The lead single from Timbaland’s ‘Shock Value 2′, the So Shy assisted ‘Morning After Dark’ premiered during the last 24 hours.

Put simply, the track sounds great – with top notch production; it’s just that…how do I say it nicely…it’s top notch production, yet sounds almost identical to the sound he was pimping like a $2 h*e to everyone and their mother about 2 years ago. I mean there’s having an identifiable sound and there’s rehashing; at the moment this feels like the latter.

Hit or Miss?

Filed Under: Timbaland

Following Kanye’s debut of new single ‘Love Lockdown’ at the VMA’s last Sunday, the studio version of the cut has surfaced. With the Chi-Town rapper not actually rapping lol, this one really requires one to open their mind to ‘get it’. I’m really liking this one all the same though. Kudos to Kanye for stepping out of the box.

Filed Under: Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Chris Brown, Duffy, Fergie, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna, Solange, Timbaland

Check out this new cut from The Game’s still unreleased ‘L.A.X’ LP titled ‘My Life’. Featuring man of the moment Lil’ Wayne, the mid-tempo, piano-driven track -said to be a future single- is solid in its own right, yet notable more so for certain lyrics:

Filed Under: Timbaland

It was reported back in May that Britney Spears had begun work on her new album. Today, her record label have confirmed the news, adding that the recovering Pop princess will be spending the summer recording the LP. Check out the report via Billboard below:

Spears is said to be working “with a team of top-notch producers and songwriters” not named in the statement, but JR Rotem, Sean Garrett, Guy Sigsworth, Danja and Bloodshy & Avant have all independently revealed that they’re contributing to the as-yet-untitled project.

The new album, for which no release date has been confirmed, will be the follow-up to last year’s “Blackout,” which has sold 879,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The album was largely overshadowed by Spears’ tabloid-fodder personal life and her disastrous performance of the single “Gimme More” during the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas.

On a bit of a random note, I’m actually surprised ‘Blackout’ shifted as many units as it did. I say this, considering there was next to no promotion for it for obvious reasons. I guess it goes to show that the interest level is still there; with a pretty impressive producer line-up, it’s left to Britney to deliver on *all* fronts this go round…

Do you think Britney still has what it takes?

Filed Under: Jay Z, Timbaland

The video for Nelly’s latest single ‘Stepped On My J’s (ft. Jermaine Dupri & Ciara)’ premiered on BET just a few short hours ago. Though I think the video is pretty decent, especially considering how poor the song is(IMO), Ciara’s showing was definitely the highlight of the clip. Good stuff.

What do you think of the video?

Filed Under: Timbaland

Despite only just being released digitally this week, Usher’s latest effort ‘Love In The Club’ has already hit #1 on the iTunes singles chart. As well as guaranteeing that the song makes a major impact on the Billboard Hot 100 next week, it serves as an indication to the level of anticipation for his upcoming album. I’ve always maintained that Usher wouldn’t be able to top his mega-selling ‘Confessions’ LP creatively or sales-wis;, however, with the way things are going, he may just prove the naysayers wrong.

Filed Under: Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Timbaland

Filed Under: Timbaland

Though, I’m getting the vibe that all the best parts were in the trailer, I may just go out and see this one. ‘Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins’ hits theatres across the US in February.

Will you be seeing ‘Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins’

Filed Under: 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Timbaland, Wyclef

According to NME, Dr Dre’s serially delayed album ‘Detox’ will finally be hitting stores in June. The much anticipated LP, the follow-up to ‘2001′ – which released 7 years ago, was originally set for release in 2004, however has been pushed back continually since then. Dre. 42, will drop the album via Aftermath/Interscope.

Filed Under: Keri Hilson, Nicole Scherzinger, Timbaland

With 2007 rapidly coming to end, I felt it beffiting to acknowledge the releases, events etc that have made the last 12 months as memorable as they have been. What better way to mark this than to host the 1st Annual That Grape Juice: End Of Year Awards.

Album of the Year

Alicia Keys – As I Am
Kanye West – Graduation
Mario – Go!
Mary J. Blige – Growing Pains
Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
Kelly Rowland – Ms. Kelly

Single of the Year

Fantasia – When I See You
Alicia Keys – No One
Keyshia Cole – Let It Go
Rihanna – Umbrella
J. Holiday – Bed
Kanye West – Stronger

Best Video:

Kanye West – Good Life
Ciara – Like A Boy
Beyonce – Get Me Bodied
R. Kelly – Same Girl (ft. Usher)

Best Collaboration:

Chris Brown & T-Pain- Kiss Kiss
Kelly Rowland & Eve – Like This
50 Cent & Justin Timberlake Ayo Technology
Timbaland & Keri Hilson – The Way I Are
R. Kelly & Usher – ‘Same Girl’

Best New Artist:

Amy Winehouse
J. Holiday
Tiffany Evans
The Dream

Best Female Artist:

Alicia Keys
Mary J Blige
Keyshia Cole
Kelly Rowland

Best Male Artist

Chris Brown
Kanye West
Mario
J. Holiday
Jay-Z

The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist Of The Year Award

Amerie
Mario
Tamia
Trey Songz

The Please Go Sit Down Somewhere Award

Rihanna
Nicole Scherzinger
50 Cent
Souljah Boy

Most Overrated Artist:

Rihanna
Beyonce
Fergie

Worst Single Of The Year:

Chris Brown – Wall to Wall
Nicole Scherzinger – Baby Love
Souljah Boy – Crank That

Flop of the Year:

Kelly Rowland
Jennifer Lopez
Will.i.am

Most Shocking Event of 2007:

Bobby and Whitney Divorcing
Beyonce Falling Down Stairs
Britney’s Shambolic VMA Performance/Going Crazy

Best Reality TV Show:

Making the Band 4
Runs House
Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is
I Love New York 2

Best TV Show:

Girlfriends
Everybody Hates Chris
The Boondocks
The Game

What do you think of the nominee list?

