Omarion unveiled the official music video for his breakout track, “Serious.”

In this cinematic piece, Omarion portrays a well-behaved inmate determined to earn his freedom and be rejoined with his loved one. True to his style, the video showcases Omarion’s signature dance moves, kicking off with an energetic dance-off in the prison’s chow hall and continuing with impressive choreography in various settings.

However, the video’s tone shifts significantly towards the conclusion, offering a poignant tribute to Anthony “Boaner” Martinez and other unjustly incarcerated men of color. Featured on Omarion’s 2023 album, Full Circle: Sonic Book 1, “Serious” stands out as its second single, crafted with production prowess by Greg Curtis, MilToneK, and Kenneth Paryo.

The song’s virality surged recently, propelling it to the pinnacle of iTunes’ R&B/Soul Singles chart and securing multiple spots within Amazon’s R&B Best Sellers top 10. Additionally, on Spotify alone, “Serious” has garnered close to four million streams, marking a significant milestone in Omarion’s musical journey. Dropping in May, Full Circle: Sonic Book 1 is an 11-track independent venture by Omarion, highlighted by collaborations with artists like Sevyn Streeter, RILEY, BJRNCK, Rileyy Lanez, and Nah Nah.

Reflecting on his album’s essence, Omarion shared, “Few artists have the ability to instill positivity through their craft. My aim with this project is to inspire and evoke feelings of empowerment. It encapsulates my journey of embracing vulnerability and recognizing its strength, signifying a full-circle moment in my musical evolution.”

Mariah Carey, often hailed as the reigning Queen of Christmas, took the stage at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards to present her timeless hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Dressed in an elegant white minidress paired with knee-high boots, the legendary songstress captivated audiences with a mesmerizing performance of her festive anthem, marking her debut at an award ceremony. 

Her lively rendition was accentuated by a troupe of dancers, figure skaters gracefully gliding across the stage, and a handful of campers, notably her twins, Roc and Roe. Adding to her accolades of the night, Carey clinched the Chart Achievement Award for “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” a track that initially topped the Hot 100 in December 2019.

Billboard highlights that the song stands as a trailblazer, being the only track to dominate the Hot 100 across five consecutive years and the sole composition to hold this distinction across multiple individual years.

Expressing her gratitude in her acceptance remarks, Carey reflected, “Billboard has woven its significance throughout my journey. While I often playfully evade the march of time, I must acknowledge the pivotal moments Billboard and the BMAs have marked in my career. I deeply appreciate my fans, who’ve been my steadfast companions through every high and low.”

She added, “Receiving this award holds profound meaning for me. ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ was transformative, and its reception exceeded my wildest expectations. Crafting this song was an intimate endeavor, and I’m profoundly thankful to everyone who welcomes its festive spirit year after year.”

Recognized as a diamond-certified masterpiece by the RIAA and originally featured on Carey’s 1994 album, Merry Christmas, the track earned a prestigious place in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2023.

Currently, Carey is enchanting audiences nationwide with her Merry Christmas One and All Tour, with scheduled performances in cities including Denver, Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, and Chicago, culminating in a grand finale on December 17 in New York City.

Following the debut of the soundtrack for The Color Purple, Alicia Keys presents the music video for its flagship single, “Lifeline.” Under the direction of Diane Martel, the visuals capture Keys immersed at her piano, draped in an elegant eggshell attire. Interspersed are captivating close-up shots emphasizing her radiant presence.

Additionally, the video offers viewers a dynamic sneak peek into the much-anticipated musical rendition of The Color Purple; more details on this are to follow. “Lifeline” emerges as a standout from the compilation The Color Purple (Music from and Inspired By), marking its official release on Nov. 27. This soul-stirring track, penned and co-produced by Keys herself, is steadily climbing the charts. Currently, it boasts the 34th position on Mediabase’s Hot AC radio rankings and secures the 49th slot on R&B radio, where Usher’s “Good,” featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage, dominates.

Impressively, the film’s soundtrack showcases a star-studded lineup including Fantasia, Usher, H.E.R., Mary J. Blige, and several others. Music icons Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, and Larry Jackson helm the executive production of the soundtrack, setting the stage for the cinematic adaptation of Alice Walker’s revered novel. This much-anticipated movie is slated for a U.S. release on Christmas Day, followed by a global debut on Jan. 18, 2024.

