Sometimes, in the heat of ‘stan debate’ and sales scrutiny, it’s easy to forget that the artists we support are in fact key global figures, with real impact on the world we live in.

From Rihanna‘s controversial ‘Man Down’ video to GaGa‘s ‘shameless’ stance on fame culture, recent years have seen sociologists dig deep to discover just how celebrities are shaping contemporary views and perceptions.

Now find out why one University is dedicating an entire course to ‘Single Ladies‘ maestra Beyonce, below…

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This week’s That Grape Juice Cover Star is Nezanet. The Londoner serves up a stirring take on Kelly Rowland‘s R&B smash ‘Motivation’.

Check out her showing below:

Lyrics on the phone aside, Nez nailed this! Confident and controlled, she delivered a fresh take on a great song. Indeed, her adlibs were the variety we wish Rowland herself would dabble with more – both on record and live.

Great performance; the type the British industry would benefit from seeing much more of on our charts.

For more on Nezanet, check out her Youtube page

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Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email to sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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Your thoughts?

Estelle has come a long way since her ‘1980′ days.

From scoring a #1 single with ‘American Boy‘ back in 2008, to winning a Grammy for that very release, the last few years have been very good to her.

Now, in support of her latest LP of the same name, the star has signed onto headline the ‘All Of Me‘ tour, as part of BET’s Music Matters series.

Tour dates and details below…

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Clearly, “age ain’t nothing but a number” for a certain Jennifer Lopez.

The diva, 42, looked at least twenty years younger when snapped on the set of a new L’Oreal Sunblock ad this week. Donning a white bikini, the mother of two sizzled as she struck pose after effortless pose.

Peep more pics of J.Lo in action below…

Your thoughts?

The legacy of the late, great King of Pop is tributed in the Cirque du Soleil‘s ‘Michael Jackson: The Immortal’  world tour – which kicked off in last night in LA.

Joining the Jackson family at the Staples Center extravaganza was none other than supermodel Rihanna, who turned up rocking an MJ-esque ensemble. We hope she took notes.

Peep more pics below…

Your thoughts?

2012 is certainly shaping up to be a busy year for a certain R&B bad boy.  Already gaining ground for his highly anticipated, ‘Strip’– led 5th LP ‘Fortune’ (the followup to 2011’s ‘F.A.M.E.’),  fans were recently set abuzz by the mere mention of ‘She Ain’t You’ singer Chris Brown‘s attendance at this year’s Grammys (as former girlfriend Rihanna is set to perform).  Now, E! Online reports that the Virginian will hit the stage at the ceremony in support of his forthcoming effort.

If such news prove true Brown would be joining a list of performers that already includes Nicki Minaj, The Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, and, of course, Rihanna.  The inclusion of the latter’s name on the bill is certainly to cause quite a stir as the two have seen frequent reports surface over the last weeks of their coincidental same location appearances.

Your thoughts?

Ke$ha serves up the “LOL’s” in the outrageous video for ‘Sleazy Remix 2.0’.

The track itself sees guest appearances from a host of Hip-Hop titans including Andre 3000, T.I. & Lil’ Wayne. Yet, instead of flying in the troop, the talk-singer cast drag queens, the elderly, and more, to lip-sync the rapper’s bars.

Peep the must see clip after the jump…

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Responsible for the now infamous ‘Come Up DVDs‘, New York native Big Fendi is undoubtedly the man responsible for introducing Nicki Minaj to Rap society in 2007.

However, after her meteoric rise to fame upon signing to Young Money, Fendi- much to his contempt- became a far and distant memory in the Rapper’s well documented rags to riches fairytale.

Now, he is claiming she owes him, for ‘making her who she is today’.

His rant below…

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With a career spanning almost two decades, there is no denying the impact Beyonce has made on Pop culture and music alike.

So, in honor of her wide  reaching work, her hometown- Houston, Texas- is to build a monument in her honor, months after giving  birth to her first child, Blue Ivy.

Details below…

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Some loved it while others ‘loved it less’, but however you feel about it- there is just no escaping Nicki Minaj‘s ‘Stupid Hoe‘ video.

Setting the VEVO record for generating the most hits in one day, the Hype Williams directed clip has undoubtedly generated momentum for its supporting album ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded‘ and its follow up jam, ‘Turn Me On‘.

Now, one week after its premier, That Grape Juice wants to know:

“Was the video genius or just plain garbage?”.

Weigh in below…

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On Thursday night, Pop maestro Michael Jackson was honored at Grauman’s Chinese Theater for his contributions to both Pop music and the world at large.

Joined by Katherine Jackson, his three children, Quincy Jones and Justin Bieber was song bird Melanie Fiona, who lent her voice to the ceremony in honor of the late star, ahead of the release of her upcoming album, ‘The MF Life‘.

Watch her in action below…

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Check out the sneak peek for ‘Mirrors‘, the new visual offering from Lil Wayne.

Featuring Bruno Mars, the clip is the latest in support of the Rapper’s LP ‘Tha Carter IV’, and follows the smash hit single  ‘How To Love‘, also lifted from the multi-platinum album.

Watch below…

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