Diddy who?

Yes,  it would seem that since Hip Pop darling Nicki Minaj allegedly parted ways with one time manager ‘Sean ‘Diddy Combs‘, her gigs seem to be getting not only bigger but much much  better.

For, after being confirmed as a performer at the launch of  Versace For H&M alongside Prince and reportedly scoring a spot on the 2011 Superbowl Half Time show alongside Madonna , she has now signed up to grace “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” later this month.

All the details below…

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Recent months have seen the red hot spat between song Hip Hop Queens Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj quieten down, after months of  the elder performer labeling her younger counterpart as  a ‘cheap imitation of herself’.

Now it seems these claims are back.

For, in response to snaps of the ‘Super Bass‘  belle  filming the video for Willow Smith‘s ‘Fireball’  published today,  Lil Kim fans have accused the Rapper of imitating another look sported by the Femcee some years back.

Peep the shot in question below…

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As jurors deliberate the fate of the man accused of killing her brother Michael, Janet Jackson returned to Australia this week to resume her sold-out ‘Number Ones’ tour.

Greeted by a horde of her ever-loyal fans, the superstar engaged with them before heading back her hotel ahead of her next show in the country.

The worldwide trek finally has its curtain call in February next year; which couldn’t come sooner if you ask us. This tour was necessary in that it allowed her to re-build relationships with promoters following the drama caused by the ill-fated ‘Rock Witchu’ trek. What’s more, it also enabled her to rebuild her international presence. However, it’s quite simply time to move on.

At 45, as phenomenal as she looks, she faces an uphill struggle. A struggle which ultimately becomes that much steeper with every year she delays a return to the studio. For, as much as we despise the industry age bias, it’s there – alive and kicking. One needn’t look further than mainstream radio, iTunes, and the Billboard Hot 100, for proof.

Then again, who’s to say Ms. Jackson even wants to be the chart-topping force her fans so wish her to be (again). After all, there’s more money in touring, and this jaunt has re-raised her stock as a high-grossing travelling act.

If that is indeed the case, I’m going to need Janet to stop teasing us with news of “new music”, so as for me to lay certain day-dreams of mine to rest.

You know, the ones where she re-teams Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Darkchild. The ones where she hires a new choreographer (or at least gets help with the current one). The ones where she looks at the success of Madonna‘s latter career and takes note. The one where she remembers she can actually sing, and returns to projecting her voice instead of whispering. The one where she signs with a major label who fully believe in and back her. And the one where she realises that the market-place is different today and it’s increasingly difficult to rest on the laurels of who you were. A boy can dream, ay….

Your thoughts?

After Madonna taught the world how to ‘Vogue‘  in the early 90s but before Lady GaGa mastered the art of fame whoring in the mid noughties, there was  Gwen Stefani.

Mainstream enough to be revered as a house hold name but artistic enough to maintain a fan base completely turned off by the Britney‘s and Aguilera‘s of the world, Ms. Stefani was undoubtedly one of Pop’s more celebrated creations.

Loved for her work as the front woman of No Doubt but more famed for her efforts as a solo act, Gwen’s announcement that her ‘solo career was over‘ shocked and startled many who were hoping a new album and tour were in the works.

Now we want you to weigh in.

Should Gwen make a comeback?

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That Rihanna reign just won’t let up!  Most recently spotted in London prepping fans for what would (undoubtedly be) an unforgettable beginning to her string of UK shows, the ‘SOS’ singer was certainly assisted by her faithful Navy to earn her latest accolade.

For, as Billboard reports today, ‘We Found Love’ is finding the model etched in history books yet again due to the song’s performance on the Hot 100 charts -snatching the title from a beloved ‘Music’ star.

Find out who and how below:

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To undermine Christina Aguilera‘s vocal ability, would be akin to comparing Rihanna’s to Mariah’s.

However, as the years have gone on (taking her relevancy with it), it’s quickly become apparent that years of bad technique have shaved away some of the intricate qualities of a voice we’ve known and loved for the better part of 12 years.

Yet, as the age old adage goes: it’s not over, till it’s over. A fact Aguilera’s popularity on NBC’s ‘The Voice‘ and recent chart-topping success with Maroon 5 proves.

As such, capitalising on her rediscovered relevance, the 30 year old is back in the studio recording what essentially needs to be the comeback of comebacks. So as to ensure she’s in tip-top form, it is being reported the mother of one has enlisted the services of a new vocal coach.

Full story below…

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Responsible for catapulting her into the dizzy realms of  stardom she still reigns in today, Beyonce‘s ‘Crazy In Love‘ is without a doubt one of the most iconic singles to be released by a performer in chart history.

Helping its supporting album ‘Dangerously In Love‘ to sell more than 9 million copies worldwide, it remains one of the many examples used to support the theory that Ms. Knowles is one the most ground breaking entertainers to debut within the last twenty years.

Now, eight years after its release, the song been named by VH1 as the best song to be released in the 00’s.

More information below…

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Critically acclaimed, Beyonce‘s latest LP ‘4’ has been heralded by many as her most cohesive LP to date. However, despite being released just a few months ago, the mother-in-waiting revealed that she is gearing up for a return to the studio to record its follow-up.

The 30 year old announced the news during a recent interview with Access Hollywood, in which she also talked about her VMA performance, upcoming movie with Clint Eastwood, its accompanying soundtrack, being a working mother and more.

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That Grape Juice’s resident host Patrick gives the business (nee Rundown) on this week’s hottest stories:

* The Game Talks Homosexuality In Hip-Hop

* Madonna Slams Lady GaGa

* Toni Braxton Signs New Management Deal

* Melanie Fiona Shoots ‘4am’ Video

…and more!

Your thoughts?

Pop icon Janet Jackson is currently winning over fans and critics alike, pumping out the hits weekly on her worldwide tour.  However, even with the success of the trek – ‘Number Ones: Up, Close, and Personal’ Tour – the ‘Feedback’ singer has come under fire yet again with allegations of lip-syncing.

Amidst a sold out tour, the ‘Go Deep’ singer stopped to chat with the Minneapolis Star Tribune to dish on the happenings of the trek, including Nicki Minaj‘s recent ‘wardrobe malfunction’, future plans (album and film) and, of course, the almighty lip-syncing question.  Find out how Miss Jackson responded after the jump:

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Some swear against it. Some swear by it and there isn’t a Music Award Show that goes by without viewers bringing it up.

Lipsynching.

‘The technical term for matching lip movements with sung or spoken vocals.’

Ever a hot topic on the lips of many a music enthusiast, we here at That Grape Juice HQ want to know….

Is Lip Synching a necessary evil?…

Read more below…

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The year is 2008.

Britney Spears‘ and co are still twiddling their fingers in delight over the critical and commercial success of her ‘Blackout‘ LP and the Popverse has just been introduced to wide eyed upstart Katy Perry.

Armed with her Pro Girl  smash ‘I Kissed A Girl’ and the Pop/Rock forward debut LP ‘One Of The Boys‘,  Ms. Perry was undeniably 2008’s breakout sensation.

Well, at least we thought she was….

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