"The world has yet to see the best of Nicki Minaj. What she's delivering to the world now is basically what they want. But I know that she's a super talented superstar who can do anything at a high level-rap, sing, act, whatever she wants to do...In my opinion she is as talented as my other girl Lauryn Hill. They have completely different styles. But as far as the talent is concerned they both can do it all."
-- Hip Hop mogul and record producer Irv Gotti likens Nicki Minaj's talent to Lauryn Hill. (Vibe)
Black Music Notes July 23
7/23/10: Incognito / Chaka Khan
The incomparable Chaka Khan has teamed up with pioneering British jazz/funk group Incognito on their latest album, 'Transatlantic R.P.M.' The July 27 release finds the Grammy Award-winner featured on the track, 'We Are The Song.' The release comes on the heels of the band's 30th anniversary and features appearances by Ursula Rucker, Maysa, Leon Ware, guitarist Al McKay of Earth Wind and Fire, among others.
7/21/10: Beyonce & Jay-Z
If marriage can bring love, happiness, and financial freedom, more people may want to seek out to Beyonce and Jay-Z for advice. The Carters made the top 10 list of Forbes' top earning musicians. The 'Single Ladies' singer landed at No. 3 netting in over $87 million, while Hov came in at No. 6 earning $63 million.
7/21/10: John Legend
On July 25 Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter John Legend will headline Harlem Week's annual 'A Great Day In Harlem' celebration. Dubbed, 'A Concert Under the Stars,' Legend will join the likes of Keith Sweat, Elisabeth Withers, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, and Ray Chew & The Harlem Week All Star Band to honor the legacies of Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, and Gamble & Huff. 'A Concert Under the Stars' will take place at Harlem's Ulysses S. Grant National Memorial Park at 5 PM/ET.
7/21/10: NE.R.D.
Over the years N.E.R.D. frontman, Pharrell Williams has carried a reputation for being a heart throb amongst the ladies. All of which has inspired the producer for the group's upcoming Sept. 7 opus, 'Nothing.' "My taste and appetite for women has been clearly evident in my music and my videos," he recently told 'MTV News.' "The audience for [the album] is just like any other film. Like a Sandra Bullock film. The concept may be geared toward a chick-based theme, but of course those audiences are not 100 percent women...If you can find something positive in here that motivates you, then this album is for you."
7/21/10: 50 Cent
In between shooting roles for upcoming films and throwing verbal jabs at Diddy, 50 Cent has decided to put his forthcoming album 'Black Magic' on the back burner. The multi-platinum rapper recently revealed to Rolling Stone that he has decided to take a different direction for his next project since returning home from Europe. "I did some things that were a little dance-inspired, the tempo was higher," he said. "Just playing with a lot of things. Since I've made it back to America, I started writing different material that [doesn't] quite fit that concept...[Black Magic] may come out shortly after this album that I'm launching. There are some pieces that are really exciting to me, so I want to put them out as soon as possible."
7/16/10: Natalie Stewart & Raheem DeVaughn
Ever wonder what happened to Floetry front-woman Natalie "The Floacist" Stewart? Well, the Grammy Award nominated London native is finally in the studio recording her long-awaited solo debut. According to Monifa Brown at Shanachie Records, the opus will be released Oct. 28 on the New Jersey based label. R&B crooner Raheen DeVaughn will appear on the project. The duo recorded at Baltimore's Bratt Studio this week.
7/12/10: Anthony Hamilton, Hal Linton, Kem, Raheem Devaughn
Despite taking a 10 year hiatus, the legendary Budweiser Superfest is set to resume its legacy beginning Aug. 5 with an 18-city tour. The Live Nation produced show will include an all-star R&B lineup featuring Anthony Hamilton, Kem, Jaheim, Raheem DeVaughn, Abraham McDonald, Hal Linton among others. "The return of the historic Budweiser Superfest concert series builds on our existing relationship with Budweiser and Anheuser-Busch," said Live Nation President Russell Wallach. "Budweiser Superfest has created a unique place in music history as one of the must-see annual urban concert series of the eighties and nineties by featuring the best in R&B music year after year. We expect to carry on that legacy with a stellar line up of artists already confirmed for the 2010 return." The 2010 Budweiser Superfest wraps up Sept. 5 in Dallas.
7/12/10: Lil Wayne
Although Lil Wayne isn't expected to be released from Rikers Island until Nov., the rapper is set to release his next studio project in Sept. According to Wayne's manager, Cortez Bryant, fans can expect the new album to hit the internet virally instead of stores. "I'm putting out a [Wayne EP] called I'm Not a Human Being and I'll probably drop it on his birthday, September 27," Bryant recently told Vibe.com. "We're not about to roll out no three-month setup. I'm not even putting it out in stores. We just gonna put it out virally and maybe package it up for Christmas. Give 'em a hard copy later for fan appreciation."
