the chal banz blog

Any news is good news. Woohoo! It looks like we may be getting some new Janet Jackson music in the near future. Janet's longtime collaborator Jimmy Jam tweeted that we will receive some new Janet news. What could it be though? A new album? A new single? I guess we will all have to wait and see. I said previously that I wouldn't mind if Janet did a secret album or did an iTunes release like Beyoncé and then released it physically. Speaking of new music Miguel recently tweeted that he has logged studio time with Raphael Saadiq of Toni Tony Tone! fame and the legendary DJ Premier. There is no word on when we can expect new Miguel music but I'm sure its gonna be dope! I'm actually excited to hear that Miguel is working with Raphael. I think Raphael is seriously underrated as a producer. I like the work he did on Kelis' Tasty album and countless other albums. And speaking of  Kelis! The singer recently released her new album FOOD. In a recent inte...

If you can't beat em join em. That's what happened when these superstar groups were formed. Unfortunately many of these collaborations never quite came to friction.  It was however exciting thinking about the possible prospect of some of the collaborations. Some did happen and as quick as they happened it was over. Read below to find out more about these past and present superstar groups. The Queen Project - Tamia Kelly Price Deborah Cox Do you all remember The Queen Project? It was an album that was to be recorded between singers Tamia, Kelly Price, and Deborah Cox. Unfortunately we never got to hear the album or any songs from the project. What went wrong? I'm not sure to be honest but I do remember reading that the project is definitely not happening. I'm wondering was Kelly Price the problem. I only say that because I read that Kelly Price is the "villian" on the new R&B Divas L.A . show on TV One. LSG - Levert Sweat Gill LSG was comprised of R&B s...

On May 10 singer/songwriter/producer Raphael Saadiq will release his fourth album. I forget the name of the song that Raphael has out now. I know Raphael's albums don't really do well commercially but from a critical standpoint; their usually always on the year-end lists and get nominated for a ton of Grammy's. Music Biz: Musiq To Release New Album Musiq Soulchild is putting the finishing touches on his next album, "MUSIQINTHEMAGIQ," with a planned release date of May 3. "It's recorded. It's done," the singer tells Billboard.com. "We just need to take the actual songs and mix those and put the project together. I'm ultimately going to pick, like, 12 (songs) out of 50 or so that we have." Musiq says the sound of the album, his follow-up to 2008's "Onmyradio," is still being determined. "It's a lot of songs floating around in so many different directions," he explains. "Ultimately I just know th...

Kelly Price will release; "Not My Daddy" featuring Stokely of Mint Condition. It is the second single from her upcoming album, "Kelly" which currently has no release date. Kelly previously released the single, "Tired" which barely made a dent in the R&B charts and stalled somewhere in the 90s(on the charts). Raphael Saadiq will release his fifth album, "Stone Rollin" on March 22. The album features the first single, "Radio". I like Raphael as a producer for other artists but on the solo front; I never care for what he releases. Marsha Ambrosius will release her solo debut album, "Late Nights & Early Mornings" on February 22. The album features the singles, "I Hope She Cheats On You(With A Basketball Player)" and the recently released, "Far Away".

I consider Raphael Saadiq to be one of the more underrated producers in the game. He has been in the business for many years starting from his beginnings from the group; Tony! Toni! Tone! Collectively that group has had many hits including "Anniversary", "Lay Your Head On My Pillow", and "Little Walter". Eventually he would change his surname to Saadiq and began his successful production career. That also led to him jump starting the group, Lucy Pearl which featured En Vogue singer Dawn Robinson. Along the way Raphael has produced for many urban artists from Kelis to Teedra Moses to Joss Stone to Mary J. Blige. You will learn of some of the songs he's produced below. Raphael was born in Oakland, California. At one time he dated singer Joss Stone and produced some cuts for several of her albums. I bet she didn't pay for those tracks! Check out Raphael's extensive discography below: 2 Way, Ginuwine Ain't Nobdy Worryin', Anthony Hamilton A...

Chrisette Michele releases the video to her 2nd single, "What You Do" featuring Ne-Yo but Ne-Yo is not featured in the video. This is actually my favorite song from the new album and I am glad it is a single. Music Videos - Video Playlists - New Music Music Biz: Kid Cudi Previews New Video! It seems to me that the little buzz Kid Cudi had was overtaken by Drake. But now Kid Cudi is brewing with new single, "Make Her Say" featuring Common & Kanye West. Click here for an exclusive preview of the video. Raphael Saadiq's Releases New Video! Raphael Saadiq releases a new video for his single, "Let's Take A Walk". Click here to check it out. Meanwhile Raphael has a hand in producing Kelis' next album. I can't wait to for that. I love the work Raphael has done for Kelis in the past.

