the chal banz blog

Beyonce has the Internet abuzz with the possible leak of a new single. It has been reported that Beyonce will release Rollercoaster featuring Miguel. The two stars recently shared a picture together on Twitter. When Miguel tweeted about working with Beyonce; he quickly took down the tweet. We all know Beyonce is notorious for not revealing any info(in regards to her album) prematurely. There is also speculation about a single titled Ratchet and 12 Roses. Word is the new single(whichever it may be) will leak at midnight. We shall see! Azealia Banks has revealed that her first official single from her upcoming album Broke With Expensive Taste is titled Miss Amor. The single's B-side has been revealed as well as Miss Camaraderie. Broke With Expensive Taste is due in stores February 2013.

Congratulations are in order for Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. The couple are expecting their first child together. This will be the first child for both stars. The couple went public with their relationship nearly a year ago. During a performance last night Kanye announced that Kim was pregnant! Kim is reportedly 12 weeks into her pregnancy!

Reality TV has proven to be quite the juggernaut over the years. In the beginning reality TV was dismissed as being a fade. Now reality TV accounts for a huge percentage of the programming on major networks and more importantly cable networks. VH1 is the current leader of original and reality TV programming with a whopping number of reality TV shows. Other networks are taking heed as more and more reality TV shows have gone into production for the new year. Okay! On with the show... We have seen many of our beloved stars turn to reality TV to promote their perspective projects. It works wonders though. #1 albums. Endorsement deals. TV shows. It pays to be a reality star. Here are the reality TV shows that I and I'm sure a lot of you couldn't get enough of in 2012. Check it out! R&B Divas Network: TVOne Airdate: August R&B Divas was an immediate hit! It revolved around singers Faith Evans, Monifah, Nicci Gilbert(of Brownstone fame), KeKe Wyatt, and Syleena Johnson. We go...

R. Kelly was to thank for the career resurgence of The Isley Bros. He introduced them to a younger generation and they kept the hits coming through the early 2000s.

There are still two days left until 2012 is officially over. Looking back there was no shortage of events that took place. We said goodbye to many beloved stars. We saw some stars get caught up in some horrendous and even embarrassing lawsuits. Some got hot and heavy in the romance department and some even came close to death. Take a look back at some of the headlines that had us all talking in 2012! Deaths: We said goodbye to some of our most beloved stars. R.I.P. Etta James dies at age 73. The singer is known for her hit; "At Last" which has been covered by everyone from Brandy to Beyonce. Don Cornelius dies at age 75. The Soul Train host died of an apparent suicide. Whitney Houston dies at age 48. The singer was reportedly found in the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel by close friend and associate; Ray J. Adam Yauch of The Beastie Boys dies at age 47. Donna Summer dies at age 63 of cancer. Robin Gibb from The Bee Gees dies of cancer of age 63. Ms. Melodie; ex wife of KRS One. Ki...

I see myself possibly adding on to this list as more releases become announced. The upcoming albums below are just a few that I'm looking forward to in the new year. Trina - Untitled Not much is known about Trina's upcoming album except that Rick Ross had a hand in creating it. Rumor is that Trina is signed to Maybach Music Group but it hasn't been publicly announced. Trina recently released her mixtape Back 2 Business in December and it was executive produced by French Montana who is affiliated with Maybach Music as well. Tamar Braxton - Untitled I wouldn't of told you a year ago that I would be looking forward to any music from Tamar Braxton. I do find her slightly annoying even though some of her catchphrases I use on occasion. She did however win me over with her new single Love & War which shot to #1 on iTunes. A few songs have leaked online from Tamar during an album listening session. From what I've heard so far the album sounds to be pretty promising. As...

Many of you have probably already heard or seen this trailer for the new reality TV show starring rapper Shawty Lo. If you haven't seen it then this is your chance. Looks to be a very interesting show. The show is set to premiere next year on the Oxygen channel.

Ester Dean releases the video to her song Baby Making Love. The song which has an 80s flavor is also complimented in the video clip. Interestingly enough Baby Making Love was one of my favorite songs this year so its nice to see the song get the video treatment.

Azealia Banks talks candidly about what we can expect from her in 2013, fashion, music, her views on female rap and more. A very insightful interview if I must say so myself!

