Friday, February 20th 2009

Rihanna Finally Breaks Silence

After nearly two weeks of silence following her assault at the hands of Chris Brown, Rihanna has finally broken her silence – albeit via her publicist:

“At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown. She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time.”

For those who have yet to see the severity of the injuries Ms. Fenty suffered click here

Randomness: Starts playing Tina Turner’s ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’…

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

21 Comments

Thursday, February 19th 2009

Police Pic: Rihanna After Chris Brown ‘Assault’

TMZ have obtained a police pic taken of Rihanna following her ‘assault’ by boyfriend Chris Brown. And yes, it really is Rihanna (peep the shoulder tattoo on the right).

WOW! Shocking stuff, no doubt. No matter what spin is put on this, I really do see this being curtains for Chris Brown’s career – whatever his reasoning. By the time this pic makes the rounds (which I know it is as I type), there will be little question as to the severity of the ‘attack’.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

67 Comments

Thursday, February 19th 2009

Rihanna’s Record Sales Rocket Following ‘Assault’

As many a media outlet continue to pimp the Chris Brown and Rihanna drama, the age old adage of ‘any publicity is good publicity’ is showing itself to be true, as Rihanna’s record sales have soared following the incident:

Rihanna has seen an increase in US sales of her Good Girl Gone Bad album following the recent press coverage of her alleged altercation with Chris Brown.

Sales of the 20-year-old star’s third LP have surged by 31% amid allegations that she was attacked by Brown.

The record has risen to 31 in the US Billboard Album chart, while Chris Brown’s 2007 album Exclusive failed to register in the Top 200.

Meanwhile, the singer’s collaboration with T.I. ‘Live Your Life’ is at number 16 in the Billboard Hot 100, with solo single ‘Disturbia’ at 33. {Source}

Though some of you disagreed with me, I repeat that I feel Ms. Fenty will be the real winner in all of this. Disclaimer (LOL): By no means did she deserve what went down and we don’t condone violence, but IMO her career will ultimately benefit from this all.

Posted By: Sam

33 Comments

Sunday, February 15th 2009

Chris Brown Releases Statement; Says ‘Sorry’

Exactly a week after assaulting Rihanna and rocking the industry in the process, Chris Brown released a statement today to the press, expressing regret at the situation at hand:

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Brown, who was arrested a week ago in connection with a domestic violence investigation, said Sunday he is “sorry and saddened” by what happened and is seeking counseling from his pastor and loved ones.

The 19-year-old R&B singer also said much of what has been reported of the incident is untrue, although he did not elaborate.

“Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God’s help, to emerging a better person,” Brown said in a statement issued through publicist Michael Sitrick.

“Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and-or reported in the media is wrong,” he added. But he said he couldn’t discuss that in detail until his case is resolved.

He also said he has not posted any comments about the incident on Facebook or any other Web site. “Those posts or writings under my name are frauds,” he said.

Brown surrendered to Los Angeles police on Feb. 8 and was released on $50,000 bail after being booked for investigation of making a criminal threat, a felony. He has not been charged by the district attorney’s office, which is still investigating the case. {Source}

I guess this was to be expected. I’m still on the fence as to my take on this all. Roll on the ‘concrete’ court info…

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

30 Comments

Thursday, February 12th 2009

Kanye Talks Gay Rumors, Rihanna / Chris Brown Drama & More

Kanye West stopped by the Big Boy’s Neighbourhood radio show recently, opening up about the nagging gay rumors, as well as the current Chris Brown and Rihanna incident that has the media in overdrive. A pretty interesting watch / listen, I must say. For all his wacky public comments, Kanye makes many a valid point here.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

8 Comments

Wednesday, February 11th 2009

Chris Brown & Rihanna Drama: TGJ’s 2 Pence

The media has no doubt been whipped into a frenzy since details of the Chris Brown’s assault on Rihanna emerged on Grammy night, this past Sunday. As I’m sure many of you can vouch for, there continues to be rumor upon rumor as to what exactly went down – something I anticipate will come to light as the days and weeks roll on.

With that said, I kinda feel compelled to give my ’2 Pence’ on the situation…

The fact that little in the way of concrete information has surfaced has me less concerned about the drama that went down in the car itself (after all, there’s 3 sides to every story: Chris’ side, Rihanna’s side, and the truth). Rather, I’m real interested to see what the implications are for both moving forward.

For all the PR spin Chris’ team are undoubtedly going to try and do, I can’t see him coming out from the situation unharmed career-wise. Since bursting onto the scene back in 2005 with ‘Run It’, Chris has been carefully ‘sold’ to us as being a squeaky-clean, teen idol – with his target audience being of the younger kind – something not even the release of the raunchy ‘Take You Down’ could alter…much. Hence, being tagged with the ‘woman beater’ label – whatever the reason behind his actions – almost certainly destroys the basis of what he’s been built on. And if the foundation is destroyed, everything else must crumble down with it. Indeed, already, Wrigley’s have suspended their endorsement deal with Brown, while mounting radio stations and music television stations have pulled Brown’s songs and videos from the airwaves due to increasing pressure from their audience. What’s more, with a court date to answer to now set for March 5th, even if the media circus settles, it’ll only be restarted when Brown goes before a judge. Put simply, this looks to be a situation that could very well tarnish the career of a very promising artist.

