There have been quite a few hitmakers that Keyshia Cole has collaborated with throughout her career. The Bay Area singer has charted with songs like “Let It Go” with Missy Elliott and Lil Kim, “Last Night” with Diddy, “Trust” with Monica, and “Shoulda Let You Go” with Amina. While there are plenty of other artists that Keyshia Cole would love to work with, the singer spoke openly about her desire to connect in the studio with Mary J. Blige. While chatting with Hollywood Unlocked, Keyshia revealed that she just can’t seem to get a solid answer out of the R&B legend.

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Keyshia was on Instagram Live when a fan asked her if there was anyone that she would like to interview on her show. After she named Mary J. Blige, Keyshia delivered a couple of memories of Mary, including her failed attempts at getting the “No More Drama” singer in the booth.

“I ain’t gonna lie. I was so happy Mary even let me open up for her at a show that she had in Miami,” Keyshia Cole said. “I’ve been asking Mary for years and years to do a record because the fans want to hear it and it would have been amazing to do something like that at the height of my career and at the height of her career. That would have been super amazing, I felt like.”

According to Keyshia, it’s been a few years since she spoke with Mary J. and tossed around the idea of collaborating one day. “I asked her this last time and she said, ‘I don’t—I don’t know.’ And I was just like, ’Hm?’” Mary didn’t give Keyshia the green light, but she didn’t necessarily reject her, either. However, there’s been no progress.

“She said, ‘Don’t you prefer me to be honest with you about it?’ I said, ‘That’s true.’ ‘Cause at least she didn’t lead me on and tell me, ‘Probably.’ Even though ‘probably’ is better than no,” she reportedly said with a laugh. Would you want to hear these two on a track together?

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You wouldn't exactly peg Selena Gomez as a hip-hop head. The pop star has never shown too much of an affinity for the genre, seemingly only collaborating with rappers when it's beneficial to her. On her latest album though, she struck a friendship with Kid Cudi, collaborating with the great on "A Sweeter Place" and, throughout their friendship, Cudder has apparently been trying to get her more into rap. He's starting with some of the female icons.

In a new interview with Zane Lowe for the "At Home" series on Apple Music, Selena Gomez revealed the extent of her friendship with Kid Cudi, which includes unreleased music and a bunch of awesome song suggestions.

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"He's the one who really has me listening to Da Brat, Missy Elliott, all of these, Eve, all of these female rappers," said Selena Gomez about Cudi. "Like, he started to kind of show me a little bit. And they're royalty. ... He's the best guy. He played me this song and I freaked out because he's played me a lot of his songs and I'm like, 'I want these to be out in the world.' But this one he did and it's such an anthem."

Elsewhere in the interview, Gomez spoke about her love for artists like Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift.

She's a top-selling, award-winning, chart-topping artist, but at her core, Missy Elliott is a music fan just like the rest of us. If you've been hopping through artists' Instagram Lives during this COVID-19 quarantine, you'll find that celebrities are keeping themselves busy by entertaining the masses. If you check the stream of comments, there's a good chance you'll see Missy Elliott leaving a note or two as she encourages her fellow creatives.

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She was grooving to DJ D-Nice during his Quarantine Party and she showed up to support both Timbaland and Swizz Beatz when they were having they IG Live battle. People have been trying to get the rapper-singer-producer-songwriter-dancer to get in on the Live battle action, but don't hold your breath. Missy said she's more interested in being a spectator than a participator.

"Nah i I like watching the battles?? but I don’t got enough hits to battle??‍♀️ I rather be a judge," she commented on Twitter. She also joked, "Kirk Franklin vs Donnie Mcclurkin!!!! That’s it??????????." Someone suggested that she go up against music legend Teddy Riley. "Heck nah Teddy Riley got Classic Hits that date back to the beginning of time," she said. There were other suggestions like Doja Cat and Ester Dean, but Missy still wouldn't bite. Who do you think should have a friendly IG Live music battle with Missy Elliott?

