R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT: ‘AN EVENING OF STARS TRIBUTE TO PATTI LABELLE’…..

Yesterday, I posted the performances of Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia Barrino tributing the legendary Patti Labelle at ‘an evening of Stars Tribute to Patti LaBelle’ which went down at the Kodak Theater on September 13th, 2008 in Hollywood, California. R&B chicks were looking fly that night. Here’s a couple of flicks:

Letoya Luckett and Raven Symone looked nice. Raven looks like she’s losing weight again. Even Letoya looked cute. I guess this was one of her better days because lawd knows this chick isn’t very photogenic.

Fantasia Barrino and Jennifer Hudson were spotted before taking to the stage:

They totally rocked it. If you didn’t catch it, click here and if you have yet to listen to their latest duet, click here.

♫ LETOYA LUCKETT FEAT AVANT: ‘SOMEBODY ELSE’ [NEW SONG]…..

I just recieved a brand new Letoya Luckett track called ‘Somebody Else’ and it features fellow R&B singer Avant:

♫ LETOYA LUCKETT FEAT AVANT: ‘SOMEBODY ELSE’
The laidback slow jam is in deed a very nice track. I’m impressed. It sounds like another ‘Torn’ but much better because more originality is delivered throughout. And her vocals are sounding a lot stronger and enriched than ever before.

I reckon Avant and Letoya sound really good together on this song, and neither singer overpowers each other. The former Destiny’s Child star is on course to release her sophomore album next year and is still laying down some tracks for the upcoming project.

Huge thanks to the admin of LETOYA-ONLINE for sending this one over.

R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT…..

Last night, Ashanti attended the Calvin Klein Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week:

I love that lipstick colour. Just my type. She was also spotted at the Nintendo DS Spa that same day. And if you can’t get enough of Ashanti, she will be performing ‘Body On Me’ live on The Ellen DeGeneres Show along with her rapper boyfriend Nelly who’s album leaked this week (‘Brass Knuckles’ is the ONLY Nelly album I have not downloaded, and you know one sucks when you can’t get folks to download your shit for free). The show will air on Thursday, September 18th at 9am.

Yesterday, Solange Knowles performed at Luxe Lounge sponsored by The Beat 100.3 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

Solange had to cut her concert short in order to fly back to Houston, Texas to secure her home from Hurricane Ike and to evacuate with her son Daniel.

Other R&B folk who attended the Calvin Klein Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week included Danity Kane‘s Dawn and boyfriend Q (Day26) as well as Tiffany Evans, Mario, Letoya Luckett and Maxwell:

Maxwell use to be soooo fine, but now I wouldn’t even look twice. Maybe he’s not aging well but he’s only in his 30’s. Ya wanna know who is looking hot with age? Eric Benet. I just got done listening to his new album ‘Love & Life’ and it’s really good! I knew I’d enjoy it because I enjoyed his last album and the one before that. I dig his music. Look out for several of my album reviews over the weekend. Anyway as for Letoya, at one time I was able to say she was just as pretty as Beyonce when they first came out but not any mo. Shame…..

Check out two more pics of Rihanna and Chris Brown on the set of his new movie ‘Bone Deep’ on Wednesday afternoon:

RIHANNA DAILY

Hmmmm, Rihanna got her brother Rajad all up in her man’s bidness. Cute lil family affair.

Having spent most of her days in London and Paris, Kelly Rowland is now back in the United States. She was spotted in Midtown Manhattan last night dining at Nobu:

Looking good Kelly!

R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT // CHRIS BROWN WRITES FOR NEW BRITNEY ALBUM…..

Last night, Ms Janet Jackson kicked off her ‘Rock Witchu Tour’ which went down at the GM Place in Vancouver, B.C:

Wow. Janet really do have one hell of an ass. I am quite surprised she didn’t go stick thin for the tour which I’m quite happy about. Go Janet!

She was rocking the same hairstyle she wore in her atrociously cheesy ‘Call On Me’ video a few years ago:

JANET-WORLD.DE

The gig featured more than five costume changes and 30 chart-topping hits including ‘Rhythm Nation’, ‘Control’, and ‘Let’s Wait Awhile’. Janet’s ‘Rock Witchu Tour’ will see its way across the United States stopping in various cities including Oakland, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, Washington, D.C., New York, Atlanta, and San Diego.

