In the video for “Never Should Have,” Ashanti lies on a stone structure while singing heart-wrenching lyrics related to her derailed relationship. Cutaways of other tumultuous relationships are shown throughout the Sanji-directed video. Braveheart is due out on July 11th. Read More
If you got a cute face, fat booty and walk with a vengeance, you can do whatever you want, according to Beyoncé. This is the main takeaway from her new song “Grown Woman.”
Backed by an army of dancers, including the Les Twins, the African-inspired beat and rhythm provide a wide palette for Beyoncé to paint another incredible routine for the world to replicate.
A snippet of the song can be heard during her Pepsi spot, but attendees of the Paris “Mrs. Carter World Tour” stop experienced the entire record during its live debut. Watch below, courtesy of a MadMan. Read More
Miguel is living an artist’s dream. In the past year, he’s collaborated with three of the most successful R&B singers of all time–Alicia Keys, Beyoncé and the blueprint, Mariah Carey.
Mariah confirmed rumors of working with Miguel by releasing a 26-second teaser for their “Beautiful” collaboration. The preview begins with a needle dropping on vinyl and is followed by a looping bluesy guitar lick. Read More
Baltimore Bad Boy Los readies the release of his Becoming King mixtape with “Burn Slow.” Dropped on 4/20, the appropriately titled record is an ode to marijuana and features the unofficial face of bud–Wiz Khalifa. Mickey Shiloh smoothly coos the haunting hook, solidifying it as an infectious stoner anthem.
One puff of “Burn Slow” will prompt a feeling of mild regret for being unfamiliar with Los’ work. Perhaps the gaudy jewelry was a distractor. Usually, chains and watches are used to compensate for subpar talent, but both of Los’ verses debunk theories of mediocrity. Read More
If there’s a birth surge 9 months from now, Alicia Keys and Maxwell are to blame. The sultry duo brought their steamy duet, “Fire We Make,” to life, and as the title suggests, it’s hot.
Directed by Chris Robinson, the vintage video takes place in a New Orleans hotel owned by Alicia’s mother. Alicia narrates their love story, starting with the moment they met–Max checking into their French Quarter hotel. Read More
T.I. is in that awkward veteran rapper phase, so it was imperative to shed light on “Memories Back Then,” an incredible track that was axed from Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head.
Tip’s pop chart-friendly protégé B.o.B, hip hop’s savior Kendrick Lamar and Hustle Gang’s Aaliyah-meets-Cassie singer Kris Stephens are featured on the vulgarly introspective record. Read More
Antoine Dodson’s doppelgänger, Trinidad James, returned to the infamous Breakfast Club sporting a perm and trimmed nails. Don’t assume the alleged $2 million deal has changed the Atlanta rapper, though. His smile is just as compelling as before. Read More
Sean “Diddy” Combs promises to focus on art, music, fashion, culture and film with his forthcoming cable network, Revolt. Currently, the pitch–”the Revolution will be Televised”–is strong, and the goal–no more ratchet content–is sharp. However, a network aimed towards African Americans that hopes to receive its fuel from social media cannot survive without Twitter’s animated subgroup, “Black Twitter.”
No stranger to television, particularly reality television, Diddy is lauded for supplying viewers a weekly dosage of classic, drama-filled television moments via MTV’s Making the Band and the Donald Trump-inspired I Want to Work for Diddy. A proper reboot of the former, which exploited three now-defunct bands, will easily penetrate the coveted “Black Twitter” audience. Read More