The online arena has been buzzing today in the wake of comments made by American Idol alum Fantasia surrounding Gay marriage.
As reported by She Is Diva, the 27 year old wrote on Instagram (in an apparent response to critics of her own colorful personal life):
“I Rise ABOVE IT ALL!!! THE WORLD IS GONE MAD. KIDS, THE GOVERNMENT, THE church House… Everybody Trying!!!!!!! Its a lot that going on that the Bible speaks about we should Not be doing. Weed legal in some places, Gay Marriage Legal BUT YET IM JUDGED!! Im not doing Nothing for you… My Life!!!!”
Naturally, this led to a backlash of Biblical proportions – with some sects Christening the mother of two a bigot.
However, the singer has responded insisting that there is no need for the negativity as her comments were simply taken out of comments.
Believe it or not, but only a few days separate fans of Pop staple Beyonce from news pertaining her new album- due out 2013.
So, with anticipation for her new single almost at fever pitch, we end the year by looking back at her 16 year long career- highlighting a few of her greatest moments thus far, beginning with her Destiny’s Child driven launch year.
Leona Lewis may be focussing on the UK with her latest effort ‘Glassheart’, but that hasn’t stopped the X Factor graduate from embracing her International status.
The 27 year old was tapped to ring in the New Year with China, performing at the CCTV New Year special.
In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re kind of super excited about the release of Kelly Rowland’s fourth studio album next year.
The follow up to 2011’s ‘Here I Am’, the album received a promo boost last night when she hit Las Vegas to perform at ‘Palms Casino’, days after bringing down the house at VH1 Divas 2012.
It’s that time again! That Grape Juice wants to know which 5 tracks defined the year 2012 for you?
Remember, it doesn’t have to be limited to Urban music; it could be something new, a throwback, religious or even something you made yourself! Peep ours below…
Twitter has been set alight tonight as news has spread of rapper Kanye West announcing the pregnancy of longtime girlfriend Kim Kardashian (referencing her as his “baby mama”). The “announcement”, which came moments ago during the rapper’s set at Revel Atlantic City, has already been plastered atop headlines across the net – including one from West’s own fansite:
Appearing to confirm what has for days been swirling in the rumor mill, if the revelation of Kimye having a baby is indeed true, we send our congratz to the happy couple:
“Get all the way into this smoking snap of Beyonce, giving all kinds of femme thug fever today.
Uploaded to her personal Instagram page tonight, the pic arrived with the caption ‘H-Town’ and sees the ‘Radio’ Queen rocking a pair of gold door knockers and a look we can only describe as being ‘pretty’ mean.
It’s been a while, but if industry murmurs are anything to go by- 2013 may see the chart return of ‘Beware Of The Dog‘ singer Jamelia.
So, in what can only feed such rumors, last night saw the star arrive on ‘The X Factor Ukraine’ to perform her cover of Sam Brown‘s ‘Stop’- making for a spectacular watch.
Of course, though we were hoping she’d perform a new cut, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t wowed by what she did do.
For our last From The Vault of 2012, we salute an artist that has been a highlight of our year and one we anticipate will continue to be as we cruise into 2013, She’s a favourite among our readers and is often referred to as the Vocal Bible. Of course, our penultimate pick is Brandy and her infectious hit ‘What About Us?’
Unveiled exactly 11 years ago, ‘Us’ was chosen as the launching single from Brandy’s third album, ‘Full Moon’, which proved an excellent choice since it was a worldwide smash and is among the star’s most recognizable songs.
Concocted by the omnipresent Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins alongside Lashawn Daniels, and Bran herself, the cut climbed its way to the 7th position of the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top 3 of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart; it reached #4 on the UK, #6 in Australia as well as #16 in Canada.
Sonically similar to Jerkins’ work on Michael Jackson’s final album ‘Invincible’ (which was released only a few months prior), the track was -at the time- considered cutting-edge R&B, and in many ways still is. Indeed, the numerous hiccups, blipping and other high-tech sounds garnished the song (and housing album) with a distinctive futuristic coating. A coating that would go on to encourage others to try their hand at fusing R&B with alternate sounds. Influential has many definitions – and ‘Us’ is one of them.
To bring the record to life, B-Rocka turned to the great Dave Meyers who created a surrealistic world where the R&B singer reigned supreme over docile men. Complimenting the song to a tee, the VMA nominated clip would usher in a slew of look-a-likes (see: 3LW’s ‘I Do’, Britney’s ‘Boys’ and Celine Dion’s ‘I’m Alive’).
The music industry may toss, turn, sway, and shake; yet Brandy has and continues to deliver. Opportunities aplenty have presented themselves for her to hop aboard bandwagons, yet – regardless of commercial performance – she has proven with impressive consistency that she is a pioneer and an undeniable vocal muse for singers of the R&B persuasion and beyond.
If ‘Two Eleven’ is anything to go by, the soon-to-be Mrs Press still has a lot to offer, both sonically and visually.
For Def Jam’s Rihanna, recent years have seen chart topping become just as organic as breathing- scoring a mind blowing 8 US #1 singles since April 15th 2008.
Now, just months after her own chart arrival, it seems her ROC sister Rita Ora is following suit with her debut album ‘ORA‘. For, in what we’d say solidifies Roc Nation‘s status as one of Pop’s better oiled machines, both starlets have made major gains on iTunes today.
With a back story far richer than the gossip that she’s oft burdened with, Rita Ora is undoubtedly head and shoulders above the rest of the Pop pack as far as heritage goes.
However, by way of the ever present Rihanna comparison, sharing that heritage has at times been a mission impossible for the starlet. Now, in a recent interview with Zurich’s ‘Music Talk‘, she has opened up on that heritage and why- even though it hasn’t always been safe to do so- she finds it important to fight in defence of her country, Kosovo.
Before the release of his 8th studio album, Kanye West arrived at Atlantic City’s ‘Revel’ to deliver a three night affair for fans- a year after launching ‘Watch The Throne‘ with ROC pal Jay Z.
Now watch as he performs his remix to Sia‘s #1 single ‘Diamonds’ sporting the ‘gear’ that saw him dominate headlines yesterday and a set that has us wishing on a 2013 world tour, below…
