Remember the reported ‘Empire’ / ‘Star’ crossover that was touted earlier this month? It appears as though it’s a go!

Initial murmurs revealed that FOX are gearing up to stage an epic joint launch for the return of Lee Daniels shows in September.

Official word has yet to be issued, but ‘Star’s Queen Latifah shared a telling shot of herself in character as Carlotta alongside Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard (who play Cookie and Lucious on ‘Empire’).

The caption read:

Guess what we just filmed for you ?#EMPIRE#STAR@tarajiphenson@theterrencehoward@staronfox

‘Empire’ and ‘Star’ return for their fourth and second seasons respectively on September 27th.

Your thoughts?

With the ‘ANTI’ era wrapped, Rihanna has turned her attentions to the big screen.

Next week brings with it the global release of Sci-Fi flick ‘Valérian and the City of a Thousand Planets’ – a movie the Bajan star appears in as entertainer Bubble.

Ahead of its arrival, RiRi donned her finest and stepped out to celebrate alongside her co-stars at the Los Angeles premiere.

Reviews of the film have thus far been far from favorable. However, with Rih attached and director Luc Besson at the helm could a clapback at the box office be near? Time will tell.

In the meanwhile, peep more pics of Ms. Fenty, Cara Delevingne, Chris Tucker, and more below…

(more…)

For many in the music industry, R. Kelly‘s alleged targeting and abuse of African-American children stands as an open secret.

Shunned by some for his alleged grooming of the late singer Aaliyah when she was a teen, Kelly now finds himself facing more drama after the parents of several young women have called for help after learning that they may have been turned into the singer’s sex slaves.

This news has disturbed the rapper Azealia Banks who has taken to Twitter to reveal that she is disappointed in her former management mate Lady GaGa for collaborating with Kelly on a remix to her song ‘Do What U Want.’

Why Banks feels GaGa saw nothing wrong with working with Kelly but went on to support Kesha after she accused Dr. Luke of assaulting her?

Is Gaga going to speak on behalf of this or …. is she okay with collaborating with him yet again after proving he’s a trash individual? https://t.co/ijFbfaTT2b

— ?CHEAPYXO? (@XoCheapy) July 17, 2017

She said I have “a bad attitude” … how about this man has actually been videotaped peeing on a fourteen year old?

— ?CHEAPYXO? (@XoCheapy) July 17, 2017

These people need to be held accountable for their hypocrisy.

— ?CHEAPYXO? (@XoCheapy) July 17, 2017

And are soooo quick to condemn and ostracize black women for having “a bad attitude”

— ?CHEAPYXO? (@XoCheapy) July 17, 2017

Like, how many times has ASAP rocky been caught slapping females in the face, yet Lana will collab with him ??

— ?CHEAPYXO? (@XoCheapy) July 17, 2017

BC she’s a hypocrite. She cares that dr luke allegedly raped white Kesha but doesn’t care at all about the little black girl being peed on https://t.co/SqOK0OceQO

— ?CHEAPYXO? (@XoCheapy) July 17, 2017

Kesha’s womanhood is more important to Gaga than the womanhood of the girl being peed on. So she will boycott luke and use r.kelly

— ?CHEAPYXO? (@XoCheapy) July 17, 2017

GaGa is yet to answer Banks’ criticism.

Do you agree?

Starz, the platform to thank for the shows ‘Spartacus‘ and ‘Power‘ have committed to creating a TV drama based on Mariah Carey‘s life.

Carey, alongside Brett Ratner, Stella Bulochnikov and Teri Weinberg, stand as the show’s executive producers and will offer viewers a Mariah-approved version of her journey to superstardom penned by Nina Colman.

It tells the story of an ambitious bi-racial 16-year-old girl, an aspiring singer/songwriter who survived a difficult childhood to become the biggest selling female music artist of all time.

A premiere date is yet to be set.

News of the drama follows the demise of her ill-fated reality tv show ‘Mariah’s World’ which aired on E! via NBC and drops as the superstar vocalist braces herself for life at Epic Records without her long-time friend and executive Antonio L.A. Reid.

Your thoughts?

In the space of a day, R. Kelly‘s name has catapulted back into the headlines after a shocking exposé alleged that he is leading a secret “sex cult” and is holding women against their will.

Since the story hit the wire, the singer has, via his publicist, denied the claims and alluded to taking legal action.

However, it’s quickly becoming clear that the drama isn’t going anywhere.

The family of alleged hostage Jocelyn Savage held a press conference claiming that Kelly has brainwashed the 21 year old. So much so that she effectively has Stockholm Syndrome:

In a twist, Jocelyn sat down with TMZ to refute the claims of her family, insisting that she has been receiving their messages but has willingly cut off communication with them. She wouldn’t, however, reveal what her current living arrangement is nor which city she resides in:

Sigh.

Keep it locked on That Grape Juice for the latest.

Your thoughts?

The end of Kanye West‘s friendship with Jay-Z remains a hot topic within fan communities who seek answers as to why it happened in the first place.

Next month, said fans will be offered one explanation via a documentary created to lift the lid on the pair’s brotherhood and the business dealings which broke its bond.

