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For some, it marks an inconvenient stain on a career that’s seen him hailed the King of R&B.

Alas, despite numerous efforts to drown out its noise with new material, R.Kelly will never be able to escape the allegations that have seen him branded a systematic predator by the general public.

Allegations, that detail the great lengths the entertainer reportedly went to lure and later abuse numerous underage girls, some of whom- rather horrifically- were in the eighth grade when the alleged abuse took place.

Now, after being faced with a damning article published by The Village Voice, the performer addressed the matter during an interview with Atlanta’s V-103.

A horrific story below…

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Honouring work carried out in Film and Television, the Golden Globe Awards now eye Sunday January 12th for its hotly anticipated ceremony today, following the unveiling of its nominees!

Which projects have cause to celebrate today?

Full list of nominees below…

 

Best motion picture, drama
12 Years a Slave
Captain Phillips
Gravity
Philomena
Rush

Best motion picture, musical or comedy
American Hustle
Her
Inside Llewyn Davis
Nebraska
Wolf of Wall Street

Best Director – motion picture
Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips
Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
Alexander Payne, Nebraska 
David O. Russell, American Hustle

Best Actor in a TV series, drama
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Michael Sheen, Masters of Sex
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
James Spader, The Blacklist

Best Actor in a mini-series or TV movie
Matt Damon, Behind the Candelabra
Michael Douglas, Behind the Candelabra
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dancing on the Edge
Idris Elba, luther
Al Pacino, Phil Spector

Best Actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy
Christian Bale, American Hustle
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Leonardo Dicaprio, Wolf of Wall Street
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis
Joaquin Phoenix, Her

Best TV series, drama
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
The Good Wife
House of Cards
Masters of Sex

Best Actor in a motion picture, drama 
Chiwetel Ejiofor,,12 years a Slave
Idris elba, Mandela
Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Robert Redford, All is Lost

Best Actress in a motion picture, drama
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock, Gravity
Judy Dench, Philomena
Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks
Kate Winslet, Labour Day

Best Actress in a TV series, drama
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Taylor Schilling, Orange is the New Black
Kerry Washington, Scandal
Robin Wright, House of Cards

Best TV Series, Comedy
The Big Bang Theory
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Girls
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation

Best TV Miniseries or Movie
American Horror Story: Coven
Behind the Candelabra
Dancing on the Edge
Top of the Lake
White Queen

Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“Atlas,” The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
“Let It Go,” Frozen
“Ordinary Love,” Mandella
“Please Mr. Kennedy,” Inside Llewyn Davis
Sweeter Than Fiction/One Chance – Taylor Swift

Best Actor, TV Series Comedy
Jason Bateman, Arrested
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Michael J. Fox, The Michael J. Fox SHow
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy
Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Lena Dunham, Girls
Julia Louis Dreyfus, Veep
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Best Original Score – Motion Picture
All Is Lost
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Gravity
The Book Thief
12 Years a Slave

Best Foreign Language Film
Blue Is The Warmest Color (France)
The Great Beauty (Italy)
The Hunt (Denmark)
The Past (Iran)
The Wind Rises (Japan)

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Spike Jonze, Her
Bob Nelson, Nebraska
Jeff Pope Steve Philomena
John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave
David O. Russell and Eric Singer Warren, American Hustle

Best Supporting Actress in a series, mini-series, or TV movie
Jacqueline Bisset, Dancing on the Edge
Janet McTeer, The White Queen
Hayden Panattiere , Nashville
Monica Potter, Parenthood
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Best Supporting Actor in a series, mini-series or TV movie
Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Rob Lowe, Behind the Candelabra
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Corey Stoll, House of Cards
Jon Voight, Ray Donovan

Best Animated Feature film
The Croods
Despicable Me 2
Frozen

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The Best You Never Heard is back!  Each week will once again see That Grape Juice spotlight an array of little known gems. Featuring picks from the TGJ editorial team, we want to know…who chose the best song! Let us know below…

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Fantasia – I’m Not That Type

 

As American Idol graduates go, the likes of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood may posses the most Platinum plaques, yet -for us- it’s Fantasia Barrino who boasts the most solid catalogue.

