In a move that was no doubt actioned to ensure a #1 debut, Rihanna‘s new LP ‘Rated R’ is now selling for a paltry $3.99 on Amazon MP3. Yet, despite Ms. Fenty’s team pulling all the stops for a #1 charting on the Billboard 200 next week, Interscope’s Lady GaGa‘s sophomore effort ‘The Fame Monster’ is currently sitting comfortably at #1 on iTunes – which serves as one of the biggest music retailers overall. {Source 1}{Source 2}
Oh RiRi! After all the publicity, big budget videos and all that jazz, stunts like this still need to be pulled to garner decent sales. From a business standpoint, I can’t hate on her label’s game. Yet, from an artistic standpoint – which is where the bulk of my critique of Ms. Fenty stems from – it really says a lot about her label’s belief in how many folks will part with their cash to buy her album. I mean, correct me if wrong, but you don’t see the Alicia’s, Beyonce’s, Whitney’s and co selling their album a fraction of the cost to save face. I mean how embarrassing would it be after all the hype, 20/20 interview etc for her not to pull in some seriously decent/great numbers first week?
Randomness: While my review of the AMA’s will be up later today; if Rihanna’s performance wasn’t the night’s worst, I really don’t know what was. A mess.
The video for The Saturday‘s latest single ‘Ego’ premiered minutes ago on their official Youtube page. In keeping it short and sweet, this is easily the ladies best video yet…no question about it. They all look stunning, the storyline was engaging, and £££ was clearly spent on this one (cheap videos are a pet peeve of mine…unless creative of course -see ‘Single Ladies’).
‘Ego’ is lifted from the ladies sophomore LP ‘Wordshaker’, which is in stores and on iTunes now.
Singer (and you use that term loosely) Rihanna was recently featured on MTV’s ‘On With Alex Chung’. Ms. Fenty discussed her ’20/20′ interview with Dianne Sawyer, her new album ‘Rated R’, and her fashion choices among other things. Rihanna’s new single ‘Russian Roulette’ currently sits at #75 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #49 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts – and is struggling on iTunes. ‘Rated R’ hits stores on November 20th. Peep part 1 above and part 2 below:
This was the typical light-hearted interview that exemplifies most album promotional ventures. One thing that I did notice, however, is the dynamic nature of Rihanna’s accent. Anyone else notice how her Bajan accent almost completely disappeared during the interview? As a Caribbean native myself (Trinidad and Tobago!), this is something that we observe to be quite the norm with West Indians. People from the region go to the States and abandon every aspect of their culture, with their accent being the first thing to go. It seems that Rihanna only remembers where she comes from when it suits her marketing strategy. That’s a damn shame.
R&B singer Amerie finally made her first televised performance of new single ‘Heard Em All’ on The Wendy Williams Show earlier today. Hell, correct me if wrong, it’s her first televised anything for her ‘In Love & War’ LP. SMH…
While the performance wasn’t bad at all, it kinda reminded me what my main gripe was with the video. With the song being such a banger, I was expecting some insane choreography, yet instead got a visually appealing clip, yet nothing in the way of ‘fierce’ moves. Still, pretty decent, I guess. Best of luck to Amerie with the album.
Tidbit: There has apparently been some shipping issues with her LP, so if you’ve yet to see it in stores, hit up Itunes or Amazon to purchase.
Rihanna has revealed the official tracklist for her eagerly (by some) anticipated LP ‘Rated R’. Due to hit stores November 23rd, the album boasts collaborations with will.i.am, Young Jeezy and Slash. Peep the tracklist below:
1. “Mad House”
2. “Wait Your Turn”
3. “Hard” feat. Young Jeezy
4. “Stupid in Love”
5. “ROCKSTAR 101″ feat. Slash
6. “Russian Roulette”
7. “Fire Bomb”
8. “Rude Boy”
9. “Photographs” feat. will.i.am
10. “G4L”
11. “Te Amo”
12. “Cold Case Love”
13. “The Last Song”
While this reads quite compellingly, I would bet good money on the material being sub-par – if ‘Russian Roulette’ and ‘Wait Your Turn’ are anything to go by. I mean it says a hell of a lot when both the first and second singles are average at best (and I stress, ‘at best’); surely these are supposed to be what sells the album in the first place, right? Though Ms. Fenty’s piercing billy-goat bleats left me reaching for the ear-plugs, its hard to deny the production on her cuts were top notch. Now, everything just seems a mess.
