the chal banz blog

Hello all! Enjoying your Holiday weekend? I sure hope so. I have a little tidbit of music news; just enough to wet your appetites. Read below for news on new albums from Monica and Kelly Rowland. Monica is back in the studio diligently working on new music. The new album is said to feature a bevy of producers including Miguel, Future, Mike Will(produced for Brandy), Rico Love, Stargate(worked with Ne-Yo), Jim Jonsin, and more. Sounds very promising. Personally its been awhile since I truly enjoyed a Monica album so with all this talent attached I'm hoping for a great album. I keep getting tidbits about the new Kelly Rowland album Talk A Good Game due June 4. Kelly has revealed that Pharrell produced four tracks on the new album and is featured on one. It wasn't long ago when Pharrell put pictures on Facebook of he and Kelly Rowland in the studio. That very picture was followed by another picture this time with Wiz Khalifa. Well that's all folks! I wish I had more but never ...

No Problems was released back in January and was a diss record to Detroit rapper Angel Haze(who coincidentally graces the cover of XXL's coveted Freshman 15 List of up and coming rappers). The video was shot during Azealia's performance at Miami's Ultra Music Festival!

Hello all! Enjoying your weekend? Well I have music news for the music news obsessed and boy do I have quite the amount of news for you all. Read below to find out who Kelly Rowland is collaborating with now and who Keri Hilson is in the studio with. It's all here. Kelly Rowland has become the go to girl for R&B/Hip Hop artists as of late collaborating with everyone from Future, Ludacris, Michael Bolton and now Fantasia. That's right! Fantasia! Kelly Rowland will appear on Fantasia's new single alongside Missy Elliott. The song titled Without Me is the second single from Fantasia's album The Side Effects of You due April 23. While I'm on the subject of Kelly Rowland I wanna switch gears to her former bandmate Beyonce. It has been revealed by Rolling Stone magazine that Beyonce's new album is indeed titled Mrs. Carter . There had been rumors that her album was titled Mrs. Carter after it was revealed that her upcoming tour was named The Mrs. Carter Show . ...

Hello all! It's Easter Weekend! How you doin? I have some more news on the new Ciara album One Woman Army as well as Fantasia latest appearances. You can read more below! There have been a lot of false starts for the new Ciara album One Woman Army but the singer is finally set to release the new album on June 4. The singer recently revealed more news in regards to the new album which will feature a duet with boyfriend Future and Nicki Minaj. Ciara notes those as the only two collaborations on the album. It was also revealed that many of the earlier singles like Sweat featuring 2 Chainz and Got Me Good won't be featured on the album. Finally Ciara said that the tracklisting for the album should be unveiled any day now. Speaking of new albums Fantasia's new album The Side Effects Of Me is still on track to be released on April 23. Meanwhile the singer has been busy promoting the album and is set to perform on American Idol on April 18. The singer will likely perform her...

Make It Out This Town is the first official single and video from Eve's long awaited album Lip Lock in stores and online May 14.

 I'm actually quite surprised at how quick VH1 is bringing back T.I. & Tiny . 

Chris Brown opens up somewhat about what triggered the altercation between he and Frank Ocean and speaks on some up and coming collaborations with his on again off again boo Rihanna. Check it out!

Hey everyone! I got music news for you of course. Feast below! In the world of new album news... Ms. Keri "Baby" Hilson has a new album in the works and the album's first single is said to debut in two weeks. The first single will be produced by Timbaland(who handled the bulk of the production) along with Polow Da Don. I've never been a big Keri Hilson fan but her first album In A Perfect World ... has some nice cuts on it. The last few years for Keri has been pretty tough. She faced backlash for the last couple of years and I think she is ready to finally move past all the drama. In the world of new single releases... I mentioned a day or so ago about a new album from India.Arie titled Songversations . Now I have a release date for June 25. Alicia Keys has been riding high with the release of her album and single Girl On Fire . Now the singer has revealed her third single as Fire We Make featuring Maxwell. Fire We Make is a very likable song and I'm glad to see...

