Are we the only ones who love when awards’ season is in full swing?

With the American Music and Soul Train Awards in our rearview, the People’s Choice Awards, Golden Globes, Academy Awards, and Grammy’s ahead are now joined by the NAACP Image Awards.

Unveiling its full list of nods today, the prestigious award honors actors, actresses, singers, authors, and activists of color, in and out of the entertainment industry, via its 46th annual presentation this year live on TV One.  With television shows ‘Scandal’ (ABC), ‘black-ish’ (ABC), and ‘Orange is the New Black’ (Netflix) leading the overall nods with 6 apiece and Beyonce and Pharrell dominating the music categories with 5 and 4 respectively, this year’s showing looks to be its most exciting yet.

But, before you can tune in to see who will walk away with the coveted trophies on February 6th, tuck in below to see the full list:

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Let’s face it, Tamar Braxton is winning.

With criminal Grammy snub in her rearview, the baby of the Braxton clan otherwise enters 2014 on the hems of a number of critically acclaimed high notes including her sophomore album ‘Love & War’ and the singles it has thus far spawned.

A particular highlight of the singer’s career so far was her memorable showing at the 2013 Soul Train Awards.  Twitter Tamartians applauded the diva for her emotional acceptance speech and stunning medley of tunes while simultaneously offering a few less complimentary comments on the singer’s wardrobe choice.

Visiting Bravo TV’s ‘Watch What Happens…With Andy Cohen’, Braxton weighed in on Twitter’s response to her costume and offered them “several seats” like she does so well…

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She’s the R&B trendsetter with the voice of angel.

Who we’re referring to? Tamar Braxton of course, the ‘Love & War’ chart-topper responsible for the smash hit single of the same name and a year in music that’s been fruitful on a variety of fronts.

Fortunately for the ‘Queen Latifah Show’, it was that angelic voice that came to join its Christmas celebrations hours ago, when the star took to its stage to perform Franz Xaver Gruber‘s ‘Silent Night.’

Watch below…

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Not even a week after leading 2014 Stellar Award nominees with a whopping 8 nominations it has been announced that Gospel superstar TYE TRIBBETT also leads the genre’s nominees at the 2014 Grammy Awards with three nominations for his #1 album GREATER THAN and its empowering lead single ‘If He Did It Before…Same God’.

Capturing nods for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance (“If He Did It Before…Same God”), Best Gospel Song (“If He Did It Before…Same God”) and Best Gospel Album for “Greater Than”, the news comes as the latest in a string of honors for the Motown Gospel star.

After seeing the album afford him his highest chart debut to date, premiering at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart where it remained for four consecutive weeks, its lead single ‘If He Did It Before…Same God’ followed suit with a #1 debut on Itunes.  Peaking at #3 on Billboard Gospel Songs chart, this week saw the tune rebound to #5 after notching its 40^th week of tenure on the tally.

Recently garnering a Soul Train Award for ‘Best Gospel/Inspirational Performance’, the Grammy nominations for the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards follow via a reveal in Los Angeles Friday, December 6^th, by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.  The official award ceremony is set to be held on January 26th, 2014, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS.

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 revived 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.  Click below to find out the spill on TGT, Rico Love, Dionne Warwick, India Arie, August Alsina, Jessie J & Robin Thicke, Elle Varner and much more…

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Shortly before learning of hermultiple Grammy nominations last night, Tamar Braxton caught up with our pals over at ‘Hip Hollywood’ at the Tree Lighting Celebration at Universal CityWalk!

There, just days removed from dominating the 2013 ‘Soul Train Awards‘, the entertainer spoke to the outlet on the passing of Nelson Mandela, explaining why the world should celebrate his life and not mourn his death.

Wise words from the winning woman below…

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R&B newcomer Luke James isn’t letting the praise halt his hustle.

The New Orleans native was last night honored with the Centric Certified honor at the Soul Train Awards, and today builds on that buzz with a teaser for his latest music video – ‘Strawberry Vapors’.

Lifted from James’ free album ‘Whispers In The Dark’, the visual for ‘Vapors’ arrives ahead of the crooner’s debut album ‘Made To Love’ – which is slated for release next Spring.

Peep the stunning preview after the jump…

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Got a few hit singles and thought you could compete with Beyonce?

Well, think again!

For, as many an unfortunate live showing has proved, very few can compare to the Creole belle where it truly counts…on stage.

Perhaps, it’s for this reason the star can boast of inspiring two generations of entertainers at just 32 years old, doing so without having to compromise the artistry that’s earned her 17 Grammys, three Golden Globe nominations and a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ for her leading role in supergroup ‘Destiny’s Child‘.

Now watch the entertainer teach her closest rivals a thing or two with a scorching performance of ‘Grown Woman‘ live in Australia, below!

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Today marks what would’ve been the 50th birthday of late pop icon Whitney Houston – the larger than life diva whose mere mention evokes memories of incomparable charisma, beauty, and, of course, the voice. 

That voice. 

The one that could, with seemingly little effort, stir souls and chill spines.  Unlike the trail of imitators, imposter, and impossibles she left in her wake, Houston’s launch was devoid of gimmick and, instead, was birthed on a cultured and mastered gift (oft inimitable by predecessors or successors).

In such, today we salute the woman That Grape Juice-faithful voted ‘The Ultimate Diva’ with our “favorite 50 minutes” of her illustrous career.  And, while it was quite the task to narrow down the countless unforgettable moments the ‘I Will Always Love You’ hitmaker lent music lovers in her time, we can say that what awaits below does a fair job of encapsulating the essence of Whitney.

Take a look and weigh in below:

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Much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ segments, readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.  So in a quest to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday we introduced a new retrospective segment – ‘TGJ Replay’.

Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase albums (and eras) from a library of pop music hits.  Today, we turn up the volume on Kierra Sheard‘s 2004 debut album ‘I Owe You’…

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Much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ segments, readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.  So in a quest to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday we introduced a new retrospective segment – ‘TGJ Replay’.

Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase albums (and eras) from a library of pop music hits.  Our queue today sees award-winning, triple threat entertainer Paula Abdul and her hit debut album ‘Forever Your Girl’ up for replay:

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Much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ segments, readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.  So in a quest to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday we introduced a new retrospective segment – ‘TGJ Replay’.

Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase albums (and eras) from a library of pop music hits.  Today, as fans are celebrating the release of his third solo album, we found it only fitting to ode the genesis of Justin Timberlake‘s solo career – ‘Justified’: (more…)