One has to admire Nelly Furtado.

For, unlike many artists who willfully and skillfully erase any trace of their flop projects, the Canadian native is standing by her latest LP ‘The Spirit Indestructible’. This, despite the set selling just 6,000 copies first week in the US last September.

Having already opened up on the project’s performance (or lack-thereof), the 34 year old offers “interesting” insight on her career plans in the wake of the album’s sales in a new interview with the Times Colonist.

Full story after the jump…

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It’s the deal designed to take her brand to all new heights.

However, despite the fact Beyonce‘s gargantuan dealings with Pepsi Co will inadvertently shine fresh light on her philanthropic efforts, it seems not everyone is as pleased as we are for her.

Indeed, though the deal– which marks one of the biggest to be scored by an African American entertainer- will only see her serve as an ambassador for the brand, her association with them has seen her come under fire for, ‘promoting obesity’.

Details below…

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Beyonce started this week off with a bombastic bang – thanks largely to Pepsi.

The drinks giant announced a multi-million/multi-year partnership with the superstar, which kicks off early next year to coincide with the release of 31 year old’s hotly anticipated new album.

Now, in an intriguing new interview with Billboard Biz, Pepsi – by way of Global Chief Marketing Officer Frank Cooper – outline the intricate details of their pairing with the ‘Single Ladies’ singer – one, they say, is aimed at ensuring her 5th album is “the most successful global album that she’s ever done”.

A lengthy, yet insightful read awaits after the jump…

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Looking like a bag of money and good living, Beyonce and hubby Jay-Z were snapped leaving the Soho Beach Club in Miami last night.

Fresh from hanging out at the Art Basel earlier in the day with Kelly Rowland, the pair reunited with Bey’s Destiny’s Child bandmate and hitmaker The-Dream for the dinner date.

Peep more pics of Pepsi’s first lady and her clique below…

Your thoughts?

Though due next year, Beyonce‘s fifth studio album is already the hottest topic on the lips of many, thanks in part to her upcoming Super Bowl performance, newly announced Pepsi deal, as well as a docu-movie on HBO.

More than anything, though, it’s the secrecy surrounding the project that has anticipation boiling to fever pitch. However, bit by bit information surrounding the actual music is beginning to treacle out. Indeed, the last few weeks have seen the involvement of The-Dream, Miguel, among others confirmed.

Now, hitmaker Ne-Yo has revealed that he too is about to start cooking up material for the budding icon.

Details after the jump…

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While Fergie‘s sole solo album, ‘The Dutchess’, pre-dates That Grape Juice, it’s fair to say the Black Eyed Peas star had the industry at her beck and call during her singular breakthrough.

Indeed, hit after mega-hit defined her 2006 solo run; a fact which saw her serve as one of the biggest female acts at the time and a fact which has made her solo silence since then wholly puzzling.

For, even though the Peas went on to achieve even greater success upon their return (see: ‘The E.N.D’, ‘I Gotta Feeling’), many still long for another Fergie singular outing.

Well, it appears the 37 year old has listened to those calls.

At the Cell Phones For Soldiers Voli Light Vodka Party last night, the singer (real name Stacy Ferguson) revealed that she is working on a second solo project.

Watch her speak on it after the jump…

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They’re beautiful, talented, and have taken the world by storm, and now- by way of the folks over at ForbesBeyonce & her one time protege Rihanna have much to celebrate today.

For, they have been named as two of music’s highest earning contributors, earning more money than this year than mutual mentor Jay Z.

Details below…

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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…

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Christina Aguilera – ‘Get Mine, Get Yours’

 

While 2002’s ‘Stripped’ saw Christina Aguilera bare her most vulnerable self on tracks such as ‘Beautiful’, the set also ushered in the arrival of “Xtina”.

Many cite the release of single ‘Dirrty’ as the singer’s official transformation from teen-queen to sex-symbol, often neglecting the fact that the album itself packed a number of sensual moments to aide her racy agenda. The most notable of such cuts? ‘Get Mine, Get Yours’.

Unapologetic before Rihanna was, the mid-tempo blazer served as a manual for a “no strings attached” ‘encounter’. Critiqued by some for too quickly accelerating the star’s shift from role-model to rock-star, the cut remains noteworthy in that it’s the female commanding the male to “freak my body, baby, nasty naughty, baby”.

