On October 29, Alicia Keys – alongside TV stars Kerry Washington and America Ferrera – filled out an all-star roster of hosts for the CBS election special ‘Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy.’

While there, the diva teamed with fellow GRAMMY winner Brandi Carlile to surprise viewers with new song, ‘A Beautiful Noise.’

Officially released as a single by Keys’ label home, RCA Records, the empowering record is an all-female affair and lists eight women as songwriters:  Keys, Carlile, Brandy Clark, Linda Perry, Lori McKenna, Ruby Amanfu, Hailey Whitters, and Hillary Lindsey. Speaking on the new tune, which was designed to honor the 100-year anniversary of the women’s suffrage movement in advance of the 2020 election, Keys said:

“This song has that special energy that we really need to feel right now. Everyone has the power to make beautiful noise and to lift others up with their voice. And now more than ever, we need to let those voices be heard by voting. I’m so grateful to have joined my sister Brandi Carlile, a beautiful spirit, inspiring artist and incredible person, for this moment.”

Hear the powerful song inside:

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Shawn Mendes is laying it all on the line.

The Canadien Pop star stopped by ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ where he talked about his new Netflix documentary ‘Wonder,’ girlfriend Camila Cabello, before taking to the stage to perform a medley of songs.

Full story below:

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With his new album, ‘Featuring Ty Dolla $ign,’ winning rave reviews from fans and critics alike, Ty Dolla $ign continues to support the project by gifting cuts from the 25-track set the visual treatment.

Following the well-received, Nicki Minaj-assisted ‘Expensive’ (click here to watch), $ign continues the cinematic approach with new music video ‘Nothing Like Your Exes.’

A spoof on VH1’s former hit reality dating show ‘Flavor of Love,’ the 38-year-old shows off his acting chops as he looks for romance in the Eif Rivera-directed clip.

Featuring hilarious commentary and cameos from Flavor Flav himself as well as the show’s former contestant Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander, look inside to see all the action:

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With ‘Levitating’ rising on the Hot 100 (#47 this week) and its follow-up, the Angéle-assisted ‘Fever,’ set to heat up airwaves Friday (October 30), Dua Lipa is giving fans even more to get excited about with the recent announcement of a virtual concert.

Details inside:

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H.E.R. fans have seen a lot of the GRAMMY winner on TV over the last week as she’s moving full speed ahead in promotion of her latest two singles, ‘Damage’ and ‘Hold On.’

After rocking the October 24 episode of ‘SNL’ with live renditions of the two songs (click here to read), the 23-year-old later flexed her rap skills alongside Brandy, Erykah Badu, and Teyana Taylor as part of the ‘Ladies First’ R&B cypher at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards.

As if that wasn’t enough, she followed the appearance by taking to the latest episode of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’  Serving as Tuesday night’s musical guest (October 27), H.E.R. cranked out another stunning rendition of ‘Damage.’

See it inside:

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Kanye West is taking a page from Akon‘s playbook.

The rapper revealed that he intends to build a smart city-similar to the one Akon is building in Senegal-in Haiti.

Full story below:

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The new song, ‘Change,’ assembles some of Hip Hop and R&B’s most prized male hitmakers of the last 25 years to bring attention to racial and social injustice.

Toplined by serial hitmakers Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo, Johntá Austin and Bryan-Michael Cox, the quartet of singer-songwriters and producers called on a lineup of their industry friends including Anthony Hamilton, Kirk Franklin, Common, Smokie Norful, Rotimi, Eric Bellinger, PJ Morton, and more for the charity single set to benefit the Social Change Fund.

Speaking on the collaborative effort, Dupri stated:

 “We created the song to call attention to these long-standing issues,” he said. “Members of the global community are now awakened to issues affecting BIPOC [Black & Indigenous People of Color]. The global pandemic forced us all to reevaluate everything from our health to police brutality and systemic racism. We are now witnessing a paradigm shift that creates an opportunity for real impactful change.”

Hear the song in full inside:

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Master P’s career in music and impact in the broader culture have earned him a rightful place amongst Hip-Hop’s regal elite.

