NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 20: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets makes a shot over Bobby Brown #5 of the Sacramento Kings on December 20, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Kings 99-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 12: Bobby Brown #5 of the Sacramento Kings shoots past Tim Thomas #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers on November 12, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Kings won 103-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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Singer Bobby Brown performs at The Summit Tour - Los Angeles at The Greek Theatre on November 9, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Summit Tour - Los Angeles, California.The Greek Theatre.Los Angeles, CA United States.November 9, 2008.Photo by Arnold Turner/WireImage.com..To license this image (56155324), contact WireImage.com

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 12: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers charges Bobby Brown #5 of the Sacramento Kings during their preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center October 12, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 12: Jordan Farmar #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers knocks the ball from Bobby Brown #5 of the Sacramento Kings during their preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center October 12, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Bobby Brown attends Christian Audigier presents "When I Move You Move" The Tradeshow Day 2 on August 26, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada..Christian Audigier Presents "When I Move You Move: The Trade Show" - Day 2.Las Vegas, Nevada United States.August 26, 2008.Photo by Isaac Brekken/WireImage.com..To license this image (55570433), contact WireImage.com

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Rapper Bobby Brown arrives at When I Move You Move by Christian Audigier Tradeshow - Day 2 on August 26, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.."When I Move You Move" by Christian Audigier Trade Show - Day 2.Las Vegas, NV United States.August 26, 2008.Photo by Bruce Gifford/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (55572353), contact FilmMagic.com

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Rapper Bobby Brown arrives at When I Move You Move by Christian Audigier Tradeshow - Day 2 on August 26, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.."When I Move You Move" by Christian Audigier Trade Show - Day 2.Las Vegas, NV United States.August 26, 2008.Photo by Bruce Gifford/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (55572351), contact FilmMagic.com

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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JUNE 23: (L-R): Singers Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Johnny Gill and Ricky Bell of the group New Edition receive the Golden Note Award at ASCAP's 21st Annual Rhythm and Soul Music Awards on June 23, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

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New Edition's Bobby Brown (R) in the audience at the 2008 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..2008 ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards - Show.The Beverly Hilton.Los Angeles, CA United States.June 23, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (55192019), contact WireImage.com

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6/1/09: Minnie Riperton
A very fitting homage will be paid to late, great songbird Minnie Riperton when a new batch of the acclaimed TV One docu-series 'Unsung' hits the small screen this month. Best known for her signature ballad 'Lovin' You,' the Chicago-born singer/songwriter's career and life were cut short after a three-year battle with breast cancer in the late 1970s. After Riperton's cancer diagnosis, she went public instead of retreating, serving as a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. . She was only 31 years old when she died at the prime of her career. 'Unsung' premieres June 7 at 8 PM ET, repeating at 11 PM, as well as Thursday, June 11 at 10 PM and Friday, June 12 at noon and midnight.

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6/1/09: Grace Jones
The one and only Grace Jones has been tapped to perform live at the 'We Love' festival in Ibiza on Aug. 9. For the first time ever, the 'Pull Up To The Bumper' singer will grace the Spanish island's celebrated summer concert series, as part of the Wall Of Sound recording company's 15th anniversary. Last year, festival organizers bought The Chemical Brothers back to the Ibiza after a ten-year hiatus. This year, they are ready for Amazing Grace, who recently released a new music project titled 'Hurricane' on the United Kingdom based label. "We are putting on a line-up to inspire and one that will take all lucky enough to be there on a journey they will never ever forget," Wall of Sound founder Mark Jones said.

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5/28/09: Chaka Khan
Fresh from a headlining gig at the 2009 St Lucia Jazz Festival, Chaka Khan is ready to take on the nation's capital. The 10-time Grammy Award winning diva will fill in for previously announce headliner Natalie Cole, who is recovering from a live saving kidney transplant surgery, at 'The 18th Annual Capital Jazz Fest' running June 5 - June 7. The 'I Feel For You' chanteuse will join a slew of noted musical acts at the lovely wooded setting of Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. According to a spokesperson for the event, the line-up includes performances by Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Lalah Hathaway, Fourplay, Norman Brown, Roy Ayers, Will Downing, Kirk Whalum, Pieces of a Dream with special guest Phil Perry, Guitars & Saxes (f/ Jeff Lorber, Euge Groove, Jeff Golub and lady saxophone newcomer Jessy J) , Regina Belle, Marion Meadows and trumpeter Joey Sommerville.

