Where do I begin?! Aside from being one of cheapest looking movies I've seen in...well...a long time, the storyline had to be a joke. I can't even lie; I don't even know what the film is about as I type - all I know is that that budget zombie nonsense was a mess. Hold on...

Ok, I just watched it back again and am in hysterics. This can't be for real, can it?

Will you be going to see 'Single Black Female'?

Labels: Farrah Franklin

She was getting it - especially on the Destiny's Child Medley ("Haters can't stop me now"). Great stuff.

What do you think of the performances?

Labels: Kelly Rowland

R&B singer Akon is set to be charged in connecton to the much-publicized fan-tossing incident back in June. Check out the report via PEOPLE magazine:

The YouTube clip of Akon tossing a 15-year-old fan into the crowd of a concert has come back to haunt him: Police are slapping the hip-hop star with criminal charges after a fan said she suffered a concussion in the incident.

Akon is due in a Fishkill, N.Y., courtroom Monday to be arraigned on misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment, the Associated Press reports.

During the June concert, Akon threw the audience member from the stage into the crowd. According to AP, the boy landed on another fan, Abby Rosa, who told the Poughkeepsie Journal that she suffered a concussion.

There was no immediate comment from Akon's camp.

I'm glad. It's about time some of these artists started taking responsibility for their actions and, by that, I don't mean making wack 'Sorry' songs.

Labels: Akon

Check out this new track from R&B singer Mario. 'City', which features Akon, was recorded for Mario's forthcoming album 'Go!', however ended up being left off the final track listing. Though I like the overall vibe of the song, I can see why it didn't make the final cut; the album's material is simply alot stronger than this. Still worth a listen, though. {Our interview with Mario will be up on Monday next week}

Hit or Miss?

LISTEN: City (ft. Akon)

Labels: Mario

Labels: Tamia

The video for Snoop Dogg's latest video 'Sensual Seduction' made its debut yesterday. I'm kinda shocked that Snoop went through with the concept of the vid, but must say that it worked. Hilarious. It's actually made me like the song a little better now. The track is the first to be lifted from his 9th studio album 'Ego Trippin' (due early 2008).

What do you think of the video?

Labels: Snoop Dogg

Check out this pic of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown's daughter Bobbi Kristina smoking...well...something. Not trying to be on some moral high ground or whatever, but at 14 years old, this just isn't cutting it. SMH...

Labels: Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston

The video for Cheri Dennis' new single 'Portrait of Love' kinda premiered yesterday. I say 'kinda', as I actually managed to catch the vid last week (thanks Kevin!), however Atlantic Records took it down and kept it on lock and key until the official premiere last night. Anyway, enough with the rambling...

About the video, it's awesome! After some ten or so years of Cheri being on Bad Boy Diddy finally hooked her up - everything from the video's budget to it's concept to the choreography was on point. Great stuff.

Cheri's debut album 'In And Out Of Love' (a very solid effort) is available now on iTunes. The physical version of the LP - which may feature newer tracks - will hit stores in February of next year.

What do you think of the video?

Labels: Cheri Dennis

It appears the controversy surrounding the women in Usher's life has simmered following the birth of his son earlier this week. News of spats between his mom Jonnetta Patton and wife Tameka Foster has rampant for months, however Patton had nothing but good things to say when speaking to PEOPLE magazine about the new addition to the family:

I'm extremely excited and filled with joy about the birth of my grandson, Usher Raymond V," Patton says. "He is beautiful, precious, healthy and such a blessing. I'm very happy for my son and his wife. God has truly blessed them with a special gift. This will be an amazing holiday season for all of us."

Labels: Usher

According to Billboard, Janet Jackson's as-yet-untitled Def Jam debut has been confirmed for a February 2008 release. Jackson is also said to be prepping a worldwide tour in support of the album - the follow-up to 2006's Platinum certified '20 Y.O'. As previously reported, label honcho L.A. Reid will be at the helm of the project, as opposed to boyfriend Jermaine Dupri.

Labels: Janet Jackson

Chart topper Alicia Keys' appearance on the Tyra Show aired yesterday (November 26th). The singer discussed, among other things, the pressures of non-stop work and being near depression as well as how she found herself again. It was a really good interview. Alicia also gave great performances of the first two singles from the album 'No One' and 'Like You'll Never See Me Again'. Check out the performances below:

No One

What do you think of the interview/performances?

