From The Vault this week journeys back to the very end of the Urban friendly 90’s, precisely 1999 when R&B veteran Faith Evans released the bombastic single ‘All Night Long’.

Serving as the second single from Evans’ sophomore set ‘Keep The Faith’, the track proved to be another smash for the songstress, reaching the Top 10 of the Hot 100 and Hot R&B Hip-Hop tallies following the worldwide monster that was ‘Love Like This’. Similar to its predecessor, ‘Night’ was produced by Faith alongside Mr Sean Combs aka Diddy (or Puff Daddy as he was referred to back then). Of course, true-to-form Combs also had a guest spot on the song.

Directed by the great Paul Hunter, the single’s edgy japanese themed video remains a regular on the few music channels that actually still play…music. And with good reason too; indeed it’s a visual throwback to an era when R&B videos -on mass-had dollars and gloss pumped into them.

On a random note, the clip also serves up the LOL’s in that it’s also a nod to an era which saw Puffy hog up the screen of any song he produced or featured on. And in the case that is was both, it may as well have been his own video. For our younger readers, the mogul’s uncanny talent of putting himself first didn’t just apply to his Making The Band alumni.

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With Faith and her fellow ‘R&B Divas’ riding high on the show’s success, we can’t stress enough how much we are salivating for a new Ms. Evans project. As witnessed by the show, she is still an artist who has much to say and of course that voice is just undeniable.

Let’s Keep The Faith and pray for that album to come out sooner rather than later.

Your thoughts?

They may be one of Pop culture’s highest earning brands, but if court documents released today are anything to go by- Young Money financial dealings are set to land them in hot water.

Details below…

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Looks like FOX’s ‘American Idol’ is looking to give the idea of musical chairs a new meaning.

As has made its share of circulation, the speculation that ‘If You Had My Love’ singer Jennifer Lopez had intentions to return to the next season of ‘American Idol’ was ended when the songstress officially announced her departure today.

Indeed, yesterday did see the exit of fellow singer Steven Tyler from the show’s judging panel (as Lopez implied the chance of her following suit).  Well, the Bronx beauty cleared up any rumors as she phoned in to Ryan Seacrest‘s radio show to tearfully impart news of her pending departure.

We guess not even that cool multimillion dollar payout was enough to keep the ‘On the 6’ maestra onboard.  Take a listen below:

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As headlines were rocked today with news that ‘Walk This Way’ rocker Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) won’t be finding his way back to the American Idol judging panel next season, ‘Dance Again’ diva Jennifer Lopez once again reignites rumors she may be walking as well.

Despite enjoying a hefty $20 million dollar payout for her participation in ‘Idol’s’ last season, the media mogul – who took to ‘The Today Show’ today in support of her latest film ‘Ice Age: Contintental Drift’ – was quizzed on her world tour, upcoming ventures, and plans to return to the reality talent show.

Find out what she shared and also catch her dance up a storm in this new behind the scenes footage from her Enrique Iglesias-assisted world tour after the jump:

 

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‘Down For Whatever’ diva Kelly Rowland is set to go down under with ‘Don’t Wanna Go Home’ hitmaker Jason Derulo for Australia’s newest reality talent competition.

Featured on Network Ten, the multimillion dollar show – ‘Everybody Dance Now’ – will be fashioned much after popular dance show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’

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As the former first Lady of Hip Hop, Lil Kim has seen her fair share of feuds- going to jail in 2005 for a shooting related to her spat with fellow Femcee Foxy Brown.

Ever the fire starter, this week saw the Rapstress weigh in on unlikely rival Drake who mocked her in 2010 during her feud with Rap Queen Nicki Minaj.

Now, she has weighed in on him for the first time this year, giving her two cents on his recent brawl with ‘Fortune’ beau Chris Brown.

Her harsh remarks below…

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Last night, the world began mourning the death of Yvette Wilson– the acclaimed comedienne most recognized for her work in 90s sitcom.

A long time sufferer of cervical cancer, the last few months saw the actress call on the public’s help to fund her treatment as the US health system- unlike that of the UK’s- does not offer free medical care.

Enraged by the injustice, ‘Superbass‘ Rapper Nicki Minaj took to Twitter to air out her feelings. Feelings, which have now scored her an invitation to the White House to debate the issue.

Full story below…

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For years many awaited Lauryn Hill‘s return, following a decade spent living away from the public eye to raise her family.

Then, in the middle of last year, the vocalist returned to the stage delivering a number of well received sets at festivals around the USA- and dates in and around Europe.

However, just when her career seemed to be finding its footing, today saw a spanner thrown in her works. Reports claim she may be headed to jail for not paying taxes in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Taxes, that add up to become a whopping $1.5 million.

Now she has responded to the claims with a chilling open letter, shedding light on what she purports to be a dangerous music industry.

Read below…

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Earlier this evening, numerous reports claimed Rap Queen Nicki Minaj was to welcome Foxy Brown and ‘212‘ sweetheart Azealia Banks to the stage during her set at Summer Jam 2012, the event in which she is headlining.

This, for any aware of the star’s feud with Rap veteran Lil Kim, was seen a subtle dig at the MC as Foxy and Banks are-like Minaj herself- engaged in their own respective spats with her.

So in response to the reports, Kim took to Twitter to air out her feelings.

Her comments below…

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Congratulations are certainly in order for Rihanna.

Yes, while her talent may still be missing in action and a #1 US album still dodging her like the plague, the star has scored quite the feat today.

For today, the UK’s Official Charts Company released the Top 150 Biggest Selling Singles Of The 21st Century.

A list, which sees Rihanna named 9 times- beating the likes of Beyonce, Adele and Lady GaGa.

Full list below…

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As if MAC, OPI cosmetics, and Adidas aren’t enough, Harajuku Barbie Nicki Minaj is now trading in her signature pop stylings for a new kind of pop – a commercial with Pepsi.  One of many stars (see:  Katy Perry, etc) tapped for the cola makers’ “Live For Now” global campaign, full view of Minaj’s advertisement, entitled “Now In the Moment”, is set to debut Monday (May 7).

Set to feature a reloaded version of her hit ‘Moment 4 Life’, fans learned of the collaboration weeks ago when it was announced she’d inked a multi-million dollar deal with soda giants.

Your thoughts?

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It’s easy for Lana Del Rey detractors to write her off as a manufactured Pop star without a genuinely talented bone in her body–mainly due to her horrendous live debut on ‘SNL’ earlier this year.

However, after listening to ‘Born To Die’ anyone with an ear for music and appreciation for dynamic songwriting have accepted Lana Del Rey as a misunderstood savant of grand, orchestral Pop and a premium lyricist. ‘Born To Die’ finds Dey Rey using her infamous Contralto over dark, angst filled productions creating some of the best atmospheric Pop music since Norah Jones‘ Grammy Award-winning LP ‘Come Away With Me’ (2002).

Watch the 25 year old songstress perform the bulk of her album for fans at a Jazz Cafe in London Town after the jump and sound-off below.

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