LISA 'LEFT EYE' LOPES NEW ALBUM 'EYE-LACY' SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE NOVEMBER 11th.

Leave it up to Lisa to be the first member in TLC to release a solo album....again....even after death!! She was always the one who got things done in a timely manner. Anywho, I received a press release via email regarding the November 11th release of the late Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes new solo album EYE-lacy. According to the press release, the project will include 12 unreleased tracks alongside re-tooled songs from the limited edition international release, Supernova (2001). EYE-Legacy also pairs new vocals from the late Left Eye with her female counterparts, TLC and Grammy Award winning rapper/producer, Missy Elliott on the infectious single Let’s Just Do It. Other artists featured on the album include former host of BET's 106 & Park Free, Lil’ Mama (Lip Gloss), and R&B crooner Bobby Valentino (Slow Down). Exclusive bonus material with never-before-seen video footage from Left Eye's final days. After seeing the original version of The Last Days of Left Eye on VH1, I don't think I can deal with watching more footage from that documentary. Just watching it that one time left me tossing and turning for two nights. That, I can do without. On a positive note, percentage of the proceeds from the album sales will go to support the Lisa Lopes Foundation (lisalopesfoundation.org) and her orphanage in Honduras.

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“We hope people understand the message in Lisa’s music and appreciate her as not just a member of TLC, but as a solo artist as well. This album is Left Eye’s musical gift to her fans and adds to the beauty of her legacy,” The Lopes family states. As a member of TLC, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes sold over 45 million albums and amassed numerous accolades for her talent, including 4 Grammy awards and 5 MTV Awards. Left Eye played an integral role in making TLC undoubtedly one of the best selling female groups in music history. EYE-Legacy will hope to grant the millions of Left Eye’s fans and music lovers alike one more chance to connect to TLC’s most celebrated, charismatic and outspoken member—Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.

For more information, log onto http://www.lefteyelegacy.com.

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JENNIFER HUDSON MOVIE UPDATES ON TYLER PERRY'S 'THE FAMILY THAT PREYS TOGETHER' & 'THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES.'

Back in January, I told you all that Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson was in negotiations to co-star in Tyler Perry's new film, The Family the Preys Together (which will be released in September) alongside Perry, Sanaa Lathan, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Rockmond Dunbar, Taraji Henson and Robin Givens. Well, the key word in that post was "negotiations." Hudson will not be in the film; however she will appear on the big screen on October 17, 2008 in The Secret Life of Bees (based on Sue Monk Kidd's bestselling novel) alongside Alica Keys, Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning and Sophie Okonedo. Set in South Carolina in 1964, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (played by Hilari Burton). To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen (Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Okonedo and Keys), Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna. “It’s very raw, very raw. It affected each of us in some kind of way,” says Hudson. “Like with me, I had to do research like crazy on the civil rights movement. That messed with my mind. And then I had to fight three white men because I was my own stunt double. Dakota, Queen and Tristan (Wilds) had to go to bee school and learn how to deal with bees. Alicia had to learn how to play the cello. I’ve never had to be this involved in anything in my life! I had to touch a bug. I had a fit, honey. I nearly lost my mind! It was a beetle, but luckily, it was beautiful.”

In other Hudson news, the singer is reportedly getting a few stings after her self-titled album cover (click picture on the right to see its full image), which shows a tiny-waist, slimmed-down, svelte figure of the singer hit the Internet recently. Sources have denied that Hudson’s photo was retouched using photo shop. Some reports claim record label execs at J Records implemented the same photo-retouching experts used on the cover of Mariah Carey's latest album. Nothing doing. "Yes, that’s Hudson’s waist and her ample top half. She has a thin waist,” the insider insists. Hudson's album is scheduled to hit stores on September 30, 2008. There’s also talk, Hudson says, of recording a song for the soundtrack of The Secret Life of Bees, with costars Latifah and Keys. “It would be an honor for me to do a song with them,” Hudson cooed.
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*EDITED* USHER'S 'HERE I STAND' PROMOTIONAL PICS + NEW ALBUM COVER ART: USHER'S 'HERE I STAND.'

I have edited and bumped this post (originally posted 4.18.2008 @ 6:01 AM) to add three HQ promotional photos of Usher because I tire at the notion of making a brand new post about him. Thanks to Ericka, the Admin over on USHERFOREVER.COM for supplying me with these pics. Click them to view their full image.

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What you see below is the cover of Usher's new album Here I Stand. I'm pretty sure the license tag on the car in the photo has some significance to it, but right about now, I'm too lazy to go out and figure what it is. Moving on. Now, if you're wondering about the title, just let me inform you that there's a track on the album of the same name...this song is also the song dude wrote for Tameka (as well as performed for her) at their wedding. So, at least to me, it sounds like this album is more of a dedication to her than anything else. And ain't nobody, especially me, trying to hear all that. She already got the man, so what does she need my money for--to maintain her weekly luxuries? I truly think not! Therefore and thus and such, I'll wait on the bootleg copy of Usher's album to hit my local flea market or hair salon. Yeah, I said it! Besides, the last time I brought an Usher album was on 8707, literally. Anyhoo, look for his second single to be Moving Mountains. He's also the featured cover story for Vibe magazine's May 2008 issue.

Peep the pic below. And am I the only person wondering what the business is with his top lip?! Looks like it belongs on one of Jim Henson's Muppets.

ETA: I've just been told that the license plate in the photo is in honor of his first born son: CINCO (Usher V) and 11.26 (the day his son was born). Nice! Thanks carmen and 'anonymous' for that tidbit...although I'm still waiting for someone to tell me why his upper lip looks the way it does!