Oh well, I imagine this will be re-released 500 times, with 100 singles until it does what the label hopes it will – sell respectable numbers. Mind you I find it quite ironic that the fellow in the post below is getting more positive feedback for his material than Ms. Fenty. And ‘No’, I’m not condoning anything, I’m just saying…
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In other Rihanna news, get ready for a full on Ms. Fenty media assault starting this week. Interestingly, the video for ‘Wait Your Turn’ premieres tomorrow, the same day ‘Russian Roulette’ becomes available on iTunes. The previously announced appearances on Good Morning America and 20/20, take place on Thursday and Friday respectively. Lastly, the video for the record’s official lead single ‘Russian Roulette’ is set to debut….FRIDAY (THE) 13th November. {She really ain’t helping ease ‘those’ rumours is she?}
As Alicia Keys readies her fourth studio album for release later this year, a very brief snippet of the LP’s lead single ‘Doesn’t Mean Anything’ surfaced. While it’s a little difficult to give a definitive view of this one, I must say I’m liking the sound of it. Similar to ‘No One’ in that it sounds chartable, yet unique in that it has a qualitative edge to it, this is sounding like a winner. Of course, it could end up being trash once the full version premieres on September 29th, but all signs are positives at present.
Tidbit: Did you know Jay-Z’s ‘Empire State of Mind’, which features Alicia, is currently #1 on iTunes?
Peep a radiant looking Whitney Houston on the cover of the October issue of Ebony magazine (on newsstands September 8th). In the feature, the diva discusses shedding the drama from her life, her time away from the limelight, her relationship with daughter Bobbi-Kristina. Check out some extracts from the interview:
On shedding the drama:
“I shed a lot of stuff, a lot of unnecessary weight in the last three or four years. I left a lot of old luggage behind, and when I did, the blessings just started pouring on me, and the light in my spirit started to lift again,” she tells the magazine. “I’m really humbled, and I thank God that people love me, but I [really] thank God that God loves me. I thank Him for chastening my heart, for never letting go. What I did sometimes … I went off and did my thing, but He
never let me go.”
On her time out of the limelight:
“I was just ready to lay back and raise my daughter and just watch her grow and nurture her. And my mother’s getting older. I wanted to spend more time with my mom [because during] most of my 20s and 30s, [I] was dealing with making records and traveling the world and being this thing — icon, you know — whatever this has turned into.”
On her relationship with Bobbi Kristina:
“She and I are not only mother and daughter, but we’re good friends. I want her to trust me, to be able to trust in me, to know that I’m not going nowhere. If she knows that I’m there for her, she can depend on me. I’m the dependable one; she can depend on her mommy.”
Definitely looking forward to catching the full interview.
In the meanwhile, check out a new video interview with the 46 year old superstar, in which she discusses the process of creating the album, as well as specific tracks. (Note this was shot about 2 months ago):
With Whitney’s album already, as at writing, sitting at the top of the iTunes album chart after officially being released in the US today, it seems fair to say this album may just be the big comeback her fans and the general public are hoping for.
In what comes as quite a surprise considering Chris Brown’s current ‘predicament’, the 20 year old star is once-again riding high on the charts – thanks to a Youtube video. The clip, which sees a couple make a ‘unique’ entrance during their wedding to Brown’s hit ‘Forever’, has become an internet sensation, racking up 8 million views in just 7 days! As knock-on-effect, ‘Forever’ has rocketed to #7 on the iTunes after not even being on the chart anymore and will almost certainly re-enter the Billboard Hot 100 next week at a relatively high position. Who said second chances can’t happen?