Indeed, in the 10 years since the North Carolina native blazed onto the scene, she has solidified herself as one of music’s most consistent talents. A status she earned with releases such as her self-titled sophomore set in 2006.

While much of the LP is soaked in the classic soulfulness we’ve come to love from the singer, it also served up a number of pleasant surprises. Case, point, ‘I’m Not That Type’.

Produced by Missy Elliott, the cut places Fantasia on “Club” terrain with its pulsating bassline, gritty beat, and all-round “edgy”. While lyrically, the track embraces the brand and strand of new age feminism perpetuated by the likes of TLC and Destiny’s Child.

Sonically, though, this is all flavours of ratchet. And yours truly loves it.

If this year’s ‘Without Me’ had an older, feistier, sister, this gem would be she!  {SAM}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”xyg4ny_W73U”]

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Lady GaGa – Disco Heaven

 

This week’s pick comes courtesy of Pop force Lady GaGa and her gem ‘Disco Heaven’.

A bonus track from Stefani’s first LP ‘The Fame’, it is a throwback to – as its title implies – the golden era of the Disco. Produced by former collaborator Rob Fusari, the dark retro number stands as a favorite among Little Monsters.

Markedly different from the singles released from its parent album but rather similar to her more recent output, it is again a testament to GaGa’s vision of who she wanted to be as an artist – especially when this song was recorded pre-RedOne and was part of Lady GaGa’s shows BEFORE she was “LADY GAGA”. Indeed ‘Heaven’ wouldn’t sound misplaced if played in between tracks such as ‘ARTPOP’ and ‘Applause’.

In any case, the song is a major winner, press play to find out why! {JOE}

LISTEN:  [audiotube id=”Hb7L3ZEg_K4″]

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Rihanna – Last Goodbye

 

Pulled from her sophomore LP ‘A Girl Like Me’, Rihanna‘s ‘Final Goodbye’ now stands as one her lesser known songs, perhaps lost in the shadows of the chart-toppers that followed its release and the ballads she now finds herself being celebrated for.

However, as you’ll agree once you press play below, the number does more to showcase her vocal skill than the songs that have seen her go from Teen Pop sensation to one of the this era’s most successful entertainers.

Penned by Luke McMaster, Charlene Gilliam and Curtis Richardson, the Gaelic- sounding ‘Goodbye’ sees an 18 year old Fenty bid adieu to the nightclub-ready themes found in ‘SOS’ and ‘Break It Off’ and land on mature ground with a cut that’s just as poignant today as it was upon its 2006 release.

Love it as much as I do? You know who to vote for below!  {DAVID}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”gujdHQboago”]
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Kierra Sheard – Wave Your Banner (ft. Mary Mary)

 

If there was a duckwalk in your spirit, we wouldn’t be mad if you broke out into it while listening to this song. In the streets or in the church, ‘Wave Your Banner’ – the triumphantly, energetic cut from gospel songstress Kierra Sheard and Grammy winning gospel sister duo Mary Mary – simply bumps…hard!

Found on Sheard’s third album ‘Bold Right Life’, the tune is an oft-overlooked gem and awesome reverse follow-up to Mary Mary’s ‘God In Me’ (which saw Kierra play guest). As the aptly titled ‘Bold’ marked the singer’s first album into adulthood, it flexed a newfound confidence befitting a growing artist and woman overall. Had the Urban contemporary ‘Wave’ ever been released to radio, we’re sure it would’ve been a hit.

Alas, we can only dream. Until then, we’ll ‘Wave’ right along with Kiki on this bass driven tune! {RASHAD}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”1lAik1e9nTY”]
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Whose Pick Was Best This Week?!

 


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For all its upswings, the music industry comes with a number of challenging episodes. Just ask Jordin Sparks.

Five years have passed since the singer-actress released sophomore effort ‘Battlefield’ and – as per a new interview – that’s exactly where she’s been in recent years trying to “win” a release date for its follow-up.

