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Her new clothing line for River Island might not be a hit, but Rihanna’s music certainly is. RiRi has just logged the most No. 1 pop songs, according to Billboard, tallying her 10th chart topper. Rihanna has passed her BFF Katy Perry for the most number one hits in the chart’s 20-year history. The tenth number one is “Stay,” featuring Mikky Ekko, writes the magazine.

Previously, she was tied with Perry, who’s reached number one nine times since her 2008 arrival. Rihanna started on the path to breaking the record in 2006, when “SOS” reached the top. Her last number one was “We Found Love,” featuring Calvin Harris, which stayed in first place for for eight weeks in late 2011/early 2012, marking her longest command of the position.

Also,  ”Stay” is only the second piano-and-vocal-only number one of the 259 songs to have ruled the Pop Songs list. “Stay” knocked out  Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man,” which was on top for three weeks.

Some of Rihanna’s record 10 pop song leaders include  2008′s “Take a Bow” (three weeks at top);  ”Disturbia,” also that year and for the same length of time;  ”Rude Boy” for two weeks in 2010; and  ”S&M” for a week in 2011.

Chaka Khan has got a lot going on to celebrate her 60th birthday and her 40th anniversary in the music business. First it was “Chakalates” and candles. Now it’s an augmented reality cover of Billboard magazine.

Using the Printergize app, fans can take a photo of the cover that will take them to Chaka Khan’s website and bring the image to life. The issue will be available March 16. (The image above was emailed to MadameNoire.)

In addition to the cover and the goodies for sale, there will be a 100 Days of Chaka campaign, starting on her birthday (May 23) leading to the anniversary of the release of her first album with Rufus on July 1 and the release of a new album, “The iKhan Project: Alive! The Commemorative Edition,” available July 2.

The first of three events to celebrate her birthday will take place on March 21 in Los Angeles. Then she’ll head to Miami on March 23, and New York on March 26.

Chaka Khan isn’t the only entertainer going hi-tech. Dita von Teese recently modeled a gown that was created using a mathematical formula and a 3D printer. We have video of that after the jump. (Story via Adweek.)

Do these digital advancement enhance the whole experience for you?

While Wale was somewhere talking to MTV about why he didn’t appreciate Kelly Clarkson’s comments about Miguel and his performance at the Grammys on February 10 (“Miguel, I don’t know who the hell you are, but we need to sing together. I mean, good God. That was the sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.”), Miguel was somewhere NOT tripping, and in fact, hobnobbing with his idols and soaking in the success of his Grammy night. Billboard magazine crowned him the Breakout Star of the whole star-studded evening after he captured everyone’s attention and admiration with his stripped down performance of “Adorn” with Wiz Khalifa. It was so well-received that sales for the single were at their highest thanks to a 229 percent increase. Plus, he won best R&B song for the track.

Billboard caught up with the singer a few days later to speak on how his performance in the aisle came to life (which some thought was a downgrade *cough* Wale *cough*), breaking down whether he did or didn’t work with Beyoncé recently, touring with Alicia Keys soon, and why his popular song “P**y is Mine” from Kaleidoscope Dream had his girlfriend giving the side eye. Here are a few highlights:

When asked about how his last-minute performance came to life and how he ended up in the aisles and not on the stage, and he says that in the end, his performance placement was genius:

“A week-and-a-half out we knew that we could perform. I wanted to make an intimate thing but I had a bigger vision about the crowd. I got to tip my hat to [telecast producer] Ken Ehrlich-he really had the vision. I did want it to be a stripped-down performance, and it really was genius of him to put us in the aisle.”

He also discussed how “Adorn” almost became a deep cut on his EP last year, until his A&R said he should release it as a single:

“In late 2011 I was like, “I’m going to put out a series of micro EPs.” I just knew I wanted to put out free music and make it very quality vs. quantity, very personal. Make the whole thing a personal creative process from the artwork to the painting to the design to the production and writing-just for the people who discover music like I do online or my favorite blogs. We put out the first one at the top of February of 2012, and “Adorn” was on that and it got quite a buzz. It got a great response and Mark Pitts, my A&R, was convinced that it should be a single and I was excited, but I was like, “Are you sure this could work?” He was like, “Man, that s**t is going to kill.” And he was right.”

Out of all the love songs and jams on Kaleidoscope Dream, Miguel was asked what influence his girlfriend had on them, and what she thought of ‘em. One song in particular didn’t necessarily light her fire off the top, but the meaning behind it is pretty beautiful:

“P**y Is Mine” was not her favorite song. That whole song was freestyle. What makes it interesting is the juxtaposition of ego and vulnerability. It’s kind of rolled in this vulnerability, wanting to claim it — “Tell me that it’s mine” — but it’s also out of this vulnerable need: “I want to feel I’m the only one in this moment.” I’ve really been there. It felt like such an honest moment.”

