Source: Twitter

After a successful first season, the stars of TV One’s hit reality show R&B Divas are gearing up for the premiere of Season 2. The sophomore season promises new faces, great singing  and of course, more drama. During a recent interview with Cocoa Fab singer Keke Wyatt revealed that she didn’t really want to return for a second season because she’s so tired of all of the drama. Check out some of what she had to say below.

On being tired of drama between her co-stars:

“I wasn’t really going to come back at first because they was getting on my nerves fighting and carrying on, and I thought this show was supposed to be not all that crap. So they told me that it wasn’t going to be like that this season, which that was a lie, but whatever. I’m on there.”

On taking on the “voice of reason” role:

“I just felt like if I (was) quiet, I won’t have to pop nobody in the head. I just had to chill out. I love Nikki and I love Syleena, I love all of ‘em genuinely. It’s real for me, and I just don’t want to see family and friends fighting. It just don’t make no sense. Although they’re not physically fighting, verbally fighting is just as damn bad.”

“I think so. I think that it’s a great platform to do what I’m trying to do, so my main mission in life is to reach people and what better to reach people through television and music?”

“I’m actually almost done with it. It’s some new Keke Wyatt, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do from the very beginning of my career versus being told what to sing and how to sing it. I feel like this music is more relatable in other areas versus just the love, make-up, break-up and all that crap that I’ve been singing before, which  is fine — no shade to it — but the new stuff is more love because I love to love, love to love, love to love, period. I’m serious.”

Thoughts?

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You know that feeling you get when you hear your favorite singer sing live or even better, when you hear an old school song that makes you swoon? I’m pretty sure this guy can do the absolute same thing for you.

BJ The Chicago Kid is a singer/songwriter who hails from the south side of…yes, Chicago.  His parents were choir directors and music was a constant in his home.  His parents, though of the church world, were well-rounded enough to be open to listen to all kinds of music.

BJ moved to California when he was 19 and became a background singer for gospel stars Mary Mary.  His words can be heard on songs by Mary J. Blige, Anthony Hamilton, Toni Braxton and Musiq Soulchild. He’s also sung background vocals or with stars like Usher and Stevie Wonder. BJ’s own music is extremely soulful, giving you very 70s soul and funk with a hip-hop slap on it.

Last year, he released Pineapple Now & Laters on iTunes which was possibly one of the most slept on R&B albums of 2012.  Songs like “Fly Girl Get ‘Em” and “Aiight” are stand outs as he celebrates black women and also love and sex, respectively. Oh yes, BJ loves singing about bedroom activity; his most recent single, “Honey” is the proof in that pudding.

While, it seems like BJ is becoming a slow burn in the music industry, hip hop artists like Kendrick Lamar and Big K.R.I.T (who I’ll get to another day because you all are still sleeping on him) have also embraced him; Kendrick dropped a couple of verses on Pineapple Now & Laters and BJ sings the hook on “Life Is A Gamble” from K.R.I.T.’s latest mixtape, King Remembered In Time.

Now, I’m not going to force him on you but as a whole, we’re always complaining that music sucks and no one is really making anything good anymore, right?

Well, here I am: Serving you BJ The Chicago Kid on a platter.

Check out “Fly Girl Get Em” below:

As you might have suspected, due to all the recent interviews, Chris Brown is back on the scene with some new music. And fortunately, he’s leaving the techno stuff alone for a little while. Instead, he’s taking it back to his R&B days. Remember “Yo”? I still swear by that song. But I digress. In this new song, “Fine China,” Chris Brown is exercising his vocal chords sliding in and out of falsetto range with ease. Listening to the audio alone, there were definitely moments where I wondered if there was a woman on the track accompanying him. It’s impressive. Then instrumentally, there’s a funky bass line and violins throughout.

As for the visuals, Chris Brown is in Michael Jackson mode so tough it nearly slaps you in the face. Fortunately, it stops short of being a cheesy imitation and comes across as more of a nod of appreciation. The comparisons are far too numerous to list here but he does Michael’s high pitched wail, the video could easily be considered one of Michael’s signature “short films,” and the emphasis on choreography, though uniquely Chris, is still a nod to the King of Pop.

The story follows Chris as he and his Asian (remember Fine China) love interest hit the streets together, despite her father’s objections. Daddy is not going to give up easily though and things go from light-hearted and fun to threatening and dangerous. Check it out and let us if you’re feeling the song and video.

Credit: Shutterstock

If you’re an R&B/Hip-Hop music lover, 2013 is gearing up to be an exciting year for music. Although no album is official until it actually hits the market, let’s keep our fingers crossed that most of these do. Here are nine albums to be released this year.

Yesterday we gave you one take on Beyonce’s new song “Bow Down,” now let’s actually look at some of the ways Bey is winning with this new hood track track — and of course a few things that are still a tad controversial.

Over the weekend, “Queen Bey” sent out a special invitation — or suggestion rather– to non-fans of hers everywhere via new music:  ”Bow Down Bishes!”

I think I speak for listeners across the globe when I say after hearing the verse and chorus of the new track, I couldn’t help but think, excusez-moi?

Let me start by saying I’m all for the beat, and as someone who listens to ratchet music on a daily, my issue isn’t really that I’m offended by her “message,” if you will, although I can certainly see why some people would be. I’m more so… confused.

