Justin Bieber has done it again!

Indeed, while his recent off stage antics may point to the contrary, recent releases made by the singer has showcased an artistic growth that’s served to colour many a critic both surprised and confused, ditching Pop cheese for well produced vocal driven numbers.

Today, in marking the fourth reason from his Music Mondays series, the performer has unlocked  a brand new cut named ‘Recovery’.  Is it any good?

We’d say it is, giving us no choice but to anticipate his forthcoming LP!

Press play below…

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‘1, 2 Step‘ singer Ciara will soon be stepping down the aisle as reports surfacing indicate.

The songstress and longtime beau Future announced their engagement today via the Associated Press.

Full story below:

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Oxygen’s breakout new reality hit ‘Preachers of L.A.’ may be a ratings winner for the network, but that has certainly come at the expense of unflattering reviews from critics and viewers alike.

To add to the drama surrounding the show, Pastor Deitrick Haddon (seen above) – who has battled rumors of infidelity over the past year which was reignited by alleged nude pics leaked this week – seemed most surprised by the show’s well-publicized slamming from fellow megapastor Bishop T.D. Jakes.

After hearing Jakes labelling of the show as “junk”, Haddon phoned into PRAISE 102.5 to respond:

“I have the absolute utmost respect for Bishop TD Jakes and what he represents. I considered him one of our generals in this generation,” he said.

“I was a bit taken back and shocked when I saw his view on the show, being that he’s a forefather in unorthodox, unconventional methods of sharing the Gospel, whether it be through MegaFest or partnering with comedians or Oprah.”

Your thoughts?

Portraying a real life character in a film probably comes with ease when half of your life has been played across T.V. screens.  Just ask Adrienne Bailon, she’ll tell you.

Depicting the life of “church girl” Vanessa Leon in the new faith-based movie “I’m In Love With A Church Girl” (in theaters October 18th), Bailon walks a well-scripted mile in someone else’s shoes for the feel-good film already winning rave reviews from critics.

We caught up with the singer/actress recently for an exclusive sitdown to dish on the new movie, working with rapper Ja Rule, the future of ‘The Real’ talk show, 3LW, and so much more.

As always, Miss Bailon keeps it all the way real.  Tuck in below to see the interview in its entirety:

Adrienne Bailon Shouts Out That Grape Juice

Click here to read the interview!!

Click here to read the interview!!

Click here to read the interview!!

Ever keen on keeping the masses abreast of fresh and/or often underrated talent, That Grape Juice presents ‘The Spill’ – a renewed look at not-so-new, yet active, acts.

Much like its ‘Freshly Squeezed’ sister segment, this revived assay aims to put the magnifying glass on talents who may not appeal to the buying public on a broad scale yet are still serving material that could easily spin side-by-side with some of today’s top hits.

Covering a kaleidoscope of genres with rookies and vets alike, ‘The Spill’ is set to feature some names you probably know and love as well as some you’ll (soon) be glad to know.  Click below to find out the spill on crooners August Alsina, Shaggy, Jhene Aiko, and much more…

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(photo:  source)

Britney Spears’ roaring new single ‘Work B*tch’ commanded “if you want a hot body, you better work b*tch.”  Now, if debaters are to be believed, the only b–ch working in that sentence is clearly a digital retoucher.

For, just two years after inciting a backlash from news of using a body double in a music video, the pop princess – who many thought was “returning to form” via her latest dance-heavy video – has now been blasted for extensive use of digital enhancements.

A fairly common practice in the industry, yes, but is it fair for Spears to receive so much flack?  You weigh in below:

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Oxygen may have hit a homerun on the commercial front with their new controversial docu-series “Preachers of L.A.”, but critically, the show has viewers very much on the fence.

Based on the lives of six L.A. based megachurch pastors – Bishop Noel Jones, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Wayne Chaney, Bishop Ron Gibson, Pastor Jay Haizlip and Pastor/Gospel singer Deitrick Haddon – the show raked in a whopping 1.1 million viewers for its October 9th premiere.  The feat did come, however, at the feet of some heavy criticism from industry tastemakers down to everyday viewers aboard social media networks like Twitter and Facebook.

