After a few weeks rested on the bench, our From The Vault feature is back!

This week’s classic clip is Fantasia‘s soaring rendition of  ‘The Colour Purple’ gem  ‘I’m Here’ on The Oprah Winfrey Show back in 2007. Ms. Barrino performed the song on the show to coincide with the announcement that she’d be taking on the lead role of Celie in ‘The Colour Purple’s Broadway run.

About the actual performance; WOW! Some 3 years later, I still get chills watching this. Raw, emotive, and beautifully sung, Fantasia had me won with this song – which I ironically heard for the first time when watching this performance. Flawless.

Note: Look out for our interview with Fantasia this coming week. A 40 minute (yes, you read right!) in-depth chat, full of honesty and plenty laughs. What’s more, we asked the questions you really want answers to. You won’t want to miss this one!

Your thoughts?

Hip-Hop/R&B icon Lauryn Hill performed her classic song ‘That Thing’ last evening. The lyricist made her appearance at Raggamuffin 2010 Hip-Hop/Reggae festival in New Zealand. Other performers included Sean Kingston and Shaggy.

Although her voice was a bit rough at some points, Hill shut it down! Watching this performance really makes me wonder about the state of women in Hip-Hop or even music in general for that matter. Hill is such a rare talent and it is baffling to believe that a lot of these younger girls even got a record contract in the first place. Rappers like Nicki Minaj and ‘singers’ like Cassie are a complete joke compared to her.

Thoughts?

Beyonce and Jay-Z were spotted in a rare moment of affection while in France last evening. The power couple were moving through the international airport after enjoying Fashion Week. Peeop more shots below (via BeyonceNow):

(more…)

R&B star Alicia Keys on currently here in London Town promoting her successful LP ‘The Element of Freedom’ (currently #8 on the UK album chart, and still selling well since its release last month). The critically and commercially acclaimed songstress stopped by The Jonathan Ross Show earlier this week for a sit-down interview, as well as to perform latest single ‘Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart’. As ever, Ms. Keys nailed the performance (which you can watch above) and, actually came across quite personable in the interview too (she’s usually quite…I can’t put my finger on it, but you know what I mean, right? LOL). Good stuff.

Your thoughts?

UK sensation JLS performed on the BBC’s hit show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ recently. The boy band did a rendition of their latest single ‘One Shot’. To date, the single has peaked at #32 on the UK Singles Chart.

Is Leona Lewis the only ‘The X Factor’ alum who doesn’t need to rely on a backtrack when she hits the stage? JLS lip-synced that entire performance. With the lack of intense choreography, that song could have been easily delivered. I have no problem with singers who use tracks during intense promotional ventures so that they can preserve their voices or if they are ill. However, unless they have all come down with a sudden case of strep throat, they have no excuse. Get it together!

Thoughts?

The ever unique Kelis attended the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Friday. The performer remained true to her style of always standing out in a crowd. More pics can be seen below (via Rap-Up.com):

(more…)

Jamie Foxx has been hard at work on his next studio album. One of the songs emerging from his studio sessions is ‘Quit Your Job’, which was written and produced by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart. Foxx’s new album hits stores later this year.

This song definitely has The-Dream and Stewart written all over it. From the colourful, almost ‘Sesame Street’ melodies to the beat, the record remains within familiar territory for the production duo. Although a nice track, Foxx sounds more like The-Dream than anything else, especially the end when he ascends into his falsetto. Artists need to be careful not to lose their identity when being directed by producers. As proven by some of the songs on Mariah Carey’s ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’ album, it is very easy to get lost in the production.

Hit or Miss?

Diva Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon attended the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California last evening. Carey was nominated for her role in ‘Precious’ in the category ‘Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture’. Peep more images of the couple below (courtesy of MariahDaily):

What do you think of the pics?

The 11th Annual NRJ Music Awards were held at Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France yesterday. Some of music’s brightest stars came out to event including Kelly Rowland (seen above), who performed her smash hit ‘When Love Takes Over’. Check out more shots below (thanks to Rap-Up.com):

(more…)

Your favourite Bajan model and mine, Rihanna, performed her moderate hit ‘Russian Roulette’ at the NRJ Awards 2010 in France tonight. You can check out the performance above.

While the ‘Russian Roulette’ has grown on me ever-so-slightly (yes, you read right!), I can’t say the performance was much of substance. Ms. Fenty backed out of many a note, giving a very Diet-Coke version of the song. Not bad, but certainly nothing to write home about…then again when is that ever the case with Rihanna live?

What do you think of the performance?

International star Kelly Rowland took to the stage at the 2010 NRJ Awards in France a few hours ago; the ‘Like This’ singer performed her chart-topping smash ‘When Love Takes Over’ with David Guetta.

Ms. Kelly served up the goodness with this performance; great vocals, off-the-charts confidence, and a stunning look, Kelly did the damn thing. Great performance!

Your thoughts?

MTV’s Hope For Haiti Now telethon in ongoing as I type. The charity fund-raiser will feature performances from the likes of Beyonce, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Jennifer Hudson, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder and Justin Timberlake.   As ever, That Grape Juice has you covered for all the performances – as the show is on!

Check out the performances below (keep refreshing as they will be continually updated!) and be sure to let us know what you think.

Alicia Keys

Shakira – I’ll Stand By You

Stevie Wonder – Bridge Over Troubled Water

Christina Aguilera – Life Me Up

John Legend – Motherless Child

Mary J. Blige – Hard Times Come

Justin Timberlake – Hallelujah

Jennifer Hudson – Let It Be

Beyonce – Halo

Madonna – Like A Prayer

Jay-Z, Rihanna, U2 – Stranded