While Beyoncé is out here ducking and dodging pregnancy rumors, somebody went ahead and leaked her full “Grown Woman” track, produced by Timbaland. If you will recall, the general public first got a quick listen to the track when she premiered some of it in her Pepsi commercial, and at a tour stop in Paris, she performed the song for the first time. But despite all that, she hasn’t really given us full new music since “Bow Down/I Been On,” and many have been wondering when we’ll get to hear a new album since new tours usually come with such a thing. But while we wait for all that, for now, you can enjoy the track before The Beyoncé Machine rips it down once again. It’s definitely a coming-of-age track where she talks about her journey and being comfortable with where she is now:

They love the way I walk/‘Cause I walk with a vengeance
And they listen to me when I talk ’cause I ain’t pretending
It took a while, now I understand just where I’m going
Now I’m growing into who I am
‘Bout time I show it.

Check it out and let us know if it’s two-step worthy:

And as you can see above, the singer released new images from her controversial anniversary trip to Cuba with her hubby Jay-Z and the family. She can be seen enjoying the sights and sounds from a balcony, checking out classic cars and kicking it with school children. All in all, despite the flurry of drama that surrounded their trip, she has no qualms about sharing her experience. Check out more photos from the vacay on the next page and let us know what you think of “Grown Woman” below.

Everyone knows it’s the beat that makes the song what it is. So it’s only right that we pay tribute to some of the hottest music producers in Hip Hop then and now. Check them out.

Source:vibe.com

DJ Mustard

Mr. Mustard on the beat! I know some of you thought he said buss it on the beat, but he was building his brand dropping his own name. Very catchy! DJ Mustard has produced songs for Tyga — “Rack City” and 2 Chainz — “I’m different”. This guy right here knows how to get the party started.

Source: AP Images

If you ever wondered whether or not Beyoncé and Jay-Z were aware of the criticism they receive, they definitely do. And while they might try and ignore a majority of it, frankly, it seems Jay has had quite enough.

For a majority of the week I’m sure you’ve heard about everybody from Stacey Dash to Senator Marco Rubio publicly denouncing the couple’s decision to vacay and celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary with family in Cuba. Even some Republican representatives sent a letter to the U.S. Treasury Department asking for more info on their trip, wondering if they had received the proper paperwork and permission to travel. Well, according to Reuters, they definitely received proper approval from the U.S. Treasury Department for their trip, so it might be time for folks looking for conspiracies and such to move on to a new target.

…But first! Jay-Z took a moment (not clear whether it was during the Cuban trip or if they’re already back in the U.S.) to write his own letter, in song form, for the critics coming his way for said trip, and even the reports that he’s selling his stake in the Brooklyn Nets. In “Open Letter,” produced by both Timbaland and Swizz Beatz, he let’s his feelings known: “When you gettin’ too much bread, they try and jam you…” And of course, shots were fired at the same politicians who were blasting the Cuba trip: “Politicians never did Isht for me / Except lie to me, distort history/Want to give me jail time and a fine / Fine, let me commit a real crime”

And as for the Brooklyn Nets, sounds like he is selling his stake, but he had a few words about that as well:

“Would have brought the Nets to Brooklyn for free, except I made millions off of you f**kin’ dweeb/I still own the building/I’m still keeping my seats/You buy that bulls**t, better keep your receipt/Obama said chill, you gon’ get me impeached/You don’t need this s**t anyway, go chill with me on the beach”

Somebody up and got Jay-Z’s panties in a knot. But it makes for a banger! Check out the track below and let us know what you think of the song.

JLN Photography/WENN

Producer and “rapper” Timbaland has had enough and he’s not taking it anymore.

According to TMZ, Tim filed a lawsuit last month against American Home Assurance Company for $1.8 million dollars because they have refused to cover the claim of a watch that went missing in 2010.

Timbaland says he paid more than $50,000 in May 2010 to take out an insurance policy that would cover quite a bit of expensive items, including a watch from Jacob the Jeweler. The watch was 18k white gold and draped in over 30 carats of diamonds.

Some kind of way, the watch went missing in August 2010.  At that time, Tim was allegedly so upset about it being gone he got his family worked up and they called the police saying they thought he might commit suicide.  While Tim told police once they arrived that he was never going to do that, he did tell them that he thought someone he knew stole the watch.

The police started an investigation but it never went anywhere.

But now in the lawsuit against AHA, Timbaland says he thinks his young daughter picked it up and “played with it until she got bored and discarded it somewhere.”

While the value of the watch has not been revealed, the $1.8 million covers the cost of the watch, interest  and Tim’s lawyer fees.

There’s been no word from the insurance company as to why they won’t cover the claim.

Oh, the problems of the one percent nation.  All I have is a little Michael Kors watch and I guard it as though the plans to change the world are sitting under the face.

Hopefully, all of this will be settled soon.

What is Solo going to do next!?

If you didn’t know by now, Solange Knowles is a lover of ’90s music to the fullest. And when she’s not defending Brandy’s artistic awesome-ness against blogs on Twitter, she’s covering Nicole Wray. “Make It Hot” was everybody’s jam back in ’98, back when Missy used to do that slip and slide move across the floor, and Nicole was one of the many colorful folk that Elliot and Timbaland were producing bangers for. And clearly it’s still pretty popular, because during a recent show at XOYO in London, Solange decided to show some love to the track by covering it. Bringing out her friend Oliver Sims from the band The xx to help her perform the cut, their very colorful voices helped remind a crowd full of people why “Make It Hot” should be a staple in any iTunes list for a person who grew up in the ’90s. Check out their performance below, which really starts around the 50-second mark.

So did she make it hot? Either way, I know Wray is somewhere smiling at all this attention she’s getting once again. I think I’m going to play the original right now. And I’ve decided to post it if for you if you wanted to clown for a bit. Enjoy!

