the chal banz blog

L.A. Reid, the man behind the careers of TLC, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston has left his post at Epic Records. On top of that he is being sued for sexual harassment by an Epic employee. I wonder is that why he left? For those of you unfamiliar with L.A. Reid, he started LaFace Records with Babyface and he was formerly married to 80s R&B singer Perri "Pebbles" Reid back in the day. He was also rumored to have had a fling with Chili from TLC, something both have denied over the years. Speaking of Epic Records, Future(who records for Epic Records) has everyone talking in a good way when he posted a sentimental message to Ciara for Mother's Day. It comes on the heels of Ciara's husband, Russell Wilson catching flack for including Future and Ciara's song, Future as his "family". If you think about it, Russell is Future's son stepfather so he is his family. I don't see the big deal. People need to find something else to go on about. In new mu...

Mama Tina comes to her daughter's rescue after everyone accused Beyoncé of dipping out of the BET Awards. Apparently Beyoncé had to be overseas for her overseas leg of her "Formation World Tour". Lil' Kim's fans came to her rescue after Nene Leakes started throwing shade or one of her writers for her new website. The website which Nene just launched called "The Fab Gab" deals with everyday topics including plastic surgery(which Nene has been very open about in recent years) and dating. Nene took time to address the Lil' Kim fans by saying she didn't write the article that threw shade at Lil' Kim. I wonder will Nene address what Khia said about her on her video blog. Nene is one of the few celebs who will basically responded to every negative critique she receives especially when it comes from another celebrity. Jennifer Hudson has signed to Epic Records. Jennifer has been apart of the Sony Records family since her first signing. Originally...

SONGZ IN A MINOR: While gay rumors certainly didn't hinder his career in the past, Trey Songz lives up to his title of Mr. Steal Ya Girl and his title was recently questioned by labelmate Meek Mill. Meek posted on his Twitter that he has to ask a potential date if she's slept with Trey Songz insinuating Trey gets around. Trey responded knocking the notion and again sending a little shade a day or so later by saying that no one is "dry snitching". I believe that was a dig at Meek but what do I know? Something that I do know is that Mariah Carey has signed to Epic Records. This puts Mariah back under the Sony wing where her career began and flourished in the 90s. L.A. Reid is responsible for taking Mariah under his wing. Reid most famously worked with Mariah on her The Emancipation of Mimi album back in 2005. Wow! TEOM is actually 10 years old this year. My how time flies. Mariah's first project will be a re release of her #1's album which will feature some new...

After his untimely departure from Island Def Jam; L.A. Reid is back and this time running the joining labels of Jive and Epic Records which were already under the Sony wing anyway. As you read below; you may get a better understanding of what exactly is behind the merging. Check it out! X Factor judge and music executive, L.A.Reid has been taped to run Epic records. The newly restructured Epic Label Group will combine the rosters of Jive and Epic and reunite Reid with Usher and Pink, two artists he discovered and helped develop. (Read the entire story at THR) It’s also anticipated that Reid will steer the company towards more urban releases, which doesn’t bode well for the label’s rock acts, including Incubus, whose first album since 2006, If Not Now, When?, is due out July 12, and Augustana, whose Epic debut was released in April after Ghost’s tenure sidetracked the band. As for the Jive Records roster, Epic will absorb some of those artists, including Pink and Usher, both o...

"American Idol" eat your heart out! The new FOX show; "The X-Factor" is coming soon. The show features Simon Cowell formerly of "American Idol" fame. While the show is still undergoing its potential contestants and judges; the mystery as to who the judges are continues to boggle us all. Since the inception of the show here in the states; literally every famous name has been attached to the show. Its similar to the bid for who was to take Paula Abdul's place as well as Simon's and Kara's and Ellen's for "American Idol". Here is the list of celebrity judges who are attached or have been rumored to the new "The X-Factor" show. Check it out! L.A. Reid The former head honcho of Island Def Jam has been the first confirmed name attached to the show. It is a sure bet to have someone as experienced as Reid since he's been in the business for over 20 years. He's spearheaded the careers of everyone from Pink to Mariah Carey...

Mariah Carey may be pregnant but apparently she's been actively recording for a new album slated to be released at the end of the year. The singer reportedly has one album left on her Island Def Jam Records contract. Word is with L.A. Reid leaving his post at Island Def Jam; Mariah is also leaving and headed back to Sony Records. Mariah spent the first 10 years of her career as an artists on the Sony Records label. I guess Mariah proves that there is truly no place like home! Speaking of L.A. Reid the famed producer/label record honcho is said to be joining the US version of the UK's "X-Factor". The show is spearheaded by Simon Cowell and is also said to have Paula Abdul as one of the judges. The show will air on FOX; home to "American Idol". That should be interesting. American Idol eat your heart out! Lil' Wayne has chosen to release his "The Carter IV" album on May 16. The album contains the first single; "6 Foot 7 Foot" featuring ...

