R&B star Monica interview to promote her new BET show ‘Still Standing’ after the BET Hip-Hop Awards tonite.

For those of you in Canada who bitched about not seeing Monica's reality show on the Peachtree channel, well, the new one hits BET tonite. Rodney Ho,  good pal of mine writes:  In the fast-moving world of R&B, three years feels like 20 – kind of like dog years. Monica, the Atlanta-based singer whose star shined brightest in the late 1990s, has stayed under the radar the past four years raising her two kids. So what better way to get back on the scene than a reality show? “Monica: Still Standing” debuts tonight on BET at 10 p.m. after the BET Hip Hop Awards

“I think it gives people an in-depth look how hard it is to stay relevant in the music business and balancing family life,” she said in a phone interview last week. “A lot of people aren’t comfortable baring their souls. I am. I’m a work in progress. I’m going through things every day just like everybody else.”’ Monica has ridden a roller coaster of a life, packed with highs and lows. Highs include breaking it big with a quintuple platinum debut album at the age of 15 and taking home a Grammy three years later. Lots more at the AJC website. Read about her fiance, her cousin Ludacris and more.

My planned interview with Monica is coming soon Canada so stay put. This is one of those other good girls out of ATL.

NEW R&B ARTIST T.C.2 TIMOTHY CAMPBELL (II) DENOUNCES ALLEGED RIHANNA /CHRIS BROWN MAKE UP AFTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS.

Brand new R&B Artist Timothy Campbell (II) issued a statement today denouncing the alleged Rihanna/Chris Brown reconciliation reported by the media. Campbell who released his debut album "Silent Tears" at the end of February 2009 spoke out on Wednesday with regards to the shocking news. He stated that

"It's highly unacceptable for a man to beat up a woman regardless of the circumstances. Even if a man were to be punched by a woman, he needs to call 911 for immediate help rather than attack the woman right back. That is why we have emergency responders."

Campbell said. Timothy Campbell (II) who goes by recording name T.C.2 urges women to stay out of abusive relationships and seek help rather than return into a potentially dangerous situation. Campbell also stated that he would love to reach out to Rihanna sometimes in 2009 as she needs the support and help.

Campbell known as the "Prince of R&B" plans to help abused women cope nationwide and even worldwide. He plans to visit domestic abuse shelters to educate and provide support for these women. Last week on the release of his debut album, he spoke with on-air personality Earl Stokes at urban contemporary radio station WJMR Jammin 98.3FM in his hometown of Milwaukee Wisconsin about how every woman deserves to feel beautiful regardless of their appearance or how unattractive their face or body may look like.

This is well chronicled in the album's hit song "Beautiful." You can listen to full tracks from his new album at his website www.himpheadinc.com/live/

BEYONCE CONFIRMED! LEONA LEWIS WILL BE GETTING HER WISH TOO AS OBAMA HIP-HOP PRESIDENTIAL TEAM IS IN TALKS FOR HER PERFORMANCE.

Leona Lewis is in talks to perform at Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony. The British singer is set to sing at the ceremony ushering in the new US President in Washington DC on January 20 next year. A source close to Leona told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Various inquiries have been made to Leona's people about her availability on January 20. "She's had such a successful past year that joining in the festivities in Washington would be the icing on the cake for her.

Her team are going through her diary at the moment." Beyonce Knowles and her rapper husband Jay-Z have already been confirmed for the event, which is expected to see a million people converge on the nation's capital. Leona was full of praise for Obama just before he won the presidential election earlier this month and made history by becoming the first ever black President of the US. She said:

"I think Obama is amazing. He's just so cool and articulate. Nothing fazes him. It would mean everything for ethnic minorities in that country and every country around the world to have a mixed-race leader of America."

Leona has enjoyed worldwide success since winning UK TV talent show 'The X Factor' in 2006. The 23-year-old singer's track 'Bleeding Love' went to number one in both the UK and the US, making her the first British female solo artist to do so for over 20 years. Her debut album 'Spirit' also made the top spot in the US charts. 'Spirit' is available now in a repackaged edition featuring her version of the Snow Patrol song 'Run'.

Remember Kwame kilpatrick? Obama is working his way up to be the "Hip-Hop" President.

