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Sales Figures: Ciara Fails But Michael Jackson Reigns

which buy Sales Figures: Ciara Fails But Michael Jackson Reigns

It’s official: Ciara has bombed. The ‘Gimme Dat’ performers new album, ‘Basic Instinct’, will debut on the Billboard 200 this week with a lowly 37,940 units sold, entering the lineup at #43. This will be Ciara’s lowest debut in her career to date.

On the other hand, Michael Jackson’s ‘Michael’ LP will nab the #3 spot with 224,910 copies sold. While it is not enough to outsell Susan Boyle or Taylor Swift, the record will have have the highest entry of any Urban release this week.

Diddy-Dirty Money also received a special gift from Santa Claus. The trio’s ‘Last Train To Paris’ will enter the Billboard 200 at #10 with 87,380 units, exceeding all expectations, thanks to massive promotion in the last 7 days. The record did not outsell R. Kelly’s ‘Love Letter’, however, as the R&B King’s album will grab the #6 spot with 150,405 in sales.

On the contrary, Tank was not so lucky as his album will debut at #38 with 41,181 units sold. Still, the R&B crooner has managed to outsell both Ciara and Kandi, the latter of whom has missed the top 50 completely with her ‘Kandi Koated’ release. Ho ho no.

Read more at Hits Daily Double. Remember: these numbers and positions are subject to change when published by Billboard.

Thoughts?



Sales Predictions: R. Kelly To Triumph While Ciara Braces For Disappointment

which buy Sales Predictions: R. Kelly To Triumph While Ciara Braces For Disappointment

Ciara better backbend over a church alter and pray for a Christmas miracle because ‘Basic Instinct’ is set to bomb. The record is predicted to sell only a disappointing 35-40k within the next 7 days. This means that it will debut with less than half of the underwhelming 81k with which ‘Fantasy Ride’ entered the tally last year.

Still, Ciara isn’t the only act preparing to receive a lump of coal this Christmas. Diddy-Dirty Money’ Last Train To Paris’ is primed to sell only 60-65k despite a string of high profile appearances on ‘The View’, ‘Saturday Night Live’, and ‘American Idol’.

R. Kelly, however,  has no such worries. The R&B titan’s ‘Love Letter’ is on course to sell an impressive 150-160k with its debut, giving him the 2nd highest new entry position among Urban artists on next week’s lineup.

Another R&B crooner who is set to exceed expectations is Tank whose ‘Now or Never’ LP is scheduled to sell 40-45k. Yet, all pale in comparison to Michael Jackson’s ‘Michael’ LP which is expected to sell 225-250k.

There is no word on Kandi’s ‘Kandi Koated’. Ouch.

Thoughts?


New Releases: Which Will You Buy?

which buy New Releases: Which Will You Buy?

With Christmas right around the corner, a string of new releases have hit the shelves. Artists from all corners of the industry – both dead and alive -  are hoping that their albums make into the carts of the crazed shoppers who are looking for the biggest bang for the buck.

Arriving in stores this week are R. Kelly’s ‘Love Letter’ (which has already captured the #1 spot on iTunes), Diddy-Dirty Money’s ‘Last Train To Paris’ and Ciara’s’ ‘Basic Instinct’. Additionally, Atlanta Housewife Kandi has put forth her 2nd solo effort, ‘Kandi Koated’, which will face strong competition from Tank’s new record, ‘Now or Never’.

Even the late Michael Jackson is releasing music from beyond the grave as his 1st posthumous album, ‘Michael’, makies its debut this week. As controversial as the King of Pop’s latest effort has been, he has proven time and again that his selling power should not be ignored.

The question that arises is this: which of these albums will you buy? There are so many records from which to choose and we know that your Christmas bonuses are just begging to be spent!

Participate in the poll below and let us know which of these artists will get your money!


New Video: Kandi – ‘Leave U’

Kandi1 e1288347289973 New Video: Kandi   Leave U

Singer/songwriter Kandi premiered the video for her brand new single ‘Leave U’ today. The song is the first release to be lifted from the Real Housewives of Atlanta star’s as yet untitled sophomore album.

Check it out after the jump…

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Fantasia Gets Ready For 1st Headline Tour

fantasia Fantasia Gets Ready For 1st Headline Tour

Fantasia is ready to prove to her fans that you just can’t keep a good woman down. The R&B/Soul singer has announced that she will be embarking on her 1st headline tour alongside opening acts Eric Benet and Kandi. Expect the 30-city ‘Back To Me’ tour venture to be launched on November 4th in Richmond, Virginia. Peep the full list of shows below:

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Hot Shot: Ne-Yo Hits Studio With Kandi

ne yo kandi e1282176497883 Hot Shot: Ne Yo Hits Studio With Kandi

Following the so-so performance of Kandi‘s debut album back in 2000, the former Xscape singer has kept a relatively low profile on the musical side of the fence.

However, the ‘No Scrubs’ writer is said to be recording a new album – and was recently snapped with hit-maker Ne-Yo working on the project (the process of which is being documented in the latest season of ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ - in which she stars).

Speaking of Ne-Yo, the singer-songwriter is putting the finishing touches to his ‘Libra Scale’ LP, and is currently recording with producer Dallas Austin. As for his unique ensemble (above), we’re hearing the crooner was inspired the fashion he spotted here in London town during his recent promo trip…

Your thoughts?


