It has been confirmed, via Kelly Rowland’s official website, that her sophomore CD ‘Ms Kelly’ has been pushed back again. The CD, which was supposed to hit stores on June 26th, will now drop a week later on July 3rd.
As much as I’m disappointed with the delay, I can totally understand why. With the major release from 50 Cent on June 26th as well, Kelly most definitely would have got lost in the shuffle and chart badly. I’m guessing her label must really be looking for her to hit #1 with this album.

Will you be picking up ‘Ms Kelly’?
Hit-maker Jermaine Dupri has told MTV News that his Pop superstar girlfriend Janet Jackson is in talks to join him over at Island Def Jam. Durpi, who was appointed President of Urban Music by label chief L.A Reid in February, had the following to say:

‘Definitely Janet will end up at Island…That’s without a doubt. L.A. always wanted to sign her regardless [of whether] I was there or not. I don’t know where that deal is — I left that in the hands of L.A. and Janet’s people — but more than likely, he’ll get what he wants.”
If handled right, I’m sure this will be a good thing for Janet. She is in need of a career resuscitation after the Superbowl incident and poor sales of her albums since. L.A Reid was part of the team that delivered Mariah’s incredible comeback album, so it’ll be interesting to see if the the same can be done for Janet.

R. Kelly – Same Girl (ft. Usher)
This track is apparently taken from R. Kelly’s upcoming ‘Double Up’ album (due May 29th). ‘Same Girl’ – which features Usher- is a great mid-tempo track, with an engaging storyline (kinda like a male version of ‘The Boy Is Mine’). The song has reignited my interest in the new album.

 

LISTEN: Same Girl (ft. Usher) {UPADTED LINK}

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Chris Brown – Wall to Wall

The Swizz Beats-produced ‘Wall to Wall’ is slated to be the first single from Chris Brown’s 2nd album ‘Exclusive’. It’s a decent club track but at the same time its kinda generic- any other standard R&B artist could have dropped this one. I’m sure it’ll be a hit for him, though.

LISTEN: Wall to Wall (HQ) {UPDATED LINK }


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Olivia – Missing You
After her departure from G-Unit, I didn’t think we’d be hearing much from Olivia any time soon. However she has, apparently, started her own label and is heading into the studio with Darkchild, Ne-Yo and Missy Elliott. This new track ‘Missing You’ has a very different vibe to anything I’ve heard from Olivia before and I’m liking it alot. The track has a real ‘grown R&B’ feel to it and her voice is well-suited to this kind of music.

 

LISTEN: Missing You
MTV News is reporting that Beyonce and her label are pulling the plug on the ‘B’Day Deluxe’ album/DVD; stores will now have to stop selling it. This is all due to a lawsuit filed by UK singer Des’ree over her track ‘I’m Kissing You’, which Beyonce -allegedly- sampled without permission on the ‘B’ Day’ re-release. Click here to read the full report.

Truth be told, I didn’t think it would come to this. I mean, the album has only been out for like 3 weeks and it’s already been shelved. You got to believe that Papa Knowles is somewhere fuming over this. The label, apparently, didn’t fund the additional videos, Beyonce did – meaning she is losing a lot of money from the ‘B’Day’ DVD not being sold. If the lawsuit is true, I can’t say she didn’t deserve this.
Michelle Williams Covers Time Out Chicago

Former Destiny’s Child member, Michelle Williams covers of the current issue of Time Out Chicago magazine. Her appearance in the magazine was to promote her stint as Shrug Avery in the Chicago theatre version of ‘The Colour Purple’ (not the New York version of the show that Fantasia is starring in).

{Click to images to enlarge}

The interview is a real interesting read. It’s good to see Michelle is keeping her name out there and that she isn’t sitting at home collecting those Destiny’s Child royalty cheques. I’ve always felt she was an underrated performer and I never understood people’s problem with her. Having said that, her 106th & Park ‘Fall’ is a classic; I had it on constant replay. For real though, I like Michelle and hope she does well.

Click here to read the interview

Mya Album News

R&B singer Mya is finally set to release her new album ‘Liberation’. The CD, which drops on the same day as Kelly Rowland’s ‘Ms Kelly’ album (June 26th) – features production from Bryan-Michael Cox, JR Rotem, Kwame and Scott Storch. Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg both make guest-appearances. ‘Liberation’ has been delayed several times; Mya tells Billboard that the ‘transitioning’ from label to label was one of the main reasons for the wait (word has it that Interscope dropped her after her last album, ‘Moodring’ flopped). She is now signed to Motown.