Labels: Alicia Keys

According to MTV News, Nas' controversial forthcoming album 'N*gger' has been pushed back from it's December release and will now hit stores in February next year - Black History Month in the US. Check out the report:

Nas had originally planned to put the project out next month, but according to his camp, the album has been pushed to February: Black History Month. Nas told MTV News the first single will drop sometime in January.
{Source}

Labels: Nas

Following the news earlier this month that the legendary Jackson 5 would possibly be reforming for a tour, Jermaine Jackson has gone on record to confirm that the brothers are set to hit the road in 2008 - with Michael. Check out the report via Yahoo Music:

The Jackson 5 will tour in 2008 with Michael Jackson, according to his brother Jermaine.

Rumours about a possible reunion of the pop legends has been rife for some time, culminating in claims from promoter Leonard Rowe recently that live dates were being planned.

Jermaine Jackson has now given the clearest indication yet that the comeback is on and will take place next year, featuring their most famous member.

"Michael will be involved. We want to tour. We want to touch the lives of everybody who's bought our records and supported us.

"It will probably start here first, but it will be sometime in 2008. That's our plan", he told the BBC in a new interview.

Discussing Michael's acquittal on child sex offences in 2005, Jermaine said the five-piece are now "stronger than ever" and "owe" the fans who have supported them through thick and thin.

I'm really looking forward to this. Here's hoping something eventually comes from all the 'talking about a reunion'.

Labels: Michael Jackson

In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald soulful singer Jill Scott detailed a recent incident where she was called a 'n*gger' and how she dealt with it:

“I was waiting outside for the valet to bring the car round, and these … I say kids, but they must have been 25, looking wealthy, five-o’clock-in-the-morning wasted. And this guy’s saying, ‘Step back nigger, step back nigger.’ He’s saying it like it’s a song, but there’s nobody out there but me. I was taken aback, and I said, ‘Excuse me?’

And he said, ‘Shut your mouth and don’t say a word when a white man is talking.’

“I’m not kidding. I started laughing, and I followed him and his cohorts through the parking lot laughing hysterically, and they became more and more uncomfortable. It was one of the best moments of outrageous laughter I’ve had. To think for one moment I could possibly fit into that box … I am so far from that word that it is funny. They looked so uncomfortable; I wanted to emasculate him, to make sure he was getting no nookie that night. The girls sobered up and were looking scared. It was something else - the first time in my life I’ve been called that. Wow. But I enjoyed it. You must fight back; it’s imperative. I like the fight in me now.”

I agree with her 'fight back' conclusion. It's baffling that even in today's society, racial discrimination still exists. SMH...

Any thoughts?

Labels: Jill Scott

A new Mya track has surfaced from her ill-fated (unreleased) 2005 album 'Control Freak'. The interestingly titled track 'Shake It (Like A Dog), features rapper Jim Jones. I’m feeling the song a lot; Mya’s ‘in your face delivery’ as well as the production are on-point. However, it’s the song’s lyrics that let it down IMO. There’s something not quite right about her likening herself to a dog?? Still, lyrics aside, it’s a good track (better than much of ‘Liberation’) and it makes me wonder what other hidden gems were shelved when the album was scrapped.

Labels: Mya

This week's 'From The Vault' video is En Vogue's 1996 mega-hit 'Dont' Let Go'. Arguably one of group's career defining songs, the video also marked the last time the girls would appear as a quartet. Lead singer Dawn Robinson left shortly after the track was released in 1997 due to negotiations to keep her place as a member - whilst embarking on a solo career - falling through:

Timeless. The track's powerful lyrics and even better delivery made this a classic for me. It's a shame Dawn left when she did, as neither she or the group managed to reach the same level of success (or anywhere near) again. Who knows how much further their legacy would have carried on to?

Bonus: 'Don't Let Go' (w/o Dawn) (Live On Saturday Night Live)

Your thoughts?

