The video for T.I.’s latest single, the Justin Timberlake assisted ‘Dead and Gone’, premiered within the last hour. While the clip does a good job of driving home the song’s message, it was one boring video if there ever was one. Decent song, yet a sleep-inducing video. That said, I guess it serves its purpose.
What do you think of the song / video?


Random(ish), I know, but I couldn’t resist (LMAO!) Check this contestant’s on South African Idol unique spin on ‘Killing Me Softly’…

Your thoughts?
Kanye: 'I Am The End All, Be All Of Music'
Peep Kanye West on the cover of the latest issue of Details Magazine. As ever with Kanye, the article had many an interesting quote:
Kanye on his music career: 

“There’s nothing more to be said about music. I’m the f–king end-all, be-all of music. I know what I’m doing. I did ‘808s’ in three weeks. I got it. It’s on cruise control … Man, we talked about music for God knows how long! Now let’s talk about how my f–king sweater didn’t come back right from Korea. That’s what’s interesting me.”

Kanye on his image: 

“I had a style that was over-the-top, overly expressive, and it forced me to just lay back and be a little cooler. One of the problems with being a bubbling source of creativity — it’s like I’m bubbling in a laboratory, and if you don’t put a cap on it, at one point it will, like, break the glass. If I can hone that … then I have, like, nuclear power, like a superhero, like Cyclops when he puts his glasses on.”

Kanye on the woman he wants to marry: 

“What I feel like — ’cause I wanna be married, of course—I feel like the type of girl I would be with is a fellow superhero. So we get that ‘already flying and now we’re just flying together’ thing.”

Kanye on the word ‘Gay’: 

“Titles are very important. I like to embody titles, y’know, or words that have negative connotations, and explain why that’s good. Take the word gay — like, in hip-hop, that’s a negative thing, right? But in the past two, three years, all the gay people I’ve encountered have been, like, really, really, extremely dope. Y’know, I haven’t, like, gone to a gay bar, nor do I ever plan to. But where I would talk to a gay person — the conversation would be mostly around, like, art or design — it’d be really dope. From a design standpoint, kids’ll say, ‘Dude, those pants are gay.’ But if it’s, like, good, good, good fashion-level, design-level stuff, where it’s on a higher level than the average commercial design stuff, it’s, like, gay people that do that. I think that should be said as a compliment. Like, ‘Dude, that’s so good it’s almost … gay.’”

As with most things Kanye has to say, there’s mix-mash of ego, self-indulgence, wackiness and above all – truth.
Your thoughts?

R&B singer Teairra Mari has finally hit the televised promo trail for her new single ‘Hunt 4 U’ – performing on Fox’s Morning Show yesterday. With the host, a little unfairly, labelling her the next Beyonce, Ms. Marie was going to need to deliver one hell of a performance to make this anything other than sub-par. Unfortunately, she didn’t. From the throwback/ancient mics (with the wires), to the strained vocals, to the lack of anything going on on-stage, everything about this came across distinctly ‘amateur’. For what it’s worth, she looked stunning.
I’ve said it many a time, Teairra – who arrived on the scene at the same time and on the same label as a certain Ms. Fenty – is very talented and is deserving of success. However, it’s evident both she and her team need to step it up (how long has her video been out and his is her first TV showing? SMH). It’s a tough time to be trying to establish oneself in the industry at the moment, that extra ‘something’ is essential in making an impact.
What do you think of the performance?
Milian Signs Joint Deal With The-DreamOur friends over at Rap-Up.com are reporting that Christina Milian has entered a joint recording venture with singer-songwriter The Dream and his production counter-part Tricky Stewart:

Christina Milian and The-Dream are taking their relationship one step further…

Professionally speaking that is. The 27-year-old pop singer has signed a joint deal with The-Dream’s label, Radio Killa Records. “We just signed an acquisition deal with Christina Milian on Radio Killa Records, so I’m trying to put my heart into it and make sure I deliver her the same records I gave everybody else,” the singer-songwriter exclusively tells Rap-Up.com.

“The forces have been brought together,” adds Milian. “Now my album’s not only on MySpace, but it’s actually a Radio Killa/Interscope/MySpace combination. I’m working currently with Dream and also with Tricky [Stewart], making fire, heat right now!”

The star of the upcoming movie The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past says she feels comfortable working with the hitmakers because they understand the opposite sex. “We got some crazy records right now. It’s from the eyes of a woman and the mind of a woman. I don’t know how they understand that, but somehow they do. It’s mature but at the same time it’s so relatable to any girl.”

Rap-Up’s Winter cover star revealed that her follow-up single to “Us Against the World” will likely be written and produced by the duo, while her fourth album Dream in Color is scheduled for a spring release.

