Podcast: "Reparations" (The BackBeat)

This Week on The BackBeat, we get into the 2018 GRAMMY nominations and talk through some of our favorite nominees. From Album of the Year to Best Urban Contemporary Album, we have you covered. Later we get into the passing of Lil Peep and the importance of discussing addiction and mental illness. We've been gone for too long but it's time we brought it back! ;)

Podcast: "Less Than Smart" (The BackBeat)

On this week’s episode, we discuss Tina Campbell’s less than smart choice to vote for Donald Trump for president. We discuss Azealia Bank’s apology to Nicki Minaj and beef with Cardi B. Speaking of Cardi B, we praise her achievement of securing the first number 1 record by a solo female rapper since Lauryn Hill’s Doo Wop (That Thing) in 1998. We end the episode with a brief discussion of Jhene Aiko’s top 5 debut for her new album, Trip.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our songs of the moment. Marcus chooses new cuts from Tamar Braxton, Ledisi and Kygo. Kyera breaks down her favorite songs by Jamila Woods, Ravyn Lenae, and Daniel Caesar.

Enjoy!

Live Clip: "He Like That" (Fifth Harmony)

Earlier today, Fifth Harmony stopped by ABC's Good Morning America to promote their self-titled album Fifth Harmony and performed the set's latest single "He Like That," which the group dropped a steamy new music video for just last week.

With that said, the quartet spoke before their performance about the disaster currently happening in Houston, as well as their highly discussed VMA performance. Watch the ladies belt it out below and Enjoy!

Podcast: "Ur In Trouble" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we get into a petition starting to get Missy Elliott a monument in Virginia, Aaliyah and Nicki Minaj's Mac Cosmetic Collections, Mystikal turning himself in on rape charges, and a woman coming forward breaking her nondisclosure agreement with R. Kelly surrounding his latest scandal.

Also, make sure you tune into the end of the podcast for songs of the moment from Ledisi, Nicole Nicole Scherzinger, Mary J. Blige, Tyler the Creator, and more!

Podcast: "The Torch" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we talk about Brandy claiming Whitney Houston passed her the torch. We cover the success of Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow" on the Hot 100. Next, we delve into Trina's beef with a local Miami rapper and we congratulate Cyn Santana and Joe Budden on their new baby. Also, we give a shout out to Kelly Rowland, who is in the studio working on her new album and much more.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode when we choose our songs of the moment. Marcus chooses tracks from Jazmine Sullivan and Whitney Houston. Kyera's favorite songs of the moment come from Kelela, Dreezy and Cassie.

Podcast: "Caught Up" (The BackBeat)

This week on The Backbeat, we get into Usher's herpes scandal, R. Kelly's cult, Jay Z's 444 & Tidal issues, and Justin Bieber being banned from China.

Also make sure you tune into the end of the episode when we get into our songs of the moment from Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, Sza, Demi Lovato, and Cardi B.

Podcast: "Summer Madness" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we get into Sza’s Ctrl Tour (which sadly we didn’t get tickets for), Jay Z’s 4:44 bonus tracks and upcoming feature for the album, delve into new music from Kesha, and talk about Sevyn Streeter releasing her highly anticipated and delayed album Girl Disrupted. We also talk about Pharrell getting in the studio to work on new albums with Ariana Grande and Justin Timberlake.

As always, make sure you stay tuned until the end of the episode for songs of the moment that include Mya, Swae Lee, Drake, Cardi B, Jessie Reyez, and 2 Chainz.

Podcast: "Hip Hop Squares" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we take a moment to celebrate the life of rap legend, Prodigy from the group Mobb Deep. Excited for the BET Awards? We discuss the 2017 BET Nominees and give our projections on which artists will win awards on Sunday. Next, we get into Swizz Beatz calling
Balenciaga out on instagram for replicating a Ruff Ryder shirt in their upcoming line without giving proper credit to the record label or asking to use their logo. We end with our love for DJ Khaled’s new song “Wild Thoughts” featuring Rihanna & Bryson Tiller, which has debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode where we give our favorite songs of the moment. Marcus picks tracks from Whitney Houston, DJ Khaled and Little Dragon. While Kyera chooses her favorite cuts from Lizzo, Hiatus Kaiyote and Vince Staples.

Podcast: "Fact Check Yo Self" (The BackBeat)

On this week's episode of The BackBeat, we discuss Miley Cyrus and her claim that Hip Hop is too sexist for her. Next, we get into the debacle of the Fyre Festival that has Ja Rule looking like a scammer in these streets. We briefly discuss the drama between Ms. Aretha, Dionne, and Gladys. Make sure you stay tuned in until the end of the episode for our favorite songs of the moment. Kyera chooses cuts from DJ Khalid ft. Quavo, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne. As well as new jams from Goldlink and SZA. Marcus selects jams from Tamar Braxton, Kendrick Lamar and Sabrina Claudio.

