Tamar Braxton is kicking things in high gear this year celebrating her birthday today ( March 17th) with a new love in her life, and a new single that was released titled “Changed.”

The R&B singer, Tv talk show Host, and Braxton Family Values star got engaged on Peacock Network’s dating show “Queens Court.”  Tamar said YES  to Jeremy “JR” Robinson, one of the contestants on the show.

Tamar’s song “Changed,” tells the story of her disappointment at her lover for not being who he said he was,  and not being who she believed he was, the man of her dreams. Tamar delivers a very relatable situation experience especially when there’s an energy shift in a relationship, and the couple is left wondering who’s to blame. Where did we go wrong? She leaves the listener pondering, did we rush into things before the relationship matured, or did we get comfortable and stopped putting in the effort? 

Her vocals are impeccable as she effortlessly delivers runs and really hits home with the sampling of SWV’s mega-hit song “Rain,” holding every emotion-filled note tight.

“Changed” is released under her imprint “Tamar Braxton Productions ” and is her first music since her  fifth studio album back in 2017, “Blue Bird Of Happiness.”

Making the rounds in support of her new single, Tamar sat down with Entertainment Tonight’s host Rachel Smith and discussed both the song and her engagement click here to watch the interview.

Congratulations and good wishes Tamar on your engagement, and hot new single” Changed”!

Listen to Tamar Braxton’s “Changed”.  Her highly anticipated album is expected this year.  “Changed” is streaming now on all digital platforms.

Lifetime +  A&E will simulcast the new two-hour documentary of R&B female group TLC  titled “TLC Forever” on Saturday, June 3 at 8 PM ET/PT.

The two-hour special will focus on the rise and fall of the Iconic group, and its original members T-Boz, Chilli, and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez.

TLC formed in 1990 and quickly rose to the top of the charts becoming one of the most influential groups breaking boundaries and stereotypes and remaining one of the most formidable bands ever.

Shaping the 90’s with some of the most incredible superhits like’ “Ain’t To Proud to Be” (91), “Baby, Baby, Baby” (92), “Creep” & “Red Light Special”, & “Waterfalls” (94), “No Scrubs (99), “UnPretty” 99″. TLC went on to score nine top-ten hits and, over the course of their career, received four Grammy Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards, and five Soul Train Music Awards.

Executive-produced by Roger Ross Williams (The Apollo) and his production company with producer Geoff Martz, One Story Up,  directed by Matthew Kay as T-Boz and Chilli tell their story for the first time in this feature documentary.

It looks like 2023 is not the year to play with Onika Tanya Maraj Petty, better known as Nicki Minaj.

The Queen MC took to her Twitter to issue another warning to her rivals about disrespecting her or any of her alter-egos: “RED RUBY DA MF SLEEZE, CHUN-Li, NICKI MINAJ, NICKI DA NINJA [NICKI] DA HARAJUKU BARBIE.”

In the series of now-deleted tweets, Minaj also embraced her age. Citing a line from “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” Minaj wrote, “40. Yup. 40’s wit 30 clips. FN’s wit da switch.”

 

 

 

 

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Off her hiatus and in a braggadocious mood, the Queens, NY spitter went on a tangent Wednesday (March 15), retweeting her unmatched stats, including her greatest hits album Queen Radio: Volume 1 spending 25 weeks on the Billboard 200, making it the longest-running female Rap project of 2022. Minaj then challenged her haters to “Photoshop them sales.” Nicki also shared a tweet that noted that “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” is now the highest debut by a female rapper released this year, in which she called the track her “throw away song.”

My throw away song? Chiiiii GAG IT!!!!!!! https://t.co/uwjUZPpB9P

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) March 14, 2023

As the mother-of-one enters her 40s, her mission to age gracefully comes after the riff she had with Latto last year. The two rappers went head-to-head on Twitter, and “Big Energy” rapper age-shamed the 40-year-old, calling her a “bully” and “Super Freaky Grandma” — a play off of Minaj’s top-charting hit “Super Freaky Girl.“ “You sold 20K right?” Minaj rhetorically responded to Latto. “Age shaming when you look like YOU the one pushing 40. Age shaming but was BEGGING for a feature. Imagine what dem genes gon do in 10 years. Oh so you in your 20’s. Oh ok then. At least it match your album sales. Mad u flopped. That’s why u rlly mad.” Minaj continues to push her pen and views as she just dropped the teaser to her forthcoming visual for “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” though a release date is TBA. Taking it back to her jet black curly hairstyle — seen in videos like “Megatron” and “Right Thru Me” — Minaj dons a red Kimono with a black monokini underneath. Take a look at the clip below and Minaj warning her rivals above.

 

 

 

 

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After teasing R&B’s wake-up call on his TikTok earlier this week, Usher has finally revealed his new single, “GLU.” The sensual ballad was released on Friday (March 17). With the help of Lori Harvey, the record was first previewed on Valentine’s Day across the crooner’s social media platforms with the subtle caption, “You’ll thank me later.”

The forthcoming music video will also be Usher’s directorial debut, as revealed to VIBE exclusively. He explained, “I knew she’d never done a video before, in the formal sense. And that isn’t necessarily her most comfortable place to be. But, so long as she would allow me to be her director, I could have my first with her. You know what I’m saying? And we could go through this together.”

The 44-year-old continued, “She had to trust me, and I had to trust that she could show up and do what it is that I envisioned. Just hoping that it sparks imagination for other people. If you see it, and it makes you feel some kind of way, maybe it then makes you want to have your own experience, or either this expectation, like, ‘Well honey, he did that for us. I mean, what you going to do for me?’ You know what I’m saying?”

 

 

 

 

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The My Way superstar admitted that he wanted to leave the song’s actual meaning open to fans’ imaginations. The news of the single arrived hours after Big Sean surprised fans during Ursher’s LA residency on Tuesday night (March 14). The new dad popped out to perform hits including “Dance (A$$)” and “I Don’t F**K With You” sans E-40. Watch the recap below.
 

