1. Usher, Shakira Nearing Deal to Join The Voice
With American Idol scoring Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey for its upcoming new season, NBC’s The Voice is looking to steal back the spotlight with some high-profile hires of its own. The Hollywood Reporter reports that both Usher and Shakira are in talks to join the reality singing competition as judges when the show returns next spring. [MORE]

2. Respect My Vote: The Hip Hop Caucus Merges Community and Politics
It’s 54 days before the U.S. Presidential election, and Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. is fired up and passionate. He’s not hype about any particular candidate, but rather the power of the hip hop community and young people’s influence on politics. The 43-year-old president of the Hip Hop Caucus had a lot to say about why young people aren’t voting, artists taking “I’m not voting” stances, and what the Democratic and Republican campaigns need to be more focused on. [MORE]

TAGS: American Idol, Election, hip hop caucus, judges, Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, NBC, Necole Bitchie, Nicki Minaj, politics, president, Purpose, Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr., Shakira, The Fugees, The Hollywood Reporter, The Voice, Usher, Vote, Wyclef Jean