MTV News is reporting that rapper Chingy has squashed his beef with Ludacris and reunited with the Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP) family. The move comes as a surprise considering the reason the St Louis rapper left the group in late 2004 -alleged money/deception issues. Although it's unknown whether Chingy will re-join DTP at Def Jam (he's been signed with Capitol since his departure), he is definitely back in the fold.

I know R. Kelly has stated that his upcoming album 'Double Up' is 60% R&B and 40% Hip-Hop, but this cover is a joke. The man is 40 years old and looks like a fake thug. I'm getting the vibe that this is the direction the album is going in; I've heard the 2nd single 'Blow It Up' and it's a mess. I know his music has always had some Hip-Hop influence, but this is coming across like a big gimmick. 'Double-Up' hits stores May 29th.

Ne-Yo: "Mariah's Comeback Should Inspire Whitney"

R&B singer/songwriter Ne-Yo has described new songs by Whitney Houston that he has heard as 'impressive'. However, Ne-Yo, who is currently writing songs for Houston's album, wants to avoid creating songs that scream 'I am Whitney Houston and this is my triumphant comeback. Instead, he suggests that Whitney takes inspiration from Mariah Carey's comeback; not singing about her drama, but just everyday situations.

I think he kinda has a point; most of the albums that are too message-driven often fall flat e.g. Whitney's last album 'Just Whitney'. Let's just hope his tracks for the album are good.

Labels: Chingy, Ne-Yo, R. Kelly

Labels: Beyonce, Kelly Rowland

Having watched Rihanna's video for 'Umbrella', I can say that I'm liking it. The video didn't 'WOW' me but it's still good- her best video so far. From the images of vid I saw a while back, I was expecting more - but it still turned out ok. The ballerina scenes were pretty cool, as were the body paint scenes too. Rihanna's album 'Good Girl Gone Bad' hits stores on June 5th.

Hit or Miss?

Labels: Rihanna

I'm liking the 'different' vibe Fantasia went for in this video. It's generally unlike her past videos. The 'couples' theme was a nice touch as well. For some reason, some of the neighbourhood scenes remind me of TV show 'Everybody Hates Chris'. 'When I See U' is one of my favourite tracks from Fantasia's excellent self-titled album and I hope it does well.

What do you think?

Labels: Fantasia

So, Mya's back with her much anticipated new video 'Lock U Down' and I'm liking it alot. The best aspect of the vid has to be choreography... it's ON-POINT. It's a simple concept video and it works. As I've said before, I think the song is great and it's good to see that the video does the track justice. Mya's new album 'Liberation' will hit stores June 26th.

What do you think?

Labels: Mya

Labels: Left Eye

I really didn't understand all the hype about the original version of Diddy's 'Last Night' - I felt that it was just O.K. It seems I'm in the minority as most people are feeling the track, one his best performing singles from the album. This official remix features Lil Kim, Busta Rhymes and of course Keyshia Cole. I'm really liking it. Some of these remixes end up turning better than the originals, like this and Busta's 'Touch It'. Check it out...

Labels: Busta Rhymes, Diddy, Keyshia Cole, Lil Kim

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.

Labels: Beyonce

Pop superstar Janet Jackson is set to return to the music scene later on this year. According to her boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri, Janet will release a new single in the summer - which will be featured on the Rush Hour 3 soundtrack. The single is set to be released and promoted by Island Def Jam, where Dupri is head of the Urban division.

Labels: Janet Jackson

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.

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.

Labels: Michelle Williams, Mya, Sisqo

Ciara - Like A Boy (Remix) (ft. Trey Songz)

I'm really liking this remix. Ciara's vocals are basically the same as the original version, however Trey Songz raps and sings about the song's topic from a male perspective. I've always felt 'Like A Boy' was one of the better tracks on Ciara's 'Evolution' album. I'm not sure if this is an official remix, either way Trey Songz is really getting himself out there in preparation for his own upcoming album 'Trey Day' - due May 8th.

LISTEN: Like A Boy (Remix) (ft. Trey Songz)

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Fabolous - First Time (ft. Rihanna)

This one has been floating around the net for a while; it's yet another Fabolous collaboration (he should just put out a collaboration album already). 'First Time' is scheduled to be one the singles from his new album 'From Nothing To Something' (due June 12th). I'm kinda feeling the track; the beat knocks and Rihanna does her thing singing the hook.

LISTEN: First Time (ft. Rihanna)

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Usher - Oooh Shawty (ft. Sean Paul of Youngbloodz) (Remix)

As Usher preps his new album 'The Masterpiece' (due for a November release), this remix version of one of the earlier leaked tracks has hit the net. Produced by DJ Unique, the 'Oooh Shawty' remix is hot; I'm actually liking it a lot more than the original. The beat is on-point, it's definitely a banger. I'm anxious to see what Usher comes with on this new album, as I don't think he can top 'Confessions' in sales or quality. You never know, though.

LISTEN: Oooh Shawty (ft. Sean Paul of Youngbloodz) (Remix)

Labels: Ciara, Fabolous, Usher

As some of you already know, American Idol winner Fantasia is currently starring in Oprah Winfrey's Broadway production of 'The Colour Purple'. Fantasia plays the leading role of Celie and the reviews, so far, have been great. Check out the MP3 of her singing the show's main song 'I'm Here' live on stage. It's the same song she performed on Oprah last month that had Fantasia, herself, and the audience in tears. She did even better this time. Flawless. The audience went crazy for her too {listen at 4.31 - "Sing it Fantasia" LOL}.

Labels: Fantasia

Credit: Rihanna-Fenty.com

Labels: Rihanna

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'.

Labels: Ashanti

Teen R&B star, Chris Brown has shed some light on his upcoming sophomore album, 'Exclusive' (due September). Producers on the album are set to include Bryan-Michael Cox, Scott Storch and will.i.am. Brown, who co-wrote some of the cuts on the album, describes the CD as having a 'more mature/edgier sound'- including songs of a sexual nature. 'I'm not trying to go overboard and lose my (younger) fans though' Brown told Billboard.

Labels: Chris Brown

Labels: Kelly Rowland

Labels: B5, Beyonce, Pretty Ricky

Labels: Rihanna

{No, this isn't the album cover}

Labels: Kelly Rowland

NY Daily News is reporting that R&B star Alicia Keys has pushed back the release of her third album from June to October. The official reason given by her spokesperson was that there were 'scheduling conflicts' with her blossoming acting career. However, it is rumoured that the singer is unhappy with the promotions situation at her label, J Records. Ken Wilson, the promotions director Keys 'trusted and relied on' was fired from the Clive Davis owned label.

Whatever the case, there are definite problems over at J Records. Solid albums by previously successful artists such as Fantasia and Monica severely underperformed due to bad promotion. It was as if the label's artists would pop-up a month before their album would drop. With no single out now, Alicia would have been in the same situation come June. The label need to sort themselves out if they want their artists to actually sell; it's not good when the top artist isn't happy. It kinda makes me worry for upcoming J Records releases from Whitney Houston and Jennifer Hudson.

Labels: Alicia Keys

Labels: Ali and Gipp, Ciara, LeToya, T.I, Trey Songz

Labels: Pretty Ricky, Sean Paul