Having been signed to Island Def Jam by the label’s newly appointed President of Urban Music, Jermaine Dupri, Jagged Edge are back. The R&B quartet have enlisted the help of Ashanti on the JD-produced ‘Put A Little’; the song will apparently feature on their upcoming new album. I’m liking the track alot; it’s reminiscent of their trademark slow jams. Ashanti really comes through on this one and her verse is the highlight of the song.

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I guess it’s just the affiliation with him. Being a female and being on his label and having a close business relationship. I guess that sparks the rumors. I’m guessing. Because there’s no other way. At first it was funny, like Ah this is so funny! Why would they think this? Really? Ew. Then it was like they’re still talking about this? This is getting a little frustrating now. Can they cut this out? Because it got really intense where people just weren’t letting up. Then it turned into a “beef” between me and Beyonce. I was like where are these people going with this? This is crazy.

This new clip is from one the songs on Mario’s upcoming third album ‘Go!’ – due July 31st. As with most of the material I’ve heard from the set, I’m really liking the Underdogs produced ‘Why’. Mario seems to have stepped up majorly from his previous efforts and ‘Go!’ is shaping up to be one great album. The only thing I don’t understand is why his label, J Records, opted to go with ‘How Do I Breathe’ as the lead single when there are much better tracks on the CD. Anyway, check out the song…

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After a brief hiatus, Trina is prepping the release of the follow-up to her 2005 album ‘Glamorest Life’. Set to hit stores in August, the rapper’s latest offering has been titled ‘Baddest B*tch II’. Speaking on the new album – the sequel to her 2000 debut ‘Da Baddest B*tch – Trina told Billboard ‘I put 150 percent into this album. I’m stepping my game up like 10 notches..I have a thousand different emotions and feelings and I show it all in this project. I didn’t want to be sad, just happy and high spirited, so people can see Trina really grew up’. Producers on the CD are set to include Scott Storch, Cool and Dre, and Red Spyder. ‘Baddest B*tch II’ will drop August 14th via Slip-N-Slide/EMI.

Considering the fact that I really enjoyed Trina’s last CD, I’ll be checking for this one. I’m hoping she doesn’t exploit her relationship with Lil’ Wayne, as I didn’t care much when they were together and still don’t now. It seems that’s the route she’s going down – the scheduled first single is called ‘I’m Single Again’….

Mariah & Bone Thugs Set To Film New Video

Fresh from the success of their single ‘I Tried’- which peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100- Bone Thugs N’ Harmony are set to film the video for their next single ‘Lil L.O.V.E’ along with Mariah Carey. The shooting is to take place in New York City on June 4th & 5th.

I’m pleased they decided to go with ‘Lil L.O.V.E’ as the 2nd single from their ‘Stength & Loyalty’ album. The track is hot and real radio-friendly too. I’m anxious to see Mariah in the video, as it’s been some time since the multi-octave beauty has been in the limelight.

I liked this performance; it seems Kelly has improved on her live vocals. The Patti Labelle ‘Love, Need and Want You’tie-in (the song Dilemma samples) was a nice touch. Although, it didn’t help that the crowd was almost completely dead. {LOL at the mess dressed in white..’Watch It’}

Mya Performing ‘I Am’

Watching this performance made me realise how much I actually like the song – why isn’t this a single? Anyway, the performance was pretty good. Mya’s vocals were on-point and the song works well live. As was with Kelly, the lack of crowd response slightly took away from the overall performance. I don’t understand why people go to these shows to sit silent and unresponsive.

What did you think of Kelly & Mya’s performances?

Fresh from a recent promotional stint in Europe, Amerie performed in Korea this week. The ‘One Thing’ singer- who is half Korean herself – performed her current single ‘Take Control’ on the M Countdown show and did a great job. It’s only recently that I realised how good a live performer she actually is. For the most part, the choreography was really on-point.

What do you think of the performance?

This new Twista track is slated to be the first single from the Chicago rapper’s upcoming album ‘Adrenaline Rush’ (due this summer). ‘Give It Up’ was produced by the Neptunes and features Pharrell Williams from group. The song is HOT; the beat is on-point and Twista delivers with his trademark rapid-fire pace on his verses. I’m really feeling the hook as well, it’s catchy. I can see this one doing big things. The Hype Williams directed video should be debuting soon. Check out the track…

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