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If you are like us and totally slept on this event, don’t worry, you can catch it on the tube again tonight at 8 p.m. EST. In the meantime, BET.com has the most extensive coverage including broadband offerings of award highlights, red carpet interviews and fashion cams. And of course you’ll have a chance to catch that infamous kiss between Fantasia and Jamie Foxx. Speaking of Foxx, he’s gearing up for the release of Miami Vice. Although the movie takes its title from the 80s tv show, the characters are set in the new millennium and along with Foxx (who plays Tubbs), stars Colin Farrell (Crockett), Gong Li and Naomie Harris. Foxx also tops the finalists for the Billboard R&B/Hip-hop awards… so far he’s having a good year despite the country song lawsuit. Miami Vice movie trailer: Quicktime | Windows

The Houston rapper recently bounced out of his contract with the recording titan, and managed to retain ownershp of the master tapes of his upcoming CD. I Need Mine was scheduled to drop June 27, but it’s unclear when it will be released.

“Flip and I are ecstatic,” said Flip’s attorney and manager Sandy Lal. “Our relationship with Sony has been quite fruitful. But I’ve always believed that Flip’s potential is virtually unlimited, and we’re really eager to take it to the next level. Being able to walk away with the masters to is an absolute victory.” Photo: Kingpin Entertainment Group

Last night we attended the Hollyrock listening party for the upcoming self-titled album from Dawn, Aundrea, Aubrey, Shannon and Wanita, set to drop in August. Shee-shee poo-poo appetizers circulated freely while 25 people at any given time waited for the open bar.

An hour after it was supposed to begin (an hour that included the heavy rotation of a number of songs from artists except Danity Kane), P. Diddy rolled in looking fabulously fresh despite the triple digit temperatures outside. Unfortunately the temp was the only hotness last night. While the ladies of the group are attractive and sweet, the music is bland in a watered down Spice Girls sort of way.

They should go far.

Current single, the snap music-like “Show Stopper” is actually pretty decent though. Check it out and tell us what you think. “Show Stopper” Windows | Real
Photo courtesy Atlantic

N.E.R.D. No. 1 will be “the new face of” the fashion line for 2006 and 2007. Pharrell, slated to be flanked by the designer’s Italian suitcases and bags, will be featured in a nationwide campaign which will also include models such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Daria Werbowy.
Pharrell’s debut album In My Mind will drop on July 25th on his own Star Trak/Interscope Records imprint. In the meantime, check the lead single “Number 1,” featuring Kanye West. Windows | Real

Photo: Louis Vuitton Malletier, S.A.

Today’s new release day and what do we have on the list? Of course everyone’s talking about India.Arie‘s latest, mentioned below. Then there’s DJ Spinna doing his soulful thing with Intergalactic Soul and a set that’s starting a lot of controversy among Kool Keith fans. The album called The Return Of Dr. Octagon is rumored to be not authorized by Keith, which may very likely be true since fans on Byron Crawford’s blog provide all sorts of testimony to support this. Finally, iconic producer Large Professor returns with an instrumental set, reviewed by Vinyl Athletes.com. Check more June releases.

The eagerly-awaited new set drops tomorrow (Tuesday, June 27) amid a flurry of promotional events. Besides tonight’s appearance on Jay Leno, the singer’s also slated to hit the BET awards for a Chaka Khan tribute and “Live With Regis And Kelly” on Thursday. I was lucky enough to catch her (along with John Legend, Marcelo D2 and Herb Alpert) last night in Hollywood at Sergio Mendes’ 40th anniversary of Brasil 66… and what a cool show that was. Too bad another guest, that whacky Q-Tip, made an ass of himself by not showing up when Mendes introduced him at the end of the show. Anyway… check India’s latest single “There’s Hope” right here and visit our tour section for info on her upcoming tour. AUDIO: “There’s Hope” Windows | Real. Photo courtesy Universal Motown.

Don’t miss Anthony Hamilton’s exclusive live performance this Friday, June 30th at… where else… AOL. Yep, the Internet monolith will play host to the singer routinely compared to Bill Withers starting at 6:00 am EST. The set list is as follows:

o Where Did It Go Wrong
o Southern Stuff
o The Truth
o Since I Seen’t You
o Cornbread, Fish and Collard Greens
o Sista Big Bone
o Can’t Let Go
o Charlene
o Change Your World
o Comin’ From Where I’m From
o Preacher’s Daughter
o Pass Me Over
o Everybody

If you’ve never seen the man in concert, it’s highly recommended, as you can see in this concert review from April. Thanks to Christy over at fanscape.com for the heads up.

Well it was months in the making and it’s finally here… the brand spanking new www.hiphoprnbsoul.com. Our site’s been totally revamped to give you more of the hip-hop-R&B-soul goodness you come to expect… plus a little bit more. So take some time to check out our new design and format. Feel free to explore the latest reviews and interviews. And don’t forget to sign up for our news alerts. Thanks to all the good folks that helped make the new site a reality including Randy, Pat, Raul, Nmuta and Phil T. A big thanks to our audience for your patience over the past couple months. And if you’re new… you get a double welcome. Keep it locked here for news on your favorite artists and events. - Ifè Oshun (Editor)