the chal banz blog

I'm back everybody and I'm sure you missed the updates. Well never fear I have some for you. Read below to find out what Maxwell has in store and what single Keyshia Cole is considering releasing. It's all here and more! Chris Brown's new album X will be in stores soon. The singer recently revealed the album's guests including Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Wiz Khalifa, and Aaliyah. X was reportedly due to be released on July 16 but I read that the release date has been pushed back. While I'm on the subject of new albums...Mariah Carey has a surprise in store for fans on July 23. While we eagerly await that said surprise Mariah is reportedly filming a new video for her new single this week. Rumor has it that Mariah's new duet partner will be Beyonce (for her new single). There is also word that Mariah will possibly be revealing her album details on July 23. So in the meantime we will just have to wait and see what happens. I will say that I'm somewhat excited ab...

Fire We Make is the third single from Alicia Keys' gold album Girl On Fire .

The full video for Fire We Make will premiere tomorrow.

It looks like there have been some shuffling around in single choices for Rihanna. Rihanna has chosen Right Now featuring David Guetta as the new single off her #1 album Unapologetic. It was previously reported that Rihanna was releasing Stay as her second single. Maxwell is back! After collaborating with Alicia Keys on her album on the track; Fire We Make; Maxwell is back with a new album Summers'. The album's release date is currently unknown. However the album's premiere single is titled Of All Kind.

A friend and I were discussing Alicia Keys and how she always pops up at an awards show paying tribute to said artists. It's not necessarily a bad thing but there are other artists to can be used in tributes. Anyway Alicia Keys is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on a new album that will be released in the coming months.  For the new album she worked with frequent collaborator Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Pop & Oak(produced for Nicki Minaj), and husband Swizz Beats.  I can't say I'm surprised that Swizz Beats is a part of the project.   Speaking of new albums Maxwell is poised to return with a new album sometime this Summer. His first single is titled Of All Kind so be sure to look out for that when it hits. 

While this picture is certainly not the newest; its from Ashanti's birthday which was back in October. Who would of thought we'd ever see a picture of Ashanti and Maxwell? What's next a duet? Word is that Ashanti is set to join the Black Eyed Peas as a part of their group. Fergie Ferg left and is ready to start a family. Ashanti has been overseas performing Whitney Houston standards with producer David Foster. There is a picture floating around of Ashanti with The Black Eyed Peas and I believe that was what started the rumor. Ashanti is supposed to be releasing her own solo album sometime soon. I think the whole set up got pushed back once she embarked overseas. Anyway overtime Ashanti has tweeted pictures of herself in the studio with the likes of Rico Love(producer), Busta Rhymes, Lil' Wayne, a Rick Ross doll, and more. So who knows what's really next for Ashanti! Whatever it is I hope it is the right move because I am a fan! ---------------- Now playing: Drake - ...

I just happened to stumble across this video as I do most of the videos I feature for Throwback Video. Maxwell is cool in my book. I can't sit here and say I'm the biggest fan and this song is not bad at all. Check out his sinister look at the 1:22 mark! Funny and creepy stuff! ---------------- Now playing: Jennifer Lopez - I've Been Thinkin' via FoxyTunes

Well that is the word going around. Apparently the two stars along with Erykah Badu couldn't get along. The opening acts; Erykah and Jill were going over their minutes in set and Maxwell wasn't having it. He was the headlining act of course. My sister was just telling me a story about how a friend of hers saw Maxwell in concert. She said that her friend told her he was acting strange. He was sweating profusely and his shirt was soak and wet. Listening to this made me think of the "E! True Hollywood Story" on Whitney and Bobby. I remember them saying the same things about Bobby! Makes you wonder! I just read that Kelly Rowland has named her new album after herself; making it a self-titled album. The album is slated to be released on September 14. The album's first single is "Grown Ass Woman". Make sure you be on the look out for that! Don't look forward to a new album from T-Pain anytime soon. The singer/producer doesn't have any plans to release ...

