the chal banz blog

Nicole Scherzinger is reportedly poised to sign a £3m recording deal with Sony. The popular X Factor judge and former Pussycat Dolls star is claimed by The Sun to have a new album coming out in the summer. A source said: "Nicole was the most popular member of the X Factor panel this year and is the real winner in terms of bankability. "She is set to sign with Sony and can't wait to get back to her music which took a back seat during X Factor." There have been numerous rumours about changes on the judging panel of the ITV talent show - with Simon Cowell expected to return and reports that Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue are being headhunted. So Scherzy could find herself free to devote much more of her time to reviving her music career. http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/nicole-scherzinger/398204-nicole-scherzinger-ps3m-recording-deal-sony#EslCls0KAFCcms4z.99

Beyoncé Slammed for Sampling Shuttle Tragedy on New Album - Yahoo Beyonce' in hot water again! Click the link above to find out why!

How Beyonce and Jay-Z Keep Marriage Hot | ABC News - Yahoo Click the link above!!

Chal is about to tell it like it T I S. Hello all! I hope you all had a splendid Holiday. If you didn't notice I was away for awhile but I'm back with a little news for you all. Let's start with Mary J. Blige, who is riding high with her Christmas release, A Mary Christmas . She recently stated that she is done with the "My Life" projects meaning there will be no prequel to her hit 1994 album. Instead the singer will focus on what's going on in her life as of now for the follow up album. I don't know about you all but I'm ready for a new Mary J. album.

Chal is about to tell it like it T I S. Hey y'all! Word is Ciara is working on a new album! Who would've guessed? I mean considering how her last album fared, I'm not surprised Ciara is back in the studio. I think her last album was pretty decent. I think her team and label dropped the ball though when the album leaked out like two months before the physical release. Next time Epic or whatever record label needs to think and act fast!

Chal is about to tell it like it T I S. Hey y'all! I was just reading that Pharrell Williams has signed a recording deal with Columbia Records. The singer will release a new album in 2014. Pharrell was recently nominated for a slew of Grammy's for his involvement with Blurred Lines , a monster hit for Robin Thicke. Congrats to Pharrell and I personally look forward to his new record.

Ashanti appeared on Arsenio last night and talked candidly about Nelly, her relationship with her Mother, and her new Christmas movie. After that you can check her performance of the Christmas classic Let It Snow . #BraveHeart

If you missed Part 1 of Beyonce talking about her new self-titled visual album click here

R. Kelly talks candidly about his new album Black Panties , his upcoming tour with Mary J. Blige, and his shocking collaboration with Lady Gaga. Check it out!

Chal is about to tell it like it T I S. It's been awhile since we seen J-LO on the big screen. Well she has been in a few films here or there but they were mostly duds. Now J-LO is teaming up with Viola Davis( The Help ) for what hopefully we be box office glory. The movie titled Lila & Eve revolves around two Mothers(Lopez & Davis) who lose children to a vicious murder. With the murders unsolved both Mothers team up to find the person or persons responsible. The film is being described as a Thelma & Louise type flick. And if this is anything like Thelma & Louise , then you know the film will definitely be something to watch. Can't get enough of J-LO? Well you can catch her on the new season of American Idol when it returns in January on FOX. 

Drunk In Love is the new video and single from the new self-titled album Beyonce' available on iTunes now. Drunk In Love is one of my favorite songs from Bee's new album and the video is pretty hot as well.

Chris Brown is in trouble ... again. The judge in the Rihanna beating case has just REVOKED his probation because of the fresh assault charges filed in Washington D.C. Brown was in court for a progress hearing. The judge felt the criminal complaint in D.C. is enough proof that Chris did NOT obey all laws ... which he's required to do while on probation The judge did not remand Chris into custody, because hizzoner was impressed by Chris' progress in his anger management rehab. The judge will hold a hearing on the matter in February, and it's possible he could sentence Chris to time in the pokey. TMZ broke the story ... Brown was popped in Oct. for felony assault -- later reduced to a misdemeanor -- and the L.A. County Probation Dept. launched an investigation.    http://www.tmz.com/2013/12/16/chris-brown-revoke-probation-rihanna-case-judge/#ixzz2ngHYpyr4

Chal is about to tell it like it T I S. If you plan on buying a physical copy of Beyonce's new self-titled album, don't plan on buying it from retail giant Target. The store has decided not to carry Beyonce's new album largely in part due to iTunes getting the exclusive first. It is noted that iTunes is music's biggest retailer so rightfully so Bee would partner up with them. I do understand Target's reasoning to an extent only because they lose out on revenue, to the tune of 617K(that's the amount of copies Bee's new album has sold in the last three days in the US). Maybe Target will come around after they get over their hissy fit. This is not the first time Target has refused to carry an artist's album. The store refused to sell physical copies of Frank Ocean's channel Orange album when the album appeared on iTunes days before its physical release. Target eventually gave in and started carrying the album months down the line. Speaking of divas...

