A couple of month’s ago J. Cole was the victim of album release “push-back”, but now his new album Born Sinner is set to be released earlier.

With a spankin’ new release date of June 18th, which according to J. Cole, seems to be inspired by Kanye West.

Born Sinner’s cover art was also revealed today. The official/standard version of the album features a black lacquered doll donning horns and a hand-drawn crown over a white background. The deluxe version features what seems to be the dark gates of heaven with seven bars drawn over it’s entrance.

All signs are pointing to dark and heavy themes, and we’re ready!

- JR.

Last week it was announced that Shakira would not be returning for next season of the voice, but that wasn’t the whole story.

While the Colombian singer-songwriter will not be returning for season 5, she has signed on for season 6! The NBC show has received extremely positive reviews even with half the coaching panel being new. It hasn’t been a secret that Shakira’s tender style of coaching has been a breath of fresh air for viewers.

Exhale, we’ll get to see Shakira in all her coaching glory next Spring.

Lots of interesting stories in the R-O-C family this week, from Skylar Diggins’ sweet graduation gift to Este Haim’s lowdown on her super cool siblings. Here are your Roc links.

Este Haim on her super cool siblings [Daily Record]

Bridget Kelly takes the stage at the iconic Webster Hall tonight [Gilt City]

Skylar Diggins gets a 2013 Mercedes-Benz for graduation [Instagram]

J. Cole spotlights Kendrick Lamar in new Born Sinner episode [YouTube]

Calvin Harris shakes Electric Daisy [Rolling Stone]

Kanye West knows exactly how to grab attention from the ADD generation. Forget blog leaks and radio drops, Yeezy is taking over the globe with his new single.

The gritty track titled “New Slaves” is projected on 66 buildings across the globe. You can find a complete directory of screening sites on kanyewest.com. And here’s a video from one of the screenings.

— Rizoh

In a candid interview with Hunger TV, Rita reveals what her new album will be about and who she blames for her fashion mistakes.

Among other things, we learned:

1. Fashion is a second language.
2. If I have a nip slip, I blame myself.
3. Her new album is about being in a s****y relationship.
4. She absolutely loves her mom.

How great is the interview?

- JR.

Improve your wardrobe and your music library at the same time.

Wale’s third album, The Gifted, is now ready for preorder. Hardcore fans will love the Ultimate Bundle. It comes with: a copy of The Gifted CD, a T-shirt (red, black, lime), Acai beaded bracelet, and MP3s.

Follow this link to pre-order The Gifted.

— Rizoh

Good things happen when you sing about Beyoncé.

Case in point: When rising songbird Jade Alston recently stopped by Power 105.1′s earlier this week, Vanessa Dennis asked if she could cover Drake’s “Girls Love Beyoncé.” Alston gladly obliged.

Her performance enthralled the entire crew, so much that Yee exclaimed “I love this girl.” Check out Alston’s acoustic rendition of “Girls Love Beyoncé” and tell us what you think.

Peep Power 105.1′s full interview with Jade Alston here.

— Rizoh

What does J. Cole need to get his mind right in the studio?

Some of his essentials might surprise you. Cole has always courted the saint-sinner duality in his music. His essentials further reflect this concept: bundles of cash next to a stack of books, a Rolex (“strictly for stunting,” he says) alongside a modest Blackberry with a cracked screen.

Check out a full breakdown of J. Cole’s studio essentials at Hypebeast.

J. Cole’s sophomore LP, Born Sinner, arrives June 25.

— Rizoh

Dance music makes another breakthrough. Calvin Harris receives the top songwriting honor at the Ivor Novello Awards.

The Ivor Novello awards are presented in Great Britain honoring the countries songwriters and voted on by the writing community and this year Calvin Harris received Songwriter of the Year award.

The coveted award given mostly to rock and pop musicians was accepted by Calvin humbly, “Like my lyrics, I’ll keep this (speech) brief and repetitive. I can’t believe I’ve even been let through the door of this ceremony. This is easily the greatest achievement of my life.”

- JR.

How do you tell your new girlfriend that you still harbor those little things called “feelings” for your ex? That’s Elijah Blake’s conundrum on “X.O.X.”

The Def Jam signee recently shared the official video for “X.O.X.,” which features Common. The young crooner has his ex on the mind throughout the song and video. Common chimes in with some rhymes about his old flame. Collaboration done right.

“X.O.X.” appeared on last year’s Bijoux 22. See the music video below.

— Rizoh