Some of you may or may not have heard Kelis' newest single; "4th Of July". I heard a little tidbit of it before but I didn't want to spoil myself. The single is Kelis' second single from her upcoming album; "Flesh Tone" in stores July 6. We are all aware of Kelis' recent big payout from ex-husband Nas so we all know; Ms. Kelis is living it up! Music Biz: Lil' Mama Damages; Steals Clothes From Video Shoot! Lil Mama recently trashed some borrowed clothes during a music video shoot. “Lil Mama borrowed cloths for a video shoot and she and all the dancers trashed all the cloths and stole the rest,” the source said. “Some of the clothes were totally ruined, with paint spots and dirt all over them.” The producer of the music video attempted to get Lil Mama’s people to return the stolen items but had no luck. “There has been endless lying throughout this scandal that has now been labeled the “Lil Mama Drama” and the producer has plans to take them...

Of course people have been saying that Beyonce purposely dropped a new video just in time for Kelly's new single premiere. It seems to always happen that way whether it be intentional or not. Here; Kelly clears the air on Beyonce and Destiny's Child and more. Check it out! Music Biz: Maxwell Plans Upcoming Album! Maxwell is still feeling "incredibly good" about his own monster -- 2009's "BLACKsummers'night," his first album in eight years, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 last July, went platinum and won two Grammy Awards. Maxwell also made history as the first male artist to score three consecutive No. 1 hits -- "Pretty Wings," "Bad Habits" and "Fistful of Tears" -- on the Urban Adult airplay chart. He predicts that another one or two singles are possible from "BLACKsummers'night" ("Love You" and "Stop the World" are the odds-on favorites), but he's also putting the finis...

Maxwell finally unleashes the video to the single that's been in radio rotation for quite awhile. Check it out! ---------------- Now playing: Gladys Knight - Save The Overtime via FoxyTunes

Maxwell has a had an incredible year last year and he is making sure 2010 is no different. Along for the ride is Jill Scott who is not only joining Maxwell on a tour; she is releasing a new album and will be star in the 'Why Did I Get Married 2' in theaters April 2. Read below for more info on the tour as well as stories on Ester Dean's starstruck behavior and Beyonce's alter ego change. Grammy-winning singers Maxwell and Jill Scott will embark on an arena tour starting in Cleveland on May 21. Announced today (Feb. 26), the tour will bring the neo-soul artists to 20 cities including New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Washington DC, with more dates to be announced through June. Maxwell, fresh from the Grammys with the trophies for Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (for his album "BLACKsummers'night" and single "Pretty Wings," respectively) is hitting the road for the first time since his fall 2008 tour with rapper Common....

I was going to post this up late last night but I was so tired I fell asleep on here. So I said hell I will just wait until the morning to post this. Anyway Mary J. Blige just released her new album and while talking to MTV, she praised Whitney Houston and Maxwell for their return to R&B. Read more below as well as news on Ryan Leslie and Jill Scott. The return of soulful R&B music has been praised, as proven by sales of some of 2009s best albums. According to Mary J. Blige, the return of R&B was much needed. "The return of R&B is the best thing that could've happened in the universe," Blige tells MTV. "It's so much healing power in it. From the time we were kids and we were listening to Stevie Wonder songs [from] In the Key of Life. From the point when we were kids to when we were grown-ups, there are so many songs that we can say, 'Oh, it saved my life. It helped me here, it helped me there.' People need lyrics and the warmth in live ins...

The buzz with Nicki Minaj continues to build as she makes countless guest appearances on songs most recently Robin Thicke's 'Shakin It For Daddy' which she mentions here. The song will be featured on Robin 'Sex Therapy' album in stores December 15. Jay-Z was actually the mastermind behind the collaboration to which Nicki was delighted. Music Biz: Maxwell On His Grammy Nods! “I want to bring back the idea of albums again,” he said. “Things are so singles-oriented. There was this thing that was a record before. There were songs, and it was a body of work, as opposed to just three minutes of you shaking your butt on a dance floor somewhere.” Kanye West To Release New Album! Kanye West is beginning the new year with a new album. On January 5, 2010, Def Jam will release VH1 Storytellers, a two-disc DVD/CD with over 70 minutes of live performance footage and audio from his “VH1 Storytellers” concert in February, including “Heartless,” “Flashing Lights,” “Touch the Sky,” “...

