For fans of Love & Hip Hop, you saw Olivia perform “Walk Away” a few weeks ago. She followed up with a video, which highlights a domestic violence, check it out.

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Singer Melanie Fiona will cover the next issue of Rolling Out Magazine . Check out this behind the scenes video where she talks about her upbringing with hard working parents, her take on love and how it affects her music.

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Estelle covers the latest issue of Pynk Magazine. Fresh after performing “Thank You” on Black Girls Rock, she look gorgeous on the cover of the winter issue. The Hip-Hop songstress talks career, love and life.

On refocusing her life and career:

“I got back on the same page with my head and my heart. I just didn’t enjoy the music anymore so I turned everything around and started really paying attention to myself instead of listening to what everyone else was telling me [the album] should be. It just got real ridiculous for a while.”

On pushing past the pain:

“Every time I’d go in and record something that was really emotionally charged after one of these changing moments — those are the records that everybody loved. So I was like, ‘You might want to keep doing that. It’s going to hurt you but just keep going.’ And I did. And it hurt like hell. And a lot of people were probably hurt in the process, but oh well. They probably needed to go anyway. These were things that went with the process of me having to change my life around for the better. I definitely went through it.”

On her love life:

“I’m dating. I’m having fun. I don’t think I want to be in a relationship just yet. I’m enjoying my absolute freedom and having fun looking at the boys. There are some good ones out there. I like cute ones — black, white, whatever — with kind eyes and a kind spirit. I like men who are about something, who have a whole career to themselves. Guys who don’t really have too many issues – or at least deal with their issues. Not the ones who drift around looking for someone to take care of them… I’ve had a couple of those and they’re not fun. ”

HPNOTIQ x PYNK Magazine presents Estelle from PYNK Magazine on Vimeo.

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Melanie Fiona is going to premiere her video “4AM” on BET’s 106 & Park tomorrow (October 5). But until then, check out some behind the scenes footage from the video.

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Stephen Marley teamed up with Melanie Fiona for “No Cigarette Smoking” directed by Fatima Curry. The scenery was beautiful, but I would have love to see a little more interaction between the singers and the girl on the bed, who’s not Melanie Fiona, kind of threw me off.

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In a weekend where there are plenty of options for Caribbean entertainment, I chose to head to Roy Wilkins Park with good reason. Great music under the sun (and stars) makes a music festival that much better. It’s was one of the few family friendly events promoted and unlike stereotypical Caribbean events, they started on time and ending at a decent hour. Reggae, Rhythm & Blues at Roy Wilkins Park, organized by Irie Jam Media, is the first concert in the New York City area to combine Reggae, Soca, R&B and Dancehall on one stage. While the line up may have seemed like a mixture of artist, this is not necessarily a new set up. Music festivals with a variety of artists like Glasonbury Festivals and Jamaica Jazz & Blues have had years of success, but this is a first for Caribbeans living in New York City, but it’s no secret the Caribbeans love all kinds of music and this show was evident of that stance and truly set itself apart from the other concerts happening over Labor Day weekend.

I got to the park a little early and caught a few of the opening reggae and dancehall acts as check out a few of the vendors in the park — checking out some jewelry vendors, sampled sweet plantain chips from Grace Foods and got a refreshing Fruit Punch from a Pina Colado boothe.

I returned to the stage area just in time to catch the end of legendary Leroy Sibbles took the stage early singing all of his hits from his Heptone days as well as songs from his solo career.

The crowd got an early treat from Soca Monarch King, Machel Montano and the HD Family. This was my first time seeing Machel in concert and there was not a person in the crowd that was not whining their waistline. Although his energetic performance was abruptly disrupted by a power outage his band and dancers continued to perform somewhat a freestyle set until the power came back, proving his humble ability to rock a crowd regardless of the circumstances. We all know, had the same thing happened to some artist they would have just walked off stage. Performing “Bend Over”,  “Go Dung”, “Jumbie” and a slew of other hits hist performance was nothing less than outstanding.

R&B songstress Monica has a great catalog of hits like “So Gone”, “Love All Over Me” and “Still Standing” which she seemed to run through them all too quickly. Her songs resonated with the audience, but it seemed like we were watching a rehearsal more than a performance and she was dressed for a lazy brunch.