I’m really liking Mya’s first single from the album, the Scott Storch produced ‘Lock U Down’. However, I heard that track months ago and there is still no video. I hear the vid will debut next week, but isn’t it kinda late? The scheduled second single ‘Walka Not A Talka’ sounds like it’s gonna be interesting – it’s a futuristic club track. I’m not holding my breath with this album though, seeing as there is a high chance it will get delayed again or be mediocre (with only a few good tracks) like her last two albums.

New Sisqo Video – Who’s Ur Daddy

Why? That’s the first thing I thought when I watched this. This has to be the cheapest video I’ve seen in a long while. For real though, how much did they spend on this, cus’ it looks like I could have done this one myself. The song is wack as well; I heard it ages ago but forgot about it…I now know why. He’s still singing about ‘unleashing the dragon’ etc. I don’t doubt that the guy is talented, great songs like ‘Incomplete’ and his work with Dru Hill prove that, but this is a mess.

It’s being rumoured that Ashanti has parted ways with The Inc Records- the label that catapulted her to stardom in 2002. The ‘Only U’ singer has apparently been in negotiations with Jive Records (home to Justin Timberlake, R. Kelly and Ciara) for ‘some time now’. Reps for Jive state that ‘if the deal is finalized, Jive can offer her up to $15-20 Million for a four-year contract’.
I say she should take the money and run! As much as I liked Murder Inc (yeh and what?…lol), they are basically over. The fact that she is working completely outside of the INC for her new album kinda made me suspect that something was wrong. Also, INC owner, Irv Gotti, has been recently quoted as saying ‘Ashanti is doing her own thing’ in response to questions about her status with the label. What does this mean for her new album, ‘Incredible’? Will it ever see the light of day?
{No, this isn’t the album cover}

Our friends over at Rap-Up have had the chance to listen to Kelly Rowland’s ‘Ms Kelly’ album. Check out their preview below:

1. “Like This” featuring Eve
Produced by Polow Da Don
Co-written by Sean Garrett and Kelly Rowland

We’ve all heard this song by now. It’s our favorite track on the album and definitely was the right choice for the first single. Kelly did another song with Eve last year called “Gotsta Go” which did not make the album.

2. “Comeback”
Produced by Scott Storch
Co-written by Kelly Rowland

Catchy, upbeat song and the first of two Scott Storch produced tracks on the CD. On the hook, Kelly sings: “I got that comeback, that hubba bubba…I got a lifetime warranty, guarantee you’ll never leave.”

3. “Ghetto” featuring Snoop Dogg
Produced by Tank
Co-written by Kelly Rowland and Tank

We were told that it was between this and “Work (Put It In)” for the second single. Kelly and her label were going back and forth and finally Kelly told them that she wanted this to be the second single. The smooth, mid-tempo R&B cut features Snoop Dogg. Kelly sings: “Rock your Timbs, sag your jeans, ice your grills, it’s all good with me…That’s what my baby wants, that’s how we be gettin’ it done.” Snoop has a rap in the intro and the middle of the song.

4. “Work (Put It In)”
Produced by Scott Storch
Co-written by Kelly Rowland

This is our second favorite track off the album after “Like This.” This would get our vote for the second single, but “Ghetto” with Snoop is probably a safer choice. The upbeat, fast-paced song has a drumbeat and is a definite club banger. Kelly sings: “No turning back from this party…See all that you can see…Do it baby do it, get it in.”

5. “Flash Back”
Produced by Charlie and Kenny Bereal
Co-written by Kelly Rowland

You might have heard this song already. It was leaked to the Internet a while ago. Kelly sings: “I wish I could relive the past.” The album version is pretty much the same as the one that’s on the net. The instrumental reminds us of the Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland.

6. “Every Thought Is You”
Produced by Loren Dawson and Rockwilder
Co-written by Kelly Rowland

Another song that has already hit the net. This mid-tempo number is one of the more forgettable tracks.

7. “The Show” featuring Tank
Produced by Tank
Co-written by Kelly Rowland and Tank

Slow jam, baby making music. This is a duet between Kelly and Tank where they compare making love to putting on a show. Kelly sings: “I’m getting out my show clothes, so hot when I rock those…I’m setting the stage on fire.” We get to hear a grown and sexy Kelly Rowland.

8. “Interlude”
Produced by Billy Mann
Written by Kelly Rowland

This interlude goes into “Still In Love With My Ex.” Kelly says, “Never thought we’d break up for the better…”

9. “Still In Love With My Ex”
Produced by Soulshock & Karlin
Co-written by Kelly Rowland

We can’t help but think this song is about Kelly’s ex-fiancé, football player Roy Williams. The album version of the song is different than the one that was leaked last year. It’s more upbeat and there’s now a guitar/rock feel to it. “I’m so sorry, please forgive me,” Kelly sings.