Trina hooked up with Diddy and Keri Hilson for her first official single from her long awaited album; 'Amazin'. Trina filmed the video over a month ago and it should be premiering very soon. Take an exclusive look behind the scenes of the video. Trina needs to be pushing this song more. I heard it on the radio a few times. I haven't listened to the radio lately but I know it is still two months before album but come on Trina. Step it up! Music Biz: L.A. Reid To Be Dropped From Def Jam? "There was speculation among other music executives that this was not entirely the truth. Reid didn't want to answer questions about his future with Island Def Jam," a source said. "The move left organizers panicked with no speaker with just hours to go. Vevo CEO Rio Caraeff agreed to stand in." The Post's Peter Lauria reported last month that R&B impresario Reid is under pressure to break a cold streak following the promotion of Lucian Grainge to CEO of Univer...

I can't remember Sade ever doing this much promo for an album before; not since she has become a bonafide superstar over 20 years ago. But with the music industry constantly changing; you have to be more visible now and connect more with fans. I am glad that Sade got the memo unlike some other veteran acts. Wonder why they are flopping now? Ha! What do you think about the cover? Sade looks nice to me and I love Ebony's slightly renewed moniker. Music Biz: L.A. Reid To Get The Boot From Def Jam? The rumor mill has been buzzing quietly for awhile about this for awhile, but it looks like L.A. Reid may be getting fired from his position as Chairman and CEO of the Island Def Jam Music Group. According to Bossip.com Antonio “L.A.” Reid may be getting the boot due to the below-expectation sales of Rihanna’s Rated R album, as well as the controversial seven-figure deal he recently made with Shyne. Reid came to Island Def Jam in 2004 after spending several years at Arista Records.

No, I am not talking about Diddy's "Making His Band". You ever hear of the saying "behind every good man is a good woman"? Well I have come up with my own, "behind every good girl group is a thirsty man"! Why? Well over the years several men (whether they be producers or writers) have orchestrated some of the world's most successful girl groups. Their involvement with the group didn't just end with songwriting credits, it extended beyond the studio and perhaps probably in the studio. Here, you will learn about some of the key men behind some of the world's most successful girl groups. You will also learn how they played a part in tearing these groups apart. Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor Hurby was one of the masterminds behind Salt N Pepa . He also dated Cheryl "Salt" James. Sandi " Pepa " Denton didn't get along with Hurby . A good deal of this story was covered on VH 1's "Behind The Music" which a...

I was originally planning to just redo my blog layout but instead I ended up paying a special tribute to Mrs. Mariah Carey-Cannon! After hearing "Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel", I was really feeling Mariah again and thought it would be perfect to pay a special tribute to her. For the last few days I have posted old throwback videos, posted polls, and made special 'music feeds' all dedicated, featuring, or mentioning Mariah. Now continuing with that tribute, I present to you all, my top five favorite Mariah Carey songs and really in no particular order but I think I will number them anyway so it won't look completely tacky! 1. Say Somethin' from The Emancipation of Mimi The instant I heard this song I loved it! I'm a big fan of The Neptunes so that made this track all the more enjoyable. I remember when this first leaked. I couldn't get enough of it. I kept playing it over and over. Interestingly enough L.A. Reid wanted this song to be Mariah's firs...

Just yesterday you got to see the behind the scenes footage of this video, now you can catch the internet premiere of R. Kelly's lead single from his upcoming album, "Untitled" in stores September 29. Music Biz: Mariah Carey Preps Memoirs Album! Foreigner's Mick Jones can start ordering caviar and Champagne again: Mariah Carey is releasing her own gospel-tinged version of his masterwork song, "I Want to Know What Love Is." It's the first "real" single from her new album following the summer release of the witty "Obsessed," which is also included on "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel." The album and the single hit the world on Sept. 29th. The other songs on the album – these are the titles, although the running order is still being finalized: "Betcha," "Obsessed," "H.A.T.E.U.," "Candy Bling," "Ribbon," "Standing O's.," "Impossible," "It's a Wrap,...

A lot of people may not remember this song but it came out in 2001. 2001 was such an incredible year for music and just watching this video brings back a lot of fond memories for me. Toya was signed to Arista Records. At the time L.A. Reid was head of Arista and was either not promoting artists or dropping them off the roster. This song was a huge hit! Check it out!

Is this really the beginning of the end for Day 26? I think we got a glimpse of that during the last season of "Making The Band". Music Biz: Amerie Readies New Album! As Amerie readies the release of her Def Jam debut 'In Love & War' (due August), it has been revealed in a new Billboard article about the project that the label's head LA Reid was about to drop her just last month! Check out the report below: After a two-year hiatus, singer/songwriter Amerie has announced the release of her Def Jam debut, "In Love & War," which will be available in August. The lead single, "Why R U," will be serviced June 15th, with an accompanying video directed by Ray Kay (The-Dream, Lady Gaga) premiering June 8th on BET.

You are probably wondering what has gotten into me? Sheena Easton may be known primarily for her later work with Prince("U Got The Look"). When the once-innocent singer paired with songwriters such as Prince, Babyface, and L.A. Reid, Easton turned into a sexy and sultry New Jack R&B/Pop diva. On "Sugar Walls" produced and written by Prince, Sheena is singing about......well what do you think she is singing about? VH1 declared the song cheesy and annoying, but if you like songs of a sexual nature, you'll love this one! Check it out!