Filed Under: Timbaland

{More pics and a video below}

R&B singer Mario played the 2nd of a three-date tour stop at London’s famed Jazz Café last night. Following our recent interview with the star, ThatGrapeJuice.net was cordially invited as one of Mario’s guests for the evening. Backed by an energetic four-piece band, the ‘Go!’ singer showed just why he is heralded as one of R&B’s few remaining genuine talents. Raw, passionate and, above all, entertaining; Mario delivered on all fronts.

It was shortly after 9pm when opener, Irish soul singer, Laura Izibor took to the stage at the near-packed venue. The 20 year old’s laidback set was well-received by the increasingly growing audience, most notably the funk-inspired ‘From My Heart to Yours’. There was, however, a collectivized feeling of ‘Ok, so where is Mario’ in the audience. After all, doors did open at 7pm lol…

The wait was over when, just before 10pm, Mario emerged to a thunderous reception – opening his set with a rousing performance of his first hit ‘Just A Friend’. Working the stage effortlessly with a level of showmanship well beyond his 21 years, Mario set the scene for the rest of, what was to be, a high-octane show.

Of the show’s many highlights, current single ‘Crying Out For Me’ really stood out. From the ballad’s opening instrumentation, the entire audience were captivated – singing the whole of song in unison. Mario’s rapport with the largely urban ‘Teen-20 Something’ crowd was an integral part of his set; with the singer often bringing out female audience members to whine and grind with him.

The acoustic styled performance of ‘Music For Love’ was a personal highlight. Whereas, much of the audience listened on intently, somewhat unfamiliar with the track, I – for that moment – came off my indefinite ‘vocal rest’ and broke into song lol. A fantastic track and an even better live rendition. A tidbit: backing vocalists – not a feature of his band – may have been a good addition here as the demanding nature of the track saw him adlibbing (albeit, well) through quite a bit of the song.

Despite the presence of new material on the set list such as a stirring performance of ‘Go’ and ‘How Do I Breathe’ (which, I must say, sounds a lot better live), the show was, no doubt, a treat for the ‘true’ Mario fans. For, the singer delved deep into his back-catalogue and performed a few album cuts from his self-titled debut as well as 2004’s double Platinum ‘Turning Point’. Included were ‘Braid My Hair’ and ‘Directions’ – both of which much of the very vocal crowd recited word-for-word.

The intimate, stripped down nature of the show made for a great experience. Absent were the backing tracks and stage theatrics that so often hide the lacking talents of those who use them. In its place were raw emotion and a rare connection to an audience who, for the most part, had grown with Mario on his journey in the music industry. Deemed ‘underrated’ by some, if yesterday was any indicator, Mario’s story has only just begun.

Random Points:

• UK rapper Kano was in attendance
• Crowd energy was on a high for the whole night
• The band was made up of two bassists, a keyboard player and a drummer. They were on-point!
• We were lucky to enough to chill with Mario for a little while in his changing room after the show. He said he was glad that most of you enjoyed the interview.

Mario performing ‘Let Me Love You’

Your thoughts?

Filed Under: Timbaland

It appeared as though 50 Cent was keeping a low profile since his highly-publicized loss to Kanye West in their September 11th chart showdown, however it seems he’s back to trash-talking. In the current issue of KING magazine, the G-Unit leader takes aim at Lil’ Wayne (again):

You went after Lil’ Wayne on “Part-Time Lover” with the rhyme “You make me want to kiss you like Baby do Wayne/And make you call me Daddy like Baby do Wayne/Damn, that shit sounds gay, it’s insane/I guess that’s the price a lil’ nigga pay for fame.” What’s that about?
I’ve already baited Lil’ Wayne to come on out so I can break his little neck. My consistency will break his neck the same way LL’s consistency broke Canibus’. Lil’ Wayne is a talented rapper but not a great songwriter. He has had great verses on other people’s projects, but they were not his complete ideas over production that he picked. He’s not marrying the right production and lyrics to make classic hit records.

But if he’s not coming after you, why bother him?
Why not break his neck? I got nothing else to do. If they set you up to believe you are in a situation you’re not actually in yet, then you go out there… See, he’s saying what he’s saying to Jay because Jay didn’t respond to him. I’m giving him something to work off. Is that one of 50’s laws? Yeah. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

{Source}

Filed Under: Timbaland

Again, I know it’s kinda short notice, but I will be interviewing Island Def Jam/So So Def artist Johnta Austin on Wednesday (August 1st). Following a label switch (from Virgin to Island), the talented singer/songwriter is set to drop his ‘Ocean Drive’ album on September 4th. Please drop any questions you may have for Johnta in the comments section. Note that only genuine and reasonable questions will be considered

Filed Under: Keri Hilson, Rihanna, Timbaland