Labels: From The Vault

After much uncertainty, Kelly Rowland has embarked on a North American tour in support of her 'Ms. Kelly' album. That Grape Juice reader Brice attended the Philadelphia show at the House of Blues; check out their review of the show:

Kelly Killed it............It was a little short but Kelly worked it out. She did a mix of songs from Work, Stole, Cant Nobody, Comeback, This Is Love, Like This, Bad Habit, and DC3 stuff like Say My Name, Survivor, Bug A Boo, Soldier and Bootylicious. The show was wonderful (and) during the song This Is Love Kelly broke down a little and told us that she was thankful for having a loving crowd like us and that for a while recently she didn’t know if she wanted to sing anymore and that her love for the music was burning again.

It's good to know that Kelly is pressing on and isn't letting the negativity force her out of the limelight. Saying that, it's times like this that make me wonder how genuine talent like Kelly can be so overlooked in favour of some of the mediocre artists that populate the music scene at the moment. Hopefully things look up for Kelly soon....

{Click pics to enlarge}

Labels: Kelly Rowland

The 2007 World Music Awards were held earlier this month in Monte Carlo. R&B stars Ciara and Rihanna performed at the event. Check out their performances below:

Ciara (ft. 50 Cent) - 'Can't Leave Em' Alone'



Rihanna - 'Umbrella'

I actually enjoyed both performances. Ciara's vocals were on-point throughout and Rihanna did her thing too.

What do you think of the performances?

Labels: Ciara, Rihanna

Labels: Alicia Keys

In a recent interview with popular UK urban magazine RWD, Amerie spoke candidly on her current label situation/frustrations. Check out the extract below {Thanks Adrian}:

How has your label treated you?
Er, you probably don’t even want to ask me that right now. That’s how I feel abut it. I personally love some of the people that work here in the UK; my publicist Shoshanna and Simon... but I really don’t want to talk about it cos I want to keep it all positive, you feel me?

Well, it seems the album didn’t really perform as well as it should have?
Cos they’re not pushing it like they should.

Why aren’t they?
We want to release Crush, but they feel there’s a lot going on. This is my thing; I’m an artist and this is not rocket science. Take Control was going good, so we knew we had to schedule the video for Gotta Work. But you need money to do a video, and by the time we got it cleared, it was late. They didn’t feel like that, but anybody with half a brain could see it was late. So then Gotta Work was going up, but it peaked and rapidly started coming down, so we knew we needed to do Crush. They said ‘Wait.’ I love the business and I studied the business and I told them we needed to do the other video, because you need to have another single when your other track is peaking. They’re talking about doing it next year, but I’m not doing it next year! So I don’t know what to tell you. I get that everyone’s filled with good intentions, but the road to perdition is filled with good intentions. There should have been no gaps.

I'm kinda surprised (yet pleased) she was so open about the whole thing. I guess, one can only be dragged through the dirt for so long. It's a shame too as 'Because I Love It' is a really solid record - one of my favourites from this year.

Labels: Amerie

R&B singer Kelly Rowland is set to star in NBC's 'Clash of The Choirs' special airing throughout the holiday season. The show pits Rowland against stars such as Patti Labelle and Michael Bolton to create a choir that will go head to head with the other choirs led by artists on the show. It looks pretty interesting and it's good to see Kelly still keeping her name out there.

Will you be tuning into 'Clash of the Choirs'?

Labels: Kelly Rowland

Ashanti performed the US national anthem 'The Star Spangled Banner' earlier today at the NFL Thanksgiving Game (The Dallas Cowboys vs. The New York Jets). For the record, I like Ashanti and know she can sing, but that was a mess. Just horrible. Aside from the fact that it was real pitchy, that last high note...what the hell? Here's hoping she steps up her live performing game by the time she drops her new album 'The Declaration' (due early next year).

What do you think of Ashanti's performance?

Labels: Ashanti

Part 2 // Part 3

Superstar songstress Mariah Carey stopped by The Ellen Degeneres Show on Wednesday to promote her new fragrance 'M By Mariah Carey'. She also briefly touched upon her forthcoming album which is due out 'at the top of next year'. Mariah's always entertaining to watch and came across well.

Any thoughts?

Labels: Mariah Carey

Labels: Beyonce

Check out the new iPod commercial featuring Mary J. Blige. 'Work That' is playing in the background. The track will apparently serve as her next single.

What do you think of the commercial?

