The forecasts are in and it’s looking like rainy days may be ahead for Britney Spears‘ new album ‘Britney Jean’.
Led by ‘Work B*tch’, the LP has been the subject of ample debate (including here on That Grape Juice) due to the so-so performance of its preceding singles – the latest being ballad ‘Perfume’.
Like the record-buying public, the material we’ve heard thus far has done little to rouse us. A fact that seems to have weighed heavily on the project’s potential sales.
For, the ever-reliable folk over at Hits Daily Double have revealed their opening week estimates for the LP. And let just say, like ‘Perfume’s chart performance, it doesn’t smell too nice.
21-year-old August Alsina is undoubtedly breaking ground as one of 2013’s breakout music stars.
Bringing his refreshing, street savvy brand of hip hop/R&B to the masses, the New Orleans native – in just a few short months – has already seen his Chris Brown and Trey Songz -assisted debut single ‘I Luv This Sh*t’ skyrocket to the top of R&B charts. This record-setting feat, the young crooner tells That Grape Juice, is just the beginning of what he has to offer.
Chatting exclusively to TGJ the ‘Ghetto’ hitmaker shares news about his successes so far, first full length LP, talks about that much-talked about ‘Wendy’ show appearance, and so much more. Get into it all below:
The Best You Never Heard is back! Each week will once again see That Grape Juice spotlight an array of little known gems. Featuring picks from the TGJ editorial team, we want to know…who chose the best song! Let us know below…
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Kelly Rowland – Turn It Up
While many look to ‘Motivation’ as Kelly Rowland‘s finest moment, its parent album ‘Here I Am’ is – for yours truly – her strongest body of work to date.
Boasting production from the likes of Tricky Stewart, Rico Love, The-Dream, and Ester Dean, the 2011 set served up Urban-Pop in the most palatable way. Put simply, (almost) every song was a smash-in-waiting.
Ironically, the rise in Kelly’s solo stock saw The X Factor UK came a’knocking, ultimately making the aggressive promo push required to capitalise on ‘Motivation’s buzz difficult. Catch 22, ay?
Still, the LP remains the most solid of Rowland’s solo catalogue – thanks to gems such as ‘Turn It Up’.
Helmed by the iconic Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, the dance-floor jam delivered drums, bass, sass, and spark – resulting in this firework of a track. How this did not receive the single treatment will forever puzzle. After all, it’s the exact brand and strand of song to showcase what the masses have a hunger to see more of – Kelly Rowland, the performer. Imagine Kelly rocking out to this in the vein of her BET Awards ’11 performance or this year’s Black Girls Rock.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda’s.
In any case, the cut continues to garner many a replay from yours truly. Here’s hoping there are more tracks in this vein on future projects. {SAM}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”wKDZhR2eSe8″]
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Brandy – It’s Not Worth It
As you’ve probably figured out, we love us some Brandy here at TGJ. Her extensive back-catalogue boasts many a could-have-been-hits. Case, point and example: ‘It’s Not Worth It’ from 2002’s ‘Full Moon’ LP
A very close sibling to the classic ‘Angel In Disguise’ from previous effort ‘Never Say Never’, ‘Worth It’ is an uptempo track that sees B-Rocka in the middle of a tumultuous relationship trying to make things right when her lover is ready to throw in the towel.
Helmed by the legendary Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, the track is yet another mix of high-octane production and stellar vocal arrangements with the cherry on the cake being a “special appearance” by none other than King Of Pop Michael Jackson – himself bringing a slight melancholic dimension to the tune only with a few notes delivered falsetto style.
Although it had not been pushed at its full potential for reasons that go above and beyond “the industry” (see: pregnancy), the ‘Full Moon’ album remains a gold mine that houses some of Ms. Norwood’s best moments ever, this song being one of them. {JOE}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”XlRUpUBV9Ts”]
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Pebbles – Girlfriend
Pulled from Pebbles‘ self titled debut album, ‘Girlfriend’ came courtesy of then-friend and later husband- LA Reid together with R&B maestro Babyface.
Co-produced by the performer herself, the empowering cut first hit shelves in 1987 and subsequently topped the interestingly named ‘Billboard Hot Black Singles‘ chart while earning a peak position of #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
What’s more, its success on US shores saw it push its supporting album to a top twenty Billboard 200 peak position, snatching the #14 spot, while the cut rocketed into the top ten of UK’s Official Singles Chart.
It was there, perched at #8, that ‘Girlfriend’ became the star’s first and last UK Top 40 chart entry, outperforming her signature hit ‘Mercedes Boy’ which parked at #42 upon its March 1988 arrival! {DAVID}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”Avtj8tdpr5Y”]
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Sheree Whitfield – Who Gon Check Me Boo
It’s the song every ghetto girl and their grandmother wishes would play when she walks in a room (or down the aisle).