Kandi On Mo’Nique Show; Talks AJ’s Death, Housewives & Performs

R&B singer and Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member Kandi Burrus hit up The Mo’Nique Show this week. Burrus, who finance AJ Jewell was killed last month, spoke candidly to the comic about how she’s coping with her loss, her role on Real Housewives of Atlanta, her new song ‘I Fly Above’, her new store and much more. It’s really inspiring to see her pressing on in the midst of all that’s happened.

UPDATE: Performance of ‘Fly Above’ added:

Tidbit: Is it me or is Mo’Nique not as funny as you’d have expected she’d be as a host? If anything, her screaming and hollering is a tad annoying. Still love her all the same.

Your thoughts?


Breaking: Kandi’s Fiance Killed

kandi and finance Breaking: Kandis Fiance Killed

So sad:

The fiance of Kandi Burruss, a cast member on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” was killed Friday evening at a northwest Atlanta strip club, according to WSB Atlanta.

Burruss’ fiance, A.J. Jewell, died from a head injury sustained in a brawl at the Body Tap club, located at 1271 Marietta Blvd.

Burruss’ publicist Lisa Nelson confirmed to WSB that the actress has been informed of the incident and said the family asked for privacy.

Police said it’s unclear what prompted the fight. No arrests have been made. {Source}

Just this week I had been watching Kandi doing the media rounds for the show talking about him, and now this. People, please, stop the violence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kandi and AJ’s family.

Your thoughts?



From The Vault: Kandi – ‘Don’t Think I’m Not’

This week’s From The Vault journey’s back to the year 2000, when former Xscape member Kandi released her first solo single ‘Don’t Think I’m Not’. Lifted from her criminally underrated LP ‘Hey Kandi’, this saw the writer of female anthems such as ‘No Scrubs’ drop her own declaration of independence. A great track, which still goes hard today – some 9 years later (damn, times goes fast!):
Some of you may be wondering why the hell Kandi is standing still for most of the video. Well, it turns out she sprained her ankle just before the video was set to shoot. Having learned all the choreography and whatnot, the accident meant she had to appear in the vid in a reduced role. Still a great vid all the same. You learn something new everyday lol…
Your thoughts?

Fantasia Celebrates 24th Birthday

fantasia+birthday Fantasia Celebrates 24th Birthday Fantasia celebrated her 24th birthday this past weekend at Dreamz ATL. The American Idol winner was was joined by boyfriend Young Dro, former Xscape members Kandi and Tiny (pictured above) as well as Trey Songz.
This is definitely one of Tasia’s better showings…

What do you think of the pic?

The Best You Never Heard: Destiny’s Child, 3LW, Jamelia & Kandi

best+best The Best You Never Heard: Destinys Child, 3LW, Jamelia & KandiThis week’s The Best You Never Heard serves up unknown to the masses cuts by Destiny’s Child, 3LW, Jamelia and former Xscape member Kandi. Do you have any suggestions for future instalments? Drop me an email at sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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Destiny’s Child – Gots My Own

Though a very solid effort, one thing that till this day puzzles me about Destiny Child’s 2004 LP ‘Destiny Fulfilled’ is that a sizable proportion of the bonus, international only etc tracks could easily have featured on the album – most especially considering it’s overly generous track list size (11 tracks). Perhaps, one of the best of these tracks is the Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins produced ‘Gots My Own’. The song, which is very much in the vein of DC’s ‘Independent Women’ stance, is great IMO primarily because its Old Skool feel is so far removed from your typical Darkchild production, and moreover the expected Destiny’s Child sound. Also, the ladies’ unmatched harmonies/vocal arrangements work particularly well here.

Listen: Gots My Own

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3LW – Feelin’ You (ft. Jermaine Dupri)

With new member Jessica in tow, 3LW looked set to make another attempt at hitting it big in 2006, under the label guidance of Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def imprint (which at the time was an off-shoot of Sony). For one reason or the other, their ‘comeback’ album ‘Point of No Return’ was shelved (See: The Cheetah Girls); the girls did, however, release ‘Feelin’ You’ as a single (albeit an under-performing one). With top notch production courtesy of JD himself, the song managed to blend the their soft vocals with a befitting beat that still possessed that trademark JD ‘knock’. Great one for the summer.

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Jamelia – Beware Of The Dog

Many in the industry were initially touting UK R&B star Jamelia as our answer to Beyonce. Indeed, as well as her imaging, videos (See: ‘Superstar’) etc, the fact she was doing it so BIG over here at the same time as the Destiny’s Child front-woman, no doubt further fuelled the comparisons. However, with her last LP, 2006′s ‘Walk With Me’, the mother of 2 switched things up radically sound-wise, serving up an album full of R&B tinged Pop/Rock/Dance tracks – one of the standouts being ‘Beware Of The Dog’. With it’s hard hitting, rousing feel, the song isn’t far removed from some of the better cuts on Rihanna’s ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ CD. Good stuff.

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Kandi – I Need
Some of you may remember Kandi as one quarter of 90′s R&B vocal group Xscape. Having gone on to pen smashes for the likes of TLC (‘No Scrubs’) and Destiny’s Child (‘Bills Bills Bills’), she launched an ill-fated solo career, which in all fairness to her, did spawn the moderate hit ‘Don’t Think I’m Not’. Fast forward to 2006 and with talk of a new album in the works (which has yet to materialize), she dropped ‘I Need’ as a buzz single. Detailing the stress of her day to day life (“Got my baby daddy talking to me sideways, got a stack of bills sittin’ that I ain’t paid”), there really is no other way to describe this other than R-E-A-L. Lyrically the track is as engaging as they come; the beat goes hard too.

Listen: I Need

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Your thoughts: Hit(s) or Miss(es)?


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