Slamming the extravant pastors for displays of wealth (houses, cars, jewelry, etc.), the latest disapproval comes from fellow megapastor T.D. Jakes who, despite being the “best friend” of Bishop Noel Jones, distanced himself from the show and even labelled it “junk”.

T.D Jakes via Report:

“Now, I know you been watching that junk on TV.  I want to tell you right now, not one dime of what you’re sowing right now will buy my suit. I want you to know my car is paid for. I want you to know I got my house on my own. I want you to know I’m not bling-blinging. I am not shake and bake. I have sold enough books and produced enough movies. I don’t need your offering to pay for this little slimy suit. So I rebuke that spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.”

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Bishop Noel Jones admitted that Jakes was not exactly a fan of the show via an interview with our buds over at TheJasmineBrand.  The newest fiery quote came just a week after Jakes’ own television show “T.D. Jakes Presents: Mind, Body & Soul” made its debut aboard BET.

Your thoughts?

Move over ‘Preacher’s Wives’ and ‘Preachers Daughters’!  A breath of fresh air for reality TV may be coming in the form of a new source – ‘Preachers of L.A.’.

The reality venture, set to kick off Wednesday, October 9th at 10/9c, is Oxygen channel’s new reality show about the lives of six L.A. based megachurch pastors – Bishop Noel Jones, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Wayne Chaney, Bishop Ron Gibson, Pastor Jay Haizlip and Pastor/Gospel singer Deitrick Haddon. The material extravagance of athlete’s wives, confrontational drama of real housewives, and BET Sunday Night televangelist zeal all rolled up into one, the recipe for the venture has already proven itself a polarizing one even days before its premiere.

This series meets at the intersection of religion, vanity, and good TV to boot – a mixture disconcerting for many of the religious sect. Walking the fine line of dangerously realizing suspicions and stereotypes of the lavish lives of megachurch pastors who drive Bentleys for Jesus and travel in entourages, the show definitely succeeds in entertainment value and being a catalyst for conversation.

It’s hard not to appreciate the “in-your-face” brand of honesty that the show delivers oh-so-well.  But, once the masses get a taste of what the sextet are offering a debate will surely arise about its intentions.  Is there a thinly veiled facade of exposing people to Christianity and spreading the gospel?  Or are we capitalizing on an opportunistic desire to expand brands into the realm of celebrity?

View the first full episode here!

Your thoughts?

Ever keen to broaden our musical scope, recent months have seen That Grape Juice venture into a number of new musical landscapes including, most recently, gospel.

Spearheaded by well-received interviews with gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Israel Houghton, and more, TGJ is now offering readers ‘The Overflow’ – a collection of the top gospel-themed news stories from the week.

Tuck in below for the latest news on Donald Lawrence, Jennifer Hudson, Paul Porter (with Ruben Studdard & Leandria Johnson), Mali Music,  and much more…

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Congratulations are in order for Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry as news circulates she and husband Oliver Martinez welcomed their first child tonight.  Berry’s second, after daughter Nahla, was born just hours ago in Los Angeles.

Via People:

“The healthy baby, who was born in Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, has a 5-year-old sister, Nahla, Berry’s daughter with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey.”

The news comes just a day after reports broke that Berry would be starring in the new futuristic Stephen Spielberg-directed thriller/CBS series ‘Extant’.  Read more about that here.

Your thoughts?

Ever keen on keeping the masses abreast of fresh and/or often underrated talent, That Grape Juice presents ‘The Spill’ – a renewed look at not-so-new, yet active, acts.

Much like its ‘Freshly Squeezed’ sister segment, this revived assay aims to put the magnifying glass on talents who may not appeal to the buying public on a broad scale yet are still serving material that could easily spin side-by-side with some of today’s top hits.

Covering a kaleidoscope of genres, ‘The Spill’ is set to feature some names you probably know and love as well as some you’ll (soon) be glad to know.  Click below to find out the spill on crooners Mario, Jaheim, and much more…

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They’re the Urban album sellers boasting sales many a Pop staple could only dream of.

Now, after flying the flag for Hip Hop time and time again, Nicki Minaj & J.Cole find themselves leading the way for a fresher faced Hip Hop contributor this year, set to join them in the run at the top in the coming year.

His name?

Elijah Blake.

Full story below…

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