Mariah Carey Talks Recording Multiple Projects Worth of New Music

It appears new Mariah Carey music could be on the horizon…

During a conversation with Rolling Stone‘Rolling Stone Music Now, the 53-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning singer/songwriter revealed that she’d recorded multiple projects in her Butterfly Lounge studio during the pandemic.

Mariah Carey“It’s about three or four different things,” Carey said. “One is a project that I’m almost finished with that I was doing some background vocal tweaks on. One is [new] songs that could be for the scripted series [by Lee Daniels] or a documentary. And then there’s a themed album. It’s something that people have been asking me to do for years, but it’s not done in the traditional sense. It’s not done yet, but I’m really excited about it. I’m working [on that album] with some very eclectic, newer artists, as well as some legendary folks.”

For the 25th anniversary of her sixth studio album Butterfly, Carey is releasing an expanded version of the LP with eight new bonus tracks, including a remake of “The Roof (When I Feel the Need)” with Brandy. However, she still looks back on the 1997 album and feels its single “Breakdown” wasn’t appreciated or supported by the label at the time.

“People did not believe in it, or believe in me in that genre and that moment,” she said, recalling that the label feared her change in sound was “too urban.” “By people, I mean the corporate morgue, the entities that run things. I mean, Tha Crossroads was such a big record!”

Meanwhile, any new album would be a follow-up to Carey’s 2018 fan favorite studio set Caution, which featured singles “GTFO,” “With You” and “A No No.”

Stream Carey’s’s complete interview about her upcoming music and more on Apple Podcasts.

José Moreno Brooks to Appear on ABC’s New Musical Drama Series “Queens”

José Moreno Brooks will soon be in the presence of royalty…

The 36-year-old half-Mexican American actor and former Telenovela scene stealer has landed a key recurring role opposite Brandy, Eve, Naturi Naughton and Nadine Velazquez on ABC’s new musical drama series Queens.

José Moreno Brooks

From Zahir McGhee, Sabrina Wind and ABC Signature, the series centers on four estranged and out-of-touch women in their 40s — Naomi (Brandy), Jill (Naughton), Brianna (Eve) and Valeria (Velazquez), who reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.

 

Brooks will play Rodrigo, gorgeous, sexy, and the most in-demand music video director currently working.

 

The series is written by McGhee and directed by Tim Story.

 

Brooks’ previous credits include Telenovela opposite Eva Longoria and 9-1-1.

Ashanti to Receive Lady of Soul Honor at This Month’s Soul Train Awards

Ashanti is the (Soul) Lady of the moment…

The 41-year-old half-Afro-Dominican singer/actress will receive the Lady of Soul honor at this year’s Soul Train Awards.

Ashanti

“I’m honored to be recognized as this year’s Lady of Soul honoree,” Ashanti said. “This is a full circle moment for me because I received the Aretha Franklin entertainer of the year award at the Lady of Soul Awards in 2002. As we commemorate 50 years of Soul Train, I’m proud to be a part of this legacy and to return to the Apollo to celebrate.”

Previous Lady of Soul honorees include Jill Scott (2015), Brandy (2016), SWV (2017), Faith Evans (2018), Yolanda Adams (2019) and Monica (2020).

Maxwell will receive the Legend award, which has gone in recent years to Babyface (2015), Teddy Riley (2016), Toni Braxton (2017), Erykah Badu (2018) and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (2019).

“It’s an honor to be presented with the Legend award by a community that’s been growing with me throughout my career,” said the half-Puerto Rican R&B singer in a statement. “I’m so grateful to be sharing this moment with everyone and returning to the Apollo for an evening of excellence.”

BET Soul plans to dedicate a full hour to music videos by Maxwell and Ashanti, starting Wednesday (Nov. 3) at 10:00 a.m. ET. Check local listings.

The Soul Train Awards, which recognizes the best in soul and R&B, will be taped at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem on November 20. It will premiere on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her. As previously announced, Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold will co-host the show for the fourth consecutive year.

ABC Releases Full-Length Trailer for Nadine Velazquez’s New Series “Queens”

Nadine Velazquez is ready to Queen(s) out

ABC has released a full-length trailer for its upcoming musical drama series Queens, starring the 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress, EveBrandy and Naturi Naughton.

