the chal banz blog

The Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin is speaking out on claims that she's Whitney Houston's godmother. Apparently Dionne Warwick referred to Aretha as Whitney's godmother during Whitney's funeral which Aretha was absent at. It has been a long standing belief that Aretha was Whitney's godmother. Aretha was definitely feeling some type of way and faxed a letter to the Associated Press which led to the headlines. No one is more shadier and pettier than Ms. Franklin. Bow down. A possible runner up to the sheer pettiness of Ms. Franklin is K. Michelle. She was fuming mad last week when her name was mentioned on daytime talk show, "The Real". Radio show host Angela Yee from "The Breakfast Club" famously got told off by K. Michelle during an interview and Angela discussed while on "The Real". Host Loni Love chimed in mistakenly referring to K. Michelle as Keyshia Cole which was shade in itself. K. Michelle took to Twitter to dis Loni Love ...

Nicki Minaj has topped Aretha Franklin as the female with the most Hot 100 hits. Nicki placed three new songs on the chart this week with "No Frauds" leading the pack debuting at the #14. Nicki now has 76 Hot 100 chart entries. 32 of those entries are her as the lead artist and the other 44 are her as the featured artist. Nicki is currently filming the video to "No Frauds" in London. Congrats Nicki!  Model and actor Tyson Beckford was a guest on Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live" and he was asked about his feud with Chris Brown. Tyson insinuated that Brown was on "drugs"(as its been reported by the media) and suggested he get professional help. I couldn't agree more. Chris hasn't clapped back yet(that I'm aware of) but look out for a clap back sooner than later.  Matt Jordan; hired ex-boyfriend of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star; Kenya Moore called out Kenya in an Instagram rant saying she sold her body to Nige...

Trouble in Paradise Based on various social media posts, one of Hip-Hop's premiere couples, Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill may be on the outs. Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill have both released cryptic and subliminal posts that seem to take shots at one another. Meek Mill has since deleted his Instagram page before posting a picture of Chanel sandals. Nicki Minaj also posted a picture of a pair of Chanel sandals with Beyoncé song lyrics as her caption. Some feel this may simply be a publicity stunt to drum attention for Nicki's upcoming project. What do you think? Did you all see the posts?  Remember the report that had alleged that Ne-Yo would perform at the upcoming presidential inauguration? Well Ne-Yo has come out and said that the report is untrue. Another singer known for performing at inaugurations, the legendary; Aretha Franklin commented on whether she'd perform if asked and her response was "We'll see." I would call that an interesting response. Then ag...

Remember the announcement Janet made a few weeks ago about starting a family? Well now its being revealed that there are plans to have a baby through either adoption or a surrogate. Janet, who will be 50 in May will be a first time Mother, though rumors of the years have suggested she has a secret child. Janet has denied the claims. Meanwhile fans were upset at Janet for cancelling her tour! Chris Brown will have a documentary airing soon which details the singer over the years and the many headlines that's accompanied his career most notably him abusing Rihanna. Already people have been criticizing the documentary before it airs. In the clip, Chris says he's contemplated suicide which is interesting considering he criticized Kehlani for her suicide attempt saying he thought it was fake and for sympathy votes. An Aretha Franklin biopic may finally be in the works. The singer has been trying to get her biopic off the ground for years and there may be light at the end of the tu...

2ND CHANCE: Tinashe known for her hit 2 On is already at work on her sophomore album. Tinashe released her debut album Aquarius back in October. And why is she working on a new album so soon? My guess is because no one bought the first one. I'm not sure. What do you think? BLACK POWER: In much better news D' Angelo fans the wait may just be over as the reclusive singer is said to release a new album Black Messiah on December 15. A physical copy of the album has landed in stores in Brooklyn as have posters advertising the new album. D' Angelo's manager promised a new album this year and I'm guessing he was right on the money. Black Messiah is the first album from D' Angelo in 14 years. MUSIC BITS: Rihanna is not pregnant! Chris Brown and Karrueche are back together. Jay Z and Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake attended Taylor Swift's 25th birthday. Speaking of Taylor Swift, Aretha Franklin sang Happy Birthday to her at Billboard's Women In Music luncheon...

