Ever keen to broaden our musical scope, recent months have seen That Grape Juice venture into a number of new musical landscapes including, most recently, gospel.

Spearheaded by well-received interviews with gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Twinkie Clark, Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Micah Stampley, Joshua Rogers, Jonathan McReynolds, Tasha Page-Lockhart, and more, TGJ is now offering readers ‘The Overflow’ – a collection of the top gospel-themed news stories from the week.

Tuck in below for jam-packed news on JJ Hairston,  Vashawn Mitchell, Dewayne Woods & Anthony Hamilton, Michelle Williams, Dorinda Clark Cole, and more:  

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As reported, last night saw many an R&B starlet take to the stage at music extravaganza Circle Of Sisters 2014 at Madison Square Garden.

One of the notable names to rock the house was the electrifying Fantasia.

Renown for her super-charged showings, the American Idol alum lived up to her billing – thrilling the thousands in attendance with tracks from her critically acclaimed discography, including ‘Free Yourself’ and ‘When I See You’. The powerhouse also served up a crowd pleasing sing-a-long-song of Nas and Lauryn Hill‘s ‘If I Ruled The World’.

All the action after the jump…

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Fergie is officially back.

The Black Eyed Peas diva has been blazing the airwaves with new single ‘L.A Love (La La)’, which arrived this week.

Produced by DJ Mustard, the track serves as the singer’s lead release from her first solo album in seven years.

So as to propagate news of her return, the star stopped by Big Boy In The Neighborhood on Power 106, where she chatted it up her multi-year break, motherhood, her comeback, her new album and much more.

Check out the insightful interview below…

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Jennifer Hudson‘s new album ‘JHUD’ may be off to a slow start, yet the Grammy and Oscar winning songstress isn’t letting that derail the promo push for the project.

The American Idol alum took to the stage at the Circle Of Sisters 2014 event yesterday at New York’s Madison Square Garden and ensured she delivered a showing that demanded attention.

Backed by a full band, the ‘Dreamgirls’ star performed the track that catapulted her to mainstream stardom ‘And I Am Telling You’.

It appears the song, which was first sung by Jennifer Holliday, is the gift that keeps giving. Because, just as it did upon her initial rendition in 2006, it potently reminds of the talent embedded in Hudson – regardless of sales.

Watch the epic showing below, where her performances of ‘Spotlight’ and new number ‘Bring Back The Music’ also await.

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Lady GaGa is enjoying a career renaissance thanks to ‘Cheek To Cheek’, her collaborative album with Jazz legend Tony Bennett.

The LP, which is comprised of classic covers, topped the Billboard 200 this week; and while some may have felt content with the feat, the promotional push for the project continues to press ahead full speed.

Together, the pair grace the cover of Downbeat Magazine‘s November 2014 issue.

Just like the music on their record, the duo look striking.

Peep more pics below…

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Come November 9th 2014, Bravo will unwrap the seventh cycle of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’

Bringing with it the demotion of cast mate Porsha Williams and the introduction of actress turned Reality TV regular Claudia Jordan, the series’ trailer was weighed in on by talk show host Wendy Williams recently, who used her platform to share her thoughts on its forthcoming changes and the story lines they’ll be led by.

Her two cents below…

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Nicki Minaj is renown for being quite the chameleon, however this “era” she’s being so with a class and consistency that is super applaudable.

Case in point her new shoot for men’s fashion magazine L’Uomo Vogue.

The rapper, who is grinding the promo trail in support of new album ‘The Pinkprint’ (due November 24th), debuts an edgy new look in the Francesco Carrozzini lensed feature.

Peep the captivating snaps above and below…

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While we’re rooting for Nicole Scherzinger, we are somewhat puzzled by the plan for her new album ‘Big Fat Lie’.

Due in stores in Europe on October 20th, the LP has been confirmed to have a Stateside release in the pipeline following her recent signing to L.A Reid’s Epic Records. However, the date and strategy remain somewhat of a mystery.

Nonetheless, the former Pussycat Doll (who is signed to fellow Sony subsidiary RCA in the UK) is rolling out material to her US fans in a buzz, soft release capacity. Case in point ‘Run’.

Unwrapped this week, the singer took centre-stage on Access Hollywood to perform the rousing ballad.

Peep her showing below…

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In 2010, she was accused of launching a Emily Thorne-sized assault on Christina Aguilera‘s career.

In 2013, the pair buried their supposed beef to support her critically acclaimed single ‘Do What U Want‘, and this year- one year after the release of her #1 album ‘ARTPOP‘, Lady GaGa has seen her vocal stylings compared to Aguilera‘s in a review of her latest album ‘Cheek to Cheek.’

Why ‘Vanity Fair‘ feel GaGa fans have Aguilera to thank for the singer’s big and brassy sound on the project?

Find out after the jump!

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When the dust has settled, Mariah Carey will inevitably go down as one of the greatest vocalists of all time. However, in the here and now, the singer’s instrument appears to need some fine-tuning.

For, after wrapping the first night on the Asian leg of her new tour ‘The Elusive Chanteuse Show’, disturbing footage has emerged of the diva struggling with a number of songs…only to sound MP3 magnifique on others.

See what we mean below…

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Cover Star returns this week with Youtube star VedoTheSinger putting a hot twist on Chris Brown & Usher’s latest hit ‘New Flame.’

How does he fare? Hit ‘PLAY’ below to find out…

We like.

Usher’s signature falsetto is one that is disguised in simplicity, but in reality, is pretty hard to duplicate.  To say Vedo does it justice, however, is a gross understatement.  Sliding his seemingly well polished tenor across the tune, Vedo’s impressive rendition not only does well in comparison to the original, but it also offered a new take on ‘New Flame.’ 

One we can say with all honesty…we ain’t mad at! Do ya thang bro.

For more on Vedo, check out his Youtube page here.

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Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email (video links, no audio only) to sam@thatgrapejuice.net OR rashad@thatgrapejuice.net

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Your thoughts?

Starring ‘America’s Next Top Model’s Don Benjamin, the visual marks one of many released in support of ‘Return’, which will hit stores on Tuesday accompanied by videos shot for each and every one of its songs.

How this one compares to the sensual ‘She’?

Check it out after the jump…

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