R&B diva Kelly Rowland took a brief break from finalising her 4th album to perform at Minneapolis’ Pride Festival last night.

Watch the 31 year old show the LGBT audience how to bump ‘Like This’ after the jump…

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In case you were in doubt of just how talented Rihanna really is, look no further than her set at Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend.

Possibly nervous with a certain Beyonce watching her from the audience, the show saw Ol’ Riri hit many a bum note, much to the discomfort of many a trained ear and her… her microphone.

A microphone, we’re sure could have done without being screamed into for an hour or so.

Watch her in action- at your own risk- below…

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Earplugs at the ready? Crucifix close by?

If so, you’re well prepared for the unholy mess that will be Rihanna’s Radio 1 Hackney Weekend set,  taking place as you read this.

Snapped bleating into an unsuspecting microphone, the supermodel’s set marks one of her only festival performances this year, as she readies the release of her seventh studio album.

Keep it locked on That Grape Juice for the long awaited showing.

Your thoughts?

Azealia Banks may have only buzzed onto the mainstream scene this year, yet that hasn’t stopped the Harlem femcee from commanding a global fanbase.

Case, point, her set at BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend today – which included a pulsating performance of the track “that started it all” ‘212’.

Watch Ms. Banks bring the house down after the jump…

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From The Vault this week salutes one of the most pertinent moments of Ashanti’s career: her mini movie for single ‘Rain On Me’.

‘Rain’ was the second single lifted from the stunner’s sophomore album, the aptly titled ‘Chapter II’. Based on a sample from Isaac Hayes’ ‘The Look Of Love’, the cut was penned by Ms. Douglas herself and produced by partner (in crime) Irv Gotti back in 2003.

The track was yet another hit for former Murder INC stari, reaching the 7th position of the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts and peaking inside the Top 20 in the UK.

A poignant slow-jam – which narrates the tale of a woman in a draining relationship – was brought to life with the help of an even more compelling visual. Directed by the ever-inspired Hype Williams, the clip was shot as a short film and deals with the issue of domestic violence. The cinematography, the daunting sound mix as well as Ashanti and co-star Larenz Tate’s performances make for a titillating view. Judging by the multiple LidRock, Maybach or Creed product placements, we don’t think we are too far off when we say that it was a big-budget affair. Epic video for an epic song!

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Long gone are the days when Ashanti could make the world stop by releasing a video (don’t get us started on the mucky mess that was the ‘The Woman You Love’ video). Still, and as proven with the underrated ‘Declaration’, she is more than capable of delivering the “good good” (pun intended). However, with visuals like this (and its “cousin” ‘The Way That I Love You’) highlighting the importance of visuals for an act such as Ashanti, the indie route is not the one.

Nonetheless, all of us here at TGJ HQ can’t wait for that fifth chapter.

Your thoughts?

Cementing her status as a local singles artist, Cheryl Cole saw her hopes of nabbing her 3rd #1 album on the Official UK Album Chart thwarted by American heart-throb Justin Bieber.

Details after the jump…

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Feast your eyes on Jessie J, performing ‘Domino’ live at Radio 1 Hackney Weekend today.

Taking to the Main stage, the chart topping firework lit up the stage with the feel good cut armed with a live band and that voice- pitch perfect, as ever.

All the fun below…

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Icon.

A word thrown about fans up and down the blogosphere, recent years have seen a number of today’s acts awarded the title, accurately and inaccurately.

From Justin (both of them) to Rihanna, there are very few performers whose careers haven’t been billed as ‘potentially iconic’ if not already ‘legendary’.

But what does it mean? To be iconic?

One thing, an image or depiction, that represents something else of greater significance through literal or figurative meaning, usually associated with religious, cultural, political, or economic standing.

So, taking the above into consideration, we ask you…

What does it take to be an icon?

And which of today’s stars have it within them to be iconic?

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With all eyes back on Iggy Azalea following her interview with ‘The Breakfast Club‘, the MC has now capitalized on the hype by releasing ‘Million Dollar Misfits’.

Joined by Grand Hustle CEO T.I. and ‘Out Of My Mind’ maestro B.O.B. , Iggy turns up the heat like never before on the club ready number.

Listen below…

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London’s Dstrkt club welcomed Rita Ora last night, as she hit the London night scene following her ‘Hackney Weekend‘ set.

Dressed in red and snapped by onlooking papz, the singer/actress is believed to have enjoyed the company of Brit tabloid regulars Chloe Sims and Lauren Pope.

This, while her good friend Beyonce cheered on ROC boss Jay Z, who took to the stage with up and coming vocalist Rihanna.

More from Rita’s night below…

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The lukewarm response to Nelly Furtado‘s comeback single ‘Big Hoops’ hasn’t deterred the eclectic singer from pressing on with her new project, ‘The Spirit Indestructible’.

This weekend saw the Canadian singer jet out to Paris, where she premiered the album’s title track live at the Issy les Moulineaux festival.

Can the new cut right the wrongs of the LP’s first offering? The answer awaits after the jump…

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In what we’re sure will benefit her new LP ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded‘, yesterday saw Nicki Minaj hit Radio 1’s ‘Hackney Weekend’ to deliver a set of her best cuts.

So, while you’ve seen her perform the 5x platinum release ‘Starships’ here, you may not have seen more from her explosive set.

A set, which saw her rouse the crowd with budding hits ‘Pound The Alarm’ and the digital monster ‘Turn Me On‘.

Enjoy below…

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