 

 

 

 

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Alicia Keys is revealing the secret to her happy marriage to Swizz Beatz.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the 15-time Grammy winner opened up about what keeps her relationship with Beatz so strong.

"Really carving out the time for each other," Keys, 42, told the outlet. "We all struggle with it. There's so much to balance. There's so much to do. And you find yourself running and doing the things for school, for the kids, and doing all the things for your lists, for all the dreams you have in your career, and what you have to do next."

Keys, who will mark her 13th wedding anniversary to Beatz, 44, in July, continued. "That time together with you and your partner is so priceless," she said. "And to carve out that time and to make that important, as important as those daily things, I think it really pours back into the relationship." 

"You remember why you are in love, you remember why you just like each other, what's interesting about each other," she concluded. 

The New York City natives first met when Keys was 14 and Beatz was 16. The pair were brought together by a mutual high school friend, but Keys wasn't interested then and she remained that way for years to come.

"We ended up in the same circles at various awards shows and industry events," Keys wrote in her autobiographical book More Myself. "He'd usually pull up in some fancy car, rolling deep with his Bronx crew and shining with diamonds. I wanted nothing to do with that scene or with Swizz."

But that started to change when the two were first brought together for a music project years later. "The more we talked the more I noticed how his mind worked. Beyond the baggy jeans and arm tats there was depth. He was so aware of what was happening around the world," she said.

The pair went on to form their friendship into a relationship with Beatz proposing in 2010 before they later married in Corsica that same year. The couple now shares two children together: sons Egypt, 12, and Genesis, 8.

It’s no little secret that Xscape has a slew of internal issues, with their complex group dynamic most recently being displayed on their new show, SWV & Xscape: Queens Of R&B.

On the latest episode titled “Pray On It,” Kandi Burruss revealed that she feels Scott isn’t the sole instigator, but also blames the latter’s husband, Rocky Bivens, citing favoritism. Burruss even went as far as to call him Scott’s “brain.”

For the Motown Gospel signee, though, she believes Kandi was jealous of her success and is the reason why her solo album from 1998 was shelved.

“I know back in the day, in 1998, I said I wanted to do a solo project. I think everybody was happy for me, except for Kandi. She was just like, ‘You’re not coming back,'” said Scott, 49. “For some reason, my project got shelved and then within that same timeframe, Kandi got signed and her album came out. It was a little odd, the timing of it all.”

God’s favor ain’t fair! ???????? How did my album have anything to do with her album not coming out?…. I was on Columbia records & she was on SosoDef. Please ask Jermaine why your album didn’t come out & stop blaming me. ???? #SWVXscape #TheQueensOfRB

— Kandi Burruss (@Kandi) March 13, 2023

She had a whole situation going on in the family but was really trying to make me the focus of the problem once again. #SWVXSCAPE #TheQueensOfRB https://t.co/AJvKmk3xz7

— Kandi Burruss (@Kandi) March 13, 2023

Burruss didn’t take too kindly to the shade and later tweeted, “God’s favor ain’t fair! How did my album have anything to do with her album not coming out?…. I was on Columbia records & she was on SosoDef. Please ask Jermaine why your album didn’t come out & stop blaming me.” The Grammy-winning songwriter further addressed LaTocha’s accusations on her YouTube series, Speak On It, where she spoke to her group mate’s claim that she was jealous of Scott singing lead. According to Burruss, she herself sung lead on the majority of Xscape’s early songs, so the idea of being jealous of Scott makes no sense.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpydRk7skOz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
“We got a lot a drama y’all… I’m sorry but I’m tired of the narrative being pushed that I was jealous of her,” Burruss wrote within The Shade Room comment section of the clip. “So I had to say how I feel. She has a beautiful voice & I am not saying I sing better at all. What I am saying is that my voice is distinctive & I hold my own & I was not jealous of her. So stop it! We went into our third album knowing she was goin solo so yes I had a lot to say about it because our sh*t was falling apart. 30yrs later we still goin through the same sh*t. We’re a mess! ??‍??? That was a lot but f**k it.”

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star later added that she believed Scott was using this as a means to deflect from the strife between herself and her sister, Tamika. “She had a whole situation going on in the family but was really trying to make me the focus of the problem once again,” Burruss wrote. In the series premiere, Tamika accused Scott and Bivens of stealing $30,000 worth of royalties, which led to an explosive argument with their mother, Gloria, siding with Scott.

One fan did point out the silver lining, as Burruss can no longer be considered the “problem child.” SWV & Xscape: Queens Of R&B airs Sundays on Bravo at 9:30 p.m. ET and streams the following day on Peacock. Watch the full second episode above.

Childish Gambino’s return to music may have begun, as two new trailers for Swarm include snippets of new material from the artist. 

On Monday (March 13), Prime Video uploaded the teasers to their official YouTube channel, with both clips clocking in under 30 seconds long. The first video, entitled “Swarm | ‘Sticky’ Teaser 1,” follows the main character Dre, played by Dominique Fishback, watching a singer on her television. Dre then begins to exhibit unnerving behavior as she jumps off the couch and crawls toward the tv, erratically scratching her neck. 

The second trailer, entitled “Swarm | ‘Sticky’ Teaser 2,” shows Fishback’s character wearing a gas mask and attacking an unspecified person, followed by Dre mopping up blood and swaying her hips to the music. As the trailer continues, she can be seen staring at a beehive outside before being approached by a mysterious woman at a diner who tells her she’s “a killer bee, a part of the Swarm.”

Both trailers feature the same song, “Sticky,” which is credited to Ni’Jah with Kirby featuring Donald Glover himself. “Sticky-icky/Somebody’s watching, so watch your back/Don’t look back, look at the mess you’ve made,” Gambino sings on the unsettling track.