Last week That Grape Juice caught up with R&B star Keri Hilson. The talented singer-songwriter spoke candidly about many a topic, including the slow start of her ‘In A Perfect World’ project, going from underperforming singles to hit singles, an album re-release, being labelled ‘cocky’, Michael Jackson and much much more. As ever, we don’t shy away from the questions you *really* want answers to. A great read, I must say 😉 Enjoy.
Interview by: Sam // Transcribed by: Wendi Bekoe
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Sam: Hey Keri, how are you?
Keri: Very good, thank you.
Sam: You’re currently out on tour with Ne-Yo here in the UK. How has that been so far?
Keri: So far, so great! I’ve got to say the crowds over here have been receiving me very well and of course Ne-Yo. He’s got loyal fans, but I never would have guessed I have as many as I have. I see people singing my lyrics, and every night I can see the fruits of my labour.
Sam: That’s awesome. Congratulations on the success of ‘In a Perfect World.’ Personally I find it to be one of the most consistent R&B efforts I’ve heard in a long while.
With that said, were you a bit worried about some of the initial singles not necessarily sky-rocketing as you’d perhaps hoped – namely ‘Energy’ and ‘Return The Favour’?
Keri: I am always pleased with anything – any time my video plays on the TV, any time it plays on the radio, everything counts. I think of it as really paying your dues, and eventually awareness of you will grow, and now we’re at a very good place. So I think everything in due time.
Sam: Was going with ‘Turning Me On’ a conscious effort? It has a markedly different sound to anything else you’ve previously released or that was on the album.
Keri: Absolutely! I mean, there’s another side of me. I’m from Decatur, Georgia and that is a predominantly black neighbourhood with a lot of lower-class and some middle-class neighbourhoods. I guess that is the song that probably properly describes the type of girl I am, in relation to where I’m from. So yeah, it was definitely a conscious effort to make sure that I stay close to home on some records.
Sam: I like to describe this album as one of those where almost every song could be a single. What are the next singles we can expect to hear from the album?
Keri: After ‘Knock You Down’ here (in Europe) it is ‘Energy.’ In the States we’re going with ‘Slow Dance.’
Sam: I love ‘Slow Dance’. Will you be shooting the video for it any time soon?
Keri: I’ve already shot it! Paul Hunter directed it.
Sam: What can we expect from the video? I’ve seen the live performances of the song, they’re very…sensual (laughs).
Keri: Yeah. It is a bit of that, but it’s a bit toned down for the video, because you got so much censoring, I can’t do everything I do on stage (laughs). So when people come out they’re probably still gonna be a bit surprised to see it live, after seeing the video. But I’m very pleased with the video. I love the colours and it’s reminiscent of the whole late 70s early 80s era in music.
Sam: There have been some murmurings about a re-release of ‘In a Perfect World’, is that something we can expect anytime soon?
Keri: Yeah, by the end of this year I’d love to throw on some tracks that I wanted on there initially. And of course I’ll also be recording a couple new tracks with Timbaland and with Polo (Da Don), so yeah, look forward to a re-release.
Sam: Cool. A lot of your fans wanted to know if unreleased tracks like ‘Love Ya’ and ‘Cover’s Blown’ will be on the album.
Keri: ‘Cover’s Blown’ – I didn’t even know that leaked actually, I didn’t know you guys knew that record! (Laughs) That was a demo of just an idea we laid down one night, we never even finished it, so it’s possible. ‘Love Ya’ is one of my all-time favourite songs, so hopefully that will be on the re-release.
Sam: Have you started thinking about your next record?
Keri: I have not yet, other than like titles for it….
Sam: I love the honesty…
Keri: (laughs) I definitely already have the photo shoot ideas in mind, but I really just wanna make sure we ride this album until the wheels fall off. I wanna make sure we capitalize off this moment with my debut album and make it as big a project as we possibly can, and make sure my exposure is at maximum capacity. I really want to be able to live life between albums and allow myself to be inspired by relationships and all the things about life.
Sam: You’re an artist and a songwriter – which would you *honestly* say you prefer the most?
