Before becoming the thorn in your favorite Rapper’s side,  one of Rap’s leading contenders, Drake’s claim to fame came courtesy of Epitome Picture‘s “Degrassi: The Next Generation”.

Assuming the role of Jimmy Brooks in the Canadian series, the MC starred in an impressive 138 episodes- ending his stint on the series in 2009 upon his character graduation, one year before the release of his debut studio album ‘Thank Me Later’.

So, in honor of his own recent graduation, we shine a light on his days on the hit show with today’s ‘Retro Rewind‘.

Catch Jimmy in action above…

Your thoughts?

October 30th marks the day fans of Q. Parker – 1/4th of Bad Boy’s hit boyband 112 – can get their hands on his debut solo album ‘The MANual’.

Already gifting followers with ‘Show You How’ (featuring Olivia), now Parker is looking to show undecided listeners one more reason they should consider adding his debut set to their collections.

Coming in the form of ‘Yes’ – the steamy visual certainly set to get tongues wagging, get into this slow groove below and tell us if you’ll be saying “yes” to Q’s solo debut:

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‘Lucky’ singer Britney Spears covered the latest issue of Lucky Magazine, much to fan delight.  However, after copping a gander at the finished product, luck wasn’t exactly with the lady as the media and fans alike hounded the cover for its airbrush abuse and unwelcomed wig-atry.

With some even citing Spears as “unrecognizable”, the backlash hit such a feverish pitch the editors of the magazine took to Twitter to offer an apology:

Click below and tell us…was it really that bad?

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The X Factor 2012 saw its 4th set of eliminations tonight. Find out who’s heading home this week…

{An international phenomenon, local versions of the show show now air in the US, Italy, France and beyond. The brain-child of Simon Cowell, The X Factor is responsible for birthing the careers of Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, One Direction, Cher Lloyd and JLS.
Judging the hopefuls are Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, original panelist Louis Walsh, and newcomer Nicole Scherzinger}.

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From The Vault this week journeys back to the year 1998, when a newly-solo Lauryn Hill released her signature ballad, ‘Ex-Factor’.

Released during that year’s last quarter, ‘Ex’ was the second single lifted from the artist’s magnum-opus ‘The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill’ – an LP hailed by many as one of the albums ever released. Written and produced entirely by Lauryn herself – as was the case with the vast majority of the LP – it tells the tale of a draining relationship from which the singer wants. Due to their rather public fall-out (over Hill going solo) the song’s theme caused the masses to question whether she was referring to ex-boyfriend and former collaborator Wyclef Jean.
The track, which is built around a sample of Wu Tang Clan‘s ‘Can It Be All So Simple’, though not as successful as its #1 predecessor ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ still managed to peak at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the Billboard R&B and fared even better on the UK tally where it charted at #4.
The Malik Sayeed directed visual does a great job capturing the moody vibe of the song and illustrating the dynamic of the fragile relationship relayed in the lyrics. It’s little wonder, then, that the clip is still a regular on music channels.
Undeniably, Hill’s fans have been waiting for a proper follow-up to the masterpiece that is ‘The Miseducation’. Judging by the quality of some of modern music, we’d say the industry is in need of another release from the singer-rapper. The rise of artists such as the late Amy Winehouse, Adele (two of the best selling artists of the last 10 years) and Gotye (‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ is among the best-selling digital singles of all time) has proven that the world is still hungry for real talent whose output  concentrates on the music and the music only. Also, Lauryn’s ‘thing’ was never about gimmicks, rent-a-rappers or jumping on the latest musical bandwagon, just some pristine art in musical form. We feel like, with the right set of songs, Ms. Hill could be back on top in no time, but the question is, do you?

Can Lauryn Hill achieve a comeback in today’s day and age?

“Trick or treat…”

Well, if these snaps of Christina Aguilera taken last night are anything to go by, we’d say treat.

Posted outside her Beverly Hills mansion with boyfriend Mathew Rutler, the ‘Your Body’ stunner celebrated Halloween sporting a cotton candy wig and a scorching black fit, posing it up for fellow party goers.

More from the charitable chart topper below…

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In all honesty, as talented as many of the year’s newbies are, Azealia Banks is one of the only acts this year with material strong enough to live up to her buzz.

The only ‘new’ Female Rapper to have her music become just as celebrated as her look and personality, next year marks the release of her debut album ‘Broke With Expensive Taste’, arriving courtesy of Jimmy Iovine‘s Interscope.

So, before the project’s launch, Banks sat down with the folk over at Hunger TV this summer  for an eye opening interview on her childhood, education, creativity and standing in the industry.

Get into the recently released footage below…

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VH1 opened its arms to Alicia Keys recently, inviting to perform material from her new album at their ‘Storytellers‘ outing.

To air in full November 12th, this morning saw the arrival of her ‘Girl On Fire‘ performance, serving a teaser for her full set.

Faultless vocals below…

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Back in September, the X Factor UK welcomed ‘R.E.D’ mastermind Ne-Yo to the ‘judges houses’ stage of the competition.

Joining full time judge Nicole Scherzinger in selecting the male acts she would take through to the live finals, the ‘Let Me Love You‘ singer found himself splitting opinions when he opted not to ‘save’ tabloid hopeful Nathan Fagan-Gale.

Now, Ne-Yo has revealed just why he didn’t put the vocalist through, in an exclusive interview with The Voice.

His explanation below…

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Here at That Grape Juice, we’re keen to not just spotlight new talent, but also follow their rise. Case, point, Daley.

Many will remember the Soul-filled Brit’s turn on our acoustic series The Splash last year. Well since then, he has continued to build a global fanbase, the momentum from which has seen his official first single, ‘Remember Me’, finally unwrapped.

Featuring label-mate Jessie J, the video for the flavoursome cut premiered this week. Check it out below and be sure to remember where you heard about this immensely talented young man!

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With Halloween less than a few days away, its undoubted that frightful films will be making their feature at a cinema nearest you.  As always, however, wherever there is a popular franchise of films, there is a Wayans brother to spoof it.  Case in point?  ‘Paranormal Activity’, which recently saw its fourth edition hit theatres, is now getting the parody treatment from the youngest of the Wayans clan Marlon Wayans.

Also starring Cedric the Entertainer, Essence Atkins, Affion Crockett, and more, the January 11, 2013 due clip certainly looks to pick up where Wayans’ involvement in the ‘Scary Movie’ franchise left off.

See the laughs in the hilariously haunting trailer above:

Your thoughts?

 

Ever keen on keeping the masses abreast of fresh and/or often underrated talent, That Grape Juice presents ‘The Spill’ – a renewed look at not-so-new, yet active, acts.

Much like its ‘Freshly Squeezed’ sister segment, this revived assay aims to put the magnifying glass on talents who may not appeal to the buying public on a broad scale yet are still serving material that could easily spin side-by-side with some of today’s top hits.

Covering a kaleidoscope of genres, ‘The Spill’ is set to feature some names you probably know and love as well as some you’ll (soon) be glad to know.  Click below to find out the spill on former boyband frontmen Willie Taylor & Pleasure P:

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