Rick Ross continues to make major moves. The Maybach Music boss is on track to put up big numbers next week with his fifth album.
God Forgives, I Don’twill debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, according to early estimates from HITS Daily Double. Boasting features from Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, André 3000, and Usher, the critically-acclaimed set is expected to sell between 200-225,000 copies in its first week. Official figures won’t be released until Wednesday, August 8.
Rozay’s last album, 2010’s Teflon Don, moved 176,000 units in its first week. All of his albums have debuted at No. 1 with the exception of Teflon.
GFID is the latest in a series of hot releases from Def Jam. The label is fresh off a No. 1 with Nas’ Life Is Goodalbum and held the No. 2 spot the previous week with Frank Ocean’s debut, channel ORANGE.
50 Cent and Kanye West supported their friend Mike Tyson at the opening of his Broadway show, “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth.” The one-man show, directed by Spike Lee, kicked off with the first of 12 performances last night. It offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the boxing champ’s legendary career.
The “New Day” rapper called the performance a knock-out. “Man mike show was so good you have to see it. Spike Lee did a amazing job,” tweeted 50. “I was crying he was so funny.if your not a regular broadway play fan you still have to go see it. The show was sold out there wasn’t one empty seat. I had a great time you have to see this I can’t explain it.”
Keyshia Cole represents for her ladies with the video for “Enough of No Love,” the first single off her upcoming album Woman to Woman.
The Oakland songstress pours her heart out and performs some choreographed moves with her female dancers, while her co-star Lil Wayne delivers his verse on top of a piano.
“Conceptually I wanted to do something that was strictly fashion and beauty and just a little of narrative,” explained director Benny Boom. “I just wanted people to see her come back, just performing crazy. So I came up with this idea of her sort of being in this padded room as if she had lost her mind over love.”
WE tv has officially ordered a third season of “Braxton Family Values,” which will premiere sometime in early 2013, according to Deadline.com.
Breakout Braxton, Tamar, will premiere in her spinoff series “Tamar & Vince” on Sept. 20, the network announced today. The series will focus on Tamar in her ongoing effort to become a pop superstar, with husband Vince Herbert helping, supporting and being annoyed by her at every turn.
The network also officially announced the second-season renewal of “Mary, Mary,” featuring sisters and singers Erica and Tina Campbell, which will premiere Dec. 13.
Additionally, “My Fair Wedding With David Tutera” will get a fifth season with a new look and focus, and new title: “My Fair Wedding: Unveiled.” Joan and Melissa Rivers’ reality series “Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?” will premiere in first-quarter 2013.
The U.S. women’s gymnastics team won its first Olympic team gold medal since 1996 and only its second in history at the London Games, as Russia, its closest competitor, imploded on its final event.
With it, this group of American women — some are already hailing them as the Fab Five — takes its place alongside the Magnificent Seven, who won the prestigious team gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, thanks in large part to a gutsy vault by the injured Kerri Strug.
In similar fashion, this year’s U.S. women’s gymnastics team didn’t lack for heroines.
The United States was helped throughout by a courageous performances from Gabby Douglas of Virginia Beach and a solid, selfless showing by Michigan’s Jordyn Wieber, who shook off her heartache over missing the finals for the all-around title two days earlier to deliver key scores on vault, uneven bars and floor.
The U.S. women seized the lead after the first of four mandatory events at London’s North Greenwich Arena, delivering three spectacular Amanar vaults, considered the most difficult in the world.
Wieber set the tone by earning 15.933 points, and Douglas did even better, posting a 15.966. But McKayla Maroney’s compact, two-and-a-half flip Amanar produced a massive 16.233 and sent a shockwave of energy through the U.S. team.
Last night’s Mona Scott held a private press dinner at the Griffin in NYC for some of the “Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta” cast . Scrappy, K. Michelle, Joseline Hernandez & Stevie J were on deck.
Nicki Minaj returns home to Trinidad in the vibrant video for “Pound the Alarm,” the fourth single off her sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. The Young Money diva dons a feathery costume as she parades through the streets with her fellow Trinidadians in the carnival-themed clip.
Snoop Dogg has had a spiritual awakening. The rapper has traded in his famous moniker for Snoop Lion and revealed further plans for a reggae album inspired by his journey to Jamaica.
During a press junket at Jamaican-themed record store and restaurant, Miss Lily’s, Snoop introduced his reggae alter ego and Reincarnated project, which includes an album produced by Diplo and the Major Lazer production team, documentary, photo book, and a non-profit initiative called Mind Garden.
He was originally planning to do another “gangsta” album, but had an epiphany one day. “This called me and it put all of that to rest,” he said. “Anytime the spirit calls you, you gotta know that it’s serious and it’s real. When the spirit called me, it told me to find something that was connected towards the Bob Marley spirit. Because I’ve always said that I was Bob Marley reincarnated.”
He hopes the album will appeal to people of all ages. “I’ve always wanted to perform for kids and my grandmother and people around the world who really love me that can’t really accept the music that I make,” he explained. “This reggae music is a music of love, happiness, and struggle. Now as a 40-year-old man in the music industry and the artists call me Uncle Snoop, I gotta give them something new.”
He revealed one powerful song called “No Guns Allowed.” “It’s so real with so much shooting and killing going on in this world, and nobody ever speaks on it until it happens. And I’m tired of it. We made this record because I’ve always wanted to make a song that can stand for something.”
While he may return to rap one day, for now, he’s enjoying being Snoop Lion. “I’m a wise man in the music industry, not that I’m never gonna ever do rap again because I’m gon’ always do what I love, but right now, I’m Snoop Lion and I’m having fun with this reggae movement, so hopefully you guys will enjoy it as well. Jah Rastafari.”
Listen to “La La La,” the first single from Reincarnated
Brandy returns to the spotlight in the first official photo from the set of her new video for “Put It Down.” The R&B songstress went in front of the lens earlier this month to shoot the visuals with famed director Hype Williams and her co-star Chris Brown. She stands in front of two Ferraris in the street and busts out some swaggy moves in the dance-heavy clip, which was choreographed by Frank Gatson Jr. (Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland).
Brandy will be revealing more from the video shoot in the coming days. “Stay tuned for more surprises this week!” she teased. Her sixth albumTwo Elevenis due October 2 featuring contributions from Sean Garrett, Bangladesh, Rico Love, Frank Ocean, and more.
Drake, Run-D.M.C., and Jill Scott will all descend upon Philadelphia for Jay-Z’s “Made in America” festival. The artists are the latest to be added to the bill for the two-day concert extravaganza on Sept. 1 and 2.
Before he heads to the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, five-time nominee Drake will take the stage at Ben Frankin Parkway for Sunday’s show.
The concert also marks the return of the legendary kings of rock, Run-D.M.C., and Philly’s own Jill Scott, along with performances from Chris Cornell, Gary Clark Jr., and The Hives.
Previously announced performers include D’Angelo, Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill, Odd Future, and Rita Ora. Jay-Z will headline Saturday and Pearl Jam will close out the festival on Sunday.
Single-day tickets go on sale this Friday via Ticketmaster
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