So it looks like Drake fans will be thanking him later than they thought. Originally slated for a May 25th release, Drake's debut 'Thank Me Later' has been moved to June 15th. The good news is that Drizzy will be performing his new song "Fireworks" on his Home Away From Home Tour. The tour began on April 5th and will last a little over a month. In the meantime, his single "Over" is making leaps and bounds on Billboard charts, and a video is slated for release in a few weeks. 

Most people are treating this pushback as the first official delay. However, if memory serves correctly, 'Thank Me Later' was scheduled for a January 2010 release, and then pushed to Valentine's Day [February 14th] before meeting its supposedly solid May 25th date. Now we are met with June 15th. This date may or may not be solid. Earlier on, Drake revealed to MTV his wish list of sorts for the album. He told MTV that Sade was definitely a must have for the album, along with the usual suspects. "I had a wish list for my managers of everybody I wanted involved that stem beyond hip-hop. I'm trying to pull it all togethe Read More ...

With the new year looming, music critics have been scrambling to comprise various top ten lists to commemorate the decade. But your BFF, however, has one-upped my fellow literary snobs by creating a top twenty albums of the decade list that will be unparallel and drastically different than anyone else could dream up. Touching on all the musical spectrums, whether it be hip-hop, rock or pop, we got it all. So kick back with your Starbucks frappuccino and enjoy an overdose of rhetoric as I count down my top twenty albums of the decade!


20) Blessed By A Broken Heart: Blessed By A Broken Heart

They might have been around a few years earlier, but in 2008, Blessed By A Broken Heart unearthed a gem - that being their self-titled album. It's a metalcore circus, but not constructed in the manner of Avenged Sevenfold or The Devil Wears Prada. Instead, the crew laced their music with a hint of glam, 80's rock and enough melody to keep Obama two-steppin' all the way to Hawaii for the holidays (or at least the airport). It's Read More ...

Atlantic Records is proud to announce the addition of legendary R&B superstar Toni Braxton to its storied roster.  The multiple Grammy Award-winning singer will unveil her hugely anticipated label debut on February 2nd, 2010.

"Atlantic Records has a rich heritage of great soul voices, from Ray Charles to Aretha Franklin, from Otis Redding to Roberta Flack," said Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman.  "Last year, we had the rare opportunity to bring another R&B icon into the Atlantic family, and for me it was an opportunity of a lifetime.  Toni Braxton is not only one of the greatest voices of all time, but she is a charismatic superstar with an incredible list of achievements.  She has sold over 40 million records worldwide, has had 15 Top Ten Billboard hits, earned six Grammy Awards, and the list goes on and on.  Above all, there has always been that fantastic voice, filled with passion and beauty and soul.  I believe that Toni has made the most spectacular album.  It's the culmination of everything that has come before… a brilliant reflection of her experiences in musi Read More ...

Swagga Entertainment/Atlantic recording artist Pleasure P has revealed plans to join R. Kelly on his hugely anticipated "Ladies Make Some Noise!" tour of North America.  The dates begin Thursday, October 8th, at Foxwoods Resort Casino's MGM Grand Theater in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and then continue through early November (see attached itinerary).  Additional dates will be announced shortly.

October 8th will also see the launch of Pleasure's official webstore, located at http://store.pleasurepmusic.com.  The site offers a range of exclusive merchandise, alongside digital downloads of the LA-based singer's chart-topping debut album, "THE INTRODUCTION OF MARCUS COOPER."

Named one of XXL Magazine's "Ten For ‘10," Pleasure P has only just returned from this summer's hugely successful "Young Money Presents: America's Most Wanted Music Festival" tour alongside Lil' Wayne, Young Jeezy, Drake, and Soulja Boy. "THE INTRODUCTION OF MARCUS COOPER," was a #1 R&B smash on the iTunes Store upon its June release.  The collection includes the hit singles "Did You Wrong," "Under," a Read More ...

2008 saw the Queen of Rock 'N Roll, Tina Turner return to the live circuit and announce the 'Tina Turner's 50th Anniversary Concert Tour' much to the delight of her fans. The tour kicked off in Kansas in October 2008 and continued for six months visiting over ten countries in two continents.
 
