Fantasia tells it like it is

Fantasia is happy to be just weeks away from releasing her long awaited third studio album, "Back To Me". I posted the album preview a couple of weeks ago look in the archives.

Admitting that the album stems from over 100 songs that have been recorded over the last three years, Fantasia says "Back To Me" could have been out sooner if she, like other artists, had been allowed to be herself instead of trying to capitalize off what's hot now.

"There's been a lot going on. Different management, different accountants, different lawyers--People trying to switch up the sound. Like if something comes out hot they feel that maybe you should come out with some songs like that, songs that are selling right now instead of letting artists be who they are," Fantasia told Baltimore's 92Q recently. "You know, that's what makes us different. When you hear Mary (J. Blige), you know Mary. When you hear Erykah Badu, you know it's Erykah Badu because they all do their own thing. I just feel like I had so much going on and now I'm back to that young lady that walked on the 'Idol' (American Idol) stage."

Laurence Fishburne's daughter goes to porn

The Montana Fishburne sextape is the latest celebrity scandal – except it is no scandal. This 19 year old with a stage name of Chippy D is releasing the tape 100% legit via Vivid video. Looking at pictures of Montana Fishburne and her famous dad, Laurence Fishburne, you would never guess that she was a porn star.

Well, it seems that is this young girls way of attempting to break into the business. She is going by the stage name Chippy D, and is releasing a sex tape video via Vivid in August. She told TMZ the other day.

“I’ve watched how successful Kim Kardashian became and I think a lot of it was due to the release of her sex tape (Well obviously)

She also said she had some nerves about the whole deal. She said, “The first time is really nerve racking … but, I have a lot of at-home experience.”

Good gawd, daddy must be so proud. I bet he wished this were the Matrix and he could delete this computer program. No one wants their daughter famous for a sex tape, or to know they have a lot of experience. He must be livid!

USHER'S new video "There Goes My Baby"

I knew when I purchased the album that this would be a single sooner or later, it's doing really well as it should. I like the video. Only critique I have is if he is gonna be bold enough to reference Chilli in the song "like WATERFALLS your hair falls down to your waist can i get a taste girl no need to CREEP cause baby i ain't ashamed of calling your name" I would have done the same with the video. A Chilli look-a-like would have been perfect. Go full force! Still happy this album "Raymond VS Raymond" is performing much better than his last "Here I Stand"

Gabi Rojas an amazing dancer

Not many of the people who I know in my personal life watch the FOX Summer hit "So You Think You Can Dance" but it is one of my favorite programs. Just wanted to share with you a beautiful woman ;-D who auditioned and continued to fight to try to make it into the competition. I've never seen anyone dance like her and I think it's something worth checking out whether you are into dance or not. Check it out!! The second dance she does in the video is even better than the first and impressed Ms. Debbie Allen. I know I loved it.

the gabrielle rojas story... from www.humanclayphotography520.com on Vimeo.

What would Beyonce say to this?

Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams hosted a celebrity poker tournament this past weekend and former Destiny's Child member Letoya Luckett (whom Michelle replaced) was on the guest list. Beyonce and Letoya have put their differences aside since Letoya has established herself as a solo artist but I would love to see Bey's reaction to this photo.

The first promo shot from Mary J. Blige's sunglasses line

She got into wearing these big glasses when she would show up drunk and high to photo shoots and performances in the 90's, but she never stopped rocking them. She has been trying to get this out for awhile, looks like the time is now

Alicia falls on stage

When u are a performer, you gonna fall on stage sooner or later but wht counts is how quickly you can recover and get up and make it look like nothing. I commend AKeys for getting up like a pro, most people thought it was done on purpose. Glad she fell on her back and not on her stomach.

