Tonight saw the creme of the Urban UK crop rock BBC 1Xtra Live in Manchester. An annual extravaganza, this year’s instalment drew thousands.

Watch below as the likes of Rita Ora, Misha B, and soul-filled newcomer Daley deliver rousing showings…

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While the industry collectively gasped at the first week sales of Nelly Furtado‘s latest album ‘The Spirit Indestructible’, the singer is not letting the fact she sold just 6000 copies halt her hustle.

For, in the spirit of pressing on, the 33 year old has announced that she is embarking on a tour in support of the album in January.

Details after the jump…

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Young Money maven Nicki Minaj sprung a surprise on fans today with a behind the scenes look at the video for ‘Freedom’ – a cut from her forthcoming ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re Up’ LP (due November 19th).

Shot here in London town, the finished product  is expected imminently.

Peep the preview below…

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Loved by many, slated by many, and oh so debated by many. Say what you will about Rihanna, she’s undoubtedly one of Pop’s most pronounced polarizers.

It’s a unique positioning Madame Tussauds Hollywood have recognised, as evidenced by their new wax figure of the model which was unveiled today by Pussycat Doll creator Robin Antin.

And though the 24 year old boasts as much stage presence as her wax counterpart, we must give credit where its due…to her team. For, with new album ‘Unapologetic’ in stores next week (November 19th), the timing of this is as convenient as it is genius. If only their talents were used on more able acts…oh the prospects.

Anyway…

Photo credit: Michael Kovac

Your thoughts?

Kelly Rowland is playing approximately no games.

The R&B diva’s video for new single ‘Ice’ is but 24 hours away from debuting. Hence, in a bid to whip up heightened buzz, the singer’s team have unwrapped new shots from the Matthew Rolston directed clip.

Writing on her official website, Rowland said of the visual:

I’m so excited for the release of my new video for “ICE” tomorrow. Thanks for being so patient with the release and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I loved shooting it. Watch the world premiere of “ICE” on BET & Vevo tomorrow morning. – xoxo KR #YOTW

Of course, #YOTW denotes the 31 year old’s upcoming 4th solo album ‘Year Of The Woman’ – which arrives early next year.

In the meanwhile, peep more pics from the ironically hot ‘Ice’ vid below…

Your thoughts?

The wait is almost over.

Kelly Rowland is set to scorch with her eagerly awaited new video ‘Ice’ – which premieres in a mere matter of hours.

Don’t believe us? Peep BET’s exclusive VIPeek of the Matthew Rolston directed video below. And be sure to keep it locked right here for the full video. Ms. Kelly looks like she’s onto a winner with this one…

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Since her departure from the confines of Destiny’s Child, there’s no denying Beyonce‘s public image has made leaps and strides by way of her undeniably warm persona.

Long hailed as one of Pop’s nicer entities, this week saw the Queen B’s kind hearted nature praised by ‘Runnin’ starlet Azealia Banks.

Find out what she said about her below…

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With his R&B centric ‘R.E.D.‘ set to score a Top Ten spot on this week’s Billboard 200, Ne-Yo pushes momentum for the release today- following a performance on ‘The Ellen Show‘.

Performing his number one single ‘Let Me Love You’ for the show’s lively audience, his set reached adorable heights when he invited a special guest on stage with him.

Find out what we mean below…

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Though she may still be without as US number one album, there’s no denying Rihanna‘s status as one of Pop’s strongest cash shows.

Yet to release an album that didn’t sell a million or more US copies since her sophomore effort, the chart topper’s countless number one singles, tours and endorsement deals have ensured her superiors over at Roc Nation make bank, over…and over and again.

Now, in an interview for GQ Magazine’s ‘Men Of The Year’ edition, she has spoken out on how her lucrative career has made it hard for people to see or perhaps understand her art.

Her words below…

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In celebrating the release of her new LP ‘Lotus’, today’s ‘Retro Rewind’ shines a fresh light on Christina Aguilera, before she became Christina Aguilera…by way of the Disney classic, ‘Mulan‘.

Released in 1998, the Tony Bancroft directed movie boasted a cool $90 million generated at the Box Office, helped in part by the then 18 year old Aguilera and ‘Reflection’, the moving cut penned in aid of the movie.

Watch her action in above…

Your thoughts?

That Grape Juice’s Patrick B caught up with R&B star Ciara in Los Angeles last night.

The Epic Records diva is presently putting the finishing touches on her hotly anticipated ‘One Woman Army’ album. Ever keen to ask the questions you really want answers to, you’re not going to want to miss this one. Be sure to keep it locked on TGJ for our exclusive interview with Ciara!

Your thoughts?

Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle and their fellow Girls Aloud bandmates today unwrapped a new song from their upcoming greatest hits compilation, ‘Ten’.

Christened ‘Beautiful ‘Cause You Love Me’, the cut has the strange honor of not only being confirmed as the album’s second single, it also has premiered ahead of the release of the LP’s first offerring ‘Something New’ (due November 18th). ‘Ten’, itself, arrives on November 26th, with ‘Beautiful’ having a listed “impact date” of December 17th. Keeping up?

Take a listen to the Jim Eliot-produced  / Maiday-penned track after the jump….

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