Keri: Honestly speaking – both. But I will say that songwriting for me was actually my plan B. Of course performing, being on stage, recording, and doing everything I’m able to do now was always my bigger dream. I have to say I didn’t even know songwriting existed until late in my teens, but before I was even double digits I was performing and was heavy into that life, so I’m living the dream every single day – I’m all smiles.
Sam: What do you think is more important – the music video or the live performance, and why?
Keri: I think the live performance. First of all more people are now able to see it with You Tube, and also people want to know if what you do on record you can do live. I take pride in the fact that I don’t lip-sync, my mic is on, unless in some maybe extreme case that I just do not have a voice. Even then I’ve gotten through a 15-minute with a crazy sinus infection and no voice. But sometimes you have to play it by ear, and sometimes your back is against the wall and you’re forced to have a backing track. We’re only human, we’re not robots.
Sam: That’s totally understandable. So if you could sum up the current state of the industry in three words, what would they be?
Keri: Lighter… upbeat, and…hmm… I don’t know… I’m thinking of another… because I feel music is in a great place, so I don’t know of one word to describe that, but it’s in a really good place.
Sam: Do you feel any pressure moving ahead to silence those who say Keri Hilson can only score a hit with a collaboration… a “collaboration artist only”?
Keri: Absolutely, absolutely. Which is why I want to make sure my next single everywhere – from ‘Energy’ to ‘Slow Dance’ – for those that don’t have my album, they understand what type of artist I am, and who I am. I want these records to define Keri Hilson, and I feel that the album does that. Even the features that we have do not overshadow me, and I’ve been told over and over that it’s like the perfect placement. People of course put their foot in it, but they don’t outshine who Keri Hilson is on the album. But there are lots of people that do not have the album, so definitely I want to silence those (laughs).
Sam: What’s your take on those who say that Ms Keri is “cocky”?
Keri: Cocky?! Definitely not. I will say I’m very candid. I have to say that those people who say that clearly don’t know me. People that do know me and have worked with me know that I don’t take myself too seriously. I’m just a person who is in love with music. At the same time it was not handed to me on a silver platter, I worked very hard for everything that is coming my way. It’s been a 12-year journey for me, so if they think I’m cocky they might not understand my journey and how hard I had to fight for this. Nothing’s easy. Shout out to anyone trying to pursue whatever it is, it’s gonna be a fight, and I think if you understood that about my story then you absolutely would not consider me cocky. Confident and happy and blissful and blessed and thankful – all of those things I am!
Sam: Great! So tell us a little known fact about Ms Keri Baby.
Keri: A little known fact (laughs)?. I grew up an athlete! I grew up an athlete with a tenacious spirit. I excelled in swimming. I won county and I won state, then I competed for the state of Georgia in the junior nationals when I was 14 years old. Then basketball – I played in high school. I was two years Best Offensive, senior year I was MVP, two years Captain. I come from that world, so if ever it’s a cockiness people see or sense, it’s really not that. But I am competitive; I do have a competitive drive. Not against any of my peers or people that would be considered competition, I don’t think at all about the competition. I’m competitive within myself. I’m that type of performer.
Sam: A lot of your fans want to know about your current writing projects, whether you are writing for anyone at the moment – particularly for Mary J Blige’s next album, and if you’ll be featured on ‘Shock Value II’.
Keri: I’ll definitely be featured on ‘Shock Value II’, I can guarantee that. I don’t know whether my schedule will have me able to work on Mary J or Usher or Britney’s next projects. Of course some may know I did write ‘Gimme More’ and ‘Break the Ice’ for Britney, but I wasn’t able to work on this album because I was touring, so we just have to see. I mean, as long as I’m an artist, I definitely want to be writing and keeping my creative juices flowing for other artists.
Sam: Are you still a part of writing group The Clutch?
Keri: Um… somewhat. I’m kind of the resident artist there (laughs). I’m the member that they never see. But I’m always representing The Clutch.
