Check out American Idol winner Jordin Sparks helping to kick off the 2011 NFL Season just hours ago.

Delivering a show stopping rendition of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ , the entertainer showcased her often overlooked talent to much to the delight of  both those in attendance and the millions of viewers at home.

Peep the performance below…

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Now more than a month since her tragic passing, footage from one of Amy Winehouse‘s last recording sessions has now surfaced.

Shot recording the song ‘Body And Soul’ with collaborator Tony Bennett, the late performer discusses the first time she met the performer she affectionately called ‘Tone‘ and why the song held both sentimental value to both she and her father.

Watch below…

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Leona Lewis‘ music may incessantly be slammed for being mundane, yet the Londoner cannot be critiqued for her ever-evolving image.

Cue her edgy new shoot for ‘Rollacoaster’ magazine. Indeed, the colour and spark that her personality and material tends to lack manifests in this stunning new shot which accompanies her feature in the snazzy mag.

Speaking on her rep for being “boring”, the 26 year old tells the publication:

“I’ve read it, especially from one journalist who has never met me. But it doesn’t bother me.

I’d rather be seen like that than a harsh, brash person. If my friends said that, then I’d have something to worry about.” {Source}

Hmm. Not so sure about that. We’re in an age where consumers want to buy into much more than just the music. One need not look further than Rihanna –whose success has almost entirely been built on her image and ‘rebelious’ personality. Does that have to be Leona’s selling point? Of course not. Yet, she’d be better off realising that it’s not her “friends” who’ll buy enough records to ensure she stay relevant.

Still, it begs the question…how, exactly, can she not be boring? Your guess is as good as mine. However, other acts charged with such personality crimes such as Beyonce oft manage to exude personality in abundance on stage. Something Ms. Lewis can’t say she does regularly. Alas, there’s still hope.

In any case, ‘Rollacoaster’ is the latest in a string of promotional spots for the 26 year old, whose new single ‘Collide’ is on course for a top 5 position on this week’s Official UK Singles Chart.

Your thoughts?

As one of the industry’s biggest and brightest stars, its not surprising Beyonce portrays the sun in this sizzling new promo shot for ‘House of Dereon’s Fall campaign. The hot tamale pic was shot by Terry Richardson in New York City recently.

In other news, the pregnant megastar is gearing up for a series of video releases from her ‘4’ project. King B may be with child, yet the hustle doesn’t stop. Got to love it.

Your thoughts?

If fashion designer Gieuseppi Zanotti was unfamiliar with Rap enchantress Nicki Minaj and her infamously die hard fan base, last night’s ‘Fashion’s Night Out‘ party held at his boutique in New York City would have been sure to change all of that.

For channeling her love of Japanese culture into her outfit, the entertainer generated mass excitement when she arrived at the event, greeted by fans who had waited hours on surrounding streets just to catch a glimpse of her.

More shots from the night below…

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One rolling stone met another when The Dream recently sat down with the popular magazine following the release of his free LP ‘1977’.  While the Hip Hop hitmaker is said to be readying a free followup to that LP, he dished with Rolling Stone about his latests –  ‘Love King IV’, label drama, and love.  All of the aforementioned, Dream says, will be explored on his upcoming studio work.

As always, addressing ex-wife Christina Milian also made its way into conversation.  See what the ‘Single Ladies’ craftsman had to say these topics and Beyonce’s pregnancy announcement after the jump:

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‘Jumping Train‘s‘ diva Jojo is gearing up on the promotional trail for her latest effort ‘Disaster’.  Already in Itunes Top 40, footage of the young starlet performing the single the day after its Itunes release at the Q102 studio.

The singer followed up the rousing performance with a short interview, detailing the album (and album title’s) conception and more.  See Ms. Levesque do what she does best after the jump:

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The Milian musical-merry-go-round continues to turn as news has surfaced singer Christina Milian has ditched the original plans for her oft-delayed fourth studio release.  Initially entitled ‘Elope’, the 29-year-old songstress spoke with our friends at The BoomBox to reveal the latest details on the (now) untitled new album.

Although readying for a role in the ABC Family program ‘Maid In Miami’, the ‘Dip It Low’ diva is ‘determined’ to get back behind the mic.  Read her statements after the jump:

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‘The Bridge’ chanteuse Melanie Fiona is definitely crossing her fair share of promo paths in support of her upcoming LP.  Most recently spotted on The Recording Academy’s “5 Questions With” series, the up-and-coming diva dished on everything from her Grammy nominations to her sophomore studio release ‘The MF Life’ (due October 25).

See this and more on Melanie after the jump:

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If you thought the set pics from Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Lay It On Me’ video shoot were hot tamale, wait till you see the action in motion!

Our friends over at Hip Hollywood were on set, and got the good good on all the day’s happenings – including Rowland and her troop of dancers getting down to the Anthony Burrell/Frank Gatson choreographed routine.

Footage after the jump…

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‘How We Do’ rapper The Game may not be mostly remembered for insightfulness and thought-provoking statements, but his sentiments on closeted homosexual rappers in the industry did cause a firestorm this week. Blazing the blog-o-sphere, discussions on Game’s ‘insight’ (or maybe just plain sight) had tongues wagging. Agree or disagree, his disposition doesn’t delve into the unknown – just the unspoken.

Traipse the political terrene and anyone not living under a rock has seen the last couple of years spawn unprecedented progress in gay rights period, let alone in the Pop musical landscape. Lady Gaga, Jessie J, Ricky Martin, and Adam Lambert are just a few of the openly bi or gay stars who are pushing an envelope (arguably) signed and sealed by Melissa Etheridge, George Michael, and Boy George before them. But while Pop is busy pushing an envelope, hip hop maybe busy hiding it, sweeping it under the taboo throw rug. For while the male-dominated industry has embraced ‘openly’ bisexual rapstress Nicki Minaj, that embrace may border more on fantasy than respect. This, of course, would open up the argument that women who openly flaunt alternative lifestyles are more easily accepted than men.

Regardless, in a land where hyper-masculinity is often used to denote (and sometimes disguise) one’s ‘true’ hip hop identity, those who do not succumb to the stereotype are often branded ‘gay’. There are few R&B male singers who are relevant that haven’t had the title accompany their name at one period of time. So, we’ve already asked you:

‘Will Hip Hop ever accept an openly gay/bi male rapper or singer”. And we, as ever, appreciated your feedback. But now, let’s twist it. That Grape Juice wants to know:

Why, when other genres are beginning to embrace being ‘out’, does Hip-Hop not?

‘Would you still support your favorite rapper/singer if he or she came out of the closet’?

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Click here to WATCH Part 2 of Trapped In the Closet: Hiding In Hip-Hop
on That Grape Juice TV!

Now more than five years since the release of her debut album, it is safe to say that Cassie‘s career has been centred around everything but the music.

However, fans of the Bad Boy performer will be pleased to know that may just be about to change with the surfacing of a snippet for her new song, ‘King Of Hearts‘.

The release has been confirmed to be lifted from her upcoming LP, which is due in coming months.

Listen below…

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