Meanwhile, I can really see Rihanna being the winner in the whole situation. I say this cautiously, as the details of what really went down could present a very different picture to what the masses currently think. Yet, the idea of any press being good press rings true here for Ms. Fenty IMO. For all her hits and paparazzi attention, this is hands-down the most press the ‘Disturbia’ singer has received – ever. More over, public sympathy – both from those who like her and those who don’t – seems to be at an all-time high for the ‘battered female’ star. I can almost guarantee that her next release will benefit hugely from this all. Hence, as bizzare as it may sound, this situation could in actuality be what solidifies the 20 year old’s place as a superstar.

That said, TGJ wants to know your thoughts on the Chris Brown / Rihanna situation…

Your thoughts on the incident?

Do you think Chris can comeback from this?

Do you think Rihanna’s career will soar?

Posted By: Sam

57 Comments

Monday, February 9th 2009

Chris Brown & Rihanna Drama Update

Peep the pic above of Chris Brown and Rihanna leaving Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy party on Saturday, just minutes before the drama unfolded…

It appears the ‘squeaky-clean’ image Brown and his handlers have carved out for him since he burst onto the scene 4 years ago is disappearing with much swiftness as a result of the serious nature of the assault charge levelled against him. It’s now being reported Wrigley have dropped him due to this all:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Chewing gum makers Wrigley on Monday suspended a commercial featuring Chris Brown after the popular R&B singer was arrested on suspicion of attacking a woman widely reported to be his singer girlfriend Rihanna.

The clean-cut Brown, 19, one of the fastest-rising stars of the last two years, was free on $50,000 bail, a day after the couple hurriedly canceled separate performances at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Both the Brown and Rihanna camps were silent on Monday. Police sources told the Los Angeles Times and celebrity Web site TMZ.com that the woman who reported she had been attacked by Brown in the early hours of Sunday was 20-year-old Rihanna, singer of hits “Umbrella” and “Disturbia.”

Wrigley said in a statement it was “concerned by the serious allegations” made against Brown, who was booked by police on suspicion of making a felony criminal threat.

The company said that while Brown should be afforded due legal process “we have made the decision to suspend the current advertising featuring Brown…until the matter is resolved.”

Brown, who was competing against Rihanna in a Grammy category, was a spokesman for Doublemint gum and his hit song “Forever” was part of that advertising campaign. {Source}

There’s no doubt the sudden uncharacteristic nature of this all has rocked the industry. I’m still very keen to hear the specifics of the case, before passing full judgement. I guess in time we’ll have the answers…

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

43 Comments

Monday, February 9th 2009

Chris Brown Assaults Rihanna; Both Pull Out Of Grammys

*Apologies for the recent slow-go here at That Grape Juice…server issues*

In news that has come as a shock to many, and news which rocked last night’s Grammy festivities, R&B heartthrob Chris Brown was arrested yesterday for reportedly assaulting girlfriend Rihanna. Subsequently both pulled out of their Grammy performances. Check out the report below:

Chris Brown has been arrested for reportedly attacking Rihanna.

The ‘Run It’ star handed himself in to police after officers responded to a phone call at around 12.30am on Sunday morning from an unnamed woman who accused the 19-year-old singer of hurting her.

Los Angeles police officials have declined to identify the caller, but the Los Angeles Times newspaper claim the ‘Umbrella’ singer was the victim.

A statement released by the Los Angeles Police Department said: “The identity of the victim will not be released. Any victim who’s involved in a domestic violence incident is entitled to confidentiality.

“Mr. Brown and the alleged victim became involved in an argument. After stopping his car, Brown and the woman got out and the argument escalated. The woman suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker.”

The incident is alleged to have occurred during an early morning argument in Chris’ car on a quiet street in Los Angeles’ upmarket Hancock Park neighbourhood.

Chris was not at the scene when police arrived.

Both singers pulled out of a planned appearance at last night’s Grammy Awards following the incident.

Speaking at the ceremony, ‘American Idol’ host Paula Abdul said: “I’m hearing some mixed things about what happened. All I can say is I hope Rihanna heals quickly. She’s a lovely girl.”

Despite reports the alleged victim showed visible injuries, Chris was not arrested on suspicion of physically hurting her.

However, Los Angeles Police Sergeant Bridget Pickett revealed the charges may change at a later stage in proceedings.

Pickett said: “There may be domestic violence charges added later, but that will be up to the district attorney’s office.”

Chris – who was partying with Rihanna at a pre-Grammy’s party – was released after posting $50,000 bail. {Source}

Wow. Terrible news. While we definitely have our opinions about Rihanna here at That Grape Juice, we can’t help but feel that what should have been a very special evening for her and her career was marred but this. What’s more, it’s never ever right to hit a woman. SMH…

More as the story unfolds…

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

42 Comments

Monday, January 12th 2009

Chris Brown Does ‘Single Ladies’

Peep Chris Brown dancing to Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ at the after-party for the Liverpool stop of his UK tour last night. My eyes were deceiving me, but for a moment I thought I could spot Rihanna in the background. She sure as hell could learn a thing or two. Just saying.

Your thoughts?