the chal banz blog

Ne-Yo is gearing up to release his new album R.E.D. While I am unsure of what the acronym stands for I'm sure it will be revealed in the coming weeks if it hasn't been already. The upcoming album due in September features the song Lazy Love and the new single Let Me Love You(Until You Learn To Love Yourself) . The new single will be released on July 9. Tweet is back and she will release a new album this September. The lead single is titled Enough .  Tweet has been through quite a few record deals in the last few years so hopefully things this go round actually pan out. 

Norwegian media are reporting that Snoop Dogg was briefly detained in Norway after entering the country with marijuana and a large amount of cash. Customs officials decline to confirm the report, saying only that an American artist entered Norway with a small amount of marijuana that was detected by a sniffer-dog. Norwegian law prevents law enforcement officials from naming suspects. A customs officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said Thursday that the artist was also carrying more cash than is legally allowed and was subsequently fined 52,000 kroner ($8,600) for the violations. Snoop Dogg was scheduled to perform Thursday at a musical festival in the southern town of Kristiansand. The rapper, whose name is Calvin Broadus, has in the past been arrested on marijuana possession.  http://music.yahoo.com/news/snoop-dogg-busted-drug-sniffing-dog-norwegian-airport-143648111.html

Brandy is back and is speaking on her upcoming projects including music, movies, and TV.  Brandy is said to be making an appearance on this Sunday's telecast of the BET Awards airing July 1. 

Lauryn Hill just pled guilty to a major federal crime ... admitting she intentionally failed to file several tax returns in the past decade -- and now the former Fugees singer faces 3 years in prison. Hill pled guilty today to three counts of failure to file tax returns for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007 -- when she earned more than $1.8 million. When the judge asked if Hill "intentionally and willingly" failed to file the returns, she replied, "Yes." In addition to the 3 years behind bars, Hill could be smacked with $75,000 in fines. Hill was released on $150,000 bail. Her sentencing hearing is set for November.   http://www.tmz.com/2012/06/29/lauryn-hill-guilty-failure-to-file-tax-returns-prison/

Soul legend Stephanie Mills has spoken out on artists like Brian McKnight and Erykah Badu and their desire to shock. Brian McKnight has ruffled quite a few feathers with this latest selection of songs including those about "pussy". Stephanie feels that some of these artists who she referred to as "older" artists do shocking things like this to stay relevant. She also went on to do discuss how Erykah Badu felt the need to take off her clothes in the Window Seat video. Though she did proclaim her love for both artists she wasn't exactly hating just stating her opinion. Like everyone else I was surprised by Brian McKnight and his last few songs and Erykah Badu lost me years ago. Some new album dates for the following:  Tamia has pushed back the release of her new album Beautiful Surprise to August 28. The album was scheduled to be released on July 31. The title track serves as the album's first single.  Angie Stone will release her new album ...

Azealia Banks has pushed back the release of her upcoming mixtape FANTASEA to July 11. The free mixtape was to be released on July 4. The mostly Hip Hop themed mixtape will feature Styles P on the first single Nathan . The song is described as very "New York". The mixtape also features recently released songs Jumanji and Aquababe . Keyshia Cole just recently filmed the video to her new single Enough Of No Love featuring Lil' Wayne. The song appears on Keyshia's upcoming album Woman To Woman . The title track features Ashanti.  Keyshia will star in a new BET reality series Family First . Keyshia is smart by having Wayne on her first single. You can't go wrong with Wayne on your single. Keyshia has fallen off in recent years so she knows she has to come back hard. Take note Ashanti! 

Producer Bei Maejor releases the video to his latest offering from his EP Upscale . The producer is currently prepping his record debut on RCA Records.

When I read that headline I thought it was a interesting to say the least. Who wouldn't be intimidated to stand before the Queen Of Soul and sing? Read below to find out why Aretha wants to be down with one of the music themed reality shows:  Even in her golden years, Aretha Franklin is an active, innovative woman. Now that she's got a new body, the diva said she's ready to be a judge on any of the popular television competition singing shows. "I would love to be a judge on one of those shows," she said. Other singers like Mary J. Blige, Ne Yo, John Legend and Robin Thicke have been guest judges on "American Idol," "Duets," and "The Voice." But Franklin is curious why producers won't choose her. "I don't understand why singers like myself, Gladys [Knight], Natalie [Cole], and Patti [LaBelle] can't be judges. We never get a call. I don't understand it," she said. "I watch those shows from time...