The cinematic experience features Fantasia reprising her renowned role as Celie, with Danielle Brooks embodying Sophia. A stellar cast including Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Ciara, and H.E.R. enriches this Blitz Bazawule-directed masterpiece.

In a celebratory mood, marking two decades since her iconic album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, the 15-time Grammy recipient unveiled a deluxe version featuring nine additional tracks. Commemorating this milestone, Keys graced a packed Webster Hall in New York City, delivering a nostalgic performance of the album in its entirety.

Looking ahead, Keys is set to illuminate Broadway with her autobiographical musical, Hell’s Kitchen, premiering on March 28, 2024, at the esteemed Shubert Theatre. Anticipation builds as the curtains rise on April 20, with ticket sales underway and an eagerly awaited cast announcement on the horizon.

Brandy unveils the music video for her festive track, “Christmas Party for Two.” Helmed by directors Frank Gatson and Sikora, the monochromatic visuals unfold in an elegant residence, capturing the cheerful Brandy surprised by a sophisticated visitor. Within the video, Brandy and her companion enjoy moments over a glass of Smooth Black, a signature from the Stella Rosa® Brandy collection, for which the acclaimed R&B artist serves as a brand ambassador.

Throughout the footage, the Grammy recipient captivates viewers with direct, emotive looks into the lens. Co-helmed by Theron “Neff-U” Feemster and David Williams III, “Christmas Party for Two” emerges as the leading track from Brandy’s holiday album, Christmas with Brandy.

Since its November 4 release, the single has garnered close to 489,000 streams on Spotify. Dropping on November 10 via Brand Nu/Motown Records, Christmas with Brandy encompasses 12 melodies, notably featuring a vocal appearance from her emerging singer-daughter, Sy’Rai.

The record blends Brandy’s distinctive renditions of yuletide classics like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Someday at Christmas,” interspersed with originals like “Somebody’s Waiting.” Expressing her sentiments, Brandy conveyed, “Crafting this album centered on joy, kinship, affection, and cherishing invaluable moments with loved ones fills me with gratitude.”

Upon its debut, Christmas with Brandy claimed the 29th spot on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart for the week ending November 25, concurrently securing the 50th position on the Top Current Album Sales chart. Rated R&B offered praise for Christmas with Brandy, labeling it “a heartwarming deviation that promises festive delight for the present season and beyond.”

This holiday collection marks Brandy’s inaugural full-length release following her 2020 offering, B7, and signifies her maiden project since aligning with Motown Records.

In a separate venture, Brandy takes the lead in Netflix’s fresh comedic film, best. Christmas. Ever! Premiering on November 16, the movie swiftly ascended to the apex, clinching the No. 1 position on Netflix’s Top 10 Movies roster.

Cleo Sol recently made an appearance on “Later with Jools Holland,” showcasing tracks from her latest album, “Heaven.” Dressed in an elegant chocolate brown ensemble, the emerging soul artist enthralled audiences with a captivating performance of “Airplane,” backed by a talented band.

Additionally, she delved into her well-received 2021 project, “Mother,” offering a heartfelt rendition of the track “Sunshine.” “Airplane” is a standout single from Cleo Sol’s “Heaven,” which marked the first of her two album releases this year. Released on September 15, this nine-track collection was expertly produced by her frequent collaborator, Inflo.

Expressing her gratitude, Sol took to Instagram, stating, “The release of my album ‘Heaven’ is a moment I cherish deeply. Crafting this music is a sacred process for me, and I’m immensely thankful for the continuous support. Music is a divine gift, and I remain deeply appreciative.” She further acknowledged Inflo’s influence, saying, “Flo, your unwavering support and creative guidance have been instrumental. Your push, especially during moments of resistance, has been pivotal for my growth.”

Following closely in September, Cleo Sol unveiled “Gold,” another compelling 10-track album helmed by the adept hands of Inflo. These releases build upon the foundation laid by 2021’s “Mother,” a soul-stirring album that encapsulated her journey into motherhood.

Reflecting on this transformative phase, Sol shared insights about “Mother” in an Instagram post, mentioning, “Becoming a mother has profoundly impacted me, offering unparalleled joy, growth, and inspiration that shaped this album’s creation. Embracing this new chapter, ‘Mother’ emerged as a testament to this beautiful journey.”