Complex Magazine went behind the scenes of Nas’ video for his new single, “Daughters.” Filmed in Los Angeles and directed by Chris Robinson the song and video serves as a personal narrative of the rapper’s relationship and experiences with his now teenage daughter, Destiny.

“The concept is really following the song. It’s about my daughter’s life,” he explains while on the set. “The video puts you right through her perspective, through her eyes, what she saw, how I assume she saw it.”

The song serves as the follow up to the Heavy D and Salaam Remi produced single “The Don,” which hit radio waves a few weeks ago, and the second single off his upcoming tenth studio album, Life Is Good, out July 17.

It looks like DMX is finally getting it together! After years of incarceration, and drug related run-ins with the law behind him, the rapper has dropped, The Weigh In, an eleven-track EP, that marks his first release in over six years.

The album, featuring appearances from Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Tyrese and Big Stan; is the set up for his official comeback release, Undisputed, out June 26.

DOWNLOAD: DMX – The Weigh In EP

(Los Angeles, CA) Songwriter Ester Dean was named Songwriter of The Year at the 60th Annual BMI Pop Awards held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Dean, who has penned hits for Rihanna (“What’s My Name,” “Rude Boy”), Nicki Minaj (“Super Bass”), Ciara (“Never Ever”), and Usher (“Hot Tottie”), shared the award with rapper, Pitbull; and producer Benny Blanco.

Ester dropped in on Centric’s The Hot 10 last year to talk about her creative process,
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE VIDEO

Janet Damito Jo Jackson (Ms. Jackson, if you’re nasty) has been a driving force in popular music for three decades. Her powerhouse dance moves, on stage persona, and sensuality has made her an inspiration to a slew of artists, including Beyonce, Rihanna, Ciara and even pop princess, Britney Spears.

With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, countless awards, and a laundry list of hits; Janet is still going strong— she’s working on a new album. Today [May 16] marks her 46th birthday, and we’re celebrating with a special playlist of  twenty of her greatest and biggest hits.

R&B singer Tamia has been teasing fans with stills of the video for her new single, “Beautiful Surprise,” and now she’s dropped a behind the scenes video. Shot in Malibu, the video features a cameo from her husband Grant Hill, who plays her love interest—naturally.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO TAMIA’S “BEAUTIFUL SURPRISE”

In the years since Melanie Fiona dropped her 2009 breakout debut album, The Bridge, the Canadian songstress has won the 2010 Soul Train Award for Best New Artist, two Grammy Awards, and has released a few R&B hits including the chart topping, “It Kills Me.”

This past March saw the release of her sophomore album, The MF Life, which debuted at number one on the the Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Now Mel is letting fans into her musical world in the latest installment of Centric’s original music series, As Written.

As Written: Melanie Fiona premieres May 20 at 11P/10C.

#AsWritten

As we near closer to the release of R. Kelly’s new album, Write Me Back, the singer has released the official album artwork for both the standard and deluxe editions of the album, and it seems he didn’t stray too far from Sam Cooke inspired styling that inspired his 2010 critically acclaimed Love Letter album.

Both releases will contain a postcard for fans to write Kellz back, with the deluxe edition housing four bonus tracks. “I had to get a response, I had to do it again,” he shares.

Write Me Back will be released on June 26, but is available for pre-order on May 29.

Coming Soon// By popular demand, Centric will be staging another R. Kelly Takeover Weekend this June.

When New Edition front man Ralph Tresvant left the group in 1990 to go solo, very few would have guessed the the tenor-voiced singer would land a number one single on his first try.

Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Tresvant’s debut single, “Sensitivity” reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart, and also became a cross over hit, peaking at number four on the Hot 100.

Although he released a series of R&B hits (“Stone Cold Gentleman,” “Do What I Gotta Do,” “Money Can’t Buy You Love”), this song would proved to be his biggest solo effort.

#RetroCentric

Centric wishes Ralph a happy 44th birthday!

1. Teyana Taylor Signs to G.O.O.D. Music
Teyana Taylor, the 21-year-old rapper and singer from Harlem, is the latest signee to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label. The news was confirmed Monday [May 14] via press release. [MORE]

2. Bobby Brown Talks New Album
Between the sudden death of his ex-wife Whitney Houston, the reports of his estranged relationship with daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and a recent drug arrest Bobby Brown could use some therapeutic treatment.

The embattled R&B legend is planning to get his life back on track this year, starting with a revival of his music career. Brown plans to release Masterpiece this summer, his first album in 14 years, reports The Associated Press.

“It’s what I’ve been through throughout my life, and just trying to heal myself through music,” said Brown of the album. [MORE]

3. Jay-Z Opts for Quality Time With Blue Ivy Over Studio Time
Though he’s staying in the spotlight with an upcoming European tour, his own recently announced music festival in Philadelphia and a pending concert series to open up the new Barclays Center in his native Brooklyn, Jay-Z says he doesn’t have plans to release new music anytime soon. In an interview with Billboard yesterday, the rap mogul said he’s taking time off from recording to raise his infant daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.

“I thought I would be more inspired to have all these new feelings to talk about, but I really just want to hang out with my daughter,” he said of taking a break from the studio. “I want to enjoy this time for what it is. I’m sure that bug to get back in the studio will come back at some point.” [MORE]

Lil Kim is finally launching her return. The Queen Bee has announced her multi-city Return of The Queen Tour. The long-awaited series of shows kicks off May 17 in New Haven, Connecticut and will make stops in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New Orleans .

5/17/2012- New Haven, CT – Toads Place
5/18/2012 – Bronx, NY- Paradise Theater
5/18/2012 – New York, NY – Culture Club
5/19/2012 – Albany, NY – Northern Lights
5/20/2012 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
5/25/2012 – Markham, IL – Adrianna’s Nightclub
5/26/2012 – Columbus, OH – Alrosa Villa
5/27/2012 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater
5/29/2012 – Minneapolis, MN- Fine Line Music Cafe
6/1/2012 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
6/4/2012 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
6/8/2012 – Agoura Hills, CA- The Canyon
6/8/2012 – Los Angeles, CA – The Factory & ULTRA SUEDE
6/11/2012 – San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine
6/13/2012 – Hollywood, CA- Key Club
6/14/2012 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Slow Brewing Company
6/15/2012 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre
6/16/2012 – Las Vegas, NV – Planet Hollywood
6/17/2012 – Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater
6/19/2012 – Austin, TX – Emo’s East
6/20/2012 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
6/21/2012 – New Orleans, LA – Harrah’s Casino
6/22/2012 – Hammond, IN – HORSESHOE Casino
6/23/ 2012 – Kansas City- Harrah’s Casino

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE