Music

29th Aug

R&B star Chris Brown features in the October issue of VIBE magazine. In the interview, Brown (attempts) to explain his way with the ladies:

“I’ve had girlfriends, but it’s different. Not jump-offs! Like, you don’t be like, ‘That’s my girl,’ but you know when you hang with her, it’s like … friends with benefits. If I’m singling out one girl, think about all the other girls who are falling in love with me in that club. What they gon’ think? So it’s like, I have a relationship with every girl. It’s like every girl is my girlfriend.”
{Source}

Having tried to make sense of what he said, the only thing I did understand was that it sounded like nonsense. I’m not too sure Chris knew what he meant either lol. With all this talk of ‘friends with benefits’, it’s hard to think that the boy only just turned 18. SMH…

In other Chris Brown news, a video for the remix of his current single ‘Wall to Wall’ featuring Jadakiss premiered last night:

Though the song has grown on me a little, it’s still sub-par as – is this video. I don’t know why his label are beating a dead horse; the song is bonafide flop – peaking at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100.

What do you think of his comments / video?

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Music

28th Aug

Akon Apology Exposed As A Fraud

It turns out Akon’s ‘apology’ in his current single ‘Sorry, Blame It Me’ isn’t as personal as he would have us believe. Check out the report via TMZ:

Akon, hip-hop singer and amateur concertgoer tosser, is singing a new tune — “Sorry, Blame It On Me” — where he offers apologies for his recent troublesome events — including lewd dancing at a club in Trinidad with a 14-year-old pastor’s daughter, and causing Verizon to dump their sponsorship of Gwen Stefani’s tour, reportedly because of Akon’s shenanigans. Someone’s had a busy summer!
TMZ inside sources reveal that Akon did not pen the song. Say what?! It seems DJ and producer Clinton Sparks actually wrote the entire ballad — even though his credit is listed as co-writer and producer. Sparks will fly!
This leaves many wondering if Akon’s apology is more of a publicity stunt to capitalize on his bad decisions. An insincere apology? From a man who allegedly practices polygamy? Say it ain’t so!

I can’t say I’m surprised by this…

Your thoughts?

*I’ll be leaving later LA today 🙁 so updates may be a bit slower than usual. Be sure to keep it locked on That Grape Juice though, as there are some great things in the works upon my return to the UK. The interviews with Jagged Edge and Johnta Austin will DEFINITELY be up before the week is out*

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Music

27th Aug

Solange Inks Deal With EMI

After establishing herself as a successful song-writer, Solange Knowles has signed a worldwide co-publishing deal with EMI Records. Having already co-penned hits for her sister Beyonce (‘Get Me Bodied’, ‘Upgrade U’ etc), the deal will see Solange earn a nice percentage of rights to any song she (co)writes. She will also receive more writing opportunties for other artists. The youngest of the Knowles clan is currently in the studio recording her sophomore album ‘Solange & The Hadley Street Dreams’. {Source}

Though Solange has mainly written in-house for Music World artists i.e. Beyonce, Kelly Rowland etc, this is definitely a good look for her. Hate on them all you want, but you can’t deny the Knowles’ work ethic – everyone’s doing their thing. I know Matthew ain’t standing for no freeloading LeToya Jackson’s in his family lol.

Your thoughts?

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Music

27th Aug

Common ‘Drivin’ Me Wild’ (ft. Lily Allen) Video

The video for Common’s latest single ‘Drivin’ Me Wild’ premiered today on MTV’s TRL. I’ve been feeling this track for a while now and I’m glad it got the single treatment. It definitely serves as one of the Chi-Town rapper’s best video’s yet. The UK’s own Lily Allen features in the song and video also. Damon Dash makes a brief cameo too.

What do you think of the video?

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Music

27th Aug

Polow Da Don: " I Am King of the White Girls"

Hit-maker Polow Da Don sparked controversy with his comments about ‘white girls brain game’ several months back. The producer, whose hits include Ciara’s ‘Promise’, spoke more on his self-proclaimed status of ‘King of the White Girls’ in an interview with AllHipHop.com. Check out what he had to say:

AllHipHop.com: Now, you call yourself the “King of All White Girls.” Elaborate on that for me.
Polow Da Don: Just the “King of the White Girls.” I ain’t self proclaimed but I run with it. [Laughs] There was a stage in my life where I went crazy with dating white women. I have nothing against black women, but they’re raised differently. White women are raised to respect and serve their men. Black women are taught to question [their men]. Black women look at submission as being weak. White women look at submission as being a woman. And anyone who has a problem with this statement is ignorant. Just look at the divine order; it goes man, woman, child.
{Source}

Interesting lol. I’m sure many eyebrows will be raised with this one…

Your thoughts?

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Music

26th Aug

New Song: Keyshia Cole – ‘Shoulda Let You Go’

As Keyshia Cole’s current single ‘Let It Go’ continues to climb the charts, a new song from her forthcoming ‘Just Like You’ CD has surfaced. Produced by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, ‘Shoulda Let You Go’ is a great mid-tempo track that I feel has a lot of hit potential if it were to be released as a single. Though a good thing, I must say that the track does resemble Mary J Blige’s ‘Enough Crying’ on a number of fronts – including production, vocal arrangements and subject matter. Anyway, this track has me even more hyped for Keyshia’s album (due September 25th).

Hit or Miss?

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Music

26th Aug

New Song: Cherish – ‘Shoe Fanatic’

It’s been a while since we’ve heard any new material from Capitol recording group Cherish. However, as the quartet continue to work on their currently untitled sophomore effort (due in 2008), a new track has surfaced called ‘Shoe Fanatic’. Though the song’s subject is kinda ‘blah’, I’m liking this. The production is on-point and the girls ride the beat nicely. I’m actually anticipating the group’s new CD; the first album was pretty good and it seems they’ve found their niche – the fun uptempo’s.

Hit or Miss?

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26th Aug

{Danity Kane and Diddy backstage at the finale}

All five members of Danity Kane made a surprise appearance at tonight’s’ grand finale of ‘Making The Band 4’. Sitting alongside Diddy, the ladies – as well as the Bad Boy head himself – reaffirmed that the group is still together despite the rumors and misunderstandings. Diddy went on to announce that the girls will be heading into the studio in the coming weeks to start recording the follow-up to their Platinum selling debut ‘Danity Kane’. The album is set to be released early next year and will be followed by a tour with the winners of the current season of the hit MTV show.

It was good to see ladies put on a united front after what has been a pretty messy few months. Considering it’s common knowledge that Diddy screwed them over, I’m glad he’s re-focusing on the group. A sidenote: It was great TV watching them fake-smile their way through the interview with Diddy; something made all the more evident by Dawn’s distant body language (I’m gonna try and have a video up soon). Still, it’s good that they’ve ironed out their differences.

Your thoughts?

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Music

26th Aug

Making The Band 4 Winners!

*Please don’t continue reading if you don’t want to know who wins*

Boy, I’m good! I called it exactly how it turned out (well sort of). The winners of ‘Making The Band 4’ were just announced in a one hour special on MTV. Instead of creating a four-piece – as originally planned – Diddy opted to make a five man group. The following guys made the final cut:

From left to right: Willie, Brian A, Qwanell, Mike and Robert

In a shock twist at the end, Diddy announced that Donnie, who (rightfully IMO) didn’t make the band, will be offered a solo deal with Bad Boy.

I definitely feel the right guys made the group, they’re all real talented. As I keep saying, I hope Diddy does right by them because they have the potential to be big.

What do you think of the winners?

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Music

26th Aug

Rihanna Performs ‘Shut Up & Drive’ On The Friday Night Project

Rihanna has hit the UK once again for a second wave of promotion – this time for her current single ‘Shut Up & Drive’. The Bajan star performed the song on The Friday Night Project this past week. Baring in mind she is still nursing a foot injury (explaining why she it sat out), the performance just ‘ok’.

It appears the ‘post-Umbrella’ hype is dying down; despite making huge leaps to begin with, ‘Shut Up & Drive’ has pretty much stalled on the UK charts – currently sitting at #14 (three spots down from the week before). The song isn’t lighting up the US charts either – peaking at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

What do you think of the performance?

26th Aug

As Alicia Keys preps the release of her third album ‘As I Am’, new promo pics for the CD (due November 13th) have surfaced. Needless to say, she looks stunning. Ms Keys has definitely stepped up her look compared to when she first came out.

In other Alicia news, a snippet of ‘No One’ – the confirmed first single from the new album – has hit the net. I think I’ll reserve my judgement until the full track surfaces… Click here to listen to the snippet (Props to Toya for the heads-up)

What do you think of the pics / song?

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Music

25th Aug

Eve Performs on Good Moring America

Eve’s promotion for her upcoming album ‘Here I Am’ got into full swing yesterday (August 24th) as the rapper performed a mini-concert on Good Morning America’s ‘Summer Concert Series. The ‘Pitbull In A Skirt’ performed the album’s first single ‘Tambourine’ and current single ‘Give It To You’. She did great – although the crowd could have been better. Check out the performances below:

Tambourine

Give It To You

What do you think of the performances?

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