Disco Queen, Donna Summer has died at age 63, TMZ reports.

Donna Summer — the Queen of Disco — died this morning after a battle with cancer … TMZ has learned.

We’re told Summer was in Florida at the time of her death. She was 63-years-old.

Summer was a 5-time Grammy winner who shot to superstardom in the ’70s with iconic hits like “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls.

9:27 AM PST- TMZ has learned … Donna died from lung cancer. Several sources are telling us Donna believed she contracted it by inhaling toxic particles after the 9/11 attack in New York City.

Details after the break.

Usher’s media blitz has kicked into full gear in preparation of the release of his upcoming seventh studio album, Looking For Myself, hitting stores June 12. Last night (May 16), he stopped by MTV First and talked with Sway about his upcoming project, attaining longevity, collaborating with A$AP Rocky and more.

“To have that focus even then is what has allowed me to continue to evolve.”

Also, listen to a snippet of a new track called ‘Twisted’ featuring Pharrell below.

Clips of Usher discussing his new album and more after the jump.

Bobby Brown stopped by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night to debut his new single, ‘Don’t Let Me Die.’ The R&B bad boy is currently promoting his upcoming album, The Masterpiece, which is due to drop on June 5th. Watch below.

Although it sounded as though Wolverine and Freddy Krueger played catch with Bobby’s vocal cords, the performance was still full of emotion and energy. Bobby continues his promo campaign next on Today’s Summer Concert Series on May 28th and The Wendy Williams Show May 29.

In case you missed it, watch Bobby talk losing Whitney Houston and what he misses the most on Ellen here.

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After President Obama’s historical announcement that he is for same-sex marriage, a number of celebrities have also joined his position and come out in support of gay marriage including, Jay-Z, Floyd Mayweather, and most recently, T.I.

In an interview with MTV Rap Fix on Wednesday night (May 16), T.I. said, “Just to speak honestly and being frank, I don’t care. I think that if a matter doesn’t affect your daily life, you shouldn’t take a hard stand on it.”

The “Rubber Band Man” rapper continues, “If it’s not something that directly affects you, if it doesn’t affect you, what difference does it make to you what other people are doing with their lives?”

Watch T.I. and Sway talk below.

President Obama made a bold move by declaring his support for gay marriage, and it seems as though hip-hop is coming forward to make a change.

Hip-Hop legend, Lil Kim pulled a brave move by stopping by the most slanderous radio show in the country, The Breakfast Club. The queen bee discussed a variety of topics including her beef with Nicki Minaj, Azealia Banks, recording new music, plastic surgery and more. Listen below.

Nicki Minaj & Chris Brown  for the “Right By My Side” official video. “Right By My Side” is the 2nd official single off her struggling sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. Instead of doing the predictable “Right Thru Me” storyline, Nicki couples up with Mr. Illmatic himself, the rap legend Nas. The song peaked at #51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it’s not blowing up on Urban Radio like expected. Chris Brown’s next album Fortune will finally be in stores this July. Is it too little too late? Watch the new video below.

Carrie Underwood just nabbed herself a second week at #1 thanks to her newly released album, Blown Away, and with good reason as her promotional campaign has been insane! Good Morning America, American Idol, David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and most recently a performance on Dancing with the Stars.

Watch the Grammy winner perform her top 20 single, ‘Good Girl’ below.

Look for Carrie to continue her extensive media blitz with a performance on the Billboard Music Awards this Sunday, May 20 at 8pm on ABC..

Underrated R&B veteran, Tamia is back to bless us with a new album called Beautiful Surprise due out later this year. Back in March, the title track/ lead single premiered and the video was shot, and now behind the scenes footage of the shoot has emerged.

The Ryan Pallotta directed clip features Tamia’s basketball hubby, Grant Hill in a video described as, “simple, chic, and sexy.” Watch below.

I’m glad that Tamia is back because her presence is truly needed in today’s R&B. Let’s hope that she’s chosen to pay tribute to Whitney Houston either at the BET Awards in July, or VH1′s Diva’s tribute this December.

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T.I. is back with another new one off his upcoming album, Trouble Man. While the lead single, ‘Love This Life‘ was more radio friendly, ‘Like That’ was created strictly for the streets. T.I. is having a tough time finding his bearing after so many stints in jail, but hopefully this one will find success.

T.I. also revealed to Angie Martinez on Tuesday, May 15, that Trouble Man will hit stores on Sept 4th and that the second season of A Family Hustle will premiere on Sept 3rd. Coincidence. NOPE.

 TLL

Nelly Furtado recently talked with Capital FM about her upcoming album The Spirit Indestructible, and revealed that the title track is next single.

Furtado also discussed making the ‘Big Hoops’ video, quitting music, the importance of social media, what she did during her six year hiatus, and other songs off T.S.I. Don’t expect many ballads.

Catch up with Nelly below.

