Without a doubt, Katy Perry‘s ‘Prism‘ is shaping up to be the highly anticipated Pop album of 2013’s Pop quarter.
Filled to the brim with radio ready / well written hits, today marked the project’s release- just days after its lead single ‘Roar’ surpassed US sales of 3 million units…8 weeks after its release.
Now, in what’ll give the more industry inclined members of her fan base ample reason to beam, the executive members of her camp have spilled exciting details on the album’s promotional campaign in an interview with Danyel Smith‘s Billboard.
Weeks before the show bids adieu to the world, Rihanna‘s ‘Diamonds World Tour’ touched down in Johannesburg last week, met with mixed reviews from fans at the show and critics who caught pieces from the performance online.
Now, peep her delivery of the ‘Unapologetic’ number ‘Phresh Out the Runway’ and let us know what you made of it below.
After recently nabbing top 5 positions with singles ‘Wild’, ‘It’s My Party’, and parent album ‘Alive’, Pop powerhouse Jessie J has announced the title of the next release from her sophomore set.
The Best You Never Heard is back! Each week will once again see That Grape Juice spotlight an array of little known gems. Featuring picks from the TGJ editorial team, we want to know…who chose the best song! Let us know below…
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TLC – ‘If They Knew’
Back in the 90’s, one could always count on TLC to deliver the politically-incorrect goods. From not being “too proud to beg” to giving one the “red light special”, nothing was off-limits for the iconic trio.
After sharing their stories of “creeping” in 1994, they returned 5 years later with ‘If They Knew’, an album highlight about infidelity and being enamored with two different people.
Included in the ’99 blockbuster ‘FanMail’, the track sonically keeps up with the futuristic theme of the project, but this time adding an understated Island-vibe to the mix.
The girls stay faithful to their Crazy, Sexy and Cool personas on the Dallas Austin helmed-record, as T-Boz smoothly and calmly delivers her lines, while the seductive Chilli sprinkles sensuality over the song, and Left-Eye and her unapologetic Rap verse almost makes straying sound cool. Almost.
With ‘FanMail’ selling over 10 millions copies worldwide despite only having three official singles (2 international and 1 European), would you imagine just how much more it would have sold if ‘Knew’ benefited from the single treatment?
Anyway, enough with our shoulda-woulda-coulda’s, here is ‘If They Knew’ {JOE}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”bzCknvWNYcE”]
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Leona Lewis – Burn
As missed opportunities go, vocal powerhouse Leona Lewis hasn’t had the best of luck in recent years.
For, despite ample success, the songbird has developed somewhat of a penchant for passing on material that would not just go on to be hits, but mega hits…for other artists. Case, point, recent revelation that Rihanna’s ‘We Found Love’ was originally recorded by the X Factor winner, only to be left on the cutting-room floor.
A shocking loss, no doubt; however, it’s the forgoing of the flavoursome ball of fire that is ‘Burn’ that baffles us most.
The Ryan Tedder cut was recorded by Lewis in 2011 during the sessions for her ill-fated ‘Glassheart’ project, yet – once again – was omitted from the final tracklist. Word is that it was the legendary Clive Davis who called for its axing upon taking a more hands-on approach with the A&R’ing of the album – which, at that point, had already been subject to a series damaging delays.
Yet, for all his genius, Davis’ decision would turn out to be the wrong one. For, not only did the LP’s dreary ballads and criminal flirtation with fist-pumping EDM fall flat, ‘Burn’ would go on to become a #1 chart smash for British singer Ellie Goulding…two years later in the Summer of 2013.
A shame, as the track boasts all that Lewis’ career needs musically. Indeed, while baring sprinkles of Pop, Dance, and Reggae, the song never veers too far one way. Resulting in a colourful genre-clash that is befitting on an artist such as Leona; a talented artist who is clearly eager to evolve musically, yet doesn’t seem to know how.
