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When one’s career has reached the dizzying heights Madonna‘s has, it’s only natural that the promotional machine for new music will be gargantuan in size.

March 10th marks the arrival of the singer’s ‘Rebel Heart’ LP and oh is the red carpet being rolled out.

Following this morning’s blockbuster tour announcement, the curtain has been drawn back on the diva’s television plans – which includes a one week “residency” on a major talk show.

Details below…

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Since the release of Beyonce‘s game-changing surprise album in 2013, the Queen B has been moving with stealth-like precision.

Indeed, each step has been carefully calculated but rarely pre-teased. Case in point her unannounced performances and unanticipated business dealings.

Breaking from tradition, however, the 33-year-old took to Intagram this week to titillate with the one thing her “BeyHive” are most buzzed about – the prospect of new music.

See what we mean below…

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He’s the lyricist behind jams released by the likes of Jessie J, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. 

Now, in partnership with Rihanna producer Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly steps out from behind the shadows and into the light with…Louis York.

Yes, after watching many a Pop royal take to their music to the top of the charts, the musical pair have joined forces to release an EP called ‘Louis York Masterpiece Theater Act I’kicking off their independent campaign with the single ‘Clair Huxtable.’

Why this bop-birthing duo is one we’d urge all to keep an eye on?

Press play here.

Your thoughts?

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If there’s one thing that’s become a necessary with Madonna, it’s to “never count her out”.

The Pop queen had been rocked by the multi-stage leak of her new album, ‘Rebel Heart’, months before its March 10th arrival.

And while she attempted to Olivia Pope the matter by rush-releasing six tracks to iTunes, the lack of buzz for lead single ‘Living For Love’ has had many worried given how close the LP’s release date now is.

Fans needn’t fret, though. Because the singer’s team have unveiled plans which should appease them two-fold.

Material Madge is heading out on a major tour and has unveiled a unique means of tying the trek to the new music. Details below…

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Drake‘s surprise album ‘If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late‘ has seen him match a ‘Billboard Hot 100’ record set by the Beatles this month, surpassing efforts made by the likes of Taylor Swift, Jay Z, Beyonce and Rihanna after he placed 14 songs on the chart…at the same time.

Full story below…

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Christina Milian‘s seven year hiatus from the charts has been defined by label changes,  a baby, boyfriends, husbands, and a brief stint as a backstage host on The Voice.

Now back in the musical saddle (and capitalising on the exposure from her new E! reality show), Cash Money‘s newest recruit serves up new single ‘Rebel’.

Carved in the vein of today’s trend of mellow “turn-up” cuts, can the track catapult her back into the favour of the masses and, most importantly, to the top of the charts?

You be the judge below…

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When not promoting liquor around the world or pulling the plug on promising bands, Diddy is a recording artist who’s quite capable of delivering bodacious bops.
Case in point, his collaboration with Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger, ‘Come To Me’ – which is this week’s From The Vault pick.

Helmed by Jai, Younglord and the rapper-producer himself, ‘Come’ stood as the first single from ‘Press Play’, Diddy’s fourth studio album. Released in 2006, the cut was also Scherzinger’s second foray into solo stardom since joining the Dolls. Whether it had to do with Nicole’s then-midas touch or simply the fact that the tune is blazing hot, the track peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 in the United Kingdom. It placed #4 on the European Hot 100 Singles. Performed on number of occasions, Diddy offered live renditions with the Doll as well as with aspiring-singer/girlfriend Cassie and the first incarnation of Danity Kane.

Staying true to ‘Press Play’s urban-futuristic theme, the video presents the two artists surrounded by latest technology, as they try and navigate their way to one another.
Pieced together by Chris Robinson, the clip received ample airplay and charted at #4 on BET’s now-defunct 106 And Park.

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Say what you will about Diddy’s artistry, one thing is for sure is that he’s consistently pushing the envelope visually and sonically; as evidenced by his impressing resume, from the Biggie days to the dynamite Dirty Money dynamic.

As for Nicole, it’s songs like this one that makes it all the more puzzling that it’s taking that much for her to truly pop off…
Anyhow, join us while we reminisce about better days – musically – for these two talents.

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Your thoughts?

 

Fans who were holding on to hope that Grammy-nominated R&B star Keyshia Cole and her estranged basketball husband Daniel “Boobie” Gibson were an item again got a huge dose of disappointment when the singer took to Instagram to reveal Gibson was messing around…again!

Indeed, Cole’s followers were stunned to see a screen shots of text messages she says were sent from the baller-turned-rapper to the love interest of his new music video.

So much for kissing and making up!  See it below:

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Charmayne Maxwell of the R&B girl group Brownstone has passed away.

After rising to fame in the mid 90s with the hits ‘If You Love Me’ and ‘Grapevyne‘, Maxwell passed away on Saturday February 28th and survived by producer husband Carsten Soulshock and their young son Nicolaj.

The Daily Mail reports that cause of death was a “mysterious fall”.

Maxwell was attending a soccer game in Los Angeles when she fell. Her death has been described as an ‘accident’ by Danish media Her & Nu, which broke the news.

That Grape Juice extends our thoughts and prayers to Charmayne’s family.

Your thoughts?

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‘So Help Me God‘ is the name of Kanye West‘s new album.

That’s right, as he continues work on Rihanna‘s eighth studio LP, the ‘Ego’ rapper announced his new project’s title this morning, teasing fans with the release on Twitter before sharing the snap above.

It’s believed to the project’s album cover art.

Are you looking forward to the release?

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Rap royal Trina treats her fans to brand new music today!

Joined by T-Pain and and Young Cash, the rapper releases the jam ‘Lean On Me‘, inspired by Bill Wither‘s classic of the same name.

Check it out below…

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Nicole Scherzinger‘s solo career may have failed to take flight, but it seems her ex-boyfriend is on course to show her how it’s done.

For, after picking up British singers Alexa Goddard, Rita Ora and Arlissa, Jay Z’s ‘Roc Nation’ has now set its sights on Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton, now hoping to swap race tracks for…well…tracks.

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