Missy Elliott further solidified how legendary she is after she accepted Guapdad 4000's challenge to respond within 24 hours to his imitation of her in the iconic music video for her breakout single, "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)." As an artist, Missy has always been ahead of her time, not only with her sound but with her visuals as well. The futuristic music video for "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)," directed by Hype Williams, was the world's first official taste of Missy's inimitable style. The black, patent leather blow-up suit resembling an inflated garbage bag that she wears while dancing robotically has become one of the many notable details associated with Missy's artistry. Guapdad 4000 decided to share his take on those iconic scenes from the visuals, sharing a clip of himself on Twitter decked out in a puffy jacket imitating Missy's dancing, writing that she has "24 hours to respond" to his homage to her.

List-a-mania has returned, sort of. This morning, Shade Room shared an interesting list detailing “The Top 50 Greatest Female Rappers Of All Time.” Given the inherent certainty of such rankings, Top 50s are bound to stir debate. Questions of misplaced order and omissions run rampant, sometimes from artists scorned. Here, we have what looks to be a relatively well-rounded one, at least insofar as inclusion goes. As to the order, well, is perfection ever really achievable? 

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Off the bat, the list makes a grand statement with Nicki Minaj in the number one spot, a testament to her oft-thrown around “Queen” title. Missy Elliott comes through at number two, Lil Kim at three, Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill at four and five. Ruff Ryders’ first lady Eve secures the sixth spot while Young MA rounds out the top ten. Longstanding veterans Foxy Brown, Da Brat, and Trina hit eleven, twelve, and thirteen, while Flipmode lyricist Rah Diggah holds it at number seventeen. Several of today’s fresh faces fared well enough, with Cardi B at fifteen and Megan Thee Stallion at sixteen. 

While it’s difficult to discern clear criteria, the list appears well versed in many different hip-hop eras. Longevity, catalog, flow, lyricism, and overall impact seems to have played a part, with talent being more or less respected by the creators. Check out the list below, and sound off with your take — did whoever made this list come through, or is this latest viral Top 50 a complete misfire? 

Football fans around the nation wait for February to arrive so that they can see the culmination of another intense NFL season, crowning a victor among thirty-two teams ferociously battling to gain supremacy. Pop culture fanatics equally use the opportunity to watch one of the most-anticipated musical performances of the entire year during the coveted halftime slot. Even if you’re not a big football or music fan, you can still find enjoyment on Big Game Sunday with all the extravagant advertisements airing on network television.

During the last week and a bit, we’ve been granted some previews of what to expect come Sunday with commercials being heralded by Post Malone for Bud Light, Lil Nas X for Doritos, and many more. On top of exclusive trailers, teasers for upcoming films and television shows, and more being catered toward entertainment junkies, promotional firms paid millions of dollars for primetime advertising spots during the sporting event. With major corporations budgeting disgusting amounts of money for their Super Bowl ads, viewers were left smiling, laughing, crying, and more from the commercials being presented. If they succeeded, some of y’all may even be putting some money aside to cop their product. 

With so much goodness airing during the breaks last night, we’ve rounded up the best Super Bowl ads below. Let us know which one was your favorite.

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Following the official announcement of Governors Ball 2020 a little over a week ago, we're now getting a clearer breakdown of who will be performing over the three-day music festival and the exact day each artist will be hitting the stage. 

While all three days are expected to be filled with show-stopping performances, Day 3 is definitely looking like the highlight. Day 1 is pretty packed as well, with acts like Danny Brown, Tame Impala, Pink Sweat$, Miley Cyrus, Alessia Cara, Maxo Kream, Vampire Weekend, Chase Atlantic, rising Brooklyn-based emcee KOTA The Friend and music legend Stevie Nicks amongst others gracing the stage on Friday. Day 2 keeps the high energy at peak with Vampire Weekend, Flume, Ellie Goulding, Chiiild, Steve Lacy and rap/R&B collective EARTHGANG making for key standouts on Saturday. As we stated earlier, Sunday will be the apex of the  festival's 10th anniversary year as Missy Elliott, Solange, H.E.R., Summer Walker, John Bellion, YBN Cordae, Girl Talk, Johnny Utah, Black Midi, Swae Lee and Princess Nokia spearhead a long list of musicians closing out Day 3.

