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It hasn’t even been six months since Hollywood sweethearts Chris Brown and Rihanna officially confirmed their reunion to the world. After a tearful Rih Rih confessed that she still loved Chris and believed that he was her soulmate during an episode of Oprah’s Next Chapter and Chris dropped his little homemade video about being in love with two women, romantic reconciliation between the two seemed inevitable.

After a slew of photos of Chris and Rih Rih that screamed coupledom began to surface and a series of their famous subtweets, Rihanna finally opened up about their relationship during a January interview, officially confirming their reunion.

“I decided it was more important for me to be happy,” she said of her decision to get back with Chris.

Breezy echoed his Bajan boo-thang, confirming their reunion one month later at Elton John’s HIV foundation party following the Grammy Awards.

“We are really happy. We are back together. She is the most beautiful girl in the world,” the “Fine China” singer gushed.

Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on whether or not you’re “Team Chrianna”), round two of Chris and Rih Rih’s love affair was short-lived. In the wake of numerous break-up rumors, Chris confirmed to Australian radio show, 2Day’s that he and Rihanna are no longer an item.

“I’ve actually got three birthday parties scheduled, I got one in L.A., one in Vegas and one in New York so we can gon’ have fun, and I’m just trying to have, you know, the best time with my fans and all the people in the club,” he said of his planned birthday celebrations.

When asked if he would be celebrating with Rihanna he responded:

“Imma do it solo. I mean, at the end of the day, shawty doing her own thang, she on the road. It’s always gonna be love. I’m a grown man, just gotta fast forward.”

He went on to say that he still loves Rihanna, but being tied down to one person right now just isn’t practical.

“I’m always gonna love that person. I cant be focused on wife-ing someone that young. I need to be the best Chris Brown I can be.”

Turn the page for audio from Chris’ interview. What are your thoughts on the split?

In the cutthroat world of show business, sometimes it’s comforting to have a familiar face and someone you can trust as part of the team. These 15 celebrities left their fate and careers into the hands of their parents and it served them well — very well.

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The Kardashians

Perhaps the mother of all momagers, Kris Jenner helped her Kardashian daughters become household names. In addition to launching the careers of Kim, Khloe and Kourtney as reality television stars, the Kardashians have segued into the world of fashion design. Ready to have the limelight to shine on her, Jenner has inked a deal for her own talk show. In 2011, it was reported that she was worth an estimated $20 million.

Nothing puts a stop to shine quicker than drug addiction. Just ask Whitney, Bobby, DJ Screw or any of the hundreds of other celebrities that fell into the life and couldn’t climb out. These celebrities are quickly following in their footsteps.

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Rihanna

RiRi is suffering from all the classic symptoms of pot head itis. She shows up to work late, cancels appointments and she’s dating a dude that nobody sober could stomach. Maybe if she puts down the blunt she can make those tour dates instead of having to fake doctor’s appointments.

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Well, apparently, somebody asked this man to open his mouth.

The NY Daily News caught up to Chris Brown’s dad, Clinton, to talk to him about his son and Rihanna’s relationship.  Seeing as though we’ve never heard much from him in the past, you know he took every opportunity to chat it up.

When asked about the twosome, Brown said:

“I personally really didn’t want him and Rihanna back together.  You have to have a balance in a relationship. You have to have someone who is spontaneous and whimsical but you also have to have someone who is grounded and logical.”

You know, it’s not that what he’s saying is incorrect but why even talk about it?  I get it, everyone else has publicly had their say so why not Papa Brown?  But by now, he should know that neither Chris nor Rihanna care about what people say about their relationship.

Clinton also added that his pick for his son would have been Jordin Sparks who he called a “wholesome young lady” who’s also very pretty.  A few years ago, Jordin would have agreed with him because she had quite the crush on him for a long time.

Thankfully, he didn’t “down” Rihanna. He said he met her a few years ago during the first go ’round of “Chrianna” and said she was very respectful and polite.  Still, he just feels like his son could have moved on from her and found someone better.

I wonder if Chris or Rihanna will respond to this story.  Neither of them is known for staying quiet when someone has something to say about them.

What do you think? Should Chris’ father just have stayed quiet about this whole thing, especially since the “talk” has died down a lot?

Whenever big events are taking place we’re always anticipating who our favorite celebs will bring as their dates. Just when we think it’ll be a model, they make us fall in love them even more by bringing  their mamas instead. I always find it cute when they show mom dukes that she will always and forever be their leading lady. Video vixen, models, singers… fall back because the mothers are running this show.

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Chris Brown is still out and about promoting his new album, X, which will come out in July, and he stopped by the Houston radio show 97.9 to speak on why he’s hoping to change the game of R&B again, and why he’s not about all the drama people think he is.