Podcast: "Flamed Out" (The BackBeat)

In this week's episode, we briefly talk about the success of Kendrick Lamar's DAMN, Migos wanting the little boy who went viral to be in their next video, how women have been shut out of Billboard's Hot 100 this week, and K. Michelle's latest Twitter comments about Loni Love and Angela Yee. ​Additionally, we get into Tinashe's new video for "Flame" and speculate on why Black female artists aren't getting the push they deserve.

Make sure you tune into the end of our episode where we get into our songs of the moment that include Ja Rule, Ashanti, Bow Wow, Ariana Grande, Lil Kim, Zara Larsson, & Tank and the Bangas.

Podcast: "Humble Yo Self" (The BackBeat)

In our latest episode of The Backbeat, we celebrate the best singers born during Aries season. Next, we discuss Kendrick Lamar’s new single “Humble” and the backlash he’s received from women on Twitter. We also get into French Montana’s disappointing comments about Black women on social media. Finally, we end the episode with a discussion of Kendall Jenner’s problematic Pepsi ad, which seeks to unite protestors and police officers with an ice cold Pepsi Cola (major side eye!) We hope you enjoy the episode

Podcast: "Davion Farris Interview" (The BackBeat)

In this week's episode, we interview the very talented Davion Farris, who is a GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter/producer. Davion just released his debut EP Trenier and we talk to him about the inspiration behind this effort in addition to his favorite tracks from the EP.

During our interview, Davion delves deep into his inspirations, his favorite current artists, his writing process, where he sees himself in 5-10 years, artists' political responsibilities, in addition to cluing us in on how he got his start in the industry at the tender age of nine. Make sure you tune into the end of the episode especially where Davion opens up about the economic climate of the music industry and offers up some great insight into how an independent artist can make her or his livelihood from the music.

Amazing Cover: "I Love You Porgy" (Christina Aguilera)

After the jump, you will find Christina Aguilera's amazing cover of  the Nina Simone classic and standard "I Love You Porgy." Lifted from the Grammy nominations concert a few years ago, Aguilera's tribute to Simone offers up one of her most vocally restrained performances to date.

The smooth and silky performance is one of Aguilera's best live vocal performances in recent memory for me and she really shows off why many proclaim her to be the best vocalist of this generation. Take a few minutes to watch her phenomenal vocal performance of "I Love You Porgy" below and Enjoy!

Podcast: "Change The System" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we get into the controversy surrounding the GRAMMY Awards and album of the year, Donald Glover getting cast as Simba in the new Lion King film remake, Russell Simmons hosting a Muslim rally, as well as Meek Mill using his social media platforms to discuss gun violence. We also get into The Roots having a new musical that is slated to be performed at the NBA All Star Game this weekend in New Orleans.

As always, tune into the end of the episode to hear our Songs of the Moment that include music from Remy Ma and Fat Joe, Future, Jidenna, Trey Songz, Davion Farris, Solange, and Whitney “The Voice” Houston.

Podcast: "I Don't" (The BackBeat)

Beyonce’s PREGNANT with twins!!!! We discuss how she kicked off Black History Month with her announcement and whether or not she will perform at the Grammys and Coachella. Next, we discuss Mariah Carey’s new single “I Don’t” featuring YG and the iconic scene of her burning her 250 thousand dollar wedding dress. Lauren Jauregui of Fifth Harmony gets political while disagreeing with Trump’s “Muslim Ban.” Also, Nicki Minaj accuses Giuseppe Zanotti of racism with the “Nicki” shoe. Finally, Faith Hill does not have a duet album with Biggie but Faith Evans does! It’s called the King and I and it will drop on May 19th.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode where we choose our songs of the moment. Marcus picks tracks from Kehlani, Lennon and Maisy, and Donnell Jones. Kyera is bumping new songs from Big Sean, The Migos, and Syd.

Song of the Day: "Advice" (Kehlani)

"Advice" - Kehlani

• Writers: Kehlani Parrish Andrew Wansel, & Warren Felder
• Producers: Pop & Oak, Matthew Campfield, & Daniel Klein 
• Record Label:  Atlantic
• Featured on 2017's SweetSexySavage

Podcast: "Inaugur-what?" (The BackBeat)

In this week's episode of The BackBeat, we get into Kanye West not being invited to perform at the inauguration while Chrisette Michele and Jennifer Holliday were. We also get into Alicia Keys pushing back against gender norms as well as Taylor Bennett and Makonnen coming out as bisexual and gay respectivley.

Make sure you tune into the end of the episode to get into our songs of the moment. Kyera choses songs from The Brothers Johnson, Funkadelic, and Prince. Meanwhile Marcus selects songs from Jimmy Scott, Ariana Grande, as well as Sevyn Streeter.

Podcast: "Read A Book" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode, we give a shoutout to Janet Jackson who just gave birth to her son Eissa Al Mana, talk about Chris Brown and Soulja Boy feuding over Karrueche Tran, get into Kim Burrell coming sideways at the LGBT community, and breakdown Mariah Carey's NYE performance.