the chal banz blog

We all know Ashanti's upcoming album BraveHeart probably holds the record for most pushed back album of all time, but here Ashanti explains the reasoning behind the delays. Check it out!

TLC along with Lil' Mama perform the group's 1999 hit No Scrubs on Dancing With The Stars , which aired last night on ABC. 

The American Music Awards aired last night on ABC. The shows red carpet arrivals show also aired last night on E! an hour before the award's telecast. The AMAs which lasted for three hours featured red hot performances, sizzling red carpet ready looks, and a few shocking moments. Check out all you may of missed during last nights AMAs. Host: Pitbull Winners: Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Rihanna, Macklemore, Rihanna, Marc Anthony, Taylor Swift, etc. Performers: R. Kelly, Lady GaGa, TLC, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, etc. Presenters: Ciara, Jennifer Hudson, Sarah Silverman(comedian), etc. Audience Sightings/Red Carpet Sightings: 2 Chainz, R. Kelly, L.A. Reid, Kelly Osborne, Kendrick Lamar,etc. The show opened up with host Pitbull paying homage to his hometown of Miami complete with dancers, and some of the raunchy dance moves Miami is known for. After that is when I started changing the channel as I was ...

Nicole Wray is not a name you hear everyday in the news but today she's making some noise worthy of being reported here.Some music news is better than none. Apparently there were rumors swirling around that singer Nicole Wray(Remember her?) was about to join Love & Hip Hop Atlanta . If the name Nicole Wray doesn't ring a bell, she is known for her hit single Make It Hot featuring Missy Elliott. Back then she simply went by Nicole. The singer was briefly signed to Rocafella back in the day as well. Honestly Love & Hip Hop Atlanta is fine the way it is, with its current cast. DJ Tracy Steele and Baby Drew were axed from the show after one season; good riddance. They didn't add anything to the show and the show is not at the point yet where they need new cast mates, in my opinion. Moving on...remember the rumors about TLC being dropped from Epic? Well the head honcho himself, L.A. Reid has spoken out via Twitter denouncing the rumors. But what about TLC's name no...

Keyshia Cole is working on a mixtape due for release sometime in December. The singer has been logging studio time with the likes of Future, Sean Kingston, French Montana, Wale, and Trey Songz just to name a few. If that's not enough the singer is also working on a new album, her sixth. Speaking of new albums...if you plan on picking up R. Kelly's new album Black Panties , you'll also be treating yourself to a pair of 'black panties'. You read it right! 'Black Panties' will be included with the album when it arrives in stores on December 10.

Ashanti unveils the single cover art to her new single I Got It available November 26 on iTunes. If you recall the song previously leaked a few months ago but featured Future. Due to clearance issues Future has been replaced with Rick Ross. Now me personally I liked the snippet that leaked with Future on it but I'm sure Rick Ross will help Ashanti give her the hit that she needs! #BraveHeart

Many of us have been wanting an Xscape reunion for years. It looks like it may truly happen after all, well at least those are the latest rumors. The famed quartet will allegedly reunite via member Kandi's hit show The Real Housewives of Atlanta . There has been some bad blood between the Xscape members over the years. I feel like if Kandi can be on a show like RHOA where women are friends one day and enemies the next, she should be open to a reunion with Xscape. So we'll see! In other music news...Ashanti will release her new single I Got It featuring Rick Ross on iTunes November 26.

Cookie is the latest single from R. Kelly. It appears on his upcoming album Black Panties due December 10.

There's a rumor going around that TLC has been dropped from Epic Records. This comes on the heels of the legal feud brewing between Pebbles and TLC. Chili, however has come forward via Twitter and stated to her followers to not believe everything. So there you go! A few days ago I reported about the renewal of the R&B Divas Atlanta and L.A. Well now its been revealed that Kameelah Williams of 702 and LaTavia Roberson of Destiny's Child is the newest cast members of R&B Divas Atlanta . The show is currently filming and we can expect the new season to air sometime in 2014.

Chris Brown went into a VIOLENT RAGE while in rehab earlier this month for his anger issues ... TMZ has learned ... throwing objects and breaking them ... and we've learned the D.A. will use this and other incidents later today in court to make the case that he belongs in jail ... NOW. We're told the rehab facility wanted him OUT after the incident ... and that's why he bailed after only 2 weeks. Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the L.A. County Probation Dept. is submitting information to the judge today about the incident, along with the criminal assault charge in Washington, D.C. We're told the Probation Dept will ask the judge to order Chris into a live-in anger management program for a period of months. Our sources say the D.A. isn't as forgiving and will ask the judge during today's progress hearing in the Rihanna beating case to revoke his probation and send him to jail -- as early as today.   http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/20/chr...

If your a fan of R&B Divas Atlanta or R&B Divas L.A . or both franchises, good news! Both franchises have been renewed. Look for the new seasons to air in 2014. It's been revealed that Atlanta regulars Nicci Gilbert, Faith Evans, and LaTocha Scott won't be returning for season three. No word on any cast changes concerning R&B Divas L.A. yet. Speaking of divas, Kelly Rowland is allegedly engaged to her manager Tim Witherspoon. It was just last week when Kelly gushed about having kids and getting married. Well it looks like she's gotten her wish. Congrats to Kelly!