Hello all! I have more music news for the music news obsessed. Congratulations are in order for Justin Timberlake. His new album The 20/20 Experience will debut at #1 with 968,000 copies in its first week. The album features the hit single Suit & Tie featuring Jay-Z and the newly released single and video Mirrors . Chris Brown has revealed a little info regarding his new album X due this Summer. The album will feature the first single Fine China which was co-written by Brown, Eric Bellinger(worked with Brandy) and Sevyn Streeter(worked with Fantasia). The single and video are said to premiere on April 1. Kendrick Lamar, J-LO(who Chris Brown is working on new music with for her album), and Rihanna are said to appear on the new album.

Hello all! I hope you all are enjoying your day. I have some music news on Ciara, Ashanti, Kelly Rowland, India.Arie, John Legend, and Kanye West. I also can reveal today the premiere date for the new season of R&B Divas . Read more below: June 4 is the release date for new albums by Ciara( One Woman Army ), Kelly Rowland( Talk A Good Game ), and Ashanti( Braveheart ). All the aforementioned albums have seen many pushbacks but hopefully this date will stick or in the odd possibility, see some of these release dates move up as Ciara and Kelly Rowland already have hit singles on the radio. Speaking of R&B Divas its been revealed that the second season of the TVOne hit show starring Faith Evans will air on May 1. Based on a lot of what's been published in the news we can expect a boatload of drama. Frankly that is exactly how I like my reality TV shows. Back to album news... John Legend will release his new album Love In The Future on June 25. The album features the ...

Hey everyone. I have some news for you all regarding new music from Kelly Rowland, Eminem, and Dr. Dre. #andinthatorder Kelly Rowland is putting the finishing touches on her new album Talk A Good Game . The album has no release date but it has produced the hit singles Ice featuring Lil' Wayne and Kisses Down Low . Recently the singer has logged studio time with Pharrell Williams and Wiz Khalifa(who gushed about the collaboration on Twitter). Based on the little we know about Kelly's new album I expect it to be pretty solid. Speaking of new albums word is that Eminem is nearing completion on his next album according to Dr. Dre. The rapper/producer recently spoke out about Eminem and also revealed that he(Dr. Dre) is back in the studio. Dr. Dre's long awaited Detox album never saw the light of day(for whatever reasons). He did however release a slew of hit singles from the album including Kush and I Need A Doctor .

Lil' Wayne's new album I Am A Human Being II will be released on March 26.

Hello everyone! Still hungover? Aren't we all! I have some news for you all concerning Fantasia's new album, drama on the set of R&B Divas , and an arrest warrant issued for Gucci Mane. Read on below. First Fantasia's new album The Side Effects Of You is still scheduled to be released on April 23. Retailer Target will carry a deluxe version of the album which includes two new tracks; one with Tank and rapper Los(Bad Boy rapper/producer and baby daddy of rapper Lola Monroe's baby) and a track titled To The Heavens. The Side Effects Of You features the first single Lose To Win and a collaboration with Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott. Since the season finale of season one of R&B Divas there has been much talk about the returning cast. It was announced awhile back that Nicci Gilbert(co-creator of the show) was leaving or being fired. The news was pretty much denied on all ends but now the story has resurfaced. According to reports Nicci Gilbert got into an alter...

Rapper Future's baby mama #1 is going back to the Future -- for child support, because she believes he swindled her by lying to the judge about his net worth. TMZ broke the story ... Future and baby mama Jessica Smith struck a child support agreement in which the rapper agreed to pay $1,662 a month for their 10-year-old son ... predicated on his monthly income which he set at $16,516. But days after they hashed out the agreement, Smith says Future -- real name Nayvadius Wilburn -- went on TV and boasted he carries $25,000 cash on him at all times ... MINIMUM. Smith immediately went back to court, filing new docs to invalidate their deal and increase his child support obligation. She believes his actual monthly income exceeds $50,000. Calls to Future were not returned. http://www.tmz.com/2013/03/24/future-baby-mama-child-support/#ixzz2OTbb0Ych

Hello all! Hope you are all having a splendid weekend. As you know the weekend is much slower for news but I always manage to come through for my people. It looks like three of our legendary R&B/Pop divas is making the news this week and one of those ladies is none other than Anita Baker. She ruled the late 80s and early 90s with many Quiet Storm hits. Now the singer is returning with a new album Only Forever due June 25. The album features the first single Lately. If you recall Lately is a remake of the Tyrese song released in the late 90s. If I'm not mistaken the album version is said to feature Tyrese and a duet with Snoop Dogg...I mean Lion. Another one of our legendary R&B/Pop divas is none other than Tina Turner. The singer recently covered German Vogue magazine. Now word is that the singer is ready to tie the knot with her longtime companion Erwin. The two met back in the late 80s when Erwin worked for Tina's label EMI(Capitol Records). The singer vowed to neve...

