Music

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New Song: LeToya – ‘Good To Me’

27th Aug

Regular readers will know that I felt LeToya Luckett’s sophomore effort ‘Lady Love’ was a little too-ballad heavy (a view, for the most part, I still hold). However having given the album a few more spins, it definitely has A LOT of grower potential and is steadily winning me over – no track moreso than ‘Good To Me’.

The bouncy mid-tempo is best summed up as fire on a track! While listening to this one I was literally saying: “LeToya Nicole Luckett, you better SANG!”. Definitely one of the tracks which showcase Ms. Luckett’s greatly improved vocals. Awesome track, one that should surely be considered as a single.

Hit or Miss?

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New Song: Mariah Carey – ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ (10 Second Clip)

27th Aug

A 10 second snippet of Mariah Carey’s ‘first’ single from ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’, ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ surfaced today.

While I’ll hold my full judgement until hearing the song in its entirety, it seems Ms. Carey-Cannon has gone back to that whisper ish. Ugh.

Yes, it’s early days, but what are thinking about this folks…it sounding like a…

Hit or Miss?

The-Dream Named New Def Jam Executive Vice President

27th Aug

Singer-songwriter The-Dream can add another title to his ever-growing list of achievements – Vice President. The R&B star has announced that he is the new Executive Vice President of Island Def Jam:

The Dream announced his new position as Executive Vice President of Island Def Jam Records Wednesday through his Twitter page. The 27-year old singer, songwriter, and producer sent out a series of Tweets late that evening saying:
“I wanna Thank everyone at Island Records/DefJam for their faith in me and making me Executive Vice President of Island Records. Thank you to my team..my manager Mark Stewart & my attorney Aaron Rosenberg for getting this 1st step of a goal accomplished. Thanks to Judy. Thank you to my partner Tricky Stewart and the RadioKilla & RedZone Staff. LA Reid, Karen Kwak, Steve Bartels, Joe Barino. Steve Gotlieb and Thank you, Universal Chairman, Doug Morris. I look forward to the challenge of rebuilding music for not only Island Records, But for Universal Records as a whole. Today I’m humbled and blessed. Terius “The-Dream”
RadioKilla is taking over the position previously held by Chris Hicks, who took over the position after the untimely death of Def Jam executive, Shakir Stewart. Now L.A. Reid and the Def Jam family are passing the reigns to one of their own by giving the position to The Dream. The Dream also made sure to give a special shoutout to his fiancé, singer Christina Milian and her family for their support.
“Oh yeah thank you Christina for your wonderful belief in me i love you! also i want to thank the entire Nash family and Milian family for the Super Support you Give! this doesnt mean i have extra money it means i have extra bills LOL.”
His third album, which he says will be his last, is entitled Love King and due for release later this year. {Source}

I’m still a little baffled at the idea of artists/producers taking up such high positions at labels, as most evidence points to things turning out to be a disaster (see: 50 Cent & G-Unit, Jermaine Dupri etc). That said, congratulations to The-Dream…

Your thoughts?

New Song: Wynter & David Guetta – ‘Toyfriend’

27th Aug

French DJ David Guetta is riding high after the success of his worldwide smash ‘When Love Takes Over’ and the follow-up ‘Sexy B*tch (ft. Akon)’ – a hit in waiting.

Upon listening to his album ‘One Love’, which was released this week, I found that the aforementioned songs are not flukes at all, with the LP being packed full of box-fresh hits, inclusive being ‘Toyfriend’ performed by Atlantic Records singer Wynter Gordon (see: Flo’ Rida’s ‘Sugar’ and her own ‘Surveillance’).

This hypnotic club banger is the perfect mesh of the Urban and Dance genres, not leaning too far in either direction. Great track.

Hit or Miss?

New Song: Monica – ‘Betcha She Don’t Love You’

27th Aug

The full version of new Monica cut ‘Betcha She Don’t Love You’ has surfaced. Produced by Missy Elliott (who still insists on screaming and hollering on a track), the song is an 80’s New Wave / Funk inspired slice of music deliciousness. Loving this one!

No word yet on if it’s the lead single from new album ‘Still Standing’; I sure would hope so.

Hit or Miss?

LISTEN: Betcha She Don’t Love You

LeToya Predicted To Sell 25k-30k First Week

27th Aug

According to Hits Daily Double, R&B singer LeToya’s sophomore effort ‘Lady Love’ is set to debut at #6 on the Billboard 200 album chart with sales in the region of 25,000 – 30, 000.

Regardless of which way this is spun, it’s not a good look for Ms. Luckett. With the album growing on me daily and it’s all-round great reception, one would have hoped that the sales would reflect it’s quality. Unfortunately this doesn’t look like it’ll be the case. At this point it appears it’ll be an up-hill struggle hitting Gold.