Nadine Velazquez, Queens, ABC

Velazquez and her co-leads star as members of the former ‘90s girl group the Nasty B—-es.

Queens tells the story of four former bandmates who decide to reunite in their 40s after a major, public breakup on stage 20 years prior.

“The dumbest thing we ever did was throw away friendships that most people never have. Let’s get this group back together,” Naomi (Brandy) aka Xplicit Lyrics tells the other three members. But stepping back into the spotlight is not going to be easy as each member is tackling problems in their personal lives. The trailer shows Brianna (Eve) aka Professor Sex trying to raise five children while dealing with marriage struggles.

“Don’t let the fame define you because when it’s all gone you won’t know who you are,” Jill (Naughton) aka Da Thrill warns. The clip also includes scenes of the ladies performing, looking caught off guard on the red carpet, and Valeria (Velazquez) aka Butter Pecan having an outburst in a car.

The hip-hop series was ordered to series in May. Zahir McGhee wrote the script for the show and serves as executive producer.

Queens will premiere on ABC on October 19.

ABC Picks Up Nadine Velazquez’s Drama “Queens” to Series

It’s a royal moment for Nadine Velazquez

ABC has picked up the music-themed drama Queens, starring the 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress, to series for the 2021-22 season.

Nadine Velazquez

The series is headlined by Brandy, Eve, Naturi Naughton, Velazquez and Pepi Sonuga.

Estranged and out-of-touch, four women in their 40s reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches—their ‘90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.

Queens stars Eve as Brianna aka Professor Sex, Naturi Naughton as Jill aka Da Thrill, Velazquez as Valeria aka Butter Pecan, Taylor Selé as Eric Jones, Pepi Sonuga as Lil Muffin and Brandy as Naomi aka Xplicit Lyrics.

Zahir McGhee, Sabrina Wind and Tim Story are executive producers.

The series is produced by ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios. The pilot episode is written by McGhee and directed by Tim Story.

Nadine Velazquez to Star in ABC’s Pilot “Queens”

Nadine Velazquez is hoping to become television royalty

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress will star opposite Brandy, Eve and Naturi Naughton in ABC’s hour-long pilot Queens, from Zahir McGhee, Sabrina Wind and ABC Signature.

Nadine Velazquez

In Queens, written by McGhee and directed by Tim Story, four estranged and out-of-touch women in their 40s — Naomi (Brandy), Jill (Naughton), Brianna (Eve) and Valeria (Velazquez) — reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches – their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.

Velazquez plays Valeria, aka Butter Pecan. Better known in the 90s as Puerto Rican rapper, Butter Pecan, Valeria is the fourth member of the hip-hop group, the Nasty Bitches. Valeria wasn’t an original member, added by the groups’ manager, Eric, for her effortless star quality. It worked. The ladies catapulted into superstardom with a number-one record and iconic video. Valeria quickly became the face of the group, ruffling the other members’ feathers along the way. But she could care less. She’s not here for friends, she’s here to win. Valeria is an ambitious and ruthless hustler with cunning charm born out of a difficult childhood. When we catch up with her twenty years later, she’s the only member of the group still in the limelight. Valeria hosts The Shade — America’s top-rated morning talk show. So, Valeria has no reason to reunite with the group when the opportunity arises. However, when her blind ambition trips her up, Valeria considers turning back to the only family she’s ever had: the Nasty Bitches.

Pepi Sonuga co-stars in the pilot. ABC Signature, part of Disney Television Studios, is the studio.

Velazquez wrote and is set to star/produce La’Tina, a series in the works at Showtime from Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Frankie Shaw’s Our Lady Productions.

She’s best known for her breakout lead role as Catalina on NBC’s My Name Is Earl. She co-starred in the History series Six and in Universal’s Ride Along 2.

Her series credits also include major roles on FX’s The League, the CW’s Hart of Dixie and TNT’s Major Crimes.

