In what seems like an on-going trend in the R&B world this year, yet another album has seen it’s release date pushed back. Ashanti appeared on the Doug Banks radio show today, announcing that her forthcoming album ‘The Declaration’ has been delayed until early next year. What’s more she confirmed that the video for the CD’s lead single ‘Hey Baby’ (After The Club) has NOT yet been shot (contrary to reports) and instead will be filmed shortly.
Unlike Mariah and some of the other heavy-hitters whose albums have been pushed back this year, Ashanti really isn’t in a position to be moving her release date all over the place. ‘The Declaration’ is seen by many in the industry and the public alike to be her ‘make or break’ album after somewhat of a career slump. Whether she’ll bring ‘it’ on this LP will be interesting to see.

Your thoughts?
Fox News is reporting that Mariah Carey’s much-anticipated new album has been pushed back from December 4th to February 2008. No reason was cited for the delay. Carey’s as yet untitled CD is now slated to feature in a ‘Diva Showdown’ with big releases from both Janet Jackson and Madonna in and around that month. {Source}
I’m guessing it makes sense, but all these album push backs are becoming real annoying. Having said that, anyone could have seen this happening a mile away; a December release date with no confirmed title and no single in sight. Oh well, here’s hoping the wait is worthwhile. So…
Whose album will do better: Mariah, Janet or Madonna?
The BET Hip Hop Awards took place this past Saturday (October 17th) in Atlanta’s Civic Centre. Check out performances from the show which aired yesterday:

Removed as requested

What do you think of the performances?

With Chingy’s new studio album ‘Hate It Or Love It’ set for a December 11th release, new promotional pics of of the rapper have surfaced. As you can see he looks noticeably different.

What do you think of the pics?

With Nelly set to release his new album ‘Brass Knuckles’ on November 13th, the video for the set’s first single ‘Wadysname’ premiered yesterday. I’m really liking the song and this Chris Robinson directed video. The girls were really getting it some of the scenes! Jamaica (Laurie Ann’s replacement on Making The Band) choreographed the vid.

What do you think of the video?

With the last week’s album sales having now been tallied up, it’s not good news for Jennifer Lopez. The singer’s latest effort LP ‘Brave’ (billed by many as ‘make or break’ for her career) has sold a terribly poor 54,728 copies in it’s first week. It stands as the worst charting album Lopez has ever released. {Source}
There really hasn’t been a better time to get pregnant! Still, though the CD flopping (so badly) will not leave people’s minds, she may have a chance at success after laying low for a while or better still putting out a half-decent album. Haters can jump off Kelly Rowland’s back now lol.

Why do you think ‘Brave’ flopped?

Nicole Scherzinger is still trying to push those singles/album of hers; this time here in the UK on daytime show GMTV. Providing that the song is trash (sorry, call me a hater or whatever), she did a great job…lipsynching. At this point, any hope of the album being any good is lost (for me), but she always has the Pussycat Dolls to fall back on, I guess.

What do you think of the performance?

The much anticipated new video from X Factor winner Leona Lewis finally hit UK screens today. ‘Bleeding Love’ has been enjoying immense radio airplay here in the UK and the video seems set to make the song a smash. Though I have my reservations about the song (too 90’s Mariah for me), the vid is pretty good. Leona’s debut album ‘Spirit’ is set to hit stores in Europe on November 12th. A Stateside launch for the singer is planned for early 2008.

What do you think of the video?

It appeared as though 50 Cent was keeping a low profile since his highly-publicized loss to Kanye West in their September 11th chart showdown, however it seems he’s back to trash-talking. In the current issue of KING magazine, the G-Unit leader takes aim at Lil’ Wayne (again):

You went after Lil’ Wayne on “Part-Time Lover” with the rhyme “You make me want to kiss you like Baby do Wayne/And make you call me Daddy like Baby do Wayne/Damn, that shit sounds gay, it’s insane/I guess that’s the price a lil’ nigga pay for fame.” What’s that about?
I’ve already baited Lil’ Wayne to come on out so I can break his little neck. My consistency will break his neck the same way LL’s consistency broke Canibus’. Lil’ Wayne is a talented rapper but not a great songwriter. He has had great verses on other people’s projects, but they were not his complete ideas over production that he picked. He’s not marrying the right production and lyrics to make classic hit records.

But if he’s not coming after you, why bother him?
Why not break his neck? I got nothing else to do. If they set you up to believe you are in a situation you’re not actually in yet, then you go out there… See, he’s saying what he’s saying to Jay because Jay didn’t respond to him. I’m giving him something to work off. Is that one of 50’s laws? Yeah. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

{Source}

Really though,when is 50 gonna call it a day? No one is checking for him anymore. SMH.

Your thoughts?
Hip Hop mogul Jay-Z features on the cover for the latest issue of XXL magazine. Though the cover looks kinda cool, the jokes write themselves lol.

What do you think of the cover?

The video for Timbaland’s new single ‘Apologize’ – featuring rock collective One Republic – premiered on UK music channel B4 yesterday. Though the song is good, the video continues Timbaland’s trend of sub-par videos. Very unimaginative.

What do you think of the vid?

It seems Nas is going for ‘controversial’ on his forthcoming album. Check out the report via MTV:

On Friday night at New York’s Roseland Ballroom, Nas announced the title of his next album: He said it will be called Nigga and released in December. A source close to the project confirmed the name on Saturday.

Though he’s undeniably one of Hip Hop’s most talented MC’s, this all seems a little desperate on Nas’ part. It’s no secret that his sales have been drying up with each album, so i guess, when all else fails, resorting to shock value is the answer.


Any thoughts?
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