What started as a punny nickname for Da'Shan, transformed into a media writing legacy and a new brand building slowly but surely. 

The conversations and profiles, I've had with some of the industry's elite... 

Call it the gift of gab! 

billboard •

The-Dream Breaks Down Debut Album 'Love Hate' for 10-Year Anniversary

The-Dream poses for a portrait before attending his "The Art of IV Play"Exclusive Listening Party on May 22, 2013 in New York City. On December 11, 2007, Terius “The-Dream” Nash released his groundbreaking solo debut Love Hate. It’d be the chapter closer for a landmark year, which saw hip-hop and R&B formulating into the sound and culture that we know it as today. After years of penning for the likes of B2K and Britney Spears, the Atlanta songwriter’s big break came in 2007...
Read More →
billboard •

Singer Drew Vision Danced for Beyonce, Modeled for Coach and is Ready for Center Stage: New Face, Fresh Style

"I always accessorize," says Drew Vision, when asked about his personal style. The New York-native, indie R&B-soul singer then proceeds to pull out three golden rings and two earrings from Topman out of his pocket. While adding the accessories to his casual ensemble of a Reason sweater hoodie, Zara jeans, and worn-in brown leather Aldo boots, the singer explains that the outfit was actually rushed last minute. Billboard Style interviewed the emerging talent.
billboard •

Frankie Grande Premieres Video For Debut Single 'Queen,' Talks Ariana, Broadway & Glam Rock Inspirations: Exclusive

With his resume of performing on Broadway and multiple reality TV stints -- not to mention the fact that his younger sister is one of the highest selling artists of today -- it's hard to believe that Frankie Grande has taken this long to release his first song. In 2014, Americans not familiar with the ins and outs of Broadway were introduced to Grande on the sixteenth season of CBS' Big Brother. Since causing a little reality TV mischief (R.I.P. Zankie), the entertainer has entered other endeavors....
billboard •

Tee Grizzley Talks Chart Success and Inspiration of 'First Day Out': 'Rap Was All I Had'

Detroit native Tee Grizzley released his latest hit "First Day Out" on his debut mixtape My Moment, which arrived in April. The chart-climbing track marked the rapper's Hot 100 debut, where it currently sits at No. 67, and has also risen up the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Rap Airplay and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts. Tee spoke with Billboard about what inspired the personal lyrics to his song, who he would love to collaborate with and more.
billboard •

Rihanna's Game-Changing Bob: Hairstylist Ursula Stephen Remembers the Haircut Ten Years Later

When the music video for Rihanna’s hit number one single “Umbrella” first aired in March 2007 (followed by an appearance from the leading lady on the red carpet of the 20th annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards), it unveiled a side of the singer fans weren’t familiar with. Rocking a jet-black bob haircut, Ri -- who at the time was known for her catchy yet relatively benign track "Pon De Replay" -- solidified her entrance into edgier territory with Umbrella's parent album Good Girl Gone Bad, ush
billboard •

LGBTQ Nightlife: How DJs Straddle the Line Between Taste-Making and Crowd-Pleasing

On a humid Friday night in Manhattan, Sean Paul’s “Temperature” can be heard blasting on an East Village street every time a door opens. The source of the 2006 Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper is Phoenix, a neighborhood gay bar. Inside Phoenix, it proves to be a challenge to squeeze, dance, and maneuver from the bouncer through a packed dancefloor to the DJ in the back. Standing tall -- and next to a pool table conveniently pushed aside to make more room for dancing -- Phoenix’s resident tastemaker...
billboard •

Jhene Aiko's Older Sister, Mila J, on Her 'Scorpio Fashion Sense', Playboy Photo Shoot, & Love of SZA

One of the more underrated music releases this year is Mila J's Dopamine. What started as a Valentine's Day release of MILAULONGTIME -- a seven track mix-tape taking inspiration from a famous Full Metal Jacket line -- expanded into a 13 song EP featuring new cuts. As for us? Here at Billboard Style, we recommend this trap&B journey centered on the emotions of love -- particularly for fans of the electro-soul vibes heard on SZA's CTRL or Dawn Richard's Redemption.
billboard •

New Face, Fresh Style: Emerging Model Musician Raja on Blending Hip Hop With Bollywood

"If your song isn't playing in the strip club, then it's not popping," declared emerging hip-pop act Raja -- decked out in a floor length fur coat and Jordans -- en route to open for PNB Rock in Poughkeepsie, New York back in March. Four months later, the fresh talent sticks to that original thought. Eating dinner at his favorite Indian restaurant Bukhara Grill in NYC, Raja tells Billboard Style that his single "Hangover" is finally gaining traction in the city's strip clubs...
billboard •

Sevyn Streeter on 'Girl Disrupted' Album, 'Sweet & Street' Style, Colorism & State of Today's R&B: Exclusive

It's almost surreal that Sevyn Streeter is finally releasing her debut studio album Girl Disrupted after two decades of songwriting and performing. And its release happened to coincide with her 31st birthday on Friday (July 7). In an exclusive interview with Billboard Style, the singer exclaims, “I keep forgetting that it’s my actual birthday! I’m so caught up in album [promo] that I have to remind myself.” According to Sevyn -- who has found previous Billboard Hot 100 success with 2013's "It Won't Stop"...
billboard •

Ashanti Talks New Single & NFL's 'Take a Knee' Protests: 'I'm Praying That Things Change Very Soon'

“If it ain’t about the money, say less,” Ashanti advises on the hook of her fresh single “Say Less” — a west coast RnBass jaunt produced by DJ Mustard and featuring Ty Dolla $ign. That’s exactly the mood she felt when catching up with Billboard Style on a Thursday night in her Los Angeles condo. A pioneer of contemporary R&B, Ashanti is not only focusing on more new music slated to be released next year, but also her additional business endeavors.
billboard •

MTV Movie & TV Awards Are 'Like a Millennial Golden Globes,' Exec Producer Says

Last week, MTV announced that the annual Movie Awards would transform into the Movie & TV Awards, before revealing the ceremonies new categories, rules, and nominees. The scheduled May 7 telecast will be the first ceremony to include television and streaming content in its awarding process, after 25 years of solely honoring film. Executive producer Casey Patterson -- who will be acting in the role for a second straight year -- discussed with Billboard why the MTV Movie & TV Awards...
billboard •

The Importance of JAY Z's 'Smile' & Its Progression of LGBTQ Politics In Hip-Hop

In the first verse of “Smile” -- the third track off JAY Z's critically acclaimed album 4:44 -- a reflective JAY-Z raps “Mama had four kids, but she's a lesbian/ Had to pretend so long that she's a thespian/ Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate.” Backed by a chopped and screwed sample of Stevie Wonder’s 1976 Key of Life cut “Love’s In Need of Love Today,” the rapper continues, revealing his mother’s narrative: “Society shame and the pain was too much to take/ Cried tears of joy when you fe
Close ✕