Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige, Keri Hilson Sued for 2005 Hit

Mary J. Blige's 2005 hit 'Take Me As I Am' from her smash album 'The Breakthrough' might be almost a half-decade old, but it's landed her in hot water. Songwriters Jay Ballard and Kim Jones filed suit against the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul and The Clutch, the songwriting collective that includes Keri Hilson, for jacking their 1995 track of the same name.

Alicia Keys added to 2010 Essence lineup

R&B superstar Alicia Keys has been added to the headline roster for this year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Keys will join Mary J. Blige, Gladys Knight, Keri Hilson, Jill Scott, Raphael Saadiq, Charlie Wilson, Earth, Wind and Fire and others performing at the Louisiana Superdome July 2-4.

Michael Jackson tribute concert gets scrapped

A Michael Jackson tribute concert, which was moved from Vienna to London after top acts dropped out, has been canceled after the event's organizer closed down, the company's liquidator said on Friday. Organizers, led by Michael's brother, Jermaine, canceled the Vienna concert in September after struggling to get stars to perform on short notice. A London concert was planned for summer, but that has been scrapped as well. Martin Schneider, liquidator for the organizers, told Reuters: "The company cannot sign any new contracts and will certainly not plan any new events."

Block Starz Music (BSM) has announced the upcoming release of East Coast Block Starz

Block Starz Music (BSM) has announced the upcoming release of East Coast Block Starz, the next installment of its critically-acclaimed regional compilation series. Mixed by Clinton Sparks and his production team and co-signed by the biggest industry insiders, East Coast Block Starz will be a sonic wave of eye-opening, eardrum-popping tracks from some of the most promising urban indie talent from Washington, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, and Baltimore.

MARY J. BLIGE, USHER SING FOR THE OBAMAS: Singers join roster of performers for 'Christmas in Washington' concert.

*Mary J. Blige and Usher were part of an all-star lineup that performed for President Barack Obama at the annual "Christmas in Washington" concert, held Sunday night at the National Building Museum. The event, taped for a TNT special airing Dec. 20, was hosted by comedian George Lopez and benefited the Children's National Medical Center.