NEWS
Trey Songz and Keyshia Cole became the center of a brief but public misunderstanding following Cole’s 20th anniversary concert of The Way It Is. The confusion unfolded on social media after Cole expressed frustration about Songz appearing onstage without her prior knowledge or approval.
In a now-deleted Instagram Story, Cole shared a clip of Songz performing during her set. Instead of welcoming the gesture, she criticized her team for the unplanned appearance.
“Whoever brought Trey out without letting me know weird asf,” she wrote. “If it happens again, you will be fired asap. Don’t bring nobody back out on my stage without me able to give them a FORMAL INTRODUCTION. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO COMES TO SHOW LOVE. 20th anniversary of The Way It Is. Y’all weird asf.”
Songz responded to the backlash with a more measured tone. In his own Instagram Story, he wrote, “Waited for you b4 and after. Show was incredible!!!!”
The post appeared to express both disappointment and support, suggesting he had made an effort to connect before and after the event.
Cole later softened her tone in a follow-up Story, writing, “I wasn’t able to say hello or goodbye @treysongz. But thank u for coming,” accompanied by a hashtag celebrating her album’s two-decade milestone.
Still, she reiterated her frustration with her team, writing, “Fact!!! They tacky for that. I be busy but not enough to not know what’s going on, on my stage.”
The miscommunication emerged during a significant moment in Cole’s career, as she continues her anniversary tour for the 2005 debut that helped define 2000s R&B. Her comments emphasized the importance she places on presentation, precision, and respect in live performance settings. Songz’s unexpected cameo, though seemingly well-meant, conflicted with that standard and triggered an internal rift that quickly spilled online.
While the exchange appears to have calmed, it reflects how even veteran performers face logistical missteps under the scrutiny of social media. For fans, the incident offered a glimpse behind the curtain of live production—and a reminder that even well-intentioned surprises can backfire without clear communication.
After staying quiet for years, The Avalanches have finally returned with something brand new. Their latest single “Together,” released through Modular Recordings, features Nikki Nair, Jessy Lanza, and Prentiss, marking the group’s first original release in close to six years.
Anyone expecting quiet, reflective electronic music or sample heavy Motown inspired textures may be caught off guard by this one. “Together” leans into bright energy and movement, delivering a lively dance driven sound that feels playful, upbeat, and built for packed rooms and late nights.
The Avalanches, currently made up of Robbie Chater, Tony Di Blasi and Andy Szekeres, made a huge impact with their 2000 debut album Since I Left You.
What made the record stand out was its incredible use of sampling, blending fragments from hundreds of recordings by artists including Françoise Hardy, Sérgio Mendes, Raekwon, Wayne and Shuster, and Madonna into something completely unique. Tracks like “Frontier Psychiatrist” and the title song helped establish the album as both nostalgic and futuristic at the same time. According to a statement from the band’s representatives, the project left “a global footprint for collaborative sampology in the 21st century.”
Their second album arrived after an extremely long wait and explored a very different direction creatively. Sixteen years after their debut, The Avalanches released Wildflower, which debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Their next project, We Will Always Love You, arrived in 2020 and later earned the Australian Music Prize for Album of the Year.
The group briefly resurfaced again in 2024 through their collaboration with Jamie XX on the song “All You Children” from In Waves.
“Together” appears to be the beginning of another major era for the group. The release is connected to a “Superfun” campaign that features artwork of Chater gaming along with an animated visual for the track. The video brings old technology to life, including an iPod and a diskette, as they wander through a colorful world side by side.
A classic Nokia 3310 also shows up in the video, floating down from above complete with angel wings.
“How are you looking after your memories? At Takumi digital archives your most treasured moments are safe with us,” says the mysterious official statement. Fans are also invited to “visit Takumi today” through the website takumiarchives.com.
Jonathan Zawada directed and animated the music video, which can be streamed below.