Tina performed an astounding ninety shows, repeatedly selling out, with nightly standing ovations. Millions of fans and critics alike were blown away by Tina's age defying high-octane performances showing that the star has no sign of slowing down at nearly 70 years young. The megastar delivered an energetic, powerful, uncompromised two hour set performing classic hits with incredible musicians, vocalists, dancers and ninjas, supported by stunning production, innovative choreography, spectacular lighting, pyrotechnics and much more.
 
As Tina finished the final show in Sheffield in May 2009 she said, "I have been overwhelmed, astounded and taken to new heights by the reaction of the thousands of fans who came to see me every night. This has been a tour to remember, to hold dear in my hea Read More ...

So 101D-listers, I have a story for you. You know that D-list show with Kathy Griffin? Life On the D-List? I have no idea; I'm too lazy to Google, especially when it doesn't pertain to this column's music (*insert sitcom laugh*). That show is about Kathy Griffin being on the D-List in Hollywood. You know there's A-List, B-List, I didn't know it really went past that, but Kathy Griffin considers D-List to be the lowest of the low. I'm like look Kathy – First, nice name, the best in fact. Second, if you want to be on a hot D-List, come check out the 101D-listers, right? Right? That was the worst joke in history and I apologize, but it was all of you that I thought of while watching that show. Do I ever cross your minds, anytime? Shout out to Brian McKnight. 

While we're discussing men who can sing (excellent segue), that brings me to this week's pick. For the past few weeks I've been choosing either some overseas little pixie lady with airy vocals or some old schoolish group that I just discovered because my international frame of reference before writing this column was limited to Taco Bell (kidding). Since I'm a Jane of all trades, I have like 7 jobs and one is at a digital radio station (xoxo GOOM). We were looking for some talent to come in and I was digging through the Read More ...

On October 20, Blue Note Records will release Spilt Milk, the debut album from singer Kristina Train . Train - who was born in New York City and raised in Savannah, Georgia - has made an urbane, soulful, and lush debut that showcases her stunning voice. As a vocalist, Train alternates between gentle balladeering and powerful belting, her bluesy vibrato revealing the breadth and elegance of a young Dusty Springfield - a little bit London, a little bit Memphis.

Train will be hitting the road in the coming weeks, giving audiences around the country an early chance to hear her perform the affecting songs from her debut in a live setting. In addition to showcase performances in New York City at Joe's Pub (July 29) and Rockwood Music Hall (August 3 & 5), and in Los Angeles at the Hotel Café (August 19), Train will also be opening for singer Chris Isaak on a month-long string of tour dates that kick-off on August 8 in Houston, Texas. See full touring schedule below.

Interestingly, Train's story is in many ways the inverse of Springfield's. In her case it's the soulful Souther Read More ...

The much anticipated follow-up album to Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter III' has been pushed back for the second time. Reportedly titled, 'Rebirth', the album has failed to finish recording due to the rappers overly booked schedule. Performing in America's Most Wanted music festival, it is estimated that the album will drop around September. Releasing in September will put Lil Wayne in competition against mega-successful Jay-Z and 50 Cent.

Weezy doesn't seem to be stressed, his last album was pushed back a year and still managed to grab a Grammy nomination and sell millions. It should be interesting to see if the album is worth the hype and if Lil Wayne stands a chance at outselling some of the biggest names in the business.

MTV reports more:

Lil Wayne's Rebirth isn't coming out next month after all. Weezy just announced that the album has been delayed again. He's still working on it. While there is some speculation that it will come out in September, sources in Weezy's camp tell us that there is no confirmed release date at this time but that there have been no problems in the album's recordi Read More ...

In the age of dime-a-dozen R&B acts, it takes more than a sellable smile to achieve success on the charts. There are plenty of singers who can't dance and dancers who can't sing with number one singles, but multi-talented acts are few and far between. Joseph, a child of the 80's born in Tifton, Georgia, is one of the rare exceptions whose talents aren't determined by the sound tech in the studio.                   

Music has played a huge part in Joseph's life since childhood. "I remember at birthday parties and family reunions we would have a family talent show," he said. "I always had a natural ear for music; as a kid I would hear a song on the radio and instantly be able to mimic the melody and arrangement even if I didn't know all the lyrics." That innate sense of melody and the encouragement of his neighborhood turned Joseph onto pursuing song more seriously. "Boy you sound just like the radio," friends and family would tell him.                 

Joseph continued to hone his skills throughout school with the support of his teachers. "I was always singing or dancing and could never keep still," he said, so they pushed him to pursu Read More ...