Swarm’s social media accounts also took the time to announce an EP that will accompany the show, with “Sticky” being the first single from the project. Swarm follows Dre, a young lady obsessed with a fictitious pop star. The Amazon series is set to follow her fandom and how it takes Fishback’s character to “dark, unexpected places,” according to Vanity Fair. “We just thought it’d be fun to make a post-truth Piano Teacher mixed with The King of Comedy,” Donald told the outlet. “Me and my brother Stephen were talking about finding someone like Isabelle Huppert, as far as risk-takers in performances. A lot of people did it out of the kindness of their hearts, and they did a really great job, Dom, Damson, Chloe—I was really blown away at how hard they worked on the tone ’cause it’s a strange one.” Swarm, which stars Fishback, Chloe Bailey, and Damson Idris, debuts on Amazon Prime Video on Friday (March 17).

Y’all waitin on visuals, meanwhile we gettin a whole EP ????

Original music from the series by Ni'Jah with Kirby featuring Childish Gambino available 3/17. pic.twitter.com/fmkNsNvkyd

— Swarm (@SwarmOnPrime) March 13, 2023

Like her Power co-star Clifford “Method Man” Smith, Mary J. Blige has not only shown us how iconic she is in the music space, but on-screen, as well. Having acted in a few films including Mudbound and Rock of Ages, Mary has shown us her best work yet as Monet Tejada in 50 Cent’s Power Book II: Ghost.

Ahead of season three’s premiere happening ironically on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), MJB spoke with VIBE about her beloved role on the hit Starz series, as well as how she’s grown as an actress.

“Wow, I’m super comfortable with becoming a character, like at the drop of the hat,” the Good Morning Gorgeous songstress beamed. “So it’s really building my confidence as an actress. And yeah, that’s exactly what it’s doing.”

Mary’s character in Power Book II is a boss woman who keeps the same energy in her home as the matriarch of her family. As she’s raising her children to be their own bosses, she’s often misunderstood as a mom who doesn’t have compassion for her offspring — which is usually traded for tough love in the show. Mary says season 3 will be “intense.”

Speaking to what she’d like to see more of from her role in forthcoming seasons, the queen of Hip-Hop Soul expressed wanting to portray a more humane Monet that isn’t “corny.”

“I mean, we’re seeing it right now that Monet is also a human being,” she said. “She has feelings. She’s mourning the loss of her child — and that’s not normal for Monet. So just more arcs like that, that says she’s human, but that are not corny.”

Although the role of Monet Tejada comes off rather brash at times, Mary revealed that the character was actually created exclusively just for her.

“This was like tailor made for me,” the 2022 NAACP Image Award recipient said. “This was me and Courtney and 50 sitting in the office talking. So she was built, born, right on the spot.”

Season 3 of Power Book II: Ghost will see the return of original characters, in addition to a few new faces. The series stars Michael Rainey Jr. as Tariq St. Patrick, Clifford “Method Man” Smith, Gianni Paolo as Brayden Weston, Larenz Tate as Rashad Tate, Woody McClain as Cane Tejada, Lovell Adams-Gray as Dru Tejada, LaToya Tonodeo as Diana Tejada and Alix Lapri as Effie Morales. 

Episode one of season 3 premieres Friday (March 17) at 9 PM EST in the U.S. and Canada. The new season will also be available at midnight on the Starz app. Check out the trailer below.

It’s a nostalgic mashup tour of epic proportions. This summer, TLC and Shaggy will headline their joint ‘Hot Summer Nights’ Tour with special guests En Vogue and Sean Kingston.
 

The 26-city tour kicks off on June 1 at Oak Mountain Amphitheater in Pelham, Ala. and will hit major cities across the U.S. and Canada including Miami, Toronto, and Phoenix, before concluding in Calgary, AB on July 14.

Fans can anticipate hearing their respective hits like TLC’s “No Scrubs,” and “Creep”; Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me,” and “Angel”; En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go (Love)”, and “Free Your Mind”; and Sean Kingston’s “Beautiful Girls” and “Eenie Meenie.” 

The CrazySexyCool artists will also be releasing their new documentary, TLC Forever, on Lifetime/A+E near the start of this tour on June 3. The two-hour film will chronicle the revolutionary group’s dynamic and influence as surviving members T-Boz and Chilli tell their story in their own words.

Presale tickets for Citi cardholders start Tuesday (March 14) with general on-sale to follow on Friday (March 17) at 10 a.m. local time. Select VIP packages will also be available for purchase. Additionally, all four acts will not be in each city as noted below.

See the full tour dates below.

^Not a Live Nation Date | ~Tickets for this show will go onsale at a later date

June 01 – Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

June 03 – Miami, FL – FPL Solar Amphitheater @ Bayfront Park

June 04 – St. Augustine, FL – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre

June 07 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park @ Walnut Creek

June 09 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

June 10 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

June 11 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center

June 13 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

June 15 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

June 16 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center

June 17 – Hartford, CT – XFINITY Theatre

June 21 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center

June 23 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

June 24 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center

June 25 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre

June 28 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

June 30 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory

July 01 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

July 02 – Lake Cowichan, BC – Laketown Shakedown^ (with Shaggy Only | Buy Tickets Here)

July 03 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall^~ (with TLC, Shaggy, & Sean Kingston Only | Buy Tickets Here or Here)

July 06 – Salt Lake City, UT – Granary Live^ (with Shaggy & Sean Kingston Only | Buy Tickets Here)

July 07 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

July 08 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre

July 09 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion

July 13 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton EXPO Centre^ (with TLC & Shaggy Only | Buy Tickets Here or Here)

July 14 – Calgary, AB – Cowboys Music Festival^ (with TLC & Shaggy Only | Buy Tickets Here or Here)

Drake is hitting the road this summer on his It’s All a Blur tour with special guest 21 Savage. Drizzy announced the 29-date tour on social media, attached with a mini clip focused on his journey as a humble actor and aspiring rapper into one of music’s biggest stars. According to the official announcement, the tour’s title is “a celebration of the last decade,” signifying its retrospective nature. 

It’s All a Blur will mark the Canadian rapper’s first time back on the road for a tour since 2018’s Aubrey & the Three Migos Tour. And since his previous tour with the Migos, “The Boy” has released four studio LPs, including the genre-shifting Honestly, Nevermind, and Her Loss, his collaborative effort with 21 Savage. 