Governors Ball 2020 goes down on June 5, June 6 and June 7 at Randall's Island Park in New York City. Get your 1-day, 3-day and cabana experience tickets now by clicking here.

Things were a tad emotional at TV One’s annual Urban Honors awards in Washington, D.C. Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott was given the Music Innovation Award, an honor that was presented to her by longtime friend Lil Kim. It was a tender moment on stage as Missy took a moment to thank Kim for being family to her for all of these decades.

Andrew H. Walker / Staff / Getty Images

“First I want to thank Lil Kim cause... It’s hard to find people in the industry that become like family," Missy began. "We’re beyond cameras, you know, getting in front of cameras and pretending that we are family. We are truly family. She’s been my sister for so long and I always have looked up to her because when I first seen her, you know, I always been a big girl. Kim had on the little swimsuits on and I was like, 'Oh, nah, I ain’t finna do that.’ Internet ain't out but I'll shut it down in the future if I pull that stunt.” The audience laughed as she continued, "But, you are a trailblazer and an innovator yourself and I want you to know that.”

She also made sure to give a shout out to Da Brat, noting that the former So So Def rapper was her "sister." Later on during her speech, Missy became choked up. "When I look back over my life," she said as she started to cry. The audience clapped and cheered her on and Lil Kim stood by her side and encouraged her to continue. "I was sick. I couldn't even hold a pen to write. And it was so much to say give up. But as I stand here with all of you, I thank you 'cause it's so much talent in this room." Watch her emotional speech in full below.

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Your love, talent, and grace should be awarded a million times ❤️

A post shared by Lil' Kim (@lilkimthequeenbee) on Jan 21, 2020 at 10:00am PST

Two of music’s most prominent female voices will finally be united, as iconic rapstress Missy Elliott and new age R&B sensation H.E.R. will star in a Super Bowl LIV commercial together in promotion of the new Pepsi Zero Sugar drink.

Boasting all the core qualities of Pepsi minus the sugar intake, Pepsi Zero Sugar is sure to score big amongst those who love that crisp taste of cola. How H.E.R. and Missy fit into the mix is still under wraps, but what we do know so far is that it’ll be a 30-second ad set to air during commercial breaks as the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs go at it for the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy on February 2 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The carbonated drink with also debut with a new look, sporting a trendy matte black can as seen in the official announcement posted by both ladies on social media (seen above). Whatever it ends up being, let’s just hope we get some sort of new music out of it as well. 

Stay tuned for the full reveal of Missy Elliott and H.E.R.’s Super Bowl LIV commercial to promote Pepsi Zero Sugar. In the meantime, listen to a preview of the latest musical offerings from both ladies below:

Til this day, Timbaland and Aaliyah are responsible for one of my favorite sounds in the history of mankind. The instrumental break during “Are You That Somebody” is one of, if not the best beat breakdown of all-time – followed closely thereafter by the one in Dr. Dre’s “Next Episode.” Timbaland and Aaliyah were lightning in a bottle. The rarest kind. Put sticky notes of their discography in a hat and pick one at random, they’re all a DJ’s cheat code – proven to get people on the dancefloor even if the most witless of disc jockeys is at the turntable’s helm. The era’s most influential producer and most influential R&B artist were a match made in heaven and along with Missy Elliot, they were innovators of modern R&B sound. All three possessed incredible creative frequency. Missy told Amazon Music in an interview: “I guess my mind is far out there. I don’t never really say I’m going to aim for something that is different, it’s just that’s the way I think.” With their far-out thinking, together, this trio helped usher R&B into the mainstream peeling back against tradition and delivering a treasure chest gigantic hits.   

Aaliyah & Missy Elliott at the 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, 1998 – Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images

Aaliyah’s story is a thing of pop culture folklore. In a short but remarkable existence, with the help of R. Kelly, Timbaland and Elliot, she created an unforgettable legacy. At the unripened age of 15-years old,  this phoenix scored the first top-10 hits of her career with the songs “Back & Forth” and “At Your Best (You Are Love)” from her debut album Age Aint Nothing but a Number, which was soon certified Platinum. Immediately the prodigy had an impact on the mainstream. At this time the norm was R&B groups like SWV along with Xscape. Aaliyah was the first teen solo act of the 90s to transcend. She precursors other acts to follow like Brandy and Monica. It’s unbelievable in hindsight that she didn’t gain substantial critical attention until just before her passing.  

