JMcReynolds

Unfamiliar with the name Jonathan McReynolds?  We’re sure if that is the unfortunate case, after tonight’s BET “Celebration of Gospel”, that’s sure to change.

Touted as the next big star in contemporary gospel, the guitar-wielding ‘No Gray’ singer has been winning the hearts of music lovers for the past two years with his refreshingly smooth crooning that doesn’t slack on vocal chops, inspirational lyrics, and unique acoustic sensibilities.

A sonic delight with a relatable voice that fuses solid songwriting with ministry, the surprisingly humble hitmaker sat down with That Grape Juice recently for a few one on one questions.

As ever, this is one you don’t want to miss!  Get to know Mr. McReynolds below:

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Lil-Kim-That-Grape-Juice-Entertainment-2014

As the forthcoming arrival of her first child sees her pen a new chapter in her life’s story, Lil Kim takes a journey to the past this month, doing so alongside ‘Billboard.’

For, as to celebrate the positive impact she made on pushing Rap music to the forefront of Pop culture in her prime, the publication caught up with the icon to reflect on her career, assessing her classic albums with the benefit of hindsight and the current line-up of female rappers.

Wise words from the ‘Espacio’ siren below…

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Fresh from celebrating his 41st birthday the evening prior, an ever-youthful Pharrell Williams kept the festivities going by performing on Saturday Night Live.

Currently riding high with new album ‘G.I.R.L’, Skateboard P raised the roof with a rousing showing of smash hit single ‘Happy’. The Neptunes star also performed the project’s second single ‘Marilyn Monroe’. Check out all the action below…

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keri-hilson-new-music-2014

After a relatively long spell out of the spotlight, Keri Hilson is readying a chart comeback.

The singer-songwriter, whose last album ‘No Boys Allowed’ was released way back in 2010, is cooking up her third studio effort and has called on R&B’s creme de la creme to help her craft it.

Case, point, her sessions this week with htmakers Rico Love and Jim Jonsin.

The duo, who are responsible for hits such as ‘Motivation’ by Kelly Rowland and Beyonce’s ‘Sweet Dreams ‘, shared shots of themselves working with Hilson on the long-awaited project.

Jonsin added the caption: Great Music and Spirits with @dreamincolor@iamricolove 

Are you as amped as we are to hear what they’ve been working on? Peep more pics below and let us know…

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ciara-201403

R&B star Ciara will be welcoming her first child in a mere matter of weeks. However, it hasn’t stopped the pregnant singer from stepping out and supporting a cause that benefits the children of others.

The ‘Body Party’ performer shared the shots of herself arriving at a Safe Kids Day fundraiser in Los Angeles today.

Sporting a luminous glow, it’s clear Ci – who is engaged to rapper Future – where’s pregnancy oh so well.

Peep another snap after the jump…

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LISA KUDROW, DARBY STANCHFIELD, KERRY WASHINGTON

Season three of Kerry Washington‘s ‘Scandal’ has cemented the show as a bonafide smash. Indeed, from its ratings to its social media impact, the political drama appears to be the gift that keeps giving – to both fans and host network ABC.

And with the season’s climax fast approaching, it appears the series looks set to live up to that billing and then some.

Darby Stanchfield, who plays “gladiator” Abby (pictured above, left), spoke to Yahoo this week about what viewers can expect from show’s upcoming finale.

Her words below. {Caution: mild *spoilers* await} 

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lady-gaga-artpop-act-ii

Undeterred.

That’s exactly what Pop phenom Lady GaGa appears to be following the so-so sales of latest album ‘ARTPOP’.

Though hailed for featuring some of the star’s best work yet (pours out a lil liquor for ‘Do What U Want’), the set was marred by departed management, a video-less second single, and a turn in the tide of public favor.

And yet, still, the singer is gearing up to share more from the ‘ART’ sessions. And “soon”.

Details below…

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mariah-album-2014

Mariah Carey‘s new album may no longer be called ‘The Art Of Letting Go’, yet doing just that seems to be proving a difficult task for the diva.

For, despite being due on May 6th (a date we remain skeptical of), the LP is still being worked on – as revealed by Mimi herself on Instagram moments ago and over the course of this week.

The shot above was posted today with the caption “Prepping tracks for mixing”, while other snaps shared included a studio session with rapper Fabolous.

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Granted we’re all for Mimi’s hustle, which appears to see her still recording tracks in search of a hit, it begs the question of whether the album will actually see the light of day next month. Deadlines are real and, for ‘major” releases such as this, are meant to be a significant amount of time before the project hits stores.

In any case, we remain amped to see what Mimi’s been cooking up. As evidenced by her ‘Emancipation’ era, “new” Mariah seems to deliver her best when the odds are stacked against her. That said, that aforementioned album came out nine years ago. Will it be a case of history repeating itself for the better or is Ms. Carey’s time as a contemporary chart-topper a wrap? Hopefully, it’s the former. Still, time will tell.

Take a listen to ‘You’re Mine (Eternal)’ below. It could do with the streams.

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Feature_BabyFace_ToniBraxton.IH.indd

The last time Toni Braxton and Oprah Winfrey‘s names hit the headlines together it was due to the singer’s intriguing account of when the mogul chastised her during her talk-show days.

Fast forward a few months and it appears all is water under the bridge. For, it has been announced that Braxton is gearing up to star in a biopic on Winfrey’s OWN Network.

Details below…

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justin-bieber-2014

For decades, the music industry has found itself accused of having a biased against acts of ethnic origin, whose ideas are shunned and billed unappealing when fronted by themselves, but embraced and welcomed when ‘borrowed’ by their more ‘traditional’ counterparts.

Today, as he begins work on his latest studio album, Justin Bieber is accused of using Hip Hop culture to further his career by ‘Original Man Lord Jamar, who accuses the star of glorifying a culture rappers are oft penalised for embracing to appear edgy to his core audience.

His words below…

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lana-del-rey-that-grape-juice-entertainment-1

After unleashing the visual treat that was ‘Tropico’ last year, Lana Del Rey turns her attention to her second studio album this year, whipping up a buzz the release by announcing the name of its lead single!

New music news below…

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chiwetel-ejifor-kate-moss-that-grape-juice

Has ‘12 Years a Slave’ star Chiwetel Ejifor been tapped to star in the 24th instalment of the ‘James Bond’ movie series.

Well, if a reported request put in by its producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, is anything to go by, the answer to the above…is yes.

Casting news below…

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