With a schedule that saw her leave no promotional stone unturned, Tamar Braxton‘s push for her latest album ‘Love & War’ is undoubtedly to thank for its success this year- currently on course to hit the Platinum mark well before its first birthday.
However, while that push pulled in the numbers, its exhausting nature took its toll on the entertainer’s singing voice. Problematic, considering the star’s passion for live performances.
Now watch her address her recent ‘vocal drama’ with our pals over at ‘Hip Hollywood’ below!
With next year marking ten years since her debut, there are some who’d be right in calling Ciara an R&B veteran, outlasting many of the entertainers she stepped into Pop’s arena with.
However, in a new interview unveiled to the world today, the ‘Magic’ maestra has revealed that her journey is only just beginning, revealing her plans to build an empire whose reach stretches far beyond the realm of music.
K. Michelle keeps her buzz a’buzzing on her headline tour in association with BET Music Matters.
Having rocked the charts with debut album ‘Rebellious Soul’, the outspoken star embarked on the US jaunt in support of the ‘V.S.O.P’ led set.
The songbird, who rose to prominence on VH1’s ‘Love & Hip-Hop’ franchise, gives fans a behind the scenes look at the trek in ongoing ‘Rebellious Soul Tour’ webisodes – the finale of which awaits after the jump….
Hailing from Toronto and on course to take the world by storm is Rochelle Jordan, the singer/songwriter renown for her unique brand of Nostalgic R&B and a voice we’ve become enamoured by since being introduced to her.
Now, in giving music lovers even more of a good reason to hop on her bandwagon, the 20-something unleashes a brand new number named ‘Follow Me’, produced by KLSH and sure to remind many of a certain R&B icon named Aaliyah.
Congratulations are most certainly in order for Pop sensation Rihanna and R&B starlet Sevyn Streeter, both of whom have secured fresh chart success today!
As this year’s sales of her Christmas classic ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You‘ set to generate over £700,00o by 2013’s end, Mariah Carey flaunts a little of what her money has afforded her today!
Money, that purchased the Holiday home she caught up with the ‘Today’ show in this morning, inviting the outlet to dish on the aforementioned ‘Christmas’ and- more importantly- showcase her oft overlooked but ever treasured down to earth nature.
After bidding adieu to all ‘90210′ had to offer, Mack Wilds continues to showcase his ever impressive live prowess this week…doing so with a smoking appearance on ‘The Arsenio Hall Show.’
Hitting the stage after learning of his 2014 Grammy nomination, the charismatic performer rocked Hall’s audience with his budding smash ‘Own It’, pulled from his new album ‘New York, A Love Story.’
Why you can expect to see a whole lot more of Wild’s on That Grape Juice.Net?!
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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Fantasia – I’m Not That Type
As American Idol graduates go, the likes of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood may posses the most Platinum plaques, yet -for us- it’s Fantasia Barrino who boasts the most solid catalogue.
Indeed, in the 10 years since the North Carolina native blazed onto the scene, she has solidified herself as one of music’s most consistent talents. A status she earned with releases such as her self-titled sophomore set in 2006.
While much of the LP is soaked in the classic soulfulness we’ve come to love from the singer, it also served up a number of pleasant surprises. Case, point, ‘I’m Not That Type’.
Produced by Missy Elliott, the cut places Fantasia on “Club” terrain with its pulsating bassline, gritty beat, and all-round “edgy”. While lyrically, the track embraces the brand and strand of new age feminism perpetuated by the likes of TLC and Destiny’s Child.
Sonically, though, this is all flavours of ratchet. And yours truly loves it.
If this year’s ‘Without Me’ had an older, feistier, sister, this gem would be she! {SAM}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”xyg4ny_W73U”]
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Lady GaGa – Disco Heaven
This week’s pick comes courtesy of Pop force Lady GaGa and her gem ‘Disco Heaven’.
A bonus track from Stefani’s first LP ‘The Fame’, it is a throwback to – as its title implies – the golden era of the Disco. Produced by former collaborator Rob Fusari, the dark retro number stands as a favorite among Little Monsters.
Markedly different from the singles released from its parent album but rather similar to her more recent output, it is again a testament to GaGa’s vision of who she wanted to be as an artist – especially when this song was recorded pre-RedOne and was part of Lady GaGa’s shows BEFORE she was “LADY GAGA”. Indeed ‘Heaven’ wouldn’t sound misplaced if played in between tracks such as ‘ARTPOP’ and ‘Applause’.
In any case, the song is a major winner, press play to find out why! {JOE}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”Hb7L3ZEg_K4″]
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Rihanna – Last Goodbye
Pulled from her sophomore LP ‘A Girl Like Me’, Rihanna‘s ‘Final Goodbye’ now stands as one her lesser known songs, perhaps lost in the shadows of the chart-toppers that followed its release and the ballads she now finds herself being celebrated for.
However, as you’ll agree once you press play below, the number does more to showcase her vocal skill than the songs that have seen her go from Teen Pop sensation to one of the this era’s most successful entertainers.
Penned by Luke McMaster, Charlene Gilliam and Curtis Richardson, the Gaelic- sounding ‘Goodbye’ sees an 18 year old Fenty bid adieu to the nightclub-ready themes found in ‘SOS’ and ‘Break It Off’ and land on mature ground with a cut that’s just as poignant today as it was upon its 2006 release.
Love it as much as I do? You know who to vote for below! {DAVID}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”gujdHQboago”]
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Kierra Sheard – Wave Your Banner (ft. Mary Mary)
If there was a duckwalk in your spirit, we wouldn’t be mad if you broke out into it while listening to this song. In the streets or in the church, ‘Wave Your Banner’ – the triumphantly, energetic cut from gospel songstress Kierra Sheard and Grammy winning gospel sister duo Mary Mary – simply bumps…hard!
Found on Sheard’s third album ‘Bold Right Life’, the tune is an oft-overlooked gem and awesome reverse follow-up to Mary Mary’s ‘God In Me’ (which saw Kierra play guest). As the aptly titled ‘Bold’ marked the singer’s first album into adulthood, it flexed a newfound confidence befitting a growing artist and woman overall. Had the Urban contemporary ‘Wave’ ever been released to radio, we’re sure it would’ve been a hit.
Alas, we can only dream. Until then, we’ll ‘Wave’ right along with Kiki on this bass driven tune! {RASHAD}
Hoping to turn the hype surrounding his name into sales he’ll need to sustain it…is August Alsina, the Hip Hop wave making quite the splash on Pop’s shores this year.
So, it should come as little surprise that he’s teamed up with fellow chart-topper 2 Chainz to launch the ‘2 Good To Be T.R.U.‘ tour. kicking off in February 2014 and set to boast performances by the veteran that is Pusha T.
Consider your favourite artist one of the best vocalists of all time?
If so, you’ll be interested to learn of Yahoo’s brand new list, naming their Top 250 female singers of the 20th century- compiled with the aid of Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, Past perfect, Amazon, Cynamans, UGO, Listverse, Rocklist, Essence, Timout, Acclaimed Music, and Youtube.
Sure to surprise some while pleasing others, the list comes courtesy of vocal teacher/songwriter Jessica Eisenberg, responsible for the message placed above the Top 250 below!
Like most regal figures, the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul Mary J. Blige enjoys relevancy the world over.
As such, in a nod to her global success, the diva was tapped to perform at the UK’s 2013 Royal Variety Performance – which sees a host of carefully curated talent take to the stage to perform in front of the British royal family.
Ever able, the R&B pioneer dazzled with a stunning rendition of ‘My Favorite Things’ – which is lifted from hit Holiday LP ‘A Mary Christmas’.
