Music

Usher Eyes Jackson Collaboaration

29th Dec

Usher and the King Of Pop Michael Jackson

In a recent interview with the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, R&B star Usher detailed plans he has for a collaboration between himself, T-Pain and the King of Pop Michael Jackson. Speaking of the song, the ‘Yeah’ singer said:

“It’s been created, but it’s not recorded,” Usher explained to the newspaper. “And as long as Michael is open to it, hey, anything goes.”

Elaborating more his forthcoming album, he added:

I’ve been diligently working on creating a masterpiece,” he said of the project. “It’s going to be out first or maybe the second quarter. I see the second quarter of next year. And there will be a video and single out at the top of the year. … I think [Atlanta producer] Polow Da Don is going to have the first one. I think that’s going to be the single ‘Love In The Club.’”

An Usher – MJ collaboration sounds like an interesting concept. Why T-Pain is being thrown into the mix is beyond me. Yes, he’s the ‘it’ artist of the moment, but for how long will that be? Anyway, you can hear a snippet of the single likely to be the first from Usher’s album, by clicking here. Sounds pretty good to me.

Do you think an Usher – MJ collabo would work?

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Official: Brandy Will Not Face Charges For Crash

29th Dec

Following a tumultuous year for Brandy, it was confirmed yesterday that the R&B star will not have to face charges regarding the crash she was involved in that a killed another driver. The singer’s high-powered attorney Blair Berk released the following statement to TMZ after the news was announced:

“We are extremely pleased that after a more thorough and extensive investigation by authorities, the Los Angeles City Attorney has determined that Brandy Norwood should not be charged with any crime whatsoever relating to the accident back in 2006.”
She continued, “These past 12 months have posed an extraordinary hardship for Brandy and her family, who have been unfairly forced to live under a cloud of suspicion initially caused by the ill-advised and premature press release sent out by the California Highway Patrol accusing Brandy of wrongdoing before the police investigation was even finished. However, Brandy continues to be mindful that she was so fortunate to be uninjured in this accident and there was a life lost that should be remembered.”

I’m glad this whole mess is over with. Now she can move on with her life.

Any thoughts?

Yolanda Adams Performs At Diana Ross Tribute Show

27th Dec

As well as Ciara (whose performance was posted earlier), gospel singer Yolanda Adams performed at the Kennedy Honors tribute to Diana Ross. Adams performed ‘Reach Out & Touch’. Check out the performance below:

Whoa! She nailed it. The song is one of my all-time favourite Diana Ross tracks and Yolanda really brought the house down with it. Great stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

LeToya’s Album Set For June 2008 Release

27th Dec

R&B star LeToya’s sophomore album has been confirmed for a June 10th 2008 release. The news may come as somewhat of a disappointment to her fans, as the singer has been quoted as saying that the album was set to drop at the start of 2008. Interestingly the album is listed as being released under Virgin Records; however it’s doubtful there’s much to that as LeToya’s label Capitol and Virgin recently merged. {Source}

Though I’m all for LeToya and the label making sure the album is ‘right’ (I’m assuming this is the reason for the delay), it is kinda risky for her to be out of the limelight for so long.

Your thoughts?

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Mary’s ‘Growing Pains’ Sells 629,000 First Week

27th Dec

Mary J. Blige made a huge impact on the Billboard 200 album chart with her eighth studio album ‘Growing Pains’. The Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul sold through an impressive 629,000 copies of the LP – the follow-up to her 2005 multi platinum effort ‘The Breakthrough’. Despite this, Blige charted at #2 – unable to oust Josh Groban’s ‘Noel’ album from the top spot (which sold 757,000 in it’s third week of release).

In other album news, Alicia Keys’ ‘As I Am’, currently #3 on the chart, enjoys a 62% sales increase with 474,000 copies sold. Chris Brown continues to sell consistently with ‘Exclusive’, selling 176,000. Jaheim’s ‘Making Of A Man’ enters at #11 with 176,000 units shifted, whilst Lupe Fiasco’s ‘The Cool’ occupies the #15 spot with 143,000 copies sold.