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ALBUM COVER ART: ASHANTI'S 'DECLARATION.'

The folks over there at Urban Bridgez.com posted up the cover of Ashanti's upcoming and fourth studio album, Declaration. The album drops on June 3rd. I'm absolutely loving it...although they could've toned down the hair just a little bit. How about yall?

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TRINA'S NEW ALBUM, 'STILL DA BADDEST' DEBUTS AT #1 ON THE BILLBOARD R&B/HIP-HOP CHARTS.

A big congratulations is in order for Slip-N-Slide artist Trina. The Miami native is celebrating the #1 debut of her fourth album Still Da Baddest, which is currently the top album on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Charts. Still Da Baddest gives Slip-N-Slide their second #1 album in the past 30 days, as label mate Rick Ross scored a #1 Pop debut with his latest album, Trilla, in mid-March. “Slip-N-Slide Records has had a phenomenal year with two #1 albums in just under a month. We are ready to continue our winning streak and make history with Plies, Qwote, Camar and many more Slip-N-Slide Records’ artists,” said Ted Lucas, CEO of Slip-N-Slide Records.

Launched in 1993, Slip-N-Slide has sold over 16 million records. Still Da Baddest hit record stores on April 1st.

CHECK OUT SCANS FROM TRINA'S NEW ALBUM BELOW. CLICK ON PICS TO VIEW IN THEIR ORIGINAL SIZE.

(IMAGES COURTESY OF OH-TRINA.COM
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NEW ALBUM COVER FOR RAVEN-SYMONE'S NEW SELF-TITLED ALBUM + TOURING & APPEARNACES UPDATES.

Here's the official cover album for Raven-Symone's self-titled fourth studio album which will be released April 29, 2008. The singer/actress is currently on tour to promote her latest music project. CLICK HERE to see if she's coming to a city near you.

And for those of you who have young girls who believe with every fiber of their being that Raven is all of that plus the bees knees, like my niece, make sure they tune in to watch Raven on Nickelodeon's Kid's Choice Awards which will air live from Los Angeles tomorrow (Saturday, March 29, 2008) at 8 p.m. EST. On Sunday, March 30, 2008, Raven will make an appearance on WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando, Florida, as a participant in the WWE's biggest wish-granting event ever at WrestleMania XXIV. As part of the WWE’s expanded partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 50 children with life-threatening medical conditions will have their heartfelt wishes fulfilled at the event. Raven will join the wish kids and their families at the Bacon, Bagels and Biceps brunch, where they will be formally inducted into the WWE Make-A-Wish Circle of Champions and mingle with some of their favorite WWE Superstars. Raven will also accompany the children to WrestleMania XXIV, where they will be WWE’s special guests of honor.

Raven really does love the kids. Bless her heart.
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ALBUM COVER ART: JANET JACKSON'S 'DISICPLINE' ALBUM COVER.

Janet Jackson has adopted an edgy new look for the cover of her new album Discipline. Released on Wednesday (January 16th), the eye-catching black and white cover shot features a super-slim Jackson wearing bondage attire and biceps-length black leather gloves, featuring her name 'Janet' scrawled on one and 'Discipline' on the other. Discipline, Jackson's 10th studio record, is set for release next month (February 'b08). The album features guest producers Ne-Yo, Stargate, Tricky Stewart, Rodney Jerkins and the pop superstar's boyfriend Jermaine Dupri.

In related news, Jackson is predicting a baby boom nine months after her new album is released - because her music is the ultimate aphrodisiac. The 41-year-old claims she is constantly approached by fans who have conceived kids while listening to her tunes. She says, "You don't know how many people come up to me and say, 'This child was conceived listening to you.' With a new LP on the way, Jackson reveals there are tracks on there that will inspire more couples to procreate: "I love the dance. I love the mid tempo stuff. I love the slow songs and the baby making songs. It still has that element to it."

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NEW EDITION RELEASES 25th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION OF 'CANDY GIRL.'

When Candy Girl hit the airwaves in 1983, it catapulted a young boy band from Beantown to overnight fame. Created by Maurice Star, New Edition were the first R&B boy band since the Jackson 5 to rule the pop charts. The group's persona, originality and irresistible blend of bubblegum pop and sweet soul sound provided the blueprint for the plethora of boy bands that would rule the charts on and off for decades to come. And their signature dance moves soon became a formula New Edition pimped and passed down to other up and coming boy bands such as The Boys, Boyz II Men, New Kids On the Block, N-Sync, The Backstreet Boys, 112, B2K and any other boy-band I missed.

Ralph, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike, and later Johnny, went on to have multiplatinum albums and sold out-out concerts (raise your hand if you still rock an N.E. Heartbreak tour T-shirt). By 1990, N.E. had released five albums with innumerable hits such as Mr. Telephone Man, Cool It Now and Can You Stand the Rain? Who could have known they would go on to dominate the world of hip-hop and R&B in the '90s? Although, their success didn't come without a fair share of drama---lost revenues and Bobby Brown leaving to go solo, they've held strong for 25 years and continue to tour and release albums.

To commemorate their 25th anniversary as R&B's most original and influential boy band of all time, New Edition will release the 25the anniversary special edition of their very first album, Candy Girl on January 29, 2008. The album will include original 10 tracks such as its number 1 single, Candy Girl, She Gives Me a Bang, Is This the End, Popcorn Love and Jealous Girl and bonus tracks as well.

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