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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Check out Beyonce!

The ‘Blow’ belter styles and profiles in these sassy new shots shared with fans today online.

Ever in stealth-mode these days, it’s difficult to decipher what King B is cooking up. Yet, with increasing speculation about a potential re-release of ‘Beyonce’, it seems exciting times are nigh.

In the meanwhile, peep another shapely snap of Bey below…

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The legendary Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin is readying new album ‘Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics’ for an October 21st release.

And while some of her younger pupils have become accustomed to hitting the promo trail the week of release, the 72-year-old icon is heeding the old school way of “working a record” by promoting in earnest in the lead-up to its arrival.

Her latest stop was the Today Show this morning, where she thrilled with a rousing rendition of Etta James’ ‘At Last’.

Check it out below…

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Cop a gander of Tinashe!

The newcomer showcases a seasoned ability to work a camera in the video for ‘Body Language’ – Kid Ink’s single which she features on along side Usher.

Set to debut later this month, the visual – which was shot two weeks ago – looks like it’ll make for an engaging watch.

Peep more snaps below…

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‘If You Had My Love’ singer Jennifer Lopez has seen her contributions to fashion, film and music celebrated by ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ this week, featured in their list of the Top 25 Latinos in Entertainment.

In this list, fans of the ‘Maid in Manhattan’ will find 25 power players of Latin descent who have accrued power in an institutions that are arguably “hesitant” to open their doors for ethnic minorities. So, where Lopez and ‘Desperate Housewives’ star Eva Longoria can be found on the tally?

Find out below…

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In the crowded R&B climate, it’s often tricky trying to make waves in the game of music. However, for newcomer Tiara Thomas it’s been a winning feat.

Signed to Interscope by way of Rico Love‘s Division 1 imprint, the starlet has captured the attention of many a critic thanks to her sweet, but street appeal and material that’s very much soaked in the realities of everyday life and love.

Having previewed the 25-year-old’s upcoming album over the Summer, we can more than vouch for the fact that she’s gearing up to blaze the charts with songs that are bringing heat of dangerous degrees.

Though the as yet untitled LP is due next year, the Indiana native has given folk a taste of what to expect with lead single ‘One Night’ – which you can check out below, along with an introductory interview. In the months ahead, look out for another track christened ‘On Ten’. It’s aptly titled, because it’s a winner.

For now, peep the action after the jump…

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‘Run It’ singer Chris Brown is seeing his name run across many-a-headline this morning for a fresh crop of controversial comments made via his Twitter.

Brown, no stranger to controversy born form his social media handles, took to the net early this morning to weigh in on the growing Ebola epidemic. Greeted with its fair share of cheers and jeers, the statement has since sparked conversation by conspiracy theorists and reporters who support Brown’s beliefs.

Others are not quite sold.  See it and weigh in:

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Full story below…

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It’s that time of year again.

The American Music Awards are around the corner, which means there’s no time better than the present to unveil the list of nominees for the 2014 edition of the show.

Set to air on November 23rd live from Los Angeles, this year sees Iggy Azalea and John Legend lead the pack with six nominations a piece. Pharrell Williams follows with five, while chart force Beyonce earns four – notably in a number of major categories.

Interestingly, the criteria for nominations are sales, airplay, activity on social networks, and video viewing. The period of eligibility for singles and albums released is between 1 December of the previous year and 1 September of the current year. A fact which makes Ariana Grande‘s  omission an intriguing story in itself.

In any case, peep the full list of nominees below…

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Keyshia Cole‘s VEVO video anthology continues.

The R&B star is rolling out visuals for each of the tracks on her sixth studio album ‘Point Of No Return’, which landed in stores last week.

Next up is ‘Heat Of Passion’.

Check it out below…

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Close, but not close enough.

Moving millions may be child’s play for Nicki Minaj when it comes to selling singles and albums, getting to the top of of the ‘Billboard Hot 100′ has become somewhat of a mission impossible for the performer.

Always close, but never close enough.

This week, the same can be said of her new single ‘Anaconda‘s run on the UK’s ‘Official Charts‘ which debuted at #3 but- as if always the case with Minaj‘s bops- failed mimic her position in Hip Hop and sit at the top.

Why a well thought out promotional plan in the market is now a must for the rapper?

Find out below…

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Performed for ‘4 Music’, a snippet pulled from the performance below pulled in 11 million views since its unveiling, and now- much to the delight of the star’s fans- the full thing was released on October 7th.

Check it out after the jump…

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