Opening up, Brown spoke about his hope for his future videos, and going for a Michael Jackson cinematic type of approach with them from now on, instead of the same big booty girls, big bootied cars thing everybody is doing right now:

“Hopefully I can make every video for this next album something like a movie, or something eventful. You know, capture the audience instead of doing the same ol’ big booties in the video, pull up in a nice car, and I’m rapping in the front. I would rather do a feature film type thing… Once the album is released I’m going to have at least 10 videos, so people can actually see and experience the songs they fall in love with by the visuals. I just want to switch it up and have a different approach.”

And Chris says that he wants to see other musicians in the game step it up. But he does think that out of everybody in R&B, he’s most impressed with Miguel:

“I’m in a good frame as far as music so I want everybody to do dope stuff. Like Miguel is doing great to me. Everything he does that’s dope, because it makes us as entertainers work harder. It’s just a whole bunch of people doing the same ‘ol bull and you don’t got a chance to elevate or work on your talents or crafts. So I commend all these new artists and everybody that’s really out here grinding. Showing all the old veteran artists that look man, your spot ain’t solidified. You take a hiatus it might be over…”

And of course, he discussed the state of R&B, which he claims is only focused on drama and personal scandals instead of actual music right now. Frankly, homeboy is sick and tired of it:

“People don’t even know, me and Miguel are good friends. Usually when you have R&B artists in this world, it’s always a competition or a back and forth because of who is better than who…But me and Miguel are close friends. I can’t say that about EVERY person in the industry [laughs], but definitely as far as the game is concerned, I’m more excited to see what’s going to come this summer. What’s going to happen with all the big, big events and awards in general. Because it’s time to make the music industry exciting again. Only thing that’s exciting about the music industry right now is the scandal and the B.S. You wanna see “Love and Hip Hop” or you want to see somebody fighting on TV, or who slept with this person and who cheated on who. It’s like high school to me. Mentally, I don’t even want to deal with it, I just want to put my music out.”

Seems like we’re seeing a new side of Chris, which is refreshing, because he’s got too much talent to constantly be embroiled in the drama. But alas, let’s see how long this will last.

What do you think of his statements about the state of R&B? Does he have a point?

When artists have beef with each other, the easiest way to let the other person know what’s up is to put it in a song. Many of the rappers and singers who made this list have been known to cause controversy and have no problem speaking their mind. Let’s take a look at some of the most memorable and funny beefs in hip hop.

Any time you’re trying to describe an artist, there’s always a temptation to compare them to someone else. It’s easier to say “Keyshia Cole is like Mary J. Blige” than to say “Keyshia Cole makes raw, soul-infused R&B filled with themes of pain and personal transformation.” I get that. But sometimes the comparisons go too far, and we try to place up-and-comers in the same category as legends whose legacies have left an indelible mark on the musical landscape.

The late, great Michael Jackson is probably the most frequent victims of suspect comparisons. It seems that anyone who can dance and sing reasonably well is at some point dubbed the new or next version of The Gloved One. Usher is the new Michael Jackson. Chris Brown is the new Michael Jackson. Beyoncé is the new Michael Jackson. In the name of all that is holy, this must stop. I have seen all three of these “new Michael Jacksons” live, and I can attest that any one of their shows will change your night, if not your life. Usher is a consummate entertainer, Chris Brown is the best dancer I have ever seen anywhere, and Beyoncé
will leave you out of breath just watching her.

That said, to compare these entertainers to the King of Pop, a man who was arguably the most innovative, groundbreaking and important artist of all-time, hurts my feelings in ways I can’t begin to describe. I could possibly tolerate something more specific like “he can sing and dance well, kind of like a young Michael Jackson.” But to compare artists to someone who was incomparable won’t fly.

Another questionable comparison involves Trey Songz. I’ve heard him described as the next R. Kelly and/or D’Angelo. I’m sorry, what did you say? Just because you take your shirt off and sing sex-laced ballads does not make you heir to the throne of Kells or the inimitable D’Angelo. So I’m going to need people to cease and desist equating any crooner with a sexed up catalogue and a six-pack to either of these two very unique and musically-gifted individuals.

And then, there is perhaps the most egregious comparison I’ve heard yet: that Frank Ocean is this generation’s Luther Vandross or Marvin Gaye. For the love of Tyler Perry, we must stop this madness. I think we’ve all heard more than enough Luther and Marvin to know that Frank is neither, so I will kindly ask the people making these comparisons to have a seat for eternity.

Young Frank and his unique brand of R&B has certainly taken the world by storm. But to compare an individual with a mixtape and an album to legends who shaped entire eras, who left us with some of the most memorable music we have, whose musical styles don’t even resemble Ocean’s, is simply ludicrous. In the words of Claudette Wyms, one of my favorite characters on the former FX drama The Shield, “You’re stretching, son. Try yoga.”