Labels: Mary J. Blige

Check out this steamy photoshoot Rihanna and Robin Thicke appear in for GQ magazine. This is kinda random, but I can't deny that it's a great shoot. You can read their joint feature, in which they speak about the success they have enjoyed this year, by clicking here.

What do you think of the pics?

Labels: Rihanna, Robin Thicke

R&B songstress Alicia Keys has surpassed initial sales expectations for her new album 'As I Am'. Whereas the LP was forecast to sell in the region of 600,000 copies first week, Billboard has it's final sales at 742,000 - a career best for Keys. 'As I Am' now stands as having 2007's 2nd highest opening week numbers behind Kanye West's 'Graduation'. {Source}

Labels: Alicia Keys

As some of you may have heard, Ne-Yo was dropped suddenly from R. Kelly's 'Double Up' tour a few couple of days ago. Whilst, at the time, 'contractual reasons' were cited as the reason, the 'Do You' singer has spoken out about the situation on a Washington radio station. Check out the report below via Natasha over at YBF:

...But Ne-Yo now says that he was told to tell people his being dropped was due to financial and contractual issues. But actually it was because he challenged some of the goings on behind the scenes of the tour. And that may or may not (he purposely remained vague on the issue)have led to contractual obligations not being fulfilled. He discussed how simple things like a dressing room were not given to him and his dancers because R. Kelly wanted all 7 of the dressing rooms to himself. He also said that R. Kelly and his people were quite unprofessional and demanded Ne-Yo’s rehearsal times be cut short. Basically he wasn’t feeling the respect level given to him and said “No” to many of the unplanned and slightly disrespectful changes. And apparently, after Keyshia Cole threw a fit and threatened to not perform on opening night because she didn’t like that R. Kelly’s people slated her to go on before Ne-Yo, they didn’t drop her for challenging their decisions. And Keyshia still ended up not performing that night. Ne-Yo says all that wasn’t cool and he’s being treated unfairly.

He says he definitely still respects R. Kelly musically, but not as a man. Sounds like The Kells’ divatude is back in play…reminiscent of the Best of Both Worlds Tour with Jay-Z. And we all know how that ended up. Ne-Yo was asked about whether any lawsuits would come of this and he responded with the typical “We’ll see what happens” response. He also says now that he has all this free time on his hands, he’s trying to put something together on his own for his fans.

Whatever the real reason, it was pretty messed up to drop him from the tour - especially after Keyshia Cole's rumored behaviour. all of this makes me question R. Kelly's logic; I mean, with his trial coming up soon, he's gonna need every bit of good press he can get and this definitely isn't a good look.

Labels: Ne-Yo

In what comes as, somewhat, of a surprise, it has been announced that Solange Knowles has signed a new recording contract with Geffen Records. The deal, which sees Knowles move to Los Angeles, is a joint-venture between Geffen and Music World Music. Geffen is home to major artists such as Mary J. Blige, Fergie and Keyshia Cole. 'Solange and The Hadley Street Dreams', Knowles' debut for the label, is set to hit stores early next year. {Source}

Labels: Solange

Labels: Chris Brown

I know it's short notice, but I'll be conducting a phone interview with Chingy tomorrow (November 21st). The DTP star is gearing up for the release of his fourth album 'Hate It Or Love It' on December 18th. So, please drop any questions you may have for him in the comments section. Remember, only genuine and appropriate questions will be considered :)

Labels: Chingy

According to our friend Sandra Rose, R&B singer Monica has recently renewed her contract with J Records and is in the process of recording a new album. The singer, who is eight months pregnant, is working with hit-makers Bryan Michael Cox, Missy Elliott and Ne-Yo on the CD. What's more, she has gone on record to confirm that the album will consist of mainly ballads and slower numbers - no more crunk/' hot for the moment' tracks this time around.

Labels: Monica

As reported, Michael Jackson will be releasing a revamped version of his career defining album Thriller in celebration of the album's 25th anniversary. Four of Thriller's original tracks are receiving the remix treatment by Kanye West, Will.i.am and Akon for the re-release. The songs are 'Billie Jean', 'The Girl Is Mine', 'Pretty Young Thing' and 'Wanna Be Starting Something'. The later was covered by Akon.

