Congratulations are in order for the game changer that is Jay Z.

That’s right, after watching his business partners Samsung purchase 1 million copies of his new LP ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’, he has learned that rules that would otherwise ban him from going Platinum because of this have now been changed, in a shock move made by the Recording Industry Association of America.

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With a career spearheaded by careful management, hit producers and well publicized aesthetic changes, Rihanna has oft been accused of being everywhere but in the driving seat of her own success.

However, perhaps in a bid to capitalize on her own brand for the first time, she has secured herself publishing credits for 12 songs found on her new LP, ‘Unapologetic’.

Details below…

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“Money is the reason we exist… everybody knows it, it’s a fact kiss kiss”.

Prepare to be blown away by Lana Del Rey‘s video for ‘National Anthem’, the latest clip in aid of her new album ‘Born To Die’.

A unique take on President Kennedy‘s  relationship with the iconic Jackie Onassis , the stunning piece is waiting for you to watch it below…

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Two weeks.

Indeed, it’s two weeks until Chris Brown‘s fifth studio album ‘Fortune’ arrives in stores. And as if anticipation wasn’t high enough, 30-second snippets of each of the LP’s tracks surfaced today.

What are you waiting for? Sample what C. Breezy will be serving up come July 3rd after the jump…

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The music world was definitely turned upside down yesterday with the introduction of ‘It All Belongs To Me’ – the R&B reunion of belters Brandy and Monica.  Already hitting a homerun with fans and critics alike, the ‘Boy Is Mine’ successor’s success is already being ensured by promotional appearances being confirmed almost daily.

Following last week’s announcement that the two will hit the ‘Leno’ stage in support of the single, news has now surfaced the diva duo will perform together at the Clive Davis-hosted Pre-Grammy Gala in Beverly Hills this weekend!

While fans get familiar with the new tune, That Grape Juice would like to take a trip down memory lane to present to some (and introduce to others) some of the singers’ individual, yet oft-overlooked offerings.  In this special edition of The Best You Never Heard’, get into some of our favorite missed moments from Monica and Brandy below:

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Chris Brown sprung a surprise on his legion of fans tonight, with the release of a video for ‘Should’ve Kissed You’.

The Brian Kennedy produced cut features on the singer’s Gold certified ‘F.A.M.E’ LP.

Check out Brown continue his grind in the simple visual below…

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Pop star Kelly Rowland is currently wrapping up the recording of her third solo LP. With but a few slots remaining on the self-titled album’s track-list, the 29 year old has revealed in a recent interview that she has been working with hit-maker Tricky Stewart in the record’s final stages.

Stewart, whose hits-list is impressive to say the least (‘Umbrella’, ‘Single Ladies’, ‘Touch My Body’), joins the likes of Ne-Yo, Dr Luke, Stargate, Brian Kennedy, Ester Dean, Rico Love, David Guetta, and Bangladesh as a contributor to the record. ‘Kelly Rowland’ hits stores on September 21st {Source}

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Ms. Kelly and her team are clearly not playing with this record! Roll on September!

In other Kelly news, ‘Grown Woman’ is blowing all the way up on Urban radio, ahead of its iTunes release on July 13th. I say forget ‘Rose Colored Glasses’ and push the Ne-Yo penned cut to the top!

Your thoughts?

As Kelly Rowland puts the finishing touches to her hotly anticipated 3rd solo LP, the full version of ‘On & On (The Sound)’ has surfaced. Check it out after the jump….

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Global star Kelly Rowland is currently wrapping up the recording process of her hotly anticipated third studio album; and That Grape Juice can EXCLUSIVELY confirm that the 28 year old singer has recently enlisted hit-maker Ne-Yo for the project. The ‘Miss Independent’ singer/songwriter joins the likes of Brian Kennedy, Jermaine Dupri, Bangladesh, Baby Face, Toby Gad, David Guetta, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin, Bryan-Michael Cox, Eric Hudson, and The Stereotypes, all of whom Rowland has worked with on the album.

As previously reported, the Destiny’s Child alumni is preparing to formally announce her new record deal with Universal Motown, home to the likes of Lil’ Wayne and Young Money, Akon, and Nelly.

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Granted the work of above-mentioned list of producers may not all make it onto the final tracklist, it certainly makes for  an exciting read as well as awesome prospects for the sound of Ms. Kelly’s record. Now that Ne-Yo is on board, things are looking even better. With Kelly looking to fuse Urban and Dance this go round, I’d certainly welcome Ne-Yo serving up something in the vein of ‘Closer’ and/or ‘Miss Independent’ for our girl. I guess time will tell. One thing is for sure….we can’t wait to hear it!

Your thoughts?

After a tumultuous year, spurred on by ‘the incident’ which reverberated around the world, R&B star Chris Brown is back and looking to reassert his place at the top with new LP ‘Graffiti’ (due December 7th in the UK // December 8th US). With the world’s glaring eyes fixated on the performance of the project, it’d be hard to deny that this is the most important record the 20 year old will ever release. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the album, Brown’s 3^rd, boasts production from some the industry’s most renowned hit-makers and artists alike.

The question on the lips of many, though, is: Does ‘Graffiti’ do enough to redeem Brown in the court of public opinion? I vote ‘Yes!’, albeit cautiously…

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Just days after Brandy’s ‘comeback’ single ‘Right Here (Departed)’ surfaced, the R&B star’s new label Epic Records have issued a press release regarding her forthcoming album. Titled ‘Human’, the set will arrive in stores on November 11th. Check out the press release below:

NEW YORK, Aug 15, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Epic Records proudly announces the release of “Human,” the new full-length studio album from the multi-platinum-selling Grammy-winning R&B/pop music superstar Brandy, available online and in stores on Tuesday, November 11.

Brandy’s Epic Records debut and first new album since 2004’s Grammy-nominated RIAA gold-certified “Afrodisiac,” “Human” is a bold new collection of songs reflecting the artist’s evolution as a musician and an individual.

“‘Human’ is my most personal album to date,” said Brandy. I have grown so much since my last album. Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can’t describe. With this new chapter of my life it feels good to have Rodney, a familiar face, by my side again. He brings out emotions in me like nobody else.”

Reunited with executive producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who first collaborated with Brandy on her 1998 multi-platinum-selling collection “Never Say Never,” Brandy has created the most emotionally resonant album of her career with songs and performances reflecting the truth and complexity of her experiences.

“It feels good to be back in the lab with Brandy again,” said Rodney Jerkins. “We’ve always made great records and I’m humbled and honored to be continuing our legacy. The sound might be new, bigger, and more uplifting but we’ve kept our musical promise by making great songs and great music once again. There is no musical combination like ours!!!”

The album’s title is a real life mirror of Brandy as a woman, an artist, a musician and a performer, communicating what it means to be fully “Human”: strong yet vulnerable, candid and triumphant, in love with life and in touch with the things of the spirit.

“Right Here (Departed),” the first single from “Human,” will impact Pop radio on September 16. The single and ringtone are scheduled to be released on August 26, with a digital pre-order for the album slated the same day.

Other key tracks on “Human” include “Fall,” which Brandy co-wrote with the chart-topping British dance/pop singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield, as well as the new songs “Long Distance,” “Piano Man,” and “Torn Down.” Brandy’s other musical collaborators on Human include Brian Kennedy (Rihanna/”Disturbia”), emerging production whiz RedOne (Kat DeLuna, 2006 World Cup Official Single “Hips Don’t Lie” with Shakira & Wyclef Jean), and James Fauntleroy (Jordin Sparks/”No Air”).

I’m really anticipating this one. Welcome back, Ms. Norwood!

Your thoughts?