MUSIC VIDEO: VV BROWN – “SAMSON”

British artist VV Brown debuts her new single, “Samson” with a brand new video (in which she DOES NOT APPEAR). You may remember her sound being a little more soulful, but she’s traded that in for a more Bjork-inspired, electronic sound.

In an interview with HungerTV, VV explains the change of sound:

I feel like I’ve grown so much as a women and an artist. Maturity has been a huge catalyst. I wrote my first record in 2007. I was growing up whilst I was touring. Your album is a snap shot of a time in your life and you have to carry that sonic photograph with you as you change.

She explains that after her debut album, 2009′s Travelling Like the Light, she began working on her sophomore set, but completely abandoned the project, as well as her record label…

Brown went on to add that when she began working with other artists and diving further in the fashion community, she found “purer” ways to express herself and hopes that her fans walk with her during her reinvention. Peep her new video up top!

TV BIT: CANDICE GLOVER PERFORMS “I AM BEAUTIFUL” ON ‘LIVE W/ KELLY & MICHAEL’

‘American Idol’ season 12 winner Candice Glover is on her way! After proclaiming her title last week, the young starlet has been making her press rounds.

The South Carolina-native made a stop at Live! With Kelly & Michael on Monday morning to perform her new single, “I Am Beautiful.” She also discussed trying out for Idol three times prior to her win, and encouraged young people to follow their dreams and hone their craft:

Well the first time I auditioned, I was 19 and I think I was just a girl who could sing back then. I didn’t know much about music. I just went because the auditions were close to me. But I went home and I studied just about every genre of music and got my music knowledge up. I think I turned myself more into an artist than a singer.

Peep her performance of her new single “I Am Beautiful”, which is now available for purchase on iTunes. Her debut album, Music Speaks is set to release July 16.

MUSIC VIDEO: FAT JOE – “BALLIN’” (FEAT. WIZ KHALIFA & TEYANA TAYLOR)

Directed by Eif Rivera, “Ballin’” features Joey Crack draped in fine suits, hopping out of a private jet, strolling around a mansion and boasting his expensive accessories, while featuring Wiz Khalifa and Teyana Taylor on the money-bragging cut.

Look closely to catch cameos from the likes of Trey Songz, Scott Disick and more. Peep the lavish cinematography up top.

The rap notable is prepping his 11th studio LP, The Darkside Volume 3

AWARENESS: KERRY WASHINGTON SPEAKS AT GWU COMMENCEMENT + PHOTOS

With the recent season finale of her hit-show Scandal and premiere of her feature-film, Peeples, Kerry Washington has constantly been on-the-move as of late.

The 36 year-old actress was selected as the keynote speaker at George Washington University’s 2013 commencement activities on Sunday, May 19th. She gave an inspirational keynote speech to the graduating class of her alma mater, expressing that each student is the hero of their unique life story:

Your life is your story, and the adventure ahead of you is the journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential.

Following her speech, Washington was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts by the university, for her accomplishments in the field of acting and activism. She now shares the doctorate title with her mother, Dr. Valerie Washington…

Interesting Fact: During her time studying at GWU, Washington created her own inter-disciplinary major, combining the areas of psychology, sociology, history, anthropology to better her understanding of people to fuel her acting. She graduated from the university magna cum laude in 1998 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree.

Peep her motivational commencement speech up top!

VIDEO: MIGUEL PERFORMS “ADORN” AT 2013 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS + HIS JUMP FAIL

Decked in a sharp white suit, Miguel took to the stage at the 2013 Billboard Awards show to perform a rock rendition of his Kaleidoscope Dream record, “Adorn.” The West coast native took his energy into the crowd and attempted to jump over a pit of excited fans.

Unfortunately, he fell short of his landing target and accidentally leg dropped an audience member, causing her to need the relief of an ice pack. See what everyone has been talking and creating meme’s about. I hope she’s alright…

But let’s replay that jump again:

Yikes!

( Photos: GETTY IMAGES )

VIDEO: KANYE WEST PERFORMS “NEW SLAVES” & “BLACK SKINHEAD” ON SNL + PHOTOS

After having the internet buzzing this past weekend, Kanye West took to the Saturday Night Live stage to perform his latest single, “New Slaves.”

The rap star also performed another song “Black Skinhead” to an amazed crowd. His new sound is a little more edigier from his past work and with reports of the new album being called, Yeezus, I’m sure it will be just as controversial.

Check out the performance of “Black Skinhead” below, as well as some photos from his appearance. His new album will be in stores on June 18th; Kim Kardashaian instagramed the info right after his performance.

EVENTS: THE 2013 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS (photos & video)

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards were held in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 19th and had a list of performances and appearances. Hosted by comedian / actor Tracy Morgan, the show featured stars like Kelly Rowland, Chris Brown, Akon, Ne-Yo and more.