Mariah Carey performed on Canadian Idol this week and was accompanied by hubby Nick Cannon:

She looks great I guess.

Keri Hilson attended a GQ Magazine party at the Beatles Revolution Lounge at the Mirage in Las Vegas on Tuesday:

Keri was looking absolutely amazing from head to toe. That’s one gorgeous chick right there. Good to see she’s still hustling to get that album out.

Christina Milian attended the Zodiac Show:

The event was hosted by former Pussycat Dolls member Carmit Bachar. Christina arrived with her younger sister Danielle. They both looked cute.

Chris Brown was spotted on the set of his new movie ‘Bone Deep’ in Los Angeles, California on Monday:

That boy reeks of all sorts of sexy. I bet he knows it too.

Chris has also responded to Jordin Sparks remarks about fancying him but Rihanna ruining her chances. He says:

“I heard that [she has a crush on me]”, said Chris at the 5th annual Fashion Rocks show in NYC on September 5th. “But when we did that video, I didn’t feel that chemistry. I didn’t feel that. When they yell action, you have to put on a certain performance, but as far as off-camera: there’s no connection”. SOURCE

This is EXACTLY what I said not too long ago. He’s right.

Oh, and he’s also writing for the new Britney Spears album since they’re on the same label and all:

“I actually wrote a couple songs for her now”. Brown said, noting that Spears hadn’t yet heard the new songs. “We’re on the same label, so all the executives heard the records and they love the records, so hopefully she’ll cut it” he said. “But if she doesn’t, oh well, we’ll go back in the studio and still do some more records for her”.

Damn, Chris is writing for EVERYBODY these days. He sure knows how to make that paper. Good for him. He’s knowing that the money isn’t made through record sales.

Meanwhile, his girlfriend Rihanna was spotted visiting him on the set of the actual movie yesterday:

The couple were shuttled around in a cargo van while they both covered their heads with a white towel. Chris is in the photo behind Rihanna. Funny.

Cassie attended The Lebron James Family Foundation at the Ralph Lauren store in NYC:

I like this get-up.

Cassie looked cute when she hit up the Prada presents a screening of ‘Fallen Shadows’ at the Prada Epicenter in NYC on Tuesday night:

The event was also attended by Robin Thicke and his beautiful wife Paula Patton.

Solange Knowles hosted her album release party at Prive Nightclub in Las Vegas on Monday night:

Word on the E-Streets is that Matthew Knowles is trying to shop a reality show based solely on Solange and E! are reportedly interested. Wouldn’t surprise me….

Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah and Jennifer Hudson attended the Golf Rocks event during the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival on Monday in Toronto, Canada:

They did promo over there for their latest movie ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ which is set to drop on Oct 17th. Put away those saggy stretch marked titties Jen.

Alicia Keys was seen out and about in NYC earlier today:

Looking good Licia!

Brandy attended the Ports 1961 Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Monday in NYC:

She sure has been glowing lately. Good to see Brandy out and about at all the latest industry events. Nov 11th bishes!

Mel B and hubby Stephen Belafonte attended the Dash & Smooch Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Tuesday in NYC:

Mel clearly loves her man. Who’d have thought they’d have been together after a year? Not me that’s for sure….

Leona Lewis was spotted leaving In Touch Weekly’s Icons and Idols Celebration which took place at Chateau Marmont on Sunday night in Hollywood, California:

HOT!

Danity Kane‘s D. Woods and Aubrey O’Day were spotted attending W Magazine’s New York Affair on Monday:

Aubrey was also seen on her lonesome at the Style360 Spring 2009 – Ultimo / Dash and Smooch in New York today for Fashion Week.

Keyshia Cole attended a private dinner at One Sunset with super producer Danja and rapper T.I (not pictured) over the weekend:

Could Keyshia and Danja be discussing working together on her new album? I wonder if it’s still dropping this Christmas. It’s been pretty quiet on that front.

R&B singers Deborah Cox and Letoya Luckett attended rapper LL Cool J‘s ‘Exit 13’ album release party at Tenjune on September 9th, in New York City:

Letoya also attended the Lia Sophia Jewelry Suite on September 6, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. She got made over by celebrity eyelash guru Ja’Maal Buster.

R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT…..

Beyonce and Jay-Z were spotted having dinner last night and leaving a Midtown Manhattan office building. Beyonce was looking a lot happier than usual, which makes a nice change:

Beyonce is also set to appear on The Early Show this Thursday along with her sister Solange, who will also take to the stage. Maybe she’ll talk about that highly anticipated new album of hers. She’s been awfully silent about the forthcoming project.

Meanwhile, Solange performed on the David Letterman show Monday night. Here’s some flicks of the singer arriving at the taping:

The weird pink tights are pretty sinful and the boots were something else. Put those aside and she looked pretty nice.

She was also seen leaving the taping:

This outfit was a lot less crazy. Solange simply wouldn’t be Solange without her eccentric fashion choices.

Letoya Luckett attended celebrity makeup artist AJ Crimson‘s birthday party at ADIDAS Originals last night in New York City:

Washed up R&B singer Olivia was there too, looking more fried than an overly cooked plate of chips. She really needs to stop with the peroxide because it doesn’t suit her. Fellow guests also included Estelle and Teyana Taylor. A.J. co-owns lip gloss line Kissable Couture with Keisha Whitaker. He has his own make up line coming out soon called ‘AJ Crimson Make-Up’ which will launch this fall.

Rihanna and Chris Brown were spotted again over the weekend in West Hollywood, at the Beverly Center doing more spots of shopping:

The whole clan were also rocking hoodies including Rihanna’s little brother Rajad. New family trend?

MUSIC POLITICS GETS IN THE WAY OF LETOYA’S RELEASE…..

UPDATE….

I just recieved an email from the admin of LETOYA ONLINE. Here’s what he had to say about the Letoya situation:

In regards to the latest information you posted about LeToya’s upcoming
album, I wanted to give you the real story.

LeToya’s road manager, Terry Ross has not answered any fan questions in at least 2-3 months on LeToyaOnline.com, and the reason for the album’s delay was most recently given by LeToya herself, which you can hear on the main site at http://www.letoyaonline.com.

LeToya is back in the studio recording, but as far as the latest story about her working with Taio Cruz, Lady GaGa, Cathy Dennis, Claude Kelly, and Coldplay…that is 0% true at this point. She is definitely a fan of artists from different genres and willing to work with them though. The new album will not be going “in a different direction” as you posted, but you can expect more uptempo records and a couple records that aren’t as heavily hip-hop inspired like many were on the debut. Also, a lot of people are saying the new album is entitled, “Lady Love”, and that’s not true either. However, it is the name of one the new songs she’s recorded, and she’s considering it as the album title.

I know it may not seem like it, but things are moving along with the project and hopefully something will pop off real soon. I can honestly say I believe the fans (and even those who aren’t) will absolutely love the new records LeToya has…and she’s still recording! It’s going to be a crazy album. In addition to recording she is gearing up for the 5 year anniversary of her boutique, Lady L Boutique, in Houston in a couple months.

I know that there are a couple of Letoya Luckett fans up in the house so after receiving an email regarding why her album is taking so long, upon reading this you’ll understand why.

The singer’s manager Terry Ross recently answered the fans questions on her official fansite LETOYA ONLINE noting that musical politics is behind the delay. The label has been through two presidents in over a year and to make things even more complicated, Capital and Virgin merged together to form Captial Music Group. Letoya’s manager don’t want to rush to put out the release only for it to not receive that well as was the case with those poor Cherish sisters. They want to do things correctly.

As of now, they’re in discussion about picking a lead single for the top of 2009 and they have six lined up. Her manager also states that Letoya is still in the process of recording. Brand new producers that she’s worked with in LA, Miami and NYC include Red One (produced Lady GaGa‘s ‘Just Dance’), Fernando Garibay (produced Pussycat Doll‘s next single ‘Bottle Pop’), and Dr. Luke (produced Katy Perry’s ‘I Kissed a Girl’). I’m also reading that she’s worked with Coldplay.

Confirmed new writers for the project include Taio Cruz, Lady GaGa, Cathy Dennis, Claude Kelly, and The Writing Camp. Terry Ross also states that some of the songs on the forthcoming project will go in a different direction whereas other tracks will be like the ones on her first album like the ‘Torn”s and so forth. Basically, they want this album to bring her more worldwide success like her peers. I’m not really sure about whether she’ll ever go worldwide. The UK never picked up on her at all when she did minor promotion (she performed ‘Torn’ at the Mobo’s back in 2006).

