As her new Migos-assisted single, ‘Bon Appetit,’ continues to underwhelm on the critical and commercial front, singer Katy Perry is seeing her name served a-front controversial headlines.

The singer/songwriter took to live stream to scold followers who weren’t exactly fond of her new blonde hairdo by stating:

“Oh, someone says, ‘I miss your old black hair,'” she said before sarcastically replying, “Oh, really? Do you miss Barack Obama as well? Oh, OK. Times change. Bye! See you guys later.”

Granted, Perry has been a longtime supporter of the former president, but many didn’t appreciate the comparison – some even claiming the quote housed hints of “racism” and “privilege.”  Needless to say, as the story made its rounds, Twitter was set alight.

See some of the fiery comments inside:

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There may be trouble ahead for the revolutionary service Netflix if it doesn’t agree to demands set by a hacker who claims to have stolen the latest season of ‘Orange is the new Black‘!

Operating under the name The Dark Overlord, the hacker has asked for an unspecified amount from the company and has already uploaded the first episode of ‘Orange’s new season on an illegal file-sharing site.

The Hollywood Reporter adds:

Netflix said that a small production vendor that works with several major TV studios had suffered a breach. The Los Gatos, Calif., company described it as an “active situation” that’s being investigated by the FBI and other authorities.

In the ransom note, The Dark Overlord claimed to have stolen series from other studios, too, by breaking into a single company. The purported hacker promised to also release those titles unless “modest” ransoms are paid.

When the AP contacted The Dark Overlord in February, the hacker said the purloined video wouldn’t be made publicly available after all, making the far-fetched claim that “no one really [cares] about unreleased movies and TV show episodes.”

Why Netflix and ‘Orange’?

‘Orange’ is a Netflix original series and can only be viewed by TV lovers who pay to subscribe to the show and service. If placed online, Netflix’s profit-pushing unique selling point comes under threat.

Your thoughts?

After Lifetime hit a ratings high note with its Angela Bassett-directed biographical film that chronicled the tumultuous relationship of her superstar parents Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown (click here to read more about that), TV One is looking to follow suit by unveiling an in-depth look at the life of Bobbi Kristina.

Simply titled ‘Bobbi Kristina,’ the made-for-TV flick will reportedly lend an “intimate look at the highs and lows of parental, familial and romantic love complicated by fame through the eyes of a sensitive, vulnerable young woman.”

More details inside:

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Today marks the global release of Mary J. Blige‘s thirteenth studio album ‘Strength Of A Woman’. 

The set, which features contributions from the likes of Missy Elliott, Jazmine Sullivan, Kanye West, and DJ Khaled, arrives at a dramatic time for the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul.

Indeed, as widely reported, Blige is in the midst of a mucky divorce from former manager Kendu Isaacs.

During the promotional rounds for the LP, she’s cited the creation of the project as being therapeutic for her after years of secretly suffering in her marriage.

And one listen of the LP highlights the hurt but also the triumph of realising one’s worth.

Stream via Apple Music below…

Also, check out the video for the album’s title track below…

Your thoughts?

Katy Perry‘s beloved fanbase, affectionately called #KatyCats, have been clawing at the singer’s wig since she announced her new single, ‘Bon Appetit’ (due April 28), will feature chart-topping rappers Migos (not Ariana Grande as previous rumors suggested).

The Atlantan trio, best known for their #1 smash, ‘Bad & Boujee,’ found themselves on the bad side of some of their fans after they slammed singer/rapper iLoveMakonnen for coming out of the closet (click here to read more on that).  While the incident is nearly 3 months old, fans of the ‘Chained to the Rhythm’ singer have not forgotten – a feat evidenced by the host of fiery tweets aimed at her before the tune’s unveiling.

See the latest inside:

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Mary J. Blige, keen to thank her fans for their loyalty, surprised the world when she welcomed them into the deepest and darkest points of her marriage after announcing it had come to an end.

Today, after her ex Kendu Isaacs was accused of bullying her and using her money to fund projects and a lifestyle she did not benefit from, Mary may find herself forced to address claims that he has been sleeping with one of her best friends.

Sources spilled what they say everyone in the music industry has known for years in an interview with ‘Page Six’:

Everyone knew. Mary was the last to know, but it’s like, how do you not know?It was more like one of those things where you end up believing what you want to believe. But Mary had her suspicions. It’s really messed up and low to have it done to her that way. Had it not been for Mary signing her, investing time and money…Because no one cared about her music. You’d see them out in the studio together, having dinner without Mary. And then Mary would be at events with her, and it was awkward because it was obvious they were sleeping together.

