Six albums in six years. Say what you want about Rihanna, but that is quite the feat.

Yet, it’s this very fact that has divided fans and critics alike. For, the Bajan star has crammed into her short career releases and achievements her predecessors have worked decades to amass.

Predictably, the 23 year old’s supporters lap up each annual effort. One after the other, after the other. However, growing ever wider is the sect of listeners who attribute her success to being little more than a record label puppet. Indeed, with few writing credits, a limited vocal range, and a “change-with-the-sway” sound, it’s hard to posit the contrary.

Whatever the reality, the singer remains a staple on the tongues of many.  A sentiment well captured on the title of her sixth studio album ‘Talk That Talk’.

However, with ample doubt still surrounding Ri’s legitimacy, it quite – literally – is time for her to ‘walk that walk’.

After attending Def Jam’s London playback, That Grape Juice gives you the WORLD EXCLUSIVE first full review of the album everyone’s waiting for.

Pinned: Normal posts resume below

Thursday nights are Braxton nights!

That’s right. The Braxton sisters, Toni, Trina, Traci, Towanda, and of course Tamar, are back with another must-see season of their hit WeTV series Braxton Family Values.

Ahead of tonight’s big premiere, the sisters (sans Toni) talk to That Grape Juice about what we can expect from the latest season, and a whole lot more!

A host of dot.coms, dot.orgs, and above all, dot.honest await after the jump!

The last few years have seen Pop’s arena welcome a troupe of fresh faced Gladiators all competing in tandem to win the affections of the  record-buying public.

There is Rihanna, whose weapon of choice changes with the sway of public opinion. Ever ready to vaguely adapt to what she believes will help her win the fight.

Then there is Katy Perry and Ke$ha, with swords forged deep in the pits of Dr. Luke‘s imaginirium. Satisfied with receiving whatever spoils of war a certain Britney Spears is too pre-occupied to claim for herself.

From the realm of Rap comes Nicki Minaj, with a battle axe stolen from Lil Kim‘s weapons cabinet.  Slicing through Hip Hop’s archaic code and conventions to carve her name in the sand as Rap’s first Pop Empress, ready for battle at any given moment.

Then of course is the reigning champion Lady GaGa, equipped with a glitter stained double edged sword. Controversy on one edge and undeniable talent on the other.

And while these assassins battle each other, hoping to out-perform one another in the pits of Pop’s amphitheatre, an unlikely contender watches from the crowd.

A lone voice amidst the noise that is Contemporary Pop.

She is Adele. Pop’s unlikely Warrior Queen.

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“Strike a pose“.

Seemingly bored of being stuck solely  in the realms of Contemporary Hip Hop, recent months have  seen Rapper Game slowly but surely worm his way further into the mainstream’s gaze.

From developing an ‘interesting’ relationship with the folks over at TMZ to taking to late night circuit to promote his LP, ‘The R.E.D Album‘, he has undoubtedly  boosted his profile within the public eye.

Now, he has made a guest appearance on the hit show ‘America’s Next Top Model‘ , lending his expertise to its now famed panel of judges.

Watch him in action below…

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Another day, another Rihanna controversy.

Just weeks after being accused of unlawfully plagiarizing concepts from Cee Lo Green‘s ‘No one’s Gonna Love You‘ visual, today saw the Island beauty come under further fire for the well received music video.

She has been branded a ‘bad role model’ by the Ulster Cancer Foundation for the role they say she plays in endorsing smoking.

Full explanation below…

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Today saw the lid lifted on the tracklist for rapper Drake‘s sophomore set ‘Take Care’. And while the extensive list revealed his Young Money comrade Nicki Minaj as the sole feature, it’s been confirmed that she forms just one-part of an all-star cast assembled to feature on the project. A cast which we’ve now learned includes former flame Rihanna.

Details after the jump…

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Since the realities of her own career have proven to be a cold and pitiful  affair, ‘Try With Me‘ vocalist Nicole Scherzinger seems to have found solace in imitating those more succesful than herself.

For, last night during an interview with British talk show host Alan Carr, the X Factor USA judge decided to do an impersonation of fellow Pop tart Britney Spears.

Peep the footage below…

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Hip-Hop heavyweight Drake is gearing up for the release of his sophomore set ‘Take Care’; and so as to whet the apetites of fans ahead of the LP’s November 15th due date the Young Money star has released its lengthy tracklisting.

What will the Canadian native be dishing up in little over two weeks? Find out after the jump…

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Ciara has seen the buzz surrounding her 5th studio album intensify as of late. Indeed, with it all but confirmed that she’s re-joined forces with LA Reid (the man who launched her career) over at Epic Records, interest in the songstress has reignited following a series of commercial disappointments.

Which is just as well, as the singer today tweeted a shot of her in the studio. Now, because we love to give you the real tea, we can confirm that the session was with hitmaker Soundz – who produced ‘Gimmie Dat’ from her ‘Basic Instinct’ LP. More over, though, we’re just glad to see Ms. Harris back on her grind. And with word that today’s session was an Epic sponsored production “camp” for her project (where a number of writers and producers congregate to draw up tracks for an artist), it seems the wheels are finally a-turning for her comeback. Roll on 2012!

Tidbit: What sound do you want Ci to have this go round. Click here to let us know!

Your thoughts?

Seemingly more eager than ever to expand her brand beyond the realms of music, the last year has seen Rapper Nicki Minaj confirm a number of lucrative different business ventures she is involved in, from becoming the face of MAC to scoring a role in the movie Ice Age 4.

Now, the animated songbird has teamed up with OPI Nail Lacquer to bring her own nail varnish line to the world.

Available for purchase from next year, the line will feature a number of colors named with names loosely based on songs from her debut album.

Colors include:

Super Bass Shatter

Fly

Metal 4 Life

Source.

Your thoughts?

Black men in the music industry have never been hard to find.

In today’s musical climate, there are very few genres of music that haven’t been touched by the black male, from Jay Z and Lil Wayne in the world of Hip Hop, to British boy band JLS in the realms of Pop.

For years, the issue of how black men are portrayed in the music industry has remained a well discussed one.

With even the likes of Rapper Game airing his thoughts on why many of his own contemporaries are presented in a light  contrary to their  actual realities , this is one hot topic very  few have little to say about.

Now we here at That Grape Juice HQ want you to weigh in…

Do Record Labels Endorse Negative Stereotypes Of Black Men To Help Boost Sales?

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Much to the shock and discomfort of many a Leona Lewis fan, it was confirmed yesterday by the entertainer herself that the release date for her long awaited ‘Glassheart‘ album has been pushed to 2012.

This, just weeks after it was announced it was to be released in November of this year.

Citing ‘the inspiration to continue recording’ as the cause for this delay, the entertainer and her management have come under criticism from some who say  the mishandling of the project  is the real cause for its push back. Especially given its lead single ‘Collide‘ failing to make major impact on either the Official UK Top 40 or the Billboard Hot 100.

Now That Grape Juice weighs in on the situation.

How do you solve a problem like Leona’s ‘Glassheart’?

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