CHRIS BROWN ON AUSTRALIAN IDOL.

Once marginalized, R&B enjoys mainstream reign.

These days, it's not unusual to find Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo and other contemporary R&B artists residing on the U.S. singles chart -- especially in its upper echelons. But that wasn't always the case.

Just ask Jerry Butler, a founding member of the Impressions. When the Hot 100 singles list debuted in 1958, the legendary Chicago soul group was breathing rarefied air as its "For Your Precious Love" settled in at No. 15. The single would eventually peak at No. 11 on the chart (and No. 3 on Billboard's Most Played R&B by Jockeys chart).

"It was difficult getting R&B records into major department stores," recalls Butler, nicknamed the Ice Man for his soulful, smooth-as-ice vocals. "Then there were (white) pop singers covering R&B hits, like Georgia Gibbs (LaVern Baker's "Tweedlee Dee," Etta James' "The Wallflower") and getting wider exposure and sales than black acts. That was the way things were in those days."

Before legendary producer Jerry Wexler, who died in August, helped coin the term "rhythm & blues" for Billboard in 1949, black singles' chart progress was chronicled in the magazine under the climate-revealing list titles Harlem Hit Parade (debuting in 1942) and Race Records (1945). But thanks to R&B groups like the Impressions and the Platters -- who ruled the top of the Hot 100 in 1959 for three weeks with "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" -- things slowly began to change.

Peaking at No. 6 on the Hot 100, Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" was a portent of things to come. During his career, Charles claimed 12 top 10s on the chart, including three No. 1s. Then an upstart label by the name of Motown began flexing its R&B/pop muscle. Its precursor, Tamla Records, notched its first hit with the Miracles' No. 2-peaking "Shop Around" in 1960. Four years later, labelmates the Supremes began their march to ultimate girl group glory with the first of 12 No. 1s, "Where Did Our Love Go."

With increased radio airplay and retail accessibility, R&B continued to raise its mainstream profile. Among the acts upping the ante were James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Sly & the Family Stone, the Jackson 5, Isaac Hayes, Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston.

Then Boyz II Men drove home R&B's mainstream potential in a big way. The Philadelphia quartet broke the record at the time for most weeks at No. 1 on October 24, 1992, when "End of the Road" notched its 11th week atop the singles chart. In the years since then, the genre has remained a powerful chart presence.

Reuters/Billboard

WE NOW HAVE PICTURES OF JANET'S KICK OFF CONCERT IN VANCOUVER WEDNESDAY.

The padded outfits are something else but I don't care much about the hair. Janet looks weird with that natural afro but I think it must be part of the ensemble. Did Janet think the cold has already arrived in Canada to pad that outfit real good? Anyhow, girlfriend looks dynamically talented than you! LOL! Gimme a beat! Heard that interview she did and said the word "excited" tons of times in one sentence? JJ and Melanie fed on that one this morning and even made it a contest! It was so hillarious!

THIS MONDAY THE 8TH OF SEPTEMBER: GET READY FOR EMPIRE ISIS!

HipHossip is introducing you to this gorgeous, multi award winning singer Empire Isis whose songs have been used in so many TV shows including "The Hills" this Monday night. I met her at the Toronto Independent Music Awards this part Summer where she won "Best out of Province Artist" and spoke to her in a short interview. Stay tuned for my gurl ISIS!

LEWIS' PRE-FAME ALBUM SET FOR RELEASE.

British pop star LEONA LEWIS is fuming after an album of songs she recorded before she won the X-FACTOR is set to be released, according to reports. The Bleeding Love singer laid down the vocals on ten tracks before she won the U.K. talent show - but left her label UEG when she was signed to Simon Cowell's company Syco. And now the label are set to release the untitled album in October (08) - and will be in direct competition with a re-release of the star's official debut album, Spirit.

A source tells British newspaper The People , "Leona made it (the album) before she was famous and didn't expect it to come back to haunt her like this. "The album was finished in 2006 and due for release that year. Then Leona won X Factor and all communications between her and UEG stopped. "There were attempts to release the album throughout 2007. But they were blocked immediately after signing the record contract with her current label. But now they have won the right to release it."

Now some labels wonder why I-tunes is closing on to $8 billion!

