Tuesday, March 23rd 2010

Have The Sugababes Been Dropped By Jay-Z’s Roc Nation?

Things appear to be going from bad to worse for the Sugababes. Following the dismal debut of their ‘Sweet 7′ LP, midweek figures today revealed that the album is set to crash out of #40 in its second week on the Official UK Album Chart. That doesn’t appear to be the worse of their woes though, as there is now increasing talk that the ladies were quietly dropped by production label Roc Nation last month.

Some may remember that the group signed the lucrative deal in early 2009 with the company shortly before the recording process of ‘Sweet 7′ commenced. Indeed, it was that very production deal which enabled the group, then-fronted by Keisha Buchanan, to work with US-based hitmakers such as Ne-Yo and RedOne for the proeject.

It now seems the drama and awful performance of the project on a whole left a sour taste in the mouth of Roc Nation, who are now reportedly referring to the group as ‘former clients’. The group are also no longer featured on the company’s site. Miaw!

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

41 Comments

Monday, March 22nd 2010

Sugababes’ ‘Sweet 7′ Has Sour Debut; Group’s Future In Jeopardy

The future of the Sugababes looks uncertain today, as the group’s ironically titled ‘Sweet 7′ album bombed on the Official UK Album Chart. Despite boasting top notch US producers and huge promotional backing, the LP, could only manage a #14 charting – the brand’s group’s lowest entry ever.

Worse still, on the Official Irish Album Chart, the record could only manage a #35 placing; again their lowest ever charting on that tally too. Ouch.

Reliable word has it that bosses, over at their label Island, are weighing up their options in light of of the album’s disastrous performance and the so-so success of its singles.

A That Grape Juice insider tell us:

“It’s not looking great for the girls. The label are funding the project at a loss, and are unlikely to come anywhere near breaking-even with this project. It’s been a disaster from the moment Keisha was axed. There are serious talks going on at the moment about the fate of the group. Do not be surprised if they quietly ‘take a break’ (never to return) later this year. Keisha-Gate really seems to have sealed the deal”

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I can’t say this comes as much of a surprise; it was always going to be an uphill struggle trying to force-feed this original member-less line-up to the public. I mean, despite the album actually boasting some pretty good tracks (‘She’s a Mess’, ‘Wait For You’, ‘No More You’), something was clearly missing, something neither Amelle, nor Heidi, nor Jade, were able to channel.

It’ll be particularly interesting to see how this all plays out in the weeks and months ahead…

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

40 Comments

Tuesday, March 16th 2010

Sugababes’ ‘Sweet 7′ Set To Bomb

The midweek sales for the Official UK Album Chart have been released, and it is not at all looking good for the Sugababes. According to the figures, Heidi, Amelle, and Jade look to set to miss the top 10 with their ‘Sweet 7′ LP. As at writing, the record is eyeing a #11-#12 position on the chart.

Ouch. It appears the much publicized drama surrounding the axing of original member Keisha Buchanan was the final for straw for the record-buying public. Early indications of the album’s fate could be seen in the performance of its singles. For despite achieving 3 consecutive top 10 singles from the LP, the songs would drop like a rock the week after release – highlighting a lack of listener loyalty.

It pretty much goes without saying that this album is make or break for the ladies. With the industry being renown for its cut-throat nature, it’s hard to see how any label will keep them on after such disastrous sales. Sales, which when considering the the amount of money the label have invested in the project, as well as the group’s Roc Nation deal, are much worse than they appear on the surface. If business doesn’t pick up with the quickness, it could be over for the ladies.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

37 Comments

Saturday, March 13th 2010

Sugababes Perform On ‘Your Country Needs You’

Heidi, Amelle, and Jade, otherwise known as the Sugababes, took to the stage on the BBC’s Eurovision: Your Country Needs You show to perform new single ‘Wear My Kiss’. Check out how they did above…

A decent enough showing, I guess. The ladies’ much delayed ‘Sweet 7′ LP is finally set to hit stores on Monday (March 15th).

What do you think of the performance?

Posted By: Sam

7 Comments

Wednesday, March 3rd 2010

Original Sugababes Launch Legal Action Against New Line-Up!

Just when it appeared the dust had settled in the Sugababes saga, it is being reported that ALL of the group’s original members have launched High Court action to secure the rights to the ‘Sugababes’ name.

According to Holy Moly, Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Siobhan Donaghy have jointly applied to the European Trademark Authority, seeking ownership to the group’s name. Shockingly, the ‘Sugababes’ name had reportedly never been trademarked, which has allowed the case to proceed.

Buena initially filed the application back in November last year, 2 months after Buchanan was booted. Yet yesterday, the application was amended to include both Keisha and Siobhan.

If their case is successful (which insiders say is ‘likely’), the trio would be able use the name for, among other things, CDs and advertisements in Europe. They would also be able to perform and record under the name. Although the latter is unlikely in light of Buchanan’s solo deal and personal differences between Donaghy and the other members.

