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A month after the release of the single “Strawberry”, Grammy award winning R&B group 112 returns with the follow up single “Dangerous Games.” The track serves as the first single from the group’s highly anticipated forthcoming album “Q, Mike, Slim, Daron”, due out on Entertainment One this fall. On “Dangerous Games”, the group returns to the soulful balladry that made them one of the most successful acts of the 1990s. The track finds the fellas scouring the highs and lows of love with allusions of games of chance.  Playing with fire is a dangerous game, but don’t tell that to the members of 112, as they have a sure fire hit on their hands with this number. 112 is known for the hits “Cupid”, “Only You”, “Come See Me”. “Love Me” featuring Mase, “Anywhere”, “It’s Over Now”, “Peaches & Cream” “Hot & Wet” and “U Already Know.” 112 is currently preparing for a world tour, which is slated to begin in the U.K. in September before coming back to the U.S. in October. Fans should watch for an announcement regarding tour dates. Envogue  continues to deliver exciting performances after 30 years in the music industry. During last week’s episode of “Boy Band”, Envogue, Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis and Rhona Bennett, took the stage to perform their hit “Free Your Mind.” The R&B veterans gave an energetic performance and showed the boy band hopefuls how to embody chemistry on stage.

Burna Boy Announces I Told Them Tour

After releasing his latest album, I Told Them… last month, Burna Boy will embark on a 16-city trek this fall called the I Told Them… Tour. 

Produced by Live Nation, the multi-city jaunt will find Burna performing in not only arenas but, in some cases, stadiums. Beginning Nov. 3, the “City Boys” artist will perform his first-ever Los Angeles stadium show at BMO Stadium before touching down in various cities, including Houston, Chicago and Toronto for his arena stops. In July, Burna became the first Nigerian artist to headline a stadium, performing at Citi Field in New York City for a crowd of 40,000 people.  

I Told Them… spawned a bevy of singles, including his 21 Savage-assisted hit “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” and his Jeremih-sampled song “City Boys.” The album also clinched Burna’s first No. 1 on the U.K. Albums Chart earlier this month.

Tickets for the I Told Them… Tour will be available starting with a Citi presale beginning Tuesday (Sept. 26). Additional presales will continue throughout the week, leading up to Friday’s general on-sale, which starts at 10 a.m. local time at Ticketmaster.com.

Check out the tour dates below: 

  • Nov. 3 – Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium
  • Nov. 5 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
  • Nov. 7 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena 
  • Nov. 9 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
  • Nov. 12 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
  • Nov. 17 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
  • Nov. 18 – Austin, TX – Moody Center                  
  • Feb. 18 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
  • Feb. 21 – Chicago, IL – Wintrust Arena
  • Feb. 22 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena 
  • Feb. 24 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
  • Feb. 28 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
  • March 1 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
  • March 2 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
  • March 7 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
  • March 9 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

Yo Gotti Announces New CMG Project Gangsta Art 2

Yo Gotti and his CMG team are ready to deliver another set of bangers. Hitting Instagram, Gotti announced Gangsta Art 2. This is the second collaboration project from the full label.

On Instagram, Gotti revealed the project will drop this Friday. The first single on the project is “Big Dawg,” pairing Moneybagg Yo with Sexyy Red. Additional singles will feature GloRilla, EST Gee, Big Boogie, Lil Poppa, Blac Youngsta, and more. 

Most recently, Yo Gotti, the Memphis native and CEO of CMG, dropped his latest Gangsta Grillz mixtape, I Showed U So, featuring collaborations with Moneybagg Yo and Rich Homie Quan. The 10-song mixtape with DJ Drama displays Gotti’s versatility, transitioning from gritty tracks like “Pop My Shit” to more romantic rhymes in “The One,” where he vulnerably raps about love and butterflies in his stomach.

The mixtape also reunites Gotti with Rich Homie Quan on their new collab, “Mandarin,” after their hit single “I Know” from Gotti’s acclaimed album “I Am” ten years ago.

I Showed U So is a long-awaited follow-up to Gotti’s breakthrough Gangsta Grillz project, I Told U So, released in 2006, which marked a turning point in his career. Now, 17 years later, Gotti celebrates the manifestation of his dreams and accomplishments.

The mixtape’s release follows Gotti’s “No Fake Love” single and video drop featuring Angela Simmons.

Additionally, I Showed U So marks Gotti‘s first solo release since his 11th studio album CM10: Free Game in February 2022, which achieved the highest-charting album of his career, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Notably, Gotti recently joined First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at The White House to host a Major League Soccer Youth Clinic, showcasing his involvement as co-owner of DC United, a prestigious franchise in the MLS. He also participated in various festivities around the MLS All-Star Game in Washington D.C.

With a string of successful albums and an ever-growing fan base, Yo Gotti continues to make waves in the music industry and beyond.

Ice Cube Announces Album Man Down

Ice Cube is ready to drop a new album. In a conversation with Chuck D on his RAPstation show, Cube revealed the next album will be titled Man Down.

“I’m working on an album that hopefully I can finish in next couple of weeks and schedule to put it out,” Ice Cube said. “I’m digging what I’m doing. The name of the record is called Man Down, and, you know, it’s a pretty good record. It like it. It’s dope.”

Ice Cube’s last album was Everythang’s Corrupt, released in 2018 and featured the singles “Good Cop, Bad Cop” and “Arrest the President.”

