Pop superstar Madonna stopped by BET’s 106 & Park Thursday to promote her new LP ‘Hard Candy’. It’s not everyday we see Madonna on more Urban-centered shows, but obviously with the more R&B/Hip-Hop inspired sound of the record she’s covering all bases this time around. Great interview (Random tidbit: What was she wearing?).

Your thoughts?

Diddy Honored With Hollywood StarMusic mogul, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday. Among those in attendance at the ceremony were on-off partner Kim Porter and their children, mother Janice, LA Reid, Russell Simmons and Jamie Foxx.
Diddy Honored With Hollywood Star Diddy Honored With Hollywood Star Diddy Honored With Hollywood Star

Your thoughts?

Maroon 5 - 'If I Ever See Your Face Again' (ft. Rihanna)Rihanna has teamed up with Maroon 5 for a remake of the group’s song ‘If I Never See Your Face Again’. Surprisingly, I’m really liking the cut; Rihanna rides the beat well.
The track, for which a video was recently filmed in Los Angeles, is set for inclusion on the re-releases of Maroon 5’s LP ‘It Won’t Be Soon Before Long’ as well as Rihanna’s Good Girl Gone Bad ( due June 17).

Hit or Miss?

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ThatGrapeJuice.net was fortunate enough to interview Michelle Williams – one third of the biggest selling female group of all time, Destiny’s Child – at the top of this week. The interview, which I must add is a great read, will be posted next Wednesday (May 7th). In the meanwhile, check out Michelle’s shout-out to ThatGrapeJuice.net:

Your thoughts?

The video for Lil’ Mama’s latest single ‘L.I.F.E’ made its debut today. Far removed from the uptempo, party vibe of her releases to date, the song and the video depict the daily struggles of growing up in ‘the hood’. Great song and vid. Lil’ Mama’s debut album ‘VYP: The Voice Of The Young People’ is in stores now.

What do you think of the video?

Mariah & Nick Cannon To Wed? According to Access Hollywood, Mariah Carey and rumored boyfriend actor/comedian Nick Cannon are set to tie the knot:

A source close to Mariah has confirmed to Access Hollywood that the music diva is engaged to Nick Cannon.

Reps for both singers were unavailable for comment.

The couple sent the rumor mill into overdrive when 38-year-old Mariah (with Nick on her arm) was seen sporting a dazzling new piece of bling on her ring finger at the after party for her Tribeca film, “Tennessee,” in New York.

When asked at the party what he loved about Mariah, 27-year-old Nick gave a one-word answer.

“Everything,” he told People.

Pardon my bluntness, but I think this is garbage. Aside from the fact it’s common-knowledge in industry circles that she’s supposedly been dating music exec Mark Sudack for the last 3 years, it’s oh-so apt that Nick is also her love interest in the upcoming video for ‘Bye Bye’. Word has it, Mariah’s people are pushing this story to masses to generate hype around the single and its accompanying clip. This would explain the several push-back’s the vid’s debut has had since first being set to premiere mid-April. Sure, a good PR stunt will have people talking, but come on now… Nick Cannon? That is not a good look.

Your thoughts?
Pop superstar Madonna held an intimate concert for 2,200 of her fans in New York’s Roseland Ballroom yesterday night. During her 30 minute set, the 49 year old performed material from her new LP ‘Hard Candy’ (which is set to debut at #1 with predicted sales of 300,000) as well as songs from her back-catalogue. Check out some of the performances, which were screened on MSN, below:

4 Minutes (ft. Justin Timberlake)

Candy Shop

Hung Up

I have to give it her; at nearly 50, she is still killing it.

What do you think of the performances?

Danity Kane To Take On WWE Divas New Video Bad Boy quintet Danity Kane are set to duel with the ‘Divas’ of the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) in the video for their upcoming single ‘Bad Girl’. The Melina directed clip will be shot in Los Angeles in the coming weeks. {Source}

Having delivered a stellar album with ‘Welcome To The Dollhouse’, the ladies really do have many a-potential hit to chose from in terms of singles. I’m personally hoping ‘Sucka For Love’ and ‘Striptease’ receive the single treatment at some point. For what it’s worth, ‘Poetry’ has supposedly been lined up as the record’s 3rd single.

Any thoughts?
Reports: Beyonce Is PregnantSince Beyonce and Jay-Z’s much-publicized wedding back in early April, there has been mounting speculation that the ‘Crazy In Love’ singer is expecting the couple’s first child. HollyScoop are now reporting that the pregnancy has been confirmed. Check out the report:

Hollyscoop has learned exclusively through multiple sources that Beyonce is expecting. A source close to the couple revealed, “Beyonce is 100% pregnant, which is why the couple rushed their wedding.” The source also told Hollyscoop that all the friends and family that attended the ultra private wedding were all aware that Beyonce was already expecting.

Our source added that Beyonce is in her early stages, but don’t expect this star to come out with a confirmation statement anytime soon. The couple is pretty private about their personal lives–they still haven’t even confirmed their wedding. But the source confirmed that she is expecting and they rushed the wedding due to Beyonce’s strong Christian beliefs.

How legit this proves to be is anyone’s guess. If true, congratulations to them.

Your thoughts?

Chris Brown’s video for new single ‘Forever’ premiered today. The track is lifted from the upcoming re-release of his sophomore LP ‘Exclusive’ (due June 3rd). About the clip; put simply, I think it’s wack, as is the song. However I do commend Chris for experimenting with a ‘different’ sound and trying to appeal to a wider audience. It’s just a shame the execution fell short of his (label’s) intentions.

What do you think of the video?

Girlicious stopped by The Sauce yesterday to promote their new single ‘Like Me’ (currently #3 on the iTunes chart). As well as being interviewed, the girls also gave an impromptu acapella rendition of the song. Check it out:

Perhaps it’s because I see a lot of potential with the group that I’m still rooting for them, because that acapella was a mess…a hot mess, at that. It’ll be interesting to see if they can deliver the goods with their future showings. Their self-titled debut is set to hit stores July 1st.

Any thoughts?

Usher: 'Chris Brown Is The Next Me' R&B star Usher recently spoke on the young talent in the today’s industry – more specifically teen singer Chris Brown:

Usher has hailed fellow singer Chris Brown as a younger version of himself – insisting the star will “follow the same path”. Usher, 29, was just 15 when he released his self-titled debut album in 1994 and has gone on to forge a highly successful music career. And Usher is convinced Brown, 19, is all set to follow in his footsteps and dominate the R&B scene.

He says, “All of this young energy is great for the industry. Chris is the guy who dances and sings, which is a lot like I do and did as a young artist as well. If time serves us correctly, and artists are continuing to better themselves, then hopefully he’ll follow the same path that I did.” {Source}

While it’s good to see Usher giving props to the crop of younger stars on the come-up, I can’t help but feel he’s a tad on the self-indulgent side. I mean after all, he along with the Justin’s and co are evidently still students at the ‘Michael Jackson School of Performing’. To be honest, I can’t pick any one male artist of today that has carved out a lasting trademark in the way the MJ’s and Prince’s did.

Your thoughts?

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