Kanye West Readies 6th Studio Album!!

The iconic rapper/producer has been hard at work on new music, compiling his 6th studio album, the follow up to the brilliance that is “My Dark Twisted Fantasy”, his 2010 release. The majority of the project was has been recorded in Paris & Hawaii!

Mr West and Def Jam has been tight lipped about the project but we expect collaborations with Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Future, Daft Punk and maybe even Beyonce!

The album is reportedly complete, with Def Jam holding a super secret listening party just a few weeks ago. Yeezy is also expected to host SNL’s season finale and premiere new music for the occasion!

Mariah Carey’s Over American Idol??

That’s what the word is. Apparently Mariah won’t be using the show as a platform to introduce her new single, “Beautiful” featuring Miguel, instead she’s booked GoodMorningAmerica on may 24th to showcase the new music… The diva is reportedly over American Idol, which saw it’s lowest ratings ever this season, a decline that’s been becoming a greater and greater annoyance for Fox in the past 3 or 4 years…

Showbizz 411 reports the following:

Do I know what’s going on at American Idol? I know what you know. But I also know what was said today. Mariah Carey, American Idol judge, is launching her new single not on theIdol finale but on Good Morning America. She’s booked for May 24th, eight days after theIdol finale. Carey is not scheduled to sing on Idol and she hasn’t all season.

Both Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez used Idol to launch singles a year ago. And Keith Urban has performed this season. But Carey has remained behind the judges’ desk, even though she has a single- “Almost Home”- from Oz the Great and Powerful, a major box office hit. Suffice to say, something is rotten in Hollywood. Oz was a huge hit. Singing the single onIdol would have been the proper synergy. Instead, “Home” disappeared and no mention of it was made on Idol.

Carey’s new single is going to be hot, too-it’s a duet with new star Miguel. But there’s a lot going on in the background. GMA is #1, and Idol ratings are the lowest they’ve ever been. It’s unclear whether Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe even wants Carey to perform. Or whether Carey, unhappy with the way the show has gone for her, would ever deign to get up on their stage.

Now American Idol still has four weeks to go, that’s eight shows. And on May 8th it goes up against The Voice on NBC- the ratings report the next morning is going to be wild. So stay tuned. And never bet against Mariah. She will be around long after American Idol has named its final winner.

Rihanna Working On New Album & Second Clothing Line!!

The media and some fans would love to see Rihanna take a break. The work ethic she’s exhibited in the past 5 or 6 years is too similar to the what almost ended Mariah Carey 13 years ago… Despite reports that she may be taking a year or 2 off, the rumor mill insist that she’s been recording new music for a 2013 album, a follow up to the double platinum “Unapologetic” which has spawned 3 or 4 top 20 singles and one #1..

Whether or not we’ll have another new Rihanna album this Fall is yet to be confirmed but we can tell you that she’s working on another clothing line for River Island! #RihannaNavy

Beyonce & Andre 3K “Back To Black” Full Song!!

It’s cool but they shoulda just gave Bey the whole song, her voice is beautiful over the production but Andre’s sh** sounds forced… Good record, great for the movie! Don’t be surprised if the duo picks up a Grammy or even an Oscar for this!

Jay-Z Continues To Expand RocNation Empire!!

We have so much respect and admiration for Sean Jay-Z Carter, arguably the most powerful man in the music industry! His most recent business deals brings Roc Nation full circle, transforming it from a mere artist and athlete management firm, into a full functional record label!

ThatGrapeJuice reports the following:

Jay-Z continues to make mega-moves with his Roc Nation empire.

Fresh from hitting headlines that the full-service entertainment force is venturing into the Sports world, it has today been announced that the company has teamed up with Universal Music to house the official Roc Nation record label.

Beyond literally being a big deal, some may be wondering why this is this such a “big deal”. Well, while the Roc manages and A&R’s the likes of Rihanna, Rita Ora, Timbaland, and Kylie Minogue, they -until now-have not operated as an actual record label. Indeed, each of the aforementioned acts sit under different (and in some cases, rival) corporate umbrellas.

With this latest development, Roc Nation truly becomes its own  360 entity. Put simply, it’s now its own Def Jam, RCA, Columbia, and presents exciting new prospects for music moving forward.

Check out the press release after the jump…

 

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music company, and Roc Nation, the renowned entertainment company founded by Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, announced today that they have entered into a multi-year, worldwide partnership under which the Roc Nation music label will operate as a standalone label within the UMG family, effective immediately. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. As part of the agreement, forthcoming albums from JAY Z, Rihanna and many others will be released through UMG worldwide.