I may have been one of the last few people to realize Bey is really H-town down south hood — minus the middle class upbringing — so while at this point I’m not surprised at her venturing off into this chopped and screwed genre, I am a little befuddled by the timing. After all, isn’t this the same woman who was just singing The National Anthem (sorta kinda) at the Inauguration of the President of the United States, and who Michelle Obama said she wanted to be if she could be anyone else, and oh, who just became a mother. And let’s not forget Oprah practically salivating over the woman she deemed “Mistress of the Universe” during her “Next Chapter” special. For someone held in such high regard by other notable public figures in their own right, I’m curious how this image fits in with Beyonce’s brand.

Truthfully, I would have expected this type of track from a younger Bey; not a 31-year-old new mother working on her fifth solo album. I would’ve thought a song like this would’ve come out after “Soldier” back when she really was rocking dookie braids with the baby hair. But then again, I don’t listen to Beyonce for substance so maybe the problem here is my own level of expectation. And though I see the fun in “I Been On,” the second part of the new music track she released, and can almost guarantee it will be in heavy rotation on my smart phone, I don’t know what to make of this “bow down bishes” ultimatum from a woman so keen on woman empowerment. Plus, this isn’t even a female anthem like “Single Ladies,” per say, that her legions of Beylievers can even buy into and that would give the whole b**** thing a pass — because we know women call each other that word more often than we like to admit. This song is really just about Beyonce and some bishes that may or may not exist.

Matter of fact, just who is she talking to? Rihanna? Keri Hilson? I mean who’s really trying to come for Beyonce’s crown? And this whole “I took some time to live my life/But don’t think I’m just his little wife” line? She’s just making up imaginary controversy now because everyone knows Bey and Jay are pretty much neck and neck in terms of net worth and the way 2013 is looking she’ll probably bring in more cash than her hubby. Who has ever, in their wrong mind, confused her as just Jay’s little wife? Besides, isn’t she the one who named her latest concert series, “The Mrs. Carter” tour?

Perhaps Bey is talking to the people who don’t worship at the feet of Beysus as if they don’t have a right to choose what music they succumb their ears to. Or, there’s my final theory that she’s not really talking to anyone at all because even if you’re not a fan of anything Beyonce has ever done in her entire  life, there’s a general respect for her talent as a performer and there may be 1% of the world population who would ever try to refute that. Maybe Bey is just on her Mariah Carey, post Tommy Mottola ish and is finally putting out the music daddy Knowles would have once forbade.

There’s little Beyonce can do without causing a stir, and I’m sure it won’t be long before feminist commentators shoot down this song the same way they did “Who Run the World.” I personally take less issue with the song from a womanist standpoint than I do age appropriateness. But then again, she’s gotten away with worse before so I imagine people will end up doing exactly what she’s telling them too: bowing down bishes.

Folks have been wondering for years now if Justin had turned his back on the music scene to do that acting thang. Popping up in blockbuster movies or appearing repeatedly on SNL. Well, last week Justin let us know that he was ready.  Ready to get back in the studio. Ready to start working with his studio, road dawg Timbaland and ready to collaborate with Hip Hop royalty, Jay-Z.

The product of those sessions is his new song, “Suit & Tie.” Check it out below.

This song goes through a lot of changes and right now I can’t say I love it; but I do anticipate it growing on me in the weeks to come. It’ll be a nice little ditty to two step, all dressed up in the club…or something. What do you make of Justin’s return to the music scene?

I, for one, really appreciated Eve’s music back in the day. She was Hot but she didn’t rely on it. She also had something to say. So it’s good to see her back on the scene with her new song “She Bad Bad.” Check out the video of Eve all glammed up, with black nails, fur and a fedora. Homegirl still looks good.

And the song and the beat is nice, something I can definitely see women dancing to in the club. Check out the video and let us know if you’re digging this one. Are you passing on it, or playing the mess out of it?

Source: YouTube.com

Personally, I’m surprised to see that Prince is allowing his new video to be posted online. You know how he feels about the internets. (He said he thinks it’s just a fad.) Well, his new song, “Rock and Roll Love Affair,” has a video and thankfully, someone convinced the Purple One it needed to be uploaded. True story, if it had been left up to the networks, where would we see it? On 106 & Park (LOL, I kid.) Maybe Vh1 Soul? Either way, now that’s on the internet, it can get the exposure it deserves.

So check out the official video below. And be sure to take note of Prince’s natural do. This is a big step for a man who at least stayed with a serious press and curl.

Yaasss! If you ask me, the man’s still got it. Isn’t it nice to hear real instruments in a song? What I appreciate about Prince as an artist is that though he’s clearly grown, evolved and even experimented, his music is still consistent to his iconic brand. I’m digging this song. What do you think about it?

Source: Idolator

I don’t know exactly what’s going on in this song or video but there’s a ton of color, a lot of touching, and quite a few bootay shots. But what do you expect from Nicki Minaj and Cassie?

The two ladies joined together for a new single off of Nicki Minaj’s upcoming album, “Roman Reloaded,” titled “The Boys” and in the video they’re experimenting a bit with role-playing and seemingly making fun of all the things men in the industry do — I think. It’s an interesting hip-pop track that will probably get a lot of play in the club and could possibly even boost Cassie’s career. And there’s a funny nod to Joseline and Stebie’s relationship in Nicki’s second verse that the Barbz and “Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta” fans will love.

Take a listen and tell us what you think.

Do you say pass or play?