Worse still for the current line-up, who will undoubtedly have to change their name should they lose, their legal team have only until May 8th to officially file opposition. Ouch.

Check out scans of the legal files below!

There’s little else to be said other than….let the battle begin! Granted I’m sure there are intricate details and procedures which could drag on for a while, I know which side I’m rooting for. I mean, watching the current line-up performing the group’s older material (material which neither Amelle or Jade were even in the group for) just a few minutes before this story broke, really made my stomach turn. Peep their recent live spin on ‘Ugly’ and ‘Round Round’ after the jump…

(more…)

Posted By: Sam

45 Comments

Monday, March 1st 2010

Sugababes Perform ‘About A Girl’ On Polish TV (A Must See)

The Sugababes took their ‘Sweet 7′ campaign over to Poland this week. Heidi, Jade, and Amelle, made several promotional appearances and gave a string of live performances on Polish television; with the most recent being on Dzien Dobry TVN yesterday, where they performed ‘About A Girl’. See how the ladies fared above…

Granted their existence with this line-up still makes for uncomfortable viewing / listening (no original member in sight), it’s hard to deny that this is perhaps their best performance to-date with this line-up. Solid vocals and (largely) in-sync choreography, make this particular showing a winner. Good stuff.

Tidbit: The Babes’ latest single ‘Wear My Kiss’ has seemingly peaked at #7 on the Official UK Singles Chart. Not bad, yet a little worrying in light of the amount of money pumped into the project.

What do you think of the performance?

Posted By: Sam

33 Comments

Tuesday, February 23rd 2010

Sugababes’s ‘Sweet 7′ Pushed Back Again!

Initially set for release in November last year, the Sugababes’ ironically titled new LP ‘Sweet 7′ has been pushed back yet again. Re-scheduled to hit stores on March 8th, the record has been delayed by a week and will now be released on March 15th. No reason has been given for the delay. {Source}

Really, though; what more can be said when it comes to this project? All I can say is that it’ll be really interesting to see how the album goes on to perform considering all the drama surrounding the group, as well as the money that has been pumped into this particular campaign by their label.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

17 Comments

Sunday, February 21st 2010

Sugababes Perform ‘Wear My Kiss’ On ‘Let’s Dance For Sports Relief’

The Sugababes took to the stage on BBC’s ‘Let’s Dance For Sports Relief’ last night, performing new single ‘Wear My Kiss’. You can check out how the ladies fared above…

Though kinda ‘just there’, the trio held their own vocally for the most part. I say ‘for the most part’, as Heidi sounded (as usual) like she was in need of oxygen. Not a good look.

What do you think of the performance?

Posted By: Sam

14 Comments

Thursday, February 18th 2010

Sugababes’ ‘Sweet 7′ TV Ad

Check out the official album commercial for the Sugababes‘ new LP ‘Sweet 7′ (due March 8th), which began running today:

Their label Island / Roc Nation are not playing when it comes to the promotion of this project! The ad is slick, and definitely sells the ladies as a premier act. Having listened through our preview copy of the album, it most certainly positions them in the thick of what’s hot musically (Pop-meets-Urban-meets-Dance) and boasts awesome production. Whether or not that’s a good thing, when considering the sound and image the group etched out for themselves over the last 10 years, is up to individual interpretation.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

12 Comments

Sunday, February 14th 2010

Sugababes Perform ‘Wear My Kiss’ At T4 Inside Out Festival

The Sugababes performed their latest single ‘Wear My Kiss’ on T4′s Inside Out Festival earlier today, marking the first time they’ve given a televised performance of the track. Check it out above.

Blah. Despite Jade’s facial expressions cracking me all the way up, she is clearly more talented than Amelle and Heidi put together. At this point, I’m simply hoping their ‘Sweet 7′ project (due March 8th) does well enough to ensure Jade has a firm foundation to build her inevitable solo career on.

What do you think of the performance?

Posted By: Sam

5 Comments

Thursday, February 11th 2010

Sugababes Perform Acoustic Version of ‘About A Girl’

Drama-plagued group, the Sugababes, continue along the promotional trail for their forthcoming LP – the interestingly titled ‘Sweet 7′, most recently stopping by Total Access to perform an acoustic version of recent single ‘About A Girl’. Check out how they fared below;

Good stuff.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

7 Comments

Sunday, February 7th 2010

New Song: Sugababes – ‘Wait For You’

With the release of the drama-plagued Sugababes ironically titled ‘Sweet 7′ LP fast approaching (March 8th), a new track from the set has surfaced in the form of ‘Wait For You’. Produced by Fernando Garibay (Whitney’s ‘Nothin’ But Love’, GaGa’s ‘Dance In The Dark’), this is a pulsating mid-tempo, which packs one hell of a punch. Solid Electro-Pop production, with stunning vocals from the group’s latest addition Jade Ewen – who takes the lead here. Great track…