In many ways, it’s songs like this that paved the way for the sexual liberation of some of today’s most risque female acts. Xtina the feminist? That’s up for debate. What is certain, though, is that the song is fire! {SAM}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”DDyPYh3xBh8″]

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Whitney Houston – Call You Tonight

 

As many know, 2009 brought with it the chart return of the legendary Whitney Houston. Christened ‘I Look To You’, which would go on to be her last) was  a stellar collection of carefully crafted hits and material which embraced both her legacy and vocal ability at the time.

Interestingly, throwback groove ‘Million Dollar Bill’ was picked to launch the LP’s campaign, somewhat unfortunate  because said album housed a classic-in-the-waiting in the form of fan-favorite ‘Call You Tonight’.

Helmed by Stargate and Johnta Austin, the mid-tempo gem did a stellar job showcasing Nippy’s then-“new voice” and was the perfect representation of what a Whitney record should sound like in 2009 (or 2012 for the matter). With engaging lyrics, great melodies, and a powerful yet understated vocal performance, ‘Tonight’ was arguably a missed opportunity to make her Platinum coloured comeback even more triumphant. {JOE}

LISTEN:  [audiotube id=”WolnrWxOj8s”]

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Destiny’s Child – Killing Time

 

Dwarfed by the success of later albums and subsequent solo careers, Destiny’s Child‘s 1998 self titled debut never quite gets the recognition it deserves – on many a front.
Boasting songs which bridged Pop, Country and R&B, the LP’s strongest point – save for ‘No No No’ – comes courtesy of Stinson/Wiggins produced ‘Killing Time’.

 

Packing a crossover appeal much of today’s R&B lacks, ‘Time’ sees DC at their best, serving the conviction and harmonies unmatched by any of their then-rivals.

 

Clearly the inspiration for much of the material on Kelly Rowland’s first solo outing ‘Simply Deep’, here’s hoping the coming years see the disbanded group shine a little more light on the cut and the supporting album so many consider…a classic. {DAVID}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”j9M2RWSZl-k”]
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Christina Milian – Never Mind

 

Picture this:  You’re at the club…getting your groove on.  Next thing you know, you spot a fine so-and-so doing their thing. They turn around…and in a split second things go from sugar to you-know-what. ‘Dip It Low’ diva Christina Milian thought to share that scenario in song.

 

The track is lifted from one of many studio sessions the singer had when crafting (what was to be) the follow-up to her 2006 album ‘So Amazin’ (see: scrapped albums ‘Elope’, ‘Dream In Color’).  And while the attache project never surfaced, Milian proves once again with this number that she is able to cook-up a radio friendly joint whenever she tries. When, and if, that will ever be fully manifested again…only time will tell. {RASHAD}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”N_3Xuu3eIdU”]
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Whose Pick Was Best This Week?!

[polldaddy poll=”6722230″]

Easily one of the biggest music news stories this year, Frank Ocean‘s “coming-out” letter both rocked and shocked an industry that -for all its diversity is still marred by narrow images of masculinity.

Since then, the 25 year old has (smartly) kept the focus on his music, releasing critically-acclaimed debut ‘Channel Orange’.

However, in opting to discuss the matter on his terms, the ‘Thinkin’ Bout You’ singer has opened up to GQ, addressing his decision to be frank about his sexuality in the magazine’s December issue.

An intriguing read awaits in the excerpts below…

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Lady GaGa, just in case you didn’t know, is a New Yorker through and through.

So, in an effort to aid of the city in its current state of need, the ‘Stache’ starlet has donated a substantial amount of money to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, thanking it for raising both she and her family.

Details below…

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Janet Jackson and her mogul boyfriend Wissam Al Mana were snapped looking all sorts of fierce in Russia last night.

The pair, who have been together for almost three years, were in attendance at the Kira Plastinina fashion presentation, where they themselves turned many a head.

Wissam, as some may know, is the chair of Al Mana Luxury Company which represents A/X Armani Exchange and other luxury brands. It’s a position which has garnered the 37 year old a net-worth of over $200 million and the title of  one of the richest investors in the Middle East.

He is also heir his family’s billion dollar Al Mana Retail empire.

Your thoughts?

In an age where moving major units is a rarity for most acts, it would be safe to assume the only acts making bank are the more renown of today’s stars- the Beyonce‘s, Rihanna‘s and GaGa‘s of the world.

However, in an report released by Pandora CEO Tim Westergren, it has emerged that capital generated from album sales and touring are no longer the bread and butter for many an A-List account, and now come second place to the power of internet radio.

Details below…

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