Songs like “Are You That Somebody” and “One In A Million,” were true game-changers and defined an entire era of R&B. It was the sound ushered in by Timbaland, Aaliyah and Missy Elliot. A futuristic and innovative score with stylistic eccentricity, that was emulated by droves of producers and vocalists to come thereafter. The trio’s iconic springy baselines with electrifying synthesizers refined and reinvented the sound of 1990s urban music. Not only was the production before it’s time, so was Aaliyah’s voice. Artists for years after her death would try to duplicate her crisp mid-range delivery and delicate falsetto – not to mention the depth of soulfulness she occasionally tapped into. She went against the grain. Before she broke through R&B singers were all about power (i.e. Mariah Carey). Her subtlety and nuanced approach became popular and trendsetting. Look no further than Ciara for an example of how this peculiarity influenced a generation. 

As their resumes would suggest, both Missy and Timbaland have an uncanny ear for beautiful musical detion – neither is afraid of flirting with the boundary’s brink, pressing their heels right to the cliff’s edge. The duo with a brine history brought the best out of each other. Elliot spoke more on their relationship and her creative process later in the same Amazon Music interview, saying: “When I play something, he’ll most definitely be like ‘no, you should do it like this’ and that’s always been us. And he’ll play something and he’ll go through sounds and I’ll be like ‘oh that’s crazy’ or I’ll be like ‘that’s super wack.’ And vice versa. And you know I think we trust each other because we’ve been knowing each other since high school.”  

The singer’s star continued to ascend with the release of her third album, self-titled Aaliyah, which went certified double Platinum in the United States. These three albums are an emblem to her prestige and the impact of those works can still be felt today. Ty Dolla $ign told Billboard: “Aaliyah is one of my favorite artists, and One In A Million is one of my favorite albums ever. I can’t wait until there is another artist who is remotely close to the type of artist Aaliyah was, because I don’t think we’ve seen it yet.”

Canadian rapper/singer Drake said in an interview with Soul Culture, “Aaliyah has had probably the most impact on my career because when I made the choice to start singing … I needed someone to reference …  I just found comfort in all of Aaliyah’s music.” Drake used Aaliyah’s vocals on his single “Enough Said.” Her voice also appears on Chris Brown’s “Don’t Think They Know.” However, these posthumous collaborations came at the chagrin of Timbaland. The superproducer told the LA Times: “People always say, ‘I’m going to do a song with Aaliyah.’ It will never work,” he said. “Chris Brown got a record, it won’t work. Drake can go do a record with Aaliyah, it ain’t gonna work. ’Cause Aaliyah music only work with its soulmate, which is me.” Timbaland even admitted he fell in love with Aaliyah while they were working together. 

Aaliyah in NYC, 1995 – KMazur/WireImage/Getty Images

Timbaland has had a hand in aiding the careers of several prominent artists. He’s mentored the likes of Nelly Furtado and Tweet, gained credits on works for Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and even Coldplay. But, arguably, nothing he’s done can quite compare to the groundbreaking records he created with Aaliyah. Along with her own insanely successful solo career, Missy found major success behind the scenes as well, working with Eve, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, and Keisha Cole among many other artists she and her childhood friend co-produced together. 

We would love nothing more than to hear new Aaliyah records. But unlike in today’s musical ecosystem, Aaliyah was sparing with the release of music. In fact, she only recorded three albums in her lifetime. As a result of disputes between her estate and her former record label, Blackground Entertainment and Reservoir Media Management her final two albums are not available on streaming platforms which is an absolute shame. Her estate has considered the idea of repackaging her demos but there is yet to be any progress on that front.

Aaliyah’s legacy is defined by her originality. From the baggy clothes and oversized jerseys to the iconic crop tops to her choreography or vocals: she was always a step ahead. In a time where we maybe see a lack of bold imagination, it’s refreshing to reflect on her time with us and the impact it had on music. As a quote from her website reads: “I stay true to myself and my style, and I am always pushing myself to be aware of that and be original.”