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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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.

TLL

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 “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.

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?!

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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.

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R&B veteran, Usher was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on May 12. The Grammy winner performed two songs from his upcoming album — Looking For Myself, due out June 12.

Watch Usher give the first televised performances of ‘Scream,’ and ‘Climax’ below.

The 2012 Billboard Music Awards just got that much more exciting with the announcement that pop/ R&B star, Chris Brown will be hitting the stage. The Grammy winner is nominated for four awards including: Top Male Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Album (F.A.M.E) and Top R&B Song (‘She Ain’t You’).

Brown recently released his new pop single, ‘Don’t Wake Me Up,’ and so this would be a great chance for him to introduce the song to the world, and maybe also do a small portion of ‘Sweet Love’ or ‘Till I Die.’ Fortune hits stores on July 3rd.

Usher, Justin Bieber, Nelly Furtado, The Wanted, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Linkin Park, LMFAO and more will also be performing at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas next Sunday.

This is an amazing line up and I’m curious to find out if Usher, Bieber or Brown will have the show-stopping performance. My bet is on Usher.

On thing that I noticed is that there are no hip-hop performers. I’d love for Kanye and Jay-Z to be added, or even Drake, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj. There will also be a special tribute to the LEGENDARY and ICONIC, Whitney Houston, who amassed 30 Billboard awards over her career.

Leading all nominees is Adele with 18, followed closely by LMFAO with 17. Rihanna (13), Lil Wayne and Lady Gaga (10), and Katy Perry (9) also scored multiple nominations. For a full list of finalists, visit here.

The Billboard Awards airs May 20th, at 8pm (et) on ABC. We will be live tweeting @popaddicts_

Who do you think will have the best performance?

TLL

Grammy winner, Jennifer Hudson has endured 4 years of profound highs, and devastating, life-changing lows with her rise to fame, accolades, and then the sudden loss of her mother (Darnell Donerson), nephew (Julian King), and brother (Jason Hudson) in Oct 2008.

On Friday (May 11), William Balfour, 31, the man accused of killing her family in a jealous rage was convicted of three first-degree murders. Balfour, Julia Hudson’s ex-husband, faces life in prison.

Earlier today, Jennifer and Julia released a statement via Jennifer’s official website regarding the conviction.

Read the Hudson’s statement after the jump.