Nashville played host to the 2012 Grammy Nomination special where the likes of music’s biggest names gathered for the unveiling of the 2013 Grammy nominations.

While we won’t find out who will be walking away with the coveted gram-o-phones until the show airs live on CBS February 10th, click below to find out if your fave was able to nab a nomination. 

Frank Ocean, Kanye West, and Jay Z are among the males dominating this year’s nominations (with 6 each) while pop tart pals Katy Perry & Rihanna nabbed multiple mentions as well.

See the list in its entirety:

(more…)

If the viewing figures of ‘Styled To Rock‘ were anything to go by, Rihanna should be anywhere but behind the camera.

However, it seems the folk over at River Island were oblivious to this fact when they enlisted the star to direct their Spring/Summer campaign recently, as seen above.

Sharing the snap online, the one time Beyonce wannabe tweeted:

Your thoughts?

Pinned: Posts Resume As Normal Below

The Best You Never Heard is back! After a lengthy rest on the bench, 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…

********************

Janet Jackson – ‘Discipline’

 

The absence of Janet Jackson‘s creative partners in crime Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, saw many fire bullets at the star’s 10th studio album. However, it’d be criminal to take aim at the undeniable home run: the title track, ‘Discipline’.
Crafted by Shea Taylor and Jackson fanatic Ne-Yo, the super-sexed-up slow-jam is an ode to BDSM. J’s vocal delivery gives the impression that she is in an enjoyably painful predicament from which she has no intention nor desire of getting out of. From the moaning to the trademark harmonies – which in this particular song are as eerie as ever- the X-rated number is by all means a classic Janet “baby-making song”.
Damita Jo’s suggestive live interpretation of the track is another example that one shouldn’t be fooled by the “Good Times” smiles and shy attitude the singer/actress displays during promotional interviews.
Hopefully, in the very near future, Pop Royal Janet will bless us with a new record filled with Disciplines, Feedbacks, and other gems akin to those that have slipped under the radar in recent years {JOE}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”Jl9C7Ni5W28″]

********************

PJ Morton & Jazmine Sullivan – Built For Love

 

Despite sending shockwaves through the industry post announcing her “retirement”,  soulstress Jazmine Sullivan still found her name etched as a feature on some unfortunately overlooked gems.  PJ Morton‘s debut single ‘Built For Love’ was certainly one of those gems.  A throwback to a time when real music dominated charts, the ‘Lions Tigers & Bears’ beauty unleashed her melismatic roar over the Morton tune about love on the rocks.

Morton, son of famed gospel singer Bishop Paul Morton, tickles the ivories while the two soar over the 70s-inspired duet.  The song was released shortly before it was announced that the crooner had signed with Young Money entertainment

Press play and fall in love {RASHAD}

LISTEN:  [audiotube id=”MoRmera0aUM”]

********************

Ciara – Shut Em Up

 

It’s common-knowledge that Ciara’s last studio outing ‘Basic Instinct’ was pretty much a disaster – so much so that she told us she wished it didn’t come out.

However, the project’s poor handling doesn’t mean it didn’t birth some of her best material yet. Case, point ‘Shut Em Up’.

Ironically not featured on the 2010 album’s final tracklist, the cut was one of the many songs leaked and left on the cutting room floor. “Why” is beyond us, as the track was banging!

Produced by Infinity and penned by Soundz, ‘Shut Em Up’ served as an emphatic bite back at all of her critics – doing so over a bouncy beat that thankfully sounded more club-geared, than Pop-star political.

More than anything, the track excels in that anyone can apply the lyrics to their own reality.  Too often, those that “can’t” vent by slamming those that “can”. This song tastefully tells them what they can do. {SAM}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”u3F2cvzb1Bg”]
********************

Craig David & Rita Ora – Awkward

 

Before signing onto serve as Roc Nation’s leading newbie, Rita Ora‘s claim to fame came courtesy of ‘What’s Your Flava’ maestro Craig David.

However, while 2008’s ‘Where’s Your Love’ stands as their most recognizable outing, it’s their 2007 duet that ‘Awkward’ that will undoubtedly surprise any unfamiliar with it. Surprising somewhat is that this is Ora’s voice at just 17 years old, boasting a conviction that some of her older contemporaries are still yet to master. Enjoy below {DAVID}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”CwX2Ieuk5no”]
********************

Whose Pick Was Best This Week?!

[polldaddy poll=”6741933″]

As the man behind Usher‘s ‘Climax‘, Keyshia Cole‘s ‘Enough Of No Love’ and many a cut on Ciara‘s ‘One Woman Army‘, Elijah Blake is fast becoming Pop’s most sought after contributor.

