Five years have separated fans of Janelle Monae from her last album, 2018’s ‘Dirty Computer,’ but the wait for a new LP came to a close thanks the unveiling of ‘Age of Pleasure’ on Friday (June 9).

A 14-track affair kicked off by the sultry single ‘Lipstick Lover,’ the project boasts high-profile features from Grace Jones, Doechii, CKay, Amaarae, and more.

Lined with gems sure to get the live treatment aboard Monae’s highly anticipated ‘Age of Pleasure Tour’ that kicks off August 30, hop inside to stream the studio effort courtesy of Apple Music and Spotify.

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While official news about the City Girls’ new album, the follow-up to 2020’s ‘City on Lock,’ remains a mystery, signs are pointing toward the long-awaited set being in the making.

After scoring top 20 hits on Billboard’s Hip-Hop charts with 2021’s ‘Twerkulator‘ and 2022’s Usher-enlisted ‘Good Love‘ respectively, the Southern belles are hoping to ring a third win on the hitlist with their new single ‘I Need a Thug.’

“I need a thug / Sex, money, and drugs / Private jet flights while I’m gettin’ my back rubbed,” raps Yung Miami on the 30 Roc-produced bop.

Supported by a prominent sample of LL Cool J’s 1987 chart-topping hit ‘I Need Love,’ hop inside to hear the Girls trade verses about the kind of men they need in their lives.

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Jason Derulo is keeping the new music pumping with no signs of slowing.

The last two months may have seen him introduce music lovers to the Dido-assisted ‘When Love Sucks‘ and ‘Glad U Came’ (as we reported here), but now he’s lifting the lid on their follow-up: ‘Slow Low.’

Produced by Pink Slip and Jackson Morgan, Derulo’s ‘Slow’ comes as a unique musical venture because its tempo changes at different points throughout the song – a play on the tune’s lyrics about a lover who is hard to keep up with in the sack.

“Gооd thіngѕ gоnnа соmе іf уоu јuѕt wаіt / Ѕhе rіdе mе fаѕtеr аnd fаѕtеr / Аnd ѕhе dо іt wіth раѕѕіоn / І fееl іt соmіng, іt’ѕ соmіng / Ѕо, bаbу, ѕlоw dоwn,” he croons on the innuendo-laden track.

Hear it in full inside.

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Madonna barely gave music lovers time to get acquainted with her June 2-released single ‘Popular‘ (alongside The Weeknd and Playboi Carti) before the Pop Queen gave her royal blessing to the launch of a new single with another of the day’s top hitmakers: Sam Smith.

As has been teased for weeks, the ‘Like a Prayer’ singer has answered the prayer of many-a-fan when she revealed a mystery collab with Sam – a joint effort that later turned out to the ILYA-produced duet ‘Vulgar.’

“Look like I’m dressed to kill, love how I make me feel / All black in stripper heels, move like Madonna / Rich like I’m in the Louvre, got nothin’ left to prove / You know you’re beautiful when they call you vulgar,” the two sing on the thunderous track.

Reportedly recorded the day after the 2023 GRAMMYs, hear ‘Vulgar’ inside just in time for Pride month.

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DC Young Fly has poured out his emotions following the sudden death of his partner Ms Jacky Oh.

The 32-year-old ‘Wild ‘N Out’ star (born Jacklyn Smith) passed away on May 31, with reports suggesting the tragedy occurred in the wake of a cosmetic procedure.

After issuing a formal statement by way of a rep, DC Young Fly has penned an open letter to Ms Jacky – with whom he shares three young children.

Full story below…

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Leigh-Anne Pinnock is ready to lift the lid on her debut solo single.

And it’s set to arrive sooner than you may think.

Full story below…

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The BET Awards is back and set to blaze on Sunday, June 25.

As always, all eyes are on who’ll be up for nominations at Black entertainment’s biggest calendar night.

Well, wonder no more. For, the nominees’ list has been revealed.

After unprecedented success, Drake leads with seven nominations.

The likes of Beyonce, Lizzo, 21 Savage, and GloRilla all make their presence felt with multiple nominations apiece.

What are you waiting for? The full list of nominations awaits below…

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Cop a gander at Damson Idris!

The actor scorches the latest issue of HighSnobiety magazine in a scintillating shoot.

Lensed by Aaron Sinclair, the feature arrives as Idris navigates the end of one chapter and the beginning of exciting new projects.

For, it lands on the heels of the series finale of ‘Snowfall’ – on which the British-Nigerian star led as anti-hero Franklin Saint for six seasons.

Head below to see more snaps, as well as Idris reflecting on the role and what he’ll be taking from it with him moving forward.

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Coco Jones is having a big breakthrough this year, and now, she has earned her first #1 on a radio chart.

More details below…

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The Weeknd is soaring on pop radio thanks to his collaboration with Madonna and Playboi Carti.

Full story below…

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If GloRilla gets her way, the masses will be ripping a brand new remix of ‘Put It On Da Floor’ out the plastic super soon.

The Latto track has been making waves virally and was gifted fresh fuel by way of a collaborative incarnation with Cardi B. 

Having nabbed a Hot 100 hit with the latter on their smash ‘Tomorrow 2,’ GloRilla has her eyes set on putting her unique flow ‘On Da Floor’ too.

See what we mean below…

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Alicia Keys is ready to unlock the forthcoming ‘Keys to the Summer Tour,’ but ahead of its June 28 kickoff the diva is giving music lovers a taste of what they expect from the highly anticipated jaunt.

Heading over to ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ (GMA) on Wednesday (June 7), the 15x GRAMMY winner dished on the global trek as well as her recently announced musical, ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ (launching this Fall), and more.

Before feet rush to seats to catch Keys in action later this month, she performed the Platinum-certified 2007 hit ‘Like You’ll Never See Me Again’ for the ‘GMA’ audience.

See her in action inside.

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