New Music: Fantasia – “Ugly”

Fantasia’ releases new music from her upcoming album, The Definition Of…. She continues to promote and identify with the“rock soul” movement and “Ugly,”is a country-inspired song written by Audra Mae and Nicolle Galyon, and produced by Ron Fair.

Fantasia will perform “Ugly” on the grand finale of “American Idol” this Thursday, and the song will be available on April 7.

 

Beyonce Responds to Formation Backlash

Earlier this year Beyonce caused a firestorm after she paid tribute to the Black Panther Party during the Super Bowl halftime show.At long last Beyonce addresses the controversy.

From ELLE Magazine: 
ELLE:

What do you feel people don’t understand about who you really are and in particular about the message you put forward with Formation?

Beyonce:

I mean, I’m an artist and I think the most powerful art is usually misunderstood. But anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken. I have so much admiration and respect for officers and families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let’s be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things. If celebrating my roots and culture during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, those feelings were there long before a video and long before me. I’m proud of what we created and I’m proud to be part of a conversation that is pushing things forward in a positive way.

BET Purchases Soul Train

BET acquires the Soul Train brand.

From Yahoo News

Assets acquired include one of the largest libraries of African-American, music-oriented content in the world, including over 1,100 television episodes and 40 television specials, the company said.

Owning Soul Train’s intellectual property will allow BET to further build on the success of the Soul Train Awards, which BET re-launched in 2009, and strengthens the network’s commitment to original content.

Richard Gay, BET’s executive vice president of strategy and operations, pointed to a Broadway play and a concert tour as examples of Soul Train-related opportunities ahead.

BET is a division on Viacom.

Meek Mill Denies Attacking Quentin Miller Over Drake Ghostwriting Fiasco

Arguably one of the biggest rap beefs last year was started after Meek Mill called himself exposing Quentin Miller as Drake’s ghostwriter.

Now Quentin admits Meek and his Dream Chaser posse jumped him after he denied the claims but Meek says Quentin is lying.

Quentin Miller revealed the fight on Vlad TV claiming Meek tried to force him to retract his statements in front of paparazzi but when he refused they jumped him.

Quentin tells Vlad,

“I shed blood in the Nike store.”

 “I’m not a street n***a so [Meek] you can have it. You can have the tough title – that doesn’t do anything for me.”

Meanwhile Meek’s camp denied Quentin’s claims telling TMZ there is no video footage of any fight.

The Weeknd Backs Out Of Rihanna’s Anti Tour

The Weeknd and Rihanna

Live Nation has announced that the The Weeknd  will no longer be part of the European leg of the global run.

 “Due to some unforeseen changes with upcoming projects, The Weeknd will no longer be joining Rihanna on her upcoming international ‘ANTI’ World Tour,’” the promoters said in a statement (via NME).