Starshell had this to say about rumours she was “going down” with Mary’s man in 2012.

Once you start getting hotter and hotter, or people start talking about you more and more, everything’s like soap opera life. You’re always looking for something. If someone’s too clean or too good, they have to attach something to you, so for me, it was a compliment like, ‘Oh my God! People are talking about me. People are trying to find something.’ But I don’t know where or how that came about and it’s something that I have to take with a grain of salt.

Kendu is yet to respond.

However, his lawyer has on his behalf.

Allegations that have been made about Kendu are false, unfair, mean-spirited and sad. The court can deal with it if it’s relevant. He’s a very pleasant guy. He’s not abusive. He’s not the one going to the press. His goal is to reach an amicable resolution with her and [have] this commentary cease and desist. It doesn’t help any of them. It’s misleading. He cares about Mary. He wants her to do well.

Your thoughts?

Tamar Braxton is back and is drawing on real life for her her new single ‘My Man.’

Viewers of the current season of ‘Braxton Family Values’ will have seen the singer and her sisters spilling on the controversial split of their parents.

And now Ms. She, Me, Her chronicles the narrative on the debut offering from her next studio album.

Emotionally charged, the song sees Tamar lamenting about a woman, known to and loved by her family, who goes on to “take” her man.

The TC and Corey Rooney penned production is the first release on the songbird’s new label Tamartian Land Records.

So what are you waiting for? Check it out below…

A home-run!

While it’s difficult to see how this would fit into the contemporary radio climate, it almost doesn’t matter because it’s strong enough to grab interest on its own accord.

Vocally, Tamar turns in a stunning performance and conveys each lyric with conviction.

‘My Man’ is also a welcome throwback thematically to the pre-Girl-Power era.

Sure, we’re all for the fist-pumping ‘Independent Women’ narrative that has been “a thing” since the early 00s. But it’s so populous that it’s almost frowned upon these days to sing about the trifling “other woman.” So much so that it dilutes the pool of topics female acts can pull from and largely sees them aiming their lyrical bow and arrows at the man. As such, there was something deliciously delightful to hear Tamar scold the “heifer” who stole her bae.

After the lukewarm ‘Calling All Lovers’ album, this has renewed our excitement about Tamar musically.

‘My Man’ is available to purchase on iTunes.

Your thoughts?

Dionne Warwick is the latest diva to find herself on the receiving end of an Aretha Franklin diss.

Today, Aretha sent a lengthy fax to members of the press berating Dionne for starting a rumour about her.

What it was?

That she was Whitney Houston’s godmother.

Aretha believes that at Houston’s funeral in 2012 Dionne intentionally drew attention to the fact Franklin wasn’t in attendance without being sure that she was during the speech she shared to honour the star’s short life.

‘Ree’s not here, but she is here. She loves Whitney as if she were born to her. She is her godmother.

The Associated Press explains:

At the time, Franklin said she was suffering from swollen feet and had to skip the funeral so she could perform later that night at Radio City Music Hall in New York, which she said she was contractually obligated to do.

Five years after Dionne made the comment and Whitney’s mother Cissy revealed that Aretha wasn’t Whitney’s godmother, the ‘Respect’ performer has decided to “clap back” and argue that Dionne knew it wasn’t true “because I was far too busy to be anyone’s godmother”.

There’s been so much going on around her (Houston), around the service, around the drugs, around her and Bobby (Brown) supposed to be fighting, I didn’t want to add anything to that and I didn’t want to be a part of that.

Why now?

Well, Aretha revealed that she and Dionne bumped into each other at the Tribeca Film Festival’s premiere of mentor Clive Davis’ documentary, “Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives”. Dionne, who had no idea Aretha was upset with her, attempted to hug her.

Aretha’s response?

She said, ‘Give me a hug.’ I said, ‘Oh hell no. You couldn’t be serious.’ I don’t care about her apology, at this point it isn’t about an apology, it’s about libel.

She added:

We’ve never been friends and I don’t think that Dionne has ever liked me.

Dionne learned of Aretha’s diss this morning and had her publicist issue the following statement:

She will not dignify a response to the statement made by Aretha Franklin.

The pair’s tumultuous relationship inspired the YouTube series ‘Got 2 Be Real’.

Watch here.

Your thoughts?

Beyonce‘s ‘Formation’ has matured into more than a single and tour. It’s now a movement.

Queen Bey solidified this reality today when announcing the creation of the Formation Scholars program.

The scheme, launched as part of the 1 year anniversary celebration of the ‘Lemonade’ album, is for the 2017-2018 academic year and is aimed at encouraging female students to fearlessly pursue greatness by way of education.

In partnership with notable colleges such as Berklee and Howard, Bey’s foundation will offer scholarships (one per institution) to female students looking to study creative arts, music, literature, or African-American studies.

See details below…

This is major.

Kudos to Beyonce for always striving beyond the celebrity norm to use her platform for powerful and purpose-filled initiatives like this.

She slays. All day.

Your thoughts?

Joseline Hernandez, the star of the well-produced Reality TV drama ‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’ painted the city of Atlanta into her playground hours ago when she celebrated her birthday with a grand party.

Joined by her common law husband Stevie J, the Puerto-Rican influencer threw the event at Buckhead‘s Gold Room and celebrated with guests as she continues to pull in stellar ratings from the aforementioned ‘Atlanta’ with the help of newcomers Jessica Dime and the mononymous Tommie.

Your thoughts?

Despite efforts to push pill-popping soul numbing party purveyors to the masses, the music industry continues to soar highest when it backs acts who offer real stories and substance.

Today, it is reminded of this fact with the news of Kendrick Lamar‘s first week sales with his new LP ‘DAMN‘.

With 610,000 units moved in its opening week, the set occupies the top spot on the Billboard 200 and outperforms the 505,000 units Drake moved with ‘More Life’ and breaks Ed Sheeran’s record for the best-selling first week of the year.

Where his numbers sit without streams?

362,000.

Your thoughts?

Alicia Keys has ample cause for celebration.

For, the 15-time Grammy winner has been named on TIME‘s ‘Most Influential People Of 2017’ list.

Joining the likes of Viola Davis, Chance The Rapper, and Colin Kaepernick, the 36-year-old is featured in honor of her achievements as an artist over the last year.

And, in keeping it real, we’re a bit perplexed.

Sure, she has a catalogue that will be ever-enduring; but there’s no denying that whatever influence she had over the last 12 months wasn’t enough to make folk buy her most recent album ‘HERE.’

From where we’re standing, she’d be more suitable for a salute of her infallible charity efforts or as a pioneer for social change. But musically? This year? That’s a reach and a half.

Congrats, nonetheless. Because no matter which way it’s diced or sliced, this is win for brand.

Peep the full list below…

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Pioneers

Samantha Bee
Chance the Rapper
Constance Wu
Gavin Grimm
Kirsten Green
Bob Ferguson
Ivanka Trump
Demis Hassabis
Barbara Lynch
Hamdi Ulukaya
Jared Kushner
Celina Turchi
Jordan Peele
Glenda Gray
Yuriko Koike
Conor McGregor
Riz Ahmed
Guus Velders
Tamika Mallory, Bob Bland, Carmen Perez and Linda Sarsour
Natalie Batalha, Guillem Anglada-Escudé and Michaël Gillon

Artists

Emma Stone
Colson Whitehead
Ed Sheeran
Alicia Keys
Ryan Reynolds
Donald Glover
Leslie Jones
Ben Platt
Ava DuVernay
Barry Jenkins
Margot Robbie
Sarah Paulson
James Corden
John Legend
Alessandro Michele
Kerry James Marshall
Demi Lovato

Leaders

Theresa May
Narendra Modi
Chuck Schumer
Donald Trump
Elizabeth Warren
Julian Assange
James Comey
Kim Jong Un
Reince Priebus
Xi Jinping
Rodrigo Duterte
Stephen Bannon
Theo Epstein
Tom Perez
Vladimir Putin
Wang Qishan
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Sandra Day O’Connor
Pope Francis
General James Mattis
King Maha Vajiralongkorn
Juan Manuel Santos
Major General
Qasem Soleimani
Melinda Gates

Titans

Janet Yellen
LeBron James
Daniel Ek
Bernard J. Tyson
Evan Spiegel
George Church
Jean Liu
Tom Brady
James Allison
Rebekah Mercer
Jason Blum
Jeff Bezos
Vijay Shekhar Sharma
Margrethe Vestager

Icons

Simone Biles
Ashley Graham
Cindy Sherman
John Lewis
Margaret Atwood
Colin Kaepernick
Jeanette Vizguerra
Neymar
RuPaul
Raf Simons
Biram Dah Abeid
Leila de Lima
David Adjaye
Gretchen Carlson
Fatou Bensouda
Thelma Aldana
Fan Bingbing
Viola Davis
Raed Saleh
Cindy Arlette Contreras Bautista

[Source]

Your thoughts?