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

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