7/12/10: Keyshia Cole
Good news for Keyshia Cole fans! The R&B songstress is back in the studio recording the follow up album to her 2008 opus, 'A Different Me.' And according to one of the album's producers, Donald Alford, the 'I Changed My Mind' singer is currently working on a track with Tank. "We're doing a lot of new records for her," Alford revealed to EurWeb.com. "We got a hot record coming with her and Tank in the future, so ya'll can be on the lookout for that," he said. "I produced 'Trust' so it's somewhere around there. A slow ballad, duet type of record. I guess she comes to me for the duets." At press time, Keyshia Cole's as-yet-untitled album has no set release date.
7/12/10: Arrested Development
With their latest opus, 'Strong' currently in stores Atlanta's own Arrested Development is still hard at work promoting the 2009 project. The Grammy Award-winning group recently released the album's newest single 'Greener' to radio outlets across America in addition to the track's video. In addition the album's lead single 'The World is Changing' landed on Japan's top 10 charts earlier this year on MTV International.
Comments: (11)
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By: Jessica on 7/27/2010 4:15PM
Lauren was/is a true artist while Nicki is a one trick pony (lol two at the most). I think it's so unfair to compair the two Nicki's not even in the same league as Lauren. She has a while to go before we can start looking at her the way we do Lauren.
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By: K Diva on 7/27/2010 4:31PM
I can see Nicki branching off into movies where the real $$ is at. She went to LaGuardia H.S of Performing Arts people she is not some star found in a mall she worked at this. She is a performer over anything else. As soon as people get over the "copycat/fake barbie" B.S you will respect her hustle. Then again no one is ever happy until they see someone else's downfall.
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By: tee on 7/27/2010 5:29PM
whatever as soon as nicki be on her own then she will get props and just because u go to a school with performing arts don't mean a damn thing
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By: Keyante on 7/27/2010 5:30PM
Irv Gotti??? Come on now this clown names himself after ruthless lowlife who considers Blacks Monkeys and Apes. He is really lost his mind comparing Lauryn Hill with Nicki Minaj.. What these has been bums will do just to get press. Hey I aint mad at him BV Published it. Group think is alive and well on here. What a shame
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By: Taia Bene on 7/27/2010 5:50PM
Having went to school with Nicky minaj I completely agree with IRV. I think when you understand a persons story, you are less judgemental. What she represents doesn't fully encompass who she is as whole. You( the audience) have only had the past two years to get into Nicky Lauryn has been around since 95. Comparing the two of them is truly unfair. Calling her a one act pony is ridiculous! Nicky can act and was traditionally trained in theater, voice and diction, and musical theater. Nicky can in fact rap her cute little nose off. Nicky can also sing. Nicky additionally is a genius businesss woman who has introduced herself as a brand. She is making money in an industry where no one is getting paid. She has a massive following based on how she represents herself! SO no you dont have to subncribe to the Nicky hysteria but you should respect it! What she is doing right now no rap chick has done before- she is calling shots and making decisions. She is not a puppet being guided in the same way Kim and Foxy was. She really does write her own lyrics. I think you would presently suprised to see what she has in store next!!! BARBIE BITCHEZZZZZZZZZZZ
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By: Tiffaney on 7/28/2010 6:42AM
What is she doing,that no other female rapper has done? She's had a whole body makeover, like Lil' Kim.She uses her body like Trina, Eve,and the rest of the ugly hoes that can't rap. It's just that this generation of little kids who like her, soulja boy and these other little young people that can't rap. They aren't used to real rap that was out in the 80's and 90's. Real female rappers like MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, The Real Roxanne, Yo-Yo who didn't show their ass and titties to sell a record.
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By: Fashionedbygod33 on 7/27/2010 11:07PM
He's nuts.
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By: MarineLover on 7/28/2010 4:33PM
Oh please, give me a break! Lauryn has been in the game way too long to be compared to a newbie. The Nicki has to show that she can maintain, endure, continue to have hits and PROOVE that she can do it ALL..................TALK IS CHEAP!!!!!!
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By: barbaradee on 7/29/2010 3:32AM
no nicky has nothing on lauren hill , just like chris brown has nothing on usher, or kiesha coles has nothing on mary j blige.why do people compare the greats to the new comers. why do black artist have to be compared; nicky, chris or keishe have to pay there dues and Keisha your close but mary got you faded
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