jls

According to Hits Daily Double, UK boyband JLS are set to make a crack at US success after signing a lucrative deal with Jive Records – home to the likes of Britney Spears, Chris Brown, Ciara, and Usher. The 4-piece will release ‘Everybody In Love’ as their first Stateside offering on February 9th; a song which topped the UK charts for weeks upon its release last year. {Source}

In as much as it’s hard not to burst out laughing, I feel congratulations are definitely in order for the boys. For, regardless of my stance on them or their music, it is great to see another UK act being given the chance to make their mark on a world-class stage (Alexandra Burke is already signed in the US to Epic and will be debuting later this year). That said, if ever was a time an act had to step their game all the way up, it’d be now. Them cheesy dance moves and wack songs (this one aside, I’ve actually have kinda grown to like it) need to go with the swiftness, as the US will probably tear them a new one if they come with the nonsense they’ve been getting away with over here.

In any case, I will be watching how this unfolds intently.

For those unaware of JLS, check out the video to the JR Rotem produced ‘Everybody In Love’ below:

Your thoughts?

Kiely SPECTACULAR promo photo copy

Some of you will remember Kiley Williams as one third of 3LW, and later The Cheetah Girls. With both groups now a figment of the past, Williams is looking to establish herself as a solo artist.

Though there has been a few cuts floating around the net, new track ‘Spectacular’ is reportedly set to the lead single from Kiley’s debut album. The song was produced by Mike City and written by Kiley herself.

I kid you not when I say this is hands-down one of the worse songs I have ever heard. From the cheap production, to the horrid vocals, to the sleazy lyrics, to Kileys inability to deliver her parts on que with the beat, this is an unmitigated audio disaster. It really is that bad.

It’s quite clear to see that after being bracketed as a ‘kids artist’ for so long, Kiley is attempting to re-brand herself as a sex kitten. However, it’s obvious she needs to work on much more before even thinking about what image she’s looking to adorn – the most necessary being her artistry. Listening to this really drives home exactly why she rarely ever sang on 3LW’s material and was relegated to the smaller parts. Put simply, her voice is weak; wafer-thin and lacking any character or ‘depth’. Usually artists in this predicament counter such shortcomings by excelling in other areas (see: Janet, Ciara), yet it’s difficult to see what of substance Kiley has to offer. If anything she’s really putting herself at a disadvantage with this border-line pornographic trash. For the uber sexual slant is one that works for female rappers, yet not so much for female singers.

In a nutshell, Ms. Williams would benefit from scrapping this nonsense and going back to the drawing board – especially if she hopes to attract any major label attention (she’s reportedly seeking a major deal and is currently signed to her own imprint Nine Lives Entertainment). Sigh…

Hit or Miss?

Cinema-full

‘Thriller’, ‘Bad Romance’, ‘Get Your Freak On’ – each song provided one of the biggest hits in the careers of  their associated acts. What were the defining factors that helped to catapult these singles to the top of the charts? The answer is simple: music videos.

Videos grant artists a unique opportunity to project their music into the visual arena, targeting larger audiences in the process. With grand cinematic designs and artwork, such clips have allowed some of music’s heavyweights to engage consumers through an entirely new channel and bring their music to life. In fact, acts including Madonna, Janet Jackson and, of course, Michael Jackson (MTV’s King of the Music Video), were sometimes able to ascend to the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 fueled by the hype generated by their music videos alone.

However, in recent years, the epic design of such productions have begun to wane as a ramification of financial constraints. This has given rise to low budget releases called ‘recession specials’, characterised by poor editing, cheap graphics and cliche concepts. Even some of music’s biggest names have resorted to producing  such clips of the most amateur design. Mariah Carey, for instance, released two of the worst videos of her career last year with ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ and ‘H.A.T.E.U.’.

Interestingly, artists generally fund their own videos with little label assistance, hence it is quite baffling why acts who clearly have the financial resources to afford better productions, put forward a continuous string of recession specials. In contrast, Lady GaGa, who debuted in 2008, has thus far created some of the best productions of the last ten years, spending large amounts of money to ensure that each venture is of the highest quality she can afford.