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5/28/09: Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash will be honored with the Living Legend award at the Urban Music Awards USA 2009, set to be held at New York City's Highline Ballroom on July 17. According to a spokesperson for the event, more than 175,000 music fans across the world have voted online for the hip hop veteran to receive the honor. "Flash is an absolute legend and he remains an inspiration to the hip hop culture all together by flying the flag from its inception to the success it has become today," said Jordan Kensington, who is the C.E.O of Invincible Group & Founder of the Urban Music Awards. Nominees for the inaugural awards show include Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, Bobby Valentino, M.I.A, Day 26, The Dream, Estelle, Kat de Luna, Akon, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo and Eminem.

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5/21/09: Jay-Z
Despite stepping down from his Def Jam presidency in late 2007, hip hop mogul Jay-Z has finally left the label as an artist. Rumors started surfacing online that the platinum-selling lyricist, who owed the label one last album, brought himself out of his contract for $5 million. "I can honestly say, working with Doug Morris and LA Reid has been a unique and fulfilling experience and I respect them immensely," he revealed to hip hop site Rap Radar. "I've been in the family for almost my entire career. Doug and I spoke directly and had one of the most unique 'negotiations' ever...I thank him for allowing me to be a completely independent artist. Not every artist can say they own or are given the opportunity to own all of their music."

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5/19/09: Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige recently expanded her brand by signing with The William Morris Agency. According to Variety, the diversified entertainment agency, which also represents Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Kanye West, and Prince (to name a few), will assist the Queen of Hip Hop Soul in all areas of her career including the expansion of her entertainment company, Matriarch Entertainment. This fall the Queen of Hip Hop Soul will make her feature film debut in Tyler Perry's 'I Can Do Bad All by Myself,' scheduled to hit theaters September 11. She can be heard in the trailers for the Oprah Winfrey-presented drama 'Precious,' due out in November.

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5/19/09: The Dream
Following in the veins of fellow hip hop stars DMX and Tupac Shakur, singer-songwriter The Dream is planning on releasing his second album of 2009 entitled, 'Love King.' The R&B crooner, who recently released his certified gold album 'Love vs. Money' in March, revealed to Billboard magazine that he already has seven songs in the can and expects the album to hit stores in December. "I have to pace myself 'cause there's so much time between here and then," he said, "but the seven records I do have are timeless records. Whether they come out now or later it's not really going to matter what kind of records they are." In between recording sessions for 'Love King,' fans can now catch The Dream on tour with Keyshia Cole.

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5/19/09: The Whispers
After releasing classic hits such as 'In The Mood' and 'Rock Steady,'R&B stalwarts The Whispers are set to release their first gospel album on Kingdom Records. Grammy Award-winning gospel star Fred Hammond is expected to produce a bulk of the tracks. "We've been wanting to do this for ten years," explained founding member Nick Caldwell. "God has been really, really good to the Whispers. He was looking out for us even when we were ignoring Him. He allowed us to live long enough to do this inspirational CD that we want to use to inspire people to get closer to God." The as-yet-untitled anticipated album is tentatively scheduled for release later this year.

5/19/09: Mariah Carey
On May 23, Mariah Carey is set to perform a one-hour set at the opening of the most expensive resort in Europe, The Mardan. Carey alongside legendary British soul singer Tom Jones will reportedly be paid £1 million each to perform at the exclusive £926 million Turkey development, which features five acres of fresh water swimming pools and a sunken aquarium. Actress Sharon Stone and Paul McCartney are among the many guests invited to the 560 room hotel opening.

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5/19/09: Will Downing
Overcoming his bout with the muscle disorder Polymyositis, Will Downing has set the stage to release is latest musical offering, 'Classique.' The balladeer's 14th album and second Peak Records project features his signature baritone vocals over 10 smooth-sensual tracks. Vocalist Phil Perry joins the 'After Tonight' singer for Marvin Gaye penned 'Baby I'm for Real.' Other album highlights include 'Love Suggestions,' 'More Time,' 'Something Special' and Barry White's classic hit 'I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby.' 'Classique' hit stores June 16.

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