Beyonce Explains Performing "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"

Beyoncé Explains “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” Grammy Performance

Beyoncé is finally breaking her silence (sort of) on why she and not Ledisi performed “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” at last night’s Grammys. Viewers online were split over Queen Bey being chosen to sing the gospel song and not Ledisi who sang it for the movie Selma and was in attendance at the award show. In a newly released behind-the-scenes video, Beyoncé explains during a rehearsal for her performance why it was dear to her and picking an all-male choir to accompany her. According to the singer:

I wanted to find real men that have lived, have struggled, cried and have a light and a spirit about them. I felt like this is be an opportunity to show the strength and vulnerability in black men. My grandparents marched with Dr. King, and my father was part of the first generation of black men that attended an all-white school. My father has grown up with a lot of trauma from those experiences. I feel like now I can sing for his pain, I can sing for my grandparents’ pain. I can sing for some of the families that have lost their sons.

Whether you love or hate Beyoncé, it is clear she wasn’t trying to steal Ledisi’s moment in the sun and instead wanted to point attention to the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Up Next: Kendrick Lamar Releases “The Blacker The Berry”

Kendrick Lamar Drops New Song,  “The Blacker The Berry”

A day after winning a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for “i”, Kendrick Lamar has dropped a new song. K. Dot released “The Blacker The Berry” from his highly anticipated third album. The latest track by Lamar dives right in addressing race and violence currently in America. The title of the song is a reference to Harlem Renaissance writer Wallace Thurman’s novel. Empire’s Taraji P. Henson made the announcement of the track today and told fans how Lamar told her she can pick her favorite song from his upcoming album to drop. Kendrick’s a fan of Queen Cookie?!

Up Next: Tinashe Releases New Track

One of #TeamBeautiful’s new favorite performers, Tinashe has released a new video for “Aquarius Season” from her debut album Aquarius. We guess now the the singer has been “2 On” for so long, she’s perfectly mellow and breathy on the song, giving us some Aaliyah realness. Tinashe directed the video herself and it’s a beautiful display of a haunted Tinashe laying on hardwood floors, peering through blinds and strands of her disheveled hair.

Tinashe just celebrated her 22nd birthday and there are rumors that she’s dating Ciara’s baby father, Future. We hope this rumor is just because of photos being taken and not based on any truth.

Up Next: Raheem DeVaughn Channels Janet Jackson In “Anytime, Anyplace”

One of Janet Jackson’s sexiest tunes, “Anytime, Anyplace” received an even steamier makeover by R&B crooner Raheem DeVaughn. We’re over here clutching our pearls. TheYBF exclusively premiered the bedroom ballad off his fifth studio album, Love, Sex & Passion.

And by the sound of this tune, it’s set to be a sexy offering to play while lighting candles and drawing a bubble bath, no? The Muhsinah-produced track is just in time for Valentine’s Day and if you’re lucky, you can watch DeVaughn perform it when he goes on The Intimate Truth tour with Ledisi and Leela James. For tickets, click here.

Love, Sex & Passion will be released on Feb 17th. but you can pre-order on Amazon and iTunes. You’re welcome.