Today sees the release of several new R&B/Hip-Hop offerings:
First up is Pop superstar Janet Jackson, who with ‘Discipline’ – her tenth studio album, hopes to redeem herself from the relatively poor sales of her last two records. Though she’s gone on record to say ‘don’t call it a comeback, I never left’, should the sales of ‘Discipline’ exceed expectation, Janet could feasibly make the biggest ‘comeback’ since Mariah’s 2005 triumph. Time will tell.
Eccentric singer Erykah Badu releases her first LP in 5 years ‘New Amerykah – Part 1: 4th World War’ – the follow-up to 2003’s ‘Worldwide Underground’. Released via Universal/Motown, the album features such soulful producers as the late J Dilla, Sa- Ra, 9th Wonder, Madlib and Kareem Riggins.
Other LP’s dropping today include Bad Boy’s Cheri Dennis‘ long-awaited debut ‘In & Out Of Love’. Following its ‘first of its kind’ release strategy of being made available on iTunes several months earlier, the record will be available in physical format as from today.
Oh , and rapper Webbie drops ‘The Savage Life 2’ also.

Which of these albums will you be picking up this week?

Diva Mariah Carey will be premiering the video for her new single ‘Touch My Body’ on MTV’s TRL on Wednesday. In the meanwhile, check out this preview of the vid below:

Good stuff. I must say that the song has grown on me considerably recently. It still leaves a lot to be desired, but I’ve heard worse, I guess.

Any thoughts?
In this video, which was recently added to Kelly Rowland’s official Myspace, the ‘Like This’ singer speaks about some of the new music she’s recorded for the upcoming ‘Ms. Kelly’ re-release:

I remain kinda thrown off by the the idea of a ‘Ms. Kelly’ re-release instead of doing a new album altogether (especially after so much time has passed). Still, I’m still anxious to see what she’ll be serving up this go round and wish her success all the same.

Your thoughts?

According to the NY Daily News, rappers Jay-Z and Nas may be dropping a collaborative LP in the near future:

Rumors continue to swirl about Jay-Z’s still-unconfirmed new record label, Carter Music Group. We hear that Jay is partnering with rapper Nas on an album of duets, “The Kings of Hip Hop,” to be released on the label early next year. Jay’s rep is keeping tight-lipped.

As appealing as the concept sounds, it’s probably best left on paper. Jay, of all people, should know that collabo albums tend to have more riding against them than for them (see: ‘Best of Both Worlds’). Random tidbit: What happened to Bow Wow & Omarion’s ‘Face Off? LMAO.

Your thoughts?

Beyonce was spotted this past weekend in New York sporting an ‘interesting’ new hairstyle, wig, whatever it’s called lol.

What do you think of the pic?

It’s week ‘Discipline’ starting today; Janet Jackson recorded a series of MTV skits spoofing some of the network’s reality shows including ‘Making the Band’, ‘The Real World’, and ‘A Shot At Love’. These hilarious skits will air during EVERY commercial break on the channel throughout this week, as Janet is MTV’s ‘Artist Of The Week’. Who would have ever thought it, after the blacklisting treatment she got from them with her last two efforts. Definitely a good look for both parties involved. ‘Discipline’ drops tomorrow (February 26th).

Be on the lookout for a review of ‘Discipline’ this week (I’m awaiting my review copy)

Any thoughts?

Rapper Lil’ Kim made an appearance at Reebok’s ‘Round The World In One Night’ event in New York last night.

Lil' Kim At Reebok EventI can’t lie, she’s had worse days. Still, that nose. Why, why, why? Anyway, she needs to hurry with that new album of hers; her days of relevancy are dwindling with every random event she seems to be turning up to.

What do you think of the pic?

Jennifer Lopez Gives Birth To Twins Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony welcomed the arrival of their twin babies – a boy and a girl – early this morning. See the report below via People.com:

The babies were born early Friday in Long Island, N.Y. The girl was born at 12:12 a.m. and weighed 5 lbs. 7 oz., and the boy followed at 12:23 a.m., weighing 6 lbs.

“Jennifer and Marc are delighted, thrilled and over the moon,” Lopez’s manager Simon Fields tells PEOPLE exclusively.

They’re the first children for Lopez, 38, and the fourth and fifth for Anthony, 39. The couple celebrated the impending births with a baby shower in New York on Jan. 19. “They were just beaming the entire time,” said one partygoer.

After expressing her desire to have children for some time now, I’m real happy for Jennifer. Janet, Mariah and co need to remember ‘the clock is ticking!’

Your thoughts?

BET UK Launching Next Week The UK version of popular US channel Black Entertainment Television – BET – will be launching on SKY next week. That Grape Juice reported back in August last year that the channel would be expanding it’s reach to the UK. Check out the report below:

Viacom Inc’s BET Networks will launch in the United Kingdom next week as the Black entertainment network expands its global reach.

The entertainment cable network, targeted to African-American audiences, will make its debut in Britain on February 28 to more than 8.8 million digital satellite homes, with a roster of U.S. shows.

It will offer shows including “106 & Park,” a music and variety show, “College Hill,” a reality show about students, and “American Gangster,” a documentary series about notorious criminals.

Over time, the channel is expected to court British programmers to develop shows, executives said.

“For the UK version of BET, we will be giving BET’s U.S. content a regionalized look and feel that reflects the UK marketplace, and as we grow and develop the channel, we look forward to partnering with the UK creative industry to give BET an even stronger British accent,” BET International General Manager Michael Armstrong said in a statement.
{Source}

Finally! With MTV Base now airing BET shows such as ‘Hell’s Date’ and ‘College Hill’, I assumed BET’s launch in the UK had been scrapped. There is very little output for Urban music, entertainment etc, so I, personally, can’t wait for next week’s launch.

Your thoughts?

As fans await more details on the re-release of Kelly Rowland’s ‘Ms. Kelly’ album, a seemingly new track has surfaced. It’s believed ‘No Man, No Cry’ was intended for placement on her shelved ‘My Story’ LP. Word is that R&B crooner Tank produced the song; indeed, the production has an undercurrent similar to that of ‘Ghetto’ from the ‘Ms. Kelly’ record. Though not groundbreaking, I’m really feeling the song; Kelly vocally exerts herself, here, in a way we’re not used to hearing from her on her solo offerings. Good stuff. {Thanks Angel}
Hit or Miss?

{Link Removed As Requested}

Janet Jackson - 'Let Me Know'Set to be released next week Tuesday (February 26th), Janet Jackson’s ‘Discipline’ album will either make or break what could be one of music’s biggest comebacks. In the meanwhile, this new track ‘Let me Know’, which was recorded for the album, but didn’t make the final cut, has surfaced. Penned by Ne-Yo, the breezy mid-tempo offering is ‘just ok’ IMO – the vocal arrangement and harmonies are the best aspect of this otherwise so-so track. With gems such as ‘Feedback’, ‘LUV’ and ‘Rollercoaster’, it’s easy to see why this wasn’t placed on ‘Discipline’ {Thanks Andy!}.

Hit or Miss?

{Link Removed As Requested}


**