HEADLINES
K. Michelle Takes Fans Behind the Scenes of Rebel Against Campaign
AtlanticK. Michelle wants to give women a voice, and she's doing that through a special campaign called Rebel Against. The singer, whose upcoming album is titled Rebellious Soul, is the latest celebrity to team up with Saving Our Daughters, an organization that works to stop bullying and domestic violence.
In a video behind the scenes of her Rebel Against photo shoot, K. Michelle talks about her new partnership, explaining, "I teamed up with Saving Our Daughters to just empower women on different things that might make them feel inferior, whether it might
...Read moreRihanna Working on a New Album Already?
PR NewswireRihanna may already be working on the follow-up to her latest studio album, 2012's Unapologetic. In an interview with The Source, producer and songwriter Rodney Jerkins reveals that he's been cooking up material for some major stars, including Rih.
"There’s a lot of good stuff happening," Rodney tells The Source, explaining that he has plans to work with Britney Spears,
...Read moreKelly Rowland's "Talk a Good Game" Track List Revealed
RepublicThe track listing for Kelly Rowland's Talk a Good Game album has made its way online. The 15-track set is available for pre-order from iTunes, which means there's finally a little more information about Kelly's much-anticipated track with her Destiny's Child pals Beyonce and Michelle Williams.
The trio collaborate on a song titled "You Changed," but since no preview is available yet, fans will have to wait and see whether the ladies are singing about a shaky romantic relationship or a rocky patch in their friendship. Earlier this month, Kelly surprised Destiny's
...Read moreIndia.Arie Shares Her "SongVersation" Album Cover
Photo Courtesy of India.Arie via InstagramIndia.Arie's SongVersation album arrives in stores next month, and on Tuesday, she revealed the cover art for the new set. The artwork, which India shared via Instagram, shows the singer in her signature headwrap, facing the camera with her arms open.
"My open hands represent the energy of giving and receiving, and that's what a SongVersation is," she tells Essence of her fifth
...Read moreChief Keef Arrested for Allegedly Smoking Weed in Atlanta-Area Hotel
Facebook.com/ChiefKeefChief Keef has been released from police custody in the Atlanta area after being arrested Monday for allegedly smoking weed at a swanky hotel. That's according to TMZ, which shared audio from a Le Meridien hotel security guard's call to 911.
The unidentified guard reports that he was tracking down the source of a leak at the hotel when he knocked on the door of Keef's room. That's when he says he
...Read moreThe-Dream Streams His "IV Play" Album; Tour Plans Change
Island Def JamThe-Dream is streaming his IV Play album online, one week before the project arrives in stores. All 14 songs from the standard edition are available on Vevo, so that means fans can check out full versions of tracks featuring Beyonce, Gary Clark Jr., Jay-Z and more.
On Monday night, The-Dream and his "Where Have You Been?" collaborator Kelly Rowland performed their song together on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
...Read moreBeyonce's "Grown Woman" Track Leaks to the Web
IAmBeyonce.comThe Beyonce headlines have been nonstop for weeks now, but with all the chatter about concert dates, pregnancy rumors and H&M ads, the BeyHive has been calling for new music. On Monday, fans got their wish -- at least, sort of.
A full version of Beyonce's "Grown Woman" track is now on the Web, and though it's not clear whether the song is in its final state, it's the closest fans have gotten to a new single from the singer. Reportedly produced by Timbaland and co-written by The-Dream, "Grown Woman" features Bey declaring, "I can look fast if I want/I can go slow all night long" over
...Read moreArtists React to the Oklahoma Tornado Tragedy
Oklahoma County SheriffSince a devastating tornado ripped through Moore, Oklahoma, on Monday, killing at least 24 people, the world has taken to Twitter to express their support, prayers for love, and to talk about how people can help. Among those reacting were many of music's stars. Here's a roundup of some of their thoughts:
Rihanna Instagrammed a graphic that reads, "Praying for Oklahoma," while Beyonce posted one that says, "Prayers for #Moore Oklahoma." Diddy
...Read moreCoachella Announces Festival Dates for 2014; Advance Ticket Sale Begins on Friday
Photo Credit: Marc BaptisteWhile the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival just wrapped up a little more than a month ago, producers for the event have already revealed their plans for 2014.
