Source: Paras Griffin / Getty The #DoTheShiggy challenge has taken Drake ‘s “In My Feelings” to a whole new level when it comes to dance videos. But when it comes to singing, KeKe Wyatt ‘s cover of the track is so dope and timely that no one else should attempt to follow. Keke always brings her A game with the vocals. And with a name like hers, she’s the perfect person to respond to “Keke, do you love me?” Check out the cute response below. via GIPHY
Beyonce To Appear Oprah’s Next Chapter Beyonce mania has invaded the OWN network. Adding to her impressive roster of revealing celebrity sit downs that included the likes of Rihanna, Usher, Lance Armstrong and Bobbi Kristina, the queen of day time talk show will put the ever elusive and pseudo private Mrs. Carte r on blizzy blast in a one on one interview this weekend. via Entertainment Weekly Winfrey will have a special one-on-one interview for Oprah’s Next Chapter with the 17-time Grammy winner, which will air the same night as Beyoncé’s HBO documentary Life Is But A Dream. Don’t worry: There won’t be a conflict. The OWN interview will air at 8 p.m. this Saturday, and the HBO documentary airs at 9. The Oprah’s Next Chapter chat will apparently talk about the Beyonce-directed documentary, and also is being touted as her first interview about her showstopping Super Bowl performance. In addition, reps for the 2013 Essence Music Festival held in New Orleans have confirmed that Bey will headline the line up yet again. via Singers Room One top of headlining her own world tour, The Mrs. Carter Show, Beyoncé is now set to headline yet another – the 2013 Essence Music Festival. The R&B star will return to the Superdome this summer in New Orleans, L.A., to headline one of the three nights of concerts taking place from July 4th to the 7th. She will be joining an amazing lineup of entertainers for the annual festival that includes the likes of: Jill Scott, Maxwell, New Edition, Charlie Wilson, Keyshia Cole, LL Cool J and Brandy, and more. Speaking on her return, Essence Communications Presidet, Michelle Ebanks said this: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Beyoncé back to the 2013 ESSENCE Festival line-up. She is truly the ultimate ESSENCE woman. If you missed her tour de force in New Orleans, please join us this Fourth of July weekend so that you can experience it live for yourself at the ESSENCE Festival. The ESSENCE Festival features the best in music, culture, arts and entertainment—all of which Beyoncé captures through her extraordinary gifts.” A vent session with Oprah followed immediately by a tell-all documentary? Bey must really be ready to put all her cards on the table. Will you be tuning in for the King Knowles takeover this weekend? WENN
‘Brown Sugar’ singer continues his comeback with a spirited performance at New Orleans’ Superdome. By Rebecca Thomas D’Angelo performs at the 2012 Essence Music Festival Photo: Getty Images
Earlier today Essence Magazine announced the lineup to their annual Essence Music Festival in New Orleans July 6 – 8. Mary J. Blige, Fantasia Aretha Franklin, Charlie Wilson, SWV, Dru Hill, Ledisi, Estelle, Goapele, Vivian Green, and many more are slated to perform over the three-day event. Click here to check out the full roster. Excited about the Louisiana function? Plan on heading that way come July? Let us know. RELATED STORIES: Kelly Rowland To Be Honored By Essence Magazine D-Wade and Gabrielle Union Talk About Love In Essence Magazine [PHOTOS]
We thought Fantasia may have been pregnant when she was spotted packing some extra pounds vacationing with Antwaun Cook recently, and now we’ve got the proof! Fanny didn’t make the announcement on Twitter or release a statement, but broke the news to a small crowd at a charity concert that she performed at during the opening of Riverview Apartments in Jacksonville, FL. She confessed that she was afraid of what people would think of her, talked about her faith in God and said how He is the one who gave her this child. She didn’t mention Antwaun. Fantasia met Antwaun when he was married, had an affair with him, which led to his wife leaving him, and taking Fantasia to court. Fantasia Caught With Antwuan Cook AGAIN! [PHOTOS] Is Fantasia Pregnant Again By Married Boyfriend Antwaun Cook? Fantasia Testifies In Court, Admits To Aborting Antwuan Cook’s Baby Busted! Fantasia’s E-Mail Proves She Knew Antwuan Cook Was Married Fantasia’s Married Man Antwaun Cook Finally Releases Statement! Pregnant Or Not Fantasia Says “F*** It” At Essence Music Festival [VIDEO]
Pioneering pop&B boy band chop it up with MTV News about their reunion. By Rebecca Thomas New Edition perform at the Essence music festival Photo: Getty Images NEW ORLEANS — Don’t let the fancy footwork fool you: Bobby Brown says it took him two years to get back enough “muscle memory” to pull off the smoove moves that earned his group, New Edition , a permanent place in the annals of boy bands. OK, maybe not two years, but Brown — whose shirtless onstage dancing once got him arrested, during his ’90s heyday, in the state of Georgia — admitted it took some time when we caught up with him and his bandmates at last weekend’s 2011 Essence Music Festival . “It didn’t take two years, but it took a little while to get back into, you know, not moving the way I used to move and get the steps and start dancing back on