SEX ME: So Usher is said to have a sex tape in existence. The sex tape is said to be with his ex-wife Tameka Raymond. Four years ago Usher's car was broken into and a bunch of jewelry and other stuff were stolen. I guess one of those other things were this alleged sex tape. I'm with Wendy Williams' who was reporting the story on her show, I think Usher is trying to give himself more of an edge. I mean even if the sex tape doesn't exist just leak out a nude pic. Wendy also feels Usher is trying to drum up interest for the lack of ticket sales on his current tour. What do you all think? Or do you even care? NUDE DUDE: Speaking of nude pictures Drake's peen leaked out and it wasn't all that much to go on about. One of his stripper friends got mad at Drake and leaked his pic out online for everyone to see. I'm telling you now there wasn't much to see but if you like Vienna sausage you'll be amazed. TEENAGE SEX: And while I'm on the subject of sex...

EYE OF THE TYGA: My gosh, if Tyga isn't already in enough hot water dealing with a minor, he goes and gets arrested during a video shoot. The rapper was hit with a traffic violation for reckless driving. I'm thinking that Jenner kid was giving Tyga head and he was swerving all through L.A. What do you all think? BROKE-N HEARTED: Ginuwine is broke and divorced and something tells me he needs to call Tyrese and Tank. The man needs money but I did hear he used to snort his money up his nose. While that was never proven, there was a live performance from TGT that surfaced awhile back and Ginuwine seemed pretty out of it if you know what I mean. I'm interested in knowing when exactly did Ginuwine and his wife breakup. They had been together for quite awhile and I figured they were still going strong. Didn't you? SHADY PALM TREE: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul is not one to mince words. When asked in a recent interview what she thought about some of the newer divas, sh...

SOUL SISTERS: Jennifer Hudson has revealed that she wants to work with Tamar Braxton. I'm not sure how I feel about a collab between Jennifer and Tamar then again I don't think I would care either way. Jennifer's new album JHUD debuted at #10 on The Billboard 200 Albums chart. LIKE A TATTOO: Nick Cannon has covered up his huge "MARIAH" tattoo that he once had on his back. On top of that he was seen out with his new rumored girlfriend Amber Rose, who is actually said to be dating KISS singer Gene Simmons' song, Nick Simmons. Sounds messy if you ask me. I think celebrities need to stop tattooing their lovers names on their bodies. It never works out when you do that.  DEEP END : On another note I heard a snippet of Aretha Franklin's cover of Adele's Rolling In The Deep and it sounds atrocious to be honest. She should of left that alone. I mean who could say no to the Queen of Soul covering their song. I'm sure it was an honor to Adele but after ...

AWWW BABY: Ashanti greeted fans last night with a live feed of UStream. The singer discussed everything from her upcoming video for Early In The Morning , which she is vying to shoot this weekend. She also discussed briefly the movie she is working on now, Stuck, where she plays Eve, a woman stuck on a subway train with several other characters. She says the movie will be released next year. She is also starring in a movie on Syfy to be released in October. Ashanti also said she has another movie in the works that she will begin shooting in November. Hell! It truly sounded like Ashanti has abandoned music for movies. This is music to some people's ears I'm sure. But I like music Ashanti and I'm all for the movies, but the snail pace release of this Early In The Morning video is simply ridiculous. But her movie schedule has her pretty booked and she's only off on the weekends. Bummer! Guess we will just have to wait and see. BURGER QUEEN: Aretha Franklin, known for her...

DROP THIS: Zendaya Coleman has dropped out of the Aaliyah biopic! The Disney star reportedly quit after receiving a negative feedback from Aaliyah's family and fans who petitioned the movie's production. It is now being reported that Rihanna is in talks to play Aaliyah. All I know is if people are unsatisfied with that choice and Rihanna gets the role, she will have no problem letting everyone have it! Rihanna will tell a person off very quickly! SHOTS FIRED: Shots rang out this weekend during the BET Awards '14 festivities. One man was shot and four were injured when cops were called to the scene at 5:17 a.m. Let's just hope that everyone else stays safe and the BET Awards goes on without a hitch. BIO-RHYTHM: Lifetime is now planning a biopic on Aretha Franklin. The famed singer wants Jennifer Hudson or Audra McDonald to play her. Aretha recently met up with Lifetime producers to discuss the film. 