Janet Jackson released Doesn't Really Matter in 2000. It appeared on the soundtrack to The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps in which she starred. The song also appears on Janet's 2001 album All For You . Doesn't Really Matter went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for three weeks. Janet is currently working on a new album.

Frank Ocean presented his Def Jam debut Channel Orange at a listening session in New York last night. The singer-songwriter delivers a soulful set, with features from André 3000 and Earl Sweatshirt.   The OutKast rapper adds his trademark flow to the vulnerable, dark cut “Pleasure,” on which he raps, “Models are made for modeling, thick girls are made for cuddling.” Elsewhere, his Odd Future affiliate Earl Sweatshirt pops up on “Super Rich Kids,” which Ocean debuted at his live shows last year. Billboard describes the Mary J. Blige-sampled record as “soliloquies of heartbreak and abandonment, and confessionals.” Other tracks on the highly-anticipated follow-up to 2011’s Nostalgia, Ultra include “Thinking About You,” “Sweet Life,” “Voodoo,” and “Forrest Gump.” Before Channel Orange arrives on July 17, Ocean will embark on a North American tour beginning July 13 in Seattle.

G.O.O.D. Music will release their upcoming album Cruel Summer on August 7. The album features the first single Mercy. The G.O.O.D. Music family is performing on the BET Awards airing July 1. In other G.O.O.D. Music news Pusha T promises another album from Clipse and spoke on Lil' Wayne's response to his song Exodus labeling it "trash". In other album news Miguel announces October 23 as the release date of his new album currently in the works. The singer recently released a slew of well received EP's to tie everyone over until he releases new music.  Miguel's debut album All I Want Is You was nice and probably one of the more underrated albums in recent years. What I thought was particularly amazing for Miguel was the fact that he took songs that were years old made them into hits. Anyone who followed Miguel early on noted that many songs on his debut album were recorded many years prior to the actual release. 

Brandy is readying the release of new album Two Eleven due August 28. The album's first single Put It Down featuring Chris Brown is climbing up the charts this week at #58. The video is expected to arrive in the beginning of July. Brandy describes the album as "futuristic R&B". D'Angelo is on the comeback trail and part of his comeback will be performing at this year's BET Awards airing July 1. No word on what the singer will be performing but tune it for that and plenty of surprises. 

Mariah Carey has been hinting on Twitter that she plans to release new music this Summer. With this Summer just beginning new music is obviously around the corner. Mariah has been hard at work on her new album along with Jermaine Dupri. Not much else is known about the upcoming album from Mariah at press time. Her husband Nick Cannon did hint awhile back that the new music harks back to Mariah's 90s heyday. You ready for a new Mariah Carey album? We can definitely count on some good music from Mariah. I just hope this era her live performances improve because their usually hit and miss and subject to the butt of jokes. I announced previously that Tamia was releasing her new album Beautiful Surprise on July 31. For the new album the singer worked with an array of producers including Jazmine Sullivan, Claude Kelly(worked with Brandy), Salaam Remi(worked with Amy Winehouse), Carvin & Ivan(worked with Musiq) and more.  The video to the title track will be premiering sh...

I'm not sure if I will make this a weekly thing or an once in awhile thing. The verdict is still out nevertheless I bring to you four things that are currently fascinating me for whatever reason. Read on!  1. Love And Hip Hop: Atlanta  I had already made the conscience decision to watch Love And Hip Hop: Atlanta . On a separate note VH1's other marquee show Basketball Wives truly wore me out this season.  Back to Love And Hip Hop though the Atlanta franchise's first episode makes the whole New York franchise look tame. There was definitely no shortage of drama.  That's what we all like right? Drama. 2. Samsung Galaxy III You know how it is when you see all your friends getting new phones. Then your like damn I need to get a new phone as well. Well since my contract with Sprint is up in July I will be looking to switch carriers and get on a family plan with my Mother. While I'm still debating on which phone to get the new Samsung Galaxy III has ca...

