Easily the worst kept secret in the media-scape, today saw Britney Spears‘ role as a judge on The X Factor USA confirmed. Finally.

An undeniable coup for Fox and Simon Cowell, the move ensures the show is a cemented hot topic pre, while, and post-airing. A relative stroke of genius given NBC’s decision to air season 3 of rival show The Voice at the same time this Fall (instead of next February).

After all, if the ratings follow the competitive patten of both shows’ key players, Spears and Christina Aguilera, the big X looks poised to come out on top. Yet, at what price?

Almost 7 years have passed since Britney could perform or remember a simple 8-count. A tragic far cry from the air of “show-stopper” that defined her early-mid career. And that’s not to mock the 30 year old. Indeed, well-documented are the emotional and mental strains that have plagued her personally. Strains only those who’ve reached such dizzy heights of stardom could even begin to fathom. Strains, that for all the milking of her “brand”, are still overwhelmingly apparent (see: stunt doubles, lack of spark, hyper-controlled interviews, and the like).

One has to wonder, then, if The X Factor as an apt platform to rehabilitate her image – especially given the fragility of her “everything” at present.  As the likes of Nicole Scherzinger learnt last year, public scrutiny is a guarantee on such a show; and while Spears’ hefty $15 million pay-packet is certain to include all sorts of clauses to ensure she come across “present” courtesy of the producers, there’ll be no hiding once the live shows commence.

Unlike many, our gripe comes not from her inability to sing live. It simply stems from the question of why is Spears signing on to look for the X Factor in others when her own has been missing for years?

From this vantage-point, Spears simply needed a lengthy break to re-discover “self”, with her performer “spark” following organically thereafter. How doing that in front of the public will help her remains to be seen. What is palpable, though, is that her stint on the show has all the makings of car-crash TV. And while we’re hoping to be proven wrong, like many we’ll be watching expecting the worst. Sigh…

Your thoughts?

Ne-Yo is back!

Merely moments ago, the R&B hitmaker unveiled new single ‘Lazy Love’, the lead release from his comeback set ‘R.E.D’ LP – which is now confirmed to hit stores on September 18th.

After a rocky outing with last project ‘Libra Scale’, does Universal Motown’s new SVP of A&R serve up the goods this time? Judge for yourself after the jump

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The news we’ve all been waiting is finally here.

Yes, after months of speculation, Britney Spears has confirmed that she is to judge alongside Simon Cowell, LA Reid and Demi Lovato on X Factor USA, season 2.

Official release below…

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Peep this snap of Britney Spears, posing alongside Demi Lovato and confirmed X Factor USA judges Simon Cowell and LA Reid.

Set to confirm the ladies affiliation with the show, the pic comes hours before FOX releases an official statement announcing their arrival on the hit series, which waved goodbye to Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger earlier this year.

Your thoughts?

In support of their new LP ‘Mylo Xyloto‘, Coldplay enlisted Rihanna for the cut ‘Princess Of China‘, for which a scene from its upcoming video can be seen above.

Drawing on ‘kung fu’ flicks for inspiration, the video will see Fenty play a Samurai using Geisha girl, following the release of her acclaimed clip for ‘Where Have You Been‘.

Behind the scenes footage below…

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Earlier this year, Pop Prince Chris Brown teamed up with Rap Queen Nicki Minaj for the cut ‘Right By My Side‘, lifted from the latter’s latest LP.

So, in a bid to see it rocket on the Hot 100, the pair shot its video recently- teasing fans with a still from the clip above.

Thus far, the cut has peaked at #51 in the US and #24 in the country’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop songs chart, as well as  #101 in the UK.

However, with its video set to coincide with the launch of Minaj’s ‘Roman Reloaded’, it is likely to land the Rapper her  third US Top 10 this year, following ‘Starships’ and ‘Turn Me On’.

Your thoughts?

With her new single ‘Let It Go‘ out now, Pop starlet Alexandra Burke joined our friends over at PunchBowl TV for a truly moving acoustic performance.

Serving up a unique take of Frank Ocean‘s ‘Thinking About You’, the star proved her worth as a vocalist in spectacular fashion, before the release of her new LP ‘Heartbreak On Hold‘.

Watch below…

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Legendary. Iconic. Diva.

These are but a few of the terms oft employed to describe the incomparable Janet Jackson.

Alas, it was little surprise then to see the dizzy decibels a small New York crowd whipped up when the Pop royal made her first public appearance since the debut of her new svelte physique last Thursday (May 10^th 2012). The youngest of the Jackson clan came to see friend and fashion photographer Marco Glaviano’s Supermodels gallery.

That Grape Juice was on hand and fortunate enough to briefly catch up with the megastar. Ever keen to ask the questions you really want answers to, we probed Janet about her upcoming music and film work, reuniting with Jimmy Jam, her Nutrisystem diet, and even some of her geeky-tendencies.

Check out our EXCLUSIVE interview with icon Janet Jackson after the jump!

Janet Jackson Shouts Out That Grape Juice

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“Young black with accessories and I’m doing well-never seen penitentiary” 

Profound.

Yes, in a fresh new cut named ‘Give It To Em’, Mr.Smith turns up the heat like never before- showcasing his truly impressive Rap skills.

Without further delay, watch the talent in action below…

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Peep Rihanna, enjoying her mother’s day alongside her mother Monica.

Dining at Da Silvano’s in New York, the pair celebrated all through the night- uploading snaps from their time on Riri’s ‘BadGyalRiri‘ Instagram page.

More below…

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Last night, Rap’s brightest export Nicki Minaj performed at Wango Tango, a day long concert held by LA’s KIIS FM.

Serving up a set of her best numbers, which include ‘Did It On ‘Em’ and ‘Roman Holiday’, the MC delivered what we’d say one of her better performances, armed with the structure her set on ‘American Idol‘ lacked back in April.

Watch below…

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R&B lovers rejoice!

This morning, in what we’d call an out of the blue announcement, Tyrese Gibson revealed that he had joined forces with fellow crooners Tank and Ginuwine to form the trio, ‘TG’T’.

Details below…

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