Coincidentally, big budgets are not needed to create grand productions. Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ was shot in front of a plain screen, focused almost solely on the dance routine without any other elements, yet became one of the “best videos of all time” according to Kanye West. The same can be noted with Ciara whose ‘Love Sex Magic’ video was one of 2009’s best. Conversely, Beyonce’s ability to manipulate a small budget did not channel into her other clips, which were all prime examples of the recession special.

In closing, it is becoming increasingly evident that few artists are willing to go the extra mile to create cinematic productions on the silver screen. As the economy continues to struggle and budgets continue to shrink, the recession special has taken centre stage. It seems that Michael Jackson’s vision of the “short film” is hanging on by a thread.

Is it safe to say that the era of the music video is

coming to an end?

tgj end of year awards

A huge thank you to the  THOUSANDS of you who voted in the That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009.

That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009 – The Winners

Album of the Year
Single of the Year
Michael Jackson Best Video:
Best Collaboration
Best New Artist
Best Female Artist
Best Male Artist
The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist Of The Year Award
Most Slept-On Album of The Year
The Please Go Sit Down Somewhere Award
Worst Single Of The Year
Worst Album Of The Year
(You) Slippin’ / Step Your Game Up Award
Best Reality TV Show
Most Shocking Event of 2008
Kanye & taylor swift
Michael Jackson
The Michael Jackson Best Video of The Year Award
Best Live Performer

Album of the Year

Winner: The Fame Monster – Lady GaGa (31%)

Runner-Up: In A Perfect World – Keri Hilson (20%)

Single of the Year

Winner: Halo – Beyonce (29%)

Runner-Up: Bad Romance – Lady GaGa (22%)

The Michael Jackson Music Video of The Year Award

Winner: I Can Transform Ya – Chris Brown (29%)

Runner-Up: Bad Romance – Lady GaGa (28%)

Best Collaboration

Winner: Knock You Down – Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo & Kanye West (40%)

Runner-Up: Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys (38%)

Best New Artist

Winner: Drake (50%)

Runner-Up: Alexandra Burke (20%)

Best Female Artist

Winner: Beyonce (68%)

Runner-Up: Lady GaGa (15%)

Best Male Artist

Winner: Chris Brown (38%)

Runner-Up: Jay-Z (20%)

Best Club Banger

Winner: Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas (70%)

Runner-Up: Hard – Rihanna (12%)

Best Live Performer (TV, Award Shows etc):

Winner: Beyonce (39%)

Runner-Up: Janet Jackson (28%)

The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist of the Year Award

Winner: Jordin Sparks (29%)

Runner-Up: LeToya Luckett (27%)

Most Disappointing Single of the Year

Winner: Wait Your Turn – Rihanna (71%)

Runner-Up: Happy – Leona Lewis (12%)

Most Slept-On Album

Winner: Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel – Mariah Carey (26%)

Runner-Up: Fantasy Ride – Ciara (21%)

“Step Your Game Up or Please Go Sit Down Somewhere” Award

Winner: Rihanna (70%)

Runner-Up: Mariah Carey (11%)

Recession Special: Most Disappointing Video of the Year

Winner: I Want To Know What Love Is – Mariah Carey (74%)

Runner-Up: Wait Your Turn – Rihanna (9%)

Most Shocking Event of 2009

Winner: The Death of Michael Jackson (74%)

Runner: Kanye West VMA Outburst (19%)

Best Movie

Winner: Precious (53%)

Runner-Up: This Is It (32%)

Most Anticipated Comeback For 2010

Winner: Janet Jackson (28%)

Runner-Up: Kelly Rowland (26%)

Your thoughts?

bey2

As the thousands of votes are being tallied for the 3rd Annual That Grape Juice Awards, we here at your favourite site are taking the opportunity to reflect on an amazing decade in music history. In a period that saw the industry reach all-time highs and lows, there is no denying that there has been an eruption of quality material in the last 10 years.

