Here is a recap of Rick Ross, French Montana and 2 Chainz’s appearance at The Beacham last night.

On Wednesday night R&B was reigning supreme at SOB’s in NYC once again, as hit-making producer Danjahandz held a showcase for his N.A.R.S. Entertainment rising artists — Luke James and Kevin Cossom. The packed house showed out for the singer/songwriters who are apart of the movement to keep R&B music alive and at the forefront of music. Both acts exhibited their individual styles… Kevin bringing the sexy bad boy, mainstream vibe, while Luke completely floored the crowd with his suave, debonair charisma and beautiful falsetto. Their fellow collaborator and R&B vixen Keri Hilson was also in the building to support her boys. Both artists are expected to release their debut albums later this year, and we are excited to see what they will deliver.

See our photos from the show and video of Luke performing his debut single “I Want You” below.

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This past Monday night Estelle’s “All of Me” / BET Music Matters trek hit the A in grandstanding R&B fashion. The British songstress invited a special guest on stage, her label boss and mentor, John Legend. The soulful duo performed “No Other Love,” and later Estelle tributed the late Whitney Houston.

After the show, Legend praised all the performers involved, offering the show as proof that his genre is having a good moment. “R&B is alive and well!” he tweeted. See the fan footage below…

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Rihanna made a special performance appearance at the 2012 BRIT Awards in London. The blonde Pop star emerged in a glass cube to her international mega-hit “We Found Love,” as dancers covered the walls with paint. The singer, who celebrated her 24th birthday on Monday, also took home the award for International Female Solo Artist.

Machine Gun Kelly was in Toronto last night at Sound Academy. Mr. Wild Boy switches pants with a female from the audience, a Waka Flocka look-a-like.

On Friday night NBC aired the 43rd NAACP Image Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Following a montage of music icon Whitney Houston’s achievements, Yolanda Adams performed the gospel song “I Love the Lord, He Heard My Cry.” “We love you, Nip,” said Adams, in reference to the singer’s childhood nickname.

Jennifer Hudson and Ne-Yo honored George Lucas by dueting on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” while the filmmaker sang along in the audience. Jill Scott had everyone counting their blessings as she performed the uplifting “So Blessed” off her album The Light of the Sun.

In the music categories, winners were, Cee Lo Green (Outstanding Male Artist), Jill Scott (Outstanding Female Artist), and Jennifer Hudson (Outstanding Album, Outstanding Music Video).

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Whitney Houston’s loved ones gathered to say farewell to the legendary singer they called “Nippy” at a private funeral in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday. Her fans across the world were able to view the homegoing service, which was broadcast globally from the New Hope Baptist Church, where Whitney grew up.

Following remembrances from her family and friends including Pastor Marvin Winans, Kevin Costner, Clive Davis, and cousin Dionne Warwick, some of music’s greatest voices performed emotional tributes to “The Voice” including Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, Stevie Wonder, Kim Burrell, and the Winans family.

Alicia Keys fought back tears as she shared memories of the woman she affectionately called Meema. “I feel like in so many ways, she reached back to so many people,” said Alicia, who sang “Send Me an Angel.” “She reached back to me, she reached back to Monica and Brandy and Jordin [Sparks] and all these beautiful young artists, and made us feel strong and capable and loved. She’s an angel to us and she’s been an angel to us. I think we’ve been sent an angel for a long time.”

Stevie Wonder personalized his classic “Ribbon in the Sky” for his dear friend. “This is such an emotional moment,” said Wonder. “I want to just stop and give all praise to God for just allowing me to be in life at the same time as Whitney.”

A visibly shaken R. Kelly performed “I Look to You,” the song he penned for Whitney’s 2009 album. “We love you, Whitney. Rest in peace,” he said.

Other celebrities paying their respects included Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Tyler Perry, Mariah Carey, L.A. Reid, Monica, Brandy, Ray J, and Diane Sawyer.

If you were unable to see the live stream earlier today, catch the performances below.

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Brandy & Monica made the TV debut performance of their new duet “It All Belongs To Me” on Thursday nights episode of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Backed by a full band, the R&B divas held their strength through the performance, showing off their strong vocal gifts (Mo took it there on her last run), and embraced each other at the end with a very emotional hug.

They continued the love on Twitter. “@MonicaBrown you did great tonight Miss Thang! So proud to stand next to you:) love you!!!!” tweeted Brandy, to which Monica replied, “I LOVE u More.”

They shot a video for the Rico Love produced song earlier this week with director Chris Robinson, and the single is now available on iTunes.

Robin Thicke was in the building to help spread love on last night’s Valentines episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. The soul singer performed the latest singles off his new album Love After War on the outdoor stage. See “Pretty Lil Heart” above and the title track below.

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