Superstar diva Mariah Carey has made no secret of her love for all things “festive”; as such, there were few better choices than her to switch on the Christmas tree lights at the Rockefeller Center in New York last night.

Cheered on by the thousands in attendance, the American Idol judge also performed her classic ‘All I Want For Christmas’, as well as ‘Christmas Time Is In The Air Again’. The latter is being used to promote the re-release of Mimi’s second Holiday album  ‘Merry Christmas II You’ – which originally hit stores in 2010 and birthed moderate hit ‘Oh Santa’.

Watch the 42 year old soar below…

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Rita Ora was the centre of all attention in London Town last night, arriving at The Savoy hotel for the ‘Britain Fashion Awards’.

Sporting a Vivienne Westwood piece, the Pop fashionista hit the event joined by new found friend Cara Delevigne and spent the night alongside the Valentino, one night after celebrating her 22nd birthday in the city with Rapper Big Sean and the aforementioned Cara.

Snaps from last night’s outing below…

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Kelly Rowland certainly keeps busy these days.

Indeed, when not wrapping up her fourth studio album, ‘Year Of The Woman’, the ‘Ice’ singer has wracking up an impressive collection of collaborations – the latest being with Epic Records rapper Future.

The pair took to the stage on Jimmy Kimmel Live! tonight, performing ‘Neva End (Remix)’ – the lead release from Future’s ‘Pluto 3D’ LP.

Peep the performance below…

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Another day, another Twitter battle.

Indeed, after the week started off with a bang with R&B bad boy Chris Brown’s fiery exchange with TV writer/comedienne Jenny Johnson, now his ‘Right By My Side’ co-star Nicki Minaj is stewing her own brand of Twit-battling with a rant against former ‘American Idol’ judge Steven Tyler (of Aerosmith).

The rock icon asserted during a recent interview with MTV that Minaj and fellow feuding judge Mariah Carey should, “Shut the f*ck up and focus [on the] talent”.

As what he said next has had much of the net abuzz for the past day or so, tell us:

Did Minaj respond fairly to Tyler’s comments?

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50 Cent has a hit on his hands!

One night debuting the inspirational cut, 50 Cent continues in his bid for chart supremacy with the release of his video for ‘My Life‘, featuring Eminem and Adam Levine.

Is it strong enough to catapult him to the top of the Hot 100, and push his new ‘Street King Immortal’ LP?

Find out below…

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“Worship the Queen and you might could pass“.

What was that? Oh yes- that was the sound of Nicki Minaj making life a little more harder for her naysayers.

Not sure what we mean?

Find out how the Rapper’s fan base ‘The Barbz‘ has given her cause to celebrate today, below…

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Pinned: Posts Resume As Normal Below

The Best You Never Heard is back! After a lengthy rest on the bench, each week will once again see That Grape Juice spotlight an array of little known gems. Featuring picks from the TGJ editorial team, we want to know…who chose the best song! Let us know below…

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Christina Aguilera – ‘Get Mine, Get Yours’

 

While 2002’s ‘Stripped’ saw Christina Aguilera bare her most vulnerable self on tracks such as ‘Beautiful’, the set also ushered in the arrival of “Xtina”.

Many cite the release of single ‘Dirrty’ as the singer’s official transformation from teen-queen to sex-symbol, often neglecting the fact that the album itself packed a number of sensual moments to aide her racy agenda. The most notable of such cuts? ‘Get Mine, Get Yours’.

Unapologetic before Rihanna was, the mid-tempo blazer served as a manual for a “no strings attached” ‘encounter’. Critiqued by some for too quickly accelerating the star’s shift from role-model to rock-star, the cut remains noteworthy in that it’s the female commanding the male to “freak my body, baby, nasty naughty, baby”.

In many ways, it’s songs like this that paved the way for the sexual liberation of some of today’s most risque female acts. Xtina the feminist? That’s up for debate. What is certain, though, is that the song is fire! {SAM}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”DDyPYh3xBh8″]

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Whitney Houston – Call You Tonight

 

As many know, 2009 brought with it the chart return of the legendary Whitney Houston. Christened ‘I Look To You’, which would go on to be her last) was  a stellar collection of carefully crafted hits and material which embraced both her legacy and vocal ability at the time.