We here at That Grape Juice are eager to hear your picks for the top 7 best artists, singles, videos and albums of the 00s. Here are our selections below (in no particular order):

Trent’s choices

Artists

Beyonce

Kanye West

Alicia Keys

Jay-Z

Mariah Carey

Missy Elliot

Eminem

Singles

Mariah Carey – ‘We Belong Together’

Beyonce – ‘Crazy In Love’

Jay-Z – ’99 Problems’

Britney Spears – ‘Me Against The Music (Ft. Madonna)’

Kanye West – ‘Jesus Walks’

Missy Elliot – ‘Work It’

Coldplay – ‘Clocks’

Videos

Lady GaGa – ‘Bad Romance’

Beyonce – ‘Single Ladies’

Rihanna – ‘Disturbia’

Missy Elliot – ‘Get Ur Freak On’

Kanye West – ‘Jesus Walks’ (the desert version)

Coldplay – ‘Viva La Vida’

Aaliyah – ‘We Need A Resolution’

Albums

Mariah Carey – ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’

Jay-Z – ‘The Black Album’

Kanye West  – ‘The College Dropout’

Alicia Keys – ‘The Diary of Alicia Keys’

Jay-Z – ‘The Blueprint’

Ludacris – ‘Chicken-n-Beer’

Missy Elliot – ‘Under Construction’

Sam’s choices

Artists

Destiny’s Child

Fantasia

Janet Jackson

R. Kelly

Beyonce

Usher

Lady GaGa

Singles

Beyonce – ‘Crazy In Love’

Michael Jackson – ‘Butterflies’

Janet Jackson – ‘Feedback’

Mariah Carey – ‘We Belong Together’

Destiny’s Child – ‘Lose My Breath’

Mary J. Blige – ‘Be Without You’

Ciara – ‘Promise’

Videos

Michael Jackson – ‘You Rock My World’

Toni Braxton – ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’

Lady GaGa – ‘Bad Romance’

Ciara – ‘Promise’

Beyonce – ‘Single Ladies’

Missy Elliot – ‘Work It’

Beyonce – ‘Crazy In Love’

Albums

Fantasia – ‘Fantasia’

Teedra Moses – ‘Complex Simplicity’

Tamia – ‘Between Friends’

Mariah Carey – ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’

Amerie – ‘Because I Love It’

John Legend – ‘Get Lifted’

Usher – ‘Confessions’

*Sorry…but had to add another…*

Lil’ Kim – ‘The Naked Truth’

Your picks?

tgj end of year awards

As 2009 draws nearer to its close, we will be acknowledging the releases, events and shocking moments that have made the last 12 months one of music’s most memorable ever with our 3rd annual That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards.

Shaking things up somewhat from last year, the nominations process has been stream-lined this go round, with the provisional list of categories and nominees listed below. Prior to nominations going live and voting commencing this Thursday (December 17th), we’re keen to hear your feedback/suggestions on both the nominees and categories, which you can drop in the comments section below!

So quickly recapping, the final nominee list as well as actual voting goes live on December 17th. Winners will be thereafter announced on Christmas Day ( December 25th)!

(* For those wondering, Beyonce isn’t eligible for many of the awards as ‘Single Ladies’, as well as her album ‘I Am Sasha Fierce’ were both released in October 2008 – and were nominated/won many awards last year!)

That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009 – The Nominees

Album of the Year
Single of the Year
Michael Jackson Best Video:
Best Collaboration
Best New Artist
Best Female Artist
Best Male Artist
The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist Of The Year Award
Most Slept-On Album of The Year
The Please Go Sit Down Somewhere Award
Worst Single Of The Year
Worst Album Of The Year
(You) Slippin’ / Step Your Game Up Award
Best Reality TV Show
Most Shocking Event of 2008
Kanye & taylor swift
Michael Jackson
The Michael Jackson Best Video of The Year Award
Best Live Performer

Album of the Year

* The Fame Monster – Lady GaGa

* The Blueprint 3 – Jay-Z

* The E.N.D – Black Eyed Peas

*  I Look To You – Whitney Houston

* In A Perfect World – Keri Hilson

Single of the Year

* Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z (ft. Alicia Keys)