Here’s hoping future projects tap into the brilliance that is the sound, look, and taste of ‘Burn’. {SAM}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”d2Nl45PeZYg”]
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Ke$ha – Backstabber
Initially planned to serve as the second single from Ke$ha‘s ‘Animal’ debut, ‘Backstabber’ stands one of the Pop star’s lesser known/generally overlooked fan favourites. Penned by the performer herself and Chaka Khan collaborator David H. Gamson, the fiery cut sees a pre-autotune Kesha roar through a track that speaks of friendship and betrayal, dealing with a theme far removed from the “generic jams” she’s gone on to craft since then.
Love ‘Backstabber’ as much as I do? Cast your vote below! {DAVID}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”YBbrqgiTuuo”]
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Kameron Corvet – Kiss And Makeup
Criminally underrated Soul singer Kameron Corvet has certainly built his fair share of buzz in underground R&B over the past few years. Ennobled for his falsetto driven, guitar accompanied numbers, the singer’s retro twist on modern R&B quickly earned him sharp comparison’s to some of the genre’s most prized crooners (see: Eric Benet, Maxwell, and the like).
The foundation of that buzz was undoubtedly 2008’s ‘Korporate Rockstar’. Featuring the modest R&B hit ‘Kiss & Make-Up’, get acquainted with the Louisiana native’s smooth plea for romantic reconciliation. Premium R&B lies ahead. {RASHAD}
All roads lead to November 4th for UK chart titan Tinie Tempah.
The rapper is set to unleash his hotly anticipated sophomore album on the day, marking almost three years since its multi-Platinum predecessor ‘Disc-Overy’ hit stores.
Having served up a taste of the LP with preceding (and contrasting) singles ‘Trampoline’ and ‘Children Of The Sun’, the South Londoner is giving fans a window-peek into what else they can expect from the project.
Boasting an All-Star cast of producers and features (including Diplo, Emeli Sande, Naughty Boy, 2 Chainz, and Paloma Faith), the project is easily poised to serve as one of the year’s most musically diverse.
That Grape Juice were lucky enough to hear the album earlier this month at an exclusive playback and feel the MC is onto a winner. Do you agree? Preview ‘Demonstration’ after the jump…
As they ready the unveiling of the VH1 fuelled ‘Crazy,Sexy,Cool‘ biopic, TLC made their way to ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ for a fun filled interview today, dishing on the project alongside its leading ladies. One of these, being Rapper Lil Mama.
However, while their conversation kept it light and bright for the most part, it didn’t go without questions centred around ‘Girlfriend‘ singer Pebbles, who had served as a mentor to the ladies during the initial run.
A mentor, who has come under intense fire after after claims emerged alleging she was more ‘bully’ than ‘sister’ to the impressionable girls, reportedly forcing the ladies to buy their name back for $1 million per letter.
A jovial Usher arrived at LA’s Bootsy Bellow‘s recently, hitting the spot to celebrate his 35th birthday!
Joined by Jermaine Dupri, Justin Bieber, Cassie Ventura, Diddy and Blake Shelton to name a few, the Grammy winning chart staple also rubbed shoulders with Sugar Ray Leonard, whom he’ll play in a forthcoming biopic dedicated to the boxer’s life!
Just days after it emerged Rapper Drake had kicked fellow lyricist Future for remarkshe spewed here, the latter has now revealed that the pair have now reconciled, kicking out the lawsuit he had intended to file against the ‘Started From the Bottom‘ star.
Melanie Fiona answers the prayer of a many fan this afternoon, releasing the long awaited video for her new single ‘Cold Piece‘!
Featuring appearances from People Magazine‘s ‘Sexiest Man of 2013′ nominee Luke James and R&B upstart Mateo, we’re billing this video a must see for reasons you’ll understand when you press play below!
Reasons, that sing to the tune of a concept both sweet and simple, and that leave us no choice but to be stoked about the single’s supporting album!
When she isn’t heating up the charts with ever enjoyable discography, Beyonce has made quite the habit of steaming up social media with many a vacation snap.
Today, she does just that with a new picture uploaded to the net by the singer herself, days after shooting scenes for her brand spanking new music video!
