Much ado has been made about Lifetime‘s upcoming Whitney Houston biopic.

From song clearances, to starring actors, to its very existence; the Angela Bassett production hasn’t been short on controversy.

The latest round of debate ignited this week when it was announced that Deborah Cox will be voicing ‘The Voice’ in the made-for-TV movie. Legalities surrounding copyright means it won’t be possible to use Houston’s hits in their original form. Hence, Cox – a powerhouse in her own right – is providing “vocal tracks” for lead Yaya DaCosta to “perform” to.

Naturally, the news has many eager to hear whether Cox can do justice to Whitney’s iconic catalogue. And it seems folk won’t have to wait too long to find out.

TMZ have premiered a clip of the re-sung rendition of the late diva’s signature hit ‘I Will Always Love You’ – which was recorded on set in Los Angeles this week.

Listen below and, as ever, let us know what you think!

(more…)

Hartwig Masuch‘s ‘BMG’ has welcomed Faith Evans to its roster this week, calling on the singer to sign with them before the release of her next studio album!

Want more on Faith’s latest move?

Meet us below!

(more…)

These days Kanye West‘s name tends to be tangled with that of wife Kim Kardashian.

However, away from the glare of the tabloid spotlight, the rapper remains one of the most fascinating figures in Hip-Hop.

For beyond being this generation’s premier wordsmith, the chart-titan has also carved out a niche as style maestro.

It’s a status he celebrates in the August 2014 issue of GQ Magazine.

Rocking a multitude of looks, Yeezy works the cam like only he can.

Check ’em out below…

(more…)

 

A staple on the UK’s live music circuit for well over five years, R&B’s Mike Hough casts his net on markets far and wide this week with the release of new EP ‘Lost in Love.’

First introduced to TGJ readers in 2011, the Brit-born belter now sails towards US seas with the release, doing so with praise showered on him by US power player Ryan Seacrest, ‘Brit Award‘ winners JLS and a fan base aptly named the ‘Houghligans.’

Why he’s now tipped to join Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith at the top of Brit-Pop’s food chain?

Good music below…

(more…)

Welcome to the latest edition ‘That Grape Juice A&R‘, the ‘TGJ’ original feature which sees us switch critic for creative and weigh in on the directions of our staple acts.

Who we’ve set our Evan Lipschutz-sized sights on this time? Brandy, the R&B icon who sits atop her genre’s world with a career that’s birthed the ‘Sweetest Sounds’ for two decades now.

However, there’s no denying that recent years have seen commercial success evade the performer, and now- as she begins work on her seventh studio album- we slip on our creative caps to share ideas we’d say would change all of that.

How?

Meet us below…

(more…)

Alicia Keys is making major moves.

For, after recent album ‘Girl On Fire’ struggled to ignite interest, the singer has lit a match under her management structure. And by “lit a match” we mean melted her existing setup its entirety.

Details below…

(more…)

Despite a few criminal songs, Omarion‘s rap sheet has been squeaky clean. Until today.

TMZ reports that the R&B crooner was arrested and sent to jail earlier this morning.

The surprising reason why awaits below…

(more…)

Are Phaedra Parks and Apollo Nida on the brink of a break-up? If the latter’s words are anything to go by, the answer is “yes”.

‘The Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ couple has been at the centre of a media storm following Nida’s second criminal conviction – this time for multiple counts of fraud.

This month saw him sentenced to a whopping 8 years in prison for his crimes; a sentence which cast immediate doubt on the fate of his marriage to attorney/mortician Parks.

The speculation looks set to intensify too. For, during an interview with Atlanta’s B-100 radio station today, the father of Parks’ two sons revealed that he believes she will divorce him once he’s in the slammer. His reason for thinking as such? “(She) didn’t even f***ing show up” for his sentencing. 

Peep the messy interview below…

(more…)

Like a flower in the Summertime, Lupita Nyong’o blooms a-front of Elle Magazine France.

The coveted cover is the latest in a long list amassed by the actress since her turn in ’12 Years A Slave’ – the movie that catapulted her from a relative unknown to an Oscar winner.

Since her historic win, the Kenyan-bred beauty has nabbed countless endorsement deals – including Lancôme and Miu Miu – and has landed a major role in Star Wars.

There a many ways to “win” and Lupita is on-course to achieve them all. More power to her.

Your thoughts?

Did Katy Perry take subtle aim at this year’s ‘MTV Video Music Awards’ nominations list?

Let a number of her fans tell it…she did, seemingly hitting out at the awards’ decision not to place her visual ‘Roar‘ in their ‘Video of the Year’ category!

How she did it?

Find out below!

(more…)

Wendy Williams continues expand her TV repertoire.

For, the shock jock turned television maven is maturing her production output by signing on to executive produce Lifetime‘s much-talked  about Aaliyah biopic.

Surprising, right?

Full details below…

(more…)

As controversy goes, the fourth and final season of ‘The Boondocks’ served it up in earnest. Indeed, beyond being a relative snoozer (criminal after the near five-year wait), it also was the first season of the cult hit to not feature the involvement of creator Aaron McGruder – who was reportedly booted from his own show.

Undeterred, McGruder is back with ‘Black Jesus’, which is about…well…Black Jesus.

Set to debut on Adult Swim on August 7th, the live-action comedy positions the religious figure in the heart of Compton. Each episode will see him navigate through the ratchet trials and tribulations of those that live in the neighbourhood.

Check out the controversial trailer after the jump…

(more…)