*  Pretty Wings – Maxwell

* Bad Romance – Lady GaGa

* I Gotta Feelin’ – Black Eyed Peas

The Michael Jackson Music Video of The Year Award

* Love, Sex, Magic – Ciara

* Russian Roulette – Rihanna

* Bad Romance – Lady GaGa

*I Can Transform Ya – Chris Brown

* Bad Boys – Alexandra Burke

Best Collaboration

* Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

* Knock You Down – Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo & Kanye West

* Video Phone (Extended Mix) – Beyonce & Lady GaGa

* Love, Sex, Magic – Ciara & Justin Timberlake

* Hard – Rihanna & Young Jeezy

Best New Artist

* Alexandra Burke

* Drake

* Kid Kudi

* Kesha

Best Female Artist

* Beyonce

* Lady GaGa

* Alicia Keys

* Ciara

* Rihanna

Best Male Artist

* Jay-Z

* Maxwell

* Drake

* Chris Brown

Best Club Banger

* Work – Ciara

* Obsessed – Mariah Carey

* Hard – Rihanna

* Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas

* I Can Transform Ya – Chris Brown

Best Live Performer (TV, Award Shows etc):

* Beyonce

* Janet Jackson

* Lady GaGa

* Jay-Z

* Ciara

The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist of the Year Award

* Amerie

* Teairra Mari

* LeToya Luckett

* The-Dream

Most Slept On Album of the Year

* Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel – Mariah Carey

* In Love & War – Amerie

* Love vs Money – The-Dream

* Fantasy Ride – Ciara

* Graffiti – Chris Brown

The Please Go Sit Down Somewhere Award

* Rihanna

* 50 Cent

* Chris Brown

* Mariah Carey

Worst Single of the Year

* Wait Your Turn – Rihanna

* Why R U – Amerie

* Louboutins – Jennifer Lopez

* Happy – Leona Lewis

Worst Album of the Year

* Before I Self Destruct – 50 Cent

* More suggestions needed……

You Slippin’ // Step Your Game Up Award

* Mariah Carey

* 50 Cent

* Britney Spears

* Jennifer Lopez

* Rihanna

Recession Special: Worst Video of  the Year

* I Want To Know What Love Is – Mariah Carey

* Wait Your Turn – Rihanna

* I Get It In – Omarion

* Fresh Out The Oven – Jennifer Lopez

Most Shocking Event of 2009

* Kanye West VMA Outburst

* The Death of Michael Jackson (RIP)

* Whitney Houston’s Grammy Snub

Best Movie

* Precious

* This Is It

* Madea Goes To Jail

Most Anticipated Comeback For 2010

* Usher

* Kelly Rowland

* Janet

*IMPORTANT: This is NOT the vote itself. This is for feedback on the nominees list. Voting starts on Thursday*

Your thoughts / suggestions?

* Banner credit: Luca!!!

vevo-inside-15

Last evening the Skylight Studio, New York hosted the official launch of VEVO, the music video website started by Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. Some of the biggest names in Pop, Country and Urban entertainment appeared at the venue to debut their latest projects. Check out some the shots below:

mq20

Mariah Carey shut everyone down with those shoes!

vevo-arrivals-6

Ciara experimented with this ‘look’. Okay then…

vevo-inside-5

50 Cent and Mary J. Blige posed for the cameras.

vevo-inside-16

Lady GaGa wowed the crowd with a performance of ‘Speechless’ from her ‘The Fame Monster’ LP.

vevo-arrivals-9

John Legend kept warm in this ensemble.

vevo-arrivals-8

Wyclef Jean was enjoying the festivities.

vevo-inside-20

Music executive Doug Morris, L.A. Reid, and Mariah Carey were clearly some of the most powerful people at the event. O yeah, and Rihanna’s in the picture as well.

Thoughts?

tiffany evans slams Rihanna

Following Rihanna‘s comments about wanting to “switch off” R&B singer Tiffany Evans (regarding Evans’ comments on RiRi and the Illumnati), Evans has taken to her Twitter page to respond. Here’s what she said:

I just wanna say that I personally do not have beef with Rihanna. Why would I have any beef with someone I don’t even know? It’s stupid. Whatever statements I made about the industry was not geared towards Rihanna in any type of way. What I said about RussianR was blown way out.

