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Controversial rapper Azealia Banks appears to have been given the break she’s been longing for.

For, after a series of album delays, soured collaborations, and twisted Twitter infamy,  it looks like femcee’s label are ready to cut their losses and release her from their roster.

Should be “bad”, right?

Perhaps. For most artists. After all, Banks’ label Interscope are one of the most successful major label entities in the world.

However, recent months have seen the rapper vent her frustrations with her predicament – which most (regardless of their stance on her) would describe as “unfulfilled potential”.

Now, some two years after breakout hit ‘212’ rocked the industry, the sharp-tongued New Yorker took to Twitter today to declare her independence.

See what we mean below…

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This week, rumoured US Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton took to Facebook‘s ‘Aspen Ideas Forum’, touching down to answer questions posed to her as talk of her run for The White House heats up.

There, she weighed in on the Supreme Court‘s decision in favour of ‘Hobby Lobby‘, the Oklahoma-based company who filed a lawsuit against the US over new laws which would see health insurance provided by them to their employees cover emergency contraceptives.

Two years after filing the suit, June 30th saw them come out on top when the Supreme Court ruled in its favour, deciding that closely held” stock corporations can choose to be exempt from the law based on religious preferences.”

So, just how does Pop star Beyonce come into all of this?

Find out why ‘Fox News’ contributor Jesse Watters has billed Clinton supporters who stand against the Court’s decision “Beyonce voters“, below…

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Having conquered the charts, Katy Perry is looking to make a major mark on the music business with quite the power play.

For, the ‘Dark Horse’ singer has revealed that she is launching her own record label.

Details below…

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Originally released by Garry Morris in 1983, the Jimmy Bowen-produced classic ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ is perhaps better known for Bette Midler‘s take on it in 1989, lifted from the ‘Beaches‘ soundtrack one year earlier.

However, what most may not know is the significance the number has for Patti Labelle, who performed the classic before Midler did at 1985’s ‘Look to the Rainbow Tour.’

Now, the entertainer has detailed her decision to cover the song during her recent interview with ‘Conversations with Arthel Neville.’

Her emotional confession below…

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As vocal legends go, few come more equipped than Patti Labelle and Mariah Carey.

Though from different eras, the dynamite diva’s have made it routine to honor one another at many points in their illustrious careers.

One of their most celebrated showings serves as this week’s From The Vault pick – their performance during Labelle’s ‘Live One Night Only’ TV special in 1998.

Together, the powerhouses blew the roof off the venue with a rendition of Cheryl Lynn‘s 1978 Disco classic ‘Got To Be Real’.

Watch the icons trade belts, whistles, and sass above…

Your thoughts?

 

It’s all new everything for singer JoJo.

The vocal powerhouse is currently cooking up her third studio album, which looks set to be her most emotionally-charged yet.

Hotly anticipated, the LP will serve as the star’s first since winning her release from previous label and signing with new home Atlantic Records.

That Grape Juice caught up with the 23-year-old at the Broccoli City Festival, who readily dished on her new project, when fans can expect it, and much more.

Hit ‘PLAY’ above to watch our interview with JoJo!

 

Your thoughts?

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As his ‘Maybach‘  pal Omarion shoots scenes for VH1’s ‘Love & Hip Hop LA’, Rick Ross finds himself in the centre of intense drama off-screen this week, after facing a barrage of insults sent his way by Hip Hop heavyweight Suge Knight.

Indeed, after claiming that deceased rapper Tupac is alive and well last week, Knight took to ‘Pop Candies TV’ to slam the ‘Sing For Me‘ performer, mocking his weight, jeering at his ties to the law and threatening to “beat his mother f***ing ass’ and play with his tetas.

His words below…

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A search-party may still be on the hunt for Rihanna‘s talent, yet it’s hard to deny — she’s a success. A major one at that.

As such, it’s intriguing to learn that the star may not only have left her longtime recording home Def Jam, but done so with minimal volume.

Details after the jump…

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As the forthcoming arrival of her first child sees her pen a new chapter in her life’s story, Lil Kim takes a journey to the past this month, doing so alongside ‘Billboard.’

For, as to celebrate the positive impact she made on pushing Rap music to the forefront of Pop culture in her prime, the publication caught up with the icon to reflect on her career, assessing her classic albums with the benefit of hindsight and the current line-up of female rappers.

Wise words from the ‘Espacio’ siren below…

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Ten years after signing with the star-birthing label, Rihanna bids ‘Island Def Jam‘-as the world knows it- adieu today.

Why the star is no longer signed to the label?

Details below…

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It’s all new everything for Kelly Rowland.

As reported yesterday, the R&B star has been unveiled as the new face of Caress skin care and stopped by Huff Post Live to discuss the new venture.

Thankfully, skilled host Marc Lamont Hill didn’t shy away from the other topics folk are keen to hear Kelly dish on too. Namely her new album and recent departure from Universal Republic Records.

During the candid chat, Rowland revealed that she’s already hard at work on the follow-up to last year’s ‘Talk A Good Game’, sharing with viewers the type of sounds she’s honing in on for the as yet untitled LP. The 33-year-old also dished on her reason for leaving her label, adding that she has a number of offers on the table – yet is enjoying the creative freedom she has now.

The insightful interview awaits below…

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Though the last twenty years has seen many acts of African descent rise to levels once deemed impossible, there are some who believe the representation and handling of Black artists has been anything but favourable of late.

For, according to the creators of a new ‘Change.Org petition launched this month, the game-changing rises of Beyonce, Rihanna, Usher and Alicia Keys see them join a minority of ‘ethnic’ artists whose material hasn’t been used to dirty and downgrade the efforts of their forefathers…at least for the most part.

Now find out why said petitioners have called on record labels to put an end to the alleged efforts they go to to have their black artists disrespect black culture, below…

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