‘Starships’ performer Nicki Minaj is launching an onslaught of promotions for her forthcoming ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ (due April 3rd).  With a host of television appearances lined up, following the rapstress’s infamous Grammy showing, the Young Money maven accompanies those showings with a number of magazine covers – including VIBE magazine.

While we’ve already unveiled the cover of the royal flush, now you can check out the full house below (with excerpts):

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As harsh as this may sound, most Femcees just aren’t that intelligent.

Indeed, though it remains a tough pill to swallow, the reason most female Rappers fall short of the glory oft enjoyed by their male counterparts has very little to do with ‘industry politics’ , but a universal flaw that stops them in their tracks even if they do catch label interest.

Shortsightedness.

For, whether it’s their inability to see beyond trivial feuds with fellow Femcees or just plain laziness, most lady lyricists don’t realize that they are a minority, and that as a minority their work ethic, business acumen and ambition has to be head and shoulders above the rest if they are to truly  succeed.

So, in recognition of Nicki Minaj‘s work ethic, business acumen and ambition, Billboard have honored her career with a spot on their list of ‘29 Black Music Milestones’.

Full story below…

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Blonde bombshells Rihanna and Chris Brown dropped not one, but two bombs on fans when remixes to their two new singles exploded onto the net today.  Possibly baking up a backlash, their joint ventures – ‘Birthday Cake’ and ‘Turn Up the Music‘ – have certainly turned up something.  What, however, has yet to be fully realized.

Sweeping headlines at this very moment, the two have teased their recorded reunions for the past few weeks.  The hype was introduced when Da Internz, co-producers of the sizzling Rihanna interlude, first informed fans the number would be revamped into a full length song and its tapped co-star would “shock the world”.

And, though spectators later put the clues together, many wrote the speculation off as mere ‘publicity stunts’ given the severity of the incident that tore them apart just three years prior.  Said incident also led Brown to a near blacklisting, causing the failure of his ‘Graffiti’ album that same year.

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Double whammy!  Already sending fans into a frenzy with their highly hyped reunion on ‘Birthday Cake’ remix dropping moments ago, fans can now get into Chris Brown’s ‘Turn Up the Music’ remix featuring none other than ‘Please Don’t Stop the Music’ performer Rihanna.

Get into it below:

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The ROC just got a whole lot bigger.

That is- if a report by our friends over at XXL is anything to go by. For, earlier on today, the publication reported news that will have Shakira fans buzzing and beaming the world over.

She has allegedly signed to Jay Z‘s Roc Nation.

Details below…

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Since bursting onto the scene 15 years ago as a staple member of Destiny Child, Kelly Rowland has told anyone who’ll listen that Whitney Houston is her idol.

As such, the legend’s passing on her birthday was sure to have a profound effect on the 31 year old.

In her mourning, the ‘Motivation’ singer has chosen to celebrate Houston’s life through song, performing ‘The Greatest Love Of All’ at last night’s Power of Love Gala, before tributing the late star again while performing at Club Papi Factory.

Watch Ms. Rowland honor her hero with the classic ‘How Will I Know’ below…

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Today, as part of her birthday celebrations, Rihanna amazed commuters on London’s underground by taking an impromptu train ride.

Casually dressed and greeted by hoards of fans, this marks the second time the performer has taken the underground system in the last few months, after doing the same during her sell out ‘Loud Tour‘.

All the fun below…

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Any following the career of Pop Czar  Nicki Minaj knows her journey to the top has been grueling- to say the least.

From being signed and dropped to several labels, working New York’s underground Hip Hop scene to becoming one of Pop’s highest selling newbies, Minaj and her team have come along way over the last few years.

Now peep this never before seen clip of the Rapper, reportedly shot circa 2006/2007 during her days as the first lady of ‘Dirty Money’ – not to be confused with Diddy’s group of the same name.

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Having been shut out from all the major categories at the Grammy Awards last week, the team behind Pop force Rihanna channeling their energies into her next studio release.

Set to serve as her 7th release in as many years, recording has reportedly begun for the as yet untitled project.

Details after the jump…

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Statistics at the ready!

Earlier on today, MTV released their latest list  ‘Hottest MCs In The Game‘, made up of Rap more influential acts.

Without further delay, find out where your favorite lyricist ranked below…

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‘Let It Go’ singer Keyshia Cole was spotted on the go with son Daniel Gibson, Jr. in Los Angeles yesterday.  Rocking a stylish ensemble, the snaps caught the mother/son duo out shopping on West Hollywood’s lavish Robertson Blvd.

Surfacing shortly after the starlet revealed she is putting the finishing touches on her forthcoming fifth LP ‘Woman To Woman’ (already boasting a duet with Ashanti and sought duet with Brandy), fans should expect to see much of Cole in coming months as she has announced plans on picking the LP’s first single.

The album’s original February due date has been postponed.

See the hot shots below (thanks Rap-Up):

Fans can also look to see the singer on her new reality show ‘Family First’ expected to hit the tube later this year.

Your thoughts?

Alexandra Burke‘s new Fabulous magazine shoot sees her pose it up with a bed of roses. And yet, conversely, the last 12 months have been anything but that for the talented songstress.

Characterised by family drama, a departure from longtime label SyCo, and a polarizing X Factor guest judging spot, the 23 year old is rising above the taxing time with the release of new single ‘Elephant’ and her sophomore album.

Peep excerpts from the insightful interview after the jump, where more pics from the shoot also await.

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