I really hope we finally hear a new album next year and this whole situation doesn’t escalate into a Mya/Motown and Amerie/Columbia situation. To my knowledge, Capitol doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to their artists. Thanks for the heads up J. Mac.

R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT…..

Solange Knowles attended a taping of MTV’s FNMTV yesterday at Ren-Mar Studios in Hollywood, where she premiered her second video ‘Sandcastle Disco’:

The 22-year-old made her directorial debut with the vid to Sandcastle Disco which was written by Cee-Lo and produced by Soulshock & Karlin. The full vid will premiere TOMORROW when the show is aired. Somebody at the taping managed to recapture a short clip which you can check out here. The vid looks like a winner so far. I’m liking the dancing on the piano concept. It’s the second single taken from her sophomore release, SoL-AngeL & The Hadley St. Dreams, due on August 26th. Her pal Michelle Williams also attended the taping.

This week, Letoya Luckett attended the 3rd Annual Ozone Awards in her native Houston, Texas:

Damn Toya. It looks like she’s had more work done to her face. I can’t believe how pretty she was in Destiny’s Child to how she looks right now. She is one step away from looking like Lil Kim. Not a good look at all.

Here’s a couple more flicks of Michelle at FNMTV:

She looks great, even if she does need a bit more meat on those bones. She makes her pal Kelly Rowland look like a fattie and we all know Kelly is as svelte as it comes.

Amerie and her long time boyfriend/manager Lenny Nicholson were spotted out and about tin Hollywood on Tuesday holding hands:

Looking good Amerie! Her and her boo were looking real good together. They’ve been together a hot minute.

Meanwhile, Lloyd hit up the MTV Tr3s Fashionista event in NYC:

He really needs to ditch the pathetic ponytails. Better yet, do a Trey Songz and Omarion and cut that hair right off!

PHOTO’S: WENN // GETTY // MTV

R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT…..

Kelis showed off an even brighter orange mushroom this weekend when she performed at the Way Out West music festival in Göteborg, Sweden this past Saturday:

The carrot top hair certainly didn’t compliment that glistening bronze complexion and also, it tends to make her look older than her 28 years. Going back to the black/dark brown would certainly be a good look for her. On a positive note, she does have a great pair of pins!

Kelly Rowland was spotted on vacation at Nikki Beach Club in Saint-Tropez, France yesterday afternoon:

Kelly certainly looked chilled. I guess, she was making the most out of this break before being faced with a chuck load of work. Not only is she recording a new album but she also has a travel show to host as well.

Mel B and hubby Stephen Belafonte were spotted leaving STK in Hollywood over the weekend:

The two were all smiles and were really playful amidst recent reports that the two are constantly arguing due to his controlling ways. They seem to have such a fun relationship, or at least for public showing anyway. Mel recently confirmed that she is hoping to have children with the film producer who she married in June 2007. Hell, she may even have one sooner than expected since her hubby is pressurizing her to conceive. The Spice Girl has also been filming new US reality show ‘The Singing Office’.

Letoya Luckett was spotted at Ibar in Houston, Texas this past Friday:

There’s nothing concrete surrounding the 27-year-old’s forthcoming release except that Danjahandz, J.R. Rotem, Pharrell Williams, Tricky Stewart, Teddy Riley, and Timbaland have all have made contributions to the project due out later this year. Or we can only hope. Thanks J.Mac.

R&B SINGERS OUT & ABOUT // JANET SUPERBOWL SCANDAL THROWN OUT OF COURT PLUS HER PARTNER IN CRIME JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE UPSETS BLACK FOLKS YET AGAIN…..

It’s been a hot minute since I did an “R&B Singers Out & About” post. But I’ve been concentrating on putting out the new music posts as well since this is a music blog, and at times it can be quiet tough to keep up. HOWEVER, you can check out what some of our top R&B acts got up to this week. Yesterday, Ashanti was spotted at Top of the Rock – Rockefeller Center which took place in New York City, NY. Apparently, the 27-year-old was appointed the Ambassador Of Music And Nightlife for the event’s Campaign:

The campaign involved Ashanti helping to bid bon voyage to winners of a Nassau County Tourism vacation. Four families from all over the world will enjoy a day in Nassau County. Ashanti has been everywhere as of late but she rocked it out and looked fierce.

