Brandy‘s rousing set at Los Angeles’ Factory last night boasted many a noteworthy moment.

For, as well as announcing the title of her new album at the sold-out event, the 33 year old also performed a stirring tribute to her idol and friend, the late Whitney Houston.

Watch as the singer pays homage to Houston with ‘Right Here (Departed)’ below…

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Girls just wanna have fun…

Peep Fantasia and gal pal NeNe Leakes laughing it up as they entered the Music Factory nightspot on Charlotte, NC last night.

The American Idol alum, who we hear will begin working on new music soon, gave birth to son Dallas Xavier 3 months ago.

More pics of the singer and the Real Housewives of Atlanta star below…

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The last few years have been a whirlwind of sorts R&B star Brandy, a fact she has chosen to capture on the title of her hotly anticipated new album.

What has the singer christened the set? Find out below!

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Ever keen on keeping the masses abreast of fresh and often underrated talent, That Grape Juice presents ‘The Spill’ – a renewed look at not-so-new, yet active, acts.  Much like its ‘Freshly Squeezed’ sister segment, this assay aims to put the magnifying glass on talents who may not appeal to the buying public on a broad scale yet are still serving material that could easily spin side-by-side with some of today’s top hits.

Covering a kaleidoscope of genres, ‘The Spill’ is set to feature some names you probably know and love as well as some you’ll (soon) be glad to know.

Our sophomore entry comes from none other than Karina Pasian.  This Grammy-winning native New Yorker has been earning kudos for her musical know-how before she even earned her driver’s license.  Classically trained pianist before her first kiss and sought after by major labels before prom, the now 20-year-old beauty first gained buzz for her 2008 debut album ‘First Love’ featuring the fan favorite ‘Slow Motion’ (featured below).

Since then, the songstress has mainly been maximizing her exposure via social media outlets.  Winning praise for her vocal displays (showcased regularly on her Youtube channel PasianEntertainment) and her head-bobbing collaborations (including Brandy remake ‘BrokenHearted’ with R&B crooner Sammie), Miss Pasian is set to take a leap back into the limelight by her lonesome with the December 2011-released ‘Trip To Venus EP’.

Beforehand, press play on ‘Slow Motion’ below:

Already winning rave reviews from critics for her latest effort, find more on Pasian and her forthcoming musical ventures after the jump (via ThisisRNB):

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1) Where I Sleep – Emeli Sande

2) Elephant (Live On The Splash) – Alexandra Burke

3) For The Lovers – Whitney Houston

4) Turn Up The Music (ft. Rihanna) – Chris Brown

5) Party & Bullsh*t – Rita Ora

What are Your Top 5 Songs of The Moment?

Much to the dismay of many-an-earplug seller, despite reports of new music on the horizon, Bajan beauty Rihanna took to the U.K.’s Jonathan Ross to announce she is taking a departure from recording to focus on acting.  The ‘We Found Love’ wailer has seemingly found her work on the forthcoming Peter Berg-directed film ‘Battleship’ (May 18th) as inspiration to ‘jump ship’ (temporarily, so to speak).

A move that is undoubtedly unfamiliar to the songstress given that she has acted like she could sing for the last 6 years.  Alas, the interview, set to air tomorrow night, also found the ‘Birthday Cake’ creator serve up news on a number of other topics.

Singing Adele‘s praises (fortunately not literally), chatting more on ‘BattleShip’, and dishing of her ‘type of man’, see pics and a preview of her ‘Talk That Talk’ performance after the jump:

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As the world is still coming to grips with the loss of legendary pop icon Whitney Houston, undoubtedly, no two people’s worlds were rocked harder by the sudden loss than Houston’s mother Cissy and daughter Bobbi Kristina.  Amid rampant reports (and misreports) of the welfare, or lack thereof, of the latter, Bobbi is finally speaking on her own behalf less than one month since her mother’s passing.

Also joined by uncle and aunt Gary and Pat Houston, Bobbi spoke with O today to share fond memories of her mother.  A parent, unlike many other, she’s shared with the world even years before her birth.  And, also set to address many rumors surrounding the still mysterious death of the hitmaker, Bobbi’s sitdown with Oprah is sure to be a must see!

Set for air on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) on March 11 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, keep it locked to That Grape Juice for your view of highly anticipated interview when it airs! (source)

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As anticipation for the R&B reunion of diva duo Brandy and Monica reaches a feverish pitch, more behind the scenes looks at their latest joint venture ‘It All Belongs To Me’.  Set for listing on both ladies’ Spring-due albums, the trek is winning critical acclaim left and right – acclaim that is sure to be commercially matched once the unveil of the accompanying visual takes place.

Set for debut on Monday, March 5 at 11PM ET/PT on VH1 and VH1.com, the cinematic Chris Robinson-directed clip is sure to have people talking.  Until then, get into more behind the scenes action via VH1 and E!News below:

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As reported here, ‘Moment 4 Life’ maestra Nicki Minaj is set to be Allure magazine’s April covergirl.  Set to hit stands March 20th, the issue has already gained a bevy of buzz from the rapstress comments to fellow Hip Hop hitmaker Jay Z when she said:

“I had a little conversation with Jay-Z at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. He said, ‘Congratulations on all your success.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m coming for you. I’m coming for your spot, Mr. Mogul.’”

While the aforementioned remains to be seen, one thing Minaj is certainly coming for are record shelves on April 3rd with her sophomore set ‘Pink Friday:  Roman Reloaded’.  Before then, get into these new colorful Spring snaps lifted from the magazine’s shoot with the Young Money maven:

Thanks, in part, to NickiDaily:

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Photo Credit:  US Magazine

‘Part of Me’ performer Katy Perry may not wow many with her popcorn music, but post-Russell Brand the songstress’ threads have certainly had all eyes on her.  Since unveiling her blue ‘do in her first post-divorce outing, the new face of the Sims has looked sim-ply amazing with her latest head turner being a bronze printed Balmain dress sported to a Karl Lagerfeld-hosted dinner last night in Paris.

The singer is said to be partaking in Paris’ Fashion Week activities before jetting back to the States to promote the re-release of the hitmaking machine ‘Teenage Dream’ entitled ‘Teenage Dream:  The Complete Confection’ (March 26th).

The singer’s bronzed Balmain high-step is certainly a great makeup for her blue see-through misstep donned earlier in the week. See both looks below (via US and PD):

The shots surface shortly after the unveiling of Perry’s latest chart-topper ‘Part Of Me’ (which many believe is full of shots at former husband Brand).  Hear Katy tell of the song’s history and find out if the song truly is about the beauty’s former beau below(via MTV):

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In a career that spanned three decades, pop icon Whitney Houston had a career full of ‘firsts’.  From being the first artist to sell 1 million copies of a single album or record in a week to being the first female to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200, Houston’s storied career has had more achievements alone than many of her contemporaries combined.  And, in an awe-inspiring Billboard report, it looks like she has no plans on stopping.

For, as fans know, this week saw the late pop star become the first woman in history to land 3 albums in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 simultaneously.  Now, reports have surfaced she is set to best herself in such achievement:

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Following ‘You Da One’s unfortunate  demise on many a Pop chart,  Rihanna‘s long running single streak came screeching to a worrying halt,for many of her supporters.

Today however, these fans have great cause to celebrate.

For, in what should see her score her first #1 single since ‘We Found Love’, she is readying the release of dance smash ‘Where Have You Been’.

Details below… (more…)