It’s here!

Hours ago,Nicki Minaj‘s  latest single ‘Stupid Hoe‘ found its way on iTunes, two months before the release of her second album ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded‘.

Tuck in below…

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Following a somewhat strange delay, the video for Little Mix‘s debut single ‘Cannonball’ surfaced today – two weeks after the group won the latest series of the X Factor UK, and a week after hitting number with the Damien Rice cover.

Peep the clip after the jump…

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In the space of three years, New York native Lady GaGa has become, in many ways, just as renowned for her philosophical views  as she is for oft admired music.

Dipping deep into the topics of life and death for her latest album ‘Born This Way’, the starlet has always remained candid when it comes to discussing how the loss of loved ones has impacted both she and members of her close knit family, The Germanotta‘s.

Now, during an interview with Asian icon Shahrukh during a trip to India, she has explained why she believes she is the reincarnation of her father’s sister, Joanne.

Watch below…

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5. Christina Aguilera/Brian McKnight

Lifted from her oft-praised ‘My Kind of Christmas’ collection, Xmas saw Xtina bring her powerhouse vocals to holiday favorite ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ with the assistance of R&B vet Brian McKnight. While admittedly at times their joint melismatic cup runneth over (and over and over), the combo was still refreshing and a perfect blending of voices. In this display, one of two live showings the two shared for the holidays, Christina’s vocals shine splendidly as ever.

4. Patti Labelle

It was certainly a silent night as audience members watched in awe of the majesty that is Mama Patti‘s voice. In an acapella demonstration, Labelle sought to remind lessors how, even on holiday, she merrily shuts down the competition. The stunning arrangement, featuring the Perri Sisters (famed background singers of Anita Baker), saw Labelle ring those oft-praise vocals to the high heavens. We’re sure even Zeus gave this a thumbs up.

3. Destiny’s Child – Opera Of the Bells

Destiny’s Child‘s ‘8 Days of Christmas’ was a must-have for any DC3 fan upon his 2001 release. Not only introducing fans to new festive mixes, but also gifting listeners with their special takes on old favorites. And, unlike previous albums, the set saw each member yield yuletide solos – ‘Do You Hear What I Hear’ (Rowland), ‘O Holy Night’ (Williams), and ‘Silent Night'(Knowles). Even in all of their holiday offerings, ‘Opera of the Bells’ rings as the penultimate fan favorite – and most attempted on Youtube – of the set. Giving the girls yet another opportunity to display their stunning harmonies for a holiday showing, chime in on this great performance from Destiny’s most-loved children.

2. Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas (Live)

For a holiday already set with its fair share of favorites (rendered each year over and over), it takes a special diva to create her own set of classics that are still being blasted almost 20 years later. That diva, of course, is none other than Mariah Carey. Her song ‘All I Want For Christmas’, lifted from her ‘Merry Christmas’ album, is largely responsible for the album now being the best selling holiday LP in history (moving over a whopping 15 million units). And while the song has since been remade with it-boy Justin Bieber (and landing the songstress atop Billboard’s first ever ‘Holiday Chart’), umm…we’ll just take the original. Hit it Mariah!

1. Whitney Houston

If you hear what we hear, then your ears are blessed with the gift that is Whitney Houston. During her ‘I’m Your Baby Tonight’ era, Miss Houston took her holiday cheer to Leno to lend her take on ‘Do You Hear What I Hear’. In this stunning arrangement, the diva took ‘Hear’ to higher heights than any before her (and probably any since). A reminder of a time when this girl could sing the phone book and take it to church. Get into Houston’s holiday number below:

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Honorable Mentions

Boyz II Men – Silent Night

Arguably no group before them, and certainly no group after them, have taken command of stylistic harmony in the way of Boyz II Men. One of the greatest vocal groups of all time, their holiday collection quickly became a must-have as it was filled with gems ‘Let It Snow’, ‘Silent Night’, and more. A stunning reminder of their joint abilities is this stirring rendition of ‘Night’ for BET. An audience, who given the status of music over the last ten years or so, was clearly in dire need of a refresher on the power of ‘true vocalists’. Get into it below:

Mary J. Blige – Christmas Song

A welcomed departure from her usual fiery offerings, the Queen of Hip Hop Soul shone royally in this subdued showing of ‘The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)’. Putting her own spin on the holiday classic, Mary moved the Obama’s and audience in this 2009 display. Regal indeed, although it’s been sung many times, many ways…see why Mary does it best:

Beautiful. Talented. Personable.

While the above are all words  oft used to describe Epic diva Ciara, the last few years have proven that not even these desirable qualities have been enough to secure the success and notoriety she has struggled to achieve on a number of occasions.

For, despite the critical acclaim her first four LP’s have garnered over the years, her latest studio effort- ‘Basic Instinct‘ left many fans wondering if she would ever be able to match or better the commercial heights  the likes of Rihanna  seem to remain atop of.

Now That Grape Juice weighs in.

Answering the question:

Just how do you solve a problem like Ciara’s career?

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The Braxton sisters are back with season 2 of their hit WeTv series ‘Braxton Family Values’.

Set to air this Thursday, Episode 6 of this series sees Tamar return to the studio, Towanda‘s marriage problems escalate, and Toni unites the family to make an important announcement.

Peep the preview above…

Batman is back!

Tagged ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, the latest instalment of the legendary film franchise is slated for a Summer 2012 release; and if this new trailer is anything to go by, it’ll be a blockbuster of epic proportions.

Peep the trailer above and synopsis below…

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What is it with Rihanna and racists?

Not long after it emerged that the Def Jam  mannequin had been the victim of a racially motivated assault at a Portuguese  hotel, the performer has  now been branded a ‘N*gga Bitch‘ by  the editor of Dutch magazine, ‘Jackie’.

Details below…

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Ping!

Rihanna has another fast food hit freshly snatched from her trusty microwave. Cue ‘You Da One’, the latest greasy treat the model is releasing from her ‘Talk That Talk’ LP.

Check out this behind the scenes look at the single’s Melina directed video, which was shot here in London this month.

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Oh Beyonce. She just won’t let them lessors be great.

Again, proving that pregnancy is little more than a few months of being heavier than usual, the megastar is already putting the wheels in motion for her 5th studio album. This according to hitmaker The-Dream, who she has reportedly enlisted for the project – the follow-up to this year’s ‘4’.

Full story after the jump…

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Click here to see who made the list!

Click here to see who made the list!

Click here to see who made the list!

Your thoughts?

Fans of one time chart topper Mya will be pleased to know that her latest album ‘K.IS.S.’ is now available for purchase in the US.

Now get into the latest cut to be lifted from the project, an upbeat jam named ‘Take Him Out’.

Listen below…

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