Rita Ora is waxing honest about the challenges she’s faced on her musical journey.

Because, for all her success (which includes five UK #1’s),  it hasn’t been plane sailing for the multi-hyphenate star.

Indeed, for all her wins, she’s routinely found herself at the center of industry politics – a lot of which prohibited her from releasing music and, in one instance, actually led to a major legal showdown.

In a new interview with This Is How I Made It, she opens up about how some of those hurdles affected her and how she came out triumphant. As relates to the latter, she kept it 100 about her unapologetic penchant for doing “everything” and stresses that people now must be like “I guess this b*tch is staying.”

Check out the insightful feature below…

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The 50th Annual NAACP Image Awards aired tonight and, as always, celebrated the year’s best and brightest offerings from actors, singers, directors, producers, and other Hollywood heavy hitters of color.
Saluting achievements and advancements across multiple entertainment genres and formats (television, music, film, and writing), this year’s milestone ceremony at LA’s Dolby Theater brought with it sizeable wins for Beyonce and Jay-Z – who took home the Entertainer of the Year and President Award honors respectively.
Head below to see who else among your favorites walked away with the coveted trophies…

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Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato are off to a rocket-fuelled start with new single ‘Fall In Line.’

The haunting hymn, which preaches self-worth and empowerment, was unleashed yesterday as the lead release from Xtina’s 8th album ‘Liberation’ and it’s resonating with listeners in a major way.

Details below…

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Christina Aguilera is freeing herself from restriction, restraint, and regret on new album ‘Liberation.’

Due June 15th via RCA, the hotly anticipated set (which features production from Kanye West, MNEK, Julia Michaels, and Anderson .Paak) marks Xtina’s first body of work since 2012’s ‘Lotus.’

Rooted in soulful sounds and hard-hitting Hip-Hop beats, the LP is billed as a strip-back of the glossy varnish. Instead, it’s touted as a true return to artistic expression for the superstar songbird.

And she echoes as much in a new promotional video for the album.

Christened ‘Where’s Maria’ (the latter of which is the diva’s middle name), the digital short follows the 37-year-old as she explains the rooting of the ‘Accelerate’ led project and why it’s so important for her.

She also also features previews of new songs – including rumored “main” single ‘Fall In Line.’ 

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Jay Z made history tonight when he became the first rapper ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

Interestingly, the media mogul was not in attendance at the taping of the event (fuelling rumors about the birth of he and Beyonce‘s twins), however he did take to social media to salute all who’ve inspired him.

Renown for shunning social media, Jigga definitely made his rare appearance resonate.

See who he tipped his hat to below…

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Drake has uncaged his new project ‘More Life.’

Due and delayed since last year, the beefy set received its premiere moments ago on OVOSound Radio on Apple Music.

Billed as an “evolution of the mixtape” rather than an album, the set features guest spots from the likes of Kanye West, Travis $cott, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and 2Chainz, as well as UK talent such as Skepta, Giggs, and  Jorja Smith.

What are you waiting for? Check it out after the jump…

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Arguably the “Beyonce” of Hip Hop & R&B’s male division, Drake continues to cast a shadow over his rivals as he hovers over Pop seas with his new album ‘VIEWS.’

How he continues to spell trouble for Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller, Bruno Mars and company?

‘Summer Sixteen.’

 

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Jordin Sparks‘ third album may not be available ‘Right Here Right Now,’ but as its August 21st release draws nearer, the songbird is hatching a series of new visuals in support of it.

The latest is for emotional ballad ‘They Don’t Give.’

Sparks slows things down on the cut, which follows the the visual for the LP’s title track and lead single ‘Double Tap.’

Check it out after the jump…

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Fresh from nabbing a chart smash with comeback single ‘Trampoline’, Tinie Tempah has unwrapped the cover for its parent album ‘Demonstration’.

Due in stores on November 4th, the super-charged set is said to boast an eclectic array of collaborators and is described as the London-bred rapper’s most sonically engaging effort yet.

We guess the masses will be the judge of that this Winter. For now, peep the video for ‘Trampoline’ after the jump…

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The US music market has seen sales generated by digital releases surpass the $4 billion mark this year- according to a report by our friends over at Hits Daily Double.

No doubt excellent news for a business plagued by declining physical sales in recent years, heights reached by digital outlets have many to thank for this new feat. Many, which include R&B leader Frank Ocean, Rap domina Nicki Minaj and Roc Nation’s Rihanna.

Find out how below…

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With January gone and the world of Pop well into February, music lovers can expect to be introduced to a number of newbies- all vying to win their hearts…and wallets.

However, with the backing of Motown, the blessing of Ne-Yo and the charisma of a young Bobby Brown, it’s safe to say B Smyth stands head and shoulders above the rest of his pack, bursting onto the scene with the budding hit, ‘Leggo‘.

So, as to truly understand what makes the 19 year old entertainer tick, That Grape Juice caught up with him last week as he prepares cuts for his debut album.

Get into it below…

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Contrary to popular belief, one doesn’t always need a note worthy chart position to score what is otherwise… a smash hit.

Sure, while most songs that that come under category usually come with a Top Ten position to show for its troubles, there are some cuts- especially  those of Hip Hop persuasion- that succeed in pulling in mega numbers without chart glory.

Now, in cementing her status as one of 2012’s highest selling acts, Nicki Minaj continues to surprise the world with fresh stats pulled on her single ‘Beez In The Trap‘. A single, many had written off as a commercial failure.

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