XO is the first single and video from Beyonce's new self-titled album available now on iTunes. The physical album is said to be available in stores except for Target starting on December 20.

Beyonce's Surprise Album: How She Kept It Secret - Yahoo omg! Can't get enough of Beyonce? Click the link above to find out how she kept her new hit album a secret. Word is Beyonce's new self-titled album sold 617K units in its first three days of release. Punch Bey! 

Hey y'all! There has been a slight change in the single lineup for the new self-titled Beyonce album released this past Friday. Originally Beyonce' and her team were sending the Pharrell Williams produced Blow to Top 40 radio but now the Ryan Tedder(One Republic) single XO will be sent to Top 40 radio instead. As for Drunk In Love , the collab with Jay Z it is still the lead single over at Urban radio. Both videos will premiere tomorrow on VEVO! Now back to your regularly scheduled program!

Hello all! Like the new look? I hope so. Anyway you will find in the left hand margin that I have some of "My Favorites of 2013" and there is more to come. In the neverending Beyonce' saga, her self-titled release is now poised to sell upwards of 600K units by week's end, which closes today. This just may give Beyonce' her highest first week sales ever. A physical release of the album is planned to be in stores by next Friday. Punch Bey!

Silly me, typed up this blog post and forgot to post it. So its a day or so old but better late than never! So here we go...Toni Braxton and Babyface will release their new single Where Did We Go Wrong? on iTunes on December 17. It is the second single to be lifted from their upcoming album Love, Marriage & Divorce due this February. The duo will perform a live concert to air on TvOne on February 8. Speaking of groups...members of group Day 26 have reunited. The Bad Boy formed group released two albums on the Bad Boy label and are back together! The group will appear on 106 & Park next month to promote their reunion tour. First there was Danity Kane and now its Day 26. Hey! I'm all for groups reuniting. Its good that groups can put aside their differences and get back together and make music for the fans.

Beyonce' will release two new singles to coincide with the release of her new self-titled album. Blow , produced by Pharrell will be released to Top 40 radio next week. The Jay Z collaboration Drunk In Love will be released to Urban radio next week as well. Also look for the song XO to debut on Top 40 radio in early 2014 as well. In other music news...Mariah Carey will appear on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live! on December 22. This will mark the first appearance on the show for Carey. And I read that Ameriie may be closing in on a deal to distribute her newest album through Epic Records. If you recall Ameriie had previously been signed to Def Jam and Columbia Records. She's been diligently working on new music for the last few years. Maybe 2014 will be the year we get to hear it all!

Beyonce has shocked every one by debuting her new album exclusively on iTunes. Simply titled Beyonce the album features 14 tracks with appearances by Frank Ocean, Jay Z, Drake, and more. There are also 17 videos including Grown Woman . If you recall Beyonce had been no so secretly filming videos which were obviously for this collection. The album's standout track thus far is the collaboration with Jay Z, Drunk In Love. I previewed the album and the videos and I'm impressed. So for all the fans who were waiting for new music from Bee, you finally got your wish. As of now the album is strictly an iTunes release but will be available in physical copy shortly before the Holidays. Stay tuned. If you can't wait for that head to iTunes now and download the new album!

Erykah Badu may be quiet on the music scene but that doesn't mean she isn't working. The singer is the new face of Givenchy. She was handpicked personally by one of the designers. So be on the lookout for Erykah as she struts her stuff for Givenchy. Kudos to her! In other music news...Kelis is readying her sixth album titled Food to be released this Spring via UK indie label Ninja Tune. The album will feature the previously released song Jerk Ribs and Rumble . Videos were shot for both songs and will hopefully premiere in the coming weeks or months. I love Kelis so I'm excited about her new album. I was lost with the last album but it seems like she will finally give me what I want this time around.

Ashanti speaks candidly with MTV about her new acting role, her new album, and more. Check it out!

There is a story going around that Ciara is pregnant with Future's child according to one of Future's baby mother's who have met Ciara. If you remember Ciara posted a picture on her Instagram account with all of Future's baby mama's. Looks like she might be joining the Future Baby Mama's club. Though Ciara has yet to publicly confirm the news. People are having a field day trying to determine if she's really with child or not. Anywho...R&B's Pied Piper is racking up as his new album Black Panties is looking to have a healthy first week of 100K copies, that's good in R&B music terms. The new album features the singles My Story featuring 2 Chainz and Cookie (the explicit video debuted today). R. Kelly has been making the rounds on several talk shows including The View and Arsenio. Nothing against R. Kelly personally but I think he is overdoing it with the sex thing this time around. I just feel like he is trying to outsex some of his male cou...