Jay-Z To Release Blueprint 3! Jay-Z will release his "Blueprint 3" album on Sept. 11 on Roc Nation with distribution through Atlantic Records, numerous sources have confirmed. A formal announcement is expected Sunday on New York radio station Hot 97 and at the station's massive Summer Jam concert in New Jersey at Giants Stadium. September is definitely going to be a very big month for music and I'm sure a few people will get pushed back because of this. I think it is odd though how are these release dates are just being thrown around especially ones that don't fall on a Tuesday. I wonder is the labels just so excited about these upcoming releases that they are just throwing dates out there. Whitney Houston Preps New Album! The wait is over -- Whitney Houston is finally making her comeback on Sept. 1 with an as-yet-untitled album on Arista Records. For her return, the label has set up a countdown on the New Jersey-bred artist's official site, WhitneyHouston.co...

Bobby Valentino returns with his appropriately titled album, "The Rebirth". The album due February 10 contains the hit single, "Beep" featuring Yung Joc. Elsewhere on the album Bobby remakes Raphael Saadiq's hit, "Just Me & You". Looking at the cover, it looks rather cheap. One of the message boards I frequent said it looks like a black men's hair texturizer cover. Then again since Bobby is on his own label too maybe that explains it too. I notice his eyes are looking a little crossed too. They should of fixed that! Video: Dawn Richards Interview Blogger B. Scott interviews the former Danity Kane band mate. In the interview Dawn talks candidly about Puff's attitude, the new season of "Making The Band", and whether or not Day26 is gay. Check it out!

Audio: Mario - Starlight Newly leaked track! Audio: Bobby Valentino feat. Ludacris - Me & You Newly leaked track! Samples Raphael Saadiq's "Me & You. It wasn't long ago when Bobby V got the boot from DTP/Def Jam. Fortunately he kept his working relationship with Ludacris and was able to collaborate again. Besides Luda seems like a real cool guy anyway. Audio: Ne-Yo - Floating Away Newly leaked track! Previously unreleased!

In My Own Words: Producer Raphael Saadiq is slated to work on Fantasia's next album. The untitled album will more than likely drop in 2009. With the recent news of Fanny's house being foreclosed, she better hurry up and put this album out. She is currently touring with comedian Rickey Smiley and Avant. Video: Monica & Brandy - The Boy Is Mine Check out this snippet of a performance that went down recently in ATL. Audio: Usher - The Dirt New/unreleased track!

Video: Kanye On Ellen Degeneres Check out vid for "Love Lockdown". Audio: Cassie - Hard Produced by Polow Da Don. Uses the same beat as Ciara's recently leaked, "Yearbook" song. Music Biz: Another one bites the dust. Keri Hilson's upcoming album, "In A Perfect World" has been pushed back to December 9. This is the upteenth time the album has been pushed back. I think the album is getting pushed back because songs keep leaking. She is more than likely reworking the album. John Legend Evolves! John Legend will begin a short fall tour Nov. 19 in Minneapolis in support of his upcoming album, "Evolver," due Oct. 28. Columbia labelmate Raphael Saadiq will support on the trek, which wraps Dec. 13 in Durham, N.C.The singer's current single, "Green Light" featuring Andre 3000, is No. 32 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart this week. "Evolver" also features appearances from Kanye West, Estelle and Brandy....

Check out the new album cover from producer/singer/songwrinter Raphael Saadiq. The former frontman of Tony Toni Tone has produced hits for TLC, Joss Stone, and Kelis just to name a few. The album is preceded by first single, "Love That Girl". The album will be in stores September 16. Check out the tracklisting below! 1. Sure Hope You Mean It 2. 100 Yard Dash 3. Keep Marchin' 4. Big Easy - (featuring The Infamous Young Spodie/Rebirth Brass Band) 5. Just One Kiss - (featuring Joss Stone) 6. Love That Girl 7. Calling 8. Staying In Love 9. Oh Girl 10. Let's Take A Walk 11. Never Give You Up - (featuring Stevie Wonder/CJ) 12. Sometimes 13. Oh Girl [Remix] - (remix, featuring Jay-Z)

Video: Angela Simmons - Center Of Attention "Run's House" star and fashion designer Angela Simmons takes her career to the next level with this debut video. Check it out! Center of Attention Uploaded by yardie4lifever2 Music News: Monica is working diligently on new album, "Lessons Learned" due this fall. The album's first single is "Still Standing" featuring Ludacris. Monica has made headlines recently with her upcoming show, "The Single: Monica" airing August 5 on Peachtree TV. The show revolves around Monica as she balances motherhood and her singing career. Recently Monica has denied any beef with Beyonce after statements she made regarding her upcoming nuptials. I am amazed at how hard Monica is working on this album. I really do hope she delivers the best album she is capable of. I am rooting for her! Go Mo! Q-Tip will release his long awaited album, "The Renaissance" on October 14. The album is preceded by first single, ...