the chal banz blog

I need a new Nicki picture. Good evening! I'm sitting here on laptop of course and the movie, "Honey" starring Jessica Alba is on BET. Its been awhile since I seen this so I figure I'd watch. So here are some updates for you all for the music news obsessed. Nicki Minaj had the social media world in a tizzy last night when she revealed she had a new album releasing. The album titled, "#PickMyFruitOut" featured a tracklisting tweeted out by Nicki, 1 through 9 with fruits as the song titles. Last but not least, she revealed that track 10 would feature her favorite rapper. Well turns out for now, the news was just a hoax. But people have been on standby on music streaming services to see if an actual album existed. Then again maybe this is not the album but one may be on the way to being released.  Congratulations to Solange! Her album, "A Seat at the Table" is #1 on the Billboard charts with 72,000 units sold and streamed. This is Solange...

Any news is good news. Greetings! If your looking forward to the new album from Michael Jackson, Xscape , now you will have more of a reason to. It has been revealed that D'Angelo and Mary J. Blige will appear on a song together with Michael. The untitled track was produced by D'Angelo and it can be heard on Xscape due May 13. Xscape is now available for pre-order on iTunes. Speaking of iTunes, it was just this past December when Beyonce' surprise-released her self-titled album to fans. Now Beyonce is getting a surprise of her own. The singer is being named in a lawsuit by two fans who attended her concert in Chicago. According to the fans, they were trampled on by a mob of fans upon entry to the concert. Excuse me ladies but Beyonce' is not the one you should be suing. If anything you all should be suing United Center. They are more than responsible since the ladies missed the show since they suffered broken bones and multiple other injuries. The venue should of ...

On May 13 Epic Records will release  Xscape  from the late King of Pop Michael Jackson. The album will feature eight tracks, from the vaults composed and produced by the likes of Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Timbaland, and Stargate(worked with Ne-Yo). The album's title track serves as the first single which was produced by Rodney Jerkins. The album will be available for pre-order on iTunes beginning on April 1.  

The artists below have famously fought with their labels over everything from money to contract disputes. Check them out! Toni Braxton We are all aware of Toni Braxton's legal troubles over the years most notably with her record label LaFace Records. After Toni Braxton's first bankruptcy she was forced to sue her label. It resulted in a nasty battle between the two that went on for two years. Toni was eventually rewarded $20 million dollars. After the smoke was clear Toni went back in the studio and released her last album on LaFace Records in The Heat released in 2000. Toni's bouts with bankruptcy and label drama was well-documented in an 2012 episode of VH1's Behind The Music ...or was it 2013. JoJo JoJo has recently been in the headlines for her lawsuit against label Blackground Records, once home to acts such as the late Aaliyah, Toni Braxton and Tank. The singer is furious at the label for holding her under a contract that she wishes to leave. The singer is current...

Michael Jackson released "Bad" in 1987 as well as the album of the same name. The album "Bad" holds the distinction of being one of the rare albums that produced five #1 hits. The most recent album to do this is Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream".

The debate concerning the authenticity of Michael Jackson's vocals on his new album, "Michael" in stores and online December 14 has reached a fever pitch. Now the first official single, "Hold My Hand" featuring Akon has leaked out. Still, there is debate about whether or not its Michael and to me it does sound like him and then again it doesn't. This is mind boggling. The album will likely be one of the bigger hits this Holiday season. Just you watch! Jamie Foxx is back with a new album, "Best Night Of My Life" which will be released on December 21. The album contains the singles; "Body", "Winner" and most recently; "Fall For Your Type" featuring Drake which is one of my favorite songs right now. After pictures recently surfaced out of Ray J and Whitney Houston; Ray J has put an end to the rumors that he is dating Whitney Houston. I mean I didn't know people still thought he did but if he keeps showing up randomly ...

It looks like Game is back up to his old tricks again. What tricks might you add? Calling on or out G-Unit members for publicity. The rapper wants to reunite with 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, and Lloyd Banks; which may not be a bad idea at this point. I wonder is it since Game's album; "The R.E.D. Album" has been on hold. At this point I think all the members of G-Unit are pretty much over Game. He should just focus on himself. The ongoing speculation and debate regarding Michael Jackson's vocals on his new album, "Michael" continues. I haven't heard the single, "Breaking News" but producers who have worked with him(like Teddy Riley) claims its Michael. Sony also hired some musicologist who did some type of test to determine it was indeed Michael. Even his family says its not him. Meanwhile I read that the pre-orders are up to 3.2 million on Amazon.com! Wow! This is crazy! Why would Sony do such a thing like have someone elses' vocals instead of Mik...

