TI’s latest album Paper Work, which was released worldwide on October 20, debuted on the Billboard Albums Chart at number two. This is the rapper’s ninth studio album. The self-proclaimed “King of the South” recruited his colleague Pharrell Williams to be executive producer of the project. The lead track, No Mediocre, which features his Australian protegé Iggy Azalea, as well as About the Money, are climbing up the ranks on the Billboard singles chart.

Animals, a single recorded by the all-male band Maroon Five, has finally penetrated the top five female reign on Billboard. Currently at number six, the song is deserving of its spot, as it is artfully written, recorded onto an amazingly harmonious and smooth beat and driven by the powerful vocals of Adam Levine. The album of its origin, V, is ranked at number 18 on the Album Chart.

International veteran R&B singer, songwriter and producer Mariah Carey has been confirmed to perform at next year’s Jazz and Blues Festival. The annual event, which happens in January, is the 19th to be held on the island. Mariah Carey is easily the most decorated female artiste of her time, winning multiple Grammy, AMA and WMA awards. She was also awarded as being the female artiste of the decade by Billboard.

Slipknot, a seven member Heavy Metal band from Iowa, released an album entitled The Grey Chapter. The album received enough sales in its first weeks to place it securely in the Top spot of the Billboard album chart. The band is really a sight to see, always dressed predominantly in black with an assortment of masks, horror make-up, chains, spikes, and wacky hairdos. The album itself features tracks with intense rhythms , and videos paralleling horror films.

Etana’s I rise album has debuted at number seven on the Billboard Reggae albums chart. ‘The Strong One’, born Shauna McKenzie, is no stranger to the chart, as this is her fourth album entry there. All her albums debuted and peaked in top 12 spots on Billboard. The artiste is currently on tour promoting the album in the US.

— Candiece Knight