Sparks’ insightful sit-down with The Huffington Post awaits below…

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Like the world it exists in, the music industry has shrunk.

Indeed, thanks to the onset of the internet, stars are able to broaden their reach in markets beyond their own. No longer are acts confined to the locality of where they’re signed; they now have a global audience.

What’s more, with buyer spend at an all-time low, acts are almost compelled to cultivate a worldy presence so as to survive in the era of 360 deals, which see record labels recoup spend via international touring, merchandise, and brand partnerships.

It’s surprising, then, that one of Britain’s supposed top Pop stars, Cheryl Cole, has gone on record express that she has no interest being known in music’s biggest market, one she pulls so heavily pulls from. She doesn’t want to be known in the US.

Full story below…

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Beyond a predictable, yet lucrative return to American Idol, things have been relatively quiet for Jennifer Lopez.

Indeed, since Summer single ‘Live It Up’ fizzled instead of sizzled, the dynamo diva has maintained a low profile of sorts. Even this Sunday’s performance at the American Music Awards has been billed as a tribute.

The brief hiatus seems to be over, though.

See what we mean below…

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Praised the unique way in which she incorporates World music into her own, Beyonce‘s solo career has seen her go above and beyond to embrace and showcase music oft overlooked by American culture.

From her moving rendition of ‘Vois Sur Ton Chemin’ at the 77th Academy Awards to serving the Spanish music market with español versions of ‘Irreplaceable‘, ‘If I Were A Boy’ and ‘Beautiful Liar‘, one would be hard pressed to downplay the Grammy winner’s genuine appreciation for foreign languages and art.

So, it should come as little surprise that her forthcoming era will see her go a step further than she’s ever gone before, by referencing African dance in multiple videos!

How we know?

Find out below…

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As anyone who’s given Omarion‘s ‘Care Package 2‘ a spin will agree, the former B2K is far more gifted and talented that most are willing to acknowledge.

Flaunting a  creative growth that’s likely to surprise those who made the mistake of writing him off since his departure from Young Money, the release is now available to enjoy in full here, unveiled hours before he caught up with ‘Hot 97’ for an interview that’s sure to raise a few eyebrows this afternoon.

Why, you ask?

Peep the ‘American Music Award’ winner’s estimation of his former B2K sibling Raz B below…

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They’re beautiful, talented and have all impacted the genre in more ways than they’re given credit for. Now, in celebrating their most recent releases, today sees TGJ dedicate a chart check to the leading ladies of Contemporary R&B!

Find out how a few of the genre’s leading ladies are faring after the jump!

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When you’re music superstar Jennifer Hudson it’s inevitable you’ll turn heads on any red carpet.  So, in keeping true to form, the ‘Where You At’ wailer was spotted this week at the Chicago Film Festival in promotion of her new film ‘The Inevitable Defeat Of Mister & Pete’.

With the film’s director George Tillman in tow, the songstress showed off her svelte shape in a sleek silver number – much to the approval of onlookers.  Get a closer look at the duo below:

Produced by 14-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys and also starring fellow ‘American Idol’ alum Jordin Sparks, peep the film’s trailer below:

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 ‘California King Bed’ star Rihanna has found herself on the receiving end of love and support this evening, garnered by a petition launched to ‘punish‘ alleged love rival Teyana Taylor for remarks she made the star’s fight against domestic abuse.

What the initiative’s supporters are saying?

Some of their words below…

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When it comes to beginnings, very few can tell of journey’s quite as humble- or as difficult- as that of Nicki Minaj’s.

Ducking and diving the obstacles that were poverty, domestic violence and drug abuse to pursue a career in Rap, the last seven years have seen a fearless drive and undeniable talent force a change in her fortunes.

Traits, that have seen her lift herself up from the mean streets of NYC to an international acclaim, that now sees her hailed as one of the world’s most commercially viable acts.

So, it should come as no surprise that she’s earned a spot on Forbes’ 2013 ‘Hip Hop Cash Kings‘ list, sat alongside the likes of Jay Z, P.Diddy and Dr. Dre.

Forbes’ report after the jump…

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