Chris Brown is said to release five new songs on November 19. The collection of tracks is simply known as The X Files . There's no other info on the tracks as of now. You all ready for some new Chris Brown music? Judging on Chris Brown's recent appearance at Jhene Aiko's EP release party, I think he needs to get his life together. He didn't look well at all and that was all the talk on some of the forums I frequent. Just saying!

Lady Gaga and R. Kelly set the SNL stage on fire last night in an awkward way. Check them out as two perform their new hit single!

Happy Sunday! Ashanti continues to prolong the release of her BraveHeart album but she is recording a new Christmas EP nonetheless. The EP will feature her rendition of the Christmas classic Let It Snow. The song can currently be heard on the Lifetime network, part of its Christmas movie promotion. If that's not enough Let It Snow will be featured in Ashanti's movie for Lifetime Christmas In The City airing on December 7. Ashanti's Let It Snow is currently available for download on Shazam...I believe. Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank collectively known as TGT will release Next Time Around as the next single from their album Three Kings . Speaking of Tyrese you can catch him in the new black musical Black Nativity in theaters later this month.

Danity Kane fans are in for a treat! The famed quartet will be performing at the House of Blues in L.A. on December 16. The ladies are also working on a new album, their first in five years. Does it seem like its been that long since Danity Kane broke up and released their last album? Doesn't to me but I wish them well and I'm happy they are back together. Rihanna has reason to celebrate! The pop diva's seven albums collectively have sold in excess of ten million copies. The sales of her most recent album Unapologetic is responsible for Rihanna's latest triumph. Well ten million may pale in comparison to the days of Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey, it is still a feat that many will accomplish in this day and age since record sales are at an all time low. Rihanna recently released the video to her single What Now and was rumored to be spotted leaving out of a hotel with Eminem. The two collaborated on Eminem's new song The Monster . If the rumor is true I wouldn...

After debuting her new single, The Art of Letting Go on Jimmy Fallon to some adoring fans, the singer did an impromptu performance for those same fans. Boy were they in for a treat as Mariah freestyled to an instrumental of her song Fly Like A Bird . She also continued her freestyle session over "Letting Go" which featured some choice words aimed at what sounds like her ex-husband Tommy Mottola. 

Good morning all! We have a pair of R&B singers who are making moves in the studio and beyond. Read on! Frank Ocean is back in the studio! The singer revealed that he plans to record new music after taking a bit of a sabbatical. His upcoming album will be the follow up to his gold debut album channel Orange which won him a Grammy! I liked channel Orange so I'm hoping that Frank's follow up album is good if not better. Speaking of better, Chris Brown is reportedly out of rehab! I think he's still seeking help so hopefully he stays on the right path to get his self together mentally, physically and beyond. I'm not sure if his X album is still coming out or not. The album has already had plenty of pushbacks. Chris made his first public appearance since leaving rehab at Jhene' Aiko's EP release party for Sail Out . I saw pictures and Chris looks pretty sickly. I hope he gets himself together.

Ashanti goes behind the scenes as she records her rendition of the Christmas classic Let It Snow . The song will be played throughout Lifetime's promotional campaign for their Christmas movies. Ashanti, herself will star in Christmas In The City on December 7 on Lifetime.

K. Michelle has revealed that she plans to collaborate with Lil' Kim. The two stars are fans of one another so it was a matter of time before the two collaborated. K. Michelle also dished about her upcoming VH1 reality show No New Friends . The show revolves around K as she balances motherhood, her career, and more. You can currently see K on Love & Hip Hop airing on VH1 on Monday nights at 8 P.M. EST.

What Now is the latest video and single from Rihanna's Platinum album Unapologetic .

Beyonce is reporting filming the video to her previously heard single Bow Down . The singer has been no so secretly filming videos for a variety of songs no one has heard yet. I guess in time we will see these videos whenever Beyonce's new album is released. If you recall Beyonce filmed a video for every song on her B'Day album so I'm sure this is similar to that. Mariah Carey is reportedly upset that the wrong version of her new single The Art of Letting Go leaked out to fans. Mariah wrote in a long letter to fans about what exactly went wrong. Sounds to me that this is her simply covering up the bad response the song has gotten. The song, like most Mariah songs was hyped up and turned out to be pretty underwhelming. Don't get me wrong though! The song is nice but not for a single, maybe an album track.

Jennifer Hudson is the latest celebrity to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The famed singer and actress is known for her stint on American Idol. But it was her breakthrough performance in Dreamgirls that landed the singer an Oscar. From then on the singer has went on to release two hit albums and star in multiple movies. Next up is her role as a wayward mother in Black Nativity . Congratulations to Jennifer Hudson! Now some people feel Jennifer Hudson is not deserving of her Walk of Fame, just yet. Clearly Jennifer Hudson hasn't been in the industry long enough but I think she does deserve it nonetheless. She has accomplished many things in her career and I see her being around for the long haul. Justin Timberlake, TLC, and J-LO are said to performers at this year's American Music Awards . The AMAs is one of my favorite awards telecast so I will be tuning in to see all the winners, performances, and surprises. Will you be watching?