Brandy has confirmed that her new album Two Eleven will be released on August 28. The album contains the first single Put It Down featuring Chris Brown. I'm hoping Brandy has filmed the video for the single by now. I personally feel like Brandy is moving at a snail's pace right now getting things together. Not one to be outdone BET has enlisted the late Whitney Houston's mother Cissy Houston to pay tribute to her daughter at this year's awards airing on July 1. Others paying tribute is still top secret information but its being said that some "top divas" will be performing.

If you don't know Azealia Banks and you want to familiarize yourself with her you should check out the cover story of her in the newest issue of Paper Magazine. The outspoken Rap diva speaks about her viral hit 212 . She also speaks about her humble beginnings and her relationship with label boss Jimmy Iovine. I had the pleasure of reading the cover story via Paper's website.  Azealia will be releasing her new mixtape FANTASEA on July 4. Azealia plans to reveal the cover art on June 30. Styles P appears on a song called Nathan which is said to be the only feature on this more Hip Hop based mixtape.

From her recently released EP Armor On available on iTunes.

Tamia is back with new single and album Beautiful Surprise . The single's video should be released shortly. According to Amazon.com the new album will be released on July 31. Tamia's last album Between Friends was released in 2006. K. Michelle is one of the many cast members on VH1's Love & Hip Hop airing June 18. The singer who has worked with everyone from R. Kelly to Trina is releasing her own EP 0 Fucks on July 9.  The outspoken singer is planning a possible duet with Keyshia Cole and recently expressed her dislike for cast member Lil' Scrappy referring to him as a "nut bucket". 

A few days ago I announced that Kelly Rowland landed herself an endorsement with Bacardi. The song and video for Summer Dreaming is for her Bacardi endorsement.

Rihanna-loving rapper Drake -- whose nasty note to Chris Brown sparked a VIP-room melee -- is going to be arrested for throwing a bottle at his rival. Drake is expected to be charged with reckless endangerment, sources said, after a witness told cops the hip-hopper hurled the projectile during the 4:00am local time mayhem Thursday at the SoHo hotspot W.i.P. The witness did not believe Drake hit anyone with the bottle. If Drake does not agree to surrender by early next week, cops may arrest him during tonight's concert at Jones Beach, the sources said. The 25-year-old hip-hop star, who briefly dated Rihanna, drove Brown into a rage when his table sent over a note that read: "I am f*ck*ng the love of your life." Brown, Rihanna's ex, had just bought Drake a pricey bottle of Champagne. Drake's camp said the fight was instigated by a member of Brown's crew who made offensive comments toward their entourage, which included rapper Meek Mill. http://www....

Kelly Rowland is keeping herself busy with a new endorsement she just landed with the famous alcoholic beverage Bacardi. In addition to that the singer is diligently working on new music with a new album on the way soon. Kelly Rowland recently appeared in the video for Trey Songz' single Heart Attack which prompted rumors that the two were dating. I'm still rooting for Kelly after all these years and I hope she brings it on this new album! Speaking of new albums Ashanti's album Braveheart has been pushed back to January 1 2013. Basically this means the album will likely not see the light of day or is being completely reworked which may be the case.  Ashanti's first single The Woman You Love featuring Busta Rhymes debuted in December 2011. The Jerry Wonda produced hit peaked at #59 on the R&B charts. 

Ray Bands is the newest video from B.O.B. and its one of my favorite songs from his new album Strange Clouds in stores and online now.

T.I. releases his newest video for his single Love This Life . It is from his upcoming album Trouble Man in stores and online September 4. T.I.'s VH1 show T.I. & Tiny: A Family Business will return to VH1 this Fall just in time for his album release of course.

While her new album Braveheart has been put on hold indefinitely Ashanti is reportedly gearing up to release a new single titled No One Greater . The song is produced by longtime collaborator 7 Aurelius. Ashanti is said to make an appearance at the BET Awards next month. She definitely had everyone talking for her appearance on the finale of American Idol but word is Fantasia is readying new music. A new single is said to surface by late Summer. The singer has been in the studio with Jerry Wonda(worked with Ashanti) and Chuck Harmony(worked with Ne-Yo).  I'm a fan of Ashanti and Fantasia so I will be more than ready when these ladies decide to release their new albums. 