However, while his skills have already seen him win an ‘industry concentrated’ respect , it’s his work on Rihanna’s ‘Unapologetic’ that has many a Pop fan foaming at the mouth, with some now hailing him as the male equivalent to Ester Dean.

Now, in an interview with That Grape Juice.Net, he has opened up on his friendship with the Def Jam belle and the inspiration behind his work for her.

Excerpt from our interview below…

(more…)

British chart-topper Rita Ora looks all flavours of fierce on the cover of ‘Glamour’ magazine’s January 2013 issue.

The high-profile feature is the latest in a long-line of promotional stops for the 22 year old who has been on a relentless campaign in support of her debut album ‘ORA’ all year.

********

Satisfying today’s sad, yet real reality that successful acts must “look the part”, Ora is particularly refreshing in that she actually boasts a distinctive and powerful Pop voice. A fact which trounces the so-so nature of some of her material; and a fact which, ultimately, makes the prospect of what she can become especially exciting. After all, it’s infinitely better to have the talent first and let the rest fall into place later, rather than to still be developing actual talent six or seven albums in.

Your thoughts?

Though they may strike Gold on the Hot 100, it’s become increasingly apparent that the likes of Pitbull, Flo Rida and Rihanna are anything but the mega sellers their countless #1 singles should make them.

Instead, while they don’t always ‘soar’ when it comes to singles, the likes of Jay Z & Drake continue to stand as music’s real winners, renown for shifting albums…in abundance.

Now find out how they, Kanye West and ‘End Of Time’ singer Beyonce are leading this year’s chart pack with their latest releases below…

(more…)

 

Her chances of a musical come back may be a work of fiction, and her tireless efforts to ‘keep it real’ may have made the butt of many an industry joke, but it seems Lil Kim is still keeping hope alive.

Hope, that comes in the form of the alcoholic beverage, Circoc.

Exciting details below!

(more…)

 Blown away?

If so, welcome to the club. For, if ever we needed a reason to hail Rita Ora‘s as one of Pop’s prettiest starlets, here it is.

Storming the pages of ‘Harper’s Bazaar‘ with a smouldering shoot, the chart topping Brit drew on her inner tom boy sporting a black and white tuxedo, delivering an interview which saw her address fame, style and her debut album ‘ORA‘.

More below…

(more…)

*Pinned: Posts Resume As Normal Below*

The release and subsequent chart performance of Christina Aguilera‘s ‘Lotus’ has brought with it fresh debate about one of Pop’s most pronounced polarizers.

Indeed, while many warm to the star’s powerful voice and shameless “diva”, others have seemingly hung up their ‘Dirty’ chaps (as well as their support for the singer) – pledging allegiance instead to today’s crop of younger talent (see: Rihanna, Ke$ha, Katy Perry and co).

Ever keen to plough through the smoke, mirrors, and media malice, we hit the streets of Hollywood to find out what the masses really think of Xtina.

Hit ‘PLAY’ to watch…‘The Word On…Christina Aguilera’. As ever, be sure to let us know what you think below!

Click here to watch more of That Grape Juices’s The Word!

Your thoughts?

Alicia Keys is certainly looking to solidify her placement atop charts next week with continued promotions of her 5th studio LP ‘Girl On Fire’.  Despite garnering the singer her lowest first week sales ever, the set’s critical acclaim has been a home run.

For those who still need a little convincing, however, Keys took to the ‘X Factor USA’ stage tonight to belt out her latest hit/title track ‘Girl On Fire’.  See Keys show the talented hopefuls how it’s really done below:

(more…)

Get excited!

After confirming Kelly Rowland, Ciara, Jordin Sparks and Miley Cyrus as acts set to perform at the event, today has seen VH1 Divas add even more talented ladies to the bill.

Talented ladies, which include the phenomenal Kelly Clarkson and the incomparable Melanie Fiona.

Details below…

(more…)

Upon the release of her new EP ‘The Re-Up‘, ‘American Idol‘s Nicki Minaj surprised fans when she revealed that a number of major retailers would not stock the project.

Explaining that previous re-releases had left these retailers ‘wary’ of supporting her own, it became apparent that if the project was to ‘fly’, it would have do so- at least for the most part- on a digital tip.

And fly it did when it forced its supporting LP ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ 80 spots up the Billboard 200, helping it to enjoy a sales increase of 591% percent, with sales of 36,000 units.

Now, amid criticism that the project under performed, Billboard have explained why the project has indeed been a success. So successful, that retailers who wouldn’t stock it last week are now considering placing orders for it in the coming weeks.

Details below…

(more…)

**