According to the festival's website, next year's event will span two weekends, April 11-13 and April 18-20, in Indio, California. While the lineup isn't expected to be announced until next year, advance passes for the 2014 installment of Coachella will go on sale on Friday at 10 a.m. PT.
Acts who took the stage during last month's festival included Janelle Monae, 2
...Read moreRihanna Adds Second Mentor to "Styled to Rock" Series
PR NewswireRihanna's new fashion competition series, Styled to Rock, just got a new addition. Rih announced last week that Pharrell Williams would serve as a mentor on the show, and now model, actress and designer Erin Wasson has joined the team. She'll serve as the second mentor on Styled to Rock.
As previously reported, Rihanna is an executive producer of the series, which will show her and her crew as they search for the next trendsetting designer.
...Read moreKelly Rowland Joining "The X Factor" Judges' Panel
Facebook.com/KellyRowlandThe rumors are true. Fox announced Monday night that Kelly Rowland will be joining Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato on the judges’ panel when The X Factor returns this fall. Mexican singer Paulina Rubio will also be joining the panel.
Rowland, who served as a judge on the British version of The X Factor in 2011, said in a statement, "I am very exciting to be reuniting with Simon Cowell and The X Factor family. It feels great to be able to take this journey here at home in the states."
Rowland and Rubio
...Read moreJanet Jackson Working on a New Album
Facebook.com/JanetJacksonJanet Jackson celebrated her 47th birthday last week, and Saturday marked the 20th anniversary of her sexy, fifth studio album, janet. The music veteran has spent more than 30 years in the music business, but Janet doesn't seem ready to retire.
"I am working on a new project now," Janet tells Billboard, blowing apart rumors that she would be giving up her recording career now that she's married to billionaire businessman Wissam
...Read moreJ. Cole Will Compete with Kanye West Next Month
Photo courtesy of J. Cole via InstagramJ. Cole is going up against Kanye West next month. Just days after Kim Kardashian announced that her guy Kanye would be releasing his Yeezus album on June 18, Cole revealed via Twitter that he's delivering his Born Sinner project the same day.
The original release date for J. Cole's sophomore set was June 25, but the rapper took to Twitter to announce the new date. He
...Read morePrince Pushes Boundaries with New Music Venture
PRNewsFoto/42 WestA day after receiving the Billboard Icon Award, Prince has announced a new music venture that will allow him and other artists to break free of the old-school label system.
The Purple One has joined forces with independent music-services company Kobalt Music Group, giving him the freedom to self-release his own music recordings.
Prince will unleash projects from a roster of new acts as well. As part of the new venture, he'll also provide artist development and recording
...Read moreK. Michelle Serves Up Her New Single, "V.S.O.P."
Atlantic RecordsK. Michelle's debut album, Rebellious Soul, arrives in stores July 30, and on Monday she released, "V.S.O.P.," the first single from her upcoming set. The new track samples Debra Laws' 1981 hit "Very Special."
Presumably, "V.S.O.P." is an acronym for "very special old pale" cognac, which K. Michelle mentions in the song's hook. "We gon' light some candles tonight, very special/We gon' do whatever you like, very special/got some Henny chillin' on ice, very special," she sings, referring to Hennessy.
Next month, K. Michelle will be performing in New York City.
...Read moreMary J. Blige Reportedly Faces More Money Drama
InterscopeMary J. Blige's financial problems are getting worse. Just months after the state of New Jersey stuck the singer with a $901,000 tax lien, TMZ reports that Uncle Sam is also coming after Mary.
