Most people are not surprised by the news that Beyonce has finally scrapped her long-time manager and father, Matthew Knowles. Knowles is credited for providing the no-nonsense and hard work needed to push Beyonce’s career since her days as part of Destiny’s Child. However, he also often received backlash for his controlling ways and secretive hold of B’s career. That is not to say his strategy did not work. Beyonce is arguably one of the top Female performers in the World. However, Knowles Sr. had suffered some setbacks in his personal life. He had fathered a child of out wedlock with another woman and was being sued for child support. Beyonce’s mother, Tina Knowles divorced her former husband, obviously putting strain on Beyonce’s former storybook family life.

Beyonce released this statement via her Publicist:

“I am grateful for everything he has taught me. I grew up watching both he and my mother manage and own their own businesses. They were hardworking entrepreneurs and I will continue to follow in their footsteps.”

She adds that “he is my father for life and I love my dad dearly.“

A day after the announcement, Matthew provided his own statement on the incident:

“The decision for Beyoncé and Music World Entertainment to part was mutual,” says Mathew Knowles. “We did great things together, and I know that she will continue to conquer new territories in music and entertainment. Currently, I am very focused on the tremendous investment that our record label has made in the gospel/inspirational genre of music and on our supremely talented roster of artists, including Trin-i-tee 5:7, Brian Courtney Wilson, Juanita Bynum, Micah Stampley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Pastor Rudy and others.”

Good for him. Knowles also mentioned he no longer will manage young songtress Tiffany Evans.

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After a tough two years and a very public battle with the media and the court of public opinion, Singer Chris Brown can breathe a sigh of relief now that he has received his very first number one album with his new album F.A.M.E! Brown topped the Billboard 200 charts with sales of 271,000, his second-highest sales week (behind Exclusive’s 294,000 sales week). I was rooting for Brown after seeing his various live performances and being a fan of his recent music (including hit singles, Deuces, No BS and Yeah 3x). Though his recent outburst at a Good Morning America interview was just un-called for and immature. But I am glad Brown finally scored some high sales, maybe now he can stop complaining about the past and just continue to show and prove.

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Finally Ciara, who has suffered the worst sales of her career with her last release, Basic Instinct, recently sat down with Yahoo Australia to talk about her future plans:

“Right now, I am in the process of letting things fall how they are supposed to. It may sound crazy to you, but I have never really managed to take time for me and to enjoy my life and enjoy the benefits I have been blessed with,” says Ciara. “I want to look back five years from now and be happy, I have set up the proper building blocks for my business to run on, even if I don’t want to perform. I am working hard on every aspect of my career, from who I am as a performer to making music, TV and films. From my perspective, my goal is to do more than just perform. To use the platform I have been given to turn it into something more, to do something different.”

I wish Ciara well. She needs to find her niche within the Industry. Though according to reports, Ciara is getting cozy with NBA NY Knicks star Amare Stoudemire. Not bad CiCi!

source

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Post tags: Beyonce, chris brown, Ciara, F.A.M.E, Matthew Knowles, Music news, Music News ROLO

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Ciara at the Black Girls Rock! Awards

Slightly misleading title, I know. Monday evening, Ciara and Willow Smith arrived to 106 & Park. Willow appeared to premiere her new video for Whip my Hair and Ciara to talk with hosts Rocsi & Terrance about her upcoming album Basic Instinct and to announce the official date, August 14 December 14th. Ciara showed up to the set in good spirits, speaking positively about her album (although she still had some uncertainty written on her face), her charity work and her new video for Gimme Dat. Talking in her signature, sped up style, Ciara gushed about her upcoming Birthday, how she stays motivated and presenting an award to friend Missy Elliot during the Black Girls Rock! Awards. Near the end of the video, somebody in the audience says something to Ciara and she takes it upon herself to clap back at the rude commenter and silence her on the spot. Terrance and Rosci later try to brighten the mood, but it is evident Ci is a little miffed. I found this video pretty entertaining, but I know Ciara catches a LOT of flack from the blogs, from the opinionated Twitter fiends and from people in general who really won’t let her shine. Its funny, because people forget Ciara has had quite a bit of success and has accomplished nearly the impossible act of carving her own lane as a Black female artist without the last name Knowles within the Industry.  I know she took a hit with Fantasy Ride because she tried to venture outside of her lane, but at least Ciara took a Risk. Fast-Forward the video to 8:30 to see the mini-altercation. The girl with the gelled hairstyle looked up at Ci with the fear of Jesus in her eyes! lol

