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: "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!

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: "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.

Podcast: "Grammy Whammy" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode, we breakdown the 2017 GRAMMY nominations from Beyonce, Kanye West, Drake, Chance the Rapper, Rihanna, and Adele leading the pack to some of the omissions including Laura Mvula, Alessia Cara, and Travis Scott. We also get into J. Cole’s new album, Jeremih getting kicked off PartyNextDoor’s tour, and Nicki Minaj coming under fire for posting an Instagram video of a mentally ill woman.

Enjoy the episode!

Podcast: "For Us" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode, we discuss Nicki Minaj’s new interview with Marie Claire in which she talks about being an entrepreneur and the double standards for black women in the entertainment industry. We touch upon Kid Cudi’s new video “Frequency” and the awareness he is bringing to mental health. Next, we discuss Emeli Sande’s new song “Garden” ft. Jay Electronica and her upcoming album, which we can’t wait to hear. We run through the nominees for the 2016 American Music Awards--where Drake and Bryson Tiller scored huge nominations. Finally, we plug Michel’le’s movie “Surviving Compton,” which airs on Lifetime this Saturday (October 15th) at 8pm.

Don’t forget to stay tuned in until the end of the episode to hear our Songs of the Moment. Marcus chooses cuts from Aretha Franklin, Mary J Blige, Whitney Houston, and DVSN. Kyera gives us some of her favorite songs from Mahalia Jackson, Solange Knowles, and Vince Staples!

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.

Award Nominations: 2016 GRAMMY Awards

The 2016 GRAMMY Award nominations were announced earlier today and Kendrick Lamar leads this year's nominees with eleven total nominations. The Grammys return to L.A.'s Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 on CBS at 8pm EST. No host has been announced yet but you can get into all the award nominations below from the major 4 categories (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best New Artist) to the R&B and Rap categories respectively.

Podcast: "Shut Up & Listen" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, we discuss why TI should have just shut the hell up instead of saying his sexist comments about Hillary Clinton & women presidents, we review Bryson Tiller’s new LP Trap Soul, & share our thoughts on the American Music Award nominations, which recognized both Fetty Wap for Best New Artist and D’Angelo’s Black Messiah LP for Soul/R&B Album. We also look out how hip-hop culture is slowly taking over primetime with new shows by Ludacris, Diddy, and Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino are in the works. We get into our feelings over Bobby Brown’s alleged “tell all” book on Whitney Houston and Bobbi Kristina, as well as highlight the activism of Lady Gaga and Lupe Fiasco through their foundations to serve teenagers struggling with mental illness and bring start-ups to inner city communities.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear what our Songs of The Moment are this week! Marcus chooses some great songs from Amel Larrieux, Tamar Braxton, and Janet Jackson. Kyera dips into the discography of Musiq Soulchild, Lady Leshurr, and The Internet.

Enjoy!

Podcast: "Hotline Bling" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, we get into Nicki Minaj’s new ABC Family show, Whitney Houston’s upcoming Hologram, Drake making history on the Billboard Hot 100, Erykah Badu's remix of Drake’s “Hotline Bling,” a status update on Lauryn Hill’s highly anticipated followup to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, as well as our reviews on both Tamar Braxton’s (Calling All Lovers) and Janet Jackson’s (Unbreakable) new albums.

Kyera also gives us a brief Culture Talk regarding the musical Hamilton, and Marcus offers a Blast from the Past regarding Donny Hathaway. Make sure you tune into the end of the episode where we give our Songs of the Moment.

Take a listen below and Enjoy!

Podcast: "The BackBeat: Don't Call It A Come Back" (The BackBeat)

This week, we get back into our soundbites starting with NWA’s biopic Straight Outta Compton, our thoughts on JoJo’s compact with her Tringle, Beyoncé’s “stringy hair” Atlantic article and Black Twitter’s response as well as how we are totally here for Janelle Monae and her movement.

Also we get into Lil B’s discussion of Black Lives Matters on CNN, Azealia Bank’s bad contract and response to Nicki Minaj’s wax figure, Fetty Wap dominating the summer, as well as Aretha Franklin’s highly anticipated biopic with Jennifer Hudson loosely attached to stars.

And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our favorite songs of the moment.

Podcast: "The BackBeat: Don't Call It A Come Back" (The BackBeat)

This week, we get back into our soundbites starting with NWA’s biopic Straight Outta Compton, our thoughts on JoJo’s compact with her Tringle, Beyoncé’s “stringy hair” Atlantic article and Black Twitter’s response as well as how we are totally here for Janelle Monae and her movement.

Also we get into Lil B’s discussion of Black Lives Matters on CNN, Azealia Bank’s bad contract and response to Nicki Minaj’s wax figure, Fetty Wap dominating the summer, as well as Aretha Franklin’s highly anticipated biopic with Jennifer Hudson loosely attached to stars.

