What can I say, the Grammy’s is shaping up to be an unmissable show. With confirmed performer Beyonce rumored to be tearing down the stage with Tina Turner, as well as Janet Jackson’s ‘comeback’ performance of ‘Feeback’ it will be very interesting.

Which performance(s) are you most anticipating?
Ashanti's 'Declaration' Delayed
It has been confirmed that Ashanti’s much delayed new album ‘The Declaration’ has pushed back yet again. Originally set to drop late last year and then March this year, the set – the singer’s fourth – will now be released on June 3rd.
Though some may be thinking ‘it’s Mya all over again’, especially with Universal/Motown’s patchy record, I think it makes sense. With the inevitable chart invasion that will be Janet (Febraury) and Mariah (April), releasing a record in that window – if you’re not a guaranteed seller (sorry, Ashanti isn’t at present) would be too risque IMO. ‘The Way That I Love’ you has been received very well, so dropping another single before releasing the LP in June might be what the label are going for. Only time will tell…

Your thoughts?
The ladies of Danity Kane appear on the cover of the March/April issue of KING magazine. I must say they are all looking on-point. But, damn, that dishcloth on D.Wood’s head has got to go.
In other Danity Kane news, it has been confirmed that ‘Damaged’ will, indeed, be the first single to be lifted from the group’s new album, the title of which has been confirmed as ‘Welcome To The Dollhouse’ (….hmmm). The track beat out the Danja-produced ‘Pretty Boy’ in the fan poll to choose the next single. The album is due out on March 18th.
US visitors, do be sure to catch the new season of Making The Band , starring Danity Kane next Monday (January 28th)

Any thoughts?
Making The Band 4The new season of MTV’s Making The Band is set to start next week Monday (January 28th). Meanwhile, new music from the still-nameless group that were formed last season has surfaced.
Produced by Mario Winans, ‘Got Me Going’ (the rumored first single) is smooth R&B number, with an edgy, contemporary twist. I’m really liking the vocal arrangement on this one; the way in which their voices are interlaced to create the harmonies really stands out here. Something here reminded me of vintage 112.With a snippet of ‘Together’ having hit the net earlier this month, the full version of the track has surfaced. At the production helm of this gem is hit-maker Brian Michael-Cox. Put simply, the track is one of the best new songs I’ve heard so far this year. Great stuff.

 

Hit(s) or Miss(es)

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Ne-Yo recent sat down with Essence magazine to discuss a number of things including the gay rumors that he’s been dodging since debuting, as well as the recent drama with R. Kelly. Check out the extract below:

On The Gay Rumors

Honestly, when I first heard that there were rumors out there about me being gay I thought, Wow someone must really hate me. There’s nothing wrong with being gay, but I just couldn’t understand why someone would make up lies like that. I remember speaking to Jay-Z about it and he was like, ‘Look, man you haven’t made it until someone says you’re gay.”

Okay, so because I can respect a woman’s shoe game, and not to mention that I’ve bought a few pairs of shoes in the past for the women in my life, that makes me gay? That’s hilarious.”

On R. Kelly ‘Beef’:

I don’t hate R. Kelly. There won’t be no diss records—we don’t do that in R&B. Seriously, I looked up to R. Kelly as an artist, and still do, but I don’t have respect for him as a man. I was happy to join the tour. I’m a man, so I don’t disrespect other men. I would still be open to talk to him. But his not coming to me directly was blatant disrespect, because he didn’t even view me as someone important enough to show respect to by talking to me man-to-man. If you have issues with me, then be man enough to come to me personally, but instead he had his people do it and then they said it wasn’t him but that the promoters asked me to be removed from the tour and that’s b—sh–.

The Game & Dr Dre Reunite On New LP According to MTV.com, The Game and former mentor Dr Dre are to reunite on the former G-Unit rapper’s new album ‘LAX’ – which is apparently 80% completed:

“[Dr. Dre] dropped some stuff off,” Game’s DJ Nu Jerzey Devil said. “But I’m not sure if Game did anything to them yet.” Game has been recording in Miami and Los Angeles and should be ready to release LAX this spring.

Dre joins the already impressive line-up of producers set to feature on the project, including Scott Storch and Cool & Dre. This will mark the first time The Game and Dre have worked together since the rapper’s much-publicized departure from G-Unit, following the release of his debut album ‘The Documentary’. Dre was noticeably absent from Game’s sophomore effort, ironically titled ‘Doctors Advocate’ amid rumors that he had sided with 50 Cent & G-Unit.


Your thoughts?
Check out the official trailer for ‘Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns’ starring acclaimed actress Angela Bassett:

As a fan of Tyler’s work, as well as Angela being one of my favourite actresses (see: ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’), I’m real amped up for this movie. Certainly looks like Tyler will be onto another box office smash with this one. ‘Meet The Browns’ hits theatres in the US in March 21st.

Will you be going to see ‘Meet The Browns’?

Janet To Perform At The Grammy's It has been confirmed that pop superstar Janet Jackson will be performing at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards on February 10th. Renown dancer Blake McGrath, who is part of Janet’s team, revealed the news during an interview with MTV Canada, further stating that Janet is currently in rehearsals for the big show. {Source}
Janet joins the Grammy performer line-up which includes Beyonce and the Foo Fighters.

This one should be interesting; if Janet knocks this one out of the park…her ‘comeback’ will be cemented.

Your thoughts?

Keyshia Cole Appears On TRL R&B singer Keyshia Cole stopped by MTV’s TRL, in Times Square, New York, yesterday to promote her latest single, the ballad ‘I Remember’. Cole also spoke about her role in the forthcoming MTV flick ‘How She Moves’.
{Click pics to enlarge}
Keyshia Cole Appears On TRL Keyshia Cole Appears On TRL Keyshia Cole Appears On TRL

What do you think of the pics?
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