Janet "heats up" Essence and New Orleans

Janet headlined The Essence Music Festival this year after 15 years of Essence asking her. "I always was too busy to do it. I actually was too busy this time because I'm shooting a film with Tyler Perry but we we were able to work out a schedule that permitted me to do it"

Janet gave the crowd a huge performance that no one will forget. Janet sang every hit she has had since 1984 for nearly 2 hours. "Originally they asked me to do a 40 minute show and I said, how about an hour and forty minutes and they we're happy to do it" The most shocking part of the evening came when Janet pulled a guy out of the audience like she does at her concerts. Of course when you go to a Janet Jackson concert you expect that part of the show to happen but for many of these people whom have never seen Miss Jackson in concert, it was a shock and a half. I would go into detail but you can just see it for yourself below.

Man Down!!! Frankie going to Celeb Rehab

Keyshia Cole's mom Frankie confirmed recently on the Rickey Smiley radio show that she will be heading to “Celebrity Rehab” after stating that she has an alcohol addiction. The former drug addict now chooses Hennessy for her drink of choice but says if she had the paper, she would be drinking Louie the 13th.

As far as her relationship with daughter Keyshia cole, Frankie says “We’re back on point

I don't watch VH1's Celebrity Rehab but I will be tuning in for this one.

NEW Jazmine Sullivan-Holding You Down (Goin in Circles)

I'm really feeling this, one of the best voices in RnB right now in my opinion.

Lauryn Hill Gets Real On Comeback, Extended Hiatus

If you have been holding out hope for Lauryn Hill's return, the "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" artist might be close to granting your wish.

Granting an interview with NPR, something she has not done for some time, Hill broke her extended silence, baring a performance here and there, to get real on her reasons for pushing the music industry aside and the possibility of making a comeback.

"There were a number of different reasons," Hill tells NPR when asked why she left music after securing Grammys and numerous accolades for "The Miseducation..." . "But partly, the support system that I needed was not necessarily in place. There were things about myself, personal-growth things, that I had to go through in order to feel like it was worth it. In fact, as musicians and artists, it's important we have an environment — and I guess when I say environment, I really mean the [music] industry, that really nurtures these gifts. Oftentimes, the machine can overlook the need to take care of the people who produce the sounds that have a lot to do with the health and well-being of society, or at least some aspect of society. And it's important that people be given the time that they need to go through, to grow, so that the consciousness level of the general public is properly affected. Oftentimes, I think people are forced to make decisions prematurely. And then that sound radiates."

As for coming back to the music industry, Hill was less forthcoming but admits that she is sampling with new music and possibly expanding her sound beyond singing atop hip hop beats... in other words she wants to give us a little something else...

"I'm trying to open up my range and really sing more," she says. "With The Fugees initially, and even with Miseducation, it was very hip-hop — always a singing over beats. I don't think people have really heard me sing out. So if I do record again, perhaps it will have an expanded context. Where people can hear a bit more."

I wish this woman would just come back, she is the only artist I know who people are still craving to come back after all these years.

Video: Corinne Bailey Rae Premieres ‘Closer’

Never been a huge fan of Corrine's work but I enjoyed this song on first listen and they did a good job with the video.

JANET JACKSON covers Essence Magazine

The beautiful singer/actress Janet Jackson covers the August 2010 issue of Essence looking radiant..

Inside the issue, Jackson talks about confidence and essentially reaching a new place in her life after losing her brother, Michael last year.

Do you like her cover ?

As previously reported, Miss Jackson headlines the Essence Music Festival taking place in New Orleans this weekend.

Here is a video of what went on behind the scenes for the photoshoot. Can u say STEAMY?

Maxwel prepping 2nd Summer's Night album

The wait for Maxwell's second disc from his celebrated "Black summers' night' trilogy could be over sooner than previously thought.

According to Maxwell, the effort is already being mixed with the first single headed for radio.

"Mixing the second of these three in the next two months," Maxwell wrote referencing the album on Twitter this week. "The first song shld (should) be w/ you come fall but expect SUMMERS' this WINTER."

News of Maxwell's follow up to the "Pretty Wings" and "Bad Habits" featured "Blacksummers'night" follows the unexpected cancellation of the second leg of his North American tour, which was due to run through late Summer. He is however, expected to make up those dates at a later time.

As previously reported, Maxwell picked up two Grammy Awards in February, both stemming from "Blacksummers'night".