Close friends India.Arie and Musiq Soulchild collaborated on her new single, "Chocolate High" off her upcoming album, Testimony: Vol. 2 Love & Politics.

Labels: India.Arie, Music Hoopla, Musiq, Video Hoopla

India.Arie(vocalist behind "I'm Not My Hair" & "Video") has come back to the music scene with a highly anticipated album, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics. India collaborated with close friend Musiq Soulchild on the track "Chocolate High" and she has a Gramps Morgan acoustic duet called "Therapy." (Both singles were release back in Fall 2008.) I absolutely love "Chocolate High" for its melody and lyrics.



The new India.Arie album drops on February 10th. Thanks Natalie Espinosa!

Labels: India.Arie, Music Hoopla, Musiq, New Music

Musiq Soulchild release the cover artwork for his new album, "OnMyRadio" (due out December 9th) with the Mary J Blige-assisted single, "IfULeave." December 9th has become a busy day in R&B because the new releases from Keri Hilson and Brandy also drops that day. Anyhow Musiq's album is one to watch out for and I'm eager to hear what he has going on lyrically.




Christina Milian wore a Badley Mischka sequin dress to Gabrielle's Angel Foundation Gala and she recently said during a myspace video blog that she shot a video for "Gotta Get To You."



The eagle eyes over at Milian Gloss posted a fashion face-off between Kristen Bell and Christina Milian in a black and silver Jenny Packham backless mini-dress. You know the drill, which look is on lock?

Labels: Celebrity Blog, Christina Milian, Music Hoopla, Musiq

Earlier this month photos taken from Musiq Soulchild's "If You Leave" Manhattan video shoot and a teaser trailer surfaced online. Now you can check out the video premiere for Musiq's duet with Mary J Blige below. The single is the current single off Musiq's upcoming album, "OnMyRadio." Contemporary R&B at its best...

Labels: MJB, Music Hoopla, Musiq, Video Hoopla

Brandy went shopping with MySpace's weekly fashion series "The Fit." The "Right Here (Departed)" singer also posted up several candids of her brother Ray J at Detroit's Hot 102.7 and chilling with her daughter Sy'Rai onto her myspace page. DJ Booth recently caught up with Brandy who said she wrote a lot of material (including the Natasha Bedingfield-collaboration, "Fall") on her upcoming fifth solo album, "Human."



Mary J Blige and Musiq Soulchild were seen on the video set of his latest single, "If You Leave" in Manhattan. Musiq after a little style switch up slowly made his way back to his original musical stance. "If You Leave" is a favorite of mine's and I cannot wait to check out the music video because MJB and Musiq are strictly about quality R&B music.



Not too long ago, Musiq added a video clip of his single, "So Beautiful" on myspace page. He performed the new single at Washington, DC back in August. "So Beautiful" and "If You Leave" will be include on his upcoming album, "OnMyRadio." Check it out...

Labels: Brandy, Celeb Offspring, MJB, Music Hoopla, Musiq, Ray J

Musiq Soulchild return back to his original sound via this new duet with Mary J Blige called, "If You Leave." The song was posted up on Musiq's official site. You simply can't go wrong with these two vocally. His album, "On My Radio" has its album release date on December 2nd. (Thanks Rae!)






Angela Bassett's upcoming "ER" debut has its TV premiere on September 25th ...and her husband Courtney B. Vance will join the long running show as her on-screen husband. I'm looking forward to the last season of "ER" and what Angela would bring to the show.




Kat DeLuna started off just fine doing this live rendition of the National Anthem until she went a bit overboard vocally and the audience quickly put her in check.



Kanye West addressed 50 Cent on his blog today about 50 'singing' his new single, "Lock Lockdown." As you can recall, Kanye and 50 had 'beef' when they release their albums "The Massacre" and "Graduation" last September. So one can argue whether or not if the beef is over or not...

just woke up from a quick studio nap… I’ve been workin’ on 808s and Heartbreak about 16 hrs a day and Superman passed out for a little bit… I’m in hawaii but I’m still on NY time so I wake up mad early, do some business, blog, jog for an hour, play ball, eat and then hit the stu by noon. While approving the final cut for the Love Lockdown vid, I marvel at the fact that it was written less than 3 weeks ago. I’m very excited about the everything… I guarantee this will be 50’s favorite album of mine. This will be gangster’s album of the year.