The IRS has filed a $3.4 million federal tax lien against Mary, claiming that she failed to pay the full amount of her income taxes for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011.
As previously reported, Mary's financial woes don't stop there. Last year, the singer was sued by Signature Bank, which claimed she had defaulted
...Read moreJanelle Monae to Perform Alongside the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Photo Credit: Marc BaptisteJanelle Monae will perform alongside the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on Monday night, just days after doing a similar show with the San Francisco Symphony.
Aretha Franklin had been slated to headline the Windy City gig, but she had to cancel under doctor's orders. Luckily, Janelle was available to fill in, promising to perform new arrangements of her music, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra accompanying her.
Proceeds from Janelle's performance will benefit the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's general operations and nationally recognized community engagement and
...Read moreJennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys Film Lands U.S. Distributor
ABC/RICK ROWELLThe Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, an upcoming movie starring Jennifer Hudson, has just been picked up for U.S. distribution by CodeBlack Films, according to Deadline.com. Alicia Keys is among the project's executive producers, and she also served as the film's composer.
Audiences got an early look at The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete when it debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The
...Read moreKanye Performs Two New Songs on "SNL"; New Album "Yeezus" Gets Release Date
Dana Edelson/NBCKanye West used his appearance on Saturday Night Live over the weekend as a platform to promote two new, socially-charged songs.
One of the new tracks, "New Slaves," was actually debuted the night before, via a video projected onto the sides of 66 buildings around the world. In a YouTube clip of one such projection in Brooklyn, New York, Kanye's face is superimposed onto a building as he raps the lyrics, which include, "I know that we're the new slaves/I see the blood on the leaves."
"New Slaves" was previously teased earlier this month when a DJ played it at a festival in Poland.
Kanye performed both
...Read moreBeyoncé Addresses Pregnancy Rumors on Instagram
Frank Micelotta/Invision for Parkwood Entertainment/AP ImagesBeyoncé has addressed the pregnancy rumors surrounding her and her husband, Jay-Z.
After E! News on Friday reported that B and Jay are expecting their second child, she posted a note onto Instagram that scoffed at the speculation -- though she didn't quite deny it, either.
In the quickly-pulled note, a screenshot of which appears on the website of Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, Beyoncé
...Read moreReport: Rihanna Suing Topshop Over T-Shirt
PR NewswireIt's clear from Rihanna's Instagram updates, that she doesn't mind posing for pictures. But it's apparent from her reported lawsuit against British retailer Topshop that the singer doesn't take kindly to having her image used without her consent.
Rih has reportedly filed a $5 million lawsuit in London, going after Topshop for selling t-shirts in the UK bearing her image without her consent, according to the New York Post. A source tells the newspaper, "Rihanna's
...Read more"Billboard" Music Awards Recap: Taylor Swift Wins Big, Justin Bieber Demands to Be Taken Seriously
ABCTaylor Swift's night at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas was a success. She led all artists at the Sunday-night ceremony with eight wins, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album, for Red.
During her top artist acceptance speech, Taylor thanked her fans for making her music about her crazy emotions the soundtrack to their own crazy emotions. She added that her relationship with her fans was the longest and best relationship she's ever had.
Taylor found out she won the top Billboard 200 album category when fans in the mosh pit held up smartphones that spelled
...Read more2013 "Billboard" Music Awards Air Live from Las Vegas Sunday Live with Chris Brown, Miguel, Ne-Yo & More
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images via ABStar-studded collaborations are on tap for this Sunday night's Billboard Music Awards, airing live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on ABC. Fans will see solo artists like Chris Brown and Miguel perform, of course, but they'll also enjoy some musical collaborations during the telecast, which starts at 8 p.m. ET.