Throwback Thursday Hip Hop: Picking Buggers-Biz Markie

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Marcel Theo Hall, known professionally as Biz Markie, was an American rapper/singer from New York City. He is remembered for such hits as “Vapors”, “Nobody Beats The Biz” and “Picking Buggers.” Hall died on July 16, 2021, at age 57.

Throwback Thursday R&B: Love Under New Management-Micki Howard

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Alicia Michelle Howard, known professionally as Micki Howard, is an American singer/actress from Chicago, IL. Howard had a string of top 10 hits during the mid-1980s and early 1990s, including “Baby Be Mine”, “Come Share My Love”, and “Love Under New Management.”

The Seminal R&B Vocal Groups Of The 1990s

In my view, an R&B vocal group renaissance took place during the 1990s. Several groups emerged, captivating audiences with pitch perfect harmony and dazzling choreography in addition to delivering timeless hits that will live on for eternity. Listed below are some of the seminal R&B groups of the 1990s.

1 EnVogue

EnVogue was initially a quartet which consisted of Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson and Maxine Jones. Formed in Oakland CA, the group released their debut album “Born To Sing” in 1990. The album went on to spawn the hits “Hold On”, “Lies”, “You Don’t Have To Worry” and “Don’t Go.” The group released six more studio albums and continues to tour and record with a lineup consisting of Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron and Rhona Bennett.

2 Boyz To Men

Boyz To Men, an R&B vocal group from Philadelphia, PA, is known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. Initially a quartet, the group now consists of Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman. The group was discovered by Michael Bivins of New Edition. They signed with Motown Records where they released their debut album “Cooleyhighharmony” in 1991. They are known for such hits as “Motown Philly”, “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” and “End Of The Road.” The group continues to record and tour around the world.

Jodeci

Jodeci is an R&B quartet consisting of DeVante Swing, Mr. Dalvin, K-Ci and Jo Jo. Formed in Charlotte, NC in 1989, the group began its career as two duos of brothers and, after years of limited success, joined forces. They signed with Uptown Records in 1991 where they released their debut album “Forever My Lady.” They went on to release three additional albums and are known for such hits as “Forever My Lady”, “Stay”, “Love U 4 Life” and “Freek’n You.” They continue to tour and record to the present day.

3 Destiny’s Child

Destiny’s Child is an American R&B girl group from Houston, TX. Initially a quartet consisting of Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson, the group began their career as Girl’s Tyme in 1990. After years of limited success, the group signed to Columbia Records in 1997 as Destiny’s Child. They released five studio albums before disbanding. They are known for such hits as “No, No, No”, “Bills, Bills, Bills”, “Say My Name” and “Survivor.”

4 S.W.V

S.W.V (Sisters With Voices) is an American R&B trio from New York City. The group consists of Cheryl “Coko” Gamble, Tamara “Taj” Johnson and Leanne “Lelee” Lyons. Formed as a gospel group in 1988, S.W.V became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They signed with RCA Records where they released their debut album “It’s About Time.” They are known for such hits as “Weak”, “Right Here”, “I’m So Into You” and “Downtown.” They continue to tour and record.

5 TLC

TLC is an American R&B group formed in 1990 in Atlanta, GA. The group’s best-known line-up was composed of Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and “Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas. The group was signed to Laface Records where they released their debut album “Ohh On The TLC Tip.” They had success in the 1990s with such hits as “Ain’t Too Proud To Bed”, “Creep”, “Waterfalls”, “No Scrubs” and “Unpretty.” They continue to tour and record.

6 Silk

Silk is an American R&B vocal quintet formed in 1989 in Atlanta, GA. The group consists of Timothy “Timzo” Cameron, James “Jimmy” Gates Jr, Jonathan “Jon Jon” Rasboro, Gary “Big G” Glenn and “Gary “Lil G” Jenkins. The group was discovered by singer Keith Sweat and went to have such hits as “Freak Me”, “Happy Days”, “Girl You For Me” and “We’re Calling You.” They continue to tour and record.

Lee Lewis Shines On New Single Willing And Able

LA-based singer/songwriter Lee Lewis graces the airwaves with his new single “Willing And Able.” The song tells the story of a person who shares relationship tales of woe with a friend whose one true desire is to be something more than a friend. Without question, most listeners will be able to relate to the scenario. Listen to “Willing And Able” below.

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Sexyy Red Releases New Single Shake Yo Dreads

Sexyy Red proves she’s as real as it gets in her latest hit, “Shake Yo Dreads.” The track not only showcases her unapologetic style but also celebrates her roots as she proudly declares, “I’m from the North Side, I still be in the streets.”

Despite her rising fame and success, Sexyy Red stays true to her Northside roots, making it clear that she’s far from the industry image some may perceive. This authenticity and her fierce attitude have garnered her a dedicated following.

“Shake Yo Dreads” is just one of Sexyy Red’s recent releases, following her Lil Durk collaboration, “Hellcats SRTs 2.” She’s also made history by placing four songs on the new TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart, including the chart’s first-ever #1 hit with “SkeeYee.” Her rapid ascent in music highlights her staying power and distinct approach to hip-hop. Listen to “Shake Yo Dreads” below.

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Hip Hop Spotlight: In And Outta Town-Key Glock

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Markeyvius LaShun Cathey, known professionally as Key Glock, is an American rapper/songwriter from Memphis, TN. Cousin of rapper Young Dolph, he rose to prominence following the release of his mixtape “Glock Season” in 2017. He is signed to Young Dolph’s record label Paper Route Empire.