Epiphany the new single from Chrisette Michele’s upcoming sophomore album hit the music blogosphere today. The melody, lyrics, and flow sounds as promising and entertaining as her underrated gold-selling debut album, I Am. Chrisette's new single will impact radio officially on February 10th - just in time for Valentine's Day.



Chrisette won me over with her vocals at her joint concert gig with Raheem DeVaughn and Solange last summer. I'm definitely looking forward to listening to her new material. Chrisette's new album (with production by Ne-Yo) will be released on March 31st.

So do you like Chrisette's new single "Epiphany"...or not?

Labels: Chrisette Michele, Music Hoopla, New Music

The Cannons, Ne-Yo, Duffy, Eve, and Chrisette Michelle were seen at music mogul L.A. Reid's "Le Metier De Beaute" cosmetics launch in New York City last night. Mariah's all covered up...once again!



Check out a sneak preview of Mariah's "I Stay in Love" music video which has its premiere on Monday on BET's "Access Granted" according to Mariah's official site, MARIAHCAREY.COM.



Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony attended the Fashion Group's 25th Annual Night of Stars in New York City. Also at the event were Kerry Washington, Chanel Iman, Donatella Versace, and Karl Lagerfield.



On a fashion tip J.Lo wore a pale pink one-shoulder Versace dress with a Versace croc-stamped clutch to the event.

Labels: Chanel Iman, Chrisette Michele, Eve, Fashion Hoopla, J.Lo, Kerry Washington, Music Hoopla, Ne-Yo, Out and About

Tocarra, Jazmine Sullivan and Chrisette Michele are featured in the October 2008 edition of "Essence" magazine. Each discusses their style advice and their career highlights. Photography was done by Christopher Kolk. So I thought I'll post up the scans with Urban-Hoopla readers.

Tocarra on how her "Vogue" feature changed her life: "Being in the [historic] Italian Vogue featuring all Black models was life-changing. I hope it sends a message to the industry to use, use us, use us! Next I have my fabulous exercise DVD for real-size women, which should come out in time for the New York's resolutions."

Jazmine on her work: "Like the name of my album, "I'm Fearless" and not afraid to jump in and try new things. Different genres of music are on this album - there's something for everyone. I just love performing - that's when I'm in my element."

Chrisette on her next album: "I'm excited because I'm recording my sophomore album. It's set to be release in November. We just wrapped up a gold album with "I Am", so I hope we can do even better with this one."

Grab a copy of "Essence" magazine, which is on newsstands now. Anyone else getting that Jill Scott Allure magazine vibe from the photos? All those lights covered their figure! Things that make me go hmm...

Labels: Chrisette Michele, Music Hoopla, Newsstand Snapshots, Tocarra

Boris Kodjoe, Solange Knowles, Musiq, Jill Scott, Sanaa Lathan, Tichina Arnold, Keisha-Knight Pulliam, and Chrisette Michele were seen at the on-going Essence Music Festival.



Solange's father Mathew Knowles accompanied her for a fan autograph session. When Mathew tried to plant a kiss on his daugther, Solange put on a sour expression - jokingly of course. If you check out the background, you'll notice that Solange and her father are promoting their hip-hop inspired toy company Baby Jamz as well.



Random tidbits: Musiq let his shirt show his political stance via a tee-shirt featuring Barack Obama's slogan, "Yes We Can." Sanaa came along with her boyfriend Adewale Ogunleye . Estelle was seen with Alegbra, Lyfe Jennings, and Mathew Knowles. Tichina, Sanaa, Chrisette, and Lynn Whitfield also wore LBD's (little black dresses) to the event. Lyfe, Bryan Michael Cox, Algebra and Estelle apparently filmed a segment for VH1 Soul's "Black Girls Rule."




Photos: WIREIMAGE

Labels: Boris Kodjoe, Chrisette Michele, Estelle, Jill Scott, Keisha Knight-Pulliam, Music Hoopla, Musiq, Out and About, Solange

This past Friday, Chrisette Michele threw a party in celebration of her recent BET Award nomination for best new artist at the Artistry in Atlanta, Georgia. The party also served as her "Art for Love" tour after-party. (I'm digging the new hair style Chrisette has kept up. In case you're wondering Chrisette's new hair 'do was done by Rihanna's hair guru, Ursula Stephen.)




Lately, Chrisette has kept a busy profile. Chrisette also has a new song that appeared on Tyler Perry's "House of Payne". She also released a new video for her single, "Love Is You." The Def Jam recording artist did a photo shoot for ATL-based photographer Derek Blanks.