Sam: A lot of the fans also wanted to know with ‘Return the Favor’ there was an initial draft of the track that had the hook “If you kiss me then I’ll kiss you back” – why was it changed?
Keri: I don’t know! I changed the hook from what you hear, and it was really like a Timbaland call. He was like “No… I think I like the other one better.” It was a creative call and no one was supposed to hear the other one and know the difference (laughs).
Sam: Ok. Michael Jackson tragically passed away recently, and it shocked and rocked the world. Where were you when you heard the news?
Keri: I was in LA where it all happened. I was headed to rehearsals and the crazy thing is we were rehearsing at the very same spot, literally right in the rehearsal room, right next to Michael Jackson’s band, where he would drop in every now and then.
Sam: Did you see him?
Keri: I never saw him, but a couple of my dancers and my choreographer laid eyes on him. As far as they knew he looked very healthy. It’s very unfortunate.
Sam: What are your thoughts moving ahead on the whole Michael Jackson legacy, and saga, etc?
Keri: Well… you know… I don’t know. Moving ahead I hope that all the scandal will be outweighed by how great of a person, philanthropist and performer he was. He is yet to be matched as far as the energy he emulates from the stage. There will never be another Michael Jackson, absolutely not.
Sam: Ok, a quick game. Best looking – Kanye, Ne-Yo or Lil Wayne?
Keri: Um…Ne-Yo.
Sam: Female in the industry with the best weave?
Keri: (Laughs!!!) I don’t know. Halle when she decides to do it – when she does it, she does it right (laughs!).
Sam: Finally what is your advice for up-coming stars?
Keri: Like I mentioned before, it’s not gonna be an easy road, but God rewards diligence. It may not happen when you want it to, but keep honing your craft and push forward.
Sam: Ms. Keri Baby! Thank you for your time.
Keri: Thanks Sam.
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Keri’s awesome album ‘In A Perfect World…’ is available in stores and on iTunes now!
Mariah Carey’s video for brand new single ‘Obsessed’ made it’s debut a day earlier than supposed to on Yahoo Music today. Directed by longtime Carey collaborator and Rush Hour director Brett Ratner, the hilarious clip sees the 39 year old diva (40 according to some lol) being followed and obsessed-over by an Eminem-like figure. While some parts of the vid were a little tiresome i.e. Mimi touching EVERY inch of her body during the photoshoot scene (which was too long IMO), it’s hard to deny this one is a winner. At times laugh out loud funny (see: run-over scene), Mariah also looked the best she has in a long minute. My girl looked h-o-t.
Unfortunately it’s a shame the song isn’t. Once a an-almost guaranteed (predicted) contenderfor the #1 spot, the song’s fluctuating performance on iTunes means the chances of it becoming her #19 #1 are unlikely. At the risk of becoming ‘Lamb Stew’ (inevitable lol), I can’t say this isn’t deserved – the song is trash. I just wish Mariah would stop trying to compete with the young’uns (something her stans will no doubt label, ‘adapting’ to the market), dumbing down her music in the process. And yes, success without selling out is possible; one only need look at the ‘Emancipation’ album (her most successful in recent times), which is best summed up as quality/contemporary. I need someone to name me one average R&B chick who could have churned out that album, because I’m struggling on that one. Yet I can tell you 5 who could have recorded ‘Obsessed’…and done a better job. Sigh.
That Grape Juice was fortunate enough to catch up with R&B superstar Ciara not once, but twice over the last month (in early May and just last week). In these candid interviews, parts 1 and 2 of which you can read / watch below, the 23 year old talks everything from her new album ‘Fantasy Ride’ and its sales, to sexing up her image, to collaborating with Janet Jackson, her thoughts on Keri Hilson, Beyonce and so much more. As ever, we ask the questions you really want answers to! Read, watch and enjoy 🙂 *Special thanks to Leon, Jamell and Sean!*
Interview by: Sam – That Grape Juice // Transcription: Bisi Kade
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Part 1
Sam: Hey Ciara!
Ciara: Hi Sam!
Sam: How are you?