So to Rihanna as young woman with total respect I apologize for the huge misunderstanding.

Citing certain blog sites for fuelling the fire (not us of course, Tiffany is a TGJ fan), Tiffany hilariously rounded off by adding:

Oh one more thing,about her calling me out with remote thing on big boi LOL I thought is was funny. Too bad I can Sang!

LMAO! Tiffany kept it classy, yet got the undeniable in at the end! POW…lol

Tidbit: Reality TV personality Tila Tequila, who Ms. Fenty also called out in the interview, responded…levelling some truly SHOCKING accusations about against her. Click here to read what she had to say. Explosive! (Knowing Tila, it could all just be rubbish, but a fascinating read nonetheless!)

Your thoughts?

grammy

The 52nd annual Grammy Awards show will take place on January 31st 2010, live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. You can check out the full list of nominations which were announced a few moments ago in a special telecast on CBS.

Beyonce and Taylor Swift lead the pack with Ms. Knowles-Carter receiving 10 nominations and Swift 8. Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, and Maxwell earned 6 nods, while Lady GaGa, David Guetta and Jay-Z scored 5 noms a piece.  Whitney Houston, who was a strong favourite, received NO nominations (WTF!!!)

Update: My girl Kelly Rowland received a nomination! Go Kelly.

Album of the Year
Beyoncé – I Am… Sasha Fierce
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.
Lady Gaga – The Fame
Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King
Taylor Swift – Fearless

Record of the Year
Beyoncé – “Halo”
Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling”
Kings of Leon – “Use Somebody”
Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”
Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”

Song of the Year
Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”
Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
Kings of Leon – “Use Somebody”
Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals
Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling”
Bon Jovi – “We Weren’t Born to Follow”
The Fray – “Never Say Never”
Daryl Hall & John Oates – “Sara Smile”
MGMT – “Kids”

Best Rap Solo Performance
Drake – “Best I Ever Had”
Eminem – “Beautiful”
Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)”
Kid Cudi – “Day ‘N’ Nite”
Mos Def – “Casa Bey”

Best Rock Album
AC/DC – Black Ice
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood – Live From Madison Square Garden
Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown
Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King
U2 – No Line on the Horizon

Best New Artist
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Adele – “Hometown Glory”
Beyoncé – “Halo”
Katy Perry – “Hot N Cold”
Pink – “Sober”
Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
John Legend – “This Time”
Maxwell – “Love You”
Jason Mraz – “Make It Mine”
Seal – “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”
Stevie Wonder – “All About the Love Again”

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen – “Sea of Heartbreak”
Ciara & Justin Timberlake – “Love Sex Magic”
Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat – “Lucky”
Willie Nelson & Norah Jones – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat – “Breathe”

Best Pop Vocal Album
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.
Colbie Caillat – Breakthrough
Kelly Clarkson – All I Ever Wanted
The Fray – The Fray
Pink – Funhouse

Best Dance Recording
Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow”
David Guetta & Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over”
Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”
Madonna – “Celebration”
Britney Spears – “Womanizer”

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Melanie Fiona – “It Kills Me”
Lalah Hathaway – “That Was Then”
Ledisi – “Goin’ Thru Changes”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Lions, Tigers & Bears”

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
Anthony Hamilton – “The Point of It All”
Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
Musiq Soulchild – “Sobeautiful”
Pleasure P – “Under”
Charlie Wilson – “There Goes My Baby”

Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals
Jamie Foxx & T-Pain – “Blame It”
India.Arie & Musiq Soulchild – “Chocolate High”
Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige – “Ifuleave”
Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters – “Higher Ground”
Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby – “Love Has Finally Come at Last”

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
Beyoncé – “At Last”
Anthony Hamilton – “Soul Music”
Boney James & Quinn – “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight”
Ann Nesby – “Sow Love”
Calvin Richardson – “Woman Gotta Have It”

