Guess which Pop tart was snapped in Harlem, New York last night.

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Hint: Her latest LP is set to top global charts this coming week.

Find out who it is below…

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Despite being welcomed by so so reviews, Nicki Minaj‘s latest LP ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded‘ is well on its way to becoming the LP of the year.

Indeed, despite being released in the country yesterday, it has sold enough copies to secure it a #1 spot on this week’s UK Album Chart.

Details below…

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Brace yourselves!

ROC star Rita Ora is poised to stage a global takeover – and it begins with the video for her first British release ‘R.I.P’.

Featuring fellow UK’er, Tinie Tempah, the visual for the clip is set to premiere any day now. And by the looks of this newly released preview, the woman many are touting as Rihanna’s replacement is going all-out!

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

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Jennifer Lopez is gearing up for the debut of her hotly anticipated new single ‘Dance Again (ft. Pitbull)’, which drops tomorrow.

And so as to further whet appetites, the 42 year old has unveiled the official cover for the RedOne cut, as well as a lengthier preview.

What are you waiting for? Take a listen after the jump!

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Beyonce‘s ability to “beast” on the mic is so pronounced that it’s oft easy to forget her ability to “beast” without one.

Case, point her titillating showing at Usher‘s ‘Live From Puerto Rico’ concert special in 2005.

Both at the top of their game (a place they each remain today), the pair had spent the years preceding appearing on each others’ songs and videos. And yet, prior to this show-stopping performance, they had not taken to the stage together.

Yet, as the age old adage goes: good things come to those who wait.

The duo all sorts of smashed their showing of ‘Bad Girl’, a cut lifted from Usher’s diamond-selling ‘Confessions’ LP. Indeed, watching this back serves as ample evidence if ever needed as to why both acts are two of the industry’s biggest.

And with both Bey and Ush prepping new projects, this has us hoping they pair up once again!

Check it out below… (more…)

Feast your eyes on the preview for Iggy Azalea‘s ‘Murder Bizness‘.

Assisted by the ever articulate  Grand Hustle maestro T.I, the cut is the first to be lifted from her debut effort, ‘The New Classic’, set for release later this year, and follows the viral smash ‘PUY‘.

Sneak peek of the clip below…

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With season 2 of ‘Braxton Family Values’ wrapped, it’s back to the day-job for the brood’s stalwart Toni Braxton.

The ever youthful 44 year old is readying the full version of  new single ‘I Heart You’ for a March 29th release on iTunes. And so as to whet your apetite, we’ve got an preview.

Flip the hood to hear. We promise, you won’t be disappointed…

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Tonight, That Grape Juice had the pleasure of meeting budding icon Usher, who previewed his new album to select London press.

Earlier in the day, though, the crooner confirm its title.

So, without further delay, find out what it’s called below…

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Gangster Rap met Itali-Pop and ‘got busy’.

The above- in all honesty- is how we’d describe Nicki Minaj’s ‘Pink Friday:Roman Reloaded‘.

Out April 3rd, today saw the surfacing of the LP’s preview, showcasing all 22 of its cuts.

Get right into it below…

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We’re growing!

The last four and a half years have seen That Grape Juice established as one of the net’s premier Urban Pop outlets! And in our quest to further re-affirm our positioning, last year saw us launch sister site That Grape Juice TV.

Fast forward 9 months and things are all sorts of popping! Already commanding thousands of visitors a day, TGJ TV serves up something new, with the same “voice” you’ve come to know and love over the years.

Get the lowdown on what our two purple platforms are serving up below!

That Grape Juice is

* Your #1 source for all things Urban Pop!

* one-stop shop for  music, news, reviews, artist interviews, and more!

* your favourite artists’ favourite site!

* receiver of co-signs from the likes of E! News, MTV, BET, and BBC Radio.

www.thatgrapejuice.net

Click here to subscribe to feed!

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That Grape Juice TV is….

* the net’s fastest growing destination for all things Urban Hollywood – on the big and small screen

* where you can scoop the latest on your favourite TV, movie, and reality stars!

* the “hub” for all of TGJ’s growing “original content” (The Splash, The Word, The Business).

* where you can watch previews and full episodes of some of your favourite shows!

www.thatgrapejuice.tv

Click here to subscribe to feed!

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So, for all things Urban Pop culture…

Keep it locked on That Grape Juice!

Mind. Out. Of. The. Gutter!

The Queen B Lil Kim was all the buzz when she dropped by Palermo’s Bakery this weekend.  Seen snapping a few photos with fans/bakery workers, the ‘How Many Licks’ hitmaker was said to be taste-testing/designing a cake for a friend’s baby shower.

Fans may be ready to find out what the pint sized rapper is (musically) cooking up herself, but until then, they’ll have to catch her performing the golden oldies on BET’s Rip The Runway .

Tidbit:  Might we add, Kim is looking…dare we say it…Great!

Your thoughts?

Review of R&B charts of late boasts an alarming diva deficiency.  A circumstance all the more alarming when just a few years ago so many showed promise.  Arguably, none more than LeToya Luckett.  The comeback kid, whose tale (reportedly) told of triumph, tragedy, betrayal, and rebirth, seemed to finally have the stars aligned in her order when suddenly, it seemed no more.

Such is a circumstance the young singer is no means unfamiliar with.  For, some say it was luck or maybe destiny that this Houston-bred beauty would find her star initially rising with the most successful girl group of all time.  As fate would have it, Luckett aligned with Pop megastar Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Latavia Roberson to ascend to the top of charts as Destiny’s Child – a fierce R&B foursome with heavenly looks, voices, and moves to match.  But, as the 2000s rolled on, the very rocket that launched her into stardom ultimately left her behind in what came as an unceremonious ousting from the group.  Accompanied by a host of headlines citing tension, contention, and Matthew Knowles‘ interventions as the cause of dissension, the remaining group members still rose above to find themselves topping charts again while Luckett and Roberson stayed behind.

Trying their hand as the group Angel – the two later disbanded finding Luckett at square one yet again.  That is, until 2006 when Lady Luck tore up the charts with ‘Torn’ – the ‘You Are Everything’-sampled R&B groove that obviously struck a chord with listeners as it propelled the singer’s debut solo album ‘Letoya’ to the top of the charts.  Critics hailed the underdog the champion as she made her rounds performing the hit single.  And, while its follow-up ‘She Don’t’…well…didn’t, Ms. Luckett’s debut was still widely received as a success, earning the singer her first (solo) platinum plaque.

On the other hand, her 2009 sophomore album ‘Lady Love’ didn’t receive much love from record buyers.  Despite boasting an all star collaboration list (Ludacris, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo) and a more mature sound, Luckett’s gamble at “refined” showed promise but quickly fell on deaf ears.  And though shortly reigning at #1 on Billboard’s R&B charts, the singer, who at the time was very vocal about her label’s mishandling of the project, also cited the length of time between albums as the blame for its failure.  The past weeks have seen the singer work her way back into the spotlight, taking promotion into her own hands.  And, with album #3 reportedly due this year…

That Grape Juice wants to know – who (or what’s) to blame? Are the shortcomings a musical misstep or a mix of marketing mishaps? The talent is certainly there and, unlike so many artists, was clearly being cultured.  The growth in vocal showings alone from album 1 to album 2 was noteworthy.  Add on an all-star team for production (on album 1 and 2) and killer looks, one would think the ‘Regret’ singer had the perfect recipe for success.  But alas, such was not the case.

Now you weigh in:  Has Luckett’s luck run out or will destiny see her on top again?   In other words:

Product vs. Promotion?  What’s to blame?

Your thoughts?