Keri Hilson will release her new album, "No Boys Allowed" on December 21. The album will be lead by the single, "The Way You Love Me". A video was recently shot for the song produced by Polow Da Don. The video will likely be a star studded event featuring appearances from Rick Ross, Faith Evans, and Laurie Ann Gibson. Chris Brown will release his newest mixtape offering, "In My Zone 2" on Black Friday! For those who don't know what Black Friday is; it is the Friday that follows Thanksgiving. It is one of the busiest shopping days of the year and the official start to the holiday shopping season. Judging from my little time I spent in a few stores yesterday; I will say the holiday shopping season is well under way. Plus it didn't help that it was Saturday so the stores were naturally busy. There is a lot of speculation going on that the new Michael Jackson song; "Breaking News" is not him but someone else. Michael's family and even his...

Aside from producing the new Ray J, Rodney Jerkins will produce an album full of unreleased material for Michael Jackson. The producer talks in detail about how he first started working with Michael to Brandy and Ray J's own experience of meeting Michael. Look for a new album from Michael Jackson this November, just in time for the holidays. Expect it to be a big seller! ---------------- Now playing: Exclusive: Rodney Jerkins is working on new Michael Jackson album of unreleased material via FoxyTunes

I'm sure you all have heard or read that "Thriller" is the most successful album of all time. I still have those memories of growing up on this album and how the video for "Thriller" still scares me to this day. All the songs here charted on the charts except one, "Baby Be Mine" which is actually one of my favorites. Seven of the nine songs(from the album) reached the top 10 of the Pop charts. It is a feature that most artists have difficulty duplicating. The album opens up with the funky "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" which is another favorite of mine. Virtually every song on here has been sampled. It just goes to show you how important this album is to music. For its 25th anniversary the album was re-released with remixes featuring an array of different producers and what not. With Michael Jackson's untimely death last year, the album still continues to sell and influence a new generation of people and musicians. ----------------...

This was bound to happen since it does with the majority of R&B/Hip-Hop releases. Titled; "Back To Me" the album is now due on August 10. Meanwhile her debut single; "Bittersweet" is currently #18 on the R&B charts. The video to "Bittersweet" will premiere June 25. "Entertainment Tonight" will have an exclusive behind the scenes of the video on June 21. Make sure you all look out for the video and album! It's getting closer to this year's BET Awards which will air; Sunday, June 27, 2010. BET is set to pay yet another tribute to Michael Jackson. By this time it would be a whole year since the untimely death of the superstar. I just hope that this tribute is better put together than last year. I understand it was last minute and it was certainly all over the place. There had been some confusion and question as to when Ciara's new album; "Basic Instinct" would come out. Originally I remember hearing June 29 but apparent...

There has been a lot of guesses and speculation regarding Drake's first week album sales. I even saw some people say he had a shot of doing 1 million or 2 million but that is absolutely pushing it. This is not a Lil' Wayne album. There is huge buzz and according to early estimations; Drake is poised to sell 425-475K units in his first week. There is a strong chance that the album will top that number but it remains to be seen. Unlike most artists we never have to wait long for the next Rihanna album. While her most recent album; "Rated R" somewhat underperformed; Rihanna has been working on her newest album. I read that Def Jam's newest A&R is pulling out the stops to ensure that this album is the next "Thriller" as in Michael Jackson's "Thriller". I think if anyone can pull it off; it would be someone like Rihanna but not with this music she's been giving us lately. I'm sure they are aware of that though. Joining in on the r...

Hello everyone! As we know Lil' Kim has been pretty quiet musically since last year when she released, 'Download'. There was so much confusion with the single because people expected an album behind it. Now Kim has been popping up online at parties and many are wondering what is up with a new album? I am one of those people because I been playing 'La Bella Mafia' like it's brand new. Anyway there was a strange rumor going around that Lil' Kim's fan site; Lil' Kim Zone was being turned into Nicki Minaj Zone. Some upset fans have grown impatient waiting on Kim to put out an album and made a threat to change the site over. Of course this was all done purposely and to draw some attention to the forum; a move that worked. Obviously so or I wouldn't be mentioning it huh? I thought I'd switch it up and share a story with you all. A few days ago my friend and I took a little road trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Now we have been there before and we decid...