Best R&B Song
Jamie Foxx & T-Pain – “Blame It”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Lions, Tigers & Bears”
Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Pleasure P – “Under”

Best R&B Album
Anthony Hamilton – The Point of It All
India.Arie – Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
Ledisi – Turn Me Loose
Maxwell – BLACKsummers’night
Charlie Wilson – Uncle Charlie

Best Contemporary R&B Album
Beyoncé – I Am… Sasha Fierce
Jamie Foxx – Intuition
Pleasure P – The Introduction of Marcus Cooper
Trey Songz – Ready
T-Pain – Thr33 Ringz

Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group
Beastie Boys & Nas – “Too Many Rappers”
Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent – “Crack a Bottle”
Fabolous & Jay-Z – “Money Goes, Honey Stay”
Kid Cudi, Kanye West & Common – “Make Her Say”
Kanye West & Young Jeezy – “Amazing”

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Beyoncé & Kanye West – “Ego”
Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down”
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West – “Run This Town”
The Lonely Island & T-Pain – “I’m On a Boat”
T.I. & Justin Timberlake – “Dead and Gone”

Best Rap Song
Drake – “Best I Ever Had”
Kid Cudi – “Day ‘N’ Nite”
T.I. & Justin Timberlake – “Dead and Gone”
Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)”
Jay-Z, Rihanna, & Kanye West – “Run This Town”

Best Rap Album
Common – Universal Mind Control
Eminem – Relapse
Flo Rida – R.O.O.T.S.
Mos Def – The Ecstatic
Q-Tip – The Renaissance

Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television, or Other Visual Media
Miley Cyrus – “The Climb” (From Hannah Montana: The Movie)
Paramore – “Decode” (From Twilight)
A.R. Rahman, Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah, Mahalaxmi Iyer & Vijay Prakash – “Jai Ho” (From Slumdog Millionaire)
Beyoncé – “Once in a Lifetime” (From Cadillac Records)
Bruce Springsteen – “The Wrestler” (From The Wrestler)

Click here to read the full list

What do you think of the nominees?

42060863

Covergirl model Rihanna has decided to experiment with a new director for next music video. Just Jared reports that the clip, which will support her new single ‘Hard’, will be directed by Melina Matsoukas (Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Ciara) instead of Rihanna’s long time collaborator, Anthony Mandler. The latter has managed 12 of her  other projects, including the video for ‘Russian Roulette’ and ‘Wait Your Turn’. ‘Hard’, which features rapper Young Jeezy, has thus far peaked at #80 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #17 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts.

I must admit that this is a respectable artistic decision. It is always a good idea for artists to experiment with an array of directors in the same format that they work with writers and producers. Yes acts form bonds with particular collaborators, especially when they have worked with them for a very long time, but there comes a time when a certain level of redundancy emerges and the productions no longer seem ‘fresh’. Furthermore, although rather I enjoyed Mandler’s work on ‘Russian Roulette’, I was completely unimpressed by his work on ‘Wait Your Turn’. I hope that Melina is able to bring out the best in Rihanna, in ways that her vocal coach clearly could not.

Thoughts?

american-music-awards-2009-nominations

{Written immediately following the show}

The American Music Awards 2009 has just come off the air on ABC…and where do I begin?! With a performer-list which read like a who’s-who of the music industry, the show – which took place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles – most definitely hit a home-run in terms of star power. Whether these translated into memorable performances is the question. Read on for That Grape Juice’s 2 pence on tonight’s events…