Pebbles speaks candidly with Wendy about the many accusations made against her in light of the recent airing of the TLC biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story . She also speaks about rumors of Chili having an affair L.A. Reid and more. Check it out!

Mariah Carey sits down with Angie Martinez to briefly discuss her new album, Dem Babies, Nick Cannon and more. Check it out!

Mariah Carey surprises fans on The Jimmy Fallon Show with a live performance of her new single The Art of Letting Go (which also serves as the title track for Mariah's new album). The single debuted this past Monday on FaceBook.

The famed singer talks about her favorite Soul Train line dance, beauty secrets, and longevity. Check it out!

This weekend The Soul Train Music Awards took place in Las Vegas. The premiere of the show will air on Centric and BET on Sunday December 1. With pretaped award shows, the winners list leaks out, well sort of. I do have two of the winners for you, K. Michelle won an award for Best New Artist. Ashanti won for Best Independent Artist(I believe). The show featured appearances from Jennifer Hudson, Faith Evans, Babyface, Toni Braxton, and Tamar Braxton just to name a few. This Wednesday we can look forward to Pebbles appearing on Wendy . Pebbles has been in the headlines as of late due to the TLC biopic which aired last month. Pebbles and her family have come out swinging over the portrayal of Pebbles in the biopic. Expect this interview to be a tell-all juicy interview, the kind we expect from Wendy. Nelly revealed what we all knew but didn't wanna believe. He and Ashanti are no longer together. Appearing on Bravo's Watch! What Happens Live last night, Nelly was asked "Was h...

As expected Mariah Carey drops her new single, the title track from her upcoming album. Listen now! Personally I think the song is a little underwhelming. I was expecting something else. I don't know what but not this. This seems more like an album track than a single but in typical Mariah fashion this song was hyped up by herself and Jermaine Dupri(who is now Mariah's manager).

Usher is being sued over his 2004 hit Caught Up . Caught Up appeared on his Confessions album. Three guys are claiming they wrote the song and played it for L.A. Reid. Flash to two years later, the song is on radio and its a hit! That's where the money is coming in! My thing is though why has it taken so long to file a lawsuit. Caught Up , the song was released almost 10 years ago. Either way someone is "caught up" and I'm sure Usher and his team will fight this!

Ashanti will appear in the Lifetime movie Christmas In The City airing on December 7. The singer plays a consultant in a department store who is responsible for the shakeup of the store. On the music front Ashanti will release her new single I Got It featuring Rick Ross later this month. A version featuring Future leaked in July. BraveHeart is now due this Winter. As if! Best of luck Ashanti because I've been waiting for this album for ages. I do like how she has kept herself out there with acting roles. I'm going to need her to bring it with the music or don't bring it at all! I know she has been working hard though so hopefully that will reflect in the new music.

Fly Away is the latest single and video from Marques Houston. It appears on his new album Famous available now. I like Marques Houston but honestly I haven't felt any of his music really since his Veteran album.

Sevyn Streeter previews her new video for her new single nEXt . It appears on her upcoming EP, Call Me Crazy But... which is available for pre-order now on iTunes. The EP will be available on December 3.

Kelis has been out of the spotlight for awhile. Now the singer is back shooting a video for her new single Jerk Ribs , which leaked out this past Summer. She is also shooting a video for another single titled Rumble . I'm personally hoping Kelis goes back to her Urban stylings that she's abandoned with her last few albums. I think she shins the best as an Urban artist. Just saying! The Weeknd is going on tour with Justin Timberlake. The Canadian born singer will be supporting his newest album Kiss Land in stores and online now. The tour stars this Wednesday November 6 at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

Good news for Tamar Braxton, Adrienne Bailon, and the other hosts of the show The Real . The show has just gotten renewed after a test season earlier this year. I never watched the show but it will air on FOX and BET markets in Fall 2014. Congrats to the ladies. Speaking of Tamar Braxton, herself and the Braxton clan will return for a new season of Braxton Family Values . The show will premiere on Thursday November 14.

Pebbles is at it again! My gosh this is the most press she's gotten since the 80s. Please believe that! I am being shady but I do like Pebbles from back in the day. Apparently Pebbles isn't happy with the money hungry diva TLC made her out to be in their biopic which aired two weeks ago. Of course Pebbles is suing people left and right. Apparently she needs the money but this certainly nothing new. Any time anyone is portrayed in a movie specifically a biopic they are liable to be upset with their portrayal. It makes sense but again this is TLC's side of the story, not hers. Pebbles is working with her lawyer to get retractions from VH1 and their biopic. Sounds like we won't be hearing the end of this Pebbles vs. everyone saga anytime soon. I won't be surprised if Pebbles herself has some type of project in the works she wants to promote.