NEWS

Janet Jackson is entering a new phase in her storied career after signing a global administration deal with Believe Music Publishing. Announced on March 19, the agreement brings her entire catalog under the France-based company’s management, signaling a major move as Believe continues to expand its publishing division. According to Billboard , the deal spans more than four decades of music, covering 11 studio albums from her 1982 self-titled debut through 2015’s Unbreakable . Jackson’s catalog includes seven No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 and 10 No. 1 singles on the Hot 100. Believe executives praised her legacy, with CEO Chris Meehan calling her a “one-of-a-kind artist,” while VP Peter McCamley emphasized her lasting impact as a songwriter. The partnership arrives as Believe grows its publishing arm following its 2024 acquisition of Sentric Music Group. With over 180 million records sold worldwide, Jackson remains a defining force in music, sharing the Billboard Hot 100’s five-decade club with Cher and Madonna. Her legacy continues to resonate, recently earning her the Icon Award at the American Music Awards .

A viral TikTok video featuring personal photos of Jill Scott has sparked widespread attention and a heartfelt response from the Grammy-winning artist. The clip, posted March 16 by content creator @whatshannahinto, showed a collection of family photographs (some framed, others loose) sitting on shelves inside a Goodwill store. Captioned “The saddest thing I’ve ever seen at goodwill,” the video resonated with viewers, many of whom expressed concern over what appeared to be deeply personal memories left behind. As the video surpassed 6 million views, commenters began identifying Scott in several of the images. In a follow-up post, the TikToker revealed she had returned to the store to purchase the remaining photos, determined to reunite them with their rightful owner. Despite suggestions that the items could hold monetary value, she emphasized her intentions were purely sentimental. “I don’t care,” she said, noting that photographs carry emotional significance that far outweighs any potential profit. At the time, she was actively ცდილ working to connect with Scott’s team to ensure the images were returned to the singer and her family.  Days later, Scott herself addressed the situation on X, offering a simple explanation that brought relief to fans. The singer shared that the photos had been unintentionally donated during a family move. “Welp, moving to a new home. My Mommy moved,” she wrote, confirming that the mix-up occurred amid the transition. Scott added that her family was grateful for the recovery effort and looked forward to getting the photos back soon, thanking those who helped bring attention to the situation.

Iconic vocalist Chaka Khan is making headlines after delivering sharp criticism of today’s pop performers while also revisiting her long-running issues with Mary J. Blige. Speaking candidly in a recent interview, Khan took aim at what she sees as an overemphasis on choreography and provocative stage antics, suggesting some artists rely on physical performance to mask weaker vocal abilities. She stressed that her own career has always been rooted in vocal excellence, saying her priority has consistently been to “come to sing” and deliver a strong performance. Her comments came amid a broader conversation about the evolution of pop stardom, where spectacle often rivals (or even outweighs) musicianship. While Khan declined to name specific modern artists, she made clear that she believes the balance has shifted too far toward visual performance. The discussion also turned toward Rolling Stone’s “200 Greatest Singers of All Time” list, which sparked a blunt reaction from Khan after she learned Blige was ranked ahead of her. Questioning the credibility of the list, Khan openly criticized the publication’s judgment and expressed disbelief at the placement. The remarks effectively revive a decades-old tension between the two singers, dating back to Khan’s past criticism of Blige’s rendition of “Sweet Thing.” Although the pair had appeared to reach a truce over the years, Khan’s latest comments suggest lingering friction. Alongside the controversy, she also shared personal insights, revealing that Sia is her goddaughter and fondly recalling her friendship with Prince. As she reflects on her legacy, Khan remains unapologetic in her views on both the current music landscape and her standing among its greats. 

In a candid new interview with GQ, Jay-Z reflected on a deeply painful chapter stemming from a December 2024 civil lawsuit that accused him and Sean "Diddy" Combs of sexual assault tied to an alleged incident decades earlier. Jay-Z firmly denied the allegations, and the case was later voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. Despite its dismissal, the rapper revealed the emotional toll was significant, particularly given the timing of the claims as they surfaced publicly. The allegations emerged the same night his daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, attended the Los Angeles premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King—a milestone moment marking her rising presence in entertainment. Faced with a difficult decision, Jay-Z chose to stand beside his family, including wife Beyoncé and her mother Tina Knowles, as Blue Ivy stepped into the spotlight. He emphasized that, regardless of circumstances, his priority remained clear: supporting his family. In the weeks that followed, Jay-Z described an emotional moment that left a lasting impact. Blue Ivy, aware of the public scrutiny surrounding her father, quietly wore a jersey bearing his name to school. The gesture, he said, moved him to tears, symbolizing a level of loyalty and support that words often fail to capture. As legal proceedings continued—including Jay-Z’s countersuit alleging defamation and malicious prosecution—he said it was his family’s unwavering presence that carried him through what he called one of the darkest periods of his life.