Welcome to the latest edition ‘That Grape Juice A&R‘, the ‘TGJ’ original feature which sees us switch critic for creative and weigh in on the directions of our staple acts.

Who we’ve set our Evan Lipschutz-sized sights on this time? Christina Aguilera.

Since debuting in 1999, Xtina has established a success narrative that would theoretically make her an icon even if she were to never release another song.

And while that’s impressive in itself, we’re eager for new music from the 35-year-old. Especially in the wake of 2012’s ‘Lotus’ – which was was a solid album, but a diabolical “era.” Indeed, that campaign was characterised by minimal promo and questionable performances whenever they did occur. The end result, unsurprisingly, saw the LP become her worst selling yet.

Recent years have seen Aguilera assert that fresh material was on the horizon, but four years on, the ‘Lotus’ follow-up is still notable in its absence.

Is she being a “perfectionist” or is she stuck? Who knows, but if the latter we’re here to lend a helping hand.

Meet us below…

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Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj‘s latest collaborative cut ‘Side to Side’ is raking in major mula for the performers and the song’s other contributors.

Details below…

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Bruno Mars‘ bid to cast a ‘24k Magic‘ shadow over The Weeknd, Drake and Justin Bieber has been made easier with the organisers behind the ‘Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.’

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It appears there are upsides to being in the ‘Thick Of It’ for Mary J. Blige.

The crumbling of  the R&B royal’s marriage to Kendu Issacs has been a fixture in the media – specifically their bitter divorce.

With MJB maintaining a dignified silence of sorts, she’s left her feelings on wax and it’s making waves at radio. Literally.

Full story below…

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The Weeknd is about to extend all the way through 2017.

For, the eclectic crooner has announced his first headlining tour.

Erected in support of new album ‘Starboy,’ the global trek is aptly titled the ‘Starboy: Legend Of The Fall 2017 World Tour.’

Phase one of the North American and European spanning tour will kick off on Feb 17th in Stockholm, Sweden; it’ll also visit 14 additional cities across Europe including Paris, London, Amsterdam, Zurich, and Copenhagen.

The jaunt will then move onto North America in April, stopping in 25 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Included are Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Washington DC, Seattle and more.

Want to know when Abel is rolling through your locale? Peep the dates below…

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Three generations of slay!

As reported, Beyonce took on Salt N’ Pepa for her Halloween 2016 ensemble.

Little did folk know that the superstar singer got her daughter Blue Ivy and mother Tina Knowles-Lawson involved in the fun too.

We’re not quite sure who’s Salt, who’s Pepa, and who’s Spinderella, but what is for sure is that the trio nailed it!

They posed it up at Angie Beyince‘s 80’s themed Halloween/Birthday bash, which was also attended by Jay Z.

Peep Bey’s pic-stitch after the jump…

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Diddy and his son Justin Combs took to Hollywood to throw Combs’ second annual ‘Halloween Bash.’

It was there, channeling DC Comics’ The Joker, Justin partied with the likes of the R&B singer Lyrica Anderson, Chris Brown, KeKe Palmer and ‘Love & Hip Hop’ player Hazel E.

Snaps from their ghoulish night out below…

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Hollywood’s biggest and brightest celebrated Halloween 2016 in fun-filled fashion over its preceding weekend.

Taking to the streets of their cities to flaunt their “festive” garms, many a notable was sure to capture moments from their wild nights out at various parties thrown in honour of the event. Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Teyana Taylor, and Kylie Jenner are but a few of the stars who showed up and out.

Check  them out and more below…

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Just barely recovering from the savage social media dragging she received as a result of jokingly promising oral sex to Hillary Clinton voters, now pop icon Madonna is the brunt of yet another social media sting after Kim Kardashian supporters mistook a look-a-like for the Queen of Pop.

The problem? The imposter was mocking Kardashian’s highly publicized Paris robbery from earlier this month…

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After he accused her of terminating a child he claims to have fathered, the actor Orlando Brown has reached out to Raven-Symone to ask for a starring role in her reboot of their hit show ‘That’s So Raven.’

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Lady Gaga has not only scored her fourth #1 album with ‘Joanne,’ she’s defied the odds and flown past the forecasts.

The final Billboard numbers are in for the superstar’s 5th album and they await after the jump…

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Christina Aguilera is apparently hard at work crafting her eighth studio album.

No word on when the long-awaited set will arrive, but she’s continuing her practice of serving morsels of newness to the masses.

This Summer saw her place fresh song ‘Telepathy (ft. Nile Rodgers)’ on Netflix series ‘The Get Down.’

With the cut hitting #1 on the Billboard Dance tally, Xtina has released an accompanying visual.

Speaking to her millions of fans, the 35-year-old said of the clip:

Wanted to make a fun video for my fans since “Telepathy” from @thegetdownnetflix is #1 on the @Billboard Dance Club Songs Chart. Thanks to all the fans, radio and DJs loving the song!

Check it out below…

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