Any news is good news. Greetings on this beautiful Sunday. The lovely Faith Evans will be bringing us new music to our ears very soon. The singer has enlisted Missy Elliott for her new single I Deserve It along with Missy's artist Sharaya J.(Who?). The new single was produced by longtime collaborator Chucky Thompson(worked with Mary J.) Faith's new album Incomparable is due later this year. I'm just hoping that Faith really brings it this time. Her last two albums sucked monkey balls and I'm a Faith Evans fan. With a title like 'Incomparable' she better deliver! If that's not enough to look forward to, check out Ms.Alicia Keys! She is joining forces with Pharrell(who is also working on Alicia Keys' new album) alongside Kendrick Lamar for a collaboration for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 soundtrack. The track titled, It's On Again will appear on the soundtrack due on April 22 while the film arrives in theaters on May 2. While we await that collabor...

Everyone has something to say about Beyonce's "alleged" lip syncing. To be honest I really don't know if she did or not but if she did I can't say I'm surprised. I came across an article regarding Aretha Franklin's thoughts on the whole lip syncing debacle. Check it out! Aretha Franklin has said that she "cracked up" laughing at reports that Beyoncé lip-synched through The Star Spangled-Banner at president Obama's inauguration ceremony. The 70-year-old singer performed My Country, 'Tis of Thee at Obama's first inauguration ceremony in Washington DC four years ago. Franklin told ABC News she still thinks Beyoncé "did a beautiful job" at Monday's event but added: "When I heard the news this evening that she was pre-recorded I really laughed. I thought it was funny because the weather down there was about 46 or 44 degrees and for most singers that is just not good singing weather." In fact, temperature...

The Queen Of Soul herself Aretha Franklin is working on a new album. The new album finds her collaborating with Babyface and Nate "Danja" Hills(known for his work with Timbaland). There is no word on when the album will be released. Aretha recently signed to 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...

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....

Aretha Franklin was gushing about her upcoming nuptials awhile back but now she has called off her wedding. Read more below: Aretha Franklin won't be getting fitted for a wedding gown after all: She's called off her engagement. In a statement released Monday, her representative said her wedding to Willie Wilkerson wasn't going to happen. Franklin said things were moving too fast and "a number of things" had not been thought through. She says she won't be commenting about it because of "the very personal and sensitive nature of it." It's not clear if they are still a couple. Franklin announced shortly after New Year's Day that she was getting married, and said she planned a wedding in either the Hamptons or Miami.

Things just keep getting better for Chris Brown. His restraining order involving Rihanna has been lifted. You can read more about that below. In addition to that you can check out the tracklisting of his new album and Aretha Franklin speaks out on Fantasia's decision to skip the Grammy's! Check it out! In a downtown Los Angeles court on Tuesday, a judge altered the restraining order imposed upon the singer following his brutal beating of then-girlfriend Rihanna after a 2009 pre-Grammy Awards party. The restraining order has been replaced by a "level one order." Brown, who was in court with his attorney Mark Geragos, is now allowed to be around Rihanna, provided he abides by certain conditions. "I'm approving the order," Judge Patricia Schnegg told Brown, according to Radar Online. "You can't annoy, molest, or conduct surveillance of the person on the order." Rihanna was not present in the courtroom, but her lawyer, Donald Etra, wa...

I was just reading that Fantasia was upset that she didn't get asked to take part in the Aretha Franklin tribute at this year's Grammy's. Fantasia looks up to Aretha very much and I think I would of liked to see her up there, but there will be other chances. For the singers they had pay tribute to her; I thought they all did a pretty good job and that was my personal highlight of the show and basically the only thing I watched anyway. Monica has decided against a second season of her BET reality show; "Still Standing". The show which also served as the title of her most recent album helped Monica thrust back into the spotlight. Her "Still Standing" album went gold and spawned two hit singles. Currently the singer is working on her new album, "New Life" in time for a release this summer. Looking forward to it! Lloyd just released his third single, "Cupid" from his upcoming album, "King Of Hearts" in stores and online this Mar...

There's been a lot of chatter about Wale signing to Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group imprint and the news has finally been confirmed via twitter. Wale is still being managed by Roc Nation. The emcee released his critically acclaimed album, "Attention Deficit" in 2009 and since then has released some critically acclaimed mixtapes as well. Aretha Franklin has revealed that she is considering Fantasia or Jennifer Hudson to portray her in her biopic. The diva had handpicked Halle Berry who turned the role down saying "she can't sing". I think Halle just wasn't interested in playing Aretha. Aretha will be honored at this year's Grammy's by Christina Aguilera, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, and Florence Welch. I read that Ciara might be dropped by Jive Records. I also read that it might not be true so take it with a grain of salt. Then again it wouldn't be shocking given the poor reception of her newest album, "Basic Instin...