There was a quite a bit of news that took place during my few days off from my blogging. Here are a few things you may or may not of missed: Congratulations are in order for Brandy and Janet Jackson. Word is that both singers have become recently engaged. Brandy is currently filming the new season of The Game. Meanwhile Janet Jackson is reportedly working on a new album. Rapper Lola Monroe of Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang has announced that she is pregnant. Plans to release a new mixtape Lipstick N Pistols will follow in 2013. Drake wants Macy's and other retailers to pay for their use of the word YOLO which Drake credits to creating. He says if the retailers don't cough up the checks; he's taking them to court.

Hello all! With the holidays basically here I'm taking a few days off from blogging and providing music news updates. Never fear I will return in a few days with more year end lists and whatever new music news that has taken place. Have a safe and wonderful Happy Holidays! Lamar

French Montana is looking to finally release his new album Excuse My French. The rapper has chosen a March 12, 2013 release for the new album. The album contains the hit single Pop That. The album features appearances from M.I.A. Lana Del Ray, The Weeknd, Wiz Khalifa, Wale, and Max B. French Montana executive produced Trina's latest mixtape Back 2 Business which was released a few weeks ago. Keri Hilson is looking to release a new album in 2013. The singer/songwriter will also star in The Chronicles Of Riddick: Dead Man Stalking. Keri recently appeared on VH1 Divas!

Eve previews the video to her new single She Bad Bad from her upcoming album Lip Lock due in April 2013. 

50 Cent previews his new single and video for Major Distribution which features Snoop Dogg and Young Jeezy(who are not present in this clip). The song will appear on 50 Cent's upcoming album Street King Immortal in stores and online February 26. 

Keyshia Cole is sorely mistaken if she believes she got bumped to make room for a singer named The Weeknd at a concert in Oakland this week -- at least according to the San Fran radio station behind the show ... because fact is, she wasn't headliner material to begin with. Keyshia went off on Twitter Monday night -- the same night as KMEL 106's Holiday House of Soul concert -- claiming she bailed on the show because KMEL contacted her last minute to tell her she'd be opening for The Weeknd ... instead of headlining the show herself. She wrote, "EVERY F**KING YEAR I do something major for my city! @KMEL has the nerve to tell me at the last minute they want me to open for the weeknd." She added, "No disrespect to the weeknd. Why the hell would @106KMEL ask me to open for him in My home town! Where I give back! Where IM FROM! #NO" But KMEL tells TMZ, it's all a case of miscommunication -- saying, “We were surprised to see Keyshia Cole’s ...

Lil' Wayne is embarking on an European tour with none other than 2 Chainz and Mac Miller. Lil' Wayne will release his new album I Am Not A Human Being II on February 19. The album contains the hit single No Worries. 2 Chainz has reason to celebrate as his debut Based On A Tru Story has gone gold for selling over half a million copies. Congrats! Mac Miller will star in a six part reality series to appear on MTV2. I can't remember the name of the show off the top of my head and I'm too lazy to look it up right now. I was surprised to learn a little while back that Trey Songz got arrested! The singer smacked a stripper in the eye with a stack of money! Apparently the singer had a little damage to her eye rightfully so; a little paper cut! Frank Ocean's father has threatened to sue him. What for? We don't know yet. Frank did take to his Twitter though though to voice his frustrations. The Roc Nation family bought Rihanna a Porsche for Christmas! How nice of them! Th...

King Wizard is the new single and video from Kid Cudi. His album indicud is due in stores March 2013.

Nicki Minaj talks her humb le beginnings and what it takes to be an A merican Idol in this promo clip for the upcomi ng season. 

How It Feel appears on Young J eezy's mixtape It's Tha World

Tamar Braxton continues her dominance as her song Love & War continues to be a staple on iTunes and now radio. Here the singer performs her hit single on Good Morning America. Tamar Braxton's Streamline/Interscope Records debut will arrive in stores and online February 12, 2013.  

