Fresh off a breakup from popular hip-hop group, The Fugees; Lauryn Hill released her solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on August 25^th, 1998.  Breaking a record for first week sales by a female artist, the album sold 422, 624 copies in its first week, topping Madonna’s Ray of Light. Impacting the world with the burgeoning sounds of “neo-soul”, she infused r&b, hip-hop, soul and reggae throughout the album.  Hill captured her audience with her unapologetic honesty, covering topics from her pregnancy, turmoil with previous group members, the ups and downs of love and contemplations of God.  Ranked at number 312 on Rolling Stone magazine’s The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, the album got Hill 10 Grammy nominations, of which she took home five awards. Over 8 million albums later, her singles such as “Lost Ones,” “Nothing Even Matters,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” remain to be her most defining pieces of work to date.

You can catch L-Boogie at this years Rock the Bells Festival alongside Snoop Dogg, Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest and many more. Enter HERE to win tickets to the show sponsored by Guerilla Union and CentricTV.com 

R&B Legend El Debarge is now ready to remind the world why he deserves a “Second Chance” in a new short film in promotion of his newest album. Candidly, Debarge opens up about his personal life, including his long battle with drug abuse.  After his surprise performance at this year’s BET Awards, he has created a phenomenal buzz for himself that hasn’t died down yet.  Not to mention, he is now highly in demand (Did you hear he sang at T.I and Tiny’s wedding this past weekend?) Amazing right? Guess time has revealed he is one of the greatest.

Last week Solange joined the eccentric indie rock band, Of Montreal, on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. As fans anticipate the release of her third album, all ears were ready to learn what the ecletic songstress may be cooking up.  In this unique collaboration, Solange channels all things 70’s and 80’s.  Check out Solange in a loose fitting chic outfit surrounded by a sea of musicians dressed as mimes and let us know what you think.

After the dismal sales of her sophomore album Lady Love, LeToya Luckett is moving on to her third album, but not without finally clearing up some things.  For months the blogosphere has been hoping, wishing and pressing for a Destiny’s Child reunion. Despite the immediate ”No” from Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Beyonce; Luckett is completely open to the idea.  “Destiny’s Child was a big part of my life,” said Letoya.  “I was thankful to have that experience and if that ever happened then I would love to be a part of it.”  

“The girls and I are good friends now. We hang out, hit the pool and anybody that got something bad to say about that, I’m going to pray for you,” she said.  “When you have any situation where there’s heartbreak and love lost–on my end there was never any love lost– but when things get kind of crazy and conflicted or whatever and things come back together, that’s beautiful.  People should applaud that.”

Next up on the Twilight Bandwagon is Cee-Lo with “What Part of Forever” for the second single of the sequel’s Eclipse soundtrack.  Straight off the heels of his critically acclaimed mixtape, “Stray Bullets,” this new video equally balances Cee-Lo’s unique voice and lyricism with Twilight’s mysterious storyline.  The video takes the viewer on a journey through an enchanting wilderness.  The video proves captivating as a slow-moving Cee-Lo drags you along with every line.  If this isn’t enough to entice everyone for his next solo project, I don’t know what would be.

Despite disappointing sales, Kelis has announced “Scream” as the next single from her “Flesh Tone” album.  In collaboration with popular house producer, David Guetta, the two pair up for an edgy club song that has much more to say than how to dance on the floor.  “It’s not enough to live, so just dream” she demands of the listener.  Ready for take-off as one of the most inspiring and groove-inducing songs of the summer, Kelis proves why record sales could never determine the true worth of an artist.  In hopes of a better reaction abroad, Kelis boots up for a European tour beginning October 1^st.

Check the dates below and CLICK HERE for a listen to the track.  Both will prove to be an experience NOT to miss!

European Tour Dates-October

1 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London UK
2 – Warehouse Project, Manchester UK
4 – ABC, Glasgow UK
5 – HMV Institute, Birmingham UK
6 – Bataclan, Paris FRANCE
8 – Rock Ternat Festival, Brussels BELGIUM
9 – Den Atelier, Luxembourg
10 – MOD, Hasselt BELGIUM
12 – Berns, Stockholm SWEDEN
13 – Vega, Copenhagen DENMARK
14 – Circus, Helsinki FINLAND
16 – Berlin GERMANY
17 – Hamburg GERMANY
19 – Munich GERMANY
20 – Vienna AUSTRIA
22 – Zurich SWITZERLAND
23 – Paradiso (Main Hall), Amsterdam HOLLAND

Usher, who publicly denounced Chris Brown back in 2008, seems to have lightened up on the troubled young star. When photos emerged of Brown happily vacationing in Miami—following the highly publicized incident with then girlfriend Rihanna—Usher chose to publicly voice his opinion in video.  ”I’m a little disappointed in this photo,” he said. Come on Chris, have a little bit of remorse man. …The man’s on jet skis? Like, just relaxing in Miami?”

Chris, who appears to—and asserts to— have changed for the better is now starting to regain some of the audience he lost.  Coming off of what many describe as his most dynamic performance to date at the 2010 BET Awards, the music community is opening their arms up to him.  Last weekend Brown and Usher co-headlined the Reggae SumFest in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  Chris not only joined Usher on stage for a dance-off, but it has also been confirmed that the two recorded a duet that same weekend. Interesting…

What do you think of Usher’s co-sign of Chris?  Do you think this is a business move on Mr. Raymond’s part? SOUND OFF

The Roots are back with a new single “The Fire” from their 9th studio album, “How I Got Over.” Featuring John Legend, the video is a cinematic masterpiece. Directed by Rik Cordero, the members are not featured in the video–actors take the spotlight. The storyline follows a group of men being held captive, making their way through a violent march. Searching for survival, each man ends up finding individual fates. Always thought provoking, what do you think the guys are “saying” with this video? SOUND OFF!

Foxy Brown after a legally self imposed mainstream musical hiatus has finally announced she’s in preparation for her 5^th studio album.  Clad in a leather bandage ensemble—quite possibly from her glory days—Hip Hop’s Don Diva made the announcement during her recent performance at New York’s B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.  Her set included classic hits such as “Hot Spot,” “Get Me Home” and “Oh Yeah” featuring Spragga Benz.  If that wasn’t enough, the rapper along with her The Firm counterparts AZ and Cormega, performed “Phone Tap.” Word is the group is reforming—sans Nas of course.

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It seems Haitian-born Grammy nominated Entertainer, Producer and Humanitarian Wyclef Jean, is considering a run for presidency in his home country. Appointed Ambassador-At-Large for the nation in 2007, he is now approaching the end of his tenure just as the country’s current President Rene Preval, nears the end of his final term in office—with no possibility of re-election.

In a confirmed letter e-mailed from his family to the press, his family wrote: “Wyclef’s commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless, and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward … If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately.”

Following the devastating January 12th earthquake which left the country of Haiti in turmoil and over 200,00 dead; Jean became recognized for the groundbreaking work he and his organization Yelé , were able to accomplish. The first black led independent country, has been no stranger to political corruption, poverty and violence.

This entire development, comes as a bit of a surprise following a recent interview Jean had with the Associated Press. “Do I have political intentions? At this time no.” Did Jean have a change of heart?  Think he has what it takes to help turn the nation of Haiti around? I guess we’ll have to wait for the alert.

This just seems so appropriate…

Wyclef Jean – If I Was President
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