If you’ve been lucky enough to hear tracks from The Robert Glasper Experiment’s upcoming album, Black Radio, you are well aware that this album is shaping up to be the dose of “real music” for which many jazz, R&B and soul fans have been wanting for years.

Helmed by acclaimed pianist and producer Robert Glasper, the album will feature a slew of notable artists including Erykah Badu, Chrisette Michele, Musiq Soulchild, Lalah Hathaway, Lupe Fiasco and Bilal—a stellar line-up, described by Glasper as a “dream come true.”

In light of the growing buzz surrounding the project, Glasper released a behind the scenes video that captures many of the aforementioned singers in the studio, and finds the musician explaining the concepts behind the music.

Black Radio will be available February 28th.

Proclaimed by The Los Angeles Times as one of the faces to watch in 2012, acclaimed jazz pianist and producer Robert Glasper is set to release his fourth studio album, Black Radio, and by all accounts it’s going to be groundbreaking.

Tracks featuring Erykah Badu (“Afro Blue”), and alternative R&B trio KING (“Move Love”) have already surfaced, but the latest, “Ah Yeah” featuring Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michele is a gem.

Black Radio will be released February 28.

Monica, Robin Thicke and Kurtis Blow were just a few of the acts who performed on BET’s annual, “A Very BET Christmas.” This year’s show was a celebration of holiday music—old and new school. Check out our favorite performances below:

Monica “Oh Holy Night”

Robin Thicke “White Christmas”

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 Today, December 8, marks Chrisette Michele’s 29th birthday. In celebration of the Grammy Award winning singer, CentricTV.com has compiled a special playlist of her greatest hits, courtesy of Chuck Nice and The Hot 10 countdown.

1. “Best Of Me”
2. “Love Is You”
3. “Your Joy”
4. “If I Have My Way”
5. “Goodbye Game”
6. “Like A Dream”
7. “Epiphany”
8. “What You Do” ft. Ne-Yo
9. “Lost One” – Jay-Z ft. Chrisette Michele
10. “Aston Martin Music”- Rick Ross ft. Chrisette Michele and Drake

Missed Chrisette’s performance on the 2011 Soul Train Awards? Tune in this Sunday, December 11th at 10P/9C for an encore re-air only on Centric.

Following his arrest last month at an #Occupy event in Washington, D.C.; Soul singer—and now activist—Raheem DeVaughn has released Freedom Fighter, a brand new mixtape featuring Anthony Hamilton, Chrisette Michele, Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Minister Louis Farrakhan, Dr. Cornell West, Ludacris, Damian Marley and more.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Soul Train Awards 2011 is fastly approaching and it’s promising to be a star-studded show.   

Added to the award show’s impressive roster of performers are Common, Cee-Lo Green, Musiq Soulchild, Chrisette Michele, Tamar Braxton, Joe, Keith Sweat, Stokely of Mint Condition and Freddie Jackson—all of whom join previously announced acts, Jill Scott, Melanie Fiona, Anthony Hamilton, and The Original 7ven (the band formerly known as The Time).

Amber Rose, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lance Gross, Shaunie O’Neal, DJ Just Blaze, Questlove of The Roots–who is devising an modern “Soul Train” theme song—are slated to serve as presenters.

Hosted by comedian Cedric the Entertainer, this year’s show will honor the careers of  Earth Wind & Fire and the “Empress of Soul”, Gladys Knight.  

Soul Train Awards 2011 will premiere in simulcast on CENTRIC  and BET on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 9pm/8c.

When Ne-Yo released his debut album “In My Words” in 2006—which topped the Billboard 200—it made him an instant star. His lead single, “Stay”, featuring rapper Peedi Peedi, wasn’t a huge success; but his second release, “So Sick”, proved to be just the thing needed to create a major fan following and reach #1 on the Billboard 100.

But before Ne-Yo hit the stages of the world, the Arkansas born performer (born Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr.) was an accomplished writer—most notably penning Mario’s 2004 hit song “You Should Let Me Love You”.

In a relatively short time in the spotlight (just over four years), Ne-Yo has gone on to record three more albums, and amassed a serious songwriting catalog, penning hits for a who’s who of stars—Rihanna, Celine Dion, Chrisette Michele, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson and Beyonce among them.

Tune in to catch Ne-Yo takeover as guest host of Centric’s “The Hot 10″ this Saturday (October 15) at 10am/9c.

From Rihanna to Celine Dion, Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr.—known the world over as Ne-Yo—has crafted some of music’s biggest tunes for some of the biggest acts. His signature crafting of melodies, have set the standard for creating today’s pop music fare.

The three time Grammy award winning singer/songwriter will be hitting up Centric’s “The Hot 10″ this Saturday (May 21st @ 10am/est) to talk about his music and career.

In celebration of his achievements as a songwriter, we’ve compiled our list of the top five songs that Ne-Yo has written for female artists. Read the rest of this entry »

When Ne-Yo released his debut album “In My Words” in 2006—which topped the Billboard 200—it made him an instant star. His lead single, ”Stay”, featuring rapper Peedi Peedi, wasn’t a huge success; but his second release, “So Sick”, proved to be just the thing needed to create a major fan following and reach #1 on the Billboard 100.

But before Ne-Yo hit the stages of the world, the Arkansas born performer (born Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr.) was an accomplished writer—most notably penning Mario’s 2004 hit song “You Should Let Me Love You”.

In a relatively short time in the spotlight (just over four years), Ne-Yo has gone on to record three more albums, and amassed a serious songwriting catalog, penning hits for a who’s who of stars—Rihanna, Celine Dion, Chrisette Michele, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson and Beyonce among them.

Tune in to catch Ne-Yo on Centric’s “The Hot 10″ this Saturday at 10am/est.

Lady Gaga’s arrival in a pod. An all-star tribute to Aretha Franklin. Cee-Lo and Gwyneth Paltrow performing “F*ck You” alongside Muppets—all great moments that made the 53^rd Annual Grammy Awards a standout show. But it was the pre-Grammy events that had the biggest impact. Most notably, “Word Revolution: A Celebration Of The Evolution Of Hip-Hop.” Sponsored by The Grammy Foundation and Centric, the event held at L.A.’s Wilshire Ebell Theater, showcased the talent of hip-hop stars past and present, off set by video that focused on the genre’s rise and connection to jazz, blues and other musical styles.

The ceremony kicked off with spins from the legendary DJ Kid Capri and Seattle based DJ Skee, who mixed classic tunes from the East and West Coasts respectively. There moment on the turntables built the hype for the all female dance troupe The Beat Freaks, and popular 90’s rap group, Naughty By Nature—who’s popular hits “OPP,” and “Hip-Hop Hooray” still can get a party started. Read the rest of this entry »