With over 20 years in the music industry, Common is quite literally flying the flag for longevity.

The Hip-Hop heavyweight, who rose from the underground scene in Chicago to mainstream notability with hits such as ‘Go!’, shares the secret of his staying power in the latest instalment of Honda’s 16 Bars.

Crediting a desire to fuse his own experiences with the ever-evolving sounds and trends that serve as the audio backdrop to today’s scene, the star also stresses the importance of studying the greats such as Rakim and Notorious B.I.G.

Watch Common’s wise words below…

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Three years after her UK debut album ‘ORA’ touched down in the market, Rita Ora wil launch her hotly anticipated US debut, set for takeoff in 2015.

This year, she speaks openly about a number of events set to inspire its lyrics with ‘Cosmopolitan‘, hitting the mag to dish on her relationship with Calvin Harris, her Iggy Azalea-led hit single ‘Black Widow‘ and her admiration for Katy Perry.

Oh…and why she feels sex is a “form of getting to know someone.”

An honest Ora below…

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K. Michelle officially kicked off the campaign for her sophomore album today.

The R&B star told That Grape Juice earlier this month that the title of the project would be unveiled in dramatic fashion and she’s kept her word.

Moments ago, the official trailer for the LP – the follow-up to last year’s ‘Rebellious Soul’ – was revealed in a theatrical themed trailer.

Titled ‘Anybody Wanna Buy A Heart’, the set is preceded by single ‘Love ‘Em All’ and Michelle’s new VH1 reality show ‘K. Michelle: My Life’ (which premieres on November 3rd).

Check out the album trailer below…

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Not even two weeks ago we shared a report that indicated not one album released in 2014 had gone platinum.

Indeed, the startling report yielded news that the best selling albums of 2014 were actually released last year (Beyonce‘s ‘Beyonce’ and Disney’s ‘Frozen Official Soundtrack’).  Well, as we predicted, if ever a savior was to be appointed it would be Taylor Swift.

With her top-selling hit ‘Shake It Off’ dominating singles charts, there was no doubt that its parent album – ‘1989’ – would follow in the stead of its predecessors and shift at least 500k its first week.  Two weeks ago, industry forecasters projected the record would sell 750k during its inaugural week of availability.  A week later, that number was pushed upward to 900k.

Now…well, let’s just say now our previous report of “no album going platinum in 2014” is null and void:

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Unbothered (or perhaps unaware) of covert moves made by one ex-bandmate hoping to tarnish her reputation within the industry, Dawn took to ‘Billboard‘ to speak on her departure from the group recently.

There, she also spoke openly on her plans to conquer the charts as a solo act, and why- despite its messy demise- she wishes all of Kane’s members the best.

Her words below…

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Budding Pop divas Fifth Harmony are hitting hard with their new single ‘Sledgehammer’.

The track, which was penned by chart winner Megan Trainor, has been rolled out earlier this week as the second offering from the quintet’s debut album ‘Reflection’ (due December 16th).

And after being received well by critics, it appears the cut has resonated with the record-buying public too.

Details below…

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Has Nicki Minaj found a friend in the UK’s Channel 5?

If a recent move made the channel is anything to go by, the answer to that question is yes, teaming up with their parent company ‘Viacom‘ to push the star’s name and face into the homes of millions across the UK.

Full story below…

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If the answer to the questions above are yes, one might say you’re in luck. Why? The pair are plotting to rock the charts with a brand new single named ‘You Are (My Love)’.

Full story below…

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August Alsina has emerged as more than a seasonal star. This year, the New Orleans native established himself as one of R&B’s most notable new names – status which saw him handpicked by Usher to open on his upcoming ‘UR Experience’ tour.

Reminiscing on his journey to this point, Alsina has today released a new song and video, ‘Grindin’.

The Knucklehead produced track, which is so new that it doesn’t feature on the singer’s debut album ‘Testimony’, sees the 22-year-old relay his trials and tribulations as well as his hopes and wishes.

Check out the moody visual after the jump…

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As a barely there vocalist, Cheryl Cole‘s point of appeal has always been her ability to blaze a stage while flawlessly lip-synching.

However, the campaign for new album ‘Only Human’ (due November 10th) seems geared towards selling her as more than a Pop-robot.

To aid that cause, the star’s camp have cultivated a collection of stripped back acoustic performances from The X Factor judge. The primary problem? What’s left to listen to when the “singer” in question possesses a voice as thin as a sheet of A4 paper?

Find out below, where Cole’s new performance of the album’s title track awaits…

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Lady GaGa‘s critically acclaimed tour, ‘artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball’, charged into London this week.

That Grape Juice in the house at the first of the action-packed shows at London’s famed O2 Arena, which housed the star for a two night run.

The live force lived up to her extravagant billing with a set that potently encapsulated the “superstar” she’s become.

One of our favourite moments? The dynamite diva’s performance of the smash-that-should-have-been ‘Do What U Want’.

Watch Mother Monster in action below…

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Well, that didn’t take long.

Danity Kane‘s final album ‘DK3’ hit stores this week, much to the delight of the disbanded trio’s legion of loyal fans. However, given the reality that the group is now defunct, member Dawn Richard is wasting no time pushing on with her solo journey.

Today saw her not only announce the release date for her sophomore solo album ‘Blackheart’, she also unleashed the video for the project’s lead single ‘Blow’.

All the is served after the jump…

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