It’s the figure you’ve all been waiting for.

The US  first week sales of  Rihanna‘s ‘Talk That Talk‘ are finally here!

Without further delay, find out what she sold below…

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To say that former Pussycat Doll frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger may be nearing the end of her 9 musical lives would be a fair assessment.  For a singer whose bids to fame have boasted killer looks, discernible talent, and (not to mention) multiple sturdy platforms for lift off yet no solid launch, begs a striking question:  where is the miscalculation with Miss Scherzinger?

Initially brought to the public’s eye during the infancy stages of the now-common ‘reality talent show’, Scherzinger was one of 5 finalists for the American Idol copycat ‘Pop Stars’ (on WB).  The pop collective, called Eden’s Crush, saw an impressive beginning on Billboard with both a top 10 single and album. Yet, after a record label folding and no follow-up in sight, Scherzinger fell from public view until landing her next (and most successful gig to date) – Pussycat Doll frontwoman.  ‘Doll Domination’ would prove to not only be an understatement, but also the purr-fect set up for its leader as the pop composite conquered Billboard charts with hit after hit.  Millions sold and in the bank (not to mention a real lick of ‘celebrity’), Scherzinger leaped from her sturdiest post yet to pursue a solo career.

2007 saw the Hawaiian beauty attempt to make her first solo splash on charts with ‘Her Name Is Nicole’.  Led by the thunderous T.I.-assisted, Polow Da Don-produced ‘Whatever You Like’, the debut single from ‘Her Name’ surprisingly left her name nowhere to be found on Billboard charts.  With the record later shelved, Scherzinger seemed to have lost yet another footing on Billboard charts.

…until 2010 saw yet another attempt to return to charts with ‘Killer Love’.  Marked as the official debut album of her solo career, the album boasted production from heavy hitmakers like RedOne and others and lifted the sex kitten to her highest heights on UK singles charts (#3 and #1 for singles ‘Poison’ and ‘Don’t Hold Your Breath‘).  And, joining media mogul Simon Cowell‘s judging panel for the (once) highly anticipated ‘X Factor USA’, Nicole finally looked to board the vehicle that relaunched Jennifer Lopez’s once failing career.  That is…until the ‘Try It With Me’ maestra actually…umm…tried it.  ‘Poison’, ‘Don’t Hold Your Breath’, and ‘Wet’ barely made splashes on the ‘Bubbling Under Charts’ in the U.S. and quickly fizzled out.  Add their parent album’s ‘Killer Love’ pushback after pushback, these shortcomings collectively all but indicated ‘Love’s’ death sentence.  And, of course, Scherzinger is slipping right back into a wash, rinse, and repeat of album #1.

With killer looks, dance moves, marketable music, stage presence, and three major platforms, the singer may have hit the nail on the head when she sang ‘I got that poison’ as U.S. record buyers are sleeping on this beauty’s every musical venture.  Could Nicole simply be missing the very X Factor she hopes to help Simon Cowell find?

Now you weigh in:  Has Nicole’s career been just a monstrous musical misstep or a mixture of marketing mishaps?

Your thoughts?

Christina Aguilera‘s weight gain.

Though delicate, we strive to tackle the topics really on the lips of the masses. As such we weigh-in on the singer’s new figure; a figure many argue is having implications for her performance ability and brand.

Hit ‘PLAY’ and be sure to let us know your thoughts?

Rapper T.I. may have built a career on blazing the charts with hot albums and singles alike, but his recent comments on gays being overly sensitive to jokes (featured in the December 2011 VIBE issue of which he covers) set a firestorm in the media.  Definitely no stranger to beefs, the ‘Top Back’ rapper has landed himself back atop of a few disapproving lists (gay rights supporters being the main).

The Grammy-winning Georgian took to VIBE to discuss a number of topics from jail life, his book and forthcoming reality show, return to music, and more.  But, all of the aforementioned were overshadowed by a comment the emcee made about a very ill-received, anti-gay Tracy Morgan joke that landed the comedian in his own splash of hot water.