Azealia Banks roars again with the video for her newest offering Liquorice which has been a cut that's been out for awhile and appears on her recently released EP 1991 . I love the video personally and its nice to see another female rapper besides Nicki Minaj doing it. I'm a big fan! Azealia's new mixtape FANTASEA will be released on July 4. The first single is Aquababe which was recently leaked out. The new mixtape is said to be more Hip Hop oriented and is said to feature a collaboration with Styles P among others.

Usher, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Nicki Minaj, and Chris Brown are just a few names that you will see performing at this year's 2012 BET Awards airing on July 1. Samuel L. Jackson will serve as the host. Speaking of Usher his newly released album Looking 4 Myself which was released yesterday June 12 is said to debut atop of next week's album charts. The album is poised to sell 120K units in its first week. The number is relatively low compared to Usher's last few albums. 

Trey Songz wasted no time shooting the video for his new single 2 Reasons featuring T.I. The song is the second single from Trey's upcoming album Chapter V in stores and online August 21. I can't help but think of more than 2 Reasons why I dislike this song. To me this comes off as a rehash of Say Aah and Bottoms Up but not as hot.

Ne-Yo definitely shows a different side of himself in the video to his new single Lazy Love . It is the first single from Ne-Yo's new album R.E.D. in stores and online September 18.

The newest video and single from Chris Brown from his upcoming album Fortune in stores and online July 3.

50 Cent releases his last visuals for the video for All His Love from his recently released free mixtape The Lost Tapes . 50 Cent is said to release his long awaited new album sometime this Summer.

Female rappers are coming back and Ms. Jade is back with a video for her song Pity The Fool . The song appears on her upcoming mixtape Straight No Chaser available on June 12.

There's a couple of new albums on the horizon that may or may not be worth looking forward to. You decide. First up is Frank Ocean who just leaked out the first single Pyramids . It will appear on his upcoming debut album Channel Orange in stores and online July 17. The singer who is signed to Def Jam has been working on his debut album release for awhile and its been quite anticipated. Let's hope he will deliver on that anticipation and something tells me that he will. #teamfrank Trey Songz originally planned to release his new album Chapter 5 last month but the new release date is August 21. The album features the first hit single Heart Attack . For the album's second single Two Reasons Trey enlisted the help of T.I. The song will be available on iTunes on June 12 followed by radio adds on June 26.  If your anticipating an Outkast reunion it looks like you will have to wait even longer. One half of Outkast Big Boi has chosen November 13 for the release date...

Mary J. Blige talks to Chelsea Lately about her role in the upcoming movie Rock Of Ages starring Tom Cruise.

I read that Azealia Banks has deleted her Twitter page which finds her following in the famous footsteps of artists such as Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, and Keyshia Cole who have deleted their Twitter pages. Azealia infamously got mad at her manager and fired him and went on one of her usual rants.  Now the former rapper is referring to herself as a "vocalist" and a not "rapper" anymore. We will see how long this lasts and if she will come to her senses after she cools down.  I like Azealia a lot and with that being said I hope she doesn't self destruct. I do dig her though for her candor, her cockiness, and her style. She's young as well so you have to think about those things too. Even with someone like Nicki Minaj opening doors for a new wave of female rappers it is still difficult for female rappers and they face many setbacks unlike their male counterparts.  Speaking of Nicki Minaj after her famous feud with the Hot97 DJ's the singer is poi...

Ciara just held a listening party for her new album One Woman Army and the buzz has already set in on a select number or songs. One of the many highlights was a song titled Sorry. Also a duet with Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj is said to be on the album and was played among the many other songs including the title track. Ciara's first single Sweat features 2 Chainz and for the last two days the song has been trending on Twitter. I recently read that ex-boyfriend Bow Wow was fuming because Ciara's single is titled Sweat and so is his single. I saw this happening though. Look for One Woman Army in stores this October. A few days ago I reported that Brandy would star in the new TVLand sitcom Soul Man airing on June 20 but word is the singer is not joining the cast. She will simply be a guest star. Tamar & Trina Braxton are also among several musical guests that will be featured on the show.  Brandy's new single Put It Down featuring Chris Brown debuted ...

