This week’s That Grape Juice Cover Star comes from Nashvillian duo Ceron and Bdot.  Press play below to hear the twosome take on Al Green‘s signature classic ‘Let’s Stay Together’:

Amazing!  With tonal quality and stylings reminiscent of Chrisette Michele and Marsha Ambrosius (with sprinklings of Lil’ Mo), Bdot laid into ‘Let’s Stay Together’ with a melisma marathon – runs, riffs, and scats galore!  But, even in its abundance, the songstress managed restraint and allowed her passion to shine through to avoid overdoing it (a trait absent from many-her-Youtube contemporary).

Delivering a fiery rendition of the 70s hit (especially from the 2:15 mark) with the accompaniment of Ceron’s skillful guitar pluck, it goes without saying that we need many more duos like this on our radios.  Well done Ceron & Bdot!

For more on Ceron Mays, check out his Youtube page here!

Your thoughts?

Controversial couple Rihanna and Chris Brown claim their romance is ‘Nobody’s Business’, but the pair seem suspiciously keen to share it with the world. Daily.

Their latest showing arrived on Instagram this morning, with Rih writing the following quote from Brown’s 2011 hit ‘Look At Me Now’:

“Yellow model chick in my yellow ass dress wit my yellow nigga X”

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As jarring as their deliberate showcasing is, it’s clearly working. For, coupled with a 50% price slash, Rihanna’s ‘Unapologetic’ continues to enjoy steady sales, while Brown’s full-priced single ‘Fine China’ is the highest new entry on the Billboard Hot 100 this week after entering at #52.

Your thoughts?

Having endured one-too-many Rihanna performances ourselves, we weren’t sure what possessed talented vocalist Christina Aguilera to attend her latest show.

Indeed, as reported, the 32-year-old was spotted arriving at the Los Angeles stop of the ‘Diamonds Tour’ with long-term boyfriend Matthew Rutler.

A keen fan of stand-up comedy, some speculated Aguilera was there for the guaranteed gags, while others suggested she was invited to offer vocal tips. However, it seems the true reason is much simpler — she loves her some RiRi!

Watch Xtina profess her like for Chris Brown‘s boo after the jump…

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With Girls Aloud officially over, all eyes are on what each member of the Brit-Pop outfit will do next.

And while the answers to such questions remain unknown (and bleak) for the majority of the group, lead and only singer Nadine Coyle is wasting no time and has returned to the recording booth…solo.

Details after the jump…

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Imitation is the best form of flattery.

The above, a fact ‘Fancy’ singer Beyonce will no doubt be aware of today, following her British chart triumph on Sunday.

For, as if by coincidence, the hours that followed her chart win  saw long time rival Rihanna announce she was to slash the price of her new LP Unapologetic‘ by half in the very same market.

Did her seemingly reactive move pay off?

Find out below…

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With Summer looming, so too is the release of Drake‘s third studio album ‘Nothing Was The Same’.

The project’s lead single ‘Started From The Bottom’ has roused both the Hip-Hop and mainstream arenas, yet the Canadian MC squarely caters to his core audience with viral effort ‘5AM In Toronto’ – the video for which was unwrapped this morning.

Check it out below…

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He’s the label executive Frank Ocean, Elijah Blake, Nas and Rick Ross all consider the driving force behind their recent successes.

However, despite his outstanding year as the head of the Def Jam music group, Joie Manda has resigned from his role as the label’s President and is now on his way to Jimmy Iovine’s Interscope Records.

Details below…

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As Season 4 of its main competitor ‘The Voice’ is posting some of its highest ratings ever, reality talent show pioneer ‘American Idol’ has conversely dipped to some of its lowest.

Indeed, with what was expected to be its saving grave in megadivas Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, the twosome’s combined popularity was not enough to pull the sinking ship that is ‘Idol’.

Down a reported 14% from last week’s ratings (which was at the time its lowest Wednesday night ratings), the show has been on a steady decline since its season 12 debut.

Your thoughts?

There are many ways to “win” musically and it seems Justin Timberlake is set to achieve them all with new album ‘The 20/20 Experience’.

A chart blockbuster out of the gate, the ‘Suit & Tie’ led LP is set to extend its stay atop of the Billboard 200 next week and in the process will deny Lil Wayne‘s hotly anticipated ‘I Am Not A Human Being II’ the #1 spot.

Details below…

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Mariah Carey may be M.I.A on the charts these days, but that hasn’t stopped the diva’s fan-base from remaining fiercely loyal.

Case, point, the verbal daggers the group (who Carey deems her Lambs) have been throwing at R&B singer Kelly Price for the last 24 hours.

Like most drama in the modern era, the issue started on Twitter following comments Price made about an artist who had a concert special on TV at the time. Call it co-incidence or call it shade, whatever the case, Carey had a special airing at the exact same time.

The initial comment, the Lambs response, and Kelly’s clapback after the jump…

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Justin Timberlake has developed quite the knack for exceeding expectations.

Dominating headlines in the last week by way of sales predictions generated by new album ‘The 20/20 Experience’, the ‘Black Snake Moan‘ actor is set to be the center of all attention next week then these sales finally roll through.

Sales, that are now predicted to be closer to the 900,000 units sold spot.

Good news after the jump…

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Despite recent efforts to downplay her legacy, those who have truly followed Brand Christina Aguilera know that she is nothing short of iconic.

Rising to success via the quality of her voice and material, her ability to craft cuts that were both inspiring and radio ready saw her soar in the face of undying comparisons to Pop golden girl Britney Spears, billed as the Krystle to her Alexis.

However, the handling of her latest album ‘Lotus’ has left some fans a little frustrated with her and concerned for the future of her career.

Indeed, despite hitting stores in November, this week saw her hint that she had pulled the plug on its campaign, much to their dismay.

So, as fans of the RCA belle, TGJ gets creative and shares ideas on how we feel ‘Queentina’ can reclaim her spot atop this generation’s leading ladies.

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