Alicia Keys may be a girl on fire, but now it seems that she is also a girl getting sued. Keys is facing a copyright infringement suit from songwriter Earl Shuman. THR reports that Shuman is suing Keys over her latest hit single, "Girl on Fire." According to THR, Shuman alleges that Keys borrowed from a song he wrote in 1962, that was recorded as Eddie Holman's 1969 song "Hey There Lonely Girl" -- take a listen above. The similarities between "Hey There Lonely Girl" and "Girl on Fire," were originally publicized by Showbiz411's Roger Friedman. Friedman writes, "In the middle of the song, Alicia sings a couplet or so from Eddie Holman’s 1970 classic 'Hey There Lonely Girl.' The song was written by Leon Carr and Earl Shuman, who are both gone to rock and rock and roll heaven." Shuman commented on the post soon after, writing, "Hi Roger, I am the co-writer of 'Hey There Lonely Girl' and I ...

We're getting closer and closer to the air date for American Idol which is looking to probably be the biggest season thanks to the Mariah Carey & Nicki Minaj feud. Here Mariah Carey talks about what it takes to become an American Idol and what to look forward to in the upcoming season. 

Brand New Me is the brand new single and video from Alicia Keys. It appears on her #1 album Girl On Fire in stores and online now! 

Guap is the first single and video from Big Sean's Hall Of Fame album due in 2013. 

Take It appears on LL Cool J's upcoming album Authentic Hip Hop due February 12.

There were a ton of songs I liked this year. I managed to narrow down my list to 10 songs. I threw in some audio samples for good measure.  10. Baby Making Love, Ester Dean Ester Dean manages to channel the 80s with this Shirley Murdock favored ball ad.    9. Playin' Hard, Trey Songz  I think I like the feel of this song more than anything else.  allowfullscreen> 8. Twisted, Usher F/ Pharrell  I'm a fan of The Neptunes and pretty much 98 % of their productions. Twisted is one of the many highlights from Usher's Looking 4 Myself album. 7. Sexify, Leah Labelle Sexify was produced by Pharrel l Williams. He had a hand in producing and writing on Leah Labelle 's Epic debut album due sometime next yea r. 6. I Am Your Leader, Nicki Minaj F/ Rick Ross & Cam'ron "Big fat pussy and an ic y watch" is my favorite line from this song among others.  allowfullscreen> 5. Closer, Sam Sparro  Every time I hear this song I feel like I'...

What can I say? There were some thoroughly enjoyable albums released in 2012 in both Rap & R&B. Normally not many albums manage to keep my attention but somehow someway these albums manageed to do just that. See what albums made the list of my Favorite Albums of 2012!   10. Woman To Woman - Keyshia Cole Woman To Woman saw Keyshia Cole back to her old self; in pain and that's where listeners wanted. Keyshia stated she wasn't in a bad space but was able to tap back into the uglier aspects of her past for fans.  How thoughtful of her! For money's sake; it was a popular decision for the singer who struggled with her last album. 9. O.N.I.F.C., Wiz Khalifa Brandy Two Eleven Album Art   8. Two Eleven, Brandy For a minute there I didn't think we were going to get Brandy's Two Eleven this year. Like most R&B releases the album faced many pushbacks. I will say the album was definitely worth the wait and surely so or it wouldn't of made my top 10 l...

Traffic violations. Probation violations. Just violatile behavior all around. Get in to the list of more celebrities that were arrested this past year. 1. Joe Budden arrested for traffic violation. Maybe Joe Budden should just stick to limos. 2. Mystikal ordered back to jail for three months for violating probation. I don't know what was worse Mystikal getting sent back to jail or him announcing he wanted to do porn. 3. Beanie Sigel sentenced to two years in prison for tax charges. Beanie was a good samaritan turning himself in early too I believe. 4. A$AP Rocky arrested for brawl with photographers. Fighting and getting arrested just to sell singles. Thumbs down! 5. Juvenile arrested for disorderly conduct outside of a Florida club. I don't understand celebrities going to the club and acting all crazy. Boy go home! 6. Beanie Sigel arrested for gun charges two weeks before prison stint. This guy couldn't catch a break to save his life. 7. Webbie arrested for assault and ba...

Tamar Braxton performs her hit single Love & War on The Couch. Tamar will be appearing this Wednesday on Good Morning America. 