With LeToya being a skilled vocalist, not to mention her media and business savviness, I’d say a move to another label is pretty much a necessity for her to acheive the success she deserves. It’s been a well-known fact for sometime that her label (Captiol/EMI/Virgin) have been having a lot of difficulties – hence the many delays this album – which was due out early last year – has had. SMH…

Update: Check out LeToya’s recent UStream video chat session with her fans, where she talks about not being satisfied with her promotion. (LaTavia is also a guest) Word has it Toya has switched management, as recent as 2 weeks ago, to Alicia Keys’ manager Jeff Robinson of MBK management. Anyways, peep the vid:

Your thoughts?

MOBO Awards 2009 Nominations

27th Aug

That Grape Juice was on hand at the MOBO Awards 2009 Nominations Launch at 5* venue The May Fair here in London yesterday. As I’m sure many of you know, the annual show celebrates the undeniable presence of Music of Black Origin on the contemporary music scene. The event saw PA’s from JLS and Jade Ewen, though was largely populated by press outlets.

Having attended last year’s nominations launch, this year’s event definitely marked a major step forward; everything from the swanky venue, to the more ethnic feel (i.e. Patti’s, Saltfish etc on the menu lol), to the flowing free drink (I am actually still hungover LMAO) and most importantly the united-in-music aura, made this perhaps their best launch yet. A very enjoyable night indeed.

Check out the full list of nominations below:

BEST UK ACT
Alesha Dixon
Bashy
Beverly Knight
Chipmunk
Dizzee Rascal
DJ Ironik
Donae’o
Mr. Hudson
N-Dubz
Tinchy Stryder

BEST NEWCOMER
Alexandra Burke
Jade Ewen
JLS
Laura Izibor
Master Shortie

BEST R&B / SOUL ACT
Beverly Knight
Ciara
Jeremih
Keri Hilson
Lemar

BEST HIP HOP ACT
Chipmunk
Dizzee Rascal
Drake
Eminem
Kanye West

BEST VIDEO
‘Bonkers’ – Dizzee Rascal
‘Boy Does Nothing’ – Alesha Dixon
‘Diamond Rings’ – Chipmunk ft. Emeli Sande
‘Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)’ – Beyonce
‘Supernova’ – Mr. Hudson ft. Kanye West

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Akon
Beyonce
Ciara
Drake
Eminem
Jay Z
Kanye West
Keri Hilson
Lady Gaga
Mariah Carey

BEST SONG
‘Beat Again’ – JLS
‘Diamond Rings’ – Chipmunk ft. Emeli Sande
‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ – K.I.G. Family
‘Number One’ – Tinchy Stryder Ft. N-Dubz
‘Strong Again’ – N-Dubz

BEST ALBUM
‘808s and Heartbreaks’ – Kanye West
‘Catch 22’ – Tinchy Stryder
‘Catch Me If You Can’ – Bashy
‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’ – Beyonce
‘Uncle B’ – N-Dubz

BEST REGGAE
Movado
Sean Paul
Serani
Tarrus Riley
Vybz Kartel

BEST JAZZ ACT
Diana Krall
Herbie Hancock
Madeleine Peyroux
Melody Gardot
Yolanda Brown

BEST AFRICAN ACT
Amadou and Mariam
Baaba Maal
Eidee
Femi Kuti
K’Naan
Lira
Mujava
Nneka
Oumou Sangare
Salif Kelta
BEST GOSPEL ACT
Desire to Worship God
Kiki Sheard
Mary Mary
New Direction
Victizzle
BEST DJ
Manny Norte
Masterstepz
Mistajam
Ras Kwame
Rickie & Melvin
Sarah Love
Semtex
Shortee Blitz
Steve Sutherland
DJ Target
Tim Westwood
Trevor Nelson

The 2009 MOBO Awards take place at Scotland’s SECC on September 30th; you can vote for the winners by clicking here and / or purchase tickets for the show by clicking here

Your thoughts on the nominations?

Kelly Rowland Talks New Album / + New Pics

26th Aug

Kelly Rowland really is flying high these days; hit singles, a majorly anticipated new album and on the brink of signing a new recording deal, the only way for this Destiny’s Child alumni is seemingly up. Ms. Kelly recently sat down with USA Today to talk about her new project, her artistic direction and more. An interesting read. She also looks fab in these new pictures from the piece too:

Since going solo Kelly Rowland hasn’t seen much success in the US but has been having a better luck overseas. Kelly tells USA Today that she had decided to embrace the international market that loves her. She recently had a number one hit with When Love Takes Over one of the three songs she recorded with David Guetta.
“Here, sometimes it’s like my music didn’t quite work, but overseas it’s on top of everybody’s chart. I’ve had more international success than domestic success, and I think that opens my eyes up to music. I mean, I just got back from performing in Lebanon. Lebanon!” she says.
Kelly hopes to release a solo album by the end of 2009 or early 2010.
“I have a new boost of energy,” she says. “All the creative juices are flowing, and I’m having so much fun in the studio because I’m making dance records. And I’m working with producers who are just as curious about the sound internationally, too.”
She says her next release will be dance-heavy, but she won’t forget her R&B roots. While she still covets domestic success working toward that success won’t be her guiding light, she says.
“I don’t ever want to get in a box to where I’m thinking that this is the only place that can ever exist,” she says. “I love being overseas just as much as I love being home. Plus, I know all my eating spots over there now, so I’m good!”
“I feel empowered. Finally,” Rowland says with a laugh and a snap of her fingers. “When you don’t believe in yourself, you feel like you’re living in fear. You don’t give yourself the opportunity to believe that you can. And as much as you tell yourself you can’t do it, you end up not doing it. Me? I was complacent and comfortable where I was.” {Source}

It’s refreshing to see Kelly speakin Justify Full

g so frankly about her success to-date in the US, as well as her embracing of her International appeal. That said, I hope Kelly doesn’t serve up ‘When Love Takes Over’-esque cuts on a solo tip. While it was a great track which opened her up to new audiences, I know many of her R&B fans felt it a little too left-field. In a perfect world Kelly would mesh both the Urban and the Dance sound to come up with something in the vein of what Danity Kane did on their last LP (see: ‘Damaged’, ‘Sucka 4 Love’, ‘Pretty Boy’ etc) and what Whitney does on some of the tracks on her comeback (see: ‘For The Lovers’).

Your thoughts?

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Chris Brown Sentenced To Probabation

26th Aug

Yesterday somewhat saw closure in the long-running Chris Brown and Rihanna saga, with Brown, 20, being sentenced for assaulting the Pop princess back in February:

US singer Chris Brown has been sentenced to 180 days’ community labour and five years’ probation for assaulting pop star Rihanna.
The 20-year-old R&B star pleaded guilty in June to beating Rihanna, his former girlfriend, before the Grammy awards in Los Angeles in February.
The judge said Brown must do physical labour, not community service, and attend domestic violence counselling.
Brown must also stay at least 100 yards from Rihanna for the next five years.
The judge said violation of the terms would be taken “very, very seriously”.
Brown said nothing at the sentencing other than to acknowledge he understood the terms.
The sentencing had been delayed from 5 August as a response was still awaited from officials in Virginia as to whether Brown could serve his community labour in that state.
The judge said she was now satisfied that the labour in Virginia would be physical and would include clearing rubbish, washing cars and grounds cleaning.
Brown must also attend a 52-week violence counselling programme. The singer was also fined $2,500.
He must reappear in court on 19 November for a progress report.
Brown was arrested on 8 February after the dispute in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles. {Source}

I’m glad this has been made official, nothing to do with whether I agree with the sentence or not, rather the fact that we have known Chris wasn’t going to jail for months now, so this is merely formality. That said, I’m sure this sentence will keep folk talking…

Your thoughts?

25th Aug

Today marks exactly 8 years to the day the world lost the immensely talented Aaliyah.

Gone, but never forgotten. Check out one of my all-time favourite Aaliyah videos – ‘We Need a Resolution’ above. Notice how it feels like it could have easily been released today. Great music and visuals live on forever.

Your thoughts?

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LeToya’s ‘Lady Love’: Will You be Buying?

25th Aug

R&B singer LeToya releases her long-awaited sophomore LP ‘Lady Love’ today, three years after her self-titled first album shot to #1.

Having heard the album in it’s entirety, I must say I enjoyed a few cuts (see: ‘Lazy’, ‘Good To Me’ and ‘Lady Love’). However I feel like the album is just too slow. Coming from her Destiny’s Child background, the awesome balance (between uptempo, midtempo and slow jams) on her first album, and her all-round commercial potential, makes the slow-go nature of this album all the more baffling. Depending on what floats your boat, this is an all-out R&B/Slow Jam affair, with little in the way of cross-over appeal. The latter of which kinda irks me because LeToya so has the right personality and media savviness to sustain in the ‘big leagues’, yet the material here seems intent on keeping her (I’d even go as far as to say ‘boxing her’) as solely an R&B balladeer. Whether this factors into the dismal promotion she has had thus far is anyone’s guess. However if I’m to be honest, I’m already thinking about how I’d personally A & R her 3rd album.

I feel like I’m babbling now lol. Anyway, we here at That Grape Juice want to know what you think of LeToya’s ‘Lady Love’….

Will you be buying it?