Usher

Beyoncé Honors ‘My Beloved Queen’ Tina Turner Upon News Of Her Death: ‘I Love You Endlessly’

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Beyonce Tina Turner Grammys 2008
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On Wednesday, May 24, news broke that the legendary Tina Turner has died at 83 years old. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner,” reads a caption posted to Turner’s official Instagram. “With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.”

According to The New York Times, Bernard Doherty, Turner’s publicist, confirmed that she’d passed away at her Küsnacht, Switzerland home. The cause of her death has not yet been made known. The publication noted that Turner had had a stroke some years back and was known to be suffering from kidney disease, as well as other illnesses.

Tributes immediately began pouring out online, including from the likes of Beyoncé, former US President Barack Obama, and Usher.

“My beloved queen. I love you endlessly,” Beyoncé wrote on her official website underneath a photo of her performing “Proud Mary” with Turner at the 2008 Grammys. “I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way. You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain. Thank you for all you have done.”

Obama also gushed over Turner’s irreplaceable spirit on Instagram and Twitter.

“Tina Turner was raw. She was powerful. She was unstoppable,” the former president wrote. “And she was unapologetically herself — speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy. Today we join fans around the world in honoring the Queen of Rock and Roll, and a star whose light will never fade.”

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also acknowledged Turner’s death:

On Instagram, Usher reflected on crossing paths with Turner:

“The Queen and a Pioneer of Rock n’ Roll, Anna Mae Bullock. Most notably known, as Tina Turner. I’ll never forget when I met you and how you made me feel.

You once said in an interview, ‘My legacy is that I stayed the course…from beginning to the end, because I believe in something inside of me.’

You have left such an impactful legacy on this earth and your very motivation to be the greatest inspires me till this day. Love you eternally. Rest peacefully.”

See a roundup of notable online tributes to Turner below.

Usher Says ‘Confessions 2’ Album is ‘Just a Rumor’

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For everybody that is looking for Confessions 2 from Usher, stop looking. The R&B icon Stepped Into The Shade Room and discussed the project, stating, “That’s just a rumor, at this point.”

He added, “We got time. There’s space and opportunity to think of new ideas. But the one that is 20 years old was a brilliant one. For every producer, writer, and creative that had anything to do with it, we celebrate 20 years of an album.”

Earlier this year, Usher dropped his first single in three years, “GLU.” The new single is written and produced by Sean Garrett, Lil John, The Avila Brothers, and Usher.

The new single brings the reunion of Usher and L.A. Reid, recapturing the magic of Usher’s classic and Diamond-certified album Confessions. Usher’s untitled ninth studio album will arrive this spring via Larry Jackson’s gamma.

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“I’m beyond excited to have Usher now as a part of the gamma. family! He is the last black artist this century to have an album go diamond, which is a massive accomplishment. As exemplified by his hugely successful Vegas residency, it is once again reinforced that he is not only an incredible vocalist and performer, but a true showman at the top of his game. ‘GLU’ showcases his singular vocal talent and timeless appeal,” said Larry Jackson, Co-founder & CEO, gamma.

You can hear the new single below, and be sure to catch Usher at his Las Vegas residency. New dates have just dropped.

The post Usher Says ‘Confessions 2’ Album is ‘Just a Rumor’ appeared first on The Source.

Chris Brown Defended By Lisa Raye In Usher Drama

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Recently, it was reported that Chris Brown’s 34th birthday party ended on a violent note. Rumors swirled that he and his crew jumped Usher at the event. This development was surprising, given that the two R&B singers have a close relationship. While the story remains unconfirmed and is mostly based on hearsay and conjecture, reports have flooded in from all angles. Although some individuals may need to see video evidence to believe it, most are curious to know what happened. Though there is no video of the physical altercation, a video did later emerge of an argument between the two. According to these accounts, it was not a personal grudge but a matter of defending a victim of Brown’s behavior.

Usher threw a skate party for Brown’s birthday, with guests including Mario, Bow Wow, and many others. However, things reportedly took a turn for the worse as Brown allegedly got increasingly intoxicated. He was said to have been disrespectful to Teyana Taylor, approaching her in a drunken state. It’s unclear what exactly he said or did. Multiple individuals are believed to have joined the argument, leading to the alleged altercation. Now, Chris Brown has a new defender in Lisa Raye.

Lisa Raye: Why [Brown] Gotta Chill?

Lisa Raye spoke out in Brown’s defense on Fox Souls’ Cocktails With Queens. In the roundtable-style interview, Raye says that the public treats the singer unfairly based on his past. However, she points out that having a past doesn’t mean everything is automatically your fault. “Why he gotta chill? Why he gotta chill?” Raye asked. “What if he felt just like what he said? ‘F her.’ What if he felt like that? What I don’t like about it is that every time his name is brought up, that he always gets automatically blamed. Because, ‘He is that way.’ We know him to be that, so it gotta be him.”