And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our favorite songs of the moment.

Podcast: "The Anatomy of a Clapback" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, we talk about Jill Scott’s new album Woman, Future’s new DS2 album and get into the anatomy of a clapback. Starting off with Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift’s twitter exchange about the VMAs, we then get into Meek Mill calling out Drake for not writing his own raps on Twitter, Ghostface clapping back at Action Bronson over comments made on Sportscenter, Erykah Badu calling out the Black Eyed Peas for imitating her "Honey" video, Janet Jackson’s new video for her "No Sleeep" remix with J. Cole, as well as Michelle Obama calling on Wale to take part in a college summit.

In our Blast From the Past segment, we celebrate JLO’s birthday, Jill Scott’s debut album Who Is Jill Scott, the passing of Amy Winehouse, as well as the 20th anniversary of Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our favorite songs of the moment.

Award Nominations: 2015 MTV Video Music Awards

The nominees have been announced for the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards and Taylor Swift leads the pack with nine nominations followed by Ed Sheeran with six, Beyoncé and Mark Ronson with five apiece, and Kendrick with four.

For Video of the Year,  Beyoncé and Taylor Swift will face off against one another again this time with Swift's "Bad Blood," featuring Kendrick and Beyoncé’s "7/11. Joining these two pop divas are " Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud," Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk" featuring Bruno Mars, and Kendrick's "Alright."

With that said, Miley Cyrus will host the  2015 MTV VMAs which will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 9 p.m. See a full list of nominees below.

Live Video of the Day: "2015 All Star Game Halftime Show" (Ariana Grande)

Earlier tonight, Ariana Grande headlined the NBA 2015 All Star Game's halftime show and performed a bevy of hits including "Problem," "The Way," "One Last Time," "Love Me Harder," "Bang, Bang" with the assistance of Nicki Minaj, as well as "Break Free."

Offering up a spirited halftime show,  I am sure all of those who were in attendance truly had a ball as the energy Ariana Grande was offering on stage in addition to her vocals really lit up the place. Don't just take my word for it, watch Ariana's performances below!

Live Video of the Day: "Bang Bang" (Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj)

Earlier tonight during ABC's telecast of the 2014 American Music Awards, Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj reunited for the first time since the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards to perform their smash hit single "Bang Bang."

While the trio have performed the single separately and sometimes in a duo since their eyeopening performance of it at the VMAs, it was refreshing to see them on stage again together performing one of the biggest songs of 2014.

With that said, watch Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and Jessie J work it out on the AMAs stage below and Enjoy!

New Video: "Flawless (Remix)" (Beyoncé ft. Nicki Minaj)

After rocking Paris's Stade de France this past September with the final dates to her On The Run Tour, Beyoncé has lifted the most talked about moment, her live performance of the "Flawless (Remix)" with Nicki Minaj as an official video for the single.

Performing in frong of over 80,000 fans, Beyoncé and Nicki matched in their Versus Versace outfits and murdered the stage in my opinion. With that said, peep the official video for the "Flawless (Remix)" below and Enjoy!

Live Clip: "Bang Bang" (Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj)

This past Friday night, Nicki Minaj took part of iHeartRadio Music Festival 2014 and during her set, Nicki brought out Ariana to perform their collaboration "Bang Bang" sans Jessie J.

While Jessie J was across the pond doing some promotional rounds for her forthcoming third album Sweat Talker, Ariana took on Jessie's part of "Bang Bang" and allowed Nicki to truly shine during her set as the two legend-in-the-making artists shut it down in Vegas.

Peep their performance of "Bang Bang" below and Enjoy

Live Clip: "Flawless" (Beyoncé ft. Nicki Minaj)

Beyoncé and Jay Z wrapped their On The Run Tour in Paris and during the closing night of the tour, Beyoncé had a special surprise for her fans with the first, and probably only performance of the "Flawless (Remix)," which had everyone on edge when Beyoncé released it at the top of August.

Featuring Nicki Minaj dressed up in matching Versace outfits, Beyoncé brought out Onika towards the end of her set and Nicki literally spit her bars for dear life, slaying the stage in Paris and hopefully this will be included on the HBO telecast of the tour next Saturday, September 20th.

Live Clip: "VMA Opening Performance" (Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Jessie J)

To kick off the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, three of the biggest music stars on the planet united to perform their individual hits as well as their monster collaboration "Bang Bang."

Kicking off the night, Ariana Grande performed her current hit single "Break Free" with her retro/futuristic look then turning it over to Nicki who mesmerized with her phenomenal performance of "Anaconda."

After Nicki, Jessie J started off "Bang Bang" and was quickly joined by Ariana and then Nicki who was suffering a bit of a wardrobe malfunction, but handled it like the pro she is. Watch their energetic performance below and Enjoy!