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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Hours after celebrating her latest River Island outing with supermodel Cara Delevingne, Instagram Royal Rihanna made her way to China’s Macau to rock her Asian ‘Navy’ with her ‘Diamonds World Tour’.

Unfortunately, the star’s ‘phoned in’ performance style reared its head during the showing, resulting in what can only be described as a hit driven bore fest- lacking the fire and charisma music lovers can expect to find at Ciara‘s forthcoming stage tour.

Got two minutes to waste?

Stale ‘Birthday Cake’ below…

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As far as Pop newbies go, very few are as polarising as Lana Del Rey.

Hailed as a refreshing alternative to today’s loud and abrasive trends by some, while billed as a vocal wreck by the others, the last year saw the performer struggle to soar in her domestic market but score many wins in Europe.

Now, in assessing her current Pop positioning, the ‘Off to the Races’ belle has spoken openly with Radio.com.

What she had to say for herself?

Find out below!

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Grammy winning R&B diva Toni Braxton did more than hurt a few fans when she implied that she’d be retiring from the music business earlier this year.

That was then, however.  For, now it appears the ‘Unbreak My Heart’ hitmaker has had a change of heart as evidenced by news broken here that she’d be re-teaming with longtime collaborator Babyface for a new duets album promised for a September release.

Titled ‘Love Marriage Divorce’, as time draws closer to its release, tuck in below to find out when you will have your first listen at its lead single ‘Hurt You’…

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Estelle is moving on.

After enjoying the lion-share of her success under John Legend‘s Homeschool Records (a joint deal with Atlantic), the British-bred songbird has flown from her recording nest of  six years to create her own label.

Details after the jump…

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Mary Mary pose it up with Chaka Khan & Fantasia in Las Vegas at last night’s “Hoodie Awards”

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, Joshua Rogers, American Idol‘s Mandisa, Michelle Williams, Ashmont Hill, and newcomers Tobbi & Tommi…

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Today marks what would’ve been the 50th birthday of late pop icon Whitney Houston – the larger than life diva whose mere mention evokes memories of incomparable charisma, beauty, and, of course, the voice. 

That voice. 

The one that could, with seemingly little effort, stir souls and chill spines.  Unlike the trail of imitators, imposter, and impossibles she left in her wake, Houston’s launch was devoid of gimmick and, instead, was birthed on a cultured and mastered gift (oft inimitable by predecessors or successors).

In such, today we salute the woman That Grape Juice-faithful voted ‘The Ultimate Diva’ with our “favorite 50 minutes” of her illustrous career.  And, while it was quite the task to narrow down the countless unforgettable moments the ‘I Will Always Love You’ hitmaker lent music lovers in her time, we can say that what awaits below does a fair job of encapsulating the essence of Whitney.

Take a look and weigh in below:

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Renown for powerhouse vocals and moving mid-tempos, Fantasia also knows how get “turnt up” in the club.

During a personal appearance at Enclave in Chicago last night, the American Idol alum seemed keen to share her love for Ciara‘s new Summer smash ‘I’m Out’.

Watch below as Ms. Barrino drops it low and adlibs her favourite parts of the Nicki Minaj assisted track.

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Is Lady GaGa eyeing this year’s iTunes Fest to launch her brand new album ‘ARTPOP’?

If reports published today are anything to by…she is.

Full story below!

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