my toes instead of flat-footed,” the onetime R&B bad boy laughed as he demonstrated a little shuffle. “Bobby got on shoes. Let me tell you, he ain’t had shoes onstage for the last 20 years,” group heartthrob Ralph Tresvant teased the sneaker-rocking Brown. “So that’s a testament to his dedication.” “It’s a lot of things that I’m capable of doing, but New Edition steps, whether you think so or not, they’re probably one of the hardest things in dance that you could do,” Brown added. In the ’80s, those steps, paired with soulful vocals, took five young boys from a Boston ‘hood to music-industry superstardom. Now celebrating 30 years in the business, New Edition — Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Tresvant, Brown and Johnny Gill (the only non-Bostonian brought into the fold in the ’90s to take over for Brown) — put their indelible street stamp on the boy-band hustle. And their influence rolls on — whether the bubblegum pop of their 1983 Candy Girl debut or the boys-to-men songs of their classic Heart Break album. Case in point, sought-after producer Jim Jonsin told MTV News this month that he would reference the New Edition sound for Justin Bieber ‘s next album. Backstage at the Superdome, the still-dapper guys, now in their early 40s, chatted with their arms flung around each other. In three decades, they’ve endured more than a few ups and downs — self-imposed hiatuses, label changes and infighting — and even spawned successful solo careers and subgroups like Bell Biv DeVoe. But gathered on this Fourth of July weekend in the Big Easy, they found they could recapture that magic, reducing grown women to squealing tweens. “Through the love of just being around each other for many years and trusting that we were just gonna be there for each other, we were able to let [individual projects] go for a minute and jump out that car and jump into this one,” Tresvant, in a stylish tan fedora, explained. So could an album be in the works? “We got a New Edition album in the making,” Brown revealed. “We’re thinking about it, we’re talking about it, and it all starts with us, just thinking about making some good music together. … I’m just glad to be a part of this and I’m proud to be a part of this.” Share your memories of New Edition in the comments! Related Artists New Edition
If you didn’t make it to the Essence Music Festival at the New Orleans Superdome this Independence Day weekend, The Urban Daily has exclusive content from one of the summer’s most anticipated festivals. Kanye West headlined the show on Saturday night, and in signature Kanye fashion, Mr.West brought out ‘all of the lights’, fireworks, smoke, about 50 dancers, and hit after hit. He got the party started with “Good Life” and closed the show with “Hey Mama”. The set was definitely one to remember, and below are exclusive photos and videos from the show. Fab Or Fug: Mary J Blige Goes Fringe Crazy At Essence Music Festival [PHOTOS] Kanye West conducts a crowd of over 422,000 music lovers as they sing along to classic R&B joints from back in the day:
Soulful singer Miguel recovered gracefully after falling off stage at a recent concert in Houston while performing “Sure Thing.” The packed female audience responded with “Are you O.K?” and applause as Miguel repositioned the mic and himself on stage! Spotted @ NecoleBitchie.com 2011 Essence Music Festival [PHOTOS] Marsha Ambrosius & Miguel Reveal Their First Jobs [VIDEO] Miguel’s “Sure Thing” Reaches Number One On Billboard Charts
Trey Songz, Fantasia, Boyz II Men also on the bill for July event. By Gil Kaufman Kanye West Photo: Shirlaine Forrest/ WireImage Kanye West’s joint 2010 tour with Lady Gaga may have been a nonstarter, but the rapper is making up for lost time by adding his name to a growing string of major festivals. In addition to bringing My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to the indie masses at the upcoming Coachella festival, West will also topline this year’s Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. The 17th annual gathering of hip-hop and R&B glitterati will take place July 1-3 and also feature sets from Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott and Trey Songz; Charlie Wilson, Fantasia and Boyz II Men will also perform on the main stage. Other stages will host Stephanie Mills, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Macy Gray, Dwele, Alexander O’Neal & Cherrelle, Mavis Staples, Mint Condition, M.C. Lyte, Kourtney Heart, Tank, Soul Rebels Brass Band and the Rebirth Brass Band. There will be plenty of other local talent on display as well, including Irma Thomas, Charmaine Neville Band and the TBC Brass Band. “We listen to our audience and these are the musicians they want to see under one roof for three days,” said Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc. in a statement announcing the lineup. “Our mission this year was to celebrate community through the prism of the art form that continues to tell our readers’ stories: R&B.” Headline sponsor Essence magazine is also running a contest called R&B Star, in which 1980s singer Pebbles will be on the lookout for the next great soul singer. The winner will get a one-year management contract as well as a spot on the stage at the 2011 Essence Music Festival. Tickets for the festival are not yet on sale. Related Artists Kanye West Mary J. Blige