Interestingly, throwback groove ‘Million Dollar Bill’ was picked to launch the LP’s campaign, somewhat unfortunate  because said album housed a classic-in-the-waiting in the form of fan-favorite ‘Call You Tonight’.

Helmed by Stargate and Johnta Austin, the mid-tempo gem did a stellar job showcasing Nippy’s then-“new voice” and was the perfect representation of what a Whitney record should sound like in 2009 (or 2012 for the matter). With engaging lyrics, great melodies, and a powerful yet understated vocal performance, ‘Tonight’ was arguably a missed opportunity to make her Platinum coloured comeback even more triumphant. {JOE}

LISTEN:  [audiotube id=”WolnrWxOj8s”]

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Destiny’s Child – Killing Time

 

Dwarfed by the success of later albums and subsequent solo careers, Destiny’s Child‘s 1998 self titled debut never quite gets the recognition it deserves – on many a front.
Boasting songs which bridged Pop, Country and R&B, the LP’s strongest point – save for ‘No No No’ – comes courtesy of Stinson/Wiggins produced ‘Killing Time’.

 

Packing a crossover appeal much of today’s R&B lacks, ‘Time’ sees DC at their best, serving the conviction and harmonies unmatched by any of their then-rivals.

 

Clearly the inspiration for much of the material on Kelly Rowland’s first solo outing ‘Simply Deep’, here’s hoping the coming years see the disbanded group shine a little more light on the cut and the supporting album so many consider…a classic. {DAVID}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”j9M2RWSZl-k”]
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Christina Milian – Never Mind

 

Picture this:  You’re at the club…getting your groove on.  Next thing you know, you spot a fine so-and-so doing their thing. They turn around…and in a split second things go from sugar to you-know-what. ‘Dip It Low’ diva Christina Milian thought to share that scenario in song.

 

The track is lifted from one of many studio sessions the singer had when crafting (what was to be) the follow-up to her 2006 album ‘So Amazin’ (see: scrapped albums ‘Elope’, ‘Dream In Color’).  And while the attache project never surfaced, Milian proves once again with this number that she is able to cook-up a radio friendly joint whenever she tries. When, and if, that will ever be fully manifested again…only time will tell. {RASHAD}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”N_3Xuu3eIdU”]
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Whose Pick Was Best This Week?!

[polldaddy poll=”6722230″]

Congratulations are in order for Def Jam’s Rihanna today.

Yes, after seven years of going without a #1 album in her domestic market (the US), the Pop gem has finally scored the feat with her new album ‘Unapologetic‘.

Details below…

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If you’ve heard the name ‘Future’, but not quite sure of the hype around it, tonight’s the night you understand.

Sure to propel his name into all new heights, he has lent his vocals to Ciara‘s R&B smash ‘Sorry’, by way of the cut’s long awaited official remix, launched in support of his new album ‘Pluto’ and Cici’s forthcoming ‘One Woman Army’ affair.

Listen below…

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‘It’s Britney B*tch’.

Check out this snap of ‘Kiss You All Over’ singer Britney Spears posing it up with her new puppy, Hannah.

Sharing the pic on social networking site Twitter, the ‘X Factor’ judge tapped into her funny side when she reportedly set up a Twitter account for the pup- sending fans into a hilarious frenzy upon getting into a ‘conversation’ with the pet.

Britney’s funny side below…

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Today marks the release of ‘True’Solange Knowles‘ first collection of new music since 2008’s ‘Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams’.

Seemingly rolled out as a “soft launch” (see: absence of performances, interviews), the EP still has many tongues wagging. Indeed,  preceding cuts ‘Losing You’ and ‘Lovers In The Parking Lot’ have found favour among fans and critics alike, which begs the question…

Will you be buying Solange’s ‘True’ EP?

14-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys is looking to blaze charts today with the release of her 5th studio effort ‘Girl On Fire’ – the followup to 2009’s ‘Element of Freedom’.

Already sparking interest in the set with her Maxwell and Nicki Minaj collaborations, Miss Keys has singed the promotional trail in support of the release in past weeks (with more to come).

Now, you – That Grape Juice faithful – will have the chance to add some spark to your cd collection.  One lucky commenter will get the chance to win a free copy of Alicia Keys’ latest album when you answer this question…

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