Ciara: I’m great thank you. I’m in a wonderful space right now. Sam: That’s awesome. So you visited the UK last week, and did a lot of media appearances. One in particular was a radio interview where you learnt UK’s very own ‘Migrate Skank’, which made a huge buzz on the net. What differentiates your UK fans from your other worldwide fan base?
Ciara: It’s literally it being two different parts of the world, I think the UK has its own unique style and we, as Americans, have our own style as well. It’s just like when you go to Japan, it’s different (compared to) when you go to the States, because of culturally differences. My fans are from various parts of the world, but I can definitely say the energy of my fans in the UK is amazing. It’s just so fun here. It’s just one of those things that when you go over to the UK I’m always like “wow… the support is amazing”.
Sam: Did you visit any attractions when you were over here?
Ciara: (thinking) When I was there I really didn’t get a chance to do a whole lot. I did go to TopShop and stuff like that, but my schedule was so hectic that I couldn’t to as many places as I would like to.
Sam: Ok, so after a few push-back’s your third studio album ‘Fantasy Ride’ has finally hit stores across the globe this week: Tell us about the process you went through to develop your artistry with this album?
Ciara: Making this album I just really wanted to take my time, and I can definitely say this is the most fun I’ve had recording a record since my first album. What happened to me was: I put out one single (‘Go Girl’) and it was kind of like a warm-up exercise and just me really trying something new. I put out that record kind of early because my whole album wasn’t completed…. Something I’ve done before. I did that when I made my first album; I put out ‘Goodies’ out as the single on the radio and I recorded ‘1,2 Step’ and ‘Oh’ whilst ‘Goodies’ during that time. That’s what the process was for this record. But I really do think that I enjoyed myself and as I continued to record after the first time I moved the date back, things continued to get better. It was just important for me to make sure I really had everything in place the way I wanted it to be. Technically there was really one push back. I wanted to make sure I didn’t mention a date until I knew exactly what I wanted it to be.
Sam: The title indicates the record being somewhat of a concept CD; tell about what inspired the title?
Ciara: ‘Fantasy Ride’ is about me taking my fans on a fantasy through music and taking my fans many different places they have never been before, as well as doing some of the unexpected things. And that’s what this album is about; it really is a fantasy ride, if you want to party, I have that record on there. If you feeling more sensual, that record is on there, if you just want to groove out and relax that record is on there. It’s just the perfect combination of R&B, Hip-Hop and Pop fused in one. It really is just a fantasy ride for me too, because I am adding more elements to things I’ve already done. I wanted to make sure I gave my fans things of what they have always known from me. But I also wanted to make sure I added more to it and really some unexpected things for them.
Sam: We can’t shy away from the fact that several tracks from the album which made the finally cut from the record found their way on to the internet several months prior to the album’s release, what is your take on this?
Ciara: Initially it was definitely frustrating. Because not only did I put a lot of hard work in to it, but it’s also not a cheap process making a record [laughs]. But most importantly presentation is everything and it’s definitely unfortunate when you put so much hard work in to something and you know what you want it to be. And before you know it, it actually gets put out for the public before it’s even completed. So people are able to get opinions on something that’s not even the proper version of it. That part of it is really frustrating and it’s kind of like who would do something like that? I feel like that’s so wrong. At the end of the day I have to find the positives in it, when I do my shows earlier my fans knew some of the songs. One thing I do believe is that my diehard fans will still rock with you no matter what. Once you get to hear the entire album in its entirety, it just feels like nothing that you heard – even if you heard the tracks earlier, you’re hearing the correct version and it really does feel good. I believe your diehard fans will rock with you no matter what.
Sam: As we speak now, the first week sales of the album are being collated, how important are sales to you?
