The 41st Annual NAACP Image Awards were the place to be Friday night. Hosted by Hill Harper and Anika Noni Rose, the star-studded event included performances and tributes from Wyclef Jean, Keri Hilson, Tamela Mann, Jill Scott, John Legend and Mary Mary and honored Tyler Perry, Vann Jones, Wyclef and Clarence Avant.
Beyonce sat down with Extra correspondent AJ Calloway backstage at her final concert on the “I Am … ” tour in Trinidad recently.
The two discuss her time off, and Bey gets a little upset when AJ asks about her relationship with husband Jay-Z and their plans for a family. In addition, she announces, “Sasha Fierce is done. I killed her.“
Macy Gray - Beauty in the World (full) - listen
Macy Gray is back with this lively, cheerful tune, the first single from her new album, The Sellout. Macy calls the album her best work to date, and this catchy track could do very well commercially. Can’t wait to hear that duet, though, with “legendary” Bobby Brown!
Ryan Leslie - When I Think about Love (I Do, I Do) (full) - listen
Ryan Leslie stays busy making music; the man released two albums last year and is expected to release another later this one. His debut was great, but Transition pretty much sucked and this new, unreleased track overshadows nearly everything from it.
Nappy Roots - In My Hometown (full) - listen
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Nappy Roots. But this track, which makes perfect use of Adele’s “Hometown Glory”, would make for a great lead single for their new album, Pursuit of Nappyness, which hits stores April 20.
Ne-Yo - Drinks Up (full) - listen
Music has been leaking from Ne-Yo for a while now, and here’s the latest dedication to all the independent misses. No word on whether this will be included on his currently untitled fourth album, which is slated for release some time in August, but it should.
Vivian Green reveals the album cover for her upcoming third album, Beautiful.
Recording the album in the home studio of longtime friend and collaborator Anthony Bell, who contributed to both of her previous albums, Vivian says, “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had making a record,” which also includes four tracks co-written with her younger brother, aspiring rapper Solomon Green.