Tickets for the tour will be available beginning with Cash App Card presales on Wednesday (March 15) at 12 p.m. local time through Thursday (March 16) at 10 p.m. local time. 

 

 

 

 

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Cash App Card holders will unlock the earliest access to It’s All A Blur as they use the first nine digits of their card to access the exclusive sale and complete the purchase. For additional information regarding the Cash App Card, check in with cash.app/drake-presale.

With Sprite serving as the official beverage sponsor for the It’s All A Blur Tour, fans can check out updates on Sprite.com to sign up and gain access to Aubrey’s presale experience. Sprite’s exclusive presale will begin on Thursday (March 16) at 12 p.m. local time and end at 10 p.m. local time the same day. 

Additionally, other presales will be available through a general sale on Friday (March 17) at 12 p.m. local time, and fans can check for updates on drakerelated.com. 

 

 

 

 

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DRAKE: IT’S ALL A BLUR 2023 

TOUR DATES:

June 16 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center

June 19 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

June 21 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center

June 24 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

June 28 – Miami, FL – Miami-Dade Arena

July 01 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

July 02 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

July 05 – Chicago, IL – United Center

uly 06 – Chicago, IL – United Center

July 08 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

July 11 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

July 12 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

July 14 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre

July 17 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

July 18 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

July 25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

July 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

July 28 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena

July 31 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

Aug. 12 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum

Aug. 13 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum

Aug. 18 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center

Aug. 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena

Aug. 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena

Aug. 25 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

Aug. 28 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

Sep. 01 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena

Sep. 05 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena

More tour dates, including a stop in Toronto, Canada, will be announced later.

GloRilla has given her reaction to a crowd-rushing incident at her concert in Rochester, N.Y. that left one person dead, two people in critical condition, and several others hospitalized.

According to ABC News, the melee occurred at Main Street Armory on Sunday evening (March 5), after what appeared to be gunfire erupted inside of the venue, causing panic and resulting in the deadly stampede as concert-goers rushed for safety.

On Monday morning (March 6), the Memphis rapper took to social media to speak out in response to the tragic event. “I’m just now hearing about what happened wtf,” she wrote, along with a string of sad face emojis. “Praying everybody is ok,” she continued, also adding multiple praying-hand emojis to further convey her sentiment.

I’m just now hearing about what happened wtf ????????????praying everybody is ok ????????????????????????????????

— GloRilla ???? (@GloTheofficial) March 6, 2023

Rochester Police arrived on the scene at 11:05 p.m. in response to reports of gunfire inside the venue, where they found multiple people injured as part of the crowd rush. Authorities are also skeptical that an actual shooting ever took place inside of the venue and that another loud sound may have sparked the crowd rush.

“At this time, there is no evidence to support a shooting having occurred inside the event,” Rochester Police Department Lieutenant Nicholas Adams said. “The injuries appear to be as a result of a large crowd pushing towards the exits following accounts of individuals hearing what they believed to be gunshots.”

Three people were transported from the venue to a local hospital via ambulance, including a 33-year-old woman, who succumbed to her injuries, and two others, who are currently in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Six other people traveled to area hospitals by private means to receive treatment after sustaining non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.

In addition to GloRilla, fellow Memphis rapper Finesse2Tymes also performed at the concert, but has yet to release a statement commenting on the incident.

Amber Riley is making her way back to music with the news that she’s dropping an R&B album with the help of Harmony Samuels later this year. During her appearance on The Jason Lee Show, the Masked Singer winner revealed that she’s currently working on the LP and has Muni Long to thank for the inspiration.

“It’s really good if I do say so myself,” Riley teased. “[It’s] straight up R&B. I gotta thank Muni Long for busting that door down. Her whole entire career and that movement with ‘Hrs & Hrs’ and that whole entire project is literally thank you.” Long’s viral sensation garnered her first GRAMMY win at this year’s ceremony.

When speaking on the songwriter’s longevity, the Glee alum added, “She’s just a prolific writer. If, you know, people knew who Priscilla Renea was. She’s a hit maker. She’s an incredible writer. She just finally sat down and put all that love and attention on herself and people are responding exactly the way that they should.”

The two recently joined forced with JoJo at Long’s annual Valentine’s Day concert to perform a thrilling rendition of Whitney Houston, Kelly Price, and Faith Evans’ “Heartbreak Hotel.” The performance had fans practically begging them to create a supergroup.

 

 

 

 

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Later in the episode, Riley talks with Lee about real singers, mediocrity, and opens up about the split from her ex-fiancé, as well as her new beau.

The full episode airs tonight (Feb. 28) at 10 p.m. ET, and can be streamed on the REVOLT App or its official YouTube channel.

Ice-T is sharing why he decided to stop releasing rap albums and according to him, it’s because of Hip-Hop culture’s shift in look and sound by the younger generation. In an interview with Variety, the 65-year-old spoke about becoming disillusioned with the direction that rap music was heading during the 2000s.

“The music got goofy to me,” the artist, born Tracy Marrow, told the publication. “The kids started looking weird. It all turned into something I wasn’t comfortable with.” He also points to a downtick in record sales for himself and other acts from his era as evidence in the changing tide of what was deemed popular in the mainstream and among the youth.

“There was a point where I was selling tons of records, then it cooled off. I felt a certain way. Then I realized Public Enemy, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and Wu-Tang Clan weren’t selling records, either,” he explained. “There was a paradigm shift. These kids got softer, and soft is not something I’m able to give audiences. The first word in hip-hop is ‘hip’ so how something stays hip for over 10 years is difficult.”
 

While Ice-T recently teamed up with longtime collaborator Afrika Islam for the 2021 project Uncut, the rapper’s last full-length solo album, Gangsta Rap, was released in 2006. In 2008, the West Coast legend became embroiled in a back-and-forth with rapper Soulja Boy after accusing the artist of “killing Hip-Hop” on a mixtape.
 

Earlier this month, Ice-T received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a moment he also touched on during the interview. “When I started making records, I didn’t come into the music business thinking I would be a star,” he said of the honor. “I was just seeing if I could get a fan base. I didn’t want to be the best rapper. I just wanted to be mentioned among the greats: LL Cool J, Run-DMC.”