Ciara: Sales are a part of what matters, it’s not everything, it doesn’t make or break you to me. I’ve experienced before… my first album was really low and when it was all said and done I was almost at 5 million records sold. How you start is part of it, but how you finish it is what really matters. Like Akon has probably sold 60,000 units his first weekend and now he’s sold a hell of a lot… it’s all about timing, it’s all about promoting, it’s all about a lot of different things. You can’t get lost in all that. Another example is the Jonas Brothers; they are at 1.3 million or 1.2 million records, but they’re one of the hugest bands in the world. So sales aren’t part of it, there’s so much more to it, like being able to connect to your fans is important. One of the most important thing to me is touring; to me it’s more than everything to me, honestly. Everything is changing nowadays; Virgin Megastores just got closed, Uptown Records got shut down, now Virgin is collapsing. It just goes to show you where music is going and it is a different day. Sales aren’t everything and it don’t make or break you, it’s a fraction of what counts overall.
Sam: Many fans are keen to know why ‘Go Girl’ didn’t make it onto the album, as the track is a favourite among fans and the video is arguably one of the best Ms. Harris has served up since hitting the scene.
Ciara: That record was actually on the Japan version (of ‘Fantasy Ride’), and I put it on there because that was a market that actually got that record in such a great way. It was the top 5 record for me there on that actual version. And of course you can always go to iTunes to get the record, but I just wanted to put out the records that was doing when I kept recording. It was kind of hard because you’re only given a certain amounts of slots per record and ‘Go Girl’ was one of those ones I wanted to put in there. But the other records for me were ones I really wanted there, and ‘Go Girl’ kind of came at the end of list. But my fans can still have access to it, you can go to iTunes to get. I didn’t get rid of the record that was one of the records that I loved to rock with, but when you tell me I have 13 slots to fill up I’m like… you know.
Sam: I really love the album. I think it’s your best record to date. ‘Tell Me What Your Name Is’ is my personal favourite track. If you had to pick one track as your favourite from the album what would it be and why?
Ciara: ‘High Price’. I love ‘High Price’ because it’s so strong and powerful and I love taking that risk by singing operatic on it. The track goes so hard to me and it has such great energy, it’s one of those records that make a huge statement. That’s one of the records I really love, it’s kind of hard to pick my most favourite but that’s one of the ones that I definitely really love.
Sam: One of the tracks I know the fans are really gravitating towards is the song called ‘Like A Surgeon’…
Ciara: Yeah I love that record…
Sam: …Would it be possible for ‘That Grape Juice’ readers as well as your fans to have a very short acapella of the track?
Ciara: [Laughs] No… [Laughs] You have to call me in 3 hours when I’m warmed up. I’m in LA so I’m on West Coast time, I just woke up, I’m just cranking everything up and I don’t know what would come out right now so you would really have me out there. That’s cool… on the next interview for sure.
Sam: Oh ok (laughs). A lot of fans are keen to find out what the next singles is likely to be.
Ciara: I can’t tell you just yet, I have an idea but I want to wait before I say it so I don’t want to say the wrong thing. And it is exactly what it’s going to be.
Sam: How involved are you in the process of picking the next single along with the label?
Ciara: I’m always very vocal and at this point it really is a teamwork effort. I shoot up my ideas and we all do a teamwork effort together and we go for it.
Sam: Honestly speaking, what’s your take on the Keri Hilson ‘Turnin’ Me On (Remix)’. It has caused major head-waves as we all know. Are you two still cool?
Ciara: I’ll be honest with you, it’s kind of one of those things where I don’t really like to spend that much energy on stuff like that. And when it comes to beefs and dramas I just leave that to the rappers. I don’t get into it, I haven’t talked to her in a while, but I am wishing her well in everything she has going on.
Sam: After being in this industry for a minute, has there ever been a time when something you’ve heard has gotten you down, and how did you deal with this?
Ciara: There have definitely been some moments when something has probably frustrated me a little bit or kind of kicked a little bit of negative energy this way. But you know what, I’m at a point in my life to where I feel like I’m very blessed. To be on my third album to be living my dream to be waking up to be doing what I choose to do is a blessing. And you always have to think about that I could be in a whole space right now and so I just choose to think about all the great things I feel like I’ve been blessed with or all the great things and people I have in my life and that’s what keeps me positive and keeps me going.