Rape. Robbery. Disorderly Conduct. Who said celebrities were perfect? There were no shortage of arrests in 2012! The following list below represents the artists who couldn't catch a break!   Snoop Dogg arrested in Texas for marijuana possession. I mean trouble seems to follow Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion wherever he goes especially in airports or overseas so when he was arrested in Texas for marijuana possession; no one was surprised! Cory Gunz arrested for possessing loaded gun. The Young Money rapper's arrest seemed like it was simply a ploy for attention. Machine Gun Kelly arrested for disorderly conduct. MGK plays on his image as a "Wild Boy" and his behavior landed him in the slammer for disorderly conduct. Elephant Man arrested for suspicion of rape. Elephant Man is catshit crazy. If I were a woman I wouldn't let him anywhere near me. You might get raped! That wasn't a nice analogy but you've been warned! Strap of Travis Porter arrested for gun posses...

Mula appears on the Big Sean's recently released mixtape Detroit. His new album Hall Of Fame is due next year! 

Tamar Braxton will release her new untitled album on February 12. The album will contain the #1 hit Love & War. I like how their not waiting around and getting this album out while the song is hot; not seven months from now like all the other R&B releases.  T-Boz of TLC fame is back on the scene with a new reality show; Totally T-Boz to air January 1 on the TLC network. The show will revolve around T-Boz as she sets to get her career back on track, get healthier, and come back up from financial ruin. T-Boz has been in and out of the news over the years for her health and her financial woes. 

Ashanti performs the Christmas classic This Christmas from her album Ashanti's Christmas.  The singer is joining the cast of Lifetime's Army Wives and her long awaited album Braveheart is due in Spring 2013. 

Name calling. Miscommunication. Arguments. Diss Records. There is no shortage of insults. Relieve all the drama from the past 12 months in this second installment! 1. Nicki Minaj vs. Steven Tyler Nicki Minaj got upset when Steven Tyler made some disparaging remarks regarding herself as a judge on American Idol. 2. Azealia Banks vs. Lil' Kim Plans of a collaboration between the two rappers fell through resulting in some not so subtle jabs from Azealia to Lil' Kim. 3. 50 Cent vs. Floyd Mayweather 4. Azealia Banks vs. T.I. Azealia Banks called out T.I. after he jumped into the feud between Azealia and Iggy Azeala; who is apart of T.I.'s Hustle Gang crew. 5. Pusha T. vs. Lil' Wayne The war of words between the two emcees can be heard on Pusha T's Exodus: 23:1 and Lil' Wayne's Ghoulish. 6. Jae Millz vs. Pusha T Jae Millz dissed Pusha T on the song Hearing Voices. 7. Azealia Banks vs. Jim Jones The two fiery rappers got into a Twitter war over the use of the word...

Shouting matches. Shocking claims. Physical altercations. Twitter wars. Throw up your dukes! It's time to relive all the drama from the past 12 months! 1. Nicki Minaj vs. Mariah Carey The two American Idol judges butted heads in a video that went viral and featured Nicki Minaj making some serious threats to Mariah Carey. 2. K. Michelle vs. Memphitz & Toya Wright K. Michelle's abuse claims against Memphitz were detailed on VH1's Love & Hip Hop. Memphitz retorted by denying the allegations and suing VH1. 3. Rick Ross vs. Young Jeezy The two heavyweight emcees went head to head in a viral video that took place during BET's Hip Hop Awards in October. 4. Chris Brown vs. Drake The entourages of these megastars clashed and it erupted into an all out brawl in a club that was later shut down. 5. Common vs. Drake These two emcees clashed over their relationship with Serena Williams. Things came to head during a slight altercation at the 2012 Grammy Awards. 6. Nicki Minaj...

  You get a double whammy of a performance and interview via The Wendy Wiliams Show. First up is reality TV star turned #1 iTunes hit artist Tamar Braxton. The singer performed her new single Love & War and brought the house down. I think the performance was good but she was a little pitchy in some spots. I take it she was nervous.  Secondly Wiz Khalifa opens up about fatherhood, his new album(O.N.I.F.C.), and his upcoming nuptials. Pay special attention to Wiz when he comes and out look in his eyes and the rest is history! Ha!

Big Boi & Kelly Rowland appeared this morning on The View to perform their new single Mama Told Me.  The single appears on Big Boi's new album Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors in stores and online now! 

