Since it emerged she had been enlisted to judge on the show, there’s been an effort by some critics to belittle Nicki Minaj‘s achievements to justify their own doubts on her.

Of course, to any who’s followed her career since 2007 can attest to, the Rapper is anything but the mindless firework some outlets have billed her as following her run in with fellow judge Mariah Carey back in October.

Now watch as Minaj explains her layered past with those unfamiliar with it in a new promo piece for ‘Idol’.

A piece, where she opens up on the painful criticism she received as a Rap upstart, her days as a struggling actress and how her time as a ‘Red Lobster’ waitress fuelled her undying ambition to make her dreams a reality.

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News of his forthcoming delivery may have seen him dominate many a headline, but this week has seen ‘Love Lockdown’ genius Kanye West soar much farther than the confines of the tabloids and the ever competitive UK charts.

Find out how British Hip Hop fans shown their gratitude to Mr. ‘GOOD’ below…

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This week’s That Grape Juice ‘Cover Star‘ comes from up-and-coming crooner Tion Phipps. Watch as the US native puts a brand new spin on ‘Brand New Me’ – the latest single from Alicia Keys’ hotly selling 5th LP ‘Girl On Fire’:

Kudos to Tion for his try at the emotional number.  Showcasing a tonal quality similar to that of singers Lloyd and Justin Bieber, the 18-year-old was able to capture the sincerity of Alicia’s vocal performance while still putting his own spin on it.

We definitely give this one two thumbs up!

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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?

Though it isn’t as publicized as it should be, Mary J.Blige remains R&B’s only consistent female ‘seller‘.

Unfortunately tarred with the same brush of perception that’s sullied her genres worth to the wider public, regular releases and well executed campaigns have ensured that her numbers remain favorable and at times miraculous even at their ‘worst’.

Her ‘worst’, being watching her latest LP ‘My Life II’ receive Gold certification after six months. A certification, many of today’s R&B releases are unlikely to ever see…ever.

However, by way of Rihanna‘s smash hit ‘Diamonds‘, Blige is on course to lose a record set in 2005 with Bryan Michael Cox penned ‘Be Without You’.

Chart details below…

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With an announcement that comes as a shock to absolutely no one many, ‘Baby One More Time’ hitmaker Britney Spearsconfirms that ‘X Factor USA’ will not be seeing her one more time aboard its judging panel.

Indeed, after news surfaced of FOX renewing the Simon Cowell-created talent show for a 3rd season, it lost faithful judge/record executive L.A. Reid.

Now, today saw Spears confirm, after weeks of swirling rumors, her departure from the show – citing the need to focus entirely on her next album (the follow-up to 2011’s ‘Femme Fatale’)…

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Destiny’s Child are back…well somewhat.

As reported, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, and Beyonce have rejoined to record new song ‘Nuclear’ – the sole unheard song on their latest compilation effort ‘Love Songs’.

So what are you waiting for? Get all the way into the Pharrell Williams produced cut after the jump…

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“From Rita Ora to Elijah Blake, there aren’t many of today’s newbies who can say they aren’t inspired by the sweetheart that is Beyonce.

With a career spanning 13 years, her time at the top has seen her give her all to her music but hold back when it comes to matters of the personal persuasion…until now.

That’s right- in a teaser for her long awaited HBO documentary (February 16th), she opens up on her deepest and most sincere thoughts,  sharing footage and feelings even we can’t believe she shared.”

‘Bey’ inspired here!!

With the success of his ‘Bijoux 22‘ LP forcing many a Pop fiend to sit up and pay attention, 2013 will welcome the launch of Elijah Blake‘s debut album- hitting stores courtesy of Def Jam/Roc Nation.

Carving the lane for his material by way of cuts penned for part time vocalist Rihanna and R&B icon Usher, his arrival on the scene will mark the latest contribution to the genre by Def Jam, also responsible for Frank Ocean and ‘Make Me Love To Me’ singer Luke James.

Now check out ‘Vicky’s Secret‘, one of the strongest jams on ‘Bijoux’ and one we hope to hear on album #1.

Enjoy below…

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After being enlisted to executive producer the latest posthumous Aaliyah album, it seems ‘HYFR‘ Rapper Drake has moved on to creative pastures new.

Pastures, that come in the form of the brand spanking new ‘TLC’ album.

Full story below…

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Beyonce is coming for blood.

The above, albeit a little extreme, is the safest way to describe the force that is her latest album campaign- following the release of 2011’s ‘4‘. Now, as to boost momentum for the release, ‘Luxury‘ belle Azealia Banks has revealed that she contributed to the album, due out in a matter of months.

Her news below…

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The world may have caught Beyonce fever with the release of these snaps, but it seems Rihanna is hoping to redirect its attention back to her with her club anthem, ‘Pour It Up’.

Details below…

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She’s the Pop Princess carving lanes on the charts and runways alike. Only right then, that The New York Times joined ROC diamond Rita Ora for a shopping spree at NYC’s ‘Opening Ceremony’, for a piece named ‘Shopping With Rita Ora‘.

Opening up on her time as a sales clerk on London’s fashionable ‘Portobello Road’, her time with ‘The Times’ was shot three days before she sat down with That Grape Juice.Net to dish on her first US album and her plans to revive R&B and 90s Hip Hop.

Watch the ‘Roc The Life‘ belle in her element below…

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