HRS News

Pick-of-the-week rap/hip-hop and R&B singles props go to Joss Stone, Musiq Soulchild, 50 Cent, Fantasia, Hurricane Chris, Evidence, Anthony Hamilton and more.

Get the whole list…

This week’s charts…

R&B/Hip-hop charts this week: Ne-Yo puts the charts on lock, R. Kelly and Usher get high with the “same girl,” and T-Pain foots the bill.

Read more… 

Musiq Soulchild‘s latest set, Luvanmusiq, has grabbed the No. 1. thanks in part to Top 5 single “Buddy.” In a recent interview, Musiq acknowledged his absence from the limelight and thanked his fans for not forgetting him.

“Thank you for supporting me for so long and thank you for still checking for me. I never want to take that for granted, because I know how in this business it’s easy to be forgotten about. And that just is what it is, but for me to still be in the forefront of people’s attention and what they’re looking for, I’m very grateful!“

Other big debuts this week come from street hottie Lloyd at No. 2 with his sophomore set Street Love, featuring the song “You”; Rich Boy‘s self-titled album at No. 3; Amy Winehouse‘s Back to Black at No. 7 and Memphis duo 8Ball & MJG at No. 8 with Ridin’ High.

Pretty Ricky‘s sophomore effort, Late Night Special, is sitting pretty at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The album sold 132,000 in its first week, according to Billboard. The group’s 2005 Bluestars debuted at No. 16.
—————————————-
Look out for “Memoirs Of A Super Freak,” the autobiography of Rick James completed just before his death in 2005. There is also a new album due in May via James’ Stone City Records.
—————————————-
Chamillionaire has dropped the lead single from his upcoming sophomore mainstream release. “Not a Criminal” featuring Kelis is the first track from Ultimate Victory. As part of his effort to communicate, the Houston rapper will retire his diamond grill.

“I need people to pay attention to what I have to say, instead of just staring at my mouth,” he said. “I speak with a purpose and definitely want people to know that I’m not just some rapper with diamonds in his mouth. As soon as they get past the materialistic stuff and listen to the message on my album then I will feel like I have won.”
—————————————-
Not only will he be involved in the new Nike marketing juggernaut, Juelz Santana has also teamed up with Lil Wayne for a new mixtape called I Can’t Feel My Face, according to AllHiphop. The set has already been leaked and will be fodder for an upcoming album from the duo.
—————————————-
Justine Simmons, wife of rap legend Reverend Run, recently spoke out about the death of her baby girl, expected by millions who watched the Simmons family’s reality show. “The peace I had almost scared me,” she said. “I guess you just really have to have a situation, to know the strength of God or the peace of the Lord really works. It’s just amazing.” Mother to five children, Simmons is also releasing a religion-based book, God, Can You Hear Me?, for children ages 5-10.

“Dreamgirls” pulled in a whopping one-day gross of over $8.7 million on Christmas Day as it opened to wide release in 852 theaters across the country.

The flick starring Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, Beyonce and a seemingly sleepwalking Jamie Foxx ranked as the third-best Christmas Day opener of all time, behind only Will Smith’s “Ali” (2001) and Leonardo DiCaprio’s “Catch Me If You Can” (2002). It also broke the record as the best single day box office numbers ever for a musical. With the addition of its sold-out roadshow from the previous weekend, the film has earned a nice total of $9.6 million.

The screening were so popular many theaters added additional midnight showings to accommodate the lines of people. Once inside audiences across the nation have been reportedly shouting and applauding during and after Hudson’s magnificent solos including “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”

In related news, Hudson is scheduled to perform at Manhattan’s famed Hammerstein Ballroom on December 30 for the “Dreamgirls (The Underground Clubmix).” The event starts at 10 p.m., and Hudson will hit the stage at 11:15 p.m. For tickets or more information call visit www.saintatlarge.com.

On our Hip-hop/R&B Charts summary this week, Lyfe Jennings rises to the top, Christina Aguilera pulls double duty, Obie Trice needs a drink and Cherish gets some love. Get the scoop…

And for our Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs list, pick-of-the-week props go to Sean Paul, Corinne Bailey Rae, Snoop Dogg, Psalm One, Randevyn, Angela Johnson, Jiva, Lyfe Jennings and more. More…

We especially like the UK’s Top 10 according to Funkbase Playlist:

1. Next – Just Tonight
2. Baby James ft Yunsta – Posted
3. Rihanna – Happy Day
4. Johnta Austin ft Jadakiss – Turn It Up (Remix)
5. Joy Denalane ft Lupe Fiasco – Change
6. A West – Grown & Sexy
7. Mic Little ft Neyo – Put It In A Letter
8. Boyz II Men – Boo’d Up
9. Solange – Bring It On Home
10. Brick & Lace – Get That Clear

Also, check out extensive chart info.

Special thanks to Wayne C McDonald for the Funkbase list!

R&B/Hip-hop charts this week: LeToya comes out on top, Pharrell expands his “mind,” new releases bumrush the chart and Young Dro gets his lean on. Read more…

Also check out this week’s top hip-hop and R&B songs.