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Rapper LL Cool J continues with the release of new music from his new album. The 45-year old teams up with singer Monica for the track 'Closer' which will appear on his new album Authentic. The song is cute but with a collaboration with such icons in the R&B/Hip-Hop industry I will admit that I expected a bit more.

LL Cool J is expected to have a few more collaborations on his new album including Charlie Wilson, Snoop Dogg and more!

Will you be purchasing Authentic?
 

Continuing on the promotional push for her new album Two Eleven, singer Brandy sat down with BillBoard for a candid interview. During the interview, Brandy explained why she didn't tour with her good friend Monica.

She says:

With the Monica thing I didn't really want to hold her up because of my acting thing. There wasn't really anything set in stone. I was actually thinking about pushing the tour back because I want to be able to balance both. I didn't want to hold another artist up.

Girl. Months have passed and still no word of a tour from Monica. Is she holding out for Brandy? Ch. It's good to know that the two aren't on bad terms.

In case you missed you didn't catch the BET Awards on Sunday night, the network put together the best Whitney Houston tribute thus far. Everyone who meant something to Whitney showed their respect and left their blood, sweat and tears on that stage.

Performances from Monica, Brandy, Chaka Khan, Sissy and Gary Houston were included in the tribute. Mariah Carey and the cast of Waiting To Exhale (Lela Rachon, Angela Basset and Loretta Devine) all spoke kind words. Brandy and Monica took me there! Those two young ladies are legends and icons in the making to me. Their voices are so anointed and powerful; it is unbelievable. Sissy Houston made me cry while taking me to church. Gary warmed my heart while paying respects to his sister musically. Chaka Khan showed the world how Whitney Houston was INDEED every woman.

Catch the tribute that had everyone in tears below.

Apparently singer Brandy wants it all to belong to her after stating in a recent interview that she wants to focus on her own career versus touring with Monica. The singer chatted with BarkBiteBlog about her new album and had this to say about a joint tour:

Um, honestly, we haven’t really talked about it since we stopped promoting “It All Belongs to Me.” I just honestly think Monica and I are in different places in our music. And my vibe is a little bit different this time around so I don’t know. I kind of wanna do my own thing. I definitely feel like the fans would want a tour from us, but I don’t know, I just feel like I’m being pulled in a different direction. I’m definitely still open to it, but right now I’m looking in a different way right now for me.


I am so glad that Brandy realized that they were trying to use her comeback to help rejuvenate Monica's failing career. The best thing would be for her to focus on rebuilding her fanbase and nabbing high numbers versus doing a joint tour for the 'fans'.


On another note, why haven't I heard her new single 'Put It Down' on the radio yet? [Source]

We recently brought you guys the cover photo for singer's Brandy and Monica's Ebony Magazine photoshoot, now we have the full spread.

Both of the young ladies look absolutely divine. I don't know if it's me but I love seeing Brandy wear bright colors. Not to say that she doesn't wear color but I just like it better on her than her usual neutral colors. It really makes her skin pop! Monica looked gorgeous as always.

Brandy recently released her new single 'Put It Down' f/ Chris Brown on iTunes if you haven't purchased it yet. Brandy is scheduled to release her new album Two Eleven this Summer.

Monica's new album New Life is in stores now.

Get into the photoshoot below.

Singer Monica talked about her good friend and mentor Missy Elliott with Rap-Up. With Missy's return to the industry nearing closer, Monica expressed how it will affect music.

I know that I am definitely excited for new music from Missy Elliott. Back in the early 90s there was no way that you could turn on the radio in the Summer and not have a Missy track. However, does Missy hold a spot in the industry? Time will tell.

Peep what Monica had to say below.

Brandy On Her Boyfriend Ryan
I wish we were engaged. He’s taking a little long on the ring side of things, but I’m patient.  I wanted to impress him. I wanted him to be proud of me; I was inspired by him. So making the record and his being there, it’s just all a part of it. Him and my daughter. I want him to love my songs. I want him to love my voice.

On Her Brother Ray J
I know who he is. And I”m pissed off about some of the things I’ve been hearing. It really bothers me that [those are] the kind of things that people do for money.
He’s misunderstood. It’s one thing to have this image of [a ladies' man], but it’s another to become this other type of person that they’re trying to make my brother out to be. I know who he is. This is a man who loves his mama and his sister and his niece. Ray J loved Kim Kardashian. They were irresponsible with their–you know–but he loved her. For five years, he was with her.  In his mind and in the world’s mind, he was in my shadow for such a long time. To watch his sister become whatever I became and to not have that same path or that same way it happened for me; to be called ‘Brandy’s brother…’ To finally break out of it, you’re going to brag; you’re going to feel something about yourself. It’s not coming from a bad place, and I can tell you: Some of the shoes Ray J’s walking in, you’d take off immediately. You wouldn’t be able to handle the type of shoes he’s in.