Make It Out This Town is the first official single from Eve's upcoming album Lip Lock due May 14 online and in stores.

Just because Frank Ocean came out late last year doesn't mean other stars that are rumored to be gay are coming out anytime soon. To me Johnny Gill danced around the question about his sexuality but at the end of the day no one cares either way. I can never remember Johnny Gill ever being linked to any woman. The only person I've only heard him linked to is Eddie Murphy.

Blurred Lines is the first video and single from Robin Thicke's upcoming album.

Happy Hump Day! Here are some of the music news stories making headlines in the blogosphere. Usher is back in the studio with Jermaine Dupri! Usher is likely at the beginning stages of working on a new album. There is no release date set for his new album. Ciara is in the studio with boyfriend Future who recently lent a hand to her new single Body Party. He has went on to say that her new album One Woman Army is a "classic". Ciara's new album will feature guests and production by Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Rodney Jerkins, Tricky Stewart, and the Underdogs. One Woman Army is set for release on June 4.

From his recently released album No Love Lost in stores and online now.

Mirrors is the second single and video from Justin Timberlake's new album The 20/20 Experience . The album is set to debut at #1 next week with an estimated 600K copies in the first week. Congrats JT!

Yesterday Keyshia Cole lit the Twitter world on fire after her comments regarding Beyonce's new song. The same day the singer appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to perform her most recent single Trust & Believe . She also did an encore performance(not televised) of her new single I Choose You .

Hello all! Good news here! Lil' Wayne has been released from the hospital. The rapper had been hospitalized for the last six days. Contrary to reports Wayne was hospitalized for seizures. Cash Money associate Mack Maine insists that Wayne was hospitalized for exhaustion among other things. Whatever the case may be I am glad that he is doing well. One artist that Lil' Wayne has collaborated with in the last year is Keyshia Cole. Over the past few months she has been very vocal via her Twitter account. SN: I might have to start following her just because. Anyway Keyshia has spoken out on Twitter about her disdain over the new Beyonce track Bow Down . In the song Beyonce brags and boasts about her position in the industry. This isn't exactly left field for Beyonce. If you recall the song Diva from I Am...Sasha Fierce album was similar in nature. Anyhow Keyshia is not happy about the message Beyonce is sending through the song. As you can imagine the Beyonce stans came for K...

Paradise is the first single and video from the upcoming Omarion release Love & Other Drugs due in stores this Summer.

Hello all! It's been a slow weekend for news but I always manage to come through for you all. There's just two days till the release of the new Justin Timberlake album The 20/20 Experience . Already the singer plans to release a sequel to the album in November(just in time for the Holidays of course). The sequel will include 10 more tracks and possibly more music with Jay-Z. The singer has been hinting on the news during his recent promo run which included 106 & Park , Jimmy Fallon , and SNL . The 20/20 Experience features the first hit single Suit & Tie featuring Jay-Z and the previously leaked track Mirrors . iTunes had a free stream of the album and a few days ago the album leaked online.

Enjoying your weekend or just getting it started? Whatever the case may be I have a little music news for those in need of a fix. Lil' Wayne's health is still a hot topic on Twitter and beyond. I saw Rap-Up post a blog about Drake visiting Lil' Wayne in the hospital before they quickly snatched it down. Hmm wonder why? One of Lil' Wayne's collaborators Chris Brown is keeping busy by recently filming a video for this new single Fine China . The single is the first from his upcoming album titled X . There is no release date for the new album, single or video. Originally Chris Brown's new album was titled Carpe Diem . When Chris announced the new album title 80s R&B diva Karyn White had just released her album of the same name.

The weekend is here but that doesn't mean there is a shortage of music news to go around. There's actually a lot brewing online concerning the health of Lil' Wayne. It was reported earlier in the week that the rapper had been hospitalized due to a seizure. Now there are conflicting reports about his condition which has lead to a lot of confusion. TMZ reported that the rapper was in critical condition after having yet another seizure and was now in a coma. According to Twitter and several close friends the claims from TMZ were being refuted. Mack Maine, Lil' Wayne, and several others close to the Young Money/Cash Money camp has spoke out on his very condition stating that he is in good spirits and recovering. Whatever the truth may or may not be we are not quite clear on Wayne's condition. I do wish him a speedy recovery and hope he gets well soon. Lil' Wayne has a new album I Am A Human Being II to be released on March 26. The album features collaborations...