MY BABY BOBBY IS COMING TO TOWN!

UPDATE: Bobby's concert with Ralph was canceled this past weekend and postponed. Thanks to Stephani his Publicist who was arranging an interview for me.

Bobby Brown is one of the most interesting ICON in urban music. He is now a bigger fixture in TV Reality shows as you see the REAL Bobby! Bobby performs this weekend in Toronto along with his New Edition pal Ralph Tresvant.......Stay tuned. I'm working on a chat with him.

Originally posted on 8/18/08

Ne-Yo “Year Of The Gentleman” Album Tracks.

Tracklisting on album due out September 16th 2008:

1. Lullaby
2. Closer
3. It’s You
4. Don’t Go
5. Miss Independent
6. Let’s Just Be Friends
7. Know What I’m Talking About (featuring Nas & Jay-Z)
8. In Luv
9. Breakin’ Up
10. Stop This World
11. So You Can Cry
12. Not Perfect
13. What’s the Matter
14. Feels Better (featuring Talib Kweli)
15. Somebody Dumb
16. What I Feel

FANTASIA TELLS U.S WOMEN'S MAGAZINE SISTER 2 SISTER SHE HAD A THROAT TUMOR!!!

I read this somewhere last week but then checked on the source and below are portions of her interview with Jamie Foster-Brown the Editor.

Jamie: You are a helluva performer. That energy on that stage is just unbelievable. So we miss you with that. Now, getting back to the Color Purple. They were saying you had absences. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to work, but because your vocal cords kept shutting down or something? Tell me about that.

Fantasia: The tumor that was on my throat would make me very tired. And you know me, I’m a hard worker. I came out of the box working hard. I kept telling them that I’m getting very tired. It was like I couldn’t get enough sleep. And sometimes onstage, I could taste blood. I had braces on, so [I thought] maybe I’m biting my lip or I’m biting something in my gums or something. But I would taste blood every now and then. And what would happen was they would send me to the hospitals and they would say, “Well, she’s dehydrated; that’s what’s making her tired.” They would put IVs in me.

But it just wasn’t enough. I kept saying, “I’m drinking water; it can’t be that, something else must be wrong.” And so after the Color Purple, after doing Clive Davis’s party, I had to do “I’m Here” that night and I remember waking up and I told my manager, I said, “Something is wrong. I’m so tired.” And I’m an Energizer bunny, so I know something ain’t right. I went to one of the best doctors in LA. He checked me out, he says, “Well, first of all, you have the flu and you have a sinus infection.” And he said, “But if you don’t mind, can I put a camera down your throat?” And so I let him look down my throat and I had a cyst, he said at first.

He let me see it and I remember busting out crying and crying ’cause my vocal is my everything. I’ve been singing ever since I was a little baby and I’ve never experienced anything like that before. And in The Color Purple I play so many different ages from 14 to 30-something, so I was busting blood vessels. And so my mother came out and we all were just like, okay, we’re going to pray our way through this. I went into surgery and he came out and told my mother it was a tumor. It was a tumor. More at the source.....

Source: Sister 2Sister magazine

AKON EYED RETIREMENT AFTER JACKSON DUET.

R&B star AKON considered retiring from the music business after recording a duet with MICHAEL JACKSON - because he had fulfilled one of his lifelong ambitions. The Smack That hitmaker teamed up with the pop legend for a new track entitled Hold My Hand - which will be featured on Akon's forthcoming album Acquitted. And Akon insists that working with his childhood idol was the greatest moment of his career. He tells MTV.com, "That was a dream come true. I had a wish list of all the collaborations I ever wanted to do. Mike was at the top. I was saying, 'Well, if ever I get to Mike, then that'll be the sign I can retire.' But I got to Mike 10 years earlier than I expected. So I decided not to make retirement goals anymore."

CHRIS BROWN TO PRESENT REALITY DANCE SHOW.

R&B star CHRIS BROWN is set to enter the reality TV industry by launching his own dance competition series. The Kiss Kiss hitmaker frequently shows off his fancy footwork in his music videos and live performances, and now he is to give wannabe dancers a chance to strut their stuff on his forthcoming show. The currently untitled project, which will focus on hip-hop and street dance culture, will see contestants go up against one another in a variety of dance-offs, with Brown choosing the winner of each round.

