Both Kanye West and Cassie serve as the cover models for the special edition August / September issue of Complex Magazine. Check out extracts from each of their interviews:

Kanye West

Complex: Anyhow, what’s the last time you heard a record that made you jealous?

Kanye: I know this statement might come off awkward or whatever, people won’t get the exact translation right, but when I saw the Eve video [for “Tambourine”], it made me want to go back and do more shots [on my video] from a style level. She had the Christopher Kane dress, the vintage Chanel glasses. When I saw her style level in that, it made me say, “Damn, I need to step my style level up.” Because it’s not a matter of just guys’ style and girls’ style or black style and white style, it’s a matter of who is the style god period and shit. Read More

Cassie

Complex: What’s the most hurtful thing that was said?

Cassie: That I slept my way into the industry. I think that’s really vicious. If it had nothing to do with talent, at least it had something to do with charm. But it was never jumping into bed with somebody. That’s just gross. As far as people saying I couldn’t sing, I did a bad job so I couldn’t hate. I was in a tough place for a second. I got really sick and was in the hospital in like November or December. It was stress and exhaustion, and I ended up going home to Connecticut. [Puffy] actually called me up when I was at home and asked me what I wanted to do. I was like, “I want to do another album.” Read More

Kanye’s comments, as well as most of his interview, are sure to raise a few eyebrows. As for Cassie, I feel kinda sorry for her; however, someone needs to explain to me how she got her deal then, because the musical talent just isn’t there – at all.

R&B star Chris Brown features on the latest cover of Giant Magazine. Not sure about this one; in trying too hard, he just comes across cheesy-looking.

British singing sensation Amy Winehouse was rushed to hospital yesterday (August 8th) – suffering from a suspected drugs induced overdose. Though official word from Winehouse’s label cites ‘severe exhaustion’ as the reason for the star being admitted to London’s University College Hospital, the papers are suggesting otherwise. According to The Sun :”Limp Amy Winehouse was dragged through an A&E unit’s double doors before collapsing from a huge drugs overdose.” The ‘Rehab’ singer has consequently cancelled all her forthcoming European concerts. {Source}

I’m hoping this will make for her to get help with whatever issues she has – and she definitely has some. Part of Amy’s appeal is, undeniably, her ‘I Don’t Give a F*ck’ persona, yet ‘life’ is much more important than that. Here’s hoping she’s ok – it would be a shame for such talent to be wasted.

Despite putting out a solid sophomore effort in the form of ‘Ms. Kelly’, it’s common knowledge that since release the album has underperformed. Like many, I’ve been awaiting Kelly’s say on the matter. In a recent interview with MSNBC, she said the following:

AP: So, let’s talk about the album’s first week’s sales.

Rowland: Yes, I came in at No. 6 and sold 86,000 records — in a declining market, might I add. I’m very proud of that. Not everybody’s selling records like they used to. Even the biggest artists don’t come out and go platinum in a week anymore. It’s a different day and age in the music industry.

In fairness to Kelly, she had a point about coming in at a respectable number in a rapidly changing market. However, I’m really hoping she realizes that a ‘declining’ market is neither the main or only reason for her poor sales. Put simply, Kelly isn’t in a good situation – in terms of label priority or management. The sooner she realizes that, the quicker her chances of success will materialize.

In an exclusive interview with OK! Magazine (on newstands today), Kim Porter has finally spoken out about her split from Sean ‘Diddy’ Combes. After a rocky 10 year on-off relationship with the Hip Hop mogul, the couple called it quits two months ago. Check out extracts from the interview:

ON DIDDY:
“I’d been in an on-again, off-again relationship with Mr. Combs for about 10 years, and it came to a point where it was time for me to move on with my life. I had invested a lot of time in that relationship, and it wasn’t going where it should have been going. So it was time to [end it]. In a relationship, it’s important that the people are on the same page at the same time. And we weren’t on the same page.”

ON HIS ALLEGED CHEATING
“I will never sit here and say that Puffy — or any man — is 100 percent faithful. I just don’t believe it. Some of you are, but I’m not going to sit here and say that I didn’t believe that he cheated on me. I would never say that. I’m aware that he’s cheated.”

AND ON J.LO’S RELATIONSHIP WITH DIDDY
“It was an embarrassment. I never thought it was real. I knew what was going on with him. Despite what you see in print and when the cameras are flashing, what’s going on in someone’s heart may be totally different. He was still [in love] with me. I never looked at their relationship [as serious].”

When asked if Sienna Miller played a part in her break up, Porter states:
“They’re just friends. That wasn’t the cause.”

The nominations for the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards were announced yesterday (August 7th). Beyonce and Justin Timberlake tie for the most nominations – each clocking up an impressive seven. Following closely behind are rapper Kanye West and Rihanna, who both received five. British crossover success Amy Winehouse also racked up three nominations. The mentioned artists will all go head-to head in the main category – Video of The Year (‘Irreplaceable’, ‘What Goes Around’, ‘Stronger’, ‘Umbrella’ and ‘Rehab’). Click here to see the full list of nominations.

Performers on the night are set to include Justin Timberlake, Kanye West with Common and T-Pain, Timbaland with Keri Hilson, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Lily Allen, and Amy Winehouse. The VMA’s – as the event is commonly known- will air live on September 9th from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Though some of the nominations are kinda suspect, most of them were expected; I’m really pleased Amy Winehouse is doing great over there. Not really feeling the performers list, though – no one that would make the show unmissable.

It seems there may be some hope for Jennifer Lopez’s upcoming ‘Brave’ album. Upon hearing the CD’s first single ‘Hold It, Don’t Drop It’, like many, I wasn’t feeling it all that much. In a odd, but necessary move, Lopez will drop another single ‘Do It Well’ simultaneously. Evidently geared more toward the Urban market, the Ryan ‘Alias’ Tedder produced track is great and may just be what J.Lo needs to hit the top again.

Just letting you all know that I’ll be heading out to LA tomorrow (probably on the plane as you’re reading). So there may be a very brief hiatus with the updates (maximum a day or so). I’m hoping to keep things afloat while I’m abroad, be sure to check back as you usually would 🙂

For those who have been in contact regarding the Jagged Edge interview etc, I’m looking to have that up before the week’s out – as well as Johnta Austin’s interview too. Also, the EA Games give-away is still running – winners and new chances to enter will be announced shortly. There are a lot of great things in the pipeline for the site (some of which I can’t say just yet), so watch this space.

Remember to keep it locked on That Grape Juice for all the latest Urban music, news, reviews and more.