As reported here, BET’s annual faith-based extravaganza ‘Celebration of Gospel’ is celebrating its 13th anniversary.  Looking to do it bigger than ever, the Steve Harvey-hosted affair unveiled its best line-up yet, featuring performances from Tamar Braxton, Anita Baker, Tyrese, and all the major gospel heavy hitters (Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett, Clark Sisters, and more).

But before fans will be able to praise and gaze at the line-up on April 7th, the taping occurred last night in sunny Los Angeles.  Check below to see some of That Grape Juice’s favorites – Tamar Braxton, Dorinda Clark Cole, Kierra Sheard, and more – hit the red carpet…

Your thoughts?

We won’t lie.

Upon hearing Christina Aguilera‘s latest LP ‘Lotus’ weeks before its November 9th release, we were sure it’d go on to become one of the year’s mega sellers, shifting numbers moved by the likes of Pink‘s ‘The Truth About Love‘.

Unfortunately, for reasons we hope to one day learn of, Christina’s promotion of the release did not live up to the album’s worth resulting in what many fans are accurately billing a commercial slow burner. An album, that though packing enough hits to dominate a number of radio formats, was never given the opportunity to truly fly.

That is…until now.

Details below…

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Congratulations are in order for Kendrick Lamar!

Less than two months after becoming available purchase, his Drake assisted single ‘Poetic Justice‘ has now sold enough copies to receive Gold Certification by the Recording Industry Association Of America.

Chart check below…

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Usher‘s inaugural SXSW appearance came last night during the set of the night’s rocker headliners Afghan Whigs.  The group backed the ‘Confessions’ crooner as he laid into a number of his top hits including ‘O.M.G.’, ‘Climax’, ‘U Got It Bad’, and more.

Ush’s performance, which came during the height of last night’s media circus around ailing health reports of rapper Lil’ Wayne, saw him send well-wishes to the ‘Lollipop’ performer.

See this and more after the jump:

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‘Lose To Win’ wailer Fantasia was spotted in Hollywod, Florida this weekend showing off for the 8th annual ‘Jazz In The Gardens’ Conference.

Donning a sparkling black sequined number,  the Grammy-winner gleamed while chatting about her highly anticipated performance and what fans can expect from it.  See more from our friends TheYBF below:

The snaps surface just weeks before her fourth album ‘Side Effects Of You’ is set to hit record shelves.

Fans interested in the showing should know Fantasia is just one of R&B’s premier acts on the bill.  Monica, Mary Mary, Charlie Wilson, Babyface, and Ne-Yo are just a few of the other acts on hand to entertain as well.  See more information here.

Your thoughts?

Guess who decided to give those vocals a rest?

Yep, perhaps in realising the sound that springs from her mouth can at times give ‘nails on a chalkboard’ realness, last week saw Rihanna employ a backing vocal during her performance of ‘Pour It Up’ on the first night of her ‘Diamonds World Tour’.

Opting to execute a stripper friendly choreography instead of singing live, her serving of the song does make for an interesting watch, telling a number of tales on how many hours both she and team spent in rehearsing for the show.

Watch and weigh in below…

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Let’s be honest…how many of Justin Timberlake‘s contemporaries ten years ago can say they’re just as successful today as they were back then.

When you take Beyonce and Britney out of the equation, that leaves very few- and now, days before his latest album is set to secure sales of over half a million units in its launch week, he extends his current reign with a visit to BET‘s ‘106 & Park‘.

Pushing the album to its Urban audience,  the former N’Sync frontman dished  on the process behind crafting the album, the aforementioned Bey  and what the future holds for his ever potent brand.

Watch below!

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This week’s That Grape Juice Cover Star comes from Youtube songbird Jouelle.  Watch as she shines with her cover of ‘Body Party’ –  the latest single from Ciara‘s highly anticipated 5th album ‘One Woman Army’ (start at :30):

Sang Jouelle!  We definitely give kudos to the songstress for putting her own soulful spin on Ciara’s softly sung number.  Opting to inject a bit more melisma and “umph” into the tune than its seductively cooed original, Miss Young put on display an instrument somewhat reminiscent of Elle Varner‘s (in part).

Yes, a few missed lyrics and misfired runs here and there, but what shines through is Young’s undeniable potential.  Overall, a fairly solid showing!

For more on Miss Jouelle, check out her Youtube page.

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Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email to sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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Your thoughts?

This week has seen Justin Timberlake take over Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in support of his hotly anticipated comeback album ‘The 20/20 Experience’. Indeed, each evening served up a new JT showing from the project. Yet, for the final night of his “residency”, the 32-year-old took viewers down memory lane with a retrospective ‘Hits Melody’.

Watch below as the singer-actor rocks out to ‘Like I Love You’, ‘My Love’, ‘Cry Me A River’, and ‘Senorita’.

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Appears Lil’ Wayne is a-ok!

After major outlets filled the net with headlines the hit rapper was in an L.A. intensive care unit (ICU) after a reported overdose, Lil Tunechi took to Twitter himself to confirm his well being….

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As headlines have reported throughout the week, Hip Hop hitmaker Lil’ Wayne has been hospitalized for “seizures”.

Despite being released Wednesday, now, our good friends at TMZ share that not only has the Young Money maestro been rushed to the hospital again, but this time he is reportedly “unstable” and being monitored in an intensive care unit…

The story below:

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Jessie J went above and beyond for charity today when she shaved her head to raise funds for this year’s ‘Comic Relief’ festivities. Undoubtedly marking one of the boldest moves any of her contemporaries has made for a good cause, she explained:

“It’s the weirdest feeling, It feels so liberating. Shaving my head for charity is something I’ve promised to do for a long time and Comic Relief has given me the opportunity to try and raise as much money as possible for good causes by doing it.

“I’ve loved watching Red Nose Day since I was a kid and I’m so excited to join this year’s team of celebrity  fun raisers and help support the campaign. Together with help from the UK public, we are on a mission to raise more money than ever before for Red Nose Day.”

Watch her in action below…

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