Kicking off the night with a bang was Janet Jackson, whose 8-minute retrospective medley showed she still has ‘it’. Lacking, however, was the ‘has it – and then some’, which IMO really is essential for Ms. Jackson at this stage of her career. By this I mean though Janet commanded the stage with her trademark vigour and undeniable stage presence, what she displayed was kind of ‘hit’ and ‘miss’ in terms of propelling her back to the status of ‘the best’ in the minds of the masses. She did the damn thing on ‘Miss You Much’ and straight snatched off many a wig with ‘If’ (the breakdown of which never gets old, even after 15 years). However, the rest, particularly ‘Make Me’ didn’t translate as well – with the latter’s choreography really not doing the song any justice. I can’t help but think the chosen songs weren’t as on-the-ball as they could have been. Where was ‘All For You’, ‘Rhythm Nation’, or even ‘Feedback’ (the masses last real memory of la Jan)? Yes, it’s not her fault if some of her moves haven’t aged as well as she has (she looked great, minus the outfit), yet the song choice was in her hands, and as much as I remain a stan fan, in being 100% with you all, she kinda didn’t deliver in the way I thought she would have. Still, I’m sure she’ll bring her A-Game for her new album performances next year. She’s still force, and I have every faith she’ll deliver. On a lighter note, Jermaine Jackson’s botched sing-along to ‘Together Again’ had to be one of the funniest moments of the entire night!

Speaking of funniest moments, Rihanna’s live showing of ‘Madhouse’ and ‘Hard’ certainly had me chuckling, not only because it was the exact same performance I saw her give this Monday here in London, but because it was that bad. When not standing there like a lazy loaf of bread, she moved so sluggishly across the stage, all the while sounding like crap. How folks manage to defend her criminal vocals are well and truly beyond me. Honestly.

Interestingly, a moment many seemed to find much humour in, yet I didn’t, was Jennifer Lopez’ fall during her debut performance of brand new single ‘Louboutins’. If you ask me, Ms. Jenny The Block, J.Lo or whatever she likes to call herself these days, delivered a pretty solid performance – one which actually had me feeling the song a bit more. More than anything, she recovered so well from her fall, that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was part of her choreography. She may not be any kind of vocalist, but she sure knows how to perform. It’s a shame folk will likely only dwell on the negative, when she had a killer stage set-up and danced her derriere off.

Another of the night’s other great performances was Lady GaGa’s premier showing of ‘Bad Romance’ and ‘Speechless’, which though understated, still IMO pushed her further ahead of her contemporaries. Like the fire which lit her piano, GaGa performance was hot, hot, hot. Loved it.

I went to the toilet during the Eminem / 50 Cent performance.

More notable live showings were served up by Shakira and Mary J. Blige, who, if I am to be honest, weren’t at the top (or anywhere near) my most anticipated list prior to the show. However each brought their A-Game, which resulted in a pair of great performances respectively.

The Black Eyed Peas, for as much as I like them, just don’t offer me anything of substance live these days, so I phoned a friend when they came on…and got a bite to eat.

Meanwhile, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ rousing showing of ‘Empire State of Mind’ – despite essentially being the same performance, different show – strangely grabbed me more so than any of the other times I’ve seen them do it. I’m thinking it was Alicia’s soaring vocals on the anthem-esque hook that really got me this time. Speaking of Alicia, Ms. Keys had me fall in love with ‘Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart’ all over again with her performance. Though not the best mover and shaker, she was getting that choreography (anyone else notice the Ciara ‘Promise’ part?) and she took it church with her vocals (and backing arrangements). Phenomenal.

Highlight of the night, hands-down, goes to Whitney Houston who tore the house down with her emotional performance of ‘I Didn’t Know My Own Strength’. The performance was everything – breakfast, lunch and dinner! Nippy’s vocals were the best they’ve been in years, with “The Voice” emanating from Whitney in ways many, myself at a time included, never thought they’d hear from her again. Yes, this was ‘Whitney 2009’, yet one who sits almost effortlessly beside Whitney of 1998 during her ‘My Love Is Your Love’ project. Putting to one side the media hype and hysteria, it legitimately felt like watching the crowning moment of one of the biggest comeback’s of all-time.

All in all, the American Music Awards 2009 delivered more than it didn’t. Great show.

Overall show rating: B+

Tidbit: Adam Lambert…c’mon son! LOL

Taylor winning over Michael Jackson?!  Kanye caused that ish…

Your thoughts?

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Leona Lewis held a release party for her new album ‘Echo’ in Hollywood, Los Angeles recently. Yes I know this is post is supposed to be a Leona post but Ciara looked so FIERCE that she needed to get the top spot!

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O yeah, Justin Timberlake made a stop at the party too!

Thoughts?

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