The premium diva is set to release her 14th studio album next month and in the absence of a hit is taking to the promo trail early.
Carey, who celebrated her 44th birthday last month, sat down with ET Canada recently – dishing garishly on the project and its four-year recording process. The singer also revealed that her 3-year-old twins (who she affectionately dubs “Dem Babies”) feature on a song titled ‘Supernatural’.
An independent artist she may be, yet Ashanti continues to book stages her major label counterparts could only wish for as she promotes new album ‘Braveheart’.
The latest?
A spot singing the US National Anthem at the Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley boxing match over the weekend.
Tasked with nailing a song many deem “the” definitive benchmark for any “singer-singer”, how did Ms. Douglas fare?
Her performance of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ at the MGM Grand Las Vegas awaits with the answer…
Given the “magical” sounds that emanate from Rihanna‘s mouth, it’s fitting that the model performed ‘The Monster’ tonight at the MTV Movie Awards 2014.
Thankfully for the millions watching, the star seems to have taken That Grape Juice‘s advice and locked down a vocal coach, as she actually sounded…decent….during her much hyped showing with Eminem tonight.
Watch the pair, who set out on a sell-out stadium tour this Summer, preview the trek below…
A prolific writer responsible for co-writing the bulk of her own discography, 2011 saw Beyonce score praise from critics and fans alike following the release of her fourth studio album ‘4′, unveiled two years before the arrival of 2013’s ‘Beyonce.‘
Hailed for its raw honesty and a track list that saw her dabble in Funk, Dancehall and PBR&B, the album delivered the Bee Gees-esque ‘Rather Die Young‘, performed live for the very first time during the star’s ‘4 Intimate Nights With Beyonce’ ‘Roseland’ residency.
Knew all of the above already?
Well, one could forgive you for not knowing that before being presented to and subsequently re-written by Carter, ‘Die Young’ was originally served a solo single for songwriter Jeff Bhasker under the alias Billy Kraven, released under the title ‘I’d Rather Die Young.’
This week, From The Vault travels back to the very beginning of the 00’s with the defining R&B smash ‘I Wanna Know’ by crooner Joe.
The lead single from the singer’s third effort ‘My Name Is Joe’, the slow-jam was produced by Edwin «Tony» Nichola and produced by Joe himself. A love song by all counts, the cut stands as Mr Thomas signature song and was, according to Billboard, the 4th biggest song of the year 2000.
Having peaked at #4 on the US Hot 100 and #2 on the Hot Hip-Hop/R&B charts, it didn’t exactly achieve chart glory overseas. Still – as our non-US readers will testify – the track’s significance to modern R&B speaks louder than any chart position would or could.
The visual for the gem was helmed by Billie Woodruff and presented Joe as a knight in shining armor of sorts, rescuing a young lady after a chaotic relationship. Put simply, the perfect gentleman. A brief and quite unnecessary dance-break towards the end of clip throws things off somewhat, but still – Joe gets an “A” for effort, ay?
*****
With the Grammy nominee hard on work on new album ‘Bridges’ and R&B’s stock almost as high as it was when ‘I Wanna Know’ was released, maybe 2014 is the year that will see the vocalist bless (upper region of the) charts with his brand of grown and sexy once again. Should he serve up another classic that will also sound as fresh 14 years after its release, then we see no reason why not!
The ‘Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival’ kicked off in spectacular fashion on April 11th, kicking off in Indio, California!
Yesterday evening, Pharrell Williams touched down at the festival to deliver his set at the festival, rocking out with a little help from a crew of backing dancers, that hat and ‘Luxurious‘ collaborator Gwen Stefani.
As breakout stars go, few have shone brighter than Rita Ora.
Indeed, since blazing onto the scene in 2012, the Roc Nation priori has achieved a brand and strand of success many seasoned artists could only dream of. Namely three #1 singles, a Platinum album, and endorsement deals aplenty.
Now, with a new album due just after Summer, the Jay-Z protégé is warming up the masses with the set’s lead single ‘I Will Never Let You Down’.
That Grape Juice recently caught up with the singer, who dished on the LP’s Whitney Houston-inspired sound, and collaboration list (which includes Prince!)
The London-bred beauty also shared her views on Beyonce‘s “gangster” status, her own brand hustle, and her long-awaited US debut.
As ever, That Grape Juice ask the questions you really want answers to. Hit ‘PLAY’ above to watch our EXCLUSIVE interview with Rita Ora.
{Photo credit: Seye Isikalu}
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‘I Will Never Let You Down’ hits iTunes US on April 22nd & iTunes UK on May 11th.
As reported, Coachella 2014 has been full of surprises.
Still on-going as we type, the California-based festival has pulled out all the stops this year – and featured unannounced appearances from Beyonce, Jay-Z, and now Gwen Stefani.
The No Doubt front-woman sent the crowd into a frenzy tonight when she was brought out by Pharrell Williams during his set.
Introduced by Skateboard P as “the queen”, Stefani joined the hitmaker to perform one of the hits he crafted for her – 2004’s ‘Hollerback Girl’.
The showing marks the first time the 44-year-old has hit a stage since giving birth last year.
Beyonce may be on a break of sorts since wrapping up her sell-out world tour, yet it appears the allure of the stage is too hard to resist for the superstar singer.
The diva’s talented sister Solange invited Bey on stage during her critically acclaimed Coachella set tonight; together the pair performed the dance-break to ‘Losing You’.
Marking their first performance since ending their decade-long hiatus, Outkast arrived at 2014’s ‘Coachella Music Festival’ in Indio,California to deliver what many would agree was a hotly anticipated set.
Alas, after falling prey to a series of technical faults while on stage, the duo reportedly found themselves being booed by their audience, continuing to do so even after Andre 3000 apologised for set-ruining glitches.
It goes without saying that Beyonce is one of the biggest forces in the music industry.
Hits, accolades, and (multi) Platinum plaques define the star’s iconic journey. And while debate rages daily about where exactly the ‘Drunk In Love’ diva sits in music’s ever-changing hierarchy, PEOPLE magazine are firm in their stance – King B ranks at #1.
Kylie Minogue‘s latest album may be titled ‘Kiss Me Once’, yet it might have to be renamed ‘Buy Me Once’ if its sales are anything to go by.
Released last month, the ‘Into The Blue’ led set managed top ten placements in many territories, yet dropped like a rock shortly after amidst so-so promo.
Hoping to reverse the project’s fortunes, the singer – who this week confirmed her departure from The Voice UK – has announced a Pharrell Williams cut as the album’s next single.