It’s fitting, then, that he has been announced as the recipient of the “I Am Hip Hop” honor at the 2020 BET Hip-Hip Awards, which air tonight.

The star notably founded No Limit Records, started various charities, appears on reality series ‘Growing Up Hip-Hop’ with son Romeo, and is renown for his entrepreneurial hustle.

Ahead of Master P’s much-deserved award presentation, That Grape Juice‘s Shar Jossell caught up with him to discuss the honor, rappers working with Donald Trump, and more.

Watch above and be sure to tune in to the 2020 BET Hip-Hop Awards at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Your thoughts?

Flo Milli may be just 20-years-old, but she continues to garner praise for her seasoned flow and potent pen.

And it is deserved.

With a steady stream of bops such as ‘In The Party’ and ‘Beef FloMix,’ the rising star has drummed up a buzz that is is impossible to ignore. The industry agrees because the femcee has been nominated for Best New Artist at the 2020 BET Hip-Hop Awards.

That Grape Juice‘s Shar Jossell caught up Flo – real name Tamia Monique Carter -ahead of his evening’s ceremony.

During their chat, she spoke about navigating her growing success, playing no games with her hustle, and being inspired by the likes of Nicki Minaj, Lil Kim, and Missy Elliott.

Watch above and be sure to tune in to the 2020 BET Hip-Hop Awards at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Your thoughts?

Prince Harry is calling on members of the public to ‘educate themselves.’

Sitting down with Patrick Hutchinson at GQ, The Duke of Sussex reveals he had no idea of unconscious racial bias and blames his privileged upbringing as being a part of the problem.

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Mike Tyson is renown for throwing physical punches, but he’s serving verbal TKO’s too.

The legendary boxer took a break from training for a comeback to launch podcast Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson.

His latest guest was controversial rapper, Boosie Badazz; a name synonymous with making shocking and offensive remarks about homosexuality and people of Trans experience.

Clearly fed up with the MC’s comments, Tyson seized the moment to square up to him and check him.

See what we mean below…

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Today, we’re journeying back to the early 00s, with one of its reigning queens.

This week’s From The Vault pick comes courtesy of Jennifer Lopez: it’s the Murder Remix of ‘Ain’t It Funny.’

After the monumental success of the ‘I’m Real’ remix, Team Lopez was ready for its next #1 single. As such, they linked back up with the very squad responsible for their previous chart-topper to cook up a totally different take on Pop song ‘Ain’t It Funny’ –which was featured on the entertainer’s sophomore effort ‘J.Lo.’

Featuring Ja Rule and Cadillac Tah, the new and improved version of the song was produced by Irv Gotti, 7 Aurelius and co-written by Ashanti – who also provides additional vocals.

The track topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 2002.

Based on a sample of ’Flava To Ya Ear’ by Craig Mack, it was included on Jenny’s chart-topping remix album ‘J to tha L-O! The Remixes’ and stands today as one of her signature songs.

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The legendary Herb Ritts directed the song’s glossy video. which finds Jennifer hosting a house party when an uninvited love interest interrupts the festivities.

Amongst her guests are featured rappers Ja Rule and Cadillac Tah, Murder Inc. CEO Irv Gotti as well as Miss Ashanti herself. Other shots see Lopez and the rappers performing the song in a white corridor and later on Ja and Jen singing the outro to the song against a gold backdrop.

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Say what you will, but there has never been any stopping J.Lo.

Today, though not as present at the top of those charts as then, she remains a force in entertainment. And not in a “good for a throwback” capacity. She’s a contemporary superstar. Year in year out she seems to earn more respect for her craft from the industry as a whole and it’s oh so deserved.

The last few years have seen Lopez cater to the Latin layer of her artistry and in grand fashion – case in point ‘Pa’ Ti / Lonely.’

Here’s hoping when it’s time for her Pop comeback, she comes swinging just as hard.

In the meantime, we’ll keep running ‘Ain’t It Funny’ on our playlist.

Your thoughts?