The video for Common’s first single ‘The Game’ from his upcoming album ‘Finding Forever’ premiered yesterday. I’m liking this Kanye West produced track, but the video is kinda blah. I can’t complain too much though as it’s good to have the Chicago rapper back; it’s been a while since he dropped his last album ‘Be’ back in 2005. Common’s latest LP- his seventh- ‘Finding Forever’ drops July 31st via GOOD Music/Geffen.

What do you think of the video?

What do you think of the pics /performance?

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.

Prior to hearing this new track, I had been wondering where Cherish have been for sometime now. After their hit ‘Do It To It’ blew up the charts and clubs alike, they seemingly disappeared into music obscurity – with their follow-up single ‘Unappreciated’ tanking. However, it has been reported that the girls are working on their sophomore CD and this new track ‘Keep It Fresh’ will apparently be featured on the set. I’m definitely liking this one; it’s a cool summer uptempo jam. The production and vocal arrangements remind me of an urban nursery rhyme – in a good way. I’m waiting on that 2nd album, as the first – which was certified Gold- was pretty decent and this track is great.

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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?