In making the announcement, Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG, said, “In just five years, Roc Nation has established itself as one of the most successful brands in music with a reputation for developing some of today¹s most influential and popular talent. Not only does this agreement provide a dynamic platform for Roc Nation’s exciting emerging artists, it extends our relationship with the extraordinary Rihanna and represents a homecoming for JAY Z—a brilliant artist and entrepreneur, who has been a creative cornerstone of our company. All of us at UMG are thrilled that JAY and Roc Nation chose UMG as their partners, knowing we will support their artists with a level of resources, expertise and passion that is simply unmatched in the industry.”

Shawn “JAY Z” Carter said, “We are looking forward to working with Lucian and the incredible team he’s assembled at Universal. We would like to applaud Lucian for collaborating with us to strike a new age deal. This agreement presents a unique opportunity for Roc Nation’s artists—being able to continue to operate as an independent label with the strength, power and reach of the best major. I look forward to a long and prosperous collaboration with UMG. It feels good to be home.”

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Naturally, then, it begs the question of what happens to the Rihanna’s, Rita’s, and co. For, while some are already signed to other labels under the Universal Music umbrella (making any potential moves much easier..legally), others are housed on what are now “rival” labels.

In any case, exciting times certainly lay ahead. We already have a few established names in mind that we’d love to see side-step over to the Roc, as well as a host of new talent that would be well-suited there. Anyway, enough of our rambling…

Kelly Rowland Reveals New Album Release Date!!

We really hate that she changed the name from “Year of The Woman” to “Talk A Good Game”, lame AF but she’s beasting at urban radio right now. Her singles with Future and Lil Wayne are mainstays while her new track “Kisses Down Low” has become a huge success for the album’s promo campaign!

We wish her all the best, can’t wait to hear the new track with Beyonce and Michele, rumored to be the next single and the title track of the album.. The album arrives June 18th!

Mariah Carey “Beautiful” Ft Miguel New Music!!!!!!!!

YESSSSS!!!! The rumors were true, Mariah has in fact been in the studio with Miguel and the song is called “Beautiful”, it’s set to lead the promo campaign for her new album!!!!!

Peep the promo video below:

Miguel Will Neither Confirm Nor Deny Involvement On New Mariah Carey Album!!

The rumor mill has been spinning ever since Mariah shouted him out via Twitter for his performance on SNL and his overall musicianship. Word has it that Miguel and Mimi have been in the studio and have completed at least 4 songs together that will be considered for the final cut of her 2013 album which is still yet to be titled… Neither party has confirmed nor denied these rumors so at this time, anything is possible.

We’d love to hear them on some tracks together though. Miguel is brilliant and Mariah has only gotten better with age, like a fine wine. The Dream, R Kelly, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and others have already been confirmed as collaborators! With the album scheduled for a summer 2013 release, we could hear a new single any day now!!!

J-Lo New Music This Summer!!

 

Jennifer Lopez will unleash “Live It Up” featuring Pitbull on May 8th!! The track will lead her 8th studio albums promo campaign! The project’s title is yet to be announced but features production from RedOne and collaborations with both Future & Chris Brown.

Jennifer last album was well received and earned nearly 5 million single downloads and a top 10 debut!

We love and respect Jennifer Lopez so much, can’t wait to hear the new music! The diva is also promoting her new ABC sitcom, “The Fosters” which is set to premiere June 3rd!

Kid Cudi “Indicud” Album Debuts At #2!!

Kid Cudi’s recent departure from Kanye’s  G.O.O.D Music imprint and the media and fans skeptical but this is the highest debut of his 5 years in the industry! The album arrives at #2 and RapUp has all the details below:

Kid Cudi rages on the charts this week with his latest album Indicud, which enters at No. 2.

 

The third album from the Cleveland rapper debuts in the runner-up spot on the Billboard 200, selling 136,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

It marks Cudi’s highest debut yet and his second largest sales week following his 2010 album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, which moved 169,000 units in its opening week.

Indicud was originally scheduled for release on April 23, but arrived a week early following its premature leak. Earlier this month, Cudi made headlines after announcing his departure from G.O.O.D. Music.

A gracious Cudi thanked his fans for their support. “THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT WENT OUT AND SUPPORTED INDICUD!! I COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS WITH OUT ANY OF YOU! WE DID IT!” he tweeted. “MAD LOVE TO @falloutboy AND THE HOMIE @petewentz AND CONGRATS ON KILLIN IT ONE MORE TIME! IM IN GOOD COMPANY AT THE TOP!”

The No. 1 spot goes to rock band Fall Out Boy, whose album Save Rock and Roll bows at No. 1 (154,000).