Labels: Akon, Michael Jackson

With the release of Mary J. Blige's album 'Growing Pains' drawing nearer, new material from the anticipated LP has surfaced. 'Work That' sees Blige proclaim a self-appreciation message. Though I'm feeling the song's overall positivity, it sounds like an album-only track. I'm hoping the album has better material than this. 'Growing Pains' hits stores December 18th.

LISTEN: Work That {Updated Link}

Labels: Mary J. Blige

A radiant looking Whitney Houston confirmed that she will be taking to the stage at the Live & Loud music festival in Malaysia on December 1st. The renown diva will perform a one-hour set of her many hits.

Like everyone else, I'm anxious to see if she still has 'it' in her. I'm rooting for her all the same and hope she pulls it off.

Do you think Whitney can have a successful comeback?

Labels: Whitney Houston

Chingy premiered the video for his new single 'Fly Like Me' on BET's Access Granted a few hours ago. The vid is pretty much standard fare and nothing out of ordinary - serves it's purpose, I guess. Amerie, who is featured on the song's hook, looks near-flawless; her label need to hurry up and drop her album in the US already. Anyway, 'Fly Like Me' is the first single to be lifted from Chingy's brand new LP 'Hate It Or Love It' which will be released on December 18th.

What do you think of the video?

Labels: Amerie, Chingy

This actually seems like it'll be a good watch. Aside from the obvious strained relations with Omarion, it'll be interesting to see how they plan on making a comeback.

Any thoughts?

Labels: B2K, Lil Fizz, Raz-B

{Spotted @ Concrete Loop}

Rapper Lil' Kim attended the Jason 'Baby-J' Martin & DJ Sussone Birthday Extravaganza in New York this past weekend. I dunno, but since the surgery, Kim's look has ranged from 'ok' to train-wreck. About this pic, let's just say she's had better days....SMH

Labels: Lil Kim

British singing sensation Leona Lewis has set a new record for fastest-selling UK debut album of all time. Lewis' album 'Spirit' sold a staggering 375,872 copies in it's first week, beating the previous record set by the Arctic Monkey's 2006 LP 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' by some 12,000 copies. 'Spirit' now stands as the fourth fastest-selling UK album (not just debut) of all time. The multi-octave singer is set to hit the US early next year. {Source}

Labels: Leona Lewis

Additional Performances:

Will.i.am // Nicole Scherzinger // Fergie

The performances, to me, were kind of a mixed bag....

I mean, though it's understandable why Beyonce would perform 'Irreplaceable' (it's the song she was nominated most for), she performed the very same track at the 2006 American Music Awards; the country twist was a nice touch, though.

IMO Chris Brown took it to the next level tonight - in terms of stage spectacle. However the fact that he was lypsynching was painfully obvious. It's 2007, lipping to the CD version of a track isn't cutting it -he should have used pre-recorded vocals (See: Janet Jackson).

Call me a hater or whatever, but Rihanna's voice was extra nasal tonight and the lack of depth in her vocal ability really showed through. Ne-Yo, on the other hand, was great.

In what was the first televised performance of Mary J. Blige's new single 'Just Fine', I felt she did just that. Though kinda off at the start, she picked it up from the middle onwards and did her thing.

Performance of the night IMO goes to Alicia Keys. Vocally, she was as-ever, on-point. Moreover she switched things up with the remix and the surprise blasts from the past i.e. Chaka Demus and Pliers. Great stuff.

What do you think of the performances?

Labels: Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Will.i.am

PEOPLE.com are reporting that Kanye West broke down on stage during a concert on Saturday. The rapper's mother passed away just last week. Check out their report:

Only a week after his mother's death, Kanye West returned to the concert stage Saturday night in Paris, only to dramatically break down in tears, audience members tell PEOPLE.

Nearing the end of the more than 60-minute performance, with the riff of "Hey Mama" beginning, West attempted to introduce the tribute to a sold-out crowd at Le Zénith in Paris, saying "this song is for my mother...." and could get no further.

"He just cracked," one attendee tells PEOPLE, "He was at the end of his concert and had just started to dedicate the song and then he just lost it completely, crying onstage for five minutes."

"He said the word, 'Mother' and just couldn't go any further," Le Parisien journalist Meddy Magloire said. "A back-up singer, the DJ and a guitar player came over to console him. It looked like he might collapse. He just couldn't continue. He just stood there in a spotlight, crying while the band continued playing."