10. “Love”
Produced by Mysto & Pizzi
Co-written by Kelly Rowland and Solange Knowles

One of the standout tracks. Mid-tempo love song with lyrics like, “It’s a cold, cold world out there…And when it rains it pours out there…The grass ain’t greener on the other side…I knew you would return once you saw the real deal.” Mysto & Pizzi have worked with Cassie and Nina Sky. Kelly co-wrote this one with Beyoncé’s sister Solange who wrote two tracks on 2002’s Simply Deep. Look out for Solange’s album this September.

11. “Better Without You”
Produced by Charlie and Kenny Bereal

Another song that was probably influenced by Kelly’s ex. Guitar-driven track where Kelly talks about moving on from her past relationship. “I’m pursuing my goals,” she sings.

12. “This Is Love”
Produced by Billy Mann

Love, independence, and maturity seem to be the reoccurring themes throughout the album. This is the third song with “love” in the title. This pop ballad features strings and a guitar. Sample lyrics: “You take my imperfections and turn them into art.”

I’m really liking the tracklist; some of the songs that I was feeling from the unreleased ‘My Story’ album have been left on i.e. ‘Flashback’ and The Show’. The Scott Storch tracks sound like their gonna be hot too. All in all, I’m pretty hyped for this album. She seems to have come hard with this project and I’m hoping she does well. ‘Ms Kelly’ drops June 26th.

R&B singer Ashanti has been out of the limelight for some time now, however reports suggest that she is on the verge of making a comeback. According to her publicist, the ‘Only U’ singer has just finished recording with super producers Pharrell Williams, Polow Da Don, Nephew and LT Hutton. Collaborations with Robin Thicke, Snoop Dogg and Jim Jones are also complete.
I’m actually kinda anxious to hear her new material. I felt her last album, ‘Concrete Rose’ was her best, but kinda got ignored. She seems to have branched out from only working with her INC label-mates i.e. Ja Rule and is switching things up a bit. It’s also cool how she’s laid low for a while before dropping a new album (Rihanna and co should take note); it makes the anticipation for the project more. The currently untitled album is scheduled to hit stores later this year.

It has been reported that Remy Ma has officially been released from her deal with Terror Squad/Universal. The New York rapper apparently requested that she be granted the release after the poor performance of her debut solo album ‘There’s Something About Remy’ which sold a disappointing 75,000 in it’s opening week. Speaking of her next move, Remy had to say:

I’m sitting in meetings all day, everyday politicking my own label, with me being my first artist…I have so many other projects involving films, TV and endorsements, but most important is my album.

Ok then, whatever you say lol. Ma’s release was inevitable after she called out her fellow Terror Squad member Fat Joe on radio last year after her album flopped. What happened to the female rap group Ma, Jackie-O and Shawna were supposed to be in?

Source: AllHipHop.com

Rihanna has premiered her new single, ‘Umbrella’, from her upcoming new album. The track, which features Jay-Z, is good, but nothing special. No doubt it will be a hit, though, as her label insist on shoving her down our throats. When Jay started rapping I got the impression the song was gonna be hot and then her annoyingly nasal singing kicked in. Def Jam are not wasting anytime; the album name has been revealed as ‘ Good Girl, Gone Bad’ (hmmm) and will drop June 6th.

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A new track from Ne-Yo’s upcoming sophomore album ‘Know Me’ (due April 24th) has leaked. The song, called ‘Call Me Crazy’, is scheduled to be the 2nd single from the project. Ne-Yo’s label boss Jay-Z features on the track too. I’m kinda on the fence about this one, it doesn’t really do anything for me. It could be a grower though, as I wasn’t liking ‘Because of You’ (his current single) initially, but love it now. Anyway check it out for yourself….

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Hit-maker Dallas Austin has called out Christina Aguilera and Joss Stone, labelling them ‘chicks who f*ck for tracks’. This has been all over the press today and is not a good look for either artist. Joss Stone, 19, has been getting a lot of negative publicity here in her native country for her erratic behaviour and more recently her alleged relationship with singer/producer Raphael Saddiq. Austin – who produced TLC’s hit ‘No Scrubs’- goes into alot of detail about Christina; and her husband is somehow connected in all this too. All of his comments come across as genuine; plus if he is lying then he has more to lose.

THIS VIDEO IS A MUST SEE!

Dallas On Christina Aguilera:

Dallas On Joss Stone:


Dallas Austin Talking About Joss Stone
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