Speaking of LL Cool J, Ice-T recently shared that he and LL Cool J have ended the beef that was sparked by their battle in the late ’80s. The hatchet was buried between the two as the pair both performed as part of the Grammy Awards’ Hip-Hop 50 Tribute, which also included an appearance by Run-DMC.

 

 

 

 

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Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime show performance caused quite the "disturbia" for a handful people who tuned in.

SZA’s SOS reign doesn’t appear to be slowing up anytime soon as the album has topped the Billboard 200 chart for its 10th nonconsecutive week. The last album by a female artist to spend 10 weeks at No. 1 was Adele’s 25 between 2015 and 2016. The last R&B album to do so was Mariah Carey’s eponymous debut, which logged 11 consecutive weeks atop the chart in 1991, Billboard reports.
 

SZA’s sophomore LP has broken records held by Whitney Houston’s Whitney, Usher’s Confessions, Janet Jackson’s janet, and Beyoncé’s self-titled albums.

This feat comes after the New Jersey-bred songstress was named Billboard‘s 2023 Woman of the Year. In an interview with the publication, the 33-year-old teased details about the upcoming deluxe edition of SOS, which will reportedly have 10 new tracks. She also explained what’s to come following that release.

“After I do the deluxe, I’m hoping to be able to accept that this chapter is done. I’m looking forward to actually feeling proud of myself and not just smiling and nodding at accolades but really feeling it internally and knowing that I’m good enough,” SZA explained.
 

However, her hard work has paid off considering her first-ever arena tour is sold out. “I am deeply excited to pop a** and cry and give theater,” she added about her show. “I want it to feel like a play on Broadway, but more like Suspiria and Cirque du Soleil in the weirdest way. I want it to be smart and exhilarating and exhausting and exciting like a party, but also like a therapy session.”

Fresh off the high-energy of Trinidad’s Carnival, Nicki Minaj has announced her next single, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze.” The track will be released on March 3, seven months after her explosive “Super Freaky Girl” hit in 2022.

The Queen rapstress announced the track on Thursday (Feb. 23) via Instagram as she included behind-the-scenes clips from the single’s video shoot, followed by the “official artwork” for the single. The cover art sees Minaj standing in a restaurant’s kitchen as the chef prepares a dish.

In the photo, Minaj wears her signature hairstyle of two buns with chopsticks (in which any Barb would know that means she’s talking her sh*t) and a snug Jean Paul Gaultier dress with yellow pumps.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj)

The Jamaica Queens icon raps the lyrics to “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” in the BTS clips as a bashment party takes place behind her. Clearly, the video was filmed amid Trinidad’s Carnival in her homeland.

Sporting one red and one pink bun in her hair, she raps, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze, Chinese on my sleeve/ These wannabe Chun-Li’s, anyways, Ni Hao/ Who the f**k told bi**hes they was me now?/ I knew these bi**hes was slow, I ain’t know these bi**hes senile.”

The track is Minaj’s first solo release since the Rick James-sampled “Super Freaky Girl,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. According to Billboard, the record-breaking hit was the first No. 1 debut for a Hip-Hop song by a female artist with no accompanying acts since Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998.

Take a look at the official cover art above and BTS video clips from “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” below.

 

 

 

 

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Snoop Dogg has added the Death Row Records music category to the popular social media app TikTok. Billboard reports the move comes ahead of a wide streaming release of the songs and albums on digital streaming platforms.

The record label was acquired by the Doggystyle rapper in February 2022 and the 51-year-old artist pulled the library from streaming.

“Since I took Death Row off streaming almost a year ago, not a day goes by without people asking me to put it back up,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement. “As the Super Bowl rolled around, I knew fans would be looking for the music from our iconic performance in 2022, so I wanted to reintroduce the most historic catalog to the people.”

The catalog will be available exclusively on TikTok through SoundOn, marking the “first-ever catalog reissue to release exclusively through Sound On.”

“We were hearing from a lot of artists that they loved being on TikTok and trying to build their community and hopefully reach really big audiences, but they were pretty overwhelmed, they didn’t really understand how to get onto TikTok, get music onto TikTok, get an account set up on TikTok, figure out how to position themselves in the right way TikTok global head of music Ole Obermann expressed to Billboard in 2022.

“The goal is, really, that we find the promising artist and we walk them from the backstage door right onto the main stage and they’re there, they’re performing, it’s an incredible show and they’ve found their audience.”

In a recent digital cover story with Billboard, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson pulled back the curtains on building his media empire. While discussing topics like working with Dr. Dre and Eminem and having a plethora of his own “rap beefs,” Jackson also shared his thoughts about Nicki Minaj and Cardi B’s dynamic, two of the biggest rappers to come out of New York City since Fif’s 2003 debut.

“Hip-hop culture makes you battle,” he said to Billboard‘s Carl Lamarre. “I love Nicki Minaj, but the funny sh*t is, I like watching her when she’s upset. I like that because she has something that comes from the experience of living in South Jamaica.”

The fellow Queens borough native added, “I’m looking at it like, ‘Yo, I know they think she’s nuts, but they only think that because they don’t understand.’ I get it. She thinks you’re trying to play her.”

Fif’s understanding of Nicki stems from the many trials she has faced as she’s demanded her respect in the music industry. As a respected pioneer of rap (who just so happens to also be a woman), Nicki has been unapologetically vocal about “industry machines” going against her to keep her from garnering what she feels she deserves.

The 40-year-old mother of one has also pointed out the “unfairness” that she’s experienced in contrast to her rap counterparts. Whether being “snubbed” at award shows, having her songs miscategorized, or accusing streaming services of being “in bed” with rival artists’ camps, Minaj’s numbers have always spoken louder than any critic of her music.

Although 50 has made it clear time and time again that he rides for Minaj and has an abundance of respect for the wave she’s created, he also had a few things to say about her rap rival Cardi B.

