Usually when an album under-performs, the project is quickly sucked into a black hole never to be seen or spoken of again. In Usher‘s case, his latest LP ‘Looking 4 Myself’ may not have set the charts ablaze, yet the LP’s so-so sales haven’t deterred his hustle.

Like many a megastar, selling or not selling, Mr Raymond is clearly welcome on any and every stage. Case, point his performances at most of this year’s major award shows, as well as this afternoon’s showcase on ‘Ellen’.

Watch below as the 34 year old performs the project’s latest offering ‘Numb’ on the daytime show…

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Maybe by way of all the ‘noise’ that disturbed her brand this year, it’s become quite easy to forget that Nicki Minaj – whether you like it or not- is one of Pop’s highest selling contributors.

Sure, though the shoddy handling of her sophomore LP ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ has made it easy for her naysayers to deny this, the fact remains that with 1 million copies sold world wide since April, the project is the only Rap album released this year to peak at #1 is as many markets as it did.

Markets, which include the UK, US, Canada and Japan.

Now, despite its poorly managed promo campaign, her single ‘Pound The Alarm’ has now sold over 1 million copies in the US alone.

Details below…

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BET’s new current affairs show ‘Don’t Sleep’ has been gaining ample buzz since launching in October.

Anchored by former CNN journalist T.J. Holmes, the show tackles topics of politics, popular culture, among other issues pertinent to the Urban diaspora.

This week’s episode (27) features chats with Antoine Walker, John Salley, Damion Gregory and Sheree Whitfield about the problems athletes have with money. T.J. also talks to Gabby Douglass about Olympic fame.

Hit ‘PLAY’ to watch above…

Your thoughts?

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Rihanna may not have much a hand in writing her own songs, but that hasn’t stopped the 24 year old from flexing her literary skills in a letter to ever-loyal fan-base, The Navy.

Check out the heartfelt letter, which also dubs as promotion for her new album ‘Unapologetic’, below…

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T.I. joins forces with Pop chart-topper Pink on new cut ‘Guns and Roses’.

Featured on the Atlanta rapper’s eighth studio album ‘Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head’, the  gritty T-Minus produced track will no doubt go some way in whipping up heightened anticipation for the LP ahead of its arrival in stores next Tuesday (December 18th).

 A great collaboration on paper, does the song deliver in finished form? You be the judge after the jump…

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Mariah Carey was snapped looking all flavours of fierce as she arrived at American Idol auditions in Los Angeles yesterday.

The premium diva has been making headlines aplenty with her judging role on the show, ironic on many a front – not least because the season hasn’t even begun to air yet.

In any case, it’s clear Mimi will be a must-watch on the Fox hit, the exposure from which we’re hoping will bring her hits of the musical variety when her next album arrives next year.

For, beyond the catastrophic chart disaster that was ‘Triumphant’ (we’ll christen it a “buzz single” on her behalf), there’s also the fact that 2013 brings with it new releases from other major female acts (see: Beyonce, Lady GaGa). Like, which ever way it’s diced, the fact remains that there’s only a few spots at the top. It’ll be interesting to see if Mariah can reclaim hers.

Anyway, for now, peep more pics of the ‘We Belong Together’ singer below…

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Marsha Amrbrosius is the latest artist to gift their fans an early Christmas present.

The former Floetry singer is gearing up for the release of her sophomore album ‘Friends & Lovers’ (due early next year), and so as to whet appetites has released new mixtape ‘Hors D’Oeuvres…Prelude: Friends & Lovers’.

A free set, which is available to download now, the mixtape features five new tracks which will no doubt serve as a Winter warmer to compliment official new single ‘Cold War’.

Peep the tracklist below, and download (via our friends Dot Omen) after the jump…

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Brit-Pop belle’s The Saturdays are making a beeline for the US charts with their Stateside debut ‘What About Us’.

Set for release in January, the track (and their American campaign moreover) is being propped up by a fly-on-the-wall reality show ‘Chasing The Saturdays’ – which begins airing on E! (America) on January 20th.

For those not (yet) in the know, the group are one of the UK’s most successful female collectives in recent years. And while this is more “by default” (as there simply aren’t m/any active girl groups on the scene), it’s a fact nonetheless. Indeed, since strutting into the Pop arena in 2008, The Saturdays have racked up an impressive eleven top 10 singles on the Official UK Singles Chart.

Do Vanessa, Una, Rochelle, and co have what it takes to replicate such success in the US? The first semblance of an answer awaits below…

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Ashanti‘s music may be wallowing in the mire, but the singer is certainly keeping busy these days.

Indeed, as reported, the former first lady of the INC has nabbed a presenting gig with FUSE as well as a regular role on Lifetime series ‘Army Wives’.

And while the whereabouts of her ‘Braveheart’ album remains an Unsolved Mystery, the 31 year old hasn’t forgotten about music. She stopped by ‘Live With Kelly & Michael’ to spread festive cheer with a performance of ‘This Christmas’ – lifted from her 2003 Holiday LP ‘Ashanti’s Christmas’.

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She’s spent the last week promoting her new LP ‘Unapologetic’ across Europe, but last night saw ‘Styled To Rock‘ star Rihanna arrive back in LA .

Snapped waiting to be picked up outside LAX airport, the singer touched down days after performing on ITV’s ‘X Factor UK’ and hit German show ‘Wetten, Dass…?’, all in aid of the November 19th release.

More pics of Ms. ‘Pour It Up‘ below….

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He’s the Grammy nominated writer responsible for Usher’s ‘Climax’, Rihanna‘s ‘No Love Allowed’ and Keyshia Cole‘s ‘Enough Of No Love’.

Now, with the backing of Def Jam Recordings, Roc Nation and a fan base aptly named ‘The Eligiance‘, Elijah Blake steps into the light with the release of the hotly anticipated EP, ‘Bijoux 22‘.

So, as long time fans of his work, That Grape Juice were honored to catch up with the rising star last week- for an interview which saw him discuss the NO ID pushed EP, his journey to the top and his work for Ciara, Keyshia Cole and the Pop Icon, Britney Spears.

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‘Girl On Fire’ wailer Alicia Keys was one of many A-list musicians on hand to lend support to victims of Hurricane Sandy at tonight’s “12.12.12: The Concert for Sandy Relief.”

Joined by rapper Kanye West and veteran rockers The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and more, the  Grammy-winning diva lent live renditions of her latest number ‘Brand New Me’ and 2007 hit ‘No One’.

See the New York native blaze the Madison Square Garden-stage below:

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