Bilal is returning to the music scene with a new album A Love Surreal due February 2013. The album's first single Back To Love is out now! Bilal appears on the eOne label formerly known as Koch Records. It seems as if everyone and their mama is signing to eOne. They house quite the number of musicians including Faith Evans, Vivian Green, Pleasure P, Ashanti, and more.  Maybach Music Group home to Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wale, and others are moving over to Atlantic Records. Maybach Music Group was formerly housed under Warner Bros. Records.  The move is all love and no hard feelings according to label honcho Rick Ross. Ross is set to announce the name of his new album on New Year's Eve! 

Blocka appears on Pusha T's upcoming mixtape Wrath Of Caine. 

Bridget Kelly is best known for her version of Frank Ocean's Thinkin About You. The Roc Nation singer is currently working on a debut album.

Who runs the world? Apparently Beyonce does as the singer just scored a 50 million dollar deal with Pepsi. The singer will be featured in a new Pepsi ad and several other endorsements to coincide with the release of a new album due next year. Beyonce was recently spotted out having dinner with husband Jay-Z, The-Dream(who is producing her new album) as well as old gal pal Kelly Rowland. Eve is back! She recently shot the album cover for her upcoming album Lip Lock due in 2013. This is Eve's first album since 2002's EVE-olution. Word is Eve is allegedly pregnant with her first child as well!

  Rihanna performs her 12th #1 hit Diamonds on the German TV show Wetten, Das...

Go t Me Go od is slated to appear on Ciara's new album One Woman Army due in 2013. 

Trey Songz releases the single cove r for Fumble one of two singles he plans to release from his Chap ter V album.

As expected Alicia Keys' new album Girl On Fire debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 159,000 c opies. This marks Alicia 's fifth #1 but her lowest first week sales to date. 

Trey Songz is releasing two new singles in support of his latest album Chapter V in stores and on line now. The singles are Fumble and Simply A mazing .  Trey S ongz i s currently on tour with Miguel and Elle Varner.  Y ou can catch Trey Songz on the big screen this January starring in Texas Chainsaw Massacre . 

The-Dream has revealed that Beyonce will release new music before her upcoming Super Bowl performance in February. He would know right? He is working on her upcoming album. Beyonce is probably somewhere fuming I bet. Beyonce doesn't like her collaborators to reveal what she has in the works.  That was the case when Miguel revealed on Twitter he was working with Beyonce. Beyonce quickly shut that down!  It has been revealed by Beyonce herself that she will direct and star in a documentary on HBO about you guessed it...herself! The documentary will coincide with her Super Bowl performance and whatever new music she releases.  So with that being said are you all ready for new music from King B? 

Mariah Carey joins Jimmy Fallon and does a fest ive rendition of her classic Christmas hit; All I Want For Chri stmas Is You. 

Trap Back Jumpin' will appear on T.I.'s new album Trouble Man: Heavy Is Th e Head due December 18. 

Ashanti is keeping her self busy by join ing the cast of Lifetime's hit series; A rmy Wives. Ashanti will star as a woman with three kids who has no problem keeping her husband in line.  I've never watched A rmy Wives but since I like Ashanti that may a ctually give m e a reason to watch. 

Release Date: December 4, 2012 The Scoop: O.N.I.F.C. (Only Nigga In First Class) is the sophomore album from Wiz Khalifa. The album features the hit single Work Hard Play Hard and the newest single Remember You featuring The Weeknd. Production: Pharrell Williams Guests Appearances: 2 Chainz, Lola Monroe, Juicy J, The Weeknd, Cam'ron, Akon, Amber Rose, etc. Song Highlights: Bluffin, The Bluff F/ Cam'ron, Paperbond, Medicated F/ Chevy Woods & Juicy J, Up In It, Time, Fall Asleep, It's Nothin F/ 2 Chainz. If you like Curren$y's The Stoned Immaculate you will like O.N.I.F.C.    

Alicia Keys performs her new single Brand New Me from her new album Girl On Fire in stores and online now. Girl On Fire is set to debut with sales around 145,000 to 175,000 copies. 

Sean Sea

A$AP Rocky appeared on BET's 106 & Park earlier today and revealed that his debut album; Long.Live.A$AP will be in stores and online on January 15!