After a few moments of stunned silence, Magloire says, the audience of 5,000 reacted by offering calls of encouragement, which grew into applause.

Trying to recover onstage, West restarted the song but was unable to finish. He left the stage, returning after 10-15 minutes to conclude the concert with a rousing performance of "Stronger."

"He was very nervous, seemed to have gathered himself up, and had a lot of energy," Magloire says. "He kept shouting out to the audience, 'I need you... I need you right now.' and the public was screaming back. It was magic.

Though I feel its kinda soon for him to be performing, I think, reading this, I have a new-found respect for him. The funeral for Donda West will take place on November 20th in Oklahoma City.

Labels: Kanye West

Too funny. 'The Adventures of Mimi' DVD hits stores on November 20th, interestingly the same day Beyonce releases her 'Beyonce Experience' live DVD.

Any thoughts?

Labels: Mariah Carey

Like myself, some of you must have been wondering where signer/songwriter Johnta Austin has been. When interviewing him a few months back (click here to read the interview), everything seemed to be in place for the Grammy award-winning talent's emergence as an artist. For whatever reason, the project came to, somewhat, of a halt.

Labels: Johnta Austin

With songstress Alicia Keys on course to storm the charts next with her new album 'As I Am' (selling in the region of 600k-625k), there's no doubt that the singer is onto another smash.

Labels: Alicia Keys

I'm liking Chris' performances more and more these days; I wasn't really feeling all the crazy dancing and huffing and puffing of his past performances. He came across well in the interview as well. Chris' new album 'Exclusive' is in stores now.

What do you think of the performance / interview?

Labels: Chris Brown

Brandy hosted a baby shower for Omar Epps and wife Keisha (formerly of Total) at her home in Calabasas, California earlier this month. Other guests in attendance included Marlon Waynes with wife Angela, Jackie Long and close friend/ former Total member Pam. Keisha (pictured above, along with Brandy and Pam) is due to give birth to a baby boy in December.

Labels: Brandy

This actually looks pretty good. After a series of terrible flicks including the sleep-inducing 'Are We There Yet', Ice Cube may be onto a hit with this one. Look for a release early 2008.

Will you be checking for 'First Sunday'?

Labels: Ice Cube, Katt Williams

"I have prided myself on loyalty, respect and professionalism. It saddens me that I was not always shown those same courtesies during my 14-year tenure as Mr. Kelly's publicist ... There are some lines that should never be crossed professionally or personally. Mr. Kelly crossed a line that forever altered the scope of our relationship. For this reason I made the decision to resign." {Source}

Labels: R. Kelly

Labels: Mary J. Blige

Labels: Kelly Rowland

Following her departure from Blackground Records earlier this year, R&B star Toni Braxton has been hard at work on her sixth studio album. Though currently untitled, the album is set for release early 2008. Most interestingly, the LP is slated to drop via J Records - reportedly Braxton's new label. If true, it'll be a homecoming of sorts for the 'Unbreak My Heart' singer, whose most successful years were when signed to Arista (now J Records). Bryan Michael Cox, Johnta Austin and Monica have all been tapped to work on the project. {Source}

Labels: Toni Braxton

Amy Winehouse's tour manager has up and left the embattled 'Rehab' singer, claming that working for the star was harming his health. See the report below:

Troubled Amy Winehouse has been dealt another blow today after her tour manager quit amid drugs accusations.

Thom Stone walked out on the singer just a day after she had a meltdown during a gig in Birmingham, swearing at fans and falling over on stage.

Mr. Stone confirmed he had quit after it was said that he found working with Winehouse and her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil who is currently behind bars, was harming his health.

The last straw was when Amy, 24, and Blake were arrested with cannabis in Norway last month.

The Sun reported today that doctors found heroin in Mr. Stone’s system after he inhaled it passively on Amy’s tour bus.

The tour manager is said to have produced a doctor’s note which revealed traces of the class A drug in his blood.

“He insisted to the management team that the only way that could have happened would have been through inhaling it from Blake and Amy. Thom just had it up to here. It was a nightmare job,” the paper reported. {Source}

As much as I support Amy, there's no denying the woman is out of her mind. Check out this vid of her allegedly taking 'something' on stage during her show in Zurich recently:

How and why she is still allowed to perform when it's common knowledge she's a crack head is beyond me. Someone needs to stop all this before it's too late. SMH..