Hello everyone! It's that time again for some salacious music news to wet your music news appetite. Rap's new bad girl Azealia Banks took to Twitter to give the deets on her upcoming Interscope debut Broke With Expensive Taste . According to Azealia the standard version of her album will contain 13 tracks and the deluxe version will feature 17 tracks. Pharrell Williams makes a guest appearances and previously mentioned tracks Miss Amor , Miss Camaraderie , BBD , and 212 are all said to be included on the album. Azealia Banks' first single #YungRapunxel will be released on iTunes on March 26.

Fantasia continues to give viewers and fans a glimpse into the recording and thought process of her new album The Side Effects Of You .

Paradise is the first single from Omarion's Maybach Music Group/Atlantic Records release Love & Other Drugs due for release this Summer.

Brandy has a lot on her plate right now. In addition to her upcoming nuptials(which she discusses in the video above) we will also see her on the small and big screen. Brandy's role as Chardonnay on BET's The Game returns on March 26. Later that week we can see her starring as Melinda in the new Tyler Perry movie Temptation .

Hello all! Here is some music news for you all today... More and more singers are getting reality shows and rightfully so it helps in an industry that is driven by digital sales, Twitter, and Facebook. The latest singer to sign on the dotted line for a reality show is R&B group SWV. The group collectively came back together last year to release their album I Missed Us . The group will star in an untitled WEtv reality show which is set to air soon. The show will focus on the lives of all three women. It will also go into detail as to why the group broke up in the first place. Hey! I thought we knew why they broke up or knew bits and pieces. Well it will be interesting to see this show when it airs but I will have to reserve my watching of the show online. Currently the cable company that I subscribe to does not offer WEtv. Bummer!

Fantasia shares first hand the experience and writing it took to form her new album The Side Effects Of You in stores and online April 23. The album features the first single Lose To Win .

Hello everyone! I have more music news for the music news obsessed. As we head into the 2nd quarter of 2013 we are seeing more and more music releases being announced. Robin Thicke, who has a starring role in BET's Real Husbands Of Hollywood plans to release a new single on March 26. The new single titled Blurred Lines features longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams and T.I. Congratulations are in order for Tamar Braxton who is expecting her first child with husband/manager Vince Herbert. The singer has not announced how far along she is or the sex but says she is "due soon". In other Tamar Braxton news the singer recently signed to Epic Records. I disclosed this news a few days ago but in case you missed it now you know! Speaking of babies rapper Lola Monroe just gave birth to a baby boy. The rapper is known for her affiliation with Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang.

Addresses appears on T.I.'s latest album Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head in stores and online now!

Work will appear on Iggy Azalea's debut release The New Classic due sometime this year.

Hello all! I have a little music news for those in dire need of a music news fix...I do warn you that this is a little lengthy but I guess I was just in one of those moods to relay my thoughts upon you since I don't very often or at all. Lil' Kim has been in the news quite a bit lately but for all the wrong reasons. Instead of concentrating on her failing music career, she has been engaging in beefs and suing lawyers. Lil Kim recently spoke out against the website Mediatakeout accusing the gossip site of altering her look. I personally think Kim is responsible for altering her look not Mediatakeout. A few days ago Lil' Kim made headlines for suing a lawyer over bad licensing agreements. The lawyer responded citing Kim was simply trying to get out of a series of contracts. Now Lil' Kim is mad at gossip queen Wendy Williams! Wendy Williams spoke about Lil' Kim on her show during her "Hot Topics" segment. She spoke about Lil' Kim's ever changing l...

Check out Cassie on the cover of her mixtape. The mixtape features the single All Gold Everything Remix featuring Trina & Lola Monroe.