Elsewhere on the charts, Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience holds steady at No. 3 with 76,000 and Lil Wayne’s I Am Not a Human Being II sits at No. 8 (31,000).

Alicia Keys & Maxwell Premiere “Fire We Make” Official Video!!

We do like the song and the video, incredibly relatable and intimate, something we’ve come to expect from Alicia. The album is solid but it doesn’t stand up to the sh** she was doing 6 to 10 years ago… We had to see creativity and inspiration drown out of an artist that’s so incredibly talented, that’s made such quality pieces in the past.. We want her to find her way, her voice and the image she had in 06 or 07. The corporate lesbian sh** isn’t working for us. Love u Alicia ❤

Miguel Premieres “How Many Drinks” Ft Kendrick Lamar Official Video!!

We liked this song and his album a lot more before JT’s dropped 20/20 but this visual is solid! We love Miguel’s music!

Britney Spears 2013 Album Update!!

YESSS!!! We love Britney and her last album was amazing, arguably her best work to date but she’s going in for album #8, 2013!

Max Martin (3 & if you seek amy) has been summoned along with Will.I.Am, Pharell Williams (Toxic), Jean Baptiste and others to make sure the production is 100 for this new project! Britney’s also rumored to be collaborating with Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj and even Rihanna! This album is going to EPIC!!

Peep these tweets from Jean Baptiste regarding the project:

 

Beyonce Releases Official “Mrs Carter Show” Promo Video!!

YESSSSSSSS!!!! Mad we slept on the tour, sold out now but it’s all good. We always preferred to get the tour dvd.. Beyonce is killing her European tour leg,started just about a week ago and she touches down in the states Jaune 28th!! U ready??

Rick Ross & Omarion Deliver “Ice Cold” Official Video!!

It’s the final single from Rick’s “God Forgives, I don’t” album, new project “Mastermind” coming this summer but this is hot! We didn’t think O was going to be a good match for Maybach but he’s proving to be an asset…

Ciara “Body Party” Official Video!!

YESSSSSSS!!!! She FINALLY WENT IN!!!!

The video is sexual, relatable and hot AF!! Her chemistry with Future is electric, so are the dance scenes. CIARA DID THAT!!!

This is exactly what the promo campaign has been lacking, first signs of life we’ve really seen from her since “Ride” video.. This song is going to kill urban radio and the video is going to be everywhere!! She’s not out of the woods yet though…

Ciara will have to follow this up with some hot performances and a perfectly selected single to follow “Body Party” to radio… Rite now, the only b**** standing in her way is Kelly Rowland, who also has really come into herself in the past year…

Rihanna Rewrites Billboard Yet AGAIN!!

THIS is how you make your mark, THIS is how you become an icon!

Rihanna’s “Stay” rises 2 to 1 on the pop songs chart, ending her long running tie with friend and fellow pop diva, Katy Perry! The song is the second official single from her platinum 8th album, “Unapologetic”, which spawned King Rih’s 12th #1 single via The Hot 100, “Diamonds” just a month ago… #RihannaNavy

Rihanna Cancels TX Shows Due To Overdose!!

That’s what the word is! Apparently Rihanna had an overdose a few days ago and hasn’t been able to pull herself together to be seen by the public.. This is a rumor and at this point is totally baseless but she did cancel the entire TX leg of her diamonds tour with little or no explanation….  Either way, we hope she’s okay!

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Drake Pays Homage To Bey With “Girls Love Beyonce” Track!!

LOVE IT!! Can’t wait for the new album, Drake is doing it!! He had to get Beyonce’s permission to make this song, hopefully he finds his way on her new album. We’d love to hear a collaboration!

Drake Speaks On Chris Brown Beef & Relationship With Rihanna!!

These two have been firing shots off in the press since there club brawl last summer. Chris recently attacked Drake in the remix for Jeezy’s “R.I.P”.. “Started from the bottom, go head and come out the closet” he raps, referencing Drake’s anthem “Started From The Bottom”…. Chris has also spoken out against Drake in numerous interviews over the past few months. .

The Toronto native finally spoke on the beef:

“For any media out there, don’t ask me sh*t about that man when I come up there,” he said. “And leave that man alone. Stop preying on his insecurities. His insecurities are the reason I make better music than him…I’m more popping than him…At one point in life the woman he loves fell into my lap and I did what a real ni**a would do and treated her with respect.”

“All those things combined creates an individual that comes up to your radio station and do dumb sh*t. It shouldn’t be about tearing that man down. We have an issue. And it’s either going to drag out or maybe in 10 years we’ll laugh about it over drinks,” he said. “Just leave that sh*t alone.”