“When Cardi B came, I thought she was dope,” the TV mogul reflected on the Bronx sensation’s rise to stardom. “She’s from the bottom. She was in Club Lust in Brooklyn. [Going] from that, and making a hit record and turning into who she did? I don’t know why anybody wouldn’t like to see that.”

He added, “It felt like she got everything — married, the baby — it came fast. That’s the American dream right there.”

The Get Rich or Die Trying icon hasn’t spoken too often about Cardi B publicly, but the last time he did he sided with Minaj over the two artists’ “beef.”

In 2017, online footage surfaced of Minaj’s frequent collaborator Tekashi69 turning up to the Queen rapper’s music in the club. As DJ SpinKing abruptly switched to Cardi’s “Bodak Yellow,” 69 still danced. The DJ announced, “I’m sorry Nicki, I’m team Cardi B on this side.”

50 decided to let it be known whose side he was on when he commented on the video with “No @djspinking that’s female sh*t stay out of that, now Nicki gonna get mad at 69 for turning up, trust me she on her South Side sh*t.”
 

Real life comedy. lol This is getting crazy! ???? @50cent @NICKIMINAJ @6ix9ine @iamcardib pic.twitter.com/lqu8mgTaay

— SOHH (@sohh) September 9, 2018

Speaking summing up his sentiments about the two ladies in 2023, Fif told Billboard: “When her [Cardi] and Nicki clash, I go, ‘Oh, sh*t, it’s going to be interesting to watch how it plays out.’ Lyrically, I won’t say anything competitively about the two of them, but I love Nicki. I don’t have anything against Cardi.”

He continued, “I think anyone who comes now, she is going to check their temperature. Nicki is going to check if this bi**h is friendly or looking to take over the sh*t.”

Read 50 Cent’s Billboard digital cover story here.

After Drake was ordered to appear in court later this month to answer questions related to the murder of rapper XXXTentacion, a judge has granted the Canadian hitmaker’s request to skip the hearing.

On Tuesday (Feb. 14), Judge Michael Usan ratified an order dismissing a subpoena that would have required the 36-year-old to be deposed on Feb. 24 in relation to the late artist’s death. It was reported that if Drake missed that date, he would have until Feb. 27 to appear for a deposition or risk being charged with contempt.

The Her Loss rapper’s attorney, Bradford M. Cohen, argued that the court’s request of his client’s presence at the trial was “unreasonable and oppressive,” deeming it a publicity stunt.

“It is both unreasonable and oppressive to subpoena an out of state party who has not been mentioned in any reports, any investigation, or referenced to have any involvement in this matter,” Cohen said. “To mandate that he appear for deposition for something that he very clearly has no relevant knowledge of is unreasonable.”

The attorney further shot down the defense’s attempt to connect Drake to the murder of the victim, adding that it was “less for the purpose of discovering relevant evidence and testimony” and simply a ploy to “add more layers of celebrity and notoriety to a tragic and unfortunate event.”

Drake was previously fingered as a possible suspect of the crime by the attorney of Dedrick Williams, one of the four men officially charged with XXXTentacion’s murder. The defense pointed to a post on the “SAD!” rapper’s social media account warning that if he was to ever pass away, that Drake was responsible for any foul play.

“If anyone tries to kill me it was @champagnepapi,” the Florida native’s Instagram Stories read at the time. However, he would later delete the post, claiming that his account had been hacked and that he was not responsible for the post, telling his followers to not take any validity from the statement.

XXXTentacion was murdered on June 18, 2018 after leaving Riva Motorsports in Deerfield Beach, Fla. Dedrick Williams—along with codefendants Michael Boatwright and Trayvon Newsome—has been charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm. The triggerman in the murder is believed to be Boatwright, who allegedly shot XXX multiple times after Newsome retrieved cash, jewelry, and a designer bag belonging to the rapper.

The trio face life in prison if convicted of murder. A fourth man, Robert Allen, plead guilty to second-degree murder in 2022 and has cooperated with the state.

These days, Beyonce is extra picky with the roles she selects. That was the case with Disney's Princess and the Frog, as she refused to audition for the role. Not only that, but Beyoncé is keeping things very private these days, refusing to do interviews, and only agreeing to essay style formats, written in her own words.

RELATED - Beyoncé Turned Down A Film That Made $1.2 Billion At The Box Office Because The Role Offered Wasn't Big Enough

In the following, we're going to take a closer look at Beyoncé's time in the film, Cadillac Records. It was an impactful experience for Beyoncé, especially prepping for the role.

Her prep was so noteworthy, that she decided to given up her entire pay to a certain cause. We'll reveal what that was, and which other Hollywood stars decided to give up their entire pay for a role.

Beyonce? Spent Time At The Phoenix House In Order To Prep For Her Role In Cadillac Records

Back in 2008, Beyoncé took on the role of Etta James in the film, Cadillac Records. Beyoncé also took on the role of executive producer. The film wasn't a huge box office hit, bringing in $8.9 million.

The role was an intimidating one for Beyoncé, given that she's extremely different to character she was portraying. When readying herself for the role, Beyoncé checked into the Phoenix House.

She recalls the experience, "I never tried drugs in my life so I didn't know about it all," she said. "It was hard to go there. In the beginning I didn't want to offend anyone, I didn't want to ask the wrong questions or seem judgmental."

"They were so honest, though, and I am so thankful. I don't think I could have understood that level of pain or need. What they do there is amazing. I learned a lot about life and myself."

"She was really the opposite of what people’s perception of me is. She was by no means the sweetheart. She was bold and unapologetic and spoke her mind. I didn’t know if I was even ready for a role like this."

The experience turned out to be a positive one for Beyoncé, though she did admit to feeling intimidated when performing At Last in front of Etta herself.

"I try not to make eye contact [with the audience] until I start singing. But I saw her. It was intimidating. I started to sing. And maybe a couple of sentences into the song, I did this growl that she’s infamous for, and I saw her body posture change. She nudged her son, like, ”Did you hear that?” And I was like, ”Yes! I got her!”

It was a memorable experience for Beyoncé, and she ended up making the kindest of gestures with her pay.

Beyonce? Donated Her Entire $4 Million Salary To The Phoenix House

With a net worth hovering around $500 million, Beyoncé has a lot of funds saved up. However, it was still a classy gesture from Beyoncé, who decided to give up her pay completely, and donate it to the Phoenix House, given her experience when researching for the role.

Star Magazine explained, "Beyoncé has donated her entire $4 million salary from her new film to help a string of drug treatment centers across America."

While preparing to play Etta James in Cadillac Records, Beyoncé spent several weeks at Phoenix House, a drug rehabilitation center.
Afterward, she gave her entire $4 million salary to the center.

— Eric Alper ???? (@ThatEricAlper) October 20, 2022

The publication continued, "The gift by the Houston native was made to Phoenix House, which runs 98 residential and outpatient rehab programs in nine states. She reportedly spent two weeks with patients to research her latest role in Cadillac Records as blues and soul legend Etta James, whose early career was blighted by heroin addiction."

A classy gesture by Beyoncé and as it turns out, she isn't the only one out of her peers to refuse a pay for a film project.

Beyonce? Is Far From The Only Actress In Hollywood To Take On A Role For Free

Jennifer Lopez in Hustlers decided to take on the role for free, given that she's never motivated by money. Lopez said, "I did it for free and produced it. Like Jenny From the Block — I do what I love.

George Clooney would also agree to work the film Good Night and Good Luck for $3, given that it was a special project for his father.

"It's a love letter to [his] old man" — because he's "in the enviable position of being able to force studios to make films that they wouldn’t ordinarily make."

Clooney continued, “It’s me saying [to my journalist father], ‘Thanks for setting the bar that high, for believing so strongly in the responsibility of information,’ and taking it to the level where it cost him a lot of things over the years."

Michael Sheen also made the bold decision himself to be a not-for-profit actor, donating his extra funds to support charitable causes.

Trugoy The Dove’s death over the weekend shook up the Hip-Hop community. Given how legendary he and De La Soul are within the culture, many people spoke out to pay their respects and honor the late 54-year-old artist.

“This one hurts,” Erick Sermon wrote on Instagram. “From Long Island from one of the best rap groups in Hiphop #Delasoul #plug2 Dave has passed away you will be missed… RIP.” His caption accompanied a photo of the rapper on the beach smiling.

Chuck D shared a video on Twitter of him and Trugoy, real name David Jude Jolicoeur, giving each other flowers.

“I’m here with the master,” the 62-year-old said in reference to his fellow New York rapper. “A student,” Trugoy replied before the Public Enemy member asked, “When does a student stop being a student? When he becomes a master god himself.” There was a visible camaraderie and admiration between the two.

 

 

 

 

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#RestInBeats my Bro #Dave #Trugoy #DeLaSoul forever ?@hiphopgods? pic.twitter.com/bS5thhyOA1

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) February 12, 2023

“#RestInBeats my Bro #Dave #Trugoy #DeLaSoul forever @hiphopgods,” Chuck D wrote in his caption. 9th Wonder offered a moving Instagram post about how he looked up to many people, De La Soul included. “Everybody needs big brothers and big sisters,” the 48-year-old wrote. “Musically, The Native Tongues family were mine. Queen Latifah, A Tribe Called Quest, Black Sheep, Monie Love, The Jungle Brothers, and De La Soul. This hurts, y’all. This really hurts. Take away the Native Tongues, and you’re taking away a side of Hip-Hop that is so important, and so vital.” 9th continued, “My God. Rest in Peace and POWER, David Jude Jolicoeur, also know as Trugoy….PLUG 2….. of @wearedelasoul.”

 

 

 

 

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Dela Soul raised us. RIP TRUGOY. Love to Pos & Mase . ????????????????????????????????????????????????

— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) February 13, 2023

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by De La Soul (@wearedelasoul)

The Alchemist offered love to the late rapper via Twitter on Monday morning (Feb. 13). “Dela Soul raised us. RIP TRUGOY. Love to Pos & Mase .” Trugoy’s cause of death is currently unknown, but he opened up about his struggles with congestive heart failure back in 2018 on Instagram. Despite being hospitalized in 2020, he still made an effort to connect with his group members and friends on Instagram Live from his sickbed. His passing comes on the heels of De La Soul’s plan to release their first six albums on streaming platforms. After a tough, long battle with their former label Tommy Boy Records, the Hip-Hop group was able to finally come out on the winning side. Now, they must celebrate the momentous occasion one member down. VIBE sends its condolences to Trugoy’s group members Posdnuos and Maseo, his family, and loved ones. See more of the love poured out for the Hip-Hop legend above.

Rest in Peace Trugoy the Dove aka Plug Two of De La Soul ????????????????????????????????

— Dominick (@CrookedIntriago) February 12, 2023

RIP PLUG TWO TRUGOY. ???????????????

— Ev (@Evidence) February 12, 2023

Welcome to the #FentyBowl, presented by Apple Music (and the National Fenty League). On Sunday (Feb. 12), Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show was nothing short of heartwarming and sensational as the singer-turned-billionaire returned to the stage for the first time in seven years.

Not only did she take fans on a ride through her timeless discography—seemingly under the musical direction of Adam Blackstone—the Fenty mogul also unveiled that she and A$AP Rocky are expecting baby No. 2. The couple currently have a son, who they welcomed in May 2022. She announced that pregnancy in Feb. 2022. The surprise has been confirmed by Rihanna’s rep.

Draped in a red monochromatic ensemble on a suspended stage, Rih opened her 13-minute set with “B***h Better Have My Money” as her hand subtly rubbed over her belly. Fans immediately flooded Twitter with speculations.

Me watching the halftime show trying to figure out if Rihanna is pregnant pic.twitter.com/AXgDFVKFdp

— olivia aleks (@AleksOlivia) February 13, 2023

the whole timeline afraid to ask if Rihanna is pregnant pic.twitter.com/KGQEhItzqx

— Ira (@iramadisonthree) February 13, 2023

She continued to ride her wave of nostalgia with classic gems including “Where Have You Been,” “Only Girl,” “We Found Love,” “Rude Boy,” “Work,” “Wild Thoughts,” “All Of The Lights,” “Run This Town,” and “Umbrella.” Yet, just as the song suggests, “Find light in the beautiful sea/I choose to be happy,” Rih closed out her performance with her 2012 hit, “Diamonds.” Though she never addressed the spiraling rumors, her reps did confirm the baby speculations.