With the release of her new single, “Body Party,” Ciara is turning up the heat in anticipation of her upcoming June 4th release of One Woman Army. Produced by Mike WiLL Made-It, and co-written by her label mate, Future, “Body Party,” which is available on iTunes, is a simmering jam that celebrates the pleasures of a new relationship at its most intimate. AOL called it “suitable for baby making,” but “Body Party” is about more than sex — it’s about Ciara‘s strength and independence as a woman. Ciara was equally revealing and vulnerable in ”Sorry,” the first song released from One Woman Army, when she wrote about the disappointment of a failed relationship. With “Body Party,” she has written about the fearlessness of new journey leading her down the path of intimacy. “One Woman Army represents the acceptance of my emotional vulnerability when it comes to love,” Ciara said, and whether she’s writing about heartbreak or ecstasy, she’s boldly and honestly expressing her truth...

Kisses Down Low is the newest video and single from Kelly's upcoming album Talk A Good Game due sometime this year.

Ashanti talks Nelly, her new album and more.

Fumble is the newest video and single from Trey Songz new album Chapter V in stores and online now.

I thought Tamar Braxton was signed to Interscope Records but I guess not. Her single "Love & War" was temporarily removed from iTunes and reappeared under the Epic label. Currently there is no release date for the new album. Tamar's new single is rumored to be titled "The One".

Tina Turner graces the Germany issue of Vogue magazine looking regal and graceful as ever. The singer who lives overseas has been quiet in recent years.

Like the new look? Well here is some music news for those in dire need of a music news fix... Beyonce will star in animated film Epic arriving in theaters on May 24. One of the rumored collaborators on Beyonce's new album; Rihanna has fallen ill with laryngitis and it has forced her to cancel the Boston show of her Diamonds tour.

Mariah looks nice in the video to her newest single Almost Home. Its the lead single to the Disney movie Oz The Great & Powerful. Mariah will release a new album in May. The album features production from Hit-Boy, R. Kelly, The-Dream, and Jermaine Dupri just to name a few.

Chrisette Michele's new album Better will be in stores and online April 30. The album features appearances from 2 Chainz, Wale, and Musiq.

Ashanti continues to her promo run for her new stint on Lifetime's Army Wives. Here she talks to talk show host Joy Behar about American Idol, record deals, and her humble beginnings. Check it out!

French Montana gets some help from Nicki Minaj in the clip for his new single Freaks. French Montana's album Excuse My French will be released on May 21. Unfortunately this song did nothing for me upon first listen and the video clip doesn't make it any better. Hopefully French Montana can move some units if and when he releases his album. His album has had more pushbacks than a little bit. I guess for the fact that he is an artist on Bad Boy Records. I mean he had a huge hit with Pop That. Personally at the height of that single is when his album should of been released.

Lil' Kim fans will be happy to see Lil' Kim in yet another video but her verse for Pour It Up Remix is conspicuously absent. Instead we're reduced to seeing Kim frolic around with her boyfriend Mr. Papers. Kim you have got to do better!

Ashanti has been making the rounds as she promotes her new role in the Lifetime show Army Wives. Ashanti opens up about her new album Braveheart, Ja Rule, and competition in R&B. Check it out!

DMX is the subject of the premiere episode of the new season of Iyanla: Fix My Life airing April 13 on the OWN Network. Check it out!

Some Music news... Ciara will release her long awaited album One Woman Army in June. The album features the newest single Body Party produced by Mike Will Made It. The song was written by Ciara and her boo thang Future. One Woman Army sports appearances by Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj. Remember the group Cherish? They released the hit single Do It To It. Now the group has reformed and plans to release a new single Going In Circles to be released on March 8 as well as another single Get That Boy available March 15.

Lose To Win will appear on the upcoming Fantasia album The Side Effects Of You due in stores and online April 23.

Some music news for you all... Kelly Rowland hosting BET's Rip The Runway . Meanwhile Kelly's new album Talk A Good Game should be available in the next few months. Kelly is featured on Fantasia's new album on a track titled Without You that also features Missy Elliott. Ashanti plans to release long awaited album Braveheart on June 4.  The album's newest single is rumored to be She Can't . You can catch her on the new season on Lifetime's Army Wives airing on March 10. Lil' Wayne will release I Am A Human Being on March 26. The album features appearances from Big Sean( My Homies Still ), 2 Chainz, Nicki Minaj( Lay It Down ), Boo( Curtains ), Drake( Bitches Love Me ), and more.

Music news...Mariah Carey will release a new album in May. The new album will coincide with the finale of Idol in May. The diva worked with Rodney Jerkins, Hit-Boy, The-Dream, R. Kelly, and more. Nicki Minaj will release an apparel collection line through retailer K-Mart.