This new clip is from one the songs on Mario's upcoming third album 'Go!' - due July 31st. As with most of the material I've heard from the set, I'm really liking the Underdogs produced 'Why'. Mario seems to have stepped up majorly from his previous efforts and 'Go!' is shaping up to be one great album. The only thing I don't understand is why his label, J Records, opted to go with 'How Do I Breathe' as the lead single when there are much better tracks on the CD. Anyway, check out the song...

Labels: Mario

As Kelly Rowland preps the release of her sophomore CD 'Ms Kelly' (due July 3rd), a new track from the set has surfaced on a Tapemasters Inc mixtape. This version of 'Work' features rapper Fat Joe, although it's unclear whether he will feature on the album version. The uptempo track, produced by Scott Storch, sees Kelly in unfamiliar territory - we haven't heard anything from her like this before. It's not what I initially expected and I'm liking some of the other tracks from the set better, but it's still a good song nonetheless.

Labels: Kelly Rowland

The next single from Mya's forever-delayed album 'Liberation' has surfaced. The JR Rotem produced 'Walka Not A Talka is a whimsical uptempo track that would should do well in the clubs. I'm liking it, it's a grower and takes a few listens to grasp. Snoop's verse meshes well with the track too. I'm thinking this should have been the first single instead of 'Lock U Down' - which isn't doing anything on the charts.

Labels: Mya

The pic above is the official cover for T.I.'s forthcoming album 'T.I. Vs T.I.P'. It seems everyone is trying to pass off some kind of 'alter ego' nowadays; T.I. must have got the memo late. I'm hoping the CD isn't a gimmick though, as T.I. usually delivers with his albums. 'T.I. Vs T.I.P' hits stores July 3rd.

Labels: T.I

In news that is sure to disappoint Mya's fans, the singer has once again pushed back her new album 'Liberation'. The CD, which was due to hit stores on August 14th, will now drop on September 18th -as confirmed by her label Universal/Motown.

This is almost becoming pathetic. Whereas before I assumed the delays were caused by the label trying to get things right, it's evident that the project has no sense of direction. The album's first single 'Lock U Down' is under-performing and a follow-up single -'Walka Not A Talka'- has already been lined up. Yet with the album being released in September (if not pushed back again...), a third single will be due by then. My interest in the album and Mya in general is waning. A mess.

Will you be buying 'Liberation' whenever it drops?

Labels: Mya

As the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, preps his comeback album, former collaborator Quincy Jones has stated that he will not be working on the project. According to Jones - who masterminded the 'Off The Wall', 'Thriller' and 'Bad' albums - he and Jackson have had conversations about the possibility of collaborating again but he isn't interested. Jones had the following to say: 'Man please, I've got enough to do. We already did that. I have talked to him about working with him again but I've got too much to do. I've got 900 products. I'm 74 years old. Give me a break.'

Labels: Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones

Ever since hearing about the 'amicable' split between Teairra Mari and Roc-A-Fella Records, I have been wondering where the Detroit singer has been. After having some success with hits 'Make A Girl Feel' and 'No Daddy' back in 2005, Mari kinda disappeared. When she debuted, Def Jam president Jay-Z touted her as the 'Princess of The Roc'; so many were surprised when the label quietly released her in October 2006 - especially since her sophomore album 'Second Round' was already completed. Since then, Mari has signed a deal with Interscope Records and is set to release her 2nd album in the summer. The first single from the set is scheduled to drop anytime from now.

Though many criticised Teairra's first album for being too sexually suggestive i.e. 'Make A Girl Feel' (she was 17 when it was released), I enjoyed the CD. Aside from the singles, tracks like the Darkchild produced 'Stay in Ya Lane' were hot. I'm hoping she does well this time around as there are less-talented artists out now who are selling.

Will you be checking for Teairra?

Labels: Teairra Marí

R&B star Kelly Rowland is the feature model on the cover of the July issue of KING magazine. After hearing Kelly would be doing the cover, I was anxious to see how it turned out; and for the most part, I'm liking it. She manages to keep it sexy, yet classy. It's good to see Kelly getting on that promotional trail in preparation for the release of her 'Ms Kelly' album (due July 3rd). The issue hits newsstands June 5th.

Labels: Kelly Rowland

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?

Labels: Common

Justin Timberlake has announced that he is to launch his own record label - Tennman Records - a joint venture with Interscope Records. The 'My Love' singer will function as the Los Angeles-based company's CEO and chairman. International distribution will be handled by Interscope Geffen A&M. Speaking on the label, Timberlake said 'We are all excited about the talent we have to offer already on our roster and I cannot wait to introduce the world to my new discoveries'. New signings to the label will be revealed in June.

Labels: Justin Timberlake

R&B singer Brandy has broken her silence regarding the various 'wrongful death' lawsuits levelled against her. The complaints were made by the family members of a 38 year old woman -Awatef Aboudihaj- who died in a four-car collision on December 30th last year in LA - a collision they claim was caused by the singer. However, in court documents filed this Wednesday, Brandy, though remorseful, 'specifically denies each and every allegation in the wrongful death complaints filed against her'. The 'Boy Is Mine' singer is requesting the case be brought before a jury to prove her innocence in the accident.