Raye went on to compare her past to Brown’s, giving some insight as to why she feels that he is treated unfairly. “That’s what I don’t like when people have that kind of stigma – because I got that. It’s quick for you to think that, ‘Oh Lisa Raye would have done that,’ or, ‘Lisa Raye said that,” said the actress. “And I don’t like that because that very next time, it could have been very different. But you blame me because of my past.” What do you think of Lisa Raye’s defense of Chris Brown? Do you think that the public treats him unfairly? Let us know in the comments!

Chris Brown’s Biggest Scandals: From Frank Ocean To Rihanna

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Controversy swirled around Chris Brown this week, with reports of violence at his 34th birthday bash. It’s claimed that the R&B artist and his entourage attacked Usher, despite their close ties. No confirmation or video evidence has yet been made available as to what happened, though many stories exist. Most are left wondering what truly transpired, but rumors claim the altercation may have been sparked by a defense of another person reportedly wronged by Brown: Teyana Taylor.

Once an adored R&B teen superstar likened to Michael Jackson, Chris Brown’s public persona changed drastically when he committed a battery charge against his then-girlfriend Rihanna. In the years since, charges of assault and battery against women have severely tarnished his image. Here are some of Chris Brown’s scandals.

6.  Parking Space Altercation With Frank Ocean

For any rational individual, it is inconceivable that Chris Brown would resort to violence over something as trivial as a parking space. Yet, that was said to be the circumstance between him and Frank Ocean. The feud reportedly began when Brown attempted to leave the recording studio and found his car blocked. In response, Ocean took to Twitter to allege he had been “jumped” by Brown and his entourage. As a result, he reportedly sustained an injury to his finger, impacting his Grammy performance. Moreover, reports allege that Brown also resorted to homophobic language during the altercation.

5. Karreuche Tran’s Abuse Allegations

HOLLYWOOD, CA – OCTOBER 20: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Recording artist Chris Brown (L) and model Karrueche Tran attend Teyana Taylor’s VII listening event presented by Def Jam, GOOD Music and MVD Inc at Siren Studios on October 20, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/WireImage)

Court papers reveal that Karreuche had accused Brown of threatening and having inflicted physical abuse while they were romantically involved. In response, a judge issued an order requiring Brown to stay 100 yards away from Tran, her mother, and her younger brother. Furthermore, he was not allowed to contact Tran. Additionally, she reportedly provided text messages dating back to 2016 demonstrating his threats, including promises to ‘beat her up’ and make her life a living hell. Furthermore, she attested that Brown once punched her in her stomach twice “years ago” and pushed her down a flight of stairs. The pair had been engaged in a turbulent on-off relationship since 2011.

4. Getting Kicked Out of Rehab

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Singer Chris Brown attends a progress hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court on January 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Brown was first placed on probation after the 2009 domestic violence case in which he plead guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna. (Photo by Lucy Nicholson – Pool/Getty Images)

Chris Brown’s stint in rehabilitation for anger management issues came as a surprise to many. Nonetheless, the singer saw it as an opportunity to avoid prison time. Though, he allegedly lacked the discipline to adhere to the conditions of his stay. Not only was he said to have been subjected to a two-foot rule separating him from all women, but he was also found to have left the premises without permission and initially refused to submit to a drug test upon his return.

3. Accused of Threatening a Woman With a Firearm

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 30: Chris Brown is interviewed backstage at Power 105.1’s Powerhouse 2014 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on October 30, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Power 105.1)

As the saga of Chris Brown scandals continues, the status of his current case remains uncertain. One of his scandals involved an alleged assault with a deadly weapon against a woman in his home. In a misguided attempt to defend himself, Brown posted a now-deleted video on Instagram, where it was clear that he was far from sober. This did little to ameliorate the situation. He denied the accusation, stating that “every three months y’all come up with something.” Yet, one could argue that it is his own behavior has caused so much uproar. It is difficult to say what will come of Brown’s current predicament. However, at this point, it is certain that he needs a legal team standing by at all times.

2. Phone Snatching

Chris Brown has been accused of “robbery by sudden snatching” following an altercation with a fan. Reports suggest that upon exiting the club, Christal Shanae Spann attempted to take a photograph of Brown through his car window. In response, he purportedly yelled, “B*tch, you not gonna put this up on no website,” wrenching her phone away and driving off. An arrest concerning this incident could have resulted in a probation violation and jail time.

1. Rihanna’s Abuse

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 10: Chris Brown and Rihanna attend the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)

It’s no secret that Chris Brown and Rihanna were once a beloved couple in the music industry. However, their relationship quickly took a dark turn when Brown physically assaulted Rihanna. Reports state that he punched her multiple times, bit her, and choked her, leaving her bruised and bloodied. Then, pictures of her injuries circulated online, prompting uproar.

Despite being the victim of this heinous incident, Rihanna’s personal and professional life hasn’t been tarnished. However, she has had to constantly face the repercussions of social conversations. Brown’s fans continue to defend him, stating he has grown since that time. Of all Chris Brown scandals, this one has to be the one with far-reaching consequences on his career.