Its name? ‘Public Enemies: Jay Z vs Kanye West.’

It’ll air on the British platform Channel 4 on July 31st and offer its viewers insight into the music industry machinations which may have turned the former collaborators and business partners into feuding foes…and how their powerful wives, Beyonce and Kim Kardashian, fit into in the picture.

Its official release teases…

It’s a tale of creativity versus commerce, inner-city deprivation versus suburban aspiration, of right versus left. And it reveals an even bigger story of how race, wealth and celebrity are shaping modern America. Arguably two of the coolest and most influential artists in the world, their incredible life stories offer a fascinating new twist on the American dream. These are two mega-personalities whose success and rivalry has captured the public’s imagination. In the process of building their empires, Jay-Z and Kanye have provided a spine tingling soundtrack for a generation. Their story goes beyond their music and has opened up discussions on everything from class barriers to mental health.

Your thoughts?

As we reported here, ‘Work from Home’ hitmakers Fifth Harmony worked the camera for Billboard magazine’s latest issue.

Dishing on a number of hot topics including former group member Camila Cabello‘s exit, label issues, new music, and so much more, the quartet certainly struck a few nerves (of Cabello’s fans) while also striking some sultry poses along the publication’s pages.

Curious to see the behind the scenes action on how those final products came to me?  Peep the video below.

Click here to read the hot excerpts from the feature.

Your thoughts?

Less than a week after declaring her serially delayed sophomore effort, ‘Digital Distortion,’ was completely scrapped thanks to an executive decision by her label, ‘Switch’ rapper Iggy Azalea is switching up her tune with news she’s lifting yet another single from it.

Indeed, after the nonperformance of the project’s first three singles – ‘Team,’ ‘Mo Bounce,’ and ‘Switch’ – Iggy Iggz says the label pulled their support for the album in which they were housed, despite the rapstress being in the middle of ongoing promotion (on an international front) and having already shot an accompanying music video for the latter.

Fans assumed all hope was lost until recently when the ‘Fancy’ hitmaker took to Twitter to confirm that ‘Digital Distortion’ may have just one last lifeline. See her messages below:

She was sure to clarify said “lifeline” was not the highly anticipated duet with Azealia Banks.

Your thoughts?

R. Kelly is fighting back.

The R&B singer found himself at the center of yet another scandal today when a BuzzFeed exposé alleged that he is operating a “sex cult” and holding indoctrinated women “against their will.”

In a statement issued to TMZ, a rep for the 50-year-old star says he refutes every aspect of the claims. It read:

“Mr. Robert Kelly is both alarmed and disturbed by the recent revelations attributed to him. Mr. Kelly unequivocally denies such accusations and will work diligently and forcibly to pursue his accusers and clear his name.”

And the plot thickens.

Your thoughts?

Rarely do spin-off’s and sequels best the original. However, for VH1’s ‘Love & Hip-Hop’ franchise, it’s occurred not once but twice.

Ratings for the Atlanta branch of the royally ratchet series continually top that of the New York anchor and the Hollywood series is making a serious beeline for the top-spot with its sizzling storylines.

With its return set for next Monday (July 24th), an action-packed super-trailer has been unlocked for season 4 of  ‘Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood.’

As reported, R&B singers Keyshia Cole and Brooke Valentine have joined the cast – and, per the preview, are bringing drama aplenty.

Also back in the mix are the likes of Ray J, Teairra Mari, Nikki Baby, Moniece, Safaree and Lyrica Anderson.  

(more…)

Justin Bieber’s ‘Purpose’ tour is expanding to stadiums and so, keen to support fresh and emerging talent, the singer has called on Migos, Vic Mensa, Martin Garrix and Kehlani to join him for the ride.

Want dates?

July 29 – Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium – Migos, Vic Mensa
Aug. 5 – Pasadena, CA – Rose Bowl Stadium – Kehlani, Vic Mensa
Aug. 12 – Denver, CO – Sports Authority Field at Mile High – Kehlani, Vic Mensa
Aug. 18 – Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium – Martin Garrix, Vic Mensa
Aug. 23 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium – Migos, Vic Mensa
Aug. 24 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium – Migos, Vic Mensa
Aug. 29 – Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium – Migos, Vic Mensa
Sept. 5 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre – Martin Garrix, Vic Mensa
Sept. 6 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre – Migos, Vic Mensa

Exciting times.

Following the extremely modest numbers swept up by her debut set ‘SSS’ Kehlani is to spend the rest of the year building content for her next studio album with the full support of her label Atlantic Records, also home to Bruno Mars, Trey Songz and Sevyn Streeter.

Your thoughts?

Hoping to bury his problematic relationship with Kylie Jenner is Tyga.

So, with a partnership with BooHoo Man secured, the rapper now sets his sights on scripted glory and has joined the third season of MTV’s ‘Scream‘ reboot.

The season will introduce new viewers to a new story in a new location armed with new characters as well as an executive-producer in Queen Latifah who has enlisted Biggie Smalls’ son C.J Wallace to portray one of its main characters.

When it’s set to air?

March 2018.

Production kicks off in Atlanta and Louisiana this year.

Your thoughts?