Podcast: "For The Culture" (The BackBeat)

On this week’s episode, we breakdown some of 2018’s newest music. We fan out over the Bruno Mars and Cardi B collab “Finesse.” We also debate whether or not Bruno Mars appropriates black music and culture. Next, we get into Justin Timberlake’s “Filthy” and his upcoming Superbowl performance that should include an appearance from Janet Jackson. We, also, stan over the latest release from H.E.R. We end the episode with the albums we are most excited about this year. We can’t wait to check out new music from Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion Camilla Cabello, Migos, Nicki Minaj and more.

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: "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: "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: "Girl Down" (The BackBeat)

This week, we briefly get into the VMAs and discuss Lady Gaga’s latest career and new song Perfect Illusion, which is an interesting fusion of pop, rock, and disco. We also get into Kanye West’s Yeezy 4 Fashion Show, which has been getting more criticism than praise. Next, we discuss Tyga signing to Good Music and Ariana Grande’s upcoming tour and her new skills as a rapper. We end our hot topics with a discussion of Sean Paul’s critiques of Drake and Justin Bieber in regards to the appropriation of dancehall in mainstream music.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode where we break down our favorite songs of the moment. Marcus chooses hits from Laura Mvula, 99 Souls, and Tinashe. Kyera’s favorite songs right now come from K. Michelle, Travis Scott ft. Andre 3000, and D.R.A.M ft. Lil Yachty. Enjoy the show!

Podcast: "Receipts Paid" (The BackBeat)

This week, we get into the moment the internet exploded with snake emojis after Kim Kardashian exposed Taylor Swift for lying on Kanye West. We talk about Lauryn Hill and financial literacy as well as Rihanna joining the new season of Bates Motel. We end with a shout-out to Rhapsody for signing to Jay Z’s record label, Roc Nation.

Stay tuned until the end of the episode to hear our songs of the moment. Marcus chooses cuts from Lil Kim, Ariana Grande, and Alicia Keys while Kyera highlights new songs from Kehlani, Lizzo, and SchoolBoy Q.

Enjoy!

Mashup: "Into You In A Million" (Ariana Grande & Aaliyah)

I don't know who came up with this brilliant mashup of Ariana Grande and Aaliyah but I really hope Ariana hears it and gives us a live remix of sorts with her current single "Into You" with Aaliyah's "One In A Million" beat.

With that said, this brilliant mashup "Into You In A Million" features both vocals from Aaliyah and Ariana Grande over Timbaland's brilliant production from "One In A Million". Take a listen below and cop the free download while supplies last!

Podcast: "Houston, We Have A Problem" (The BackBeat)

This week we get into Azealia Banks’ latest Twitter beefs, Whitney ‘Houston we have a problem’ hologram being cancelled from The Voice, Kesha getting banned and now reinstated to perform at the Billboard Music Awards, Ameriie’s comeback, Ghost Town DJ’s “My Boo” becoming a top 10 record two decades later, as well as a quick review of Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman.

Also stay tune until the end to hear our songs of the moment where Kyera raves about new music from Chance the Rapper's mixtape Coloring Book and Marcus revisits Ameriie, Whitney Houston, and Ariana Grande.

New Video: "Into You" (Ariana Grande)

After offering up a solid performance of her new single "Into You" at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, last night, Ariana Grande released the official video for Dangerous Woman's second official single.

Featuring model Don Benjamin as her romantic interest, Ariana definitely turns up the heat a bit and I bet that this video will help push into you further up the Billboard charts possibly to a new top 10 position.

With that said, watch her new video for "Into You" below and if you haven't heard and/or purchased Dangerous Woman, there is no time like the present.

Podcast: "Dammn Baby" (The BackBeat)

This week we get into Janet’s “Dammn Baby” music video and her pregnancy announcement, KRS Dismissing claims of Afrika! Bambaata’s sexual molestation, dueling Whitney Houston documentaries, Kylie Jenner being featured on the track "Beautiful Day "by Burberry Perry, new music from Alicia Keys & Ariana Grande, as well as getting a bit into Drake’s Views from the 6.

Also stay tuned to the end where Marcus gets into his songs of the moment from Gallant, Beyonce and Groove Theory, while Kyera gets into songs from Drake, Yo Gotti, and Justin Timberlake.

New Joint: "Into You" (Ariana Grande)

Everything I've heard from Ariana Grande's forthcoming third album Dangerous Woman has been on point and the latest teaser/buzz single "Into You" is no exception. Co-produced by Max Martin and co-written by Grande herself, the EDM fueled jam is a more grownup sound and lyrical bent to it than her previous album releases.

Featuring lyrics such as "a little less conversation/ a little more touch my body," Ariana is maturing lyrically and I'm excited that she is getting more involved in the writing process. With that said, take a listen to "Into You" below and lookout for Dangerous Woman when it's released May 20th!

Live Clip: "Dangerous Woman" (Ariana Grande)

Last night on NBC's The Tonight Show, Ariana Grande continued her promotional rounds for her forthcoming album Dangerous Woman and on the show, Ariana Grande belted out the title track to her upcoming third album.