This definitely seems like a good look for Christina. Granted I feel she needs to up her game on the performing front to separate her self from the ‘typical R&B Chick’ label, great material is always the best starting point. I’m anxious now, more so than before, to see what ‘Dream In Color’ will be serving up.

Your thoughts?

Lil' Kim Rehearses For Dancing With The StarsPeep Lil’ Kim rehearsing for the season debut of Dancing With The Stars, which she is set to star on with dance partner Derek Hough.
I’m a lil disappointed with Kim in that her behind needs to be in the studio working the follow-up the her outstanding ‘Naked Truth’ LP. Who knows, though, this could be just what she needs to bring her name back to the masses. I guess time will tell…
{Click pic to enlarge}
Lil' Kim Rehearses For Dancing With The Stars Lil' Kim Rehearses For Dancing With The Stars
Lil' Kim Rehearses For Dancing With The Stars

What do you think of the pics?

With Ciara’s ‘Fantasy Ride’ LP now affirmatively set for a April 7th release, more new material from the record continues to surface; the latest being ‘I’m A G’. Produced by Danja (Britney Spears, Missy Elliott, Danity Kane), the club banger of cut definitely sounds like a winner.
Listening to this, though, has me wondering why it wasn’t lined up as the album’s lead single, after the epic fails of ‘Go Girl’ and ‘Never Ever’, the latter of which is struggling to make an impact on the Billboard chart as I type.  ‘Promise’ aside, CiCi is renown for her uptempo cuts, so straying away from that, seemingly on purpose, with material that just isn’t up to par, is really baffling to me. Here’s hoping things kinda work themselves out with this project.
Hit or Miss?

March’s Playboy cover girl Aubrey O’Day stopped by the Chelsea Lately Show this week to promote her spread in the famed magazine. O’Day also spoke about her sexuality, Diddy and Danity Kane, as well as her family’s take on her posing nude.

I’m all for doing as you choose, but Ms. O’Day’s reasoning for appearing in the magazine got me thinking…(insecurity is a b*tch).

Your thoughts?

The 'RandomNess' PostIt’s a Monday and a little slow on the news front (I’m sure it’ll pick up, as usual). We here at That Grape Juice are prepping some extra special things for you guys (interviews, competitions and so much more), which we’ll be rolling out in the weeks and month ahead to coincide with our… (Hint: take a look at the archive section on the right LOL).
While we continue to work ‘backstage’, I’m throwing it back to you guys to express yourselves as you wish. As ever, it’s always entertaining to read – and read them I do…

As per the title of this post, feel free to drop anything and ‘errrrrthing’ in the comments section. *The D. Woods and Dawn interviews will be up real soon, before some of you get on me LOL*
{So, anything from your thoughts on the site, to random ramblings, particular views on any story (music, politics, sports etc), share a story/new song, shameless promotion of your own site/material lol…not to be limited to music alone…a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g! }
It’s your shout….
Exactly a week after assaulting Rihanna and rocking the industry in the process, Chris Brown released a statement today to the press, expressing regret at the situation at hand:
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Brown, who was arrested a week ago in connection with a domestic violence investigation, said Sunday he is “sorry and saddened” by what happened and is seeking counseling from his pastor and loved ones.
The 19-year-old R&B singer also said much of what has been reported of the incident is untrue, although he did not elaborate.
“Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God’s help, to emerging a better person,” Brown said in a statement issued through publicist Michael Sitrick.
“Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and-or reported in the media is wrong,” he added. But he said he couldn’t discuss that in detail until his case is resolved.
He also said he has not posted any comments about the incident on Facebook or any other Web site. “Those posts or writings under my name are frauds,” he said.
Brown surrendered to Los Angeles police on Feb. 8 and was released on $50,000 bail after being booked for investigation of making a criminal threat, a felony. He has not been charged by the district attorney’s office, which is still investigating the case. {Source}

I guess this was to be expected. I’m still on the fence as to my take on this all. Roll on the ‘concrete’ court info…

Your thoughts?
Ashanti Sports New 'Do Ashanti Sports New 'Do
Peep Ashanti rocking a new short hair do this week in New York. Ms. Douglas is looking mighty fine, yet I can’t help but think this new look would have been more apt for when she dropped her last LP ‘The Declaration’. Just a thought…

What do you think of the pics?

Images Removed As Requested

Check out Aubrey O’Day’s ’empowering’ (LMAO) feature in the March issue of Playboy magazine. Say what you want about Ms. O’Day and this Photoshop-obvious spread, but that first pic is ‘the one’. She looks great.

Images Removed As Requested

What do you think of the pics?
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