Music

17th Jun

Swizz Beatz To Produce Jackson Stage Show?

Swizz Beats To Produce Jackson Stage Show?

Hit-maker Swizz Beats has added fuel to the rumors that Michael Jackson is gearing up for a live comeback, after revealing that he is in in talks to musically produce a tour for The King of Pop:

The Thriller superstar has already enlisted the talents of R+B stars Ne-Yo and Akon to work on his forthcoming LP, and now Swizz Beatz has confirmed he is contributing to the project as well.
But Swizz also admits there has been talk about some live shows.
He tells MTV.com, “I’m working on this new Michael Jackson s**t. I’m probably gonna be producing his tour and everything.”
Jackson prompted speculation he will headline his own Las Vegas residency when an equity group linked to the Las Vegas Hilton helped him save his Neverland Ranch from foreclosure earlier this year (08).
He has also made a number of personal appearances in the Nevada city of late.
{Source}

As a fan of Swizz Beats production (T.I’s ‘Bring Em’ Out’, Beyonce’s ‘Get Me Bodied’ etc), I’m pretty amped to see what will come of his and Michael’s pairing. Saying that, all this talk of a new album and tour have been too long in progress. Here’s hoping things start happening soon.

Any thoughts?

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Music

17th Jun

T-Pain Update; London Listening Session Notes

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the listening session for T-Pain’s forthcoming effort ‘Thr33 Ringz’ (due September 30th), which took place today in South-West London. The press playback, for which our preview will be posted soon, was hosted by the ‘Bartender’ singer himself.

Following the previewing of the record, T-Pain went on to reveal a number of his coming projects, one of which is his Nappy Boy Digital record label. Signed artists will be geared more toward the digital market (i.e. iTunes, ringtones etc) – an area the singer, himself, has experienced the majority of his success. I must say I was pretty impressed by the concept of this, especially when considering the proliferation of uninspired artist-owned-labels out there.

Also a tour with Danity Kane, Keyshia Cole and Lil’ Wayne is scheduled for later this year. It wasn’t confirmed as to whether it will be a US trek only or International.

However, most interestingly, T-Pain, for the first time, spoke about a forthcoming ‘Best of Both Worlds’ type project with none other than Lil’ Wayne. With a current working title of ‘He Raps, He Sings’, the pair have already recorded a few tracks for the record, however will enter the studio in October to record the bulk of the LP. According to T-Pain, Timbaland is being tapped to produce the majority of the project.

Your thoughts?

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Music

17th Jun

Michelle Williams – ‘Unexpected’ Cover

Check out the official cover of Michelle Williams’ forthcoming album ‘Unexpected’, which drops August 12th via Music World/Columbia. I’m liking this; the cover captures the concept of the album very well.

What do you think of the cover?

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Music

17th Jun

‘Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded’: Will You Be Buying?

The re-release of Rihanna’s third album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded’ hit stores across the globe this week.

It’s perhaps best I hold my tongue on this one. Saying that, though…

Will you be buying the ‘Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded’ re-release?

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Music

17th Jun

New Song: John Legend – ‘Greenlight (ft. Andre 3000)’

With John Legend hard away at work on his third studio album, a new cut from the R&B crooner has surfaced. Said to be the the LP’s first single, the Andre 3000 assisted ‘Greenlight’ sees John embrace a radically different sound to what we’re used to hearing from him; the record is very EuroPop/Dance sounding.

As of those who felt John’s sophomore effort ‘Once Again’ was a snooze-fest, I welcome this change of sound, most especially considering that the track itself is pretty good.

{Link Removed As Requested}

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Music

16th Jun

Girlicious Perform ‘Like Me’ At MuchMusic Video Awards

Newly formed girl-group sensations Girlicious performed at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada yesterday. The girls gave a live rendition of current single ‘Like Me’ check it out:

Hmm…ok, I guess. They are evidently still very ‘green’, which is understandable. I’m thinking those Danity Kane comparisons can be put to rest for the time being now though.

Random tidbit: I’m a bit puzzled as to how little promotion they’ve done thus far considering their self-titled debut is due in stores early July. I wonder if it’ll be pushed back?

What do you think of the performance?

