Having warmed up the masses with new Holiday LP ‘A Mary Christmas’, the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul Mary J Blige keeps the festive cheer in the air with the album’s latest single ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’.

Speaking to our friends over at Essence about the project, the singer said:

“I was definitely not trying to make hip-hop soul Christmas songs or some club music Christmas songs, I’m just like everyone else, I don’t like when people take the nostalgia out of the classics.”

Peep the newly unwrapped video for ‘Have Yourself’ after the jump…

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36 years after the miniseries broke intense ground on ABC, Alex Haley‘s ‘Roots’ now readies to wow a new generation of TV audiences this year, after its rights were sold to Disney‘s ‘History’ channel.

Now, by way of the power that purchase has afforded them, the channel ready the birth of a new ‘Roots‘ miniseries, drawing from Haley’s original book and series, which boasted a production budget of $6.6 million in the year of its release.

Calling on ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ Mark Wolper to executive produce the project, Deadline reports that History are now on the hunt for writers to craft its script, with the channel’s general manager Dirk Hoogstra sharing:

“We would like to revive that cultural icon for a new audience.”

An audience, who will learn the identities of the actors enlisted to portray the release’s characters in the coming months, set to grace their screens over a period of eight episodes, all of which will air as part of the channel’s 2014 programming schedule.

Keep it locked on That Grape Juice as more details emerge on the forthcoming effort.

Source.

Your thoughts?

CNN anchor Don Lemon has landed himself in hot water yet again for his controversial stance on hot topics.  The reporter, who has long garnered criticism from the African American community for upholding views contrary to the community at large, has now added a new number to that growing list – support of New York‘s ‘stop & frisk’ law.

Via HuffPost:

Speaking during his regular slot on the Tom Joyner show, Lemon said that police were not always very respectful of the people they stopped, but that tampering with the “formula that has reduced crime in New York City” could be very dangerous.

“The question is, would you rather be politically correct or safe and alive?” he concluded.

*****

The result was a social media melee.  See some of our favorites below (#donlemonon):

Your thoughts? 

With three weeks left before audiences get their first peek at the star-studded holiday film ‘Black Nativity’ (in theaters November 27th), its star/Grammy winning diva Jennifer Hudson continues to wow fans with gospel-tinged offerings from its accompanying soundtrack (available on Itunes now).

Already winning rave reviews for her soulful take on the Walter Hawkins’ gospel classic ‘Be Grateful’ (which can be heard here), now the songstress is inviting listeners in to hear another gem on the soundtrack.  Titled “Hush Child (Get You Through This Silent Night)”, the soul-stirring number also features the dynamic vocals of film co-stars/R&B crooners Luke James and Jacob Lattimore.

Bonus:  After you take a listen to the song, check out our pal Vaughn Alvarez chatting with Jenn about the new movie, her love for Brandy, and so much more:

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As one of the year’s most anticipated releases, all eyes are on the commercial performance of Eminem‘s latest album ‘The Marshall Mathers LP 2’.

Preceded by singles ‘Berzerk’, ‘Survival’, ‘Rap God’, and ‘The Monster (ft. Rihanna)’, how many units is Slim Shady’s eighth studio LP on-course to shift?

The answer awaits after the jump…

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Afro-Pop princess Tiwa Savage continues her meteroric rise with new single ‘Eminado’ (translation: ‘Good Luck Charm’).

The Don Jazzy assisted cut is the latest to be lifted from the Nigerian-bred diva’s debut album ‘Once Upon A Time’ – which has, thus far, spawned hits such as ‘Kele Kele’, ‘Love Me, Love Me’, and ‘Without My Heart’.

Retro themed, the visual sees the singer-songwriter (who has penned tracks for the likes of Fantasia and Monica) playfully tribute many a musical “era”.

Check it out after the jump…

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 New video alert!

That’s right, as her star continues to shine in the R&B heavens, Sevyn Streeter teams up with ‘90210’s Mack Wilds to release the clip for her latest release ‘nEXT.’

Unveiled to keep the buzz surrounding her new ‘Call Me Crazy, But..’ EP fresh, the clip now awaits your first spin after the jump.

A fresh take on an age old issue below…

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 She’s the Reality TV mogul oft praised for her turning salacious lemons into high end lemonade.

However, despite making positive strides towards ridding her brand of the sex tape that birthed it, Kim Kardashian still finds herself being labelled somewhat of a laughing stock, denied the respect afforded her own ‘televised’ antics robbed her of.

It’s this, according to fans of Pop royal that Beyonce, that should give the star enough reason not to attend Kardashian‘s wedding to ‘Diamonds’ performer Kanye West, taking to Ben Rattray‘s ‘Change.Org’ to launch a hilarious petition they hope will force her to decline the impending invitation.

Read below…

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Rick Ross does his part to support the Maybach Music Group‘s ‘Self Made Volume 3‘ today, turning on his creative pipe and letting the clip for the ‘Stack on My Belt’ flow to the masses!

Joined by Wale, Birdman and Whole Slab, the video sees Ross serve cockiness in abundance, reminding any in doubt of his earning potential just how fruitful his run atop Rap has been for both he and his pals.

Hop in below…

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Thought you’d seen all there was to see from Nicki Minaj‘s time at ‘Powerhouse 2013‘?

Well think again.

For, after spilling a few home truths during her conversation with ‘The Breakfast Club‘ backstage at the star studded event, today has seen their interview arrive in full, featuring an animated Minaj who dished on her third studio album, her current position as one of Pop’s music more commercially potent acts and the threat a number of supposed rivals don’t pose to her.

Check it out below…

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It’s here!

As reported here, Grammy winning songstress Fantasia has joined forces with another child of Destiny for another round of fire on a track in the form of a duet with ‘Fire’ singer Michelle Williams.

The highly anticipated collaboration of powerhouse divas sees the duo tackle and twist Williams’ ‘If We Had Your Eyes’ – the first single from her forthcoming gospel album ‘Journey To Freedom’ (due 2014).

Did the two live up to the hype?  Click below to tell us your thoughts! But, before you get there, we can go ahead and tell you: yes, yes, and yes!

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Mary J.Blige whips the world in festive shape today, unwrapping the video for her take on the Hugh Martin classic ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’

Directed by Markus Klinko and Indrani, the sweet yet simple visual comes courtesy of her first Christmas album ‘A Mary Christmas’, which features duets with Barbra Streisand, The Clark Sisters, Chris Botti and Jessie J.

Watch below…

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