Be sure to pick up your copy of Ebony Magazine when it hits shelves in May.

Singer Monica looks all of ninety-six years old on the cover for her newest single 'Without You'. The singers label rushed the song to radio after the extremely under-performance of her new album 'New Life'. I absolutely love the song and wish it would have been one of the initial songs to be released.

I doubt that the track will help with album sales, however I really hope Monica releases a video for the song.  In 'Without You' we hear the singer sing about being in love and not knowing how she has lived her life without her spouse.

Monica's 'New Life' must have been a stillborn which will explain why the singer only managed to pull in 65,653 units in first week sales. I am really shocked by the numbers being that Monica made so many appearances leading up to the release of the album. These record labels need to stop relying on producer Rico Love to sell albums when he is obviously a one hit maker per artist.

Monica sent her newest single 'Without You' to radio this week in hopes of bringing interest into her new project. No shade, but how did Lionel Richie outsell Monica by double?

Is it a wrap for Monica? Why do you think her sales are so low?

Credit

Singer Monica might have a 'New Life' but her record sales are laying next to her idol Whitney in a tombstone. The 'It All Belongs To Me' singer is projected to have very low opening week numbers despite heavy promotion. 'New Life' is expected to sell 55-65k in its opening week; a big drop from the 187k her previous album sold.

I am some what shocked being that Monica made so many appearances in support of the album. Oh well, I guess she better be glad she married a baller because I'm sure she is about to get dropped from the label.

Singer Monica has teased fans with a full stream of her new album 'New Life' which is due out next week. Honestly, I am disappointed being that most of the tracks sound like album fillers. It appears that most artist have flocked to songwriter/producer Rico Love after his success with singer Kelly Rowland.

Catch the stream here via Centric. Review soon.

It's good to see singer Monica throw her face out there ahead of the release of her new album 'New Life'. The 'It Belongs To Me' singer took center stage at the NCAA Final Four game over the weekend to give her rendition of the National Anthem. Monica did the song well, nothing over the top.

Will Monica see another album fail due to lack of promotion? Hmph.

'New Life' hits stores on April 10th.

Is it me or is singer Monica serving you Dondria on the deluxe album cover for seventh studio album 'New Life'? The singer released the image today which showcased her rocking her short do' and hoop earrings. The cover is very 'vintage Monica' and I believe it serves to remind us that she is still 'hood' even though she cleaned up her act a lot.

'New Life' will hit stores on April 10th; the deluxe edition contains four additional tracks.

No shade, but is anyone checking for the new Monica album 'New Life'. The singer has been struggling with the release of her 7th studio album which has seen its share of push backs. With a planned release of April 7th, the track listing for the R&B heavyweights newest project has surfaced.

Aside from her collaboration with rapper Rick Ross and singer Brandy, Monica serves us only one more collab with rapper Wale.

Check out the tracklisting below.

Continuing on the promo push for their new single, singers Brandy and Monica made an appearance last night on BET's video show '106 & Park'. The duo talked tour plans, collaborations, and more with host Terrence and Rocsi.

I honestly expected the single to do much better being that the women have been promoting nonstop but radio seems to not be taking well to it. I need for them both to begin promo on their individual singles now.

It all belongs to them. Singers Brandy and Monica looked gorgeous in the new video for their current single 'It All Belongs To Me' which premiered on VH1 moments ago. The duo both rocked their long remy in addition to some impressive outfits.

We all knew it was coming with the 'In Loving Memory of Whitney Houston' at the end. Check out the video below.

I'm actually surprised that I haven't heard singers Monica and Brandy's new single 'It All Belongs To Me' on the radio as much as I expected. The duo will release the video for the Rico Love produced track tonight via VH1 at 11 PM. In a new interview, the two reveal how the recording came about after many years.

'It was hard to find songs that we both liked since we were working on our own projects', says Monica.

Are you excited for the premiere?

Singers Brandy and Monica looked radiant on the set of their new video for 'It All Belongs To Me'. In the video that premieres on Monday via VH1, the ladies play out exactly what the song says. I must say that both ladies have definitely stepped their fashion and weave games up. I wasn't feeling Monica's long hair at first but it has definitely grown on me.

Will you be tuning in at Monday?

Singers Brandy and Monica have been hot on the promo trail since the release of their duet together 'It All Belongs To Me'. The singers stopped by PEOPLE magazine for a brief interview in which they discussed their kids and more.

“My 4-year-old [Romelo] is everything from an acrobat to a soccer player. He is a live wire! He’s sociable like me, a free spirit — all over the place!” says Monica.


Check out the snapshot below.