Prince will be making a rare awards show appearance to receive the Billboard Icon Award on Sunday night, and will treat the audience to an as-yet-to-be-determined song as well. Chris is set to perform his latest single
...Read moreAretha Franklin Responds to Reports About Baby KimYe Going on Tour
Photo: Matthew Jordan SmithAretha Franklin is mom to four sons, so Kim Kardashian should probably take heed to the Queen's motherly wisdom and re-"Think" her reported post-pregnancy plans.
According to TMZ, after giving birth, Kim wants to join Kanye West on his reported tour and bring their brand-new baby along for the ride. When TMZ asked Ms. Franklin what she thought of the plan, she said, "I wouldn't," adding, "I can't speak for anyone else, but I wouldn't."
Kim is expected to give birth in two months
...Read moreKanye West Isn't Laughing in "Saturday Night Live" Promos
Universal Music GroupKanye West said during a surprise performance this week in New York City that he wouldn't be doing any skits when he drops in on the season finale of Saturday Night Live this weekend. Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped the rapper from displaying a little humor in promos for the upcoming show.
Despite Kanye's declaration that this is his "goddamn life," and it "ain’t no motherf**king joke," he seems to poke fun at himself. Appearing alongside Saturday night's host Ben Affleck and cast member Fred Armisen, Kanye sports a Band-Aid in the SNL
...Read moreNatalie Cole "Seriously Offended" by Candice/J-Hud American Idol Duet
PRNewsFoto/Verve Music Group, Verve RecordsMost people watching the American Idol finale Thursday night would say that the duet that Candice Glover sang with Jennifer Hudson on the song "Inseparable" was one of the highlights of the evening. Someone who wouldn't say that is the woman who originally recorded the song: Natalie Cole.
Natalie was evidently miffed that she wasn't invited to sing her song with Candice on the finale. In a tweet, she wrote, "Make no mistake. 'Inseparable' was NOT originally recorded
...Read moreAlicia Keys Helps Introduce the Latest Mercedes S-Class Model
Photo Courtesy of Daimler AGAlicia Keys probably could have taken a mini-vacation after closing out the U.S. leg of her Set the World on Fire tour. But instead, the singer was in Germany on Wednesday, helping unveil the new 2014 Mercedes S-Class model at a launch party hosted inside an Airbus jet plant in Hamburg.
Dressed in a black, floor-length gown, Alicia sang and played piano, while 19 musicians from the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra accompanied her. The Grammy Award winner will do several concerts in the U.K., later stopping in Luxembourg, before
...Read moreReport: Beyonce Pregnant; Blue Ivy Becoming a Big Sister
James Devaney/WireImageIf the reports are correct, Beyonce's having another baby. Multiple sources have confirmed to E! that the singer is pregnant. ABC News has reached out to reps for both Bey and her husband, Jay-Z, for comment; so far, there's been no response.
Rumors that they are expecting their second child began swirling earlier this month when Beyonce showed up to the Met Gala in New York City wearing
...Read moreFrank Ocean, Robin Thicke, Mariah Compete for O Music Awards
ABC/RICK ROWELLFrank Ocean isn't a non-stop tweeter like Questlove, but both guys managed to snag nominations for this year's MTV O Music Awards, which celebrate the intersection of music and technology. Frank and Quest are listed in the Must Follow Artist on Twitter category, joining Erykah Badu, Solange and others.
Thanks to his not-safe-for-work "Pyramids" video, Frank is also in the running for the Too Much Ass for TV award. The category also includes Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" video -- the version featuring topless models, of course.
Beyonce
...Read moreReport: Usher Will Be Back on The Voice Next Spring
Saccenti/RCA RecordsThe Voice has become a game of musical swivel chairs. Though Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green are expected to return to the NBC singing competition in the fall, the show isn't cutting ties with their replacements, Usher and Shakira.
There have been reports that Usher is leaving The Voice after the current season. The same goes for Shakira, who confirmed she was moving on, leaving Christina and Cee Lo to reclaim the chairs they occupied for the show's first three seasons.
However,
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