Speaking of the program, Brown says, "Dancing is more than just a way of moving, it's a different expression of music. That's what I want to focus on with this show." Reality TV guru Mark Burnett and his business partner J.D. Roth will produce the programme, which is due to be pitched to TV networks next week, reports Variety.com.

That's what I'm talking about Chris Breezy! All I wanna see next season is Chris Brown dancing with Beyonce on "Dancing With The Stars." Above is Breezy in my country Nigeria last week at the ThisDay Music Fest doing some upside down moves.

BEAR-HUNTING BROWN WORRIED HE'D BECOME TARGET PRACTICE!!

Paranoid R&B star BOBBY BROWN feared he'd be shot when he went hunting with a party of gun fans in Tennessee for a new reality show. The singer feels sure fans will note his worries when they see the hunting episode in new show Outsider's Inn because he kept well away from the hunters doing the shooting. He says, "I just made sure I stayed in the back because, when you are going out in the woods with a bunch of rednecks, the dark one gets shot.

"I thought I probably looked like a bear to them, you know. I just let them do the hunting, but I had my gun ready just in case somebody made a mistake and pointed their rifle my way." And Brown is sure to upset animal rights activists by admitting the show was set up to bag the hunters a bear. He says, "It was a lot of fun chasing bears through the woods. I mean, you wouldn't expect me to have fun doing that, but I did. We didn't shoot a bear, though. We shot something else."

Bobby's my baby! Aint no way someone is gonna mistaken him for Whitney in the woods! Just kidding! The computer of doom is here. Remember that studio computer of mine back home in Africa when I left the States, it's here................ The one with my interview with Bobby Brown's mama in 2004. Never aired! Bobby will be in Toronto August and we should be partying with him.

WOW! KIDZ IN THE HALL TO RECORD NFL SOUNDTRACK!

Kidz in the Hall just landed them selves a spot on the soundtrack for the 20th Anniversary Edition of the highest selling video game franchise of all time- Madden NFL 2009!

This year the Madden team "considered 4000+ songs before deciding on the final 26 tracks" - making this an even more impressive feat than in previous years. This year Madden set out to "create a definitive soundtrack that would be a combination of returning classic Madden acts, ass-kicking new bands and some very cool surprises from hip-hop to hardcore and beyond."

The track chosen was none other than "The Blackout" from Kidz latest album "The In Crowd", on Major League/Duck Down Records, and truly demonstrates the rapid-fire lyricism of MC Naledge and masterful bass heavy beats of DJ Double O. This is probably why Steve Steve Schnur, worldwide executive of music and marketing for Electronic Arts, said "we believe that this time next year, Kidz In The Hall will be true Hip-Hop superstars."

Over the years the majority of Madden's music has come from emerging artists. It even helped introduce such hip hop stars as artists like Chamillionaire, Nappy Roots, Lupe Fiasco, Papoose, MURS, Slim Thug, and Swizz Beatz. Now by putting the up-and-coming hip hop artists of today and tomorrow like Kidz in the Hall, Madden is continuing its legacy as "the game that made the music matter." So grab a copy and keep a look out for the hottest track on the game- Kidz in the Hall's "The Blackout"!!! They will be performing this hit all summer long including Toronto on July 20th at Arrow Hall.

For more check out the NFL link
http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/interview-ea-sports-unveils-largest-soundtrack-
ever-for-madden-nfl-09/?biz=1

I have featured this fast rising duo on HipHossip in the past with their soulful Ode to Obama and their hit "Driving Down the Block" hit on MTV.

TINY---AFTER THE BABY!

My #1 pal on MySpace, Tameka Cottle aka Tiny of T.I's baby mama fame was seen going our with her galpals in Atlanta days ago. Nice bag gurl! She had a baby last month and there are no baby extras on board. We caught this on Sandra's site.

FABULOUS SINGER DWELE PERFORMS IN TORONTO WED JUNE 25TH!