With that said, watch Ariana Grande's powerhouse performance of "Dangerous Woman" below and Enjoy!

New Joint: "Let Me Love You" (Ariana Grande ft Lil Wayne)

We are almost a month away from Ariana Grande's Dangerous Woman era with the release of her third studio album on May 20th and ahead of the set's release, Ariana has released a new joint from her highly anticipated LP.

Entitled "Let Me Love You," the smooth mid-tempo joint features Lil Wayne and is reminiscent sonically for me of Kelly Rowland's monster smash "Motivation." With that said, take a listen below to "Let Me Love You" below and lookout for Dangerous Woman on May 20th.

Podcast: "Guess Who's Back?" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode, we remember Phife Dawg and honor his legacy with A Tribe Called Quest, get into release rumors surrounding Beyonce’s forthcoming sixth album, get into Azealia Bank’s SLAY-Z Mixtape, breakdown K. Michelle’s latest album More Issues Than Vogue, and celebrate Rihanna making Black Girl Magic History!

During our songs of the week segment, Kyera introduces us to Dayme Arocena, celebrates Remy Ma and Fat Joe’s latest collabo, and gets on fleek with Cardi B. Additionally, Marcus chooses to get dangerous with Ariana Grande, introduces us to Darion Ja’Von, and celebrates K. Michelle.

Live Clip: "Dangerous Woman (A Cappella)" (Ariana Grande)

Just when you thought you'd grasped the depths of Ariana's vocal talents, she drops an a cappella version of her performing "Dangerous Woman," the title-track and lead single from her forthcoming third album Dangerous Woman.

Shot while she was taking photos for her new album's cover art, Ariana effortlessly belts out her latest hit, nailing even the bridge which would offer even the strongest of singers a bit of trouble. With that said, Watch Ariana murder "Dangerous Woman" and have a little fun while doing it below and Enjoy!

New Joint: "Over And Over Again" (Nathan Sykes ft. Ariana Grande)

After teaming up in 2013 for "Almost is Never Enough," which was lifted from both Ariana Grande's debut album Yours Truly as well as the soundtrack for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, Nathan Sykes and Ariana Grande have reteamed for "Over And Over Again," the second single lifted from Sykes forthcoming debut album.

While Sykes originally released "Over And Over Again" last year without Grande, I am sure her feature will raise the visibility and chart promise of this solid ballad, which is produced by Harmony Samuels.

Take a listen below to "Over And Over Again" and Enjoy!

Podcast: "#FactsOnly" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat we get into some of 2016’s highly anticipated releases including Rihanna’s Anti, Ariana Grande’s Moonlight, Christina Aguilera’s follow-up to 2012’s Lotus, Kanye’s Swish, and Missy Elliott’s followup to 2005’s The Cookbook. In addition we speculate about new releases from D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Beyonce and Maxwell with a shoutout to Drake. We then tackle Complex’s list of the best rappers each year since 1979, which shamefully only features one woman, Ms. Nicki Minaj. We then rejoice at Beyonce joining Coldplay at this year’s Super Bowl in addition to rumors that Rihanna might join the festivities, get into some of the new music thus far in 2016 (Kanye West’s “Swish” and “Best Friend”; Brandy’s “Beggin and Pleadin”; Fantasia’s “No Time For It”), talk about Netflix’s highly anticipated series “The Get Down,” and interrogate RZA thinking Black youth should stop scaring police.

Make sure you stay tune to the end of the episode when Marcus and Kyera get into their songs of the moment from Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Whitney Houston, and Kelela.

Live Clip: "Focus" (Ariana Grande)

Ariana Grande is putting the finishing touches on her third album Moonlight, due later this year and while her song "Focus" is still blaring on the radio, Ariana took to Disney's 2015 Christmas Parade last year to perform the blaring cut.

Becoming the first artist in Billboard history to have her first single from her first three albums debut in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, Ariana continues to blossom into a superstar before our eyes with her once in a generation at the key to her success.

Watch her performance of "Focus" below and Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Focus" (Ariana Grande)

Ariana Grande offered up one of the best vocals of the night at the 2015 American Music Awards with her new single "Focus," which is lifted from her forthcoming third album Moonlight.

Breaking it down at the beginning with a little jazz rendition of "Focus," Ariana then turned up the BPMs and busted out some dance moves on her latest top ten hit. With that said, watch Ariana's performance of "Focus" below and Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Focus" (Ariana Grande)

Ariana Grande isn't letting Adele's 25 reign hinder her forthcoming era and with the release of "Focus" this past Friday, Ariana offered up the first official performance of her smash single "Focus," which I am sure will make a top 10 debut on the Billboard Hot 100 charts next week.

With that said, on Halloween, Ariana and her dancers got dressed up a bit to offer up a mini set to some of her fans at the Honda Stage at the iHeartRadio Theater and it included a riveting performance of "Focus."

Watch Ariana's Halloween inspired performance of "Focus" below and Enjoy!