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

Created during the Miami booty-bass music wave of the 90s, Ghost Town DJs’  “My Boo,” became a runaway hit in 1996. Featured on the So So Def Bass All-Stars compilation album, the song’s catchy hook (performed by Virgo Williams) helped it reach number one on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 and become a top twenty R&B hit.

#RetroCentric

Rick Ross (uhh!) and Usher (Ursher baby!) are at it again! The rapper has enlisted the singer to hold down the hook on his Rico Love produced new song, “Touch’N You,” the latest single off his upcoming album, God Forgives, I Don’t.

What say you? HIT or MISS?

Ne-Yo is gearing up for the summer with “Lazy Love,” the first single off his forthcoming album new album, R.E.D, due September 18.

What say you? HIT or MISS?

A stone cold groove that is an ode to pretty girls and Hennessy, never hurt anyone. Mayer Hawthorne gets the two-stepping party started right with his new single, “Henny and Gingerale,” off his latest album How Do You Do. A solid nod to Marvin Gaye’s 80s classic “Got To Give It Up,” Hawthorne creates the perfect recipe for a good time.

1. Jay-Z Supports President Obama on Gay Marriage
Since President Barack Obama publicly acknowledged that he did not have an issue with gay marriage in America last week, there has been a heated debate on the divisive issue. Enter Jay-Z. The Brooklyn-bred hip hop mogul is the latest person with star power to weigh in on the hot button topic.

Following a press conference in Philadelphia to announce an art-inspired music festival he plans to headline in September, the pop culture icon spoke to CNN about Obama’s decision.

“I’ve always thought of it as something that is holding the country back,” Jay-Z told CNN reporter Poppy Harlow. “What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. That’s their business. It’s no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple.” [MORE]

2. Ne-Yo Says He Didn’t Steal R.E.D. Album Title From Game
What’s in a name? That’s the question being asked this week by a TMZ camera man who caught up with Ne-Yo at LAX. The inquisitive videographer joined the ranks of those who have been wondering why the R&B singer jacked Game’s album title R.E.D. for his own upcoming project? [MORE]

3. Big Boi Talks New Album, Outkast Reunion and More
“Expect the unexpected.”

Big Boi is talking about his new album, but really it’s a phrase that could apply to his whole career. As one-half of trailblazing Atlanta duo OutKast, as a solo artist, as a producer and as head of his Purple Ribbon imprint, Big has consistently challenged the seemingly set-in-stone boundaries of hip hop, pop music and society as a whole. And don’t look for that to change anytime soon. With a new album on the way, and a freshly inked management deal with his old partner-in-crime Michael “Blue” Williams, Big Boi has a newfound bounce in his step. Big Boi sat down recently with BET.com to discuss his upcoming projects, the state of Outkast and more. [MORE]

For three decades, Raphael Saadiq has created some of R&B’s greatest hits. From his time as a member of Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl, to his solo career, The Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter has proven that he has serious staying power.

1. It Never Rains (In Southern California) w/ Tony! Toni! Toné!
2. It Feels Good w/ Tony! Toni! Toné!
3. If I Had No Loot w/ Tony! Toni! Toné!
4. Anniversary w/ Tony! Toni! Toné!
5. Thinking Of You w/ Tony! Toni! Toné!
6. Ask Of You
7. Be Here
8. Good Man
9. Dance Tonight w/ Lucy Pearl
10. Love That Girl

#TheHot10

Today [May 14] marks Raphael’s 46th birthday!

By 1991, Shanice Wilson (simply known as Shanice) was no stranger to the music business. She had already released an album (“Discovery” in 1987) and found success on the charts with two Billboard Top 10 R&B singles, “(Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance,” and “No 1/2 Steppin.”

But she landed her biggest hit in 1991 with “I Love Your Smile.” Featured on her sophomore album Inner Child, the song made its way to the #2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, and #1 on the R&B charts.

#RetroCentric

1. Cissy Houston Releases New Music
Cissy Houston, mother to the late pop superstar Whitney Houston, released a new four-song EP to iTunes on Tuesday — her first collection in over a decade.

A gospel singer in her own right, Cissy won a Grammy for her 1996 album Face To Face and served as a back-up singer for Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin in her early career. [MORE]

2. Serena Williams Makes Rap Debut on New Song
Serena Williams, known for her fierce tennis game, has set her sights on a new competitive arena — the hip hop stage. The 30-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist is featured rapping on a new song that leaked to TMZ this morning.

The track, which has no known title, was reportedly recorded in a Florida studio owned by Baltimore Ravens player Bryant McKinnie last year. [MORE]

3. Big Boi Reunites With Manager Michael “Blue” Williams
After a six-year break, one half of Outkast is back with the man who helped the duo reach legendary, chart-topping heights. [MORE]

Rumors have been swirling around the internet for months, but it looks like Tank, Ginuwine and Tyrese Gibson are reuniting as TGT.

Tyrese officially announced the reunion of the super trio via Twitter: “BREAKING:… It’s not a rumor:. _TgT_ is in the studio this WHOLE WEEK to start our new album as a group! @Tyrese @Ginuwine & @TheRealTank.”

In the tradition of LSG (Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat, and Johnny Gill), the fellas are gearing up to release a new album later this year, and are looking to take on R&B in a huge way, picking up where popular 90s group Jodeci “left off.”

The trio will be giving up and coming producers a shot to work on the album—probably in an attempt to keep costs low—and have already began soliciting beats. “New producers:… Here’s ur shot..! We’re looking for hot new joints! That power R&B group #2012Jodeci type shit..! tgtopenmic@gmail.com”

The group is currently in Los Angeles recording.

Are you excited about this reunion?