High sales may no longer be a guarantee with Kanye West (as seen by last year’s ‘Yeezus’), yet one thing the rapper is ever consistent in serving up is controversy.

Mr Kardashian poses it up in the February issue of Interview magazine, with the spread certainly likely to set tongues wagging thanks to a careful blend of dark imagery and religious overtones.

Equally engaging is West’s interview piece with Steve McQueen, excerpts from which can be found below. These days it appears few have a clear-cut understanding of who Kanye is or wants to be. However, as his words below highlight, he seems as sure of himself as sure can be.

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Intricate, colorful harmonies?  Check.  Soaring vocal displays?  Check.  Vocal acrobatics and a rollercoaster of melisma that leave fans dizzy (and giddy) with musical joy?  Check. You already know we’re talking about none other than TGJ’s favorite gospel girl group Zie’l.

With worldwide wowed audiences in their rearview since their mid-2000s debut ‘Genesis’, the talented trio – best known for their electric remake of the Clark Sisters classic ‘Is My Living In Vain’ – ready its official follow-up EP for a spring 2014 release.

Kicked off by the high-spirited, foot-stomper ‘Redeemed’, it now seems the divas are looking to redeem their (rightful) place atop gospel charts.  Until we get our hands, eyes, and ears on the latest from the ladies, we’ll take the time to reflect on three reasons why we love them…and why you should too:

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As one of the industry’s most celebrated new talents, Ariana Grande has been on the receiving end of ample praise. However, as the vocal powerhouse is learning, such acclaim often comes with a side-helping of critique.

It appears that in the absence of being able to slam her voice, naysayers have instead taken aim at her image. More specifically her trademark ponytail hair style.

A consistent hot topic during the campaign for the singer’s debut album ‘Yours Truly’ last year, the trivial debate was re-ignited last week when the pint-sized star posted a shot of herself wearing her hair down on Instagram with a caption “New Album, New Look”. Without explanation, the post was removed shortly after and subsequent posts – once again – saw a return to her usual look.

Though armed with no evidence, this caused a select few to insinuate Grande was puppet being controlled on Pop production line.

Having clearly had enough, the songstress took to Facebook to address the matter. You may be surprised with what she has to say. Her words after the jump…

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While off to a solid start, Shakira and Rihanna‘s new single ‘Can’t Remember To Forget You’ isn’t quite rocking the charts as expected. At least not “yet”.

So as to aid the song’s cause, the Latin superstar sat down with VEVO to discuss working with Instagram talent Rih (who she describes as “Reggae”), as well as the process of putting together her upcoming new album (due March 25th).

Peep the interview after the jump…

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In the world of music, few names rival the individual star-power of Beyonce and Madonna. It’s a memo the producers of the Grammy Awards 2014 seem well-acquainted with; for, it is being reported that next week’s extravaganza will see both Pop queens take to the stage.

Details after the jump…

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Ashanti certainly embodies the title of her long-delayed new album ‘Braveheart’.

For, despite the endless push-back’s causing interest to evaporate, the Grammy winner continues to play on – this week shooting the video for the LP’s latest “lead single” ‘I Got It (ft. Rick Ross)’. 

At this point, the whole project just feels like “struggle”, as we wonder why she continues to repeat the pattern of randomly throwing a song on iTunes, rarely/never sending them to radio, and then shooting a  video months later. It really doesn’t take a genius to understand that such practice will likely never allow momentum to sustain.

Again, the independent route is not for everyone. We’ve been saying this for the longest, but the ‘Baby’ singer would have been much better off pairing her independent hustle with a major label to benefit from the best of both worlds. She clearly needs the infrastructure of a bigger entity. Because, at this stage, ‘Braveheart’ has been handled so shockingly on her watch that she’d be better off releasing it as a free mixtape.

Anyway, enough of the ranting, peep more pics from the shoot below…

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Today marks what would’ve been Urban pop songstress Aaliyah‘s 35th birthday.  Introduced as R&B ringleader R. Kelly‘s protege at the young age of 14, the New York native precedented an R&B teen movement, leading the way for fellow female divas-in-training Brandy and Monica to share chart success.  By the time she reached sweet 17 the ‘Hot Like Fire’ singer’s rise to prominence was imminent as she turned up the heat in her videos and on the charts.  With then-little-known super-producer team Timbaland and Missy Elliott at the helm lacing the accompaniment for her angelic falsetto, Aaliyah found herself in a league of her own with substance, sass, and style.

Just two multi-platinum albums, a host of hit singles, and the respect of her peers, the millennium’s end saw the ‘Journey to the Past’ singer’s journey really just beginning as, at the ripe age of 21, she’d already more accomplished than many musicians achieve their whole careers.  And, after an extended break, the pressure was on to see if the singer could match her 90s success.

Enter ‘Aaliyah’ – her self-titled 3rd album.  Preceded by the #1 single ‘Try Again’, the singer was about to do just that in a whole new way.  ‘At her best’ indeed; sophisticated lyrics, ‘grown woman’ sexy, while staying true to her signature sound, the new millennium was introduced to a new Aaliyah.  And, fans’ embrace was immediately evident.

With the album’s lead single ‘We Need A Resolution’ making a splash on the charts and its successor ‘More Than A Woman’ completed and ready for take off, Aaliyah thought to make a splash herself and took off to the Bahamas to shoot the visual for island-groove ‘Rock the Boat’.  Joined by BET’s ‘Access Granted’, the usually private starlet let fans into see the makings of what was sure to be her next hit on the charts…

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The Braxton sisters, sans Tamar Braxton, were spotted on last night’s Arsenio Hall to promote their top-rated WeTV reality show ‘Braxton Family Values’. While there, however, the sisters were put in the hot seats about their respective love lives – namely rumors that Towanda is dating former NFL starKordell Stewart (ex-husband of ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ starlet Porsha Stewart) and more rockiness in the marriage of Trina.

Click play to hear their thoughts on this and also Mama Evelyn weighs in on reports about her recent run in with the law.

Your thoughts?

With 90 sold-out dates already to its name, Bruno Mars‘ ‘Moonshine Jungle World Tour’, April 18th shall bring with it a revised version of the stage show…armed with the Pop force that is Pharrell Williams!

Sound exciting?!

All the details below!

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In realising that their hiatus may have gone some way to shrivel the size of their album-buying base, ‘Hey Ya‘ duo have whipped up a festival induced frenzy today, by announcing the birth of a brand spanking new world tour!

Good news below…

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Lambs found themselves whipped to frenzy Friday when their leader Mariah Carey unveiled news of a “special announcement” due today. Yes, many immediately assumed the diva would be lifting the lid on her newest single (which she revealed last December would debut on Valentine’s Day 2014), while others hoped for a glimpse of album artwork, news of collaborators, etc.

However, they were in for quite the shock when Carey took to Instagram to share what the announcement really was.  After sharing a few cryptic messages aboard her Twitter timeline, the ‘Breakdown‘ beauty finally broke her silence moments ago.

Tuck in below for details:

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Since Beyonce‘s Destiny’s Child days, the diva has championed female empowerment.

Indeed, the lyrical foundation of most of King B cuts sees the ‘***Flawless’ singer promote unity among women and denounce patriarchy.

It’s little surprise, then, that the 32-year-old is continuing this motif — this time in essay form.

Yonce was enlisted to pen a piece for Maria Shriver‘s annual Shriver Report.

Needless to say, it makes for an intriguing read. Check it out after the jump…

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