Lower down the chart, Bow Wow and Omarion’s ‘Face Off’ takes a tumble – dropping 11-29 with 89,000 sold. In what must be an embarrassment for Disturbing The Peace star Chingy, the rapper’s latest LP ‘Hate It Or Love It’ came in at a dismal #84, having sold just 31, 517 copies. Ouch.

Your thoughts?

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Reminder: Vote- That Grape Juice: End Of Year Awards

27th Dec

Just a reminder, the polls for the 1st Annual That Grape Juice: End Of Year Awards are now open. Voting is unlimited, so you can cast your votes as many times as you like. Polls close on December 30th, with winners being announced the day after.

Click here to vote

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Ciara Performs Diana Ross Tribute

27th Dec

R&B star Ciara was among those who performed in honor of Diana Ross at the Kennedy Center Honors show which aired yesterday on CBS. The 22 year old singer performed a medley of Ross’ classics ‘I’m Coming Out’ and ‘Upside Down’. Not an obvious choice for the tribute, I thought Ciara did pretty well.

What do you think of the performance?

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John Legend – ‘Show Me’ Video

27th Dec

Yawn. Sorry, but nothing John Legend has put out from his sleep-inducing sophomore album ‘Once Again’ has managed to keep my attention long enough. Case example, this his latest video for new single ‘Show Me’. I must say that the vid, which was filmed in Tanzania back in October, is kinda different – yet it’s still a bore to me.

What do you think of the video?

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Danity Kane Set For 2008 Return

27th Dec

Danity Kane member Dawn Richard posted a blog on her official site recently, updating fans on the status of the group’s new project(s):

I’m home guys!!!!!! just finished the show……..and the album…It is soooooo sick….You guys will be surprised at how much DK has grown….The show is gonna be something!!!!!! It’s a making the band you have never seen before! so stay tuned!
DK IS BACK BABY
2008 IS GONNA BE OURS FOR THE TAKING!

As previously reported, the girls will be starring in the new season of Making The Band, with the guys from the last season (including Donnie – apparently). It’ll be interesting to see how the show will work this time around.

Your thoughts?

Brandy Update; A Victim In Crash?

26th Dec

Things seem to be taking an unexpected turn in the Brandy-car accident episode. According to TMZ, Brandy may actually be a victim and not the one in the wrong. Check out their report below:

TMZ has learned the hang-up in deciding whether to file vehicular manslaughter charges against Brandy is that Brandy may have been a victim, not a culprit.
A CHP source tells TMZ the woman who died in the car accident involving Brandy actually struck the vehicle in front of her before Brandy made any contact. The law enforcement source says Awatef Aboudihaj, the woman who died, struck the car in front of her — which was going 65 mph, and then slammed on her brakes. We’re told the sudden stop caused Brandy to hit the dead woman’s car.
What’s more, L.A. County Coroner spokesperson Captain Ed Winter tells TMZ that toxicology reports show Aboudihaj had “slight traces” of marijuana in her system at the time of the crash.
The L.A. City Attorney has until the end of the business day on Friday to decide whether to file criminal charges against Brandy — that’s when the one-year statute of limitations runs out. Sources tell TMZ there is significant division in the City Attorney’s office, and a decision still has not been made. The problem for the City Attorney: if they file manslaughter charges, they have to prove Brandy did something negligent — and we’re told that could be difficult if not impossible.

I’ve always felt the whole situation was an unfortunate one. Saying that, the way Brandy has been crucified was uncalled for. Here’s hoping the matter resolves itself soon; I been waiting on that new Brandy album for a minute already.

Any thoughts?

Bow Wow & Omarion – ‘Hey Baby (Jump Off)’ Video

26th Dec

After a disappointing debut on the charts last week (#11 with 107,146 copies sold), ‘Face Off’ – the collaborative album by Bow Wow and Omarion – doesn’t look to be doing all that great. Still, a second single in the form of ‘Hey Baby (Jump Off) has been released – the video for which premiered today. Put simply, neither the song or the video are anything other than ‘ok’. If anything, this is a step-back from their decent-yet-forgettable ‘Girlfriend’ release IMO.

What do you think of the video?