Labels: Brandy

What do you think of the pics /performance?

Labels: Rihanna

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.

Labels: Bone Thugs N' Harmony, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, Trina

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.

Labels: Cherish

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?

Labels: Kelly Rowland, Mya

Rapper 50 Cent covers the July issue of VIBE magazine. Upon first seeing the cover, I thought it was a joke - but it really is genuine. If Mary J Blige thought her cover was bad, she hasn't seen this yet. 50 looks constipated...not a good look. The issue hits newstands in the next few weeks.

Labels: 50 Cent

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?

Labels: Amerie

Bad news for those holding out for the return of The Fugees. Former member Pras has gone on record to state that the status of his reunion with fellow members Lauryn Hill and Wyclef is "Straight dead". Speaking to SOHH, Pras explains "You know, unfortunately Miss Hill, she got some things she needs to deal with. I wish her the best, but life goes on." The critically acclaimed trio were scheduled to release an album last year marking 10 years since the release of their classic LP 'The Score'; a single, 'Take It Eazy' was even released in late 2005. Currently each member is focusing on their own projects; including Pras' new album/movie project and Lauryn Hill's upcoming overseas tour.

Labels: Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Pras, Wyclef

Labels: Kanye West

Rapper 50 Cent has announced that his new album 'Curtis' has been pushed back from June 26th to September 4th. Citing his International following as the reason for the delay, the G-Unit leader said 'I’m an international artist...my fans worldwide deserve to receive my album at the same time as my fans here in the U.S. Taking that into consideration moving the album to September was a necessary course of action.'

Labels: 50 Cent

After numerous set-backs, including being struck with deafness, Foxy Brown has finally set a release date for her anticipated 'Black Roses' album. The controversial rapper revealed to Billboard that 'Black Roses' - her first album in 6 years - will hit stores on September 4th via her new label of the same name. Regarding the album, Foxy said 'No disrespect to anyone, but gear up baby, because when I come, it's over...this album is going to be a lyrical testimony of everything I've gone through and survived the last couple of years. It's just incredible.' Planned collaborations on the album are set to include Jay-Z, Baby Cham and Spragga Benz.

Labels: Foxy Brown

The video for Eve's new single 'Tambourine' debuted last night on BET and Launch. I'm loving the video already; it's a straight concept video and Eve is looking ON-POINT throughout. The video was directed by Melina - who directed many of Beyonce's new videos from the B'Day re-release. She definitely did a better job with this E-V-E vid. The single is taken from Eve's upcoming album 'Here I Am' (due later this year).

What do think of the 'Tambourine' video?

Labels: Eve

Labels: Mo'Nique

It has been announced that R&B songstress LeToya is to be honored by the ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) during its 20th Anniversary Rhythm and Soul Music Awards on June 26th. LeToya's hit 'Torn' is also set to be honored at the event as one of ASCAP's top songs of 2006. Her career is going from strength to strength.

Labels: LeToya

This is apparently the cover for 50 Cent's third studio album 'Curtis'. It's cool, but perhaps would have been more suited to the album's previous title 'Before I Self Destruct'.

Labels: 50 Cent

The video for Mario's lead single - 'How Do I Breathe' - from his new album 'Go' premiered tonight. Whilst the song has grown on me, the video is a disappointment. After Mario being out of the limelight for a few years, I would have expected his label to spend more on this video; yet it comes across kinda cheap-looking. Personally I would have preferred Mario to stray from the sound of his biggest hit 'Let Me Love You'(which 'How Do I Breathe' attempts to replicate) and come with something fresh. Still, there's hope with some of the great tracks I've heard from the set such as 'Kryptonite' and 'Crying Out For Me'. 'Go' drops July 30th.

Hot or Not?

Labels: Mario

The video for Ne-Yo's latest single 'Do You' debuted a few hours ago on BET. I've been waiting on Ne-Yo to bring 'it' in terms of video, yet - as is the case with this video - he doesn't. It's not that the video is poor, it's just too standard - almost boring. I do like the song, however I'm left wondering if it was a good choice for the 2nd single. The way I see it, 'Make It Work' would have been the better option.

What do you think of the video?

Labels: Ne-Yo

Pop star Janet Jackson appears on the cover US Weekly magazine; flaunting that six-pack she is renown for. In the issue, which is out now, the singer explains how she manages to keep fit after dropping all those pounds she gained for a film role.

Labels: Janet Jackson

This new Twista track is slated to be the first single from the Chicago rapper's upcoming album 'Adrenaline Rush' (due this summer). 'Give It Up' was produced by the Neptunes and features Pharrell Williams from group. The song is HOT; the beat is on-point and Twista delivers with his trademark rapid-fire pace on his verses. I'm really feeling the hook as well, it's catchy. I can see this one doing big things. The Hype Williams directed video should be debuting soon. Check out the track...

Labels: Pharrell, Twista