For as long as we can remember, the words ‘talentless’ and ‘gimmick’ have been synonymous with the force that is Rihanna.
Labelled an ‘industry puppet’ by some who doubt the power she has over her own music, there are others who feel her success is overshadowed by an alleged lack of vocal skill, and what some might call- ‘shoddy’ performance levels.
So, taking into account her countless #1 singles, sell out tours and ever engaging videos,we ask:
If the ‘war’ between Nicki Minaj and Lil Kim was starting to bore you, fear not!
Because, in what only serves as proof of female Rap’s slow but steady reemergence, the ”feud’ between Iggy Azalea and Azealia Banks reached all new heights hours ago, after the ‘My World’ star took to DJ Drama‘s radio show to discuss their recent war of words.
Get into these shots of Rita Ora partying it up with ‘Glassheart‘ belle Leona Lewis last night.
Snapped after Ora’s show at London’s Jazz Cafe, the pair hit the city’s West End to celebrate the birthday of Brit MC, Wretch 32.
Their sighting comes weeks before the release of Rita joins the European leg of Coldplay’s latest tour and months before the release of her debut album.
Even if you haven’t heard her music, chances are you’ve heard of Iggy Azalea.
Rising to fame last year with the release of ‘PUY’, the Australian born songbird recently inked a deal with TI‘s Grand Hustle and Jimmy Iovine‘s Interscope, months before she releases her debut album ‘New Classic‘.
So, in what will only add further fuel to her growing hype, Atlanta belle Keri Hilson has weighed in on the Rapper, during a Ustream session last night.
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 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.
Our tertiary entry comes in with the jams of Jon B. Before Robin Thicke ruled the airwaves as the king of blue eyed soul, another crooner was the face of R&B’s melanin-deprived divos. Taking a mentor in the very man many claimed his voice was identical to (Babyface), B.’s 90s career skyrocketed with hits like ‘Are You Still Down’ (featuring Tupac), ‘I Do‘, and of course, fan favorite, ‘They Don’t Know’. Take a listen below:
While B. has yet to equal or surpass the success of his 1997 sophomore album ‘Cool Relax’ (parent album of ‘They Don’t Know’), he has since released 5. His most recent album ‘Comfortable Swagg’ (February 14th), found the crooner reminding listeners that while not dominating charts, there are still some hopelessly devoted to the genre.
Get into his latest video ‘Only One’ after the jump:
As earlier reported, the Atlanta stop on Trey Songz‘s ‘Anticipation 2 Tour’ saw many a guest – including a certain Kelly Rowland.
In a nod to their BET Awards performance last year, the duo served up a steamy rendition of the ‘Motivation (Remix)’.
With Rowland being a surprise guest at the Fox Theatre show, naturally fans were whipped into a frenzy as she emerged. And you will too when you peep the performance!
‘Formal Invite’ singer Ray J invited many-a-major media outlet to be the first to hear his broken silence over the mourning of Whitney Houston. As fans know, the ‘I Will Always Love You’ hitmaker and Ray were long rumored to be in on-and-off again relationship. And, as a close friend to the Norwood family, Ray and sister Brandy were undoubtedly shaken by the loss, which came on the latter’s birthday.
Now, taking to Inside Edition, Extra, and more, Ray has finally come forth at Headquarters of the Los Angeles Sentinel to express his grief over Houston’s passing. On hand to lend his support to the local Brotherhood Crusade and Mothers in Action group, the singer struggled to find the words to even address the many microphones facing him.
BET should have thought twice before opening up their doors to Lil Kim again.
For, after turning a blind eye to a jab she poked at them last summer, today saw the network invite the Queen Bee on their ‘106&Park,‘ to promote her new single and discuss the 15th anniversary of Biggie Smalls‘ death.
However, in what has dampened in what should have been a ‘picture perfect’ promo stint, Kim has hit out at the show’s host, Rocsi Diaz– labeling her ‘disrespectful’.
On the one month anniversary of the passing of pop icon Whitney Houston, family members who survived the late singer are set to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) to chat with the talkshow queen to discuss the hitmaker’s last days. Already drumming up a bevy of buzz, fans are keen to know the thoughts and welfare of Houston’s only daughter Bobbi Kristina as well as get Houston’s mother, Cissy.
Joined by aunt Gary and Pat Houston, Bobbi Kris (as affectionately called by Whitney) took to Oprah to tell of the days before and after her mom’s death. And, Pat lent her thoughts on Whitney’s well being before her untimely death and even shared her thoughts on the singer’s former husband Bobby Brown.
As you can expect, there will be much chatter following this interview. Get into more extended previews below:
Sources close to The Real Housewives of Atlanta camp are buzzing with news that Lil Wayne‘s ex-wife Toya Carter Wright is in talks to join the cast for season 5. Kandi is currently edging herself out of “Atlanta”‘s door with her brand new series and Kim’s spin-off is currently filming–so rumors of new cast members come at no surprise. While there has been whispers of Marlo Hampton and even Keisha “Rudy” Knight Pulliam joining the fold, Wright is allegedly the first to seal the deal.
We here at ‘TGJ’ are all for Bravo’s newest addition to the family! As seen from her previous dabbles in reality TV, Toya is a beautiful woman with an incredibly infectious personality that makes for great TV. Besides being the former wife and c0-parent with Lil Wayne, the 28-year-old entrepreneur is the spokeswoman for Ampro hair gel, a New York Times bestselling author and the former star of her own BET reality show. Get it, girl.