Lastly, Miguel opened up about the rumor that he was working with Beyoncéon her next album after he snapped a pic with the singer and put it on his Instagram. While that time in the studio together never really happened, he would love it:

Have I worked with Beyonce? [laughs] I was really nervous to ask her, that was all, I just asked her to take a photo with me and she was really sweet about it. That’s all I can say. I’ve honestly never worked with Beyonce. It would be awesome, though, I would love that.

Check out the full interview at Billboard.com and pick up the newest issue to run your fingers through it.

AP Photo/Peter Kramer

Eve was the first lady of Ruff Ryders back in the late nineties, back when DMX’s bark was all over the radio and before Swizz Beatz wore skinny pants and fedoras (both former members of Ruff Ryders by the way). And she surprised us by being one of few women in the game whose content focused more on her lyrics. Eve released “Gotta Man” and “Love is Blind” and fought for her shine as a one of the top female artists in the game despite competition from Foxy Brown and Lauryn Hill.

So if you missed Eve, she’s on her way back! The Grammy-winning artist has not released an album since 2002′s “Eve-Olution.” But the best part about the comeback is it will be on her own terms. Her album will be released under her own independent label, the recently formed FTR Music, or From the Ribs Music. The album, “Lip Lock,” will be distributed through Sony/Red on May 14 and feature Snoop Dog and Chrisette Mitchele. In an interview with Billboard, she also talks about her troubles with her former label Interscope.

Eve recently gave a taste of what to expect when she dropped the single “She Bad Bad,” this past October. The video, posted on January 8, has over 1.2 million views on YouTube.

She revealed that we should expect a new single, “Make It Out This Town,” to drop in the new few weeks.

“It is a track about being in a dark place — or you could literally say being in the town that you’re in but you have bigger dreams or bigger hopes… just making it out of that situation and knowing that you can do whatever it is that you put your mind to. It’s a song that I’m dedicating and using with my partnership with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America,” Eve told Billboard.

I, for one, am looking forward to another comeback from a familiar face. Eve is making a power move by starting her own label and calling the shots.

However, we are living in different times, and there is a high correlation between comebacks and your social media following or reality TV presence. So hopefully Eve’s got some tricks up her sleeve over these next couple of months to make her relevant again before her album is released in May.

After the jump, check out the “She Bad Bad” video, ICYMI.

Anita Baker, surprisingly, makes the top of the Billboard list this year. PatrickMcMullan.com via AP Images

It is that time of the year, when the lists of 2012′s bests get released. Columnist Gail Mitchell over at Billboard has rounded up the top artists in R&B and Hip Hop music. What’s surprising is the names not only included the obvious (Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Rihanna and Chris Brown), but newcomers as well, she writes.

There was a mix of established and young acts, such as Frank Ocean, 2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Miguel, Anita Baker, Brandy, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, Tyrese and Tamia.

At the top of the R&B/Hip Hop Artist list was the Young Money/Cash Money (YMCM) crew with help from Drake. Drake ended 2012 at number one on the year-end R&B/Hip-Hop Artists recap, due to his 2011 sophomore studio album, Take Care. It didn’t stop there for Drake. He was also the top male artist on the all-genre Top Artists tally. And he was king of the year-end recaps Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (with Take Care) and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artists.

YMCM continued its reign on the female artist side, as Nicki Minaj rose to number three on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums with Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. The American Idol judge also landed in the top three on the R&B/Hip-Hop Artists and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artists. Just above her was Rihanna, who with her sixth album, Talk That Talk the singer finished at number two on the overall R&B/hip-hop artists recap.

Never count out Kanye West. His Cruel Summer came in number 15 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums recap. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Nas, Flo Rida, Young Jeezy, among others also charted in the high numbers.

Jumping over to R&B, Ms. B ruled — again. Beyoncé  took the  number one slot on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with “Love on Top.” And, her 2011 album, 4 leveled off at number 13 on the year-end R&B/Hip-Hop Albums recap. Trey Songz made a strong return with Chapter V, which included the number seven R&B/Hip-Hop Songs hit, “Heart Attack.” Chris Brown, Tyrese, Estelle, Brandy and John Legend with Ludacris also had strong chart presence.

Among the unexpected, however was “the left-of-center, critically acclaimed vibrant R&B personified by Frank Ocean and Miguel,” reports Billboard. Channel Orange, Ocean’s debut ranked  No. 12 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. And Miguel showed up twice on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs recap: “His guest spot on Wale’s ‘Lotus Flower Bomb’ puts him at No. 3 and ‘Adorn,’ from sophomore set Kaleidoscope Dream (ByStorm/Black Ice/RCA) is No. 6,” according to the magazine.