Ashanti to Face Off Against Keyshia Cole in Next Verzuz Battle

Ashanti is preparing for a big musical battle…

The 39-year-old part-Dominican American Grammy-winning singer and actress will face off against Keyshia Cole in the next Verzuz battle on December 12.

Ashanti

“Yeah, it’s official! The paperwork is IN,” the official Verzuz Instagram teased the “legendary Ladies Night,” with a split image of the singers’ faces.

The matchup is no surprise for fans, who’ve been buzzing about the potential pairing since May, when Cole commented under a side-by-side comparison of the duo’s hits. “My fans sent me this @timbaland @therealswizz @ashanti @verzuztv,” she wrote at the time. “is this accurate?”

The matchup marks the fourth female-charged battle, following Erykah Badu and Jill ScottMonica and Brandy, and Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle.

Ashanti’s biggest hits include the chart-topping singles “Foolish” and “Always on Time,” with Ja Rule.

Don’t miss Cole and Ashanti’s Verzuz battle on Saturday, December 12 at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on Verzuz’s Instagram page and on Apple Music.

Cardi B to Headline This Year’s ONE Musicfest in Atlanta

Cardi B is the ONE

The lineup for Atlanta’s ONE Musicfest 2018 has been announced, with the 25-year-old half-Dominican American rapper among the artists set to headline the ninth incarnation of the event.

Cardi B

Now a two-day celebration of live music, this year’s festivities are slated to take place at Central Park on September 8-9, with tickets available at the festival’s website.

In addition to Cardi B, Nas and Miguel are also slated to headline, while additional performers include Jeezy, T.I., George Clinton with Parliament, Big Sean, Common with his super group August GreeneRapsody,Kelis, Brandy, Jessie Reyez, DJ Nabs’ ATL Crunk Set featuring YoungBloodz, Ying Yang Twins, Eastside Boyz, Trillville,Kilo Ali and DJ Taz, and a handful of others.

Last year’s event saw more than 20,000 attendees come out to enjoy Jill Scott, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and what was billed as a farewell performance from Yasiin Bey (Mos Def).

“We are all super excited about OMF2018,” says founder Jason “J” Carter. “Growing into a two-day festival allows us to expand our roster, highlight more of the music that we love and give our audience an experience unlike any!”

Serricchio to Star Opposite Brandy in BET’s Comedy Series “Zoe Ever After”

Ignacio Serricchio is ready for a memorable ever after

The 33-year-old Argentine actor.has been cast in BET Networks’ comedy series Zoe Ever After, starring and co-executive produced by Brandy Norwood.

Ignacio Serricchio

Zoe Ever After centers on Zoe Moon (Norwood), a newly single mom stepping out of the shadow of her famous boxer ex-husband Gemini Moon (Dorian Missick) while trying to balance dating, motherhood, a complicated relationship with her ex and finally fulfilling her career dream of starting a cosmetics line.

Serricchio, best known for his role as Diego Alcazar on General Hospital and as Alejandro “Alex” Chavez on The Young and the Restless, will portray sexy contractor Miguel.

His other credits include the film The Wedding Ringer, as well as appearances on Witches of East End, Bones and Covert Affairs.

Production is underway in Atlanta for premiere in January.

Richie to Appear on the Oprah Winfrey Network Web Series “Who I Am”

Nicole Richie is ready to answer the question, “Who Am I?”

The 32-year-old part-Mexican American fashion designer, author, actress and television personality will be part of a special Oprah Winfrey Network web series debuting on August 28.

Nicole Richie

OWN has been working out of YouTube Space LA for more than six months to experiment with digital formats and online talent. The result of that partnership is a growing slate of digital programming, including the new series Who Am I, which will feature interviews with celebrity guests, including Richie, about the qualities that define them.

After the first two episodes of Who Am I premiere this Thursday, subsequent two- to three-minute episodes will be made available each week.

In addition to Richie, guests will include beauty vlogger Michelle PhanBrandy, former American Idol judge Randy Jackson and La Toya Jackson.

Who Am I is the second digital series from OWN. #OWNSHOW, a daily series that features stories from the Oprah community, debuted in March with the relaunch of Oprah.com, a digital hub for the network, O, The Oprah Magazine and Harpo Studios.