These ridiculous comparisons also occur in the rap spectrum. I think we all laughed off the idea that Ja Rule was the new DMX, but among the more outlandish claims I’ve heard is that Kendrick Lamar is the new 2Pac. Girl, bye. I can’t even dignify that with a response.

Sure, there are similarities between artists, and comparisons are inevitable. Nicki Minaj is like Lil Kim or Foxy Brown, female rappers who blend sexuality with serious bars. Justin Bieber is like Justin Timberlake; they’re both white r&b/pop artists who got their start as teen idols. Lady Gaga is like Madonna; they’re fearless females who push the envelope and weave religious imagery and sex into their music.

But no one is the new or next anyone, much as each generation might want to lay claim to their own version of some superstar. Chris Brown is not the new Michael Jackson and Frank Ocean is not the new Luther Vandross. There is one Michael and one Luther and one Marvin and one 2Pac, and there will never be some newfangled knockoff. They’ll come through and create their own lane and legacies. But we lessen the legacies of certain icons by claiming there is some updated version, like they are a line of soft drink or an old computer program. What these people did is unmatched and will remain unmatched. Without taking anything away from these talented young artists — who deserve to be seen in their own light, and not in someone else’s shadow — let’s not pretend a legend who brought us something we’d never seen before and will never see again can somehow be duplicated.

What’s the craziest musical comparison you’ve ever heard? Sound off in the comments.

Lauren Carter is a Boston-based wordsmith who writes about music, pop culture, race and relationships. Connect with her on Twitter @ByLaurenCarter or check out her blog at www.bylaurencarter.com.

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Another day, another copyright infringement accusation. This common issue seems to be the norm among industry insiders. The latest artist to be accused of “track-jacking” is will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas. According to The Huffington Post, house music producers Mat Zo and Arty are claiming that the hipster ripped off his “Let’s Go” track featuring Chris Brown from them. The song does sound very similar to the Mat Zo and Arty-produced dance track, “Rebound.” Now the producers are claiming that the song was never properly cleared by Brown and will.i.am for use.

This of course rubbed Chris the wrong way, as he maintains that he is an innocent party in the matter.

So far there has been no official news of legal action being taken against will.i.am or Chris. Despite Will’s Twitter mentions being clogged with insults regarding the allegations, he has yet to publicly respond to the controversy. Although he and Arty felt slighted by Will’s alleged track-jacking antics, Mat took to his Facebook page, asking fans to chill out with the insults they’ve been hurling Will’s way and to stop making racist comments.

“I really and truely appreciate all the support you are giving me and Arty in response to Will I Am’s copyright infringement. However, this doesnt excuse the horrific abuse youre sending the way of Will I Am and Chris Brown, and it especially doesnt excuse being racist. Thank you,” Mat wrote.

Check out will.i.am and Chris Brown’s track below. Turn the page for Mat Zo and Arty’s track. Thoughts?

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Drake hasn’t done much press in a while but on Friday night, he dropped in on Elliott Wilson’s show at East Village Radio (EVR for short) and gave what was a really good interview.  l Miss Info was cool enough to post it in its entirety.

For quite some time, Drake and Wilson discussed music in terms of where Drake is in the recording process for his new album (he’s actually dropping two singles next wee), if he’s working with new producers and how he feels about other artists and particularly, how he tends to “open his door” to new artists and give them a platform.

Awesome, right? It actually was.  Well, within the last 15 minutes, Wilson started talking to Drake about how he hates the “dog and pony show” of listening parties and interviews and the media “entrapment.” Wilson mentioned how when Chris Brown goes on interviews, people always ask him about Drake. Drake, very casually, responded:

“Don’t ask me s–t about that man when I come up there (“there” being at a media outlet for interviews). And leave than man alone. Stop preying on his insecurities. His insecurities are the fact that I make better music than him. That I’m more poppin’ than him. And at one point in life th woman he loves fell in my lap.  I did what a real —– would do and treated her with respect.”

Welp, there it is!  Drake acknowledged that they do have a problem and either it’ll work itself out or not but that the media won’t get “anything” out of a rap battle between them because Drake “does this for real and actually good at it.” Wilson was rapping it up by saying “…yeah, you we don’t need that situation and Drake added, “I’m not thinking about that man or that girl.”

There were no subliminal messages there, folks.  They don’t like each other but Drake believes that the media (and probably his own fans) hype everything up and make situations bigger than they really are.

So what’s next? Talking about each other’s mothers?  Am I instigating? Sure but he did the interview and wanted people to talk so I think this is an even trade.

Check out the “messiest” part of the interview below: