Just when you thought Robin Thicke had gone playboy (who doesn’t love “Blurred Lines”), the singer is going back to his old formula on his new single, “4 The Rest of My Life,” a ballad a la “Lost Without U,” “Can U Believe,” “The Sweetest Love,” etcetera, etcetera.

Robin tenderly sings about having his love on lock down, but not in the ‘Black Snake Moan’ type way.

The singer who has been married to actress Paula Patton since 2005, knows a thing or two about toughing it out for the long haul.

“4 The Rest of My Life” is the official second single off his upcoming fifth album, Blurred Lines. Read the rest of this entry »

When Christopher Wallace AKA The Notorious B.I.G was gunned down in 1997, it marked the end of an era. Just 24 years old at the time of his death, the Bad Boy Records star and New York native left behind two children, a mother, friends, devoted fans, and an arsenal of hits.

Over fifteen years have passed since his death, and his legacy continues to inspire other emcees and a new generation of music lovers who are just now discovering his music.

Herewith The Music of The Notorious B.I.G.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Today would have marked his 41st birthday, and we’re celebrating B.I.G style.

When Public Enemy was named among the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, it marked a major milestone in not only the group’s history, but music history, becoming the fourth hip hop act to be inducted.

In celebration of the group’s achievements and the kick off of Black Music Month, Centric will air Rebels Without A Pause: The Induction Celebration of Public Enemy, a star-studded concert event, hosted by hip hop pioneer, Doug E. Fresh.

Tapped at the House of Blues in West Hollywood just days before the official hall of fame induction ceremony, the concert features guest performers handpicked by group member Chuck D. that include, Whodini, Kool Moe Dee & The Treacherous 3, and JJ Fad.

Rebels Without A Pause features a hosts of celebrity guests and fans of the group that include Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Mike Epps, Eddie Murphy, Russell Simmons, Dee Barnes, and Wayne Brady.

Of course, the special will include a performance by the guests of honor, Public Enemy.

Formed in 1982, the group, consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff and S1W, DJ Lord (DJ who replaced Terminator X in 1999), and Music Director Khari Wynn, is best known for their conscious rap style and “incendiary delivery,” that has produced a series of hip classic records: “Fight the Power,” “911 Is a Joke,” “Can’t Truss It,” and “He Got Game.”

Rebels Without A Pause: The Induction Celebration of Public Enemy premieres June 1 at 10P/9C on Centric.

Watch the official promo trailer below: Read the rest of this entry »

If caught the Billboard Music Awards this past week, you probably will concur that Prince was probably the most exciting thing about the broadcast.

The purple one, who was presented the ICON Award at the awards show, performed two new songs, including: “FixUrLifeUp,” a funky rock inspired tune that features his all-girl group 3rd Eye Girl.

Prince, who has traditionally shied away from making his music available via the internet, has released the song on iTunes.

Listen to “FixUrLifeUp” below:

What say you? HIT OR MISS?

The year is 1996. Bill Clinton is beginning his second term as President of The United States, gas is $1.22 per gallon, and Busta Rhymes has just dropped “Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check,” the first single off his debut album, ‘The Coming.’

Catapulted by it’s accompanying Hype Williams directed video, the song topped the Billboard Hot Rap Singles charts, and was a crossover smash breaking the top ten on both the Hot 100 (#8) and R&B (#6) charts.

In 2008, “Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check” came in at number 56 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop, and was later among the songs named in the 2010 book, ‘1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die: And 10,001 You Must Download.’

EDITOR’S NOTE: Today is Busta Rhymes‘ 41st Birthday!

After five decades in entertainment, Ron Isley’s musical swag is classic, yet so relevant. Such is the case in the video for his latest single, “Dinner and A Movie.”

The video finds 71-year-old singer sharing some tender on-screen moments with his 36-year-old wife of nearly eight years, Kandy Johnson, formerly of the musical duo, JS.

The song the first single off his yet-titled upcoming sophomore solo album, slated for release later this year.

Watch Ron Isley’s “Dinner And A Movie” below:

While K. Michelle’s personality might be caused for some debate, one thing is non-debatable: The girl can sing. The ‘Love & Hip Hop’ star who’s on and off-screen antics have eclipsed her talent, seems to be out to showcase the latter more with the release of “V.S.O.P”  the first official single off her upcoming debut album, Rebellious Soul.

Produced by Pop & Oak, the song is smooth just like it’s name sake alcohol, and the interpolation of Ronnie and Debra Laws’ “Very Special” works perfectly against the track’s retro centric feel.

K. Michelle’s Rebellious Soul is slated for release this Summer.

What say you? HIT OR MISS?

After a several of delays, and a string of empty promises of new music being released that date back to 2010, Mario has finally released new music. The Polow Da Don produced track finds the Baltimore based singer/songwriter lamenting over a love who left him for someone else (ouch) with a little help from Nicki Minaj.

“I hope this new song breathes new life into R&B and where I’m gonna take it!” said Mario about the song.

Mario who’s last album was 2009’s ‘D.N.A.,’ is working on his upcoming fifth studio album, tentatively entitled Restoration.

What say you? HIT OR MISS?

The year is 2000. Gas is $1.26 per gallon, George W. Bush cheated made his way into the White House as President of The United States, and Kandi Burruss, known simply as Kandi, released her debut solo single “Don’t Think I’m Not.”

Fresh off her break-up with the girl group Xscape, Kandi released the song in July of that year to moderate success. The song, she wrote and produced, reached #24 on The Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart. Surprisingly the song was bigger overseas, becoming a top ten hit in the UK and New Zealand.

“Don’t Think I’m Not” featured on her Hey Kandi… album would prove to be her biggest hit to date, although she has penned number one hits for the likes of Destiny’s Child (“Bills, Bills, Bills), Pink (“There You Go”), and TLC (“No Scrubs”). And lest we not forget her starring role on Bravo’s hit reality show ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

#RetroCentric

Today, May 17, is Kandi’s 37th birthday!

Looks like Bobby V is exploring new musical territory, and the result is “Back to Love” a southern-fried jazzy tune that is reminiscent of Mint Condition—-the perfect mix of jazz, R&B and pop.

While his die-hard fans who have come to know the Atlanta based singer for his string of baby-making, around the way hits (“Slow Down,” “Tell Me,” “Beep” and “Words”) they might be thrown off by this new sound. However, this new sound could introduce Bobby to a brand new audience, and audience that isn’t so fickle.

The song will be featured on V’s upcoming EP, ‘Peach Moon,’ that finds him backed by a live band, using no automated or computer generated sounds.

‘Peach Moon’ will be released later this year.

What say you? HIT or MISS