This week’s That Grape Juice Cover Star is delivered from Youtube sensation Damita. Watch as the soulful songbird soars with ‘Stay’ – the latest single from Rihanna‘s #1 album ‘Unapologetic’:

(Start at :19)

The beauty of the song is its vulnerability – the somberness in its lyric and sound.

And, to say Damita took that and ran with it is a clear understatement.  Maintaining the tone of the song, she lifted the lid on a cover that not only does the original justice, but also puts her signature stamp on it – providing a power that its original performer has yet to quite master.

Bravo!

For more on Damita, check out her Youtube page.

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Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email to sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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Your thoughts?

Mariah Carey put on her promo boots yesterday, when she hit a number of outlets to endorse her current position as an ‘American Idol’ judge, alongside Rap mogul Nicki Minaj.

One of these outlets…being ‘Late Night With Jimmy Fallon‘, where the star aligned to ensure she hit the spot alongside Vanity mastermind, Prince.

Watch the pair in promotional action below…

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They may share a common foe in ‘Fortune‘ Prince  Chris Brown, Drake & Frank Ocean are feeling nothing but the love on the US charts this week.

Drake, by way of his experimental cut ‘Started From The Bottom’ and Frank, with his Shea Taylor produced number ‘Thinking ‘Bout You‘.

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Nicki Minaj casts her net even further into branding seas last night, when she met with members of the press and her fan base to speak on her forthcoming clothing line, in association with K-Mart.

Taking her unique fashions to the world at affordable prices, the line marks the latest venture outside of music for the Rapper, who launched her first fragrance last year and latest MAC lipstick this year.

Watch her in action below…

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‘Love & War’ wailer Tamar Braxton is prepping her new album for battle of Billboard’s top spot this spring.  And, while the set’s lead single saw it comfortably perched atop Itunes tallies barely a day after its release, the youngest of the Braxton clan is looking to ensure the single’s successors see the same treatment.

Taking to Jacksonville’s V101.5 radio station this week to lend fans a first listen at some of the album’s other offerings, the songstress unveiled two new tunes – one of which is set to be ‘War’s’ follow-up.

Get your first taste of ‘Hot Sugar’, ‘The One’,  and see Miss Tamar take on another glowing live performance of her ‘Love & War’:

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Well, here’s an announcement sure to leave a trail of broken hearts.  British heartthrob Idris Elba has been wooing ladies left and right since his stint on HBO’s ‘The Wire’.  Since then, Elba has made quite the name for himself – earning mention amongst Hollywood’s most sought after leading men.

But, if his recent announcement is anything to go by, fans should wait awhile before they see him affront another movie poster.   For, despite recent headlines that he is set to make his directorial debut with new TV drama ‘Pavement Psychologist’, the actor tells a British newspaper that he’s taking a hiatus from the big screen.

Idris Elba Via MSN:

“This year I’m not going to work as an actor so I can concentrate on music,” he told Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper. “I do it from the heart, not for the money.”

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The announcement comes shortly after news that Elba, who DJs under the name Driis, has a seven week residency at a London nightclub.

Your thoughts?

MTV caught up with ‘Moment For Life’ maestra Nicki Minaj this week to quiz the hip popstress on the latest developments of her new album due this year.

Indeed, the Grammy nominated femcee sent fans into a frenzy when she unveiled plans on dropping the follow-up to her sophomore set ‘Pink Friday:  Roman Reloaded’ this year, but now it appears the hitmaker is singing a slightly different tune.

Telling reporters that she still has singles to pull from ‘The ReUp’, find out what tune Miss Minaj will soon be pushing to radio ahead of work on her next official LP below…

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‘Make It Happen’ hitmaker Mariah Carey was found making her promo rounds this morning to discuss her family life, give dibs on new music, and discuss ‘Almost Home’ – her single from Disney’s ‘Oz:  Great & Powerful’ soundtrack.

As fans await news on its David LaChapelle-directed visual, Carey took time from the ‘American Idol’ bench to chop it up with ‘Live! With Kelly & Michael’ and, as ever, the singer left a string of memorable quotes in her wake.

See what she had to say below:

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For many Michelle Williams is known as the bubbly, easygoing member of the fierce diva syndicate Destiny’s Child.  However, as Williams recently revealed, she dealt with years of depression – a circumstance even some close to her were unaware of.

Taking the step to unveil her battle with and eventual victory over the issue, the ‘Heard A Word’ hitmaker took to CNN to share a word about her bout with depression and talk about her new foundation.

Also quizzed on her critically acclaimed showing on ‘Fela’ the musical, tuck in below to see Williams chat about this, Destiny’s Child reuniting, and more from earlier today:

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Get excited!

After releasing artwork for the single here, tonight saw a snippet from Ciara‘s forthcoming jam ‘Body Party’ surface online, and as ever we’ve got you covered.

Sexy, sultry and sure to set many a pulse racing, tuck into the teaser below…

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Let the ‘One Woman Army’ begin!

That’s right, after the welcome arrival of her R&B number ‘Sorry‘ and its boy crazy younger sister ‘Got Me Good’, Pop Princess Ciara serves a sizzling cover for her new single ‘Body Party‘.

While there’s still no word as to when we’ll get to hear the single, one thing is for sure. That being…if it’s half as hot as its cover, it won’t be long before the entire world falls head over heels with Brand Ciara and all the folks over at EPIC have to offer!

More below..

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Nelly eyes the Billboard Hot 100 with his radio friendly number ‘Hey Porsche’ today, releasing its Sun kissed video online for the world to see and no doubt enjoy.

Pieced together by acclaimed director Ethan Lader, the video sees the seasoned MC ‘get his act on’, playing a mechanic in love with a girl from the other side of the tracks.

Fall in love with his whip below!

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