2013 BILLBOARD AWARDS PERFORMANCE: Prince ROCKS OUT, Gets Intro’d By Erykah Badu & Janelle Monae

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Erykah Badu and Janelle Monae introduced the most talented icon of the evening at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, Prince.  We’ve got video inside…

"Q.U.E.E.N." singers Erykah and Janelle showed up looking like perfection at Sunday night’s BBMA’s at the MGM Grand to introduce their idol, Prince.  Check out their salute to him above.

 

And you can check out Prince’s full performance that closed out the show above.  Nothing can top the Purple Pne and his electric guitar…

 

Photo: SassyDweeb’s Instagram

 

2013 BILLBOARD AWARDS PERFORMANCE: Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne’s “High School”

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So Nicki Minaj took the stage at the MGM Grand in Vegas tonight.  And she gave everyone at (and watching) the 2013 Billboard Music Awards a parting gift….visions of her ASSets thrown all in the camera.

 

Check out the performance inside…

While performing "High School" with Lil Wayne, we were actually about to give Nicki props for actually having a hot stage presence we hadn’t seen with her yet. 

But then the Best Rap Artist winner took it to the ratchet ASStasticness, her usual lap dance, and private pat downs that we maybe liked…but definitely cringed about.  Those pre-teen Barbs are gonna have lots of new dance moves for summer school…

Clutch ya pearls and watch the vid above….

BACK IN THE STUDIO: Jay-Z Taps Drake For Possible Upcoming Album + Janet Jackson Dishes On New Project & Love For Kendrick Lamar

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Looks like both Jay-Z and Janet Jackson are returning to the studio to create brand new projects.  Check out how Ms. Jackson says she’s celebrating 20 years after the janet album, and who Jay’s cooking up music with in the lab…

Hip Hop Producer Lenny S (Kodak Lens) spilled the tea on some new music comign out the Roc Nation camp.  And it looks like it’s all for a new upcoming album from Mr. Carter.

Lenny posted a pic of Jay, rocking a Soulland brand "BOURGEOISIE" shirt, in the studio with Drake today working on some new music.  He said, "Warning: Please be very afraid of the music we’re working on. OVO x ROCNATION."

The two also collabo’d on "Light Up" on Drake’s Thank Me Later album.  We’ll see how this new collabo sounds…

 

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And last week, Lenny also posted a pic of Jay working with rapper Raekwon.  Looks like some classic ish is on the way…

 

 

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And in other comeback news, Janet Jackson is working on a new project.  Woot!  Nope, she didn’t let her brand new (secret) marriage and recent muslim conversion halt her music career. 

She told Billboard on the anniversary of her janet album yesterday about her new project, the artists she’s feeling, and how she feels about being two decades in with one of the most iconic albums (7x platinum) of all time.

May 18 marks the 20th anniversary of "janet." How would you describe what that album captures about your life at that time?
I can’t believe it is already 20 years! I always write my music based on what is going on in my life at the time. I wanted to allow people in… I want my fans to really know me. The ‘janet’ album was sexual and I was beginning to really discover that side of me.

There are musical references and direct samples of janet. songs all over the place now, most notably on Kendrick Lamar’s "Poetic Justice." Have you heard most of these re-interpretations (Moon Boots’ "Sugar," which samples "If," How To Dress Well’s cover of "Again," MNEK’s "That’s The Way Love Goes" etc?) And how does it feel to see your work have such impact on new artists?
I have listened to the music that is out there and I love Kendrick’s "Poetic Justice." There are artists, true performers that have come before me who have been a big inspiration to me. I hope I do the same for others.

Several of the songs on janet. and their accompanying videos were groundbreaking at the time for their overt sexuality. Why was it so important for you to express that part of yourself in your work, and how did you convince others around you at the time to let you take those risks?
Like I said before, I write about my experiences or things that touch me deeply. I was really beginning to get in tune with my sexual self. This is what I wanted to express so I did. The decision to move forward in an artistic way is mine. I didn’t need to convince anyone.

The videos and tour for "janet." featured some iconic choreography from Tina Landon, most notably on ‘If.’ Do you have a favorite dance or video from that period?
Tina Landon and Omar Lopez choreographed "If". I love "That’s The Way Love Goes," "You Want This" and especially "If." I don’t think people really realize what we were showing in that video that wasn’t available with technology then. The video featured futuristic technology, specifically high definition touch screens. I wanted the actors in the video to use these screens to communicate, and relate with each other in the clubs. Similar to what we all do with our smart phones and tablets today. As I look at our lives now, it seems that life is imitating art. I have seen different elements from all of these videos in lots of artists work and it’s a great feeling to know that you have inspired them in such a way.

Many artists cite you as a role model and a huge influence on their career and image. Which artists today do you admire?
I’m flattered that other artists consider me a role model. I’m really enjoying what Bruno Mars and Adele are doing, a lot of artistry there.

And she says about releasing her first project since 2008′s Discipline:

“I am working on a new project now. We are creating the concept and initial thoughts on the music.  I am excited about the direction we are taking. I don’t want to rush it… I don’t want to put a time constraint on the creative process.”

We’ll be (impatiently) waiting….

 

Photos: @KodakLens’ Instagram/Fame

COUPLED UP: Marques Houston & Girlfriend Marlena Campbell On A Dinner Date At Mr. Chow

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Singer Marques Houston was spotted out on a date night with his girlfriend Marlena yesterday in L.A.  Check out pics of the twosome all cuddled up inside…

Yes, Marques Houston is still making music these days.  And the former Immature/IMX group member released his new single "Speechless" recently off his upcoming Famous album dropping this summer.

But he took a break from his musical comeback attempt last night to take his girlfriend, fashion interestee (our name for the endless chicks who call themselves stylists but have no actual clients to show for it) Marlena Campbell, out to Mr. Chow for dinner.

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The two held hands and got all hugged up while waiting outside.

And they seem to be extra close–traveling on vacays together and spending weekends with his fam (they hit up his brother Michael’s wedding together recently):

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Well isn’t that special….

 

Photos: Splash

PARTY LIFE: Jim Jones Celebrates His VAMPIRE LIFE Album With Fiancee Chrissy, Dame Dash & Maino

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Last week Jim Jones returned to the scene to push his new Vampire Life album.  Check out pics of him and his fiancee Chrissy celebrating in NYC…

On Thursday, Hot 97′s DJ Drewski teamed up with rapper Jim Jones for a listening event for Jimmy’s Vampire Life EP.  The #WeOwnTheNight event went down at Rosewood in New York City.  And Dame Dash and Maino came out to support.

Dame–who’s dealing with on some serious money troubles right now–may have some type of stake in the Vampire Life movement as he was rocking the hat to court the other day.

 

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Chrissy was there to support her fiancee with her former "Chrissy & Mr. Jones" co-star Talia Coles.

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And Jim kicked it with host DJ Drewski and Pure.

We hear Chrissy & Jimmy are gearing up for another season of their VH1 reality show.  We’ll be watching…and hoping a wedding finally goes down….

Photo credit: Bernard Smalls of StuffFlyPeopleLike.com

 

Zoe Saldana Goes SPACEBALLS On “Jimmy Fallon”

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Zoe Saldana rolled to "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" last night to serve up some spaceball fun.  Check out her & Jimmy’s space games inside…

As this fab chick continues her rounds promoting her new Star Trek Into Darkness flick, Zoe stopped by Jimmy Fallon’s show last night. 

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She popped up in a chic Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2013 red printed dress with a keyhole opening and Louboutin "Geo" pumps with black fabric and a red studded captoe.

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And after sitting pretty for an interview about reprising her role as Uhura, Jimmy challenged Zoe to a game of SPACEBALLS:

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Only Jimmy.

Watch the funny duo play a round of the rousing glow-in-the-dark game below:

 

Zoe Saldana Goes SPACEBALLS On “Jimmy Fallon”

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Zoe Saldana rolled to "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" last night to serve up some spaceball fun.  Check out her & Jimmy’s space games inside…

As this fab chick continues her rounds promoting her new Star Trek Into Darkness flick, Zoe stopped by Jimmy Fallon’s show last night. 

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She popped up in a chic Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2013 red printed dress with a keyhole opening and Louboutin "Geo" pumps with black fabric and a red studded captoe.

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And after sitting pretty for an interview about reprising her role as Uhura, Jimmy challenged Zoe to a game of SPACEBALLS:

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Only Jimmy.

Watch the funny duo play a round of the rousing glow-in-the-dark game below:

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Kanye Rocks “SNL” With “Black Skinhead” & “New Slaves” (Plus Kanye’s New YEEZUS Album Artwork)

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Mr. West had a lot to scream off his chest Saturday night on ‘SNL". As the musical guest for the fifth time, Kanye debuted a brand new track called "Black Skinhead" and his other new track "New Slaves."

 

Check out both of Kanye’s rock-style performances where he’s bringing his social consciousness to the world, plus his new album artwork for Yeezus….

‘Ye debuted an interesting track called "Black Skinhead" on "SNL".  And through all of the screaming and slight auto-tune, we could tell he was saying some powerful ish.  While images of fire, political slogans, advertisements and more played in the background (one said "Not For Sale"), Kanye was on 100 living the crowd a rock-style performance.

And if you’re thinking that all dude needed was black nails and lipstick and we could have mistaken him for Marilyn Manson for that performance, you’re not too far off.  The music reportedly sampled a Marilyn Manson song.  Check out his performance of "Black Skinhead" above.

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By the way, Virgil (Kanye’s right hand) posted the lyrics to the track saying Kanye literally wrote "Black Skinhead" minutes before his performance. Luckily the network let him perform that piece on live TV (y’all know they like to know what they’re getting before something airs live).

 

And here’s his other performance from the night, "New Slaves." This performance comes one day after Kanye showed the visuals for the track guerrilla style in 66 cities around the world….projected against buildings. 

 

Your thoughts? Scary genius…or just scary?

 

According to his girlfriend Kim Kardashian’s latest Instagram pic, the Chi-Town native’s upcoming album is called Yeezus (of course) and will be released June 18th.  Kim posted the album artwork below saying, "#Yeezus #RedYeezy’s #SNL #Tonight #NewSlaves #YeezySeason #Donda #June18"  

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Well….

 

Photos: NBC/Virgil’s Instagram/Kim’s Instagram

Cassie & Trey Songz Hit The Stage With Fabolous For “Diced Pineapples” In L.A. + Draya & The Dream Pop Up Too

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Fabolous brought out Cassie and Trey Songz to perform their remix of "Diced Pineapples" on stage at Club Nokia last night at the Life Is So Exciting tour stop L.A.  Check out pics and video, plus Draya and The Dream popping up too…

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Before hitting the stage with Fabolous & Trey to perform their "Diced Pineapples" remix off Fab’s 2012 "The S.O.U.L. Tape" mixtape last night, Cassie snapped a few pics with her girl Draya saying, "My babe!! @sodraya & I – reunited @myfabolouslife’s show LA #dicedpineapples."

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And Trey also snapped a pic wth Draya backstage.

Check out the trio’s "Diced Pineapples" performance below:

And Fab also brought out The Dream to rock the stage with their "Throw It In The Bag" track:

Fun times.

 

 

Pics: Cassie’s Instagram/Draya’s Instagram/@erahh’s Instagram/@loveme_eboni’s instagram

Videos: HipHopHeisenberg

Cassie & Trey Songz Hit The Stage With Fabolous For “Diced Pineapples” In L.A. + Draya & The Dream Pop Up Too

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Fabolous brought out Cassie and Trey Songz to perform their remix of "Diced Pineapples" on stage at Club Nokia last night at the Life Is So Exciting tour stop L.A.  Check out pics and video, plus Draya and The Dream popping up too…

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Before hitting the stage with Fabolous & Trey to perform their "Diced Pineapples" remix off Fab’s 2012 "The S.O.U.L. Tape" mixtape last night, Cassie snapped a few pics with her girl Draya saying, "My babe!! @sodraya & I – reunited @myfabolouslife’s show LA #dicedpineapples."

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And Trey also snapped a pic wth Draya backstage.

Check out the trio’s "Diced Pineapples" performance below:

And Fab also brought out The Dream to rock the stage with their "Throw It In The Bag" track:

Fun times.

 

 

Pics: Cassie’s Instagram/Draya’s Instagram/@erahh’s Instagram/@loveme_eboni’s instagram

Videos: HipHopHeisenberg