Sam: You’ve gone on record to say that you would love to do a duet with Janet Jackson. Is that something we could look forward to in the future or perhaps her next record, or something we could see from Ciara anytime soon?
Ciara: There’s no telling, I definitely think it would be awesome. But I guess whenever that right moment comes if it’s something that Janet is down for then of course I guess it could happen. But I can’t tell you right now ‘oh I have a record and blah blah blah,’ I don’t have that response for you, but I definitely think that it would be cool.
Sam: You and Justin Timberlake were awfully close in the ‘Love, Sex & Magic’ Video. What is your take on people saying that ‘Ciara has taken it ‘too sexed up’ these days?
Ciara: I can definitely say that this album is about my growth as a woman and I can definitely say on this record, the more sensual side to me is coming out. ‘Love, Sex & Magic’ is definitely a true reflection of that side. I’m just having fun and my sensual side is coming out a little bit right now.
Sam: You’ve got a serious presence on Twitter. What do you think about its rapid rise to prominence?
Ciara: I think Twitter is really important, it’s important because it allows me to connect with my fans and talk with them. I honestly enjoy myself doing it. (It) doesn’t feel like I’m working, I really am having a fun time. It’s such a great platform to update your fans with new information, it’s such a great platform to fill them and connect with them. And that’s why I love Twitter, at first I was like this is crazy, but now I understand the importance of it or I believe it’s important.
Sam: Aside from That Grape Juice, do you visit any other internet blogs?
Ciara: [Thinking] Do I… yeah actually I do, I don’t even know why I asked that question, I blanked out [laughs]. I do to a couple of other websites; I do a little internet searching.
Sam: Do you read comments on yourself, comments of you performances or do you just go for general purposes?
Ciara: I like to be updated on what’s going on music and sometimes I like to read the comments. I pretty much refrain from trying to, because a lot of times people like to create negative things just to do it. And I feel like blogs are kind of like created to give us negative [vibes]. So I can’t go by that and I can’t depend on that. But I do like to go to go and be updated on entertainment and different things that happen because I don’t watch TV like that, that’s just my way of checking up on everything.
Sam: Just to let you know, it’s not all the blogs that are negative towards artists, there are a lot of positive ones.
Ciara: I know. What I realised in media is that negative energy travels faster than positive energy, and people tend to drive off of that more. So I pick and choose the moments to look at stuff, you can kind of get an idea when somebody is going to try and create something more than what it is, for something that is just not right. You have to pick and choose those moments, but at the end of the day a blogger doesn’t determine anything to me. A person that is negative doesn’t mean anything to me, but my fans do. I do enjoy going to my fan sites; you get a positive support.
Sam: Many are keen to know whether you are dating anyone at the moment?
Ciara: (laughs) I’m ‘dating’ my music!
Sam: (Laughs) If Super C was having a celebrity Death Match, who would she pick as her tag team partner?
Ciara: I love this question! Erm…Eminem
Sam: Ok, rounding up; I’m going to give you two names and you tell me which you prefer. Starting off: Beyonce or Destiny’s Child?
Ciara: Beyonce
Sam: 50 Cent or Kanye West?
Ciara: Hmmm. That’s tuff [giggles]. I think both artists are really dope, but I would say 50 Cent.
Sam: Michael or Janet?
Ciara: Ahh that’s just not right (laughs)… Michael.
Sam: Sell me Fantasy Ride in one word?
Ciara: Timeless.
Sam: We reported today that you will be going on tour with Jay-Z this summer. When will the tour be kicking off?
Ciara: I think sometime in July I don’t know the dates just now [laughs].
Sam: Before we call it an interview, many of your fans want to know whether we’ll we be seeing you perform at the BET Awards 2009?
Ciara: As of now I can’t say, but would I love to? Absolutely.
Sam: Ms. Harris, it really was great speaking with you. Best of luck with the project.
Ciara: Aww…thank you, love. Have a great day. Mwah!
Want more? Check out Part 2 below!
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Part 2
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Ciara’s awesome new album ‘Fantasy Ride’ is in stores and on iTunes now. Do be sure to pick up a copy!
