In this week’s episode of The BackBeat, we get into Nicki Minaj’s new ABC Family show, Whitney Houston’s upcoming Hologram, Drake making history on the Billboard Hot 100, Erykah Badu's remix of Drake’s “Hotline Bling,” a status update on Lauryn Hill’s highly anticipated followup to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, as well as our reviews on both Tamar Braxton’s (Calling All Lovers) and Janet Jackson’s (Unbreakable) new albums.

Kyera also gives us a brief Culture Talk regarding the musical Hamilton, and Marcus offers a Blast from the Past regarding Donny Hathaway. Make sure you tune into the end of the episode where we give our Songs of the Moment.

She put a spell on us with her riveting cover of the standard “I Put A Spell On You” in The Perfect Guy Trailer and now we are getting to know who Lydia René is with our latest special episode! During our interview Lydia opens up about how coming from a musically inclined family influenced her, her love for Philly soulsters Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild, as well as who she’s grown up listening to including Erykah Badu, #Ledisi, #EricBenet, #GlennLewis, and #Tamia.

Lydia also opens up about who she’s listening to know including #Goapele, #StacyBarthe, #ErynAllenKane (“Have Mercy”) #PJMorten, #EmilyKing, #Ash (“The Perfect EP”),#PrestonHarris, #RobertGlasper, #KendrickLamar, and #PhonyPPL, how her LP Vintage Heart came about, why recording “True Love” took forever, if there are any plans or an acoustic or live EP, reveals plans for a Christmas album, how her singing “#IPutASpellOnYou” in The Perfect Guy trailer came together, sets the record straight regarding the possible commercial release of “I Put A Spell On You,” what songs she would put on her perfect playlist, where she sees herself in the next five to ten years, if she sees herself getting involved musically regarding #BlackLivesMatter, and of course graces the mic for The BackBeat with an original song.

In this week’s episode, we get into Andra Day’s sublime debut Cheers To The Fall, Taylor Swift’s problematic music video for “Wildest Dreams,” Miley’s traumatic hosting duties at the VMAs, Macklemore getting praise from Big Daddy Kane, Tyler the creator getting banned from the UK, as well as our excitement over Janet Jackson’s Unbreakable era.

We also introduce a new segment Minute Update regarding Aretha Franklin’s documentary Amazing Grace, and get into a Blast from the Past regarding Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our songs of the moment.

This week, we get back into our soundbites starting with #NWA’s biopic #StraightOuttaCompton, our thoughts on #JoJo’s compact with her #Tringle, #Beyoncé’s “stringy hair” Atlantic article and #BlackTwitter’s response as well as how we are totally here for #JanelleMonae and her movement. Also we get into #LilB’s discussion of #BlackLivesMatters on CNN, #AzealiaBank’s bad contract and response to #NickiMinaj’s wax figure, #FettyWap dominating the summer, as well as #ArethaFranklin’s highly anticipated biopic with #JenniferHudson loosely attached to stars.

And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our favorite songs of the moment.

In this week’s special episode of #TheBackBeat, we interview indie R&B artist on the rise #JonSchuyler who opens up about his thoughts on #IndieR&B, his adoration for #DAngelo, what makes him unique from other artists, how his writing and sound has evolved, his thoughts on race and R&B, as well as his inspirations regarding music.

Jon also talks about his latest EP 199X and his top five 90s artists that include #Brandy, #JaggedEdge and #WhitneyHouston amongst other. Jon and Marcus also have a Whitney stan moment and engage in the Whitney/Mariah debate alongside Kyera. We also get into one of Jon’s craziest fan moments, what’s the hardest song he’s had to write so far, as well as his thoughts on love and relationships.

Get to know Jon Schuyler in our extended interview and find out why we are such big fans of him and his music.

This week, we celebrate our love for 90's R&B. We cover #WhitneyHouston vs #MariahCarey, #Jodeci vs #BoysIIMen, #Aaliyah, #MaryJBlige, #Brandy, #Monica, #ToniBraxton, #Mya, #SWV, #TLC, #LutherVandross, #RKelly, #Ginuwine and much much more. For the Hip Hop heads, we got you covered! We discuss the hottest R&B and Hip Hop collabs ft. #BiggieSmalls, #MethodMan, #Raekwon, #GhostfaceKillah, #JermaineDurpri, #TheBrat, #Mase, #QueenLatifah, #MCLyte, #YoYo, and many more. Make sure you stay tuned for our special segments. We play a game of 21 questions, where each host has to decide between two iconic singers, songs, soundtracks, and albums of the 90's. We also discuss the weirdest, sexiest, and downright problematic R&B pickup lines. As a special treat, we introduce our listeners to a special preview of a longer interview with #JonSchulyer, whose mixtape #199X is heavily inspired by the 90's. We hope you fall back in love with the 90's after this special episode!

In this week’s episode of #TheBackBeat, we talk about #JillScott’s new album “#Woman,” #Future’s new #DS2 album and get into the anatomy of a clapback. Starting off with #NickiMinaj and #TaylorSwift’s twitter exchange about the #VMAs, we then get into #MeekMill calling out #Drake for not writing his own raps on Twitter, #Ghostface clapping back at #ActionBronson over comments made on #Sportscenter, #ErykahBadu calling out the #BlackEyedPeas for imitating her Honey video, #JanetJackson’s new video for her #NoSleeep remix with #JCole, as well as #MichelleObama calling on #Wale to take part in a college summit.

In our Blast From the Past segment, we celebrate #JLO’s birthday, JillScott’s debut album #WhoIsJillScott, the passing of #AmyWinehouse, as well as the 20th anniversary of #Raekwon’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.” And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our favorite songs of the moment.

In this week’s episode of #TheBackBeat, we talk about #2Chainz being sued for $5 million dollars, #JillScott retracting her support for #BillCosby, #ShiaLeBeouf plagiarizing Rap Crew #ANOMOLIES, #ArianaGrande’s Donut moment, #KendickLamar challenging Fox News, #Tyga’s #transgender mistress, #KylieJenner’s record career, #Miguel shading #FrankOcean, and the #AmyWinehouse documentary #AMY.

We also highlight new music from #LaurynHill, #VinceStaples, #MeekMill, and #JillScott. In our Blast From the Past segment, we honor #Diddy’s Bad Boy the Saga Continues, give a shout out to #AngelHaze, and reminisce about the demise of #3LW. And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our favorite songs of the moment.

In this special episode of The BackBeat, we cover last night's 2015 BET Awards. We discuss the standout performances of the night, Smokey Robinson's charged acceptance speech, the political messages throughout the awards ceremony, the best and worst fashion choices from our favorite celebrities, and much much more. Tune in to find out why we thought this year's BET Awards was one of the best awards show in recent memory!

In this week’s episode of #TheBackBeat, we tackle #LupeFiasco’s letter on white supremacy, #TaylorSwift’s fight for artist compensation from #Apple, #TheDream’s Billboard interview about race and music, Bobbi Kristina’s medical condition, Eminem’s new show Narc, D’Angelo’s follow up to Black Messiah, #Beyonce headlines the Made in America music festival, and Diddy’s kettlebell fight.

We also highlight new music from Janet Jackson, Fetty Wap, Jidenna, Tiffany Evans, #KendrickLamar, Bilal, and #LeonBridges. In our Blast From the Past segment, we honor Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt and remember #MichaelJackson on the anniversary of his passing. And make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear our favorite songs of the moment.