Babyface had a phenomenal performance! It was my first time seeing him as well. Dressed in a full white suit Babyface was looking dapper and ready to please the crowd! The R&B vertaran not only did songs from his own extensive catalog “Whip Appeal”, “Never Keeping Secrets” and “Cool In You”, but also performed hits which he wrote for Bobby Brown, Tevin Campbell, Johnny Gill and Boyz II Men. Babyface’s performance simply delightful, the newly added R&B line up to the roster proved to be a success, this addition was the best part of the night.

Dancehall newcomer I-Octane has been making quite a name for himself and is probably one of the hottest artistes right now, with only five minutes to perform the talented singer breezed through songs like “No Ramp Wid We” and ‘Mind Who You A Diss” . The crowd definitely wanted him to stay longer, but he was under time constraints.

Tarrus Riley did a mini tribute to Buju Banton before delving into a few of his songs including “She’s Royal” and “Contagious”.

Closing out the night, The Gully God, Mavado was clearly the most anticipated in the crowd. This weekend was the first time he’s performed in the U.S. in two year. The singjay was clearly happy to greet his fans with a few of his well known songs “On The Rock”, “Money Changer”, “Last Night” and his latest hit “Delilah”.

Irie Jam also honored recently murdered producer and VP Records own Joel Chin in a video montage. In addition Jamaican American U.S. Representative Yvette Clarke honored the King of Dancehall, Beenie Man for his contribution to music for over 30 years.

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Here’s a sneak peek of Melanie Fiona and Stephen Marley on set filming the video for “No Cigarette Smoke(In My Room)”. Love this song, can’t wait to see the finished video.

Melanie Fiona on WhoSay

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While some head to the Hamptons, Caribbeans in New York City – or those visiting the New York area – head to Brooklyn! Labor Day weekend has become synonymous with Carnival in New York (aka the West Indian American Day Parade). Caribbean events will be at an all time high this weekend and it’s one of the best times to partake in festive events as sort of a last “hoo-rah” of the summer. The weekend is filled with fetes and festivals sprinkled throughout the boroughs. Here’s a list of a few events on my radar that you may want to check out over the weekend.

Hot 97’s On Da Reggae Tip is hosted by Bobby Konders & Jabba. The duo have been holding down the riddims on Hot 97 every Sunday for years with their radio program On Da Reggae Tip, this concert is an extension of their program and has become the unofficial kick off to Labor Day weekend. Performances by Mavado, Stephen Marley, Barrington Levy, Gyptian, Demarco, Elephant Man, Stephen & Chino McGregor, Ding Dong. If you can’t make it to the concert, the after party at BB Kings.

Reggae Rhythm & Blues is one of the first attempts in the New York City area to present Reggae, Dancehall, Soca and R&B on one stage. On Sunday, Sept. 4 Babyface, Monica, Mavado, Machel Montano, Tarrus Riley and recently added John Holt and I-Octane will all hit the stage in true reggae festival style at the outdoor venue, Roy Wilkins Park in Queens.  As a family friendly event, children under 12 are free, for additional details and ticket information click here.

The artist line up for 5 Alarm Blaze looks like you may get exhausted (in a good way) so make sure you have enough energy for this concert/party Sunday, Sept. 4. Damian & Stephen Marley, Elephant Man, Mr Vegas, Bunji Garlin, Faye-Ann Lyons, Lyrikal, TallPree, Serani, Ding Dong, Ricky Blaze & more will perform Sunday night, Sept. 5 at Webster Hall.

Taking in the parade on Monday, Sept. 5 is a must! Whether you are playing mas or watching from the sidelines, the West Indian American Day parade is a great time to see Caribbeans coming together carnival style. The elaborate costumes, the music blasting from huge speakers, the flags waving, hips gyrating … and the food!  It’s a great time for newbies to experience Carnival culture and if you’re not into the parade you can always participate in J’Ouvert to see the floats setting up. Check out the West Indian American Day Carnival Association for parade route and details.

If you’re not too tired, head to lower Manhattan for Rice and Peas Party. The Labor Day edition of the monthly party kept every first Monday of the month is sure to be filled with good vibes to close out your Caribbean weekend.

For additional parties and events going on this weekend check out sites like Trini Jungle Juice, DatzWhatzUp and Event Bug.

Stay tuned for the my NY Carnival Survival Kit, everything you need to survive this weekend!

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Jason Derulo created a lot of buzz with the teaser photos for “It Girl” featuring Tika Sumpter. Here’s the official video. Definitely a change of pace for the young pop singer.

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Melanie Fiona’s is prepping for the release of her sophomore album MF Life, due out October 25. Here’s the latest single “4AM” from the album.

4AM by MelanieFiona

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