It's no coincidence that El DeBarge was given not one but two chances to perform at the 2010 BET Awards last night. His two performances were among some of the memorable highlights of the three-hour program. The R&B crooner sang a medley of his hits, including "All This Love," "I Like It" and "Rhythm Of The Night." Then later in the show, El performed a new song called "Second Chance," which will appear on his forthcoming album of the same name.

After years of being out of the music scene, El DeBarge's recognizable piercing falsetto is still intact. For El, it was a triumphant comeback from a long journey of personal hardships.

In 2008, he was slapped with a two-year jail sentence, stemming from an arrest on cocaine-possession charges. El only served one year and was released on Oct. 26, 2009.

Now El DeBarge (real name Eldra Patrick DeBarge) is following up his BET Awards performance with a new album and a brighter outlook on life. He's currently recording his new LP titled Second Chance, his first full-length album in over 16 years. The collection, due in the fall via Geffen Records, boasts productions from Babyface, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the Avila Brothers, Mike City and others. The set's first single is the title track.

In the video below, El talks about his personal journey and upcoming new album:

El DeBarge

Watch El DeBarge's comeback performance on the 2010 BET Awards

Urban Music Direct

Welcome back, El DeBarge . . .

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Janelle Monáe -- "Smile"

Props: Billboard

It was one year ago today that we lost the King of Pop Michael Jackson.

Since his untimely passing, Jacko posthumously has made more cheddar than Kraft Foods. He's essential a billionaire now. Wow, it makes you wonder what could have been if Michael was alive today.

Rest in Peace, Michael.

Holla!

Aloe Blacc -- "Femme Fatale"

It's official. This blog is going to be the fan site for Aloe Blacc. Just kidding.

All jokes aside, I can not get enough of Aloe Blacc. The crooner has just released his soulful rendition of "Femme Fatale," which is a remake of the Velvet Underground's classic song of the same name. This is the second single from Blacc's upcoming debut LP Good Times, which hits shelves on Sept. 14.

You can cop the "Femme Fatale" 7'inch vinyl and/or MP3 single, right HERE.

Holla!

2Pac -- "Dear Mama"

This is a nice honor.

Tupac Shakur's "Dear Mama," his 1995 tribute to his mother Afeni Shakur, is among the 25 recordings that will be inducted into the Library of Congress' 2009 National Recording Registry. The song joins other noteworthy recordings including Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti" and albums by Bill Cosby (I Started Out as a Child) and the Staple Singers (Soul Folk in Action).

2Pac is the third rapper to be added to the library behind Public Enemy in 2004 (Fear of a Black Planet LP) and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in 2002 ("The Message").

Holla!

Kendrick Lamar -- "She Needs Me (Remix) [Featuring Dom Kennedy]"

Spotted: Double R

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