This year, Billboard revamped its charting methods. Among the changes: A new R&B chart was launched. But “because the revamped data formula is only 6 weeks old, the 2012 year-end charts were compiled using the earlier methodology,” explains Billboard.

Source: WENN

Billboard is handing out a pretty high honor to Rihanna: Top Pop Artist of the Last 20 Years.

I know.

The thing is, Billboard is going strictly by numbers, not singing ability, performance level, or any of that other stuff that actually makes someone a true artist. They came to this conclusion looking at who topped the charts the most between 1992 and 2012, and according to them, Rihanna has:

The most chart appearances: 34

The most top 10s: 21

The most No. 1s: 9

That is quite a feat seven years in the game, even if music connoisseurs are blown away by the fact that she beat out other pop icons like Mariah Carey (no. 5), Usher (no. 7), Janet Jackson (no. 9), and even Madonna who was number 10 on the list. Queen/King Bey landed at 16, which makes Jennifer Lopez having the no. 18 spot sort of interesting. Coming in further down the Top 40 line are Chris Brown (no. 22), Destiny’s Child (no. 26), and TLC (no. 35). If Rihanna keeps cranking out these singles like she does, I’m sure we can expect her to snag many more titles like this one. Kudos to the navy.

What do you think about this title?

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loft965.com

If you want to be in the music industry, you have to know that you can be hot one day and ice cold the next. Fans are fickle and what they once liked from an artist can now be considered corny.  All of these artists are hoping their fans can push them back to top slots on the charts and make them household names again.  I don’t know if it’ll happen but you be the judge!

Read the rest of this entry »

adweek.com

“They say” if you have a dream you should chase it by any means necessary. But does that still ring true if you’re a single mother who just received her last paycheck? For Racquel Bailey, that’s exactly what it meant. This 23 year old aspiring actress from New Jersey spent her last paycheck on a billboard placed in Atlanta that she hopes will be noticed by…Tyler Perry.

Yes, we’re all reading it correctly – the girl spent her last dollars trying to become the “next big thing.” ESSENCE caught up with her to discuss this bold move and she explained it by saying that she wanted to find a way to stand out. She, like many of us, knows that casting directors see hundreds of faces on a daily basis and this was the best idea.  Racquel said the ad company laughed at first but agreed that it was a great idea.  Many others agree but the one person who matters – Tyler Perry – has yet to contact her. She said the last time she checked his office had not commented.

Now on one hand, maybe we should give Racquel a round of applause for trying a different approach and attempting to get Perry’s attention since she loves and respects his work. But on the other hand, let’s get real: you have a child and you spent your last check (the theater company she owns works with Newark Public Schools and since summer is coming, the program will not be running) on the hope that Tyler or someone in his camp will see the billboard. By the way, Racquel hasn’t even seen the billboard so she’ll be scraping up her pennies to take her family to Atlanta this summer to see it.

What do you think? Considering your own responsibilities, how far are you willing to go to chase a dream?

Blue Ivy Carter is now officially the youngest person to appear on the Billboard charts after lending her vocals (crying) to her daddy’s new song, “Glory.” Baby Blue is credited as “B.I.C.” on the track which debuted on the R&B/Hip Hop songs chart at number 74 after it’s release Monday.

Interestingly, Blue Ivy dethroned Steve Wonder’s daughter Aisha. As a newborn, she appeared on Stevie’s classic, “Isn’t She Lovely,” but B.I.C knocked her out of the top spot for two reasons, according to Billboard: “Young Aisha was never officially credited on ‘Lovely’ and the song did not reach a Billboard chart until Jan. 29, 1977 (when it entered Adult Contemporary at its No. 23 peak), almost two years after she was born.”

At just a few hours old, I think it will be hard for any other baby to top this record, not that they should try. But is all this “fame” too much? I was a little surprised Jay Z released the song so soon considering the couple once prided itself on being top secret and non-attention seeking, but you know what they say, a baby changes everything.

What do you think about Blue Ivy Carter’s Billboard record?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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(Black Enterprise) — Earlier this morning noted journalist and author Danyel Smith announced that she had taken on the role of Editor-in-Chief of Billboard magazine. “[On the move] excited!,” she tweeted.  “Today is my first as editor of Billboard magazine.”  This is not Smith’s first turn with the music industry trade publication or as EIC of a major magazine. In 1993 she served as R&B Editor for Billboard, and ran Vibe magazine from 1997-1999 and again from 2006-2009.

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