Singers Erykah Badu and Janelle Monae presented the one and only Prince with the “Icon” award and he followed with a guitar inspired performance like only he could. Other performances included: Miguel, Bruno Mars, Nickie Minaj, J.Lo and more. Check out all the photos and video below..

VIDEO: KANYE WEST PREMIERES “NEW SLAVES” ACROSS BUILDINGS AROUND THE WORLD + LYRICS

You have to give it to Kanye West, anytime he releases material he finds a dope and refreshing way to supply it to the masses. Late Friday evening (May 17), many of his fans were delighted to see his tweet announcing the release of new music.

The 35 year-old is currently finalizing his upcoming sixth studio album and premiered a very raw and real video across 10 cities internationally. The video, which featured only a black and white close up shot of Kanye reciting lyrics, was displayed and projected on over 60+ buildings in the select cities.

Fans in NYC, Toronto, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Paris and Sydney tweeted and instagramed the images across their social media channels. The song, reportedly titled “New Slaves” depicts a story of a person tired of being a puppet and also speaks on racism, materialism and greed. Check out the full lyrics below and the fan made video above.

My mama was raised in an era when clean water was only served to the fairer skin. Doing clothes you would have thought I had help. But they wouldn’t be satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself. You see its broke nigga racism. That’s that “don’t touch anything in the store”. And there’s rich nigga racism. That’s that “come in, please buy more”. What you want a Bentley, fur coat and diamond chain? All you blacks want all the same things. Used to only be nigga. Now everybody playin’. Spending everything on that Alexander Wang. New Slaves.

You see it’s leaders and it’s followers, but I’d rather be a dick than a swallower. You see it’s leaders and it’s followers, but I’d rather be a dick than a swallower.

I throw these Maybach keys. I wear my heart on the sleeve. I know that we the new slaves. I see the blood on the leaves. I see the blood on the leaves. I see the blood on the leaves. I know that we the new slaves. I see the blood on the leaves. They throwing hate at me. Want me to stay at ease. Fuck you and your corporation. Y’all niggas can’t control me. I know that we the new slaves. I know that we the new slaves.

I’m about to wild the fuck out. I’m going Bobby Boucher. I know that pussy ain’t free. You niggas pussy ain’t me. Y’all throwing contracts at me. You know that niggas can’t read. Throw him some Maybach keys. Fuck it, c’est la vie. I know that we the new slaves. Y’all niggas can’t fuck with me. Y’all niggas can’t fuck with Ye. Y’all niggas can’t fuck with Ye. I move my family out the country, so you can’t see where I stay. So go and grab the reporters. So I can smash their recorders. Yeah they confuse us with bullshit, like the New World Order. Meanwhile the DEA. Teamed up with the CCA. They tryna lock niggas up. They tryna make new slaves. See that’s that private-owned prison. Get your piece today. They prolly all in the Hamptons, braggin’ ’bout they maid. Fuck you and your Hampton house. I’ll fuck your Hampton spouse. Came on her Hampton blouse. And in her Hampton mouth. Y’all ’bout to turn shit up. I’m ’bout to tear shit down. I’m ’bout to air shit out. Now what the fuck they gon’ say now?

Kanye will be the musical guest on SNL tonight (May 18), where he will probably perform the song for the first time live. Should be interesting to see..

VIDEO: ROBB THE STREET REPORTER ASKS PEOPLE IN HARLEM ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON GAY MARRIAGE

Robb the street reporter turns his mic to Harlem and finds out what a few black men and women have to say on the issue of gayness and same-sex marriage. Through a slew of random (yet funny) questions and commentaries about sexual orientation, Robb delves into what otherwise would be a serious matter, and explores in a comedic fashion.

Check out the interesting and hilarious video above. Great job Robb!

TV BIT: CANDICE GLOVER CROWNED THE NEW ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ + DUET w/ JENNIFER HUDSON

In Thursday, May 16th’s telecast, South Carolina’s own Candice Glover was crowned winner of American Idol season 12. The 23 year-old is the first female singer to win in six seasons, Jordin Sparks having been the last female to win the title. Candice, a native of the tiny island off of South Carolina, St. Helena, is the oldest of seven children, and has been influenced by music her entire life.

She had previously auditioned in seasons 9 and 11, but the third time was a charm as she took the cake for season 12. The night was full of excitement and star-studded performances, including Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Lopes, and Emeli Sandé, to name a few, to mark the momentous event.

One of the most spectacular performances of the beginning belonged to winner Candice, in a duet of “Inseparable” with former Idol-winner, Jennifer Hudson. Check the video of the performance below.

OTHER PERFORMANCES:
– J. LO’S PERFORMANCE W/ PITBULL
– EMELI SANDE & AMBER HOLCOMB’S PERFORMANCE