R&B legend, Bobby Brown is currently promoting his upcoming fifth studio album, The Masterpiece, and recently stopped by Ellen in promotion of its release. Naturally the conversation turned to his ex-wife, the late, Whitney Houston, and Brown discussed how he found out about her passing and what he’ll miss the most — her voice.

Watch below.

The line-up for the 2012 Rock The Bells Festival has officially been announced, and the concert will feature a number of legends, as well as newer acts from the current generation.

2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Kid Cudi, Wiz Khalifa, Nas, J.Cole, Ice Cube, Mac Miller, Dipset, Kendrick Lamar, Method Man & Redman, ASAP Rocky, Tyga, 2 Chainz and many more will hit the stage.

Missy Elliott and Timbaland will reunite to perform their first full concert in years. Also expected to regroup is Cleveland, OH thugsters, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (all five members).

Rock The Bells is an annual touring hip-hop festival, which makes a set number of stops in a limited number of locations. This year, the tour kicks off in San Bernardino, CA on August 19 and 20 at the NOS Events Center and then heads to Mountain View, CA on August 25 and 26 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. The tour will conclude in Newark, NJ on September 1 and 2 at PNC Arts Center.

Details and full list after the jump.

The “R” in R&B, R. Kelly, has announced the release date of his upcoming album eleventh album, Write Me Back. The album will hit stores on:

June 26th

Write Me Back was led by the Barry White inspired ‘Share My Love,’ while the Michael Jackson inspired ‘Feelin Single‘ acts as the second single. R. Kelly is even more inspired than Beyonce…

R. Kelly says that Write Me Back is a continuation of 2010′s Grammy nominated Love Letter. Take a look at the deluxe album cover and watch behind the scenes of the album photo shoot after the jump.

Janet Jackson blows out her 46th candle today! Help us celebrate this icon’s special day. Happy birthday, Janet!

Machina Muerte frontman, Isaiah Toothtaker and incarcerated rapper, Max B have released a new tape called Toothy Wavy. In perhaps one of the most interesting moves done for an album, Max B recorded all of his verses through the phone at the prison he’s incarcerated in. The low quality prison phone recordings along with Toothtaker’s mixed vocals adds a unique blend to the tape. Download and listen to the six-song tape for free.

Check out the latest video from Georgia rapper, 2 Chainz, called ‘Murder.’ The track features Kreayshawn, and comes from 2 Chainz T.R.U. REALigion mixtape. Watch the video below.

DMX released a new mixtape, The Weigh In, moments ago. Download and stream after the jump.

Youtube Duo, Karmin stopped by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to perform, ‘Brokenhearted,’ off their debut EP — Hello. Hello was released on May 8, and is expected to sell between 18-21k first week. Watch Nick and Amy perform the top 40 hit below.

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And the pushbacks continue…… The latest artist to delay the release of their album is “I’m Like A Bird” singer, Nelly Furtado. Furtado was slated to release her fourth English album, The Spirit Indestructible, on June 19 — the same day as Justin Bieber’s Believe — but now it will not hit US stores until September 11.

Although I’m not surprised at the pushback, considering Furtado’s lead single, ‘Big Hoops,’ hasn’t really taken off, I am surprised that it’s being delayed three whole months! Also, how do you expect to push your first single in years and not promote it? Nelly hasn’t really been on any television shows, done interviews or performed the song live, aside from the acoustic Vevo set.

I think that pushing the album to July would’ve been sufficient because Nelly is performing on the Billboard Music Awards this Sunday (May 20) and that will undoubtedly give ‘Hoops’ a push. After the BMA’s, Nelly needs to follow up promotion heavy with stops by Ellen, the late night circuit (Conan, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Kimmel, Fallon), and also a radio tour — hitting up the biggest pop stations in the country.

Do you think September is too far?

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Pop legend, Whitney Houston is being honored at the Billboard Music Awards this Sunday with the Millennium Award. Houston’s only daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, and sister-in-law/ manager, Pat Houston will be on hand to accept the award. The icon will also be paid tribute in song by John Legend and Jordin Sparks.

I am excited that Houston is receiving the Millennium award, but it’s bittersweet now that she’s not here to accept it. As far as the singing tribute, Jordin, I understand for two reasons: she has always cited Houston as a major influence, and she co-stars in the Sparkle remake with Houston.

I don’t, however, understand why John Legend is part of a WHITNEY HOUSTON tribute. I would understand if he was a part of the Stevie Wonder’s ICON tribute taking place the same night, but Whitney? A big-voiced diva? I’m somewhat perplexed.

Still, I’ll be tuned in May 20, at 8pm on ABC. Will you?!

LVS

Chris Brown recently shot the video for his fifth fourth single off Fortune called, ‘Don’t Wake me Up.’ Take a look at pictures from the Colin Tilley directed video below. Brown will be performing at the Billboard Music Awards this Sunday (May 20) and is nominated for four awards.

Look for Fortune in stores July 3rd.

TGH