Recently caught up with by our friends over at TMZ, hear T.I. clarify his statements after the jump:

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‘Ain’t It Funny’ songstress Jennifer Lopez might not find much humor in many headlines including her name.  The triple threat diva, who is Italian carmaker FIAT’s latest ambassador, has found herself the center of a controversy for her most recent commercial with the brand.  For, while news just surfaced of the singer’s developing ‘greatest hits’, she’s been hit with a lawsuit.

Report:

“..reports surfaced that Jenny from the Block actually filmed her parts driving around in the vehicle in L.A. rather than in her hometown of Bronx, N.Y. — the commercial’s original setting — she’s now coming under fire for including a graffiti-covered wall in the clip. TATS Cru, a South Bronx graffiti crew, is suing the 42-year-old ‘On the Floor’ creator for showcasing their work in the commercial without consent.”

*****

While the ‘I’m Real’ diva may be facing a hefty payout for the fake-set commercial, news has surfaced the singer has tapped The Dream and Tricky Stewart to assist with her forthcoming greatest hits cd.  The collection of hits, set to include numbers like ‘I’m Real’, ‘Jenny From the Block’, ‘If You Had My Love’, and more, is tentatively scheduled for a 2012 release.

Your thoughts?

It’s been a tumultuous few years for R&B collective Day26. Indeed, after quick-fire success with their album and ‘Making The Band’ reality show, trouble rocked the quad when member Que was axed, and label-head Diddy left the fold.

Still signed with Atlantic (just no longer a joint deal with Bad Boy), the group hope to bounce back with their aptly titled 3rd studio album ‘A New Day’.

So as to build anticipation for the set (due 2012), Willie, Brian, Mike, and Robert have premiered the debut episode of their new online series, also titled ‘A New Day’.

Check it out after the jump…

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Without a doubt, Brandy‘s upcoming album is one her most anticipated releases to date.

With creative credits from the likes of Chris Brown and Frank Ocean, to name just a few, expectations- to say the least- are high.

So in a bid to heighten the  buzz that surrounds it ,  today the project’s leading contributor Sean Garrett share details regarding the LP and its long awaited lead single.

His comments below…

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Triple threat diva Jennifer Lopez was spotted spending her holiday weekend in Hawaii with new boo Casper the friendly backup dancer.  While this doesn’t mark the first time Jen’s new beau, whose real name is Beau Paul Smart, has gotten attention from the press, its one of the few times the two have been snapped openly exchanging PDA.

The 24-year-old dancer may be adding a few new snaps to his collection, however.  As reports have it, Smart’s recent run-ins with the law may land him behind bars soon.  Before Beau cheeses for that mugshot, get into these shots of the lovebirds below.

(All photos courtesy of Daily Mail).

Your thoughts?

What a tangled web the world of entertainment weaves.

For if  you thought the Twitter spat between Rihanna and Ciara earlier this year was sensational, last night saw Pop icon Cher and Rap Empress Nicki Minaj take online confrontations to all new heights.

All the details  below…

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It really doesn’t matter what your stance is on it , gay rights is an issue that is relevant from  Sacramento to Saigon.

Now, the Rapper T.I has given his thoughts on the hot topic exclusively to VIBE.

His comments below…

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In what will be sure to serve as shocking news for any familiar with Pop belle Ciara, it emerged today that an unfortunate incident – which took place recently-  has forced her to use a wheelchair.

Find out why below…

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Last week saw Pop Royal Rihanna and Neo-Soul upstart Rebecca Ferguson take to the X Factor UK stage to perform their respective singles, ‘We Found Love‘ and ‘Nothing’s Real But Love‘ and to say the performances were polar opposites would be an understatement.

For, while one allowed her voice and the music to do the talking the other opted for pre-recorded vocals and aimless choreography.

Now Ferguson has spoken out on what she thinks of her soon to be chart rival and her creative cause.

Her comments below…

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