Jessie J is ‘Burnin’ Up’ on all sides of the globe, as evidenced by her blazing success with recent single ‘Bang Bang’.

So, with new album ‘Sweet Talker’ in stores this week, the singer stopped by ‘Ellen’ to perform both songs in a high-octane medley.

Watch Jessie showcase her dynamite vocals after the jump…

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Keyshia Cole chopped it up with talk show Queen Latifah recently, catching up to dish on the singer’s brand new studio album ‘Point of no Return.‘

There, on Latifah’s ever-enjoyable show, Cole performed ‘Remember (Pt 2)’, doing so in a bid to generate fresh attention for the album, which features the Elijah Blake-penned bop ‘She‘ and her latest effort ‘Party ain’t a Party.’

Watch her in action below…

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After shining a positive light on her heritage through fashion, music and film, Pop star Jennifer Lopez may soon find her achievements etched into the hearts and minds of her fellow New Yorkers.

Who, what, where and why?

An epic plan, below…

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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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With Keyshia Cole‘s sixth album ‘Point Of No Return’ set to hit stores next Tuesday, the R&B belle has unwrapped the set’s latest video ‘N.L.U’ featuring rapper 2 Chainz.

The visual follows a slew of previously released clips in support of the LP; a list which includes ‘Rick James’, ‘Next Time’, and ‘She’.

Hatch the songbird’s newest video after the jump…

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As we reported here, this Fall will see Mary J. Blige release a brand new studio album named ‘The London Sessions’, her first body of work since 2013’s Holiday effort ‘A Mary Christmas.’

Today, the singer releases a brand new bop project! This, being first being the Sam Smith penned piece ‘Therapy‘, which precedes the arrival of the Urban jam that is ‘Whole Damn Year.’

Hit play to hear Mary’s new mainstream effort below…

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Queen.

The hunt for the next “queen” of the many genre’s has become routine for Pop enthusiasts nowadays.

Yet, amidst all the heated conversations and strong disagreements that some acts’ fan bases get into, one diva has yet to find a suitable successor: the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul herself, Ms. Mary J. Blige.

This week, From The Vault celebrates the artist’s eternal relevancy with one of her biggest hits, ’Be Without You’.

Released at the end of Summer of 2005 as the first offering from the artist’s seventh album ‘The Breakthrough’, ‘Without You’ is a beat-driven ballad produced by Bryan-Michael Cox and written by Johntà Austin (alongside Blige). Interestingly, the pair are particularly notable for their popularisation of the “beat ballad” that year – as evidenced by their work with a certain Mariah Carey – whose comeback with the ‘Emancipation’ was largely attributed to that sound.

But we digress…

The trio of titans came up with was a gem that helped put Mary back on top after the so-so performance of the underrated ‘Love & Life’ LP.

Peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the record was the most successful song on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop spending 15 consecutive weeks at #1 up until 2013 (it has since been surpassed by Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ last year). In 2006 it was #11 on the US Year-End chart.

Matthew Rolston was brought on board to translate the emotional track in a visual capacity and we’re sure you’d concur that he did a stellar job. Featuring Academy Award-nominated actor Terrence Howard as Mary’s love interest, the clip mirrors the message relayed in the song’s lyrics. More specifically,  the notion that one should never give up on pure and real love (pun intended) despite all the hardships that come along the way.

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With this gem, Mary delivered yet another heartfelt song that is so emotive that it almost  makes one want to lived the lyrics, whether good, bad, or otherwise. Perhaps that’s the reason why she remains untouchable to this day; the passion she embeds in her music is somehow contagious and is the epitome of “feel” music. Case in point, THAT haunting climax on ”Without You’ – it’s both a vocal exclamation mark and, in one belted note, embodies all that the song is about. It’s a skill so many of today’s acts likely wish for and, no doubt, could benefit from.

With new album ‘The London Sessions’ due this Fall, Mary J. continues to amaze us 23 years in her career and quite frankly we can’t really see it stoping anytime soon.

All Hail The Queen!

Thoughts?

Alvester Martin is a name you should get used to hearing.

The R&B crooner may have seen his ever-talented dancing shoes slide right next to the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, and more over the course of his career, but now his feet are guiding him center stage.

In a recent cover Martin’s soulful voice can be heard blessing fellow crooner Sam Smith‘s ‘Make It To Me.’ Adding in an ever-timely twist of Janet Jackson‘s ‘Come Back To Me’ (as this week marks the 25th anniversary of the release of its parent album ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’), press play below and tell us if he does the cuts justice:

Showcasing a sincerity oft lost in the everyday cover, Martin’s delivery of ‘Make It To Me’ made us believe every word he said.

Never succumbing to the urge to “overdo it” with embellishments, the simplicity of Alvester’s arrangement complimented that of the original singers’ without sounding as if he was trying to imitate.

We go for “sangers” who recognize singing is not just a showcase of the instrument, but also how it’s handled and manipulated.  Bravo Alvester for making this a “must hear”!

For more on Alvester, check out his Soundcloud page here.

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

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Your thoughts?

It’s here!

Under the direction of famed filmmaker and photographer Dikayl Rimmasch, Jay Z and Beyonce‘s strike out on yet another joint venture via ‘Bang Bang.’ Unveiling the first of its trilogy today with a sleek black-and-white visual, the dynamic duo continue their decade long ode to being the modern day Bonnie & Clyde in this action packed clip.

“We’re not trying to do this literally, it’s not that we’re Bonnie and Clyde. We’re on the run from everything. On the run from becoming a cliché. On the run from doing the same thing again.” – Jay Z

All of the videos will lead to this Saturday when their highly anticipated HBO special makes its debut.  Until then:

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Lil Kim‘s comeback campaign has been gifted quite the boost – courtesy of Iggy Azalea.

During an interview with Diddy’s Revolt to promote new mixtape ‘Hard Core 2k14’, the legendary rapper confirmed T.I.’s recent suggestion that she is indeed cooking up a collaboration with the ‘Fancy’ femcee.

Check out the interview below to hear Kimmy Blanco explain why. She also dishes on motherhood and her own influence on Hip-Hop culture and beyond.

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Usher is pumping the breaks.

The R&B crooner had been set to release his new album, his first since 2012’s ‘Looking 4 Myself’, this year. However, in a new interview with Billboard, the Grammy winner has confirmed that the set “isn’t scheduled anymore”. A very creative way, clearly, of saying that the LP has been pushed back.

Details below…

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Peep the new and improved Chris Brown!

With jail behind him and a new album release to look forward to, a glowing Breezy caught up with his pals over at ‘Billboard’ for an interview showcasing not only his growth as a performer, but as a man.

His take on love, life and Rihanna below…

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