After music lovers noted similarities between his hit single ‘Stay With Me‘ and Tom Petty‘s ‘I Won’t Back Down‘, Sam Smith has been forced to cough up a percentage of all royalties earned from the love song.

Full report below…

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‘Who’s That Girl‘ rapper Eve may have questioned Iggy Azalea’s authenticity in the past, but it would seem this year has seen her come to understand the entertainer far better than she did before.

For, during an interview to promote their brand new movie, Eve and R&B singer Jill Scott were quizzed on the rapper, and broke down why they believe so many haven’t been able to applaud her success in 2014.

Their words below…

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R&B songbird Tweet has been flying over uncertain waters for many years, however it appears the time has finally arrived for the singer to coo her new tunes.

Because, almost a decade after the release of her sophomore album ‘It’s Me Again’, the star has announced that not only is her third LP coming soon, it’s being released on a major label, and will be moulded by the team who launched her into the minds of the masses – Timbaland and Missy Elliott.

Details below…

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The songwriter Kirby Lauryen has good reason to rejoice today.

For, after writing Rihanna‘s latest single ‘FourFiveSeconds’ in support of the star’s new album, the wordsmith has seen the single rock iTunes UK with a Top Ten debut!

Fantastic news below…

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Nicki Minaj and Beyonce aren’t the only Hip Hop & R&B pals rubbing shoulders this weekend.

For, Saturday night saw Kanye West & Usher arrive at Washington, D.C’s Warner Theatre for the eighth annual BET Honors, where they were honoured for their contribution to music and the arts.

Accompanied by his wife Kim Kardashian, West joined Usher to be celebrated alongside a number of other African-American trailblazers in theatre, business and technology.

Want more from their inspiring night out?

Full story below…

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36 years old…

That is the landmark R&B Princess Aaliyah would be this month. Unfortunately, fate had decided otherwise.
In a bid to salute one of the major artist who has put modern R&B on the mainstream map, From The Vault journeys back to 1996 this week to spotlight her classic ‘If Your Girl Only Knew’.

Developed by then-up-and-comers Missy Elliott and Timbaland, ‘Girl’ was Aaliyah’s Atlantic Records debut but most importantly the first indicator of longevity after her successful first album. The lead single from the singer’s ‘One In A Million’ LP, it achieved major success in the USA, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the coveted top spot of the Hip-Hop/R&B Songs and Tracks tally.

Joseph Khan directed the track’s visual which featured the stunner as the Queen Bee of an Urban biker crew. One could argue the styling in the video is pretty faithful to what the “Aaliyah Look” that she would later become renown for. Bandana, crop top and baggy pants and of course sunglasses, Ms Haughton showcases a potent blend of “Street”, “Cool” and “Feminine”. Masterminds Missy and Timbo all appear in the video alongside 90’s staples Lil’ Kim, Ginuwine and R&B trio 702.

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Aaliyah, through her well crafted R&B and edgy videos helped redefine the genre as we know it and her influence can still be witnessed in Pop-Culture over 13 years after her tragic passing. Her death is all the more saddening when taking account that 2001 truly felt like the “moment” in time where she hit her mark as an artist as evoked with songs and videos like ‘More Than A Woman’ and ‘Rock The Boat’.
Considering the impact she had during her 10-year run as well as the extent of her legacy, it’s clear to say that the music industry would be looking a lot different if Baby Girl was still amongst us today.

Thankfully, we’ll always have her art to remind us of her incredible talent.

Aaliyah we salute you.

Your thoughts?

Earlier today, fans of Hip Hop & R&B pals Nicki Minaj and Beyonce received a report claiming the ladies were to shoot scenes for Minaj’s new single ‘Feeling Myself‘ today.

Backed up by Houston, Texas residents who claimed to have learned of the shoot through local radio stations, today has seen more details emerge from the reported shoot.

The road to ‘Feeling’ begins below…

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After years as a Pop puppet, Rihanna is finally ready to snip the strings.

As reported, the vocal deviant departed Def Jam last year to sign on to Universal’s new Roc Nation label.

Already a firm fixture at the Jay-Z helmed company (which she was signed to in a management capacity), it was naturally expected that she’d defect now that the Roc’s business interest include a fully fledged label.

Interestingly, following the surprise debut of the diva’s new single ‘FourFiveSeconds‘ last night, it has become apparent that her new deal

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Ever keen to broaden our musical scope, recent months have seen That Grape Juice venture into a number of new musical landscapes including, most recently, gospel.

Spearheaded by well-received interviews with gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Twinkie Clark, Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Micah Stampley, Joshua Rogers, J. Moss, and Jonathan McReynolds, TGJ is now offering readers ‘The Overflow’ – a collection of the top gospel-themed news stories from the week.

Tuck in below for the latest news on Marvin Sapp, J. Moss, Myron Butler, Virtue, Crystal Aikin, and 2015 Stellar Award nominations:

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Last November, Sony Pictures Entertainment found themselves in troubled waters when a group named the ‘Guardians of Peace‘ hacked into the company’s computer systems and leaked headline-grabbing confidential data.

This week, the company’s music arm is said to be bracing itself after learning emails sent about some of the world’s biggest Pop stars may surface online as part of the same cyberattack.

Full story below…

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Are the ‘Flawless’ Beyonce & Nicki Minaj shooting their very first collaborative video today?

Well, if reports published today are anything to go by…shutting down part of a highway to shoot scenes for their brand new bop ‘Feeling Myself.’

Full story below…

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It’s finally time!

The delays and push-backs are over. Rihanna is finally ready to roll with the campaign for her new album.

Moments ago, the model revealed the officially titled track ‘FourFiveSeconds’, which is co-billed with Kanye West and Paul McCartney.

What are you waiting for? Take a listen below…

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