It’s that time of year again!

Indeed, the weekend brought with it the 2015 Grammy nominations unveiled, as per usual, of a nomination special weeks before the actual showing.  But, what also comes with the ‘per usual’ showing are the jaw-dropping surprises, snubs, and all out “shut-outs” that accompany the annual spectacle.

Always a heated debate-starter, the coveted tally saw the likes of Trey Songz, Lana Del Rey, Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez,  and Michael Jackson all go without mention.

For Bieber, whose manager made headlines for his rant regarding his 2013 Grammy shutout, this would be a third-go-round despite consistently clocking some of the year’s biggest hits.

Tuck in below for a list of other surprises and snubs:

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Jordin Sparks is onto the next!

Indeed, after the plug was pulled on her relationship with ‘Talk Dirty‘ singer Jason Derulo, the ‘American Idol‘ winner has partnered with ‘Black Whiskey‘ performer Elijah Blake, teasing a collaboration on ‘Instagram’ hours ago.

Why a pic taken of the two now has some fans questioning Sparks’ relationship status?

Find out below!

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As any fan in the know will already know Tuesday September 30th marked the last day for nomination eligibility for the 2015 Grammy Awards, set to air live on CBS on February 8th of next year.

This week, the world has learned the names of which releases launched by a number of the year’s brightest stars have been submitted to the award show’s committee, now tasked with deciding which acts are most deserving of gongs on the night.

So, after ‘Billboard’ revealed Iggy Azalea is one act they believe could pick up the ‘Best New Artist’ award, the full list of submissions sent in by she, Beyonce, Mariah Carey Drake, Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj were published…and are now available to read in full below!

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Before you know it awards season will be in full swing.

Probably our favorite time of year here at TGJ HQ, we were ever-excited to learn of the Soul Train Awards committee unveiling the nominations for their 2014 showing.

Featuring heavy competition from the year’s best and brightest in Hip Hop and R&B, TGJ favorites Chris Brown, Pharrell Williams, John Legend, and Beyonce are leading the pack of nominees for the ceremony.

Set to be hosted by ‘Queen of All Media’ Wendy Williams, the show will be taped at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena on November 7 then air on Centric and BET on November 30th (8p/7p CST).

Until then, familiarize yourself with the rest of the nominees below as revealed by Williams’ show:

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There are just some people whose talent seemingly know few bounds.  And, if his storied acting, modeling, dancing, and now singing career suffice as evidence, then Miami dance machine Alvester Martin is one of them.

Already building quite the buzz after seeing his talented feet dance alongside some of music’s biggest names from Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez to Rihanna and Beyonce, now Martin is making his own moves in the recording industry.

As fans lay in wait for his official debut release via Emagine/Universal Music Group, the multi-talented crooner lets That Grape Juice in to get a peek at his first official music video and find out more about the man known to many as the “industry’s best kept secret.”

It’s all below:

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‘Mannequin’ singer Katy Perry has been named the “coolest” Pop star among teens in a survey carried out by ‘Variety‘ magazine.

How she beat the likes of Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo, Lady GaGa and Beyonce to come out on top?

‘Variety’s findings below…

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With roots that run deep in Black culture, it’d be safe to say Hip Hop & R&B remain the go-to genres for most African-American males hoping to try their hand in the game that is music.

Leaving the genres’ lovers with enough testosterone to last if a few lifetimes, the US’ frequent delivery of new “Urban” blood has proved to be quite successful for the labels behind said “blood”, with each and every major label housing at least one of categories’ leading acts.

Miguel at ‘Sony.’

August Alsina at ‘Universal.‘

However, while labels seem to have no problem making exclusively Pop acts out of Black females, it would seem that the same can’t be said when it comes to Black men.

Indeed, while backing from ‘Top 40′ and ‘Rhythmic’ radio has seen Rihanna and Beyonce  has seen them dip in and out of genres at will, one would be hard pressed to find a Pop-pushing African-American male being marketed as a Pop act by their supporting label.

This, after the Black British force that was JLS failed to rock any US charts with their inoffensive brand of ‘Backstreet‘-inspired Pop despite soaring in the UK with the very same material.

Interesting, when one remembers Jason Derulo topped the UK’s R&B singles chart with the outrightly Pop ‘Whatcha Say.‘

With the above in mind, we ask…

Is there an absence of Black boys in Pop?

…and…

Does race matter when it comes to genre?

Please share your thoughts below!

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With news certain to tickle the fancy of Aussie born rapstress Iggy Azalea, her colossal hit ‘Fancy’ refuses to loosen its grip on the top spot of the Hot 100 and notches its third week atop the tally (as reported here).

Extending her record-setting reign as the first female artist to hold the top two spots on the chart with her inaugural entries (‘Fancy’ & ‘Problem’), Azalea’s explosion onto the top tier of the singles’ chart continues despite a dip in sales and streaming.

As the report below indicates, however, the ‘Bounce’ beauty should not get too comfortable as acts like Jason Derulo and Sam Smith creep closer to dethroning the Charli XCX-assisted hit.

Is Iggy nearing the end of her reign?

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Her latest single may have struggled to snap, crackle and pop in the US, but that hasn’t stopped Brit-Pop megastar Rita Ora from being named one of ‘Spotify‘s most influential artists under the age of 25, standing tall as the only British female artist to make the list!

Factoring chart hits, volume and growth of streams and shares to compile the list, the streaming service unveiled the ‘Top 25 under 25′ before the release of Ora’s US debut, no doubt set to benefit from the positive press her appearance on the chart will arm her with.

So, just where did the former ‘Size’ sales clerk come on the tally?

Surprises below…

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Today, ‘I’m Coming Out‘ rapper Nicki Minaj will storm ‘Powerhouse 2014′, doing so with a performance she no doubt hopes will pave a clean and steady path for her brand new single, due out this month.

Fortunately, fans of the star will be pleased to learn that this weekend will also see her grace this year’s ‘Billboard Music Awards’ tomorrow evening, set to rub shoulders with the likes of Lorde, Katy Perry, Jason Derulo and sonic sister Iggy Azalea.

Details on her appearance below…

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‘Get Back’ beau Ludacris is getting back into the music scene in a big way!

Indeed, the rapper/actor may have taken a break from the studio to focus on films, but that hasn’t stopped him from accepting a gig as host of the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.

Hosting what is set to be an unforgettable lineup that features the likes of Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Pitbull, Jason Derulo, John Legend, and more, word of Luda’s latest conquest was followed by news that Columbian pop star Shakira will be joining the jam-packed line up.

See the official announcement advert below:

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“Royals” starlet Lorde is the latest performer to be added to the “Billboard Music Awards 2014” lineup today, enlisted by the ceremony to perform her single “Tennis Court” at the star studded event.

Details below…

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