Whether these artists were huge names or little known artists at the time, they’ve been featured on some of our favorite songs over the years, producing, singing, writing, and more. While many of their voices and talents were ignored since all the attention was on the major artist of that time they were working with, they all went on to have a great deal of success in their own right, even passing up the people they once had to go through hell and high water to get on a track with. Interested in finding who sang on what? You know what to do–get to clickin’. (Sorry, but you knew that was coming…)

The MTV VMAs air tonight to celebrate the music videos they hardly ever play and hopefully bring about some yearly controversy. The show promises to be an over the top spectacle just as in years past, with alleged drama to come as MTV has practically been trying to get Chris Brown, Rihanna and Drake to sit next to each other. Never a dull moment with these awards, eh? If you don’t believe me, here are a few water cooler moments that left an impression (good or bad, that’s up to you) on the audience and those at home.

last.fm

Michael Jackson at the ’95 MTV VMAs
In 1995, the King of Pop opened the show. With backing from Slash, he performed for more than 10-minutes, and pumped out a medley of his greatest hits such as “Billie Jean,” “Dangerous,” “Beat It,” “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” and “Black or White.” Once again, he showed why there was everyone else and why there was just one Michael Jackson by putting on a mini concert. His night continued with wins in Best Dance Video, Best Art Direction and Best Choreography for “Scream,” his duet with sister, Janet.

Source: EurWeb

From EurWeb

Missy Elliott’s musical partner Timbaland spilled the beans Friday (Aug. 24) via Twitter.

“oh snap yall my sista @MissyElliott is dropping her singles #9thinning and #triplethreat labor day weekend. watch it world we back!!!”

Check out more details on Missy’s new songs on EurWeb.com.

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Source: Amazon.com

If a new Aaliyah album is released, it will be without her immediate family’s blessing.

As Necole Bitchie reported:

Aaliyah’s brother, Rashad, hopped on her Facebook page yesterday and claimed there is no Aaliyah album in the works that is endorsed by her family.

Source: http://realtalkny.uproxx.com/

That’s confusing since her label’s logo (ran by her uncle Barry Hankerson) was included on the official artwork that was released. That track was definitely endorsed by the label. This could have all been Rashad’s way of saying that the project (which may be in production) is not supported by her immediate family.

When news of a potential album executive produced by Drake surfaced, Timbaland blasted the project saying:

I know they trying to drop some Aaliyah records, but if he do it, it should be with me and Missy. The proper way for him to do that would be for me, him and Missy to be all on the record. But to put it on his record, would just not be right.

Now, XXL magazine is saying that Timbaland is on board and producing at least two new songs. They also say that the bulk of the production will be handled by Drake’s frequent collaborator Noah “40″ Shebib.

So, it looks like the album may be a “go” despite her family’s protests. As for a biopic on his sister’s life? Rashad is against that too. Necole Bitchie goes on to say:

On her facebook, Aaliyah’s brother also shut down rumors of a biopic in production by first posing the question, ‘Biopic Yes or No?’ and then posting, “No female I’ve seen can play my sister.” -Rashad

This potential Aaliyah movie has been talked about for years. Meagan Good, Destiny Lightsy and Keisha Chante have all discussed playing Aaliyah. Rumor had it that Keisha Chante (Drake’s ex-girlfriend) was ultimately chosen to play the late singer and Dreamgirls director, Bill Condon, was going to direct the film.

The film was reportedly stalled because the family wasn’t on board back then…and it sounds as though they’re not on board now either. A few months ago, Keisha said in an interview that Aaliyah’s family is still mourning her loss and they aren’t ready to share her story and create a film.

Though many of us would like to see it, it’s completely understandable for her family to be against a movie about her life. Who would want want someone digging around in their daughter or sister’s past trying to find dirt to expose in a movie? Besides that, you never know how you’re going to be portrayed. It would likely be the same for an Aaliyah flick. Still, it seems that everyone involved would be interested in ultimately preserving her memory and celebrating her life.

They came out with a movie about Notorious B.I.G twelve years after his untimely death and his family was heavily involved. This year happens to be the 11th anniversary of Aaliyah’s passing. Maybe her family will have a change of heart and decide to get behind a biopic soon? It’s not likely.

What do you think? Would you like to hear a new Aaliyah album or a see a movie about her life?

Follow Alissa on Twitter @AlissaInPink

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Source: idolmag.co.uk

When it comes to posthumous albums, for recently deceased and iconic deceased artists, the release of one can bring in big dollars for their estate and more fans to their musical catalog. Over the years, some artists have had their unreleased tracks flipped and released posthumously, with good and bad results. With the news that Drake is hoping to produce a posthumous album for the late Aaliyah (his imaginary girlfriend), the release of the first single, “Enough Said,” and the recent news that Missy and Timbaland will contribute to the project, we’re wondering if the upcoming album will be a huge hit, or a hot mess of a miss. We’re also thinking about past posthumous projects and the marks they’ve made, or the missteps made in releasing them to the world. Shall we discuss? Let’s take a look at a few…

Source: headphonemonsta.com

Notorious BIG – Life After Death  (Loved)

To be clear up front, posthumous refers to a work published after someone’s death. Though BIG worked on this double album himself and it was actually supposed to be released on Halloween of ’96, it was released two weeks after his death in ’97. Not only was it a commercial success (diamond status) and considered one of the best selling hip-hop albums of all time, it was also a huge success with critics and fans alike. There was a little bit of something for everybody, including the mainstream cats (“Hypnotize”), the ladies (“F*** You Tonight”), the hardcore fans (“Notorious Thugs” and “What’s Beef?”), and…Diddy, of course (“Mo Money Mo Problems”).