The Diddy-incited debate about the status of R&B rages on, earning weigh-ins from fans and practitioners of the beloved musical genre.

While many argue the format is on life support given its commercial performance of late (in relation to that of Pop, Rock, Rap, and Country), staunch supporters of R&B are clapping back hard at the inference of its failing viability and vitality.

Just days after the genre’s current male leader Chris Brown suggested debaters “shut up” in regard to the topic, veteran act Usher is indirectly saying and same.

What’s more, he’s criticizing his longtime friend Diddy for even starting the conversation.

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It’s been over five years since SZA topped R&B charts with her critically acclaimed debut album ‘CTRL,’ but as music lovers impatiently await its recently completed follow-up they’re clinging tight to her hits of past to tide them over.

Proof of this comes via a slew of new sales certifications announced by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

More inside:

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As his stint in Sin City continues to collect commercial and critical acclaim, Usher – who recently announced he was extending the jaunt – is inviting fans on the fence about venturing to Vegas to see him in ‘My Way: The Las Vegas Residency’ a peek at how the larger-than-life show comes to be.

Taking to ‘TODAY,’ Ush gave the morning show’s Sheinelle Jones an exclusive behind the scenes look at everything from costumes to makeup, set design, and so much more.  When not showing off all the work that goes into the magic of the production, he discussed the impact the residency is having on his personal life.

“Being able to be here in Las Vegas has given me the opportunity to find that balance,” he said of the residency.  “I’ve got kids that are going to school and babies that are learning to swim, and I want to spend that time.”

Hop inside to see what else he said.

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True to his character on the hit series ‘P-Valley,’ actor J. Alphonse Nicholson – who portrays budding rapper “Lil Murda” – doesn’t take kindly to disparaging remarks about his co-star Nicco Annan (who plays the dramedy’s central character “Uncle Clifford”).

Having wrapped its season 2 on August 14, the controversial STARZ’ show remains a talking point for its exploration of taboo topics including religion and sexuality – chiefly as it relates to subjects of interest to the African American LGBTQ+ community.

Among those recently weighing in on its representation of the latter concept was rapper-turned-Web sensation Plies, who not only said the show’s content “traumatized” him but also took a dig at Nicco’s weight.

Look inside to see just how Nicholson replied to Plies (born Algernod Washington) on behalf of Annan.

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Found at #24 this week, Latto‘s breakthrough hit, ‘Big Energy,’ maintains a BIG presence on the Billboard Hot 100 nearly a year after its release date.

But if initial response to her banging collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion is any indication, she may soon see ‘Energy’ joined by the ‘Traumazine’ tune.

Details inside:

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September brings with it the premiere of ‘A Jazzman’s Blues’ on Netflix. 

Helmed by Tyler Perry, the eagerly anticipated movie shares a narrative of forbidden romance.

Anchored by Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer, the story (which is set in the deep South) follows star-crossed lovers Bayou and Leanne and their quest for unbridled love against the tallest odds.

The pair are joined by an ensemble cast that includes Amirah Vann, Austin Scott, Milauna Jemai Jackson, Brent Antonello, Brad Benedict, Kario Marcel, Lana Young, and Ryan Eggold.

Musical contributions come courtesy of award winners such as Terence Blanchard, Aaron Zigman, and Ruth B. The incomparable Debbie Allen is also on-board, taking the choreography lead.

Speaking on the film, Perry said:

“I wrote this 27 years ago, and I finally get to show it to the world. This is my new movie, A Jazzman’s Blues. I can’t wait for you to see it on Netflix on September 23rd. Here’s the trailer. More to come.”

Watch the first-look trailer after the jump…

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Megan Thee Stallion‘s legal battle with her label 1501 Certified Entertainment is now heating up.

For, she is now asking for a large sum of money from them.

More details below…

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After spending eight weeks atop the Billboard 200, Bad Bunny is hot the promotional trail for his album ‘Un Verano Sin Ti.’

Case in point, he has returned with a new music video for one of the project’s tracks, ‘Neverita.’

The new visual sees the Puerto Rican rapper pay tribute to merengue legend Elvis Crespo with the ’90s-inspired video.

Having been released earlier this year, ‘Un Verano Sin Ti’ became Bad Bunny’s second #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart.

Then in July, he claimed a major record as he scored the biggest streaming year for any artist in Spotify history with over 10.3 billion streams.

Watch the Stillz-directed visual for ‘Neverita’ below…

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Demi Lovato has always been known for their vocals and they are showing them off again in their latest performance.

The acclaimed singer has now shared a stunning live rendition of their song ’29,’ which appears on their most recent album ‘Holy Fvck.’

The song is rumored, but not confirmed, to be about their ex Wilmer Valderrama, who was 29-years-old when he met Demi.

While time has passed since the end of their relationship, it is still apparent there are feelings over the situation, which can be seen in the performance.

Upon its debut, ‘Holy Fvck’ was met with love from critics and became Lovato’ s most acclaimed work to date.

Check out Lovato’s performance of ’29’ just below…

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Get ready to journey to the ‘Jungle’ on Amazon‘s Prime Video next month.

The streaming platform has become renowned for housing envelope-pushing shows and the latest is a Rap/Drill music drama emanating from the UK.

Helmed by production ensemble Nothing Lost, ‘Jungle’ is a six-part scripted series that is uniquely driven by lyrical dialogue. A modern musical, if you will.

Set in a luminous London, the show chronicles the lives of strangers, all of who are navigating the layered lives and the aftermath of actions that come with very real consequences.

‘Jungle’ stars the likes of Ezra Elliott, Nadia A’Rubea, and RA, as well as a number of key figures of the UK scene such as Tinie Tempah, Big Narstie, Unknown T, IAMDDB, and more.

Ahead of its September 30 debut, check out the action-packed trailer below…

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A day ahead of the highly anticipated 25th anniversary reunion special of the cast of ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ (August 23), its star – GRAMMY Award-winning R&B diva Brandy – took to Instagram to lift the lid on a live performance of ‘Starting Now’ filmed at the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort.

Kicking off Disney’s World Princess Week 2022, the stunning showing comes as the latest rendition of the May 2021-released tune that was produced by GRAMMY Award-nominated super-producer Oak Felder and served as the theme song for Disney’s 2021 Ultimate Princess Celebration (as we reported here).

“Who performs at Disneyland in front of a castle that I’ve loved since I was a young girl. Wow. So grateful,” the 43-year-old captioned in the IG post.

Look inside to see B-Rocka rock the stage like only she can.

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With the August 19 release of his 10th and final studio album ‘R&B Money’(click here to stream), singer-songwriter Tank is hanging up his mic and putting a period on critically acclaimed, 21-year music career.

Aboard the 17-track project are features from Blaq Tuxedo, Vedo, Rotimi, and a standout from GRAMMY-winning superstar Chris Brown.  Titled ‘See Through Love,’ the slow-burning groove sees the two trade verses about finally finding a love one can be transparent and emotionally secure with.

“I live for the moments with you when nobody’s around / Growing with you and letting go of myself / Come here with me, girl, it’s safe as it sound,” the two croon on the chorus.

A musical reunion of sorts as it follows their previous collaborations ‘Take My Time’ and ‘Foreplay,’ hop inside to hear ‘See Through.’

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