With less than a month to the release of new album Fortune Chris Brown unveils the production credits for each of the album's songs. Check it out below:  Original Version 1. “Turn Up the Music” – Produced by The Underdogs & Fuego 2. “Bassline” – Produced by Pop Wansel, co-produced by Dayvi Jae 3. “Till I Die” feat. Big Sean & Wiz Khalifa – Produced by Danja 4. “Mirage” feat. Nas – Produced by Harmony, co-produced by Chris Brown 5. “Don’t Judge Me” – Produced by The Messengers 6. “2012″ – Produced by Adonis, co-produced by Kevin “K-Mac” McCall 7. “Biggest Fan” – Produced by The Runners, co-produced by The Monarch 8. “Sweet Love” – Produced by Polow da Don & Jason “JP” Perry 9. “Strip” feat. Kevin McCall – Produced by Tha Bizness 10. “Stuck on Stupid” – Produced by Brian “BK” Kennedy, co-produced by Dante Jones 11. “4 Years Old” – Produced by Polow Da Don & Tommy Hittz 12. “Party Hard/Cadillac (Interlude)” feat. Sevyn – Produced by Brian “BK” Kennedy & Boi-1d...

Kid Cudi announced via his Twitter page that his next album is titled indicud . The album will pay homage to Dr. Dre's classic album 2001 complete with features and the like. Azealia Banks has announced the first single from her upcoming mixtape FANTASEA will be titled Aquababe . The single follows the previously released Jumanji which will also appear on the mixtape. The mixtape will be released on July 4.  Azealia Banks was one of the many performances that took part in the infamous Hot97 Summer Jam on Sunday in addition to having her own Mermaid Ball concert.

Now that the majority of award shows have done their tributes to Whitney Houston BET doesn't want to be outdone. BET has enlisted Whitney Houston's godmother Aretha Franklin to tribute the singer during this year's 2012 BET Awards festivities. Read more below:  Aretha Franklin has hinted at plans to pay tribute to the late Whitney Houston at the 2012 BET Awards. The Queen of Soul reveals she is working with TV network bosses to stage a performance in memory of the ‘I Will Always Love You’ superstar, although she has stopped short of discussing exactly which event the set will be a part of. BET boss Stephen Hill announced last month that Houston will be remembered in a special segment at the upcoming prizegiving, and it appears Franklin will be front and center during the tribute. During an appearance on America's Today show, she said, "I do have a tribute to Whitney (planned), but that will be aired, it's not a recording. That will be aired on BET....

Mercy is the first single and video from the upcoming G.O.O.D. Music compilation Cruel Summer . Fellow G.O.O.D. Music artists Kid Cudi and Teyana Taylor make appearances.

Lupe Fiasco plans to release his new album Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Part 1 in stores and online September 25. The album contains the first single Around My Way(Freedom Ain't Free) . Lupe released his Gold album Lasers last year. Usher's new album Looking 4 Myself has leaked out one week before its street date June 12. The album contains the the hit singles Lemme See featuring Rick Ross, Scream , and Climax .  The singer recently made headlines for his appearances in court battling over custody of his children with ex-wife Tameka Foster. 

Over the weekend, it was revealed that Brandy Norwood will be joining the cast of Soul Man. The new TV Land series already hired the talented Braxton sisters, Tamar and Trina, but decided to add Brandy to the bunch of singers as well. The cast also includes Cedric the Entertainer and Niecy Nash. According to the Singersroom magazine, the new television show follows the life of an R&B singer who becomes the pastor of a church. The series will premiere on June 20th despite recent controversy over the title of the show. Sam Moore, who is considered the “original soul man,” demanded that the TV Land series find another title for their show. In 1966, Moore and Dave Prater released their hit “Soul Man” and it soon became Moore’s moniker. Executives told Moore that they wouldn’t promote the new title until both sides reached an agreement, but yet the Soul Man series has already been spotted in commercial spots and on the TV Land website. Cedric the Entertainer, one of the e...