Be sure to catch up with Chrisette on her current "Art for Love" tour with Solange Knolwes and Raheem DeVaughn. Atlanta-based publication, Access Atlanta has photos of Christte at Sugar Hill.




Photos: WIREIMAGE

Labels: Chrisette Michele, Music Hoopla, Out and About

With Solange Knowles as the opening act, the "Art for Love" tour was a fever-pitch musical utopia featuring Chrisette Michele and Raheem DeVaughn.

The highlights of the show goes as follows:
1.) Solange brought out Bilal to perform "Cosmic Journey" which was produced by Soulshock & Karlin.
2.) Chrisette paid tribute to Diana Ross and the Supremes via a jazzed up rendition of "Reflections". (Did I mention Chrisette jumped from vocals to keyboard playing between her performance set?)
3.) Raheem gave out his 202 phone number which caused a ruckus. (I almost got into a fight. -shrugs shoulders-).
4.) Solange called the person responsible for her injured foot a 'asshole' but that didn't stop her from doing a shoulder shrug during her performance set.
5.) Chrisette's brother came out to do a remix to "Be Ok"...and that goes to show that talent runs in the family.

Other noteworthy hoopla:
Chrisette got plenty of male admiration when she sang her current single, "Love is You". By the time Chrisette delivered her power jazz-inspired ballads "Golden" and "If I Had My Way", many couples all around me went into heavy makeout mode. By the way Chrisette has a new song that played during Tyler Perry's "House of Payne" show.

Solange performed "I Decided" (Pt. 1)", "Heat Wave", "T.O.N.Y", "Cosmic Journey", and "6 O'Block Blues". Solange's music showcase her solid songwriting skills and it's no wonder Solange recruited Mark Ronson, Bilal, Q-Tip, Pharrrell, Estelle, and many others on her album. Visit here for a preview of Solange's sophomore disc, "Sol-Angel & the Hadley Street Dreams."

During Raheem's set, he had a artist paint a Barack Obama mural. (Yes he can!) Raheem announced that he partnered up with Ledsi to tape a three episodes of the BET J show, "Lyric Cafe". Raheem also mentioned that his next album, "Loving U Masterpiece" may become a double CD. He also said he wrapped up a new film called, "Chess."

Anyhow check out a few video highlights from the show:





Each singer dished out a distinct R&B flair to their performances. Raheem came with the edge, Chrisette did her thing heavenly and Solange was the something new. (The sold-out crowd definitely got their money's worth on that Tuesday night.) Simply put, the tour is definitely a must-see for the mature music lovers. Be sure to visit Live Nation for additional tour dates.

In the mean time, check out the myspace pages of Solange, Chrisette and Raheem to keep up with their latest projects:

myspace.com/chrisettemichele
myspace.com/raheemdevaughn
myspace.com/solange

Thanks Victor Lu of Special Ops Media for the invite.

Labels: Chrisette Michele, Music Hoopla, Raheem DeVaughn, Solange

Fresh off the heels of her "Art for Love" tour, Chrisette Michele finally released the video treatment for "Love Is You" off her debut record, "I Am". Chrisette's latest single was produced by John Legend and the video was directed by Mildred Delamota.



Check out this brief clip of Chrisette on her tour bus...

Labels: Chrisette Michele, Music Hoopla, New Music

Chrisette Michele made a new video for Tyler Perry's "House Of Payne" sitcom. Check out the behind-the-scenes footage...



Isn't it great Chrisette has turned to acting? The recent college graduate Chrisette has appeared on another popular TV sitcom - "Girlfriends" and you can check out a clip from that segment here. (On the music tip, Chrisette worked with Michael Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, and The Roots on their single, "Rising Up.")

Chrisette also teamed up with Raheem DeVaughn and Solange Knowles for a six-week tour called, "Art of Love". Thanks to sureshot for the e-mail!

Labels: Chrisette Michele, TV Hoopla

Celebrity photographer Derek Blanks added more known faces such as David Banner, Mashonda, Tisha Campbell-Martin, and Chrisette Michele for his upcoming book, "Alter Ego Portraits".





Rundown: Chrisette signed a copy of her debut record, "I Am" for a fan. Tisha acted as mother caught between her two daughters fighting. Mashonda is about to do her, if you catch my drift. David portrayed a runway slave.

Labels: Chrisette Michele, David Banner, Mashonda, Newsstand Snapshots, Tisha Campbell-Martin