SHE’S BAAAACK ???? @Rihanna #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/rH2G9r2RSc

— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023

Unreal. @Rihanna #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/ffPJk08ygg

— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023

Ahead of her 35th birthday, Rih first hinted at the reveal when speaking on her set with Apple Music’s Nadeska Alexis at the official Super Bowl press conference. “The physical challenge has definitely been immense, for many reasons, of course. But, I haven’t done this in a minute […] Now I’m saying too much? But it’s a jam-packed show, and it takes a toll on your body, it does,” explained the Bajan icon. In a separate interview with NFL Total Access (below), the Fenty founder teased, “I’m thinking about bringing someone. Not sure though yet,” when asked about any special guests.

whole time it was asap fenty jr the second now… https://t.co/E2uejEMhgz

— bri (@bigshitxtalker) February 13, 2023

Her New York rapper beau and father of her children was, of course, front and center for the entire show like the proud man and lover he is. Rocky was also sporting a custom National Fenty League bomber jacket. She also included perfect product placement for Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty as she touched up her face with her blotting powder and had her dancers dripped in custom looks. Watch more clips from Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show performance below and head over to the NFL’s YouTube channel to watch it in full.

ASAP Rocky is everyone watching @Rihanna ???? #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/pG6DWRL7ch

— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023

Beyoncé kicked off her historic Grammy weekend on Friday (Feb. 3) with the official release of a viral “CUFF IT” remix which includes a new verse and additional vocals. The party-ready track was flipped into a bedroom-ready jam by DJ Esentrik who blended the original RENAISSANCE single with Twista’s 2009 song “Wetter.”

“Soooo I’ve been hiding this for awhile and now I can finally say it!” exclaimed the DJ and producer in a tweet revealing the news. “CUFF IT WETTER REMIX IS OFFICIAL! Thank you to @beyonce @parkwood and most importantly the DJs and fans that supported this from the start! Love to all!”

Currently, “CUFF IT (Wetter Remix) is only available to purchase exclusively via Queen Bey’s official website. 

On the updated version, the global music icon adds to the original song, refusing to offer a remix without new lyrics. “Baby make it rain/ Don’t let go till it storms again/ I pray this will never end,” sings Mrs. Carter at the opening of the modified song. She also added additional adlibs and runs throughout the track.

While Beyoncé quietly released the track, Twista shared a “Happy Friday” tweet including three flame emojis, linking back to the “CUFF IT (Wetter Remix).” The original version of “CUFF IT” was released on the 41-year-old performer’s acclaimed album RENAISSANCE issued in July 2022.

On Sunday (Feb. 5), the album added a new level of legendary to Beyoncé’s iconic resume. Picking up wins for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for the aforementioned LP, Best R&B Song with “CUFF IT,” Best Traditional R&B Performance with “PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA,” and Best Dance/Electronic Recording with “BREAK MY SOUL,” she became the most awarded musician in Grammy history.

“I’m trying not to be too emotional. I’m trying to just receive this night,” said the mother of three while accepting the award for RENAISSANCE as the first Black woman to take the category. “I want to thank God for protecting me. Thank you, God. I’d like to thank my Uncle Johnny who’s not here, but he’s here in spirit.” Bey later thanked her family and especially the queer community “for your love and inventing this genre.”

Irene Cara’s death toward the end of 2022 was sad for the music community and beyond. The cause of the late songwriter’s passing has now been revealed.
 

TMZ reports that the Academy Award-winning actress passed away due to high cholesterol and hypertension. The official report states her cause of death as arteriosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The medical examiner who assessed her body post-mortem determined that the Bronx multi-talent also had diabetes.
 

Irene Cara passed away in her Largo, Fla. home on Nov. 25 at the age of 63. She was known for being a child actress and caught her big break in the television show Fame, playing the fictional singer Coco Hernandez. She also sang the show’s theme song, which later earned her Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Cara was also lauded for her appearance in the 1976 film Sparkle. She was awarded an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress In A Television Movie, Miniseries Or Drama Special in 1982 for her work in Sister, Sister. In 1983, she co-wrote and performed “Flashdance…What A Feeling” for the Flashdance which starred Jennifer Beals. Her contributions earned her an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Irene Cara had a musical discography of her own apart from her work with films. She released her first album, Esta Es Irene in 1967, followed by 1982’s Anyone Can See, 1983’s What A Feelin’, and 1987’s Carasmatic. Her final album, Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel, was released in 2011.

Kendrick Lamar’s speech after winning the award for Best Rap Album at the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards was great in its own right, but seeing his daughter’s reaction was simply priceless. In a clip shared on social media by Lamar’s wife, Whitney Alford, the rapper’s three-year-old daughter, Uzi, can be seen watching her father accepting his award at the podium.

As he appeared speaking on the television screen, the toddler enthusiastically exclaimed, “Daddy! He’s talking about us.” Alford repeated their daughter’s words, before Uzi repeated, “He’s talking about us. He’s talking about his family. Uzi and Enoch and mommy.”

Kendrick Lamar was one of the biggest winners at this year’s GRAMMY Awards. Nominated in eight categories, including Song of the Year and Album of the Year, K.Dot ultimately added three more gramophones to his growing collection for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance.

pic.twitter.com/c72D7QKflS

— . (@stilllsmallz) February 6, 2023

The 35-year-old artist touched on the importance of family and the part they played in allowing him to create his acclaimed album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank my family for giving me the courage and the vulnerability to share these stories and my truth with this album,” the Compton native said. “I want to thank my fans for trusting me with these words. As artists, we’re all entertainers. And we say things to provoke thoughts and feeling and emotions. Making this record, it’s one of my toughest records to make, and they allowed me to do that and allowed me to share other people’s experiences.”