Most of you know Dwele from Kanye West's "Flashing Lights" track off the Graduation CD. He has done a lot of songs with Slum Village and has now released his latest CD called "Sketches of a Man." Stay tuned to my complete coverage of this wonderful Neo-Soul event. The evening started with a rehearsal at the Phoenix Concert Theater and that was when I met Dwele. He was one awesome humble guy. I then went outside to hear from the fans and taped what they were saying as I discovered these were lifelong fans. When the show started, Vocalist Kira Mae opened up with her soothing voice with Neo soul music that just made a good evening!

I did not know about Dwele till "Flashing Lights" by Kanye West came along. He sang the entire chorus on that song. The fans had a lot to say. Check out the video below. He is now signed under Koch Records. My fave tracks are 2,4,6,10,20. Thanks to Eric Alper, Media Relations Publicist of KOCH Records Canada for hooking me up to Dwele. Amazing night as after the concert, some chics refused to leave so Nate the Promoter had no choice other than to put them all in one line about 15 women and their men, then Nate opened up a green room and one by one everyone got a picture and or autograph. Then it was off to the afterparty at a small club with the same concert crowd and it was not crowded. It all looked like one private party with a Facebook group. Thanks Nate! Also thanks to all the dedicated fans for my footage especially my fan pals Emmanuel, Loveleen, Arwa and Rosalyn!

Dwele (born Andwele Gardner) is an R&B and soul singer, songwriter and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. Dwele grew up in Detroit, listening to such Motown artists as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye and jazz on the radio. Dwele began honing his songwriting skills at the age of ten, after his father's murder outside his home. He also attended Detroit's Cody High School. After briefly attending Wayne State, he left college to pursue a more informal education while working for AAA. His demo tape, The Rize, generated interest, and subsequently started collaborating with hip hop group Slum Village and Bahamadia. Dwele's debut album Subject was released in 2003 through Virgin Records, and his second album Some Kinda... followed in October 2005.

LEONA LEWIS OFFERED $2 MILLION FEE FOR GIG.

British singing sensation LEONA LEWIS is reportedly set to score a huge $2 million fee for any future personal appearances - putting her in the same league as legendary former BEATLE SIR PAUL McCARTNEY. The Bleeding Love star has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame since winning U.K. talent show The X Factor in 2006 - and can demand huge amounts of cash to perform intimate gigs for wealthy fans. The star has been offered a $2 million personal appearance fee to play a small set for an unknown bidder, according to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper.

A source tells the publication, "Leona is one of the most sought after stars around. She has little say in the fee charges - big money sponsors literally name their fee and her management respond accordingly." "She is adamant much of the profit goes straight back to her favourite charities." Lewis, who has hit the top spot in both the U.K. and U.S. album charts with her debut LP Spirit, is reportedly worth $12 million but gives most of her money away to charity organisations.

Chris Brown leads U.S Teen Choice Awards individual nominations.

R'n'B star Chris Brown leads the way for individual nominations at the Teen Choice 2008 Awards. The 'Run It' singer scooped nine nominations for the ceremony, including Choice Male Artist, Choice R'n'B Artist and Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon Male. His collaboration with 'American Idol' winner Jordin Sparks received two nods - Choice Love Song and Choice Hook-Up. Chris will go head-to-head with his rumoured girlfriend Rihanna for Choice R'n'B Artist. Rihanna will also compete in Choice Female Hottie, Choice Single for 'Don't Stop The Music' and Choice Female Artist.

The cast of 'Gossip Girl' lead the list for TV, bagging 14 nominations between them. Blake Lively, Leighton Meester and Taylor Momsen have all been recognised in the Breakout Star Female category. Their male co-stars Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford will face off for Breakout Star Male. Jake Gyllenhaal is up against his girlfriend Reese Witherspoon's ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, with Jake being recognised for acting talent in 'Rendition' and Ryan for 'Stop-Loss'. Justin Timberlake, who holds the record of 21 Teen Choice Awards, is nominated in three categories, two of which are for his duet with Madonna, '4 Minutes'. 'Hannah Montana' star Miley Cyrus will host the awards and is nominated in four categories across the TV and music sections, including Choice TV Actress: Comedy and Choice Female Artist. The awards are due to take place on August 4 and will be broadcast on US TV network FOX. Fans aged between 14 and 19 are eligible to vote for the winners at teenchoiceawards.com.

Patti Labelle talks new album and more on Today Show.

This took place Wed June 11th 2008.