If you’ve ever envied the kaleidoscope of clothing adorned by rapstress Nicki Minaj, your chance to rock those threads maybe approaching. The hip hop eccentric, featured in the January 2012 issue of UK’s Glamour Magazine, is said to be readying a fashion line. With her fashion credits already boasting her own nail polish line and frontwoman of MAC’s Viva Glam campaign with ‘Livin La Vida Loca‘s’ Ricky Martin, its no surprise she’s said to be readying an extension of the aforementioned – set to include clothing and fragrance options.
The news comes hours after Minaj unveiled‘Stupid Hoe’ – a cut said to be included on her soon-to-be released sophomore set ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’. Until her collection can line your closet, check out her latest fashion forays via Glamour UK:
Hours ago,Nicki Minaj‘s latest single ‘Stupid Hoe‘ found its way on iTunes, two months before the release of her second album ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded‘.
Following a somewhat strange delay, the video for Little Mix‘s debut single ‘Cannonball’ surfaced today – two weeks after the group won the latest series of the X Factor UK, and a week after hitting number with the Damien Rice cover.
In the space of three years, New York native Lady GaGa has become, in many ways, just as renowned for her philosophical views as she is for oft admired music.
Dipping deep into the topics of life and death for her latest album ‘Born This Way’, the starlet has always remained candid when it comes to discussing how the loss of loved ones has impacted both she and members of her close knit family, The Germanotta‘s.
Now, during an interview with Asian icon Shahrukh during a trip to India, she has explained why she believes she is the reincarnation of her father’s sister, Joanne.
Lifted from her oft-praised ‘My Kind of Christmas’ collection, Xmas saw Xtina bring her powerhouse vocals to holiday favorite ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ with the assistance of R&B vet Brian McKnight. While admittedly at times their joint melismatic cup runneth over (and over and over), the combo was still refreshing and a perfect blending of voices. In this display, one of two live showings the two shared for the holidays, Christina’s vocals shine splendidly as ever.
4. Patti Labelle
It was certainly a silent night as audience members watched in awe of the majesty that is Mama Patti‘s voice. In an acapella demonstration, Labelle sought to remind lessors how, even on holiday, she merrily shuts down the competition. The stunning arrangement, featuring the Perri Sisters (famed background singers of Anita Baker), saw Labelle ring those oft-praise vocals to the high heavens. We’re sure even Zeus gave this a thumbs up.
3. Destiny’s Child – Opera Of the Bells
Destiny’s Child‘s ‘8 Days of Christmas’ was a must-have for any DC3 fan upon his 2001 release. Not only introducing fans to new festive mixes, but also gifting listeners with their special takes on old favorites. And, unlike previous albums, the set saw each member yield yuletide solos – ‘Do You Hear What I Hear’ (Rowland), ‘O Holy Night’ (Williams), and ‘Silent Night'(Knowles). Even in all of their holiday offerings, ‘Opera of the Bells’ rings as the penultimate fan favorite – and most attempted on Youtube – of the set. Giving the girls yet another opportunity to display their stunning harmonies for a holiday showing, chime in on this great performance from Destiny’s most-loved children.
2. Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas (Live)
For a holiday already set with its fair share of favorites (rendered each year over and over), it takes a special diva to create her own set of classics that are still being blasted almost 20 years later. That diva, of course, is none other than Mariah Carey. Her song ‘All I Want For Christmas’, lifted from her ‘Merry Christmas’ album, is largely responsible for the album now being the best selling holiday LP in history (moving over a whopping 15 million units). And while the song has since been remade with it-boy Justin Bieber (and landing the songstress atop Billboard’s first ever ‘Holiday Chart’), umm…we’ll just take the original. Hit it Mariah!
1. Whitney Houston
If you hear what we hear, then your ears are blessed with the gift that is Whitney Houston. During her ‘I’m Your Baby Tonight’ era, Miss Houston took her holiday cheer to Leno to lend her take on ‘Do You Hear What I Hear’. In this stunning arrangement, the diva took ‘Hear’ to higher heights than any before her (and probably any since). A reminder of a time when this girl could sing the phone book and take it to church. Get into Houston’s holiday number below:
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Honorable Mentions
Boyz II Men – Silent Night
Arguably no group before them, and certainly no group after them, have taken command of stylistic harmony in the way of Boyz II Men. One of the greatest vocal groups of all time, their holiday collection quickly became a must-have as it was filled with gems ‘Let It Snow’, ‘Silent Night’, and more. A stunning reminder of their joint abilities is this stirring rendition of ‘Night’ for BET. An audience, who given the status of music over the last ten years or so, was clearly in dire need of a refresher on the power of ‘true vocalists’. Get into it below:
Mary J. Blige – Christmas Song
A welcomed departure from her usual fiery offerings, the Queen of Hip Hop Soul shone royally in this subdued showing of ‘The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)’. Putting her own spin on the holiday classic, Mary moved the Obama’s and audience in this 2009 display. Regal indeed, although it’s been sung many times, many ways…see why Mary does it best:
While the above are all words oft used to describe Epic diva Ciara, the last few years have proven that not even these desirable qualities have been enough to secure the success and notoriety she has struggled to achieve on a number of occasions.
For, despite the critical acclaim her first four LP’s have garnered over the years, her latest studio effort- ‘Basic Instinct‘ left many fans wondering if she would ever be able to match or better the commercial heights the likes of Rihannaseem to remain atop of.
Now That Grape Juice weighs in.
Answering the question:
Just how do you solve a problem like Ciara’s career?
Not long after it emerged that the Def Jam mannequin had been the victim of a racially motivated assault at a Portuguese hotel, the performer has now been branded a ‘N*gga Bitch‘ by the editor of Dutch magazine, ‘Jackie’.
Rihanna has another fast food hit freshly snatched from her trusty microwave. Cue ‘You Da One’, the latest greasy treat the model is releasing from her ‘Talk That Talk’ LP.
Check out this behind the scenes look at the single’s Melina directed video, which was shot here in London this month.
Oh Beyonce. She just won’t let them lessors be great.
Again, proving that pregnancy is little more than a few months of being heavier than usual, the megastar is already putting the wheels in motion for her 5th studio album. This according to hitmaker The-Dream, who she has reportedly enlisted for the project – the follow-up to this year’s ‘4’.
As 2011 draws nearer to its close, That Grape Juice will be acknowledging the releases, events and shocking moments which have made the last 12 months so memorable with the 5th annual That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards.
With polls open RIGHT NOW, it’s time for YOU – the That Grape Juice faithful – to cast YOUR votes (as many times as you like) on the best and worst 2011 had on offer. Category finalists were established using metrics of commercial success, critical acclaim, and general buzz.
Winners will be announced on Christmas Day – December 25th!
What are you waiting for? Cast your votes after the jump.
