With an upcoming spot on talent show ‘Majors & Minors’ and a new tell all documentary on the way, it seems that Brandy Norwood is trying to make her way back to the forefront of music debate.
For after a difficult last few years riddled with poor album sales, intense personal drama and well documented label disputes, there is no denying that many of her ever loyal fans are hoping that upcoming years will serve to mark a more positive time for the performer.
We here at ThatGrapeJuice HQ are curious to know one thing.
Today marks the global release of Kelly Rowland’s eagerly anticipated ‘Here I Am’ album.
Serving as the songbird’s third studio effort, the record is preceded by Urban smash ‘Motivation’ and is being described by many as the 30 year old’s breakthrough LP. A view we wholly co-sign (click here to read our review).
However, as ever, we here at That Grape Juice are keen to hear what you think. Will you be buying ‘Here I Am’? If so, why? Answer a no? Why? What are your favorite tracks?
As fairytales go, the last 12 months have been just that for Kelly Rowland. Characterised by increased global success, a US solo smash, and a spot on the X FactorUK‘s judging panel, the one-time caged songbird looks to be soaring to new heights.
With her third studio album ‘Here I Am’ arriving in stores this week, the 30 year old opened up to That Grape Juice about many a topic including her show-stopping BET performance, being an underdog, how her new management bests her former, first week sales, promo plans and much more.
No “what’s your favourite colour” questions here. We ask the questions you really want answers to. And answer them Rowland does.
R&B heartthrob Trey Songz is set to make his big screen debut. The Grammy nominated crooner has been pegged to play a leading role in the remake of classic 1974 horror flick ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’. The 3D film is set to debut in the fall of 2012.
No word if review of the permanently pouted lip Urban pop star’s live performances prompted the film’s casting directors to seek his participation in the film. For, as we all know, what better venue than a horror film for Trigga to showcase his talent howls aka haunted house vocals.
Trey Songz and ‘Massacre’? Two concepts that have just been given a new reason (as if there weren’t enough already) to be used in the same sentence.
Following a series of photos featuring R&B newcomer, Frank Ocean, in the studio with certified hitmakers like Beyonce and Pharrell, this candid with hip hop legend Jay-Z seems a welcomed addition to the collection. The shot is from a session for Jay-Z’s forthcoming solo album, which will feature a track with the singer/songwriter. Ocean, whose single, ‘Novacane’, is currently No. 19 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, will also appear on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s upcoming ‘Watch The Thrown’ LP, due out August 2.
That Grape Juice’s resident host Patrick gives the rundown on this week’s hottest stories: * Nicki Minaj’s Abuse Drama * X Factor USA Preview * The Black Eyed Peas’ ‘Temporary’ Split * Mathew Knowles Slams Beyonce’s New Team …and more!
Lady GaGa is most certainly expanding her media empire far beyond the realms of music and supporting visuals.
For the starlet’s ‘Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: at Madison Square Garden’ has obtained 5 Emmy nods, the very first set of nominations she has ever received from the well respected award ceremony.
With little over two weeks before Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Here I Am’ arrives in stores, fans and critics alike are in for a treat, as snippets for the entire LP are now available.
Take a listen to what Ms. Kelly will be serving up this time around…
That Grape Juice was in the house at the BET Awards 2011 – which aired live from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium this weekend. Our resident host, Patrick, gives the the rundown of Urban music’s biggest night, as well as our exclusive chats with Ashanti, The Game, Michelle Williams, Estelle, and more over the action-packed BET weekend.
New Orleans-born, Beverly Hills resident Frank Ocean is the bubbling under artist-of-the-moment, who seems to be on a meteoric rise to the big leagues. The 23-year-old affiliate of controversial rap collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA) or Odd Future for short, has most recently penned a track for Beyonce (‘I Miss You’), and logged in studio time with hip-hop legend Nas and producer Pharrell Williams. The Def Jam artist is even hinting towards collaborations with Jay-Z and Kanye West.
‘Acura Integurl’
Ocean is also an accomplished songwriter. By the name of Christopher “Lonny” Breaux, he boasts credits in releases from Brandy (‘Human’), Justin Bieber (‘My World’), and John Legend (‘Revolver’). This talent led him to a deal with Island Def Jam over a year ago. There, Ocean completed his album nostalgia, ULTRA. The album shines on the basis of Frank’s knack for story telling, which is almost poetic at times, laid over tracks from left-leaning pop acts and certified rockers like Coldplay, Mr. Hudson, MGMT, and The Eagles, all presented with Brandy-esque vocal arrangments, and backing vocals.
‘Swim Good’
Yet, the album along with Frank went ignored by the company for what he alleges to be a full year. On Feb 16, the singer took matters into his own hands, releasing the LP as a free download via his tumblr as sort of a middle finger to the company. The results were nothing short of epic. nostalgia, ULTRA has received overwelmingly positive reviews from critics and some of the industries biggiest names (see above). Ocean, along with the Drake-approved The Weeknd, have been called the “new wave of R&B”. Even Chris Brown’s mini-beef sparking comment, was nothing more than a misconstrued compliment on Ocean’s artistry.
‘Novacane’
Now Def Jam is trying to make things right. Frank Ocean’s debut will be officially released as a shortened EP, nostalgia, LITE, on July 26. You can check out the full, free version here.
Alicia Keys took center stage last night (June 24th) at Los Angeles Pantages Theatre for a concert commemorating the release of the 10th anniversary edition of her debut album ‘Songs In A Minor’ (in stores June 28th). The event, entitled ‘Piano & I: A One-Night Only Event With Alicia Keys’, saw the singer give rousing renditions of some of the album’s biggest hits (‘Fallin’, ‘A Woman’s Worth’, ‘Girlfriend’) as well as a few covers of soul legends Mary J. Blige and Marvin Gaye.
Amidst a highly publicized panel switch-up, X Factor USA is rolling forward with a newly announced September premiere date. USA Today reports the new FOX talent show will officially debut with two 2-hour episodes (Wednesday, September 21 and Thursday, September 22 at 8/7c). The panel, to feature Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid, and Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger, has reviewed open auditions nationwide (including Youtube submissions).
That Grape Juice wants to know, though: Will you be watching?