Peep the video below #TeamCici

source

Ciara & Keri squash the beef rumours for the good of all R&B Kind

SN: Ciara and Keri Hilson recently squashed their supposed ‘Beef’ on Ustream the other day. According to the two singers, this beef never really existed and was over-hyped by the media and the Blogs. I guess that’s because it was a publicity stunt that backfired horribly, Keri. *sips hot tea*

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Willow Smith - cute as a button

And lastly, if you missed the adorable Willow Smith, here is some video of her talking with Rocsi & Terrance, explaining her Birthday/Halloween plans and experiencing a happy moment when she is presented with a plaque. People are already starting to talk about Willow’s ‘look’ (re: face) as if she isn’t a 9 year old who still has years of growing to do….

Peep the video below…

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Read the rest of J.U.I.C.Y – Ciara Claps Back & Willow Holds Back Tears on 106 & Park (6 words)

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Post tags: 106 & Park, Basic Instinct, Ciara, Gossip, J.U.I.C.Y, Keri Hilson, R&B Beef, Ustream, Willow Smith

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Ciara finally released her video for Gimme Dat, the high energy dance track she released simultaneously with Speechless. The video begins with Ciara emerging from a black Lambo (my guess) in Converse-styled stripper heels and a 3-D “FLY” fannypack. After a quick backbend, Ciara enters an empty warehouse where she commences to dance up a storm. The Melina-directed clip is anti-climatic. Ciara dances, pops her booty and even does some stepping with some combo-boot clads hard bodies. She dances in the rain a bit and ends off the video dancing with 3 other Ciara replicas. The choreography is fast-paced, clean and intricate; no one is dancing like Ciara right now! I really don’t care for the song, it is no Ride It and halfway through the video, I didn’t want to hear the rest. Though the video does match Gimme Dat’s spastic nature. At this point, I would have to guess that Ciara’s career is stagnant. I will wait for some live performances to gauge how this project will fare. So far there is no set date for Basic Instinct (its been pushed back further than a lacefront wearer’s headline…).

Update: Ciara’s Basic Instinct has a release date: December 14th. Hide your kids, hide your wife!

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Next we have Miss Keri Baby’s video for Breaking Point. I already mentioned my distaste for this song, so I was not really excited to see the video. Luckily, thanks to director Bryan Barber, well-known for creating videos with actual storylines, the video is cute, relatable and makes the song more tolerable. Keri begins the video alone in her room, reminiscing on a past relationship where she was ‘lied to, cheated on or beated on‘, when she decides she wants to get out and get her hair did. Keri re-emerges with a new blonde hair-do and a new attitude; a salon full of females escort her in the streets and eventually help clear their apartments of their mans’ clothes. Keri had a solid first album and I always say, she is one of the few female artists with a voice, since she writes a lot of her songs. Sadly, she can never seem to have a great Single. I am ready for the Pretty Girl Rock video now….

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Post tags: Basic Instinct, Breaking Point, Bryan Barber, Ciara, Gimme Dat, Keri Hilson, Melina, new video, No Boys Allowed, Sweet Tooth

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Faith Evans is hard at work promoting her sixth album release, Something about Faith, that will drop this Tuesday (October 5th).  Another track that leaked from the album is a duet she recorded with Keyshia Cole called Can’t Stay Away. In the song, the two ladies sing about trying to escape a relationship that isn’t working, but neither party can stay away from each other. I was first excited to hear a collaboration between the two powerhouse singers but this song really fell flat for me. Unlike Keyshia’s last duet with Monica for Trust, Can’t Stay Away is uninspired, with flat production and forgettable lyrics. Hopefully Faith’s project has some better offerings.