Mariah Carey takes viewers into her home as she has before in the past. Listen and watch as the diva rambles on about her home, her kids, and the like. Typical Mariah!

R. Kelly lets his freak flag fly in the video to his newest single Cookie . I don't know what it is but hearing R. Kelly sing like this bothers me. I mean clearly its not the first time he's done music explicit as this but I'm left wondering what are you trying to prove? I think he's trying to one up Trey Songz. I know they had a beef back in the day and have since patched things up but I'm just not buying it. Sorry Kellz. Good luck on the new album though I have heard good things about it.

Enjoying this cold weather? I'm not! Here's what's going on in music land...catch Christina Milian starring in the Lifetime movie A Snow Globe Christmas airing on December 14. The movie comes on the heels of Christina's recent stint on Dancing With The Stars . The singer is currently working on a new album, her first for Cash Money/Young Money Universal. Well it looks like there is a new release date for Ashanti's long awaited album BraveHeart. The new release date is February 18 according to Amazon.com and Ashanti's label eOne Records. But only time will tell. Ashanti recently released her new single I Got It featuring Rick Ross.

I was reading and came across this bit of news that former Dirty Money singer Kaleena will be joining Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. The singer will star alongside her husband Tony. There is no word yet on when LHHATL will air but I'm presuming once LLHNY ends. Last season LHHATL added DJ Tracy Steele and Baby Drew to the mix and the response wasn't so good and the couple got booted. Let's hope Kaleena and Tony bring the messiness!

Last night the Grammy Award nominations were announced and there were really no surprises to me. I read that Jay Z leads the pack with nine nominations. Multiple nominees include Tamar Braxton, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake and more. I have a sneak peek of some of the nominees. Check it out to see if your favorite artist made the cut. The 56th  Annual Grammy Awards will air Sunday January 26 on CBS. Best R&B Performance “Love And War” by Tamar Braxton “Best Of Me” by Anthony Hamilton “Nakamarra” by Hiatus Kaiyote featuring Q-Tip “How Many Drinks?” by Miguel featuring Kendrick Lamar “Something” by Snarky Puppy With Lalah Hathaway Best R&B Album “R&B Divas” by Faith Evans “Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keys “Love In The Future” by John Legend “Better” by Chrisette Michele “Three Kings” by TGT Best Rap Album “Nothing Was The Same” by Drake “Magna Carta…Holy Grail” by Jay Z “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” by Kendrick Lamar “The Heist” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewi...

Without You is the latest video and single from Marsha Ambrosius. The song will appear on her upcoming album Friends & Lovers due next year. The album features a duet with Alicia Keys.

Ashanti has been making the rounds in support of her new Lifetime movie Christmas In The City airing on December 7. Check out what Ashanti has to say about Ja Rule, her new album, and more.

News is a little slow this way but that doesn't mean that I'm not on my job. I like to keep you all updated as much as I can. A name you don't hear everyday is former American Idol winner Ruben Studdard. He won viewers hearts back in 2004 but he's been under the radar in recent years. Now the singer is back thanks to a stint on NBC's The Biggest Loser and a new label deal with Verve Record through famed producer David Foster. Ruben's new album Unconditional Love contains cover songs and reminds listeners on why they initially feel for him many years ago. The album's first single Meant To Be was released last month. I saw Ruben on the Soul Train Music Awards red carpet show and that was my first time learning of his new label deal. I did hear about him on The Biggest Loser and how he got voted off but was brought back thanks to some discrepancy.

If you plan on attending next year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, the headline act is none other than Prince. The shindig will take place during the July 4th weekend. The Essence Music Festival is known to house appearances and performances from some of the best and biggest names in R&B. There is no word yet on what other artists will appear on the bill as of yet.

The Ashanti train keeps on going as the singer here speaks candidly about her relationship with Nelly, Irv Gotti, and more. #BraveHeart #IGotIt

Ashanti has been a very busy bee as of lately. Here the singer talks about her new Lifetime movie, her new single, and long awaited album.

K. Michelle is not one to slow down. She may of released her debut album Rebellious Soul this past Summer but the diva is releasing a new mixtape next year, titled Still No Fucks Given . It is the follow up to her mixtape 0 Fucks Given . You can catch K. Michelle on Love & Hip Hop and also starring in a new VH1 show titled No New Friends airing sometime next year.