Since the chart disaster that was ‘Sweet 7’, (what’s left of) the Sugababes have kept a relatively low profile.

Indeed Heidi, Amelle, and Jade had seemingly bowed out of the limelight, after the mass outcry which followed their ridding the group of its last founding member Keisha Buchanan.

However, amidst reports that the trio are putting the finishing touches to their new LP, the ladies made their first collective appearance in some time at the British Soap Awards in London last week. They attended the event to support Jade’s longtime boyfriend, Ricky Norwood (“Fatboy” of Eastenders fame).

The group’s new Thundercats produced single is slated to debut soon.

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One has to wonder why the group, label, or management are even bothering at this point. To date, ‘Sweet 7’ has sold a dismal 25,000 copies – which in itself should serve as an indicator of current pubic interest in this farce of a line-up. I mean, even pre-Keisha-gate, sales for the ‘Babes were not the jam (see: Catfights & Spotlights). It’s like trying to fix the Titanic. It’s still going to sink.

Your thoughts?

Check out Pop superstar Britney Spears on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar’s latest issue.

The studio singer is currently gearing up for the launch of her ‘Femme Fatale Tour’, which kicks off this summer with Young Money’s Nicki Minaj as opener.

Peep an excerpt from her feature in the publication below:

Britney Spears is on the phone from rehearsals in Los Angeles, where she is busy singing, dancing and “It’s Britney, bitch”-ing in preparation for her summer tour. She sounds energized and positive, occasionally flashing a wry sense of humor that those who see her only on TV and in the tabloids never glimpse.

“I’ve worked so hard on this album, so it’s really refreshing”

Your thoughts?

There really is no stopping Bruno Mars.

The soulful crooner, whose debut ‘Doo Wops & Hooligans’ has earned him international recognition, hit #1 on the Official UK Singles Chart yesterday with the project’s latest offering ‘The Lazy Song’.

Celebrating the feat (his third British chart-topper), Mars took to the stage to perform the song on Day 2 of BBC Radio 1’s ‘Big Weekender’.

Check out Bruno in action below…

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Lady GaGa sent fans in Carlisle into a crazed frenzy today when she performed a jaw dropping set at Radio 1’s ‘Big Weekend’. Pop’s most rebellious daughter performed a set which consisted of hits including ‘Judas’, ‘Bad Romance‘ and latest smash ‘The Edge Of Glory‘.

Peep GaGa give birth to completely typically out-there set on the ‘Big Weekend’ stage after the jump…

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Too often acts such as Janet Jackson are pelted with remarks such as “she can’t sing” or “her voice is weak”.

And although her most recent material hasn’t done dispel such claims, this week’s ‘From The Vault’ showcases the icon’s potential as a singer.

Recorded in 1994, this ‘Saturday Night Live’ rendition of ‘Anytime Anyplace’ (lifted from 1993’s ‘janet.’ album) is a fan-favourite. And for good reason too.

The jazz-influenced showing sees Jackson leave behind all the pyrotechnics and intricate routines (as well as her infamous backing tracks and pre-records). She instead allows her smooth mezzo-soprano to shine. Indeed, here demonstrates that one need not be a powerhouse vocalist like a Mariah or Whitney to convey emotion or serve up glitch-less performances. Rather, she shows that true vocal power boils down to control (pardon the pun)

With her heyday years behind her, we here at That Grape Juice are keen to see Miss Jackson present herself as just as much a vocalist as she is a performer. Still capable by most counts, as age catches up with her, perhaps its time she shines light on her most underrated gift yet– her voice. After all, in a world where the likes of Rihanna and Katy Perry are doing the same, Janet’s embrace of this model would not go amiss.

It may very well be what she needs to win her back the critical acclaim that has eluded the latter part of her career; perhaps helping her eventually win over the iTunes generation. Time will tell…

Your thoughts?

As if the influx of A-List stars France received this last week wasn’t enough,  it got even hotter last night when Kanye West and Jamie Foxx performed their smash ‘Gold Digger‘ at the  Carlton Hotel.

The pair were both in town for the Cannes Film Festival, which has already seen performances from Lady GaGa and an appearance from Cheryl Cole.

Check out ‘Gold Digger’ live after the jump…

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Pop’s heavy hitters were out in full force last night at KIIS FM’s 2011 Wango Tango Concert.

American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez sizzled in the catsuit from her ‘On The Floor’ video as she headlined the evening’s festivities. Also on the bill were Ke$ha and Britney Spears – the latter of whom garnered the loudest cheers from the audience at the sold-out Staples Center. This, despite not actually performing.

Check out more pics from the LA event below…

Your thoughts?

Ahead of the launch of her ‘LOUD Tour’ next month, Rihanna gave fans in Ukraine a flavour of what to expect from the trek when she headlined the FC Shakhtar’s 75th Anniversary festivities last night.

With all the charisma of corpse, the model attempted to rouse the audience her hit-heavy back catalogue.

Check out Voice of our Generation below…

*Vocals may not be suitable for minors*

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Pop/R&B vocalist Jessie J brought her trademark ‘wow’ factor to BBC Radio 1’s ‘Big Weekend’ last night. The 22 year old star, who now divides her time between the UK and US, rocked the stage in Carisle with a stirring rendition of latest single ‘Nobody’s Perfect’.

Don’t get the hype surrounding the Essex-bred belter? See for yourself after the jump…

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She works hard for the money!

Taking a break from her busy X Factor USA schedule, Nicole Scherzinger flew over to Carisle, England to continue promotion for her ‘Killer Love’ LP at Radio 1’s ‘Big Weekend’ last night.

The set, released in Europe in March, has performed well on this side of the pond, peaking at #8 on the Official UK Album Chart.

Check out the former Pussycat Doll’s live showings of ‘Poison’, ‘Don’t Cha’, and UK #1 ‘Don’t Hold Your Breath’ …

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Nicki Minaj feels ‘So Special’ in her newly released take on Movado‘s smash of the same name. The verse said to be the fruit of a recent studio session.

And while the Hip-Hop mistress may please fans with the track, a certain sect of listeners will be none too impressed with what’s spewed at the 0.27 mark (“softer than a…”)

Get familiar with ‘So Special’ after the jump…

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“Homewrecker”

Unfortunately for Alicia Keys, this tag has been synonymous with her since she and hitmaker Swizz Beats went public with their relationship. For, according to the producer’s ex-wife, singer Mashonda, Keys is responsible for the break-up of their marriage, after she supposedly pursued  him while he was married.

Now, after lengthy silence, the ‘Karma’ singer has hit back at the claims in the June issue of Essence. Find out what she had to say after the jump…

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