In addition to her new album, Faith is currently filming a reality show with Misa Hylton-Brim (Diddy’s first baby mother) aptly named First Ladies. Evans will also be releasing a followup to her first best-selling autobiography Keeping the Faith, this time focusing on how people can make it in the music industry.

source

Listen to the song below and leave your thoughts!

Download: Faith Evans feat. Keyshia Cole – Can’t Stay Away

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Now that Ciara is officially on the promo trail for her new album Basic Instinct, even more tracks are being leaked. I will have to assume these leaks are purposely down, because I remember for her last project I must have heard at least 7 tracks before Fantasy Ride was released. Shut ‘em Up is another upbeat hyper-active song where Ciara addresses her naysayers. Infinity produces the track that has Ciara kicking some attitude. She sings,

“Ohhh whats that you say, can you speak any louder (thats what I thought)/ the more they hate, the more they givin me power (say what you want)/ Now, watch me move/ Show you how I do/ I bet you won’t try me/ I bet you won’t try me”

I’m actually feelin this song and the attitude! This song has a lot of personality. Listen below.

Download: Ciara – Shut ‘Em Up

Ciara also released a remix to Chris Brown’s Deuces that will appear on her Basic Instincts Mixtape. Listen to that below as well.

Read more…

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Read the rest of Music News ROLO: New Music from Faith Evans with Keyshia Cole, Ciara & Mya (94 words)

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Post tags: Alive, Basic Instinct, Can't Stay Away, Ciara, Faith Evans, Keyshia Cole, Manhattan Records, Music News ROLO, Mya, New Music, R&B music, Shut 'em Up, Something About Faith

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A couple weeks back we were told Ciara was filming two videos in LA for her two Singles, Gimme Dat and Speechless. We posted on both songs before, though I had a soft spot for Speechless when I first  heard it…2 months ago. For the mastered, final version, Ciara cut The-Dream from his verse and re-recorded her own. Mind you, Dream’s verse included boasts about buying his woman whatever she desired and paying for everything. Ciara’s updated verse went the more heartfelt, mature route.

Now lets talk about the video. Ciara looks effortlessly beautiful, her body is banging, the movement is great in the video etc etc. There is NO choreographed dancing or floor humping in this sensual, understated beauty of a video. She is kind of giving me Janet Jackson in Love Will Never Do (Without You) – do you see the similarities? Not to say there is swagger-jackin’ involved…

Director Colin Tilley did a great job capturing the right essence for this video and for the Artist. Ciara recently tweeted that she and her team have decided on a release date for Basic Instinct and that she will release it soon.

Check out the video below and share your thoughts on the video!

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Read the rest of Hot ChokLit! Ciara releases Speechless Video – 8-Count Not Included! (0 words)

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Post tags: Basic Instinct, Ciara, Colin Tilley, Hot ChokLit!, new video, Speechless

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Ciara was the main highlight wearing Givenchy and she looked amazing! They say she preformed briefly with N.E.R.D on the pre-show. Guess I missed that..

pic via MTV.com

Rihanna made a surprise performance wearing a white bustier, tutu skirt and combat boots. It looks like she went for a Madonna look. But this wig has to go Ri Ri! I hope we don’t see it again…

pic via mtv.ca

Lady Gaga did not disappoint in her Alexander McQueen tribute. She had three costumes changes this night, but wore this get-up to the White carpet. Haute.

pic via mtv.ca

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Read the rest of Suga & Steez: VMA’s 2010 White Carpet Looks (269 words)

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Post tags: Ashely Greene, Ciara, Drake, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, MTV VMAs 2010, Ne-Yo, Suga & Steez, Trey Songz, Usher

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Ciara is hard on the campaign trail for her new album, Basic Instinct due later this Fall. I was just having a conversation with reader Mr. Knowvember, an avid Ciara fan who expressed his worry that her new material does not have what it takes to make people take notice of Ciara. I have liked about half of what I have heard and haven’t like the other half :-\

That being said, I think the Industry NEEDS Ciara. She is the only female artist right now who is really dancing. And not the Broadway-meets-Britney type dancing we see with Lady Gaga but that homegrown, stank ATL-style dancing. Ciara is an Entertainer and you know you look forward to seeing her preform. I hope she has a better chart showing this time around with Basic Instinct.