She also did her co-hosting duties on BET’s ‘106 & Park’ late last week:

FIERCE! Once again. Finally, she finds a sexy black dress to accentuate her curvaceous figure. I wouldn’t choose those shoes though but whatever rocks her boat I guess. She still looked fab. Despite new album ‘The Declaration’ under performing, it’s good to know she hasn’t given upon it just yet.

Aubrey hit up TRL:

Am I missing the memo or something? Since when did Aubrey officially launch herself as a solo member? Oh, I forgot. She’s doing Broadway. Anyway, good news for you Danity Kane fans. Their video for ‘Bad Girl’ is set to premiere this coming Friday on FNMTV. About time too. But knowing Diddy, anything goes so we should just wait and see.

I posted the video of when Mariah Carey appeared on TRL yesterday, and here are a couple of behind-the-scene pics:

Mimi was looking good as she showed off her trim line figure and toned stomach. I’m just surprised hubby Nick weren’t there since he accompanies her EVERYWHERE else like a little lap dog. I mean he is a lap dog and those pics of him at the chemist where he was seen on his phone to Mariah asking what laxatives to buy proves it as well as being seen in a HELLO KITTY store buying gifts for the missus. Some may say it’s sweet but have you ever seen MC buying laxatives/Hello Kitty items? I’m sure she has her people on the job but now she got Nick to do the dirty work. I guess the secret is out as to how she got that nice figure…..

This week, John Legend and Estelle performed at the 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series which took place at Wingate Field in Brooklyn, NY:

Estelle looks………

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES…….

Tamia and hubby Grant Hill attended the 9th Annual Art For Life Benefit Gala over the weekend:

Cute.

And last week, Kelis and her rapper hubby Nas were seen leaving a private party at the Villa nightclub:

Not feeling it.

More weekend festivities saw Kelly Rowland posing it up at T4 On The Beach red carpet, at Weston-super-Mare, UK:

Kelly rocked it out on T4 On The Beach. I hope we get to see more performances like that. She looked ace.

Usher attended UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas:

On the music front, his 3rd single will be ‘His Mistakes’ from latest album ‘Here I Stand’. The song will impact radio on August 18th. Poor single choice but I don’t give a rats ass about that album. As the album was weak, there aren’t that much strong tracks for single choice to begin. Although I do like the Prince-inspired ‘Tradin’ Places’ and it’s better than ‘This Aint Sex’ which sucks. His wife is already planning to milk him some more by having more kids with him. Must be nice in deed.

Letoya Luckett hosted Beauty, Arts & Beats event at Club Bambou:

….doing the rounds as usual but she needs to be putting out that single. We’ve waited long enough.

Teairra Mari also performed for the ESPYs afterparty:

T is still hustling to get that album out.

Speaking of ESPYs I am glad Justin Timberlake ended up making a fool of himself, even if there were racist undertones associated to his “shucking and jiving” joke about Celtic Champ Paul Pierce:

Report: JT was reportedly teasing Boston Celtics basketball player Paul Pierce about his injured knee in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. In describing how Pierce quickly came back, Justin joked that Pierce was back on the court, “shucking and jiving.”

The comment, which was cut out of the broadcast that aired Sunday night, was met with silence from the crowd when the show taped on Wednesday.

For those not in the know, “shuckin’ and jivin'” is a slang term primarily used by African Americans referring to the speech and behavioural mechanisms adopted in the presence of authority figures. The term usually involves clever lies and impromptu storytelling, used to one-up an opponent or avoid punishment and originated in the era of slavery.

This news comes after Janet Jackson‘s ‘Nipplegate’ scandal at the Superbowl has been thrown out of court and there will be no fines accountable. Just when black folks got over how Justin Timberlake shunned Janet in her hour of need four years ago, he goes and fucks up once again.

LETOYA LUCKETT COOKS WITH G. GAVIN & TALKS ABOUT NEW ALBUM…..

Yesterday, Letoya Luckett‘s episode of G. Gavin‘s cooking programme aired at 11am. In the clips, you see Letoya cooking up a meal with G in the kitchen:

Watching that will make your mouth water but I shiver in disgust at the thought of eating cold soup, eeewww! Never mind that I don’t even like soup that much. On the music front, it’s been quiet BUT in the last part she does talk about the new album and where she’s been recording it. Letoya is expected to drop her album in the last quarter of 2008. One can only hope right? I say early 2009 but we’ll see.

PART 2

PART 3