“If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again”
Keyshia Cole is hitting the reset button on the campaign for her current album ’11:11 Reset.’
Initially released last October, the set debuted at #37 on the Billboard 200 with a first week figure of 13,377 (9,420 of which were pure sales).
Needless to say, these are a far cry from Cole’s glory days and weren’t reflective of the benefits attached to the ‘Love & Hip-Hop’ platform she signed on to.
But worried fans needn’t fret because Keyshia has a plan.
Why? The success she is projected to enjoy with her latest movie ‘Black Panther.’
How she’s celebrating its release? By gracing the pages of ‘Allure’ with a stellar shoot, an interview that offers insight into her life as it is today and a conversation about her hair.
Around 13 or 14, I had such a rough time with being teased and feeling really unpretty. My dad intervened and spoke to my mom about my hair, and she finally agreed. She took me to the salon in the middle of the school day, and I got my hair relaxed. I felt so much better because it was easier to tame. All the girls in my class had their hair relaxed. Very few had natural kink, so I felt a lot more acceptable.
Armed with the success of global smash ‘Sorry Not Sorry,’ the vocal powerhouse is expanding her US ‘Tell Me You Love Me Tour’ into multiple Euro regions.
The R&B ensemble staged a successful comeback – comprised of a reality show and reunion tour. And while most members are keen to keep the nostalgia going, Kandi Burruss has revealed that she has other commitments.
Undeterred, the rest of the group – Tiny, Tamika, and LaTocha – are pressing on as a trio.
To punctuate their point of difference, the ladies have announced a name change.
The internet went nuts last week when all five Spice Girls were photographed having lunch together, a reunion that spurred unconfirmed reports the ladies were gearing up for a world tour.
But, just as the story was making its rounds, one of the group’s members – Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham) – quickly quelled the rumors.
It’s that time again! That Grape Juice wants to see what you all are listening to. Which 5 tracks have you got on constant rotation at the moment?
Remember, it doesn’t have to be limited to Urban music; could be something new, Throwback, religious, even something you made yourself! Drop a comment in the comments section. Ours are below – in no particular order:
Today we celebrate a one-of-a-kind talent. This week’s From The Vault comes courtesy of birthday belle Brandy. Today’s pick is ‘Long Distance.’
Issued as the second and final single from ‘Human,’ her fifth studio album and long-awaited reunion with music mastermind Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins. ‘Distance’ was the work of a then-unknown Bruno Mars alongside his Smeezingtons partner Philip Lawrence. Darkchild delivered additional production.
Unfortunately, the track didn’t propel B-Rocka to the top of the charts and failed to enter the US Hot 100. Still it managed to reach the 38th position of the Hip-Hop/R&B tally.
Lyrically, the song touches upon the strenuous nature conditions of long-distance relationships. As the singer herself explained, it could be about a lover as much it could be about a sibling or a friend.
Chris Robinson directed the track’s melancholia visual. A seemingly sad Brandy can be seen singing in front of her mirror, reminiscing about her time with her absent lover and performing in a jazz club. Squint closely and you’ll also spot Bruno and Philip playing the piano behind Ms. Norwood.
During the song’s break, the video makes a dramatic transition from black and white to color as the rain pours on a lovelorn Brandy.
Simple, yet cinematic.
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We can’t wait for this gifted songbird to once again take flight and pick up where she left off. We’re salivating for this new music she’s about to hatch. Will she embark on an adult-contemporary journey? Dabble with the R&B-trap that’s all the rage? Or will she return with something totally different?
While the answer remains a mystery, what is a certain is that our hopes are high after the 24 years of consistent brilliance Brandy has delivered over the last 24 years.
Beyonce protégés Chloe x Halle have strut into 2018 with purpose.
The singing sisters are already earning praise aplenty for their role in ‘Black-Ish’ spin-off ‘Grown-ish’ and are gearing up for a hotly anticipated performance at Coachella 2018.
Building on their buzz, the sisters are pushing new single ‘The Kids Are Alright’ – the video for which has been unwrapped.