New York's famed Hot97 Summer Jam 2012 is probably going down in history as one of the more controversial shows. With Nicki Minaj and Young Money ousting themselves from the festivities others have spoken out including Funkmaster Flex and now Ms. Lauryn Hill. Read below to learn what the reclusive star had to say:    No disrespect to Nicki, but I need to clear up an inaccuracy. I was not scheduled to be a special guest on her set at Summer Jam, I was invited by Nas to perform with him. I don't have details on exactly what transpired between the station and the artists, but I do support artists standing by their beliefs, and walking with integrity. We have to find a better way to commercially exploit music, while giving artists their proper respect. This cannot be done while taking their contributions for granted, or trying to control the scope of their growth and power through threats and fear tactics. We can do better than this, there is a better way, or else ...

Nas reveals the cover art for his new album Life Is Good in stores and online July 17. The album features the first official single Daughters . Nas made a special appearance at Hot97's Summer Jam festivities last night when he performed If I Ruled The World with Lauryn Hill. Nas recently made a surprise appearance as Nicki Minaj's love interest in the video to her single Right By My Side .

Trey Songz will release the song 2 Reasons featuring T.I. The song will serve as the second single from Trey's upcoming album Chapter 5 in stores June 26. I'm thinking that release date may change if it hasn't already. Just because. T.I.'s own album Trouble Man is due out in September and will coincide with the new season of his hit reality TV show T.I. & Tiny: A Family Business . Nicki Minaj and the Young Money family pulled out of tonight's Hot97 Summer Jam festivities. One of the Hot97 DJ's dissed Nicki Minaj's hit single Starships calling it "wack". After that Lil' Wayne decided that Young Money was pulling out from the festivities though Tyga did perform his set.  To make matters worse Lil' Kim went on a twitter tangent regarding Nicki Minaj and her being a "fraud". The Queen Bee went on to mention how Nicki copied her idea to bring other female rappers on stage while performing. Recently Lil' Kim broug...

Invincible serves as the first single from MGK's debut album Lace Up due later this year.

I've always liked Changing Faces' Fooling Around . The song was produced by R. Kelly and released in 1994. It was the second single from their self titled debut released also in 1994. Collectively the duo that composed of Changing Faces had a nice little run and at one point the sisters in harmony were making a comeback. I'm not sure what's happened now or what the ladies are currently working on.

With her role in Battleship behind her Rihanna is forging ahead with yet another movie this time a comedy titled End Of The World . The movie revolves around a group of friends who are preparing for the "end of the world". The movie stars Jonah Hill(The Sitter), Kevin Hart, and Micheal Cena among others. With her music career still red hot its only right that Rihanna indulges in a few movie roles. In other Rihanna news there have been a lot of rumors regarding Rihanna's sexual history with a bevy of celebrities including Chris Brown & Drake. Recently the singer/rappers have subliminally dissed Rihanna on songs and on Twitter. Personally if this is true and Rihanna is aware of it maybe she would fire back or think twice about the people she sleeps with. What happens in the dark always comes to light! SWV will release Love Unconditionally as the next single from their recently released album I Missed Us . The album which was released back in April received...

“On this album, different things inspired me,” says Usher. “Normally, I’m pulling from personal relationships and from older musical styles, but the things that motivated me this time were sounds and music that were very new and indie, like going to the Coachella festival or to Ibiza. I’ve traveled the world, toured nearly every continent—this phase of my life and my career is very open to exploring.“ On his seventh studio album, Looking 4 Myself, seven-time Grammy winner Usher Raymond takes some bold steps into unexpected musical territory. Assuming the most active role of his career as a songwriter, and working with a wide range of producers and collaborators—including Diplo, Swedish House Mafia, Max Martin, Will I. Am, and Luke Steele of Empire of the Sun—one of the best-selling musical artists in history has blended electro dance beats with his signature, era-defining R&B, pop, and hip-hop sounds to create a style that goes beyond category. “I felt the creative ...

Bad Boy appears on the recently released mixtape The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor . The singer/rapper recently signed to G.O.O.D. Music and is prepping her debut album.