Maxwell is riding high with his new album, "BLACKsummer'snight" and now the singer is pushing forward with his third single, "A Fistful Of Tears". ---------------- Now playing: amerie - Not The Only One - Touch via FoxyTunes

Music Biz: Ashanti Billboard Bound! ASHANTI will be teaming up with the Boys & Girls Club of America for a new advocacy campaign. The singer will unveil a billboard of herself as a child, with the saying “Be Amazing!” Tuesday, August 11th 11:00 am at Duffy Square (Broadway & 47th Street), and we’ll be there to watch! The billboard is part of an initiative to encourage kids to reach for their dreams! LeToya Previews "Lady Love" Album! With three weeks til the album's initial release(in stores), retailer Amazon.com offers everyone an exclusive preview for Toya's new album. Click here to sample it! Upon listening to the samples, I wasn't all that impressed by the samples. Maybe if and when I hear the album in full, I will be more satisfied. This album seems like it will be a grower on me if I choose to get it.

I can't say I have ever picked up Giant magazine let alone actually saw it in the bookstores. Then again I rarely go into the bookstores. I will say Giant covers a lot of musicians on their covers. Maxwell is currently riding high with his new album, "BLACKsummer'snight".

As expected Maxwell tops the Billboard 200 albums chart. Whitney Houston previews new album, "I Look To You" and LeToya reveals the tracklist for her new album, "Lady Love". Check it out! It's all here. Maxwell Tops Billboard! Maxwell makes big news on the Billboard 200 albums chart, entering at No. 1 with "BLACKsummers'night" and a career-high sales week of 316,000. It's his second chart-topper. The singer's last set, 2001's "Now," also opened at No. 1 with a then-best 296,000 copies sold. Whitney Houston Previews New Album! Whitney Houston appeared at the world premiere of her new album, "I Look to You" (Arista), in London last night (July 14). A healthy-looking Houston appeared briefly on stage at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge after Sony Music chief creative officer Clive Davis played nine tracks from the album, due to be released Sept. 1 in the U.S. The U.K. release is via RCA on Aug. 31. The track...

The title refers to Maxwell and his new album possibly being #1 next week. Way to go Maxwell! Meanwhile Fabolous finally has a new release date for his long-awaited album, "Loso's Way". I was just listening to his new song, "Throw It In The Bag" with Dream and I really like it now. Not one to be outdone, Erykah Badu resurfaces with talk of a new album. Read on about it. Music Biz: Maxwell Leads Huge Debut Next Week! Maxwell's first album in nearly eight years, "BLACKsummers'night," is headed for a big debut next week on the Billboard 200 chart. Industry prognosticators suggest the Columbia set could move anywhere from 275,000 to 325,000 in its first week. The R&B singer's last offering, 2001's "Now," opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with a career-high 296,000 copies sold according to Nielsen SoundScan. Fabolous Preps 'Loso's Way" Album! Until now, the Brooklyn rapper Fabolous kept his private life under wr...

Maxwell leads the pack of upcoming releases starting with his own release in eight years, "BLACKsummer's Night" on July 7. The album is led by the single, "Pretty Wings". A few days ago the album leaked for peer to peer downloading. I've never been a big fan of Maxwell but I like some of his songs. Check out the list below to see if your favorite artist is releasing an album and when. Release dates are subject to change. July 7 Maxwell - BLACKsummer's Night (Columbia) July14 Chico Debarge - Addiction (Kedar/Fontana) Joe - Signature (Kedar) Twista - Category F5 (Get Money Gang Entertainment/EMI) July 21 Jordin Sparks - Battlefield (Jive) July 28 Fabolous - Loso's Way (Desert Storm/Def Jam) August 4 K'Jon - I Get Around (Universal Republic) August 11 Birdman - Always Strapped (Cash Money/Universal) Queen Latifah - Persona (Verve) The Roots - How I Got Over (Def Jam) August 18 Ledisi - Turn Me Loose (Verve) Lil' Wayne - Rebirth (Cash Money/Unive...