I love this promo pic!

Here are some new tracks from Ciara (not that new but still). Gimme Dat will be her new single (still not feeling this one too much), alongside Speechless (thumbs up!), without TheDream duet (bad for business, I guess).  Also, I included her Pretty Girl Swag remix, which she also preforms below.

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Read the rest of Melt in Your Ears: New Music from Ciara + Performance Footage (50 words)

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Post tags: Basic Instinct, Ciara, Gimme Dat, Melt in your Ears, New Music, Power 105, Pretty Girl Swag, Speechless, TheDream, Urban Music

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Ciara’s new video for Ride leaked today. This video is a lot more minimal than I thought, with just Ciara, Ludacris, a Bull and that body! Director Diane Martel captures just the right energy for the song. Ciara’s dancing is naturally raw and on point. Now other female (and male) artists who wish to dance in their videos may commence taking notes on committing. I’m loving the video and am happy to see the ATL Ciara back. I won’t compare her to the Goodies Ciara because the 2010 model is definitely a lot more…experienced (if you are wondering what I mean, peep the booty pop @ 3:57).

One lone thought: on her last project, Ciara went heavy on the sex appeal, and since it didn’t sell many records, it made her look a little desperate. I wonder if she will continue on that bandwagon or tone it down a bit this time. This video is very sexy but I think it goes well with the song. Thoughts? Peep the video below.

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Post tags: Ciara, Diane Martel, Hot ChokLit!, Ludacris, new video, Ride, Sex Appeal

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via Ultimate-Ciara.com

I guess after mostly keeping quiet while artists like Keri Hilson stole her swag had their shine, Ciara has decided to hit the naysayers back with her buzz single & video, Basic Instinct (You Got Me).

Sooo, from a Marketing perspective, this is a good look for Ciara because not only does it give her the bad girl ATL image that her fans have been craving for so long, it incites the R&B Beef, which as we learned from Keri’s attempt last year, is a great way to drum up publicity. The video showcases Ciara’s dance skills, body and budding rapping skills *cough cough* They say she been hanging around 50 too long. From a fan’s perspective, I say Get It Cici! You been gone too long. I am liking a lot of what I am seeing and hearing from her new project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP2uLcMEG4E

This marks the first time we are hearing some cuss words out of Ci’s mouth, which I am sure we can’t blame on Dream…

“You Got Me…Madder than a muthaf*cka,

I can’t lie,  a b*tch madder than a muthaf*cka”

Also leaked recently, is another track called Up and Down. Ciara sings about how she can make her love go up and down. The vocals on this track are actually pretty good and I’m feeling the overall feel of the song. Damn, Dream & Tricky Stewart just might save homegirl’s career. Listen below.

Download: Ciara – Up and Down

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Post tags: Basic Instinct, Ciara, Its Called Publicity!, J.U.I.C.Y, Keri Hilson, R&B Beef, TheDream, Tricky Stewart, You Got Me

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Ciara is on the Grind once again! Her label appears to be behind Ciara on her new project titled Basic Instinct. Ciara recently quipped on her album during a red carpet interview,

“When you get the record you’re going to get a really fun vibe.You’re gonna get an even more sensual side and also confident and cocky. I got like such an attitude on this record, but in a fun way. Kinda had fun like exploring and experimenting with that, so you’ll get all that in one.”

Ciara released her new single, Ride featuring Ludacris. She recently shot the video and released pictures from the set. As I suspected, the song is a certified Banger! Produced by TheDream & Tricky Stewart, Ludacris lends his vocals to the track that remind us of his features on Ciara’s Oh and High Price songs. Fans complained that they wanted more of the Goodies Ciara back and less of the LoveSexMagic Ciara, so Tricky & Dream are the best team to bring that flava out. We already know the video will be hot, so I guess we have something to look forward to this Summer after all…

What do you guys think of the song? Is Ciara back?

Ciara featuring Ludacris – Ride

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Post tags: Basic Instinct, Ciara, Ludacris, R&B music, Ride It, Still in tha W(rapper), TheDream, Tricky Stewart

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