Labels: Amy Winehouse

Rapper Chingy makes his official return to the DTP (Disturbing The Peace) fold with new album 'Hate It Or Love It', which drops on December 18th.

Labels: Chingy

Actor Will Smith appears on the cover of the December issue of Men's Vogue magazine. With Barack Obama, Tiger Woods and Denzel Washington all having appeared on the cover of the mag this year, it reinforces a positive shift with the Vogue institution as a whole - which has seen very few black stars grace its cover through the years.

Labels: Will Smith

According to reports, the legendary Jackson family (Janet included) may be set to tour in 2008. Check out the report via Yahoo Music below:

Rumors of a Jackson 5 reunion show for 2008 have been sparked by a concert promoter.

Leonard Rowe promoted Michael Jackson's Off The Wall tour the late '70s/early '80s. He has now met with the Jacksons to discuss the possibility of a reunion tour in 2008.

Rowe told Access Atlanta: "His brothers are ready. Janet is ready. But the motor of that car that makes the car run, isn't just yet."

Rowe added: "In April of this year, I flew out to Las Vegas and met with them all and he told me, 'Let's look at '08.' We wanted to go this year, but [Michael] said it would take a lot of preparation. He didn't say no."

The last Jackson 5 studio album was 1989's 2300 Jackson Street.

Speculation about such a tour has been rife for years now, but this marks the first time a credible source has spoken about it. I'm all for a Jackson tour, although I doubt it'll materialize - too many egos. A few one-off specials, perhaps?

Labels: Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson

The Queen of Hip Hop/Soul, Mary J. Blige has teamed up with funk-rock collective Maroon 5 for a remix to the band's current single 'Wake Up Call'. Produced by Mark Ronson, the remix works on a number of fronts - it's great to see Mary venturing out of her R&B niche as she did with her collabo with U2 on 'One'.

Labels: Mary J. Blige

Ok, it appears much of Beyonce's forthcoming DVD ('The Beyonce Experience') has been 'surfacing' as of late, so it's for that reason that this will be be the last vid posted here until the DVD drops on November 20th.

About the performance, she nailed it! IMO 'Get Me Bodied' is hands down the best track on 'B'Day', so it was good to see her do the performance justice live - extended version and all. A tidbit: did anyone else spot the guitarist during the 'drop down low and sweep the floor with it'? She was getting it! LMAO!

What do you think of the performance?

Labels: Beyonce

Although his pelvic thrusts were geriatric and his tongue aerobics creepy, Brown got through his portion of the New Jack Swing show without major incident. The “King of R&B” (who appeared with one-half of Jodeci, two-thirds of Tony! Toni! Tone! and one-third of Guy) ably revisited his post-New Edition, pre-Whitney Houston peak, including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Roni” and, of course, “My Prerogative.” As is always the case with Brown, however, what he said was far more interesting than what he sang.

“Baltimore!” Brown shouted at one point. When the crowd failed to react, he asked, “Where am I right now?” After figuring out he was playing to a Washington crowd, Brown said, “They told me I was in Baltimore — I guess so I could come out here and embarrass myself.” The singer also played coy about his reported October heart attack: “You all think I had a heart attack, but I’m all right. I made it. They told me I had an hour and 15 minutes, now they’re telling me I only got 40. I only got 40 minutes, but I still got broke off. I can pay child support for another year — y’all won’t be seein’ my [behind] in jail no more!”

Labels: Bobby Brown

R&B singer Chris Brown is set to star in holiday flick 'This Christmas' alongside Regina King. The teen star co-directed this video for the song (of the same name) from the film's soundtrack. Both the song and video are pretty decent. Veering off topic slightly, this has just reminded me of how quick 2007 has gone by - we're at the end of the year already. Anyway, 'This Christmas' will hit theatres across the US on November 21st.

What do you think of the song/video?

Labels: Chris Brown

As many of our readers will know, I interviewed R&B singer Mario last week (look out for the interview later this week). The 'Crying Out For Me' singer confirmed that he will be doing shows in the UK during December. Below are the dates and other info:

Labels: Mario