Hollywood’s buzz for the 2013 Academy Awards is in high gear, but as ever, That Grape Juice loves to stroll down memory lane to salute the best of performances past.  This year we tip our hats to the 1991 performance of ‘Sooner Or Later’ by Queen of Pop Madonna.

The pop vixen, accompanied by date/King of Pop Michael Jackson, took on the task of performing the number from her critically panned film ‘Dick Tracy’.  A film that inversely spawned her biggest and (arguably) most iconic music hit to date – ‘Vogue’.  Regardless, the performance saw Madge pay an updated, post-‘Material Girl’ (video) homage to idol Marilyn Monroe while Jackson, amongst other high profile onlookers, spectated what few would believe was an awesome vocal showcase from the songstress.

Despite being known mostly for racy on air antics and questionable vocal skills prior, the showing saw the diva belting and sustaining notes with a passion and control rarely demonstrated in her previous hits.  Minus her normal troop of dancers, Madge stood center stage with a microphone and mink sole and stole the show (despite her nerves getting the best of her in parts).

Press ‘PLAY’ above and see one of the many steps Miss Madonna took to cement her name beside Michael’s as pop’s reigning royalty.

P.S. – We’d love more of these vocal show-stoppers from Madge before retirement!

 Your thoughts?

Looking like a bag of money and good living, Janet Jackson was snapped at Milan Fashion Week last night. Together with billionaire boyfriend Wissam Al Mana (pictured below), the Queen of Pop soaked up the scene at the Sergio Rossi runway presentation.

And while it’s always great to see the ‘Feedback’ singer out and about, we sure hope she hits the runway to a recording booth soon. It’s been almost 5 years since her last album ‘Discipline’ dropped and, while she’ll always be Pop royalty, she turns 47 in May. Put simply, time waits for no one – even when you’re “Janet Jackson”.

For now, though, peep more pics below…

Your thoughts?

Since the onset of the digital era, countless teams have employed a smoke and mirrors approach when relaying the success (or lack-thereof) of their artists. Indeed, daily the masses are sold narratives of success that are more rooted in dreams than reality.

In a bid to plough through the PR spin, industry bible Billboard have compiled a list of Music’s Top 40 Money Makers 2013.

Find out who is (really) shining bright like a diamond after the jump…

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Details on her new album remain scarce and its lead single nowhere to be found- however, by way of her stellar set at the 2013 Super Bowl Half Time Show two weeks ago, Beyonce‘s forthcoming tour is well on its way to becoming the strongest global outing of the year.

Why, you ask?

Find out below…

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In an industry where moral standards are altered to fit the celebrity behind the crime, Chris Brown has oft found himself on the harsher end of the scale.

Indeed, while his assault on Pop singer Rihanna back in 2009 remains inexcusable, the years that followed have seen the  ‘Deuces‘ star belaboured criticisms of his past, while a number of his fellow entertainers have seen their past transgressions intentionally overlooked by the press.

The likes of Mark Wahlberg spring to mind.

Now, in what’s sure to add flame to fire, one of our favorite shows ‘Law & Order: SVU’ is readying the launch of an episode which seemingly pulls from Brown’s first relationship with the ‘We Found Love‘ singer, aptly named ‘Funny Valentine‘.

Want to see the teaser before it airs?

Watch here…and weigh in below!

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With a savvy a flow and solid beats, Aftermath star Kendrick Lamar has emerged as one of Rap’s most exciting prospects. And while many before him have been crowned with such status, few have been able to sustain it.

However, if the video for the 25 year old’s latest release ‘Poetic Justice (ft. Drake)’ is anything to go by, the Compton native has little to worry about.

For, the cinematic clip is – like Lamar’s rise – an engaging watch. What’s more, anything that samples Janet Jackson‘s classic Slow Jam ‘Anytime, Anyplace’ is right with us.

Check it out after the jump…

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After ample speculation, it has today been confirmed that Justin Timberlake and Jay Z will hit the road together for the ‘Legends Of The Summer Tour’.

Billed as a must-see extravaganza, the jaunt will follow the release of Timberlake’s new album ‘The 20/20 Experience’ which hits stores on March 19th. The pair collaborated on the project’s lead single ‘Suit & Tie’.

Dates and details below…

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So, despite being long time admirers of the Rapper, we can’t say we were too be pleased with the way in which Nicki Minaj‘s sophomore album, ‘Pink Friday: Reloaded’ was presented to the world last year…on all fronts.

However, in what we’d say proves she stands head and shoulders above the rest even when she isn’t at her best, the last few months have seen both she and the project exceed commercial expectations not even some of her fans could have expected.

This week, as she continues judging duties on ‘American Idol‘, she has gone on to exceed expectations yet again, joining her ‘Try’ sister P!nk in scoring a number of chart wins.

Wanna see what the girls got up to in commercial-ville?

Step inside below…

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Can you guess who was snapped rocking an “interesting” new back tattoo on tour last night? Find out below…

Hint: Some would say she’s “vocally challenged”.

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Committed.

Nelly Furtado is redefining the word with her latest album ‘The Spirit Indestructible’. For, despite tanking terribly on the few charts it managed to appear on, the LP has spawned a whopping five singles. ‘Bucket List’ is the latest and saw its accompanying video unveiled today.

Check it out after the jump…

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Black Hollywood’s brightest stars came out to play at the Beverly Hills hotel last night, partying at ESSENCE’s ‘Black Women In Hollywood’ Luncheon.

In attendance and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Naomi Campbell, Oprah Winfrey, Laila Ali and Diahann Carroll were ‘Haven’t Told You’ singer Kelly Rowland and ‘Spotlight’ stunner Jennifer Hudson.

Arriving as they continue work on new albums, the beautiful pair looked on as Oprah and Gabrielle Union were honoured at the high profile event, which also drew in ‘XOX’ Rapper Common.

More below…

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Taking a break from fixing people’s lives on hit ABC drama ‘Scandal’, Kerry Washington returns to comedy in the newest Tyler Perry film ‘The Peeples’.  Starring Craig Robinson, funny man David Alan Grier, Diahann Carol , and so many more, the Lionsgate-distributed film tells the age-old tale of a man’s (Robinson) attempt to win over the family of his bride-to-be during their first meeting.

How it all plays out, ever, is comedy gold.  See the trailer for the film, due in theaters on May 10th, above:

Your thoughts?