Labels: 50 Cent, Angela Bassett, Kanye West, Kat DeLuna, MJB, Music Hoopla, Musiq, TV Hoopla

Cassie finally debut her "Official Girl" video treatment on MTV's FNMTV but those Givenchy heels she wore in the very beginning seemed to be one of the saving graces from the Chris Robinson-directed video. For the record, Tyra Banks and Rihanna already rock those in-demand heels prior. I do like that pink Vivienne Westwood sweater mini-dress she has on...even though she wore IT to the 2008 BET Awards. Isn't it a smart move on Cassie's part to put Lil' Wayne on her lead single off her upcoming sophomore disc?



Solange Knowles recently released the funky video concept to her second single, "Sandcastle Disco." Her sophomore disc, "Sol-Angel & the Hadley Street Dreams" has gained plenty of praise on the blogosphere. Be sure to pick up a copy this Tuesday August 26th. If you're looking for any signs of Q-Tip who remixed "Sandcastle Disco" in the video that Solange directed by the way, don't! Solange decided to rock the single solo. The video convey Solange's off-the-wall personality and funky fashion sense, doesn't it? Anyhow, be sure to check out a few promotional photos of Solange in those Giambattista Valli-esque shoes right below.




When John Legend's new single, "Green Light" featuring newly fashion designer Andre 3000 leaked online, I couldn't wait to see the video concept and it surprisedly doesn't diasppoint. (After all both artists are known for bringing it on the visual tip.) The video has a cameo from Estelle, John's Homeschool Records talent. John's upcoming third record, "Evolver" will be released on October 28th.




Estelle's "Pretty Please" video has cameos from Aubrey O’Day, Taraji Henson, Jackie Long, and Malik Yoba. Her last music video had a cameo from Kelly Rowland...so it's to safe that Estelle has the positive support of Hollywood on her side. Cee-Lo made it onto the album verison but he's nowhere in the video.




Musiq switched his sound and lyrics as evident in his latest single, "Radio." Regardless of his new musical direction, I'm fan and I still listen to his previous efforts especially "Soulstar." This new Musiq may take some time to get used to but he didn't change his look. He still has on his signature shades.




Lauren London, Gabrielle Union, Trey Songz, and Keri Hilson all can be seen Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent" video. I love how Ne-Yo found his niche and I also like how he stepped up his style in the video. The message and video concept is a must-see. Anyhow, Ne-Yo did a superb job performing his latest single at FNMTV. His upcoming record 'Year of the Gentlemen" will be released on September 16th.




Don't you love that this post is overloaded with tons of new music videos?? I had to come out of my brief blog hiatus to post these videos up. Thanks for all the e-mails and Myspace messages.

Labels: Cassie, Estelle, Fashion Hoopla, John Legend, Music Hoopla, Musiq, Ne-Yo, Solange

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

New Edition were presented with the ASCAP Golden Note Award at the 2008 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards. Celebrity guests at the event included Melody Thornton, Ne-Yo, Musiq, Akon, and Raheem DeVaughn.




As previously reported, Ralph Tresvant has a new single coming out this July called, "It Must Be You". To celebrate New Edition's 25th anniversary in the music industry, Ralph also has plans to go on a solo tour.

Musiq just released a new track called, "Radio" and the song has a different sound than "Teach Me" and his other previous hits. Speaking of which, "TeachMe" and "Buddy" picked up the recognition in the award winning R&B/Hip-Hop song category.

Ne-Yo picked up awards for his songs, "Because Of You" and "Do You." Tank's song "Please Don't Go" won an ASCAP award.

Raheem DeVaughn can seen in his on-going "Art For Love" tour with Chrisette Michele and Solange Knowles.

Melody Thornton has on the same yellow one-shoulder 3.1 Philip Lim dress that Paris Hilton wore to "Letterman." (Is that a new tattoo under her eye??!?)

MC Lyte was seen in the same silk Grecian dress as Sanaa Lathan. Michelle Williams look great in a yellow silk chiffon dress.

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER listed the winners at the 2008 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards.

Labels: Akon, Bobby Brown, Melody Thornton, Michelle Williams, Musiq, Ne-Yo, New Edition, Raheem DeVaughn, Tank