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Music

16th Jun

Ashanti Performs The Star Spangled Banner At NBA Finals

Last night Ashanti performed the US national anthem -‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ – at the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics, which was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Say what you want about her, but there’s no denying that she nailed this one.

What do you think of the performance?

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Music

16th Jun

The Best You Never Heard: Rihanna, Amerie, Mario & LeToya

The Best You Never Heard, this week, serves up little known gems by Rihanna, Amerie, Mario and LeToya. Do you have any suggestions for future instalments? Drop me an email at sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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Rihanna – Music Of The Sun

Though seemingly a distant memory, the Rihanna that burst on to the scene just three years ago had yet to have her Bajan roots (musically) diluted. A great example of this is ‘Music of The Sun’ the title track of her 2005 debut. With its Caribbean flavoured production and laid back feel, the track still stands as one of my favourite Rihanna tracks – not that that means much LOL

Listen: Music Of The Sun

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Amerie – When Loving You Was Easy

I’ve made no secret of my belief that Amerie’s last effort, 2007’s ‘Because I Love It’, was criminally slept on. Serving up a solid selection of box-fresh hits, it’s shame things didn’t pan out as they should have with the record. One of the album’s best offerings IMO was the C-Note produced ‘When Loving You Was Easy’. Raw, impassioned and boasting a fantastic vocal performance by Amerie, the track was one of my personal highlight’s from what is an awesome album.

Listen: When Loving You Was Easy

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Mario – Lay In My Bed

As with Amerie (above), Mario delivered with ‘Go!’ – his third studio album – one of last year’s most underrated LP’s IMO. Solid from start to finish, one of the record’s standout cuts is the Polow Da Don produced ‘Lay In My Bed’. In an industry which sees its veterans boast about being the pioneers of ‘Baby Making Music’, Mario definitely shows, with this one, that the young’uns can hang too.

Listen: Lay In My Bed

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LeToya – All Eyes On Me (ft. Pall Wall)

There’s no doubt LeToya’s solo success was one of the biggest stories to emerge from 2006. Indeed, the former Destiny’s Child star silenced the naysayers and critics, delivering a very solid debut, which spawned the smash ‘Torn’. It was the JR Rotem produced ‘All Eyes On Me’, though, that stands as my highlight from the record. The high-octane production – which LeToya rides effortlessly – is overly infectious. This is how a club banger should be done. Good stuff.

Listen: All Eyes On Me (ft. Paul Wall)

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Your thoughts: Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

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Music

16th Jun

Rihanna At MuchMusic Video Awards

Rihanna was one of the big winners at the 19th annual MuchMusic Video Awards last night in Toronto Canada. The ‘Umbrella’ singer snagged two awards – one for Best International Video for ‘Don;t Stop The Music’ and one for MuchMusic.com’s Most Watched Video for ‘Umbrella’. She also performed ‘Take A Bow’ at the event. You can watch the performance below:

I see her live singing is still the pits…

What do you think of the pics performance?

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Music

15th Jun

Michelle Williams On Wendy Williams Show

R&B star Michelle Williams stopped by the Wendy Williams radio show yesterday. In typical Wendy fashion, the interview was a no holds barred affair, with the shock jock leaving no stone unturned. Everything from the 106 & Park fall, to dancing to Matthew Knowles and of course the new record ‘Unexpected’ were discussed.

I’m real impressed with Michelle; she handled herself very well. ‘Unexpected’ hits stores August 12th.

LISTEN: Michelle Williams On Wendy Williams Show

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Music

15th Jun

From The Vault: Mary J. Blige – ‘Everything’

This week’s From The Vault video dates back more than 10 years ago, Mary J. Blige’s ‘Everything’. Lifted from the Mary’s most commercially successful LP to date 1997’s ‘Share My World’, ‘Everything’ has long stood as one of my favourite MJB tracks:

Still going strong today, Mary’s story really is a testament to the notion that true talent will always shine. Good stuff.

Your thoughts?

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Music

14th Jun

Ashanti Performs ‘Good Good’ on Leno

R&B songstress Ashanti seems to be pretty much everywhere these days promoting her stellar new album ‘The Declaration’. Check out the singer performing the LP’s second single ‘Good Good’ on the Tonight With Jay Leno show yesterday:

Great performance.

What do you think of the performance?

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