Hours before it kicks off this evening, Rapper Drake has pulled out of the 2014 Grammy nominations concert, citing a scheduling clash as his grounds for doing so.

Details below…

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The music industry moves at an ever-rapid race – an M.O. Kelly Rowland clearly understands.

For, despite releasing fourth album ‘Talk A Good Game’ this Summer (and with murmurs of a potential re-release this Fall), the ‘Motivation’ maven is already working on its follow-up. The revelation came during a backstage interview following a concert at Washington, DC’s Howard Theatre this week.

Check out what she had to say after the jump…

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One look at the Billboard charts and it’s clear Britney Spears‘ new single ‘Perfume’  has the masses covering their ears and wallets. Hence, the arrival of the track’s accompanying video looks to be right on time.

Set to debut imminently, the visual (which is the second to be lifted from Spears’ eighth studio album, ‘Britney Jean’) received the teaser treatment today.

Can the clip rescue the titanic that is the LP’s sales? The first semblance of an answer awaits below…

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As the world mourns the passing of cultural icon Nelson Mandela, so too is the music industry.

During the course of his life, the anti-apartheid activist formed strong ties with Pop culture to broaden the reach of his core message – unity.

One of the many artists touched by Mandela is R&B pioneer R. Kelly.

Taking to the stage on The Arsenio Hall Show last night, the crooner performed a haunting tribute to the South African president titled ‘Soldier’s Heart’ – a song he penned for civil rights leader, and one he performed for Mandela at his house.

Watch Kelly soar after the jump…

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That Grape Juice is saddened to report that famed South African political activist Nelson Mandela has died at age 95.  Succumbing to a lengthy battle with recurring lung infection, the former South African president has made headlines over the past months for lingering in “critical condition”.

Full story below via CNN:

“Nelson Mandela, the revered statesman who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead South Africa out of decades of apartheid, has died, South African President Jacob Zuma announced late Thursday.

Mandela was 95.

“He is now resting. He is now at peace,” Zuma said. “Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.”

“What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human,” the president said in his late-night address. “We saw in him what we seek in ourselves.”

Mandela will have a state funeral. Zuma ordered all flags in the nation to be flown at half-staff from Friday through that funeral.

Mandela, a former president, battled health issues in recent months, including a recurring lung infection that led to numerous hospitalizations.”

As has made news headlines worldwide, revered statesman and political activist Nelson Mandela passed away today at age 95.

Leaving behind an unsurpassable legacy, the former South African president’s influence can be felt and seen affront the social media handles of many-a-politician and celeb who left kind words on behalf of the fallen politician.

Tuck in below to see the outpour of condolences of Rihanna, Ludacris, Kelly Rowland, John Legend, Janelle Monae, and so many more:

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After announcing the forthcoming release of John Legend’s ‘Down Lo’ on the network, Time Warner‘s ‘HBO‘ now ready the launch of a new original series this year, produced by Def Jam mogul Russell Simmons.

Written by ‘Boyz In Da Hood’ filmmaker John Singleton, ‘Club Life: Miami’ tells the story of a reformed criminal who heads to Miami and joins the location’s vibrant and youthful scene- set for take off via Simmons’ ‘first-look’ deal with the network.

While the show is yet to score a premier date, TV lovers can look forward to the January 12th arrival of ‘True Detective‘, another one of the network’s new series‘ starring ‘Dazed and Confused‘ actor Mathew McConaughey.

Peep its trailer above!

Your thoughts?

Jennifer Hudson brings her whirlwind year to a close with a bang – a beautifully blue cover of Essence magazine.

Set to hit stands December 6th, the feature sees the Grammy winning songstress speak on her two most recent films ‘The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete’ and ‘Black Nativity’, forthcoming film ‘Winnie’ (the story of Winnie Mandela), and so much more, Hudson’s appearance in the mag only builds already mounting anticipation for her next studio album due 2014.

Until we get there, tuck in below to read highlights from the January 2014 issue and see behind the scenes action:

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Doug Belgrad’s ‘Columbia’ joins ‘Marvel’ in kicking off the ‘The Amazing Spider Man 2′ campaign today, unleashing its official trailer months before its May 2nd 2014 release date!

Starring ‘Boy A‘s Andrew Garfield and ‘Precious’ purveyor Jamie Foxx, the flick will feature music composed by Hans Zimmer, two years before its follow-up drops on June 10th 2016.

Hit the play button above!

Your thoughts?

Two nights removed from its explosive airing, the last episode of VH1’s ‘Love & Hip Hop: New York’ finds itself in hot water today, now that one of its cast members has admitted to faking a scene during his time on the show.

Indeed, rather foolishly, cast mate Peter Gunz admitted that he was enlisted by pal Rich Dollaz to join the show with the sole intention of defaming his then girlfriend Erica Mena.

His surprising admission above…

It’s obvious who loves Katy Perry – boyfriend John Mayer…and everyone else.  That is, if the last few months of complete chart slayage are anything to judge by.  For, after landing a blockbuster debut with her latest album ‘Prism’s first single ‘Roar’, the songstress followed it up with two top 20 entries in the form of ‘Dark Horse’ (ft. Juicy J) and current single ‘Unconditionally’.

With the album’s two official releases holding down top 20 positions charts (“Roar” #9, “Unconditionally” #15 as of time reporting), it appears Perry is already readying their successor in the form of ‘Who You Love’ – a duet with Mayer.

The two took to Vanity Fair for an exclusive unveil of the single’s artwork and the photoshoot that accompanied it.  See the pics below:

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