Before ‘Gone With the Wind Fabulous’ and ‘I’m Very Rich B*tch’ swept the net as the memorable quotes from Bravo TV’s wildly popular ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’, former starlet of the show Sheree Whitfield‘s “Who Gon Check Me Boo?” was the series’ signature phrase.
Yes, Leakes took to fashion as a means to brand her expression, but, unfortunately, Moore and Whitfield took to music. With neck roll and side eye clearly in tow, Whitfield took jabs at her former co-star [Leakes] in the autotune-doused number ‘Who Gon Check Me Boo’. And, though the number got little traction on the net (as it was overshadowed by Whitfield’s unceremonious ousting from the show), we at TGJ HQ hide our heads in shame as we guiltily bounce our shoulders to the bass driven disaster of a song.
Press play and be ashamed with us. You’ll love to hate it and hate to love it. {RASHAD}
Before the 2014 release of her fifth studio album, Beyonce unwraps a brand new number for the world’s audio pleasure today…launched as part of the promotional package for her ‘Life Is But a Dream’ DVD.
Dedicated to her daughter Blue Ivy, the moving piece sees the R&B Queen return to Pop territory (see ‘I Am…Sasha Fierce‘) and goes a long way to tease what the world can expect from the LP many believe it will appear on!
She’s the one time Disney belle now occupying a seat on X Factor USA‘s judging panel.
However, what most Urban music lovers don’t know about Demi Lovato, is that she stands as one of Pop’s strongest staples, boasting talent and personality that oft goes unnoticed by those who consider themselves her fans.
Think we’re exaggerating?
Well think again. For, in her brand new video for the single ‘Neon Lights‘, the entertainer gives many a competitor a serious run for their money, without pulling the stunts employed by the Miley Cyrus‘ of the world.
On December 17th, Rick Ross will grace the world with his sixth studio album ‘Mastermind’, set to impact the charts via Def Jam Recordings.
So, as to whip up as much momentum for the project as possible, the Rapper kicked off a tour of the same name on November 12th. Last night, the show arrived in Georgia where Angie Stone took to the stage to perform ‘Tears of Joy’ alongside the performer.
Jennifer Hudson may very well be the hardest working woman in Hollywood.
With two movies dropped in two months (‘The Inevitable Defeat of Mister& Pete”, ‘Black Nativity’) and a new album on the way, the Grammy-winner is definitely putting work in from pillar to post. Now, hard on the promo trail for ‘Nativity’, Hudson dropped by Hot 97 to discuss the film, her new album, and so much more with the show’s host Angie Martinez.
Martinez, of course, went there – quizzing the ‘Where You At’ singer on her marital status with fiance David Otunga and his recent beef with rapper Wale.
Fans were whipped into a frenzy yesterday when rapper Eminemshared a snap from the set of his ‘The Monster’ video with pop princess Rihanna. But, before we’ll be able to feast our eyes on that number in full, Em has taken to Twitter to share news on another video due in time for Thanksgiving- ‘Rap God’.
Lifted from his platinum-selling ‘MMLP2’, the Rich Lee-directed visual is set to premiere Wednesday, November 27th.
For those who can’t wait that long to get a taste, a sneak peek of what’s to come awaits below:
More details have surfaced about a story we shared days ago regarding Jennifer Lopez‘s highly anticipated return to the music scene. Originally thought to be a trek solely to reignite cooled buzz around the singer’s 10th album, the latest news shows the campaign to be a collaboration with Kohl’s, ABC, and the American Music Awards to launch the “Choose Your Own Black Friday” holiday-themed campaign.
Word has it there are seven (yes you read it right) “Get Jennifer There” commercials in total, but only four will air during the AMA broadcast. More details and the first commercial spot await below:
BBC Radio 1 had the pleasure of catching up with Eminem recently, joining Zane Lowe to discuss his latest LP and the path that led to its conception.
While nowhere near as controversial as Lowe’s time with Kanye West, Em’s interview brought with it a fresh take on everything it touched upon, including winning his fight against drugs, his thoughts on Kendrick Lamar and the comfort he has found in touring.
It’s been a month since TLC broke VH1 viewership records with their tell-all biopic ‘CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story’, but since then it seems the ‘Waterfalls’ duo have fallen into a firestorm of controversy with former labelhead Perri ‘Pebbles’ Reid.
First, Reid threatened legal action for her negative portrayal in the film. This, of course, shortly before she alleged the members had an affair with her former husband/record executive L.A. Reid. Then, the ‘Mercedes Boy’ beauty alleged that VH1 supported her claims of misrepresentation by asserting the film was a “fictionalized portrayal” of true events.
Now, the latest beef comes with reports that the Grammy winning group have been dropped from EPIC records – a new deal made with L.A. Reid in July for support of their new greatest hits album featuring the single ‘Meant To Be’…