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Top Highlights From Usher’s “Lovers & Friends” Festival

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Usher

Usher’s “Lovers & Friends” Festival was eventful, with many surprising moments that got fans buzzing. Several highlights left fans talking, from Chris Brown’s backstage altercation to Ginuwine’s tumble on stage. SOHH dives into some of the most noteworthy moments at the festival. Chris Brown’s Backstage Altercation During Missy Elliott’s set, Chris Brown got into a […]

The post Top Highlights From Usher’s “Lovers & Friends” Festival appeared first on SOHH.com.

Muni Long Performs an Unreleased Version of “Hrs & Hrs” With Usher

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In music history, only a handful of primary songwriters have been able to emerge from the pen to the booth with a voice just as powerful. In 2021, Muni Long‘s popularity as a vocalist was pushed to the forefront with the release of “Hrs & Hrs.” Over the weekend, Muni Long debuted a new rendition of her Grammy award-winning song. This weekend Muni took the stage alongside R&B legend Usher at the Lovers and Friends festival to perform their unreleased cut of the song. Usher also didn’t really leave the stage over the weekend performing with Ari Lennox and Summer Walker during the festival.

This isn’t the first new rendition of the song. In February, Muni Long recorded a Spanish version of the song called “Horas Y Horas.” Showcasing her vocal ability, she sang the song in Spanish. The original version of the song earned her a series of awards including the Grammy for “Best R&B Performance” at the 2023 Grammy Awards in February. Additionally, the song is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The song also debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and spend 20 weeks on the chart.

Muni Long And Usher Perform Hrs & Hrs

Moreover, this is not Muni’s first time debuting on the billboard charts for her work. Muni is formally known by her first and middle name, Pricilla Renae. As a songwriter, some of her writing credits include “California King Bed” by Rihanna, “Worth It” by Fifth Harmony, and global chart-topping “Timber” sung by Pitbull and Kesha. She has also worked with major artists such as Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Babyface on his latest album. Muni’s career stems back to 2008. She had a stellar career as a writer prior to receiving her big break with “Hrs & Hrs.”

Furthermore, Muni’s career longevity speaks for itself. Her recent performance with Usher began to allow fans to continue to enjoy the song in a new form. Additionally, Usher on this song transforms it into an R&B duet staple. Do you want the unreleased version to be released? Let us know in the comments below.

Facts Or Rumors: Is There Really Beef Between Chris Brown, Teyana Taylor & Usher?

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Chris Brown x Teyana Taylor x Usher

There are rumors circulating about an alleged heated altercation between Chris Brown, Teyana Taylor, and Usher at the “Under The Influence” artist’s birthday party in Vegas. The alleged incident has sparked speculation among fans, with some questioning the validity of the rumors. Alleged Altercation At Chris Brown’s Skate Birthday Party On May 5, Usher threw […]

The post Facts Or Rumors: Is There Really Beef Between Chris Brown, Teyana Taylor & Usher? appeared first on SOHH.com.

Usher To Play Festival Despite Chris Brown Altercation

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On May 5, Chris Brown hosted his 34th birthday party at a skating rink in Las Vegas. Teyana Taylor arrived at the event, which angered Brown. According to reports, Brown and Taylor are currently at odds due to Taylor pulling out of Brown’s canceled Michael Jackson tribute at the AMAs. Brown got angry at Taylor, causing Usher to step in and try to defuse the situation. This directed Brown’s anger at Usher and the two argued. Brown then left the venue, with Usher following him to continue the conversation. Outside, Usher was allegedly jumped by Brown and his entourage.

However, footage of the fight is yet to surface and many people remain skeptical about its severity. This is because the incident reportedly took place in a Vegas parking lot and yet no one appears to have actually witnessed the fight itself. Furthermore, gossip outlets are starting to catch flak for their glib tone about proceedings. As one commentator on a Neighborhood Talk post wrote, “I just find it weird that it took CB attacking Usher for y’all to seem how violent he is, but not the multiple women he has abused.” Both Usher and Brown were scheduled to perform at Usher’s Lovers & Friends Festival on May 6. However, it was unknown how the altercation would affect this.

Usher To Still Play Set

According to The Neighborhood Talk, Usher will still perform his set on the Friends Stage. “Our sources assure he’s going to power through and put on a good show. He may, however, be covering up a bit,” read the post on The Neighborhood Talk. Usher is set to begin his set at 7:55pm MDT. Usher reportedly suffered a bloody nose and bruised ribs after being jumped by Brown and his crew. The incident reportedly happened behind a row of charter buses at the roller rink where the birthday party was happening.

However, there is no word on whether Brown will perform his set. Brown was scheduled to perform at 6:15pm on the Friends Stage. However, it is unclear if that is still the case, even if Usher is still planning to perform. This is a developing story and any new updates can be found here on HotNewHipHop.

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