Lil' Mo is a name I haven't heard too much about lately except for her random tweets on twitter. Now the singer is back with a new album, 'Tattoos & Roses' and new label. In the video below Lil' Mo lets everyone know what's been up with her and what to expect with the new album. Check it out! Music Biz: Michael Jackson Sued! Michael Jackson's estate has a new creditor's claim -- thanks to one R. Kelly. Michael sang Kelly's song "Ignition" in his car as part of the TV show, "Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies" -- but never paid for it. Universal Music Publishing Group, which owns the rights to the song, wants Jackson's estate to pay $3,000. Universal attached a contract to the creditor's claim, showing the fee in black and white. Will estate lawyer Howard Weitzman pay the claim or pee on it?

This year officially marks 20 years since Mariah Carey has made her debut onto the music scene with 'Vision Of Love'. I can truly remember it like it was yesterday. I remember watching the video wondering was this woman white or black? It is nice to have personally witnessed this evolution of Mariah Carey over the years. Now with 2010 here Mariah Carey is not slowing down as her latest single, 'Up Out My Face' featuring Nicki Minaj debuts on the R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart this week. Read more about that story as well as Mariah's newest album and Omarion's anger with the Grammy's. Mariah Carey debuts on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at No. 97 with "Up Out My Face," featuring Nicki Minaj. The song is the fourth charted entry from "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," following "Obsessed" (No. 12), "I Want to Know What Love Is" (No. 40) and "H.A.T.E.U." (No. 72). Her "Angels Advocate" remix album streets March 30....

Do any of you watching 'The Jacksons' show on A&E or whatever channel it comes on? Well I have watched the show a few times. I remember my friends telling me how Jermaine Jackson was always wanting camera time and behaved like a diva. I know whenever Michael was under some type of ridicule; Jermaine was always the first one in the family to speak out. Maybe he was just the designated one of the family to do so. Check out the video as Jermaine talks about his personal feelings regarding Michael and what led to his untimely death. Music Biz: Whitney Houston Plans New Tour! Whitney Houston is ready to give the ultimate gift to fans who have been supportive over the years ! Set to start giving back early February, Houston will embark on what is being dubbed the "Nothing But Love" World Tour. Including previously announced dates in the U.K., Houston's forthcoming tour will makes its way through South Korea, Japan, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway...

Like Elvis Presley before him, Michael Jackson's legacy and memory will forever live on. We will always hear another erroneous story or yet another interesting chapter in his life be revealed. Read below for the latest shocker in the Michael Jackson saga! The Federal Bureau of Investigation will release 333 pages of Michael Jackson's formerly-classified file on Monday morning. Can we interest you in a little light reading? The documents will relate to his 1993 and 2004 child molestation cases -- as well as any case Michael Jackson was the victim of ... including threats and extortion attempts. Nothing about Dr. Conrad Murray or Michael's death will be in the files. Our guess -- the extortion attempts will be the most interesting. The FBI did a similar thing back in October concerning files involving Anna Nicole Smith and a possible plot to kill the son of her 89-year-old Lil' Wayne Not In Trouble For Drug Bust? Looks Lil' Wayne will walk away from yesterday's dr...

Music Biz: Michael Jackson To Receive Grammy Achievement Award! Michael Jackson is set to receive a posthumous Grammy for Lifetime Achievement Award, adding to his previous 15 Grammy Awards. Others receiving the award include Leonard Cohen, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Loretta Lynn, Andre Previn, Clark Terry and late singer Bobby Darin. This year's Lifetime Achievement Award winners will be honored by The Recording Academy at an invitation-only event on January 30th, the day before the official Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

A typical R&B album release is likely to feature the title 'baby' and I can bet half of the artists in existence has had a song with the title 'baby'. It is probably the second most frequently used word in a song behind 'love'. Check out a list of songs I compiled featuring the word 'baby'. Some you will know and some you might not. Baby, Brandy It is one of the songs from Brandy's self titled debut album released in 1994. Can you believe it has been that long? Baby, Ashanti Borrowing from a sample of Scarface, Ashanti turned this rap classic into an R&B hit about desire, infatuation, and obsession. Rock With U(Aww Baby), Ashanti Ashanti became known for her excessive use of the word 'baby' and this song is no exception. Light, breezy, and catchy; "Rock With U(Aww Baby)" was one of the many summer hits of 2003. Half On A Baby, R. Kelly R. Kelly shocked listeners with this first single off his "R." album. What was e...

Just in time for Halloween, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is one of the most popular songs for Halloween. It is the title track of his breakthrough album which is the best-selling album of all-time. This is not the original video but it is Micheal performing "Thriller" live. Watch it below!