This week’s From The Vault serves up yet another classic: Shakira‘s first mainstream effort, ‘Whenever, Wherever’.

Serving as the launch single from her premier English language LP ‘Laundry Service’, the track was the first of many blockbuster hits for the Latin stunner.

‘Whenever’, produced by the singer herself and written by her too (alongside Gloria Estefan and Tim Mitchell), was a global phenomenon; smashing world charts starting Fall 2001 until the middle of the subsequent year. It peaked at #6 on the US Hot 100, #2 in the UK, #4 in Canada and reached the top spot in almost every other market it has been released in including France, Australia and her homeland of Columbia.

Unless one had been living under a rock for the entirety of the last decade, they would obviously be ofey  with the single’s accompanying visual, which would best be described as ‘stellar’. Choreographed by dance legend Tina Landon and directed by video-maven Francis Lawrence, the clip was a more than effective introduction to the singer for the world (bar Latin America that is), showcasing an original, stunning, confident and most-importantly seasoned performer. Whether grooving on top of a rock, walking in the desert or belly-dancing in the mud, the video is a highly entertaining one-woman-show thanks to the ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer’s energy and agility.

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Shakira-shakira’s last English album, ‘She Wolf’,’ didn’t exactly set the charts ablaze; yet with another on the horizon (backed by Roc Nation), all eyes will be on the 35 year old to see if she can still deliver the goods. In order to do so, she has collaborated with many a chart topper and it-producer. We firmly hope she keeps somewhat of a Latin/ethnic element to her music though. Because, as evidenced with acts such as Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez as well as her own recent hits ‘Waka Waka’ and ‘Loca’, it is it pays -quite literally- to have flavour-filled point of difference.

Your thoughts?

The day True Blood fiends have been dreading is now- believe it or not- only hours away.

Yes, after a well received run on a critical and ratings tip, the show’s fifth season is now drawing to a close.  Now check out the extended trailer for its final episode , courtesy of HBO below…

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Pop quad Little Mix performed their latest single ‘Wings’ on ITV’s Red or Black tonight.

The cut, which is X Factor winner’s first post-show effort, hits iTunes tomorrow.

Did they do enough to give the track the necessary boost? The answer awaits after the jump…

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The latest season of the X-Factor UK continued spectacular form tonight. Unsurprisingly, with this being the audition phase, the talented and talent-challenged came out in equal measure for a crack at progressing to the next stage. Judging the hopefuls are new additions Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, original panelist Louis Walsh, and newcomer Nicole Scherzinger.

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Rising to fame at the turn of the millennium as the poster child for Urban Pop, P!nk surprised many a critic when she made the transition from Pop Princess to Pop Rock riot.

Despite enjoying her first US #1 with ‘Lady Marmalade‘ in 2001, the singer- believe it or not- was unable to match the feat until seven years later with ‘So What’.

Now she has addressed her popularity- or lack of it- in the United States and how touring served to counteract any commercial shortcomings she faced in the market.

Details below…

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Cop a gander of Pop titan Katy Perry.

The star ditches her candy-coloured look for a more serene appearance on the cover of L’Officiel‘s latest issue. Serving “face” aplenty, the ‘California Gurls’ singer also swapped her black do’ for ginger in the name of high-fashion. Looking good.

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Aesthetic aside, we’re uber keen to see what the former Mrs. Brand delivers with he third studio album. Indeed, with the her long-stretching ‘Teenage Dream’ era all but a wrap, attention naturally turns to whether she’ll be able to top it – especially with news that the man that helmed most of her hits –Dr Luke– cannot work on the project for contractual reasons.

Time will tell, ay?

Your thoughts?

Hard to believe 11 years have passed since the music world was shaken with news of R&B starlet Aaliyah‘s untimely passing.  Indeed, the then-22 year old – whose career had already seen itself lined with accomplishments – seemed poise to take her career into the stratosphere.

But, that fateful August 25th day saw an unfortunate, other result.

In her wake, the singer has left many adoring fans and an everlasting impression on R&B.  And, with news of unreleased tracks from the songstress soon set to make their way to music shelves, it’s safe to say that we have yet to hear the last of the ‘One In A Million’ maestra.

And while the Twitterverse was set alight this morning with faithful fans mourning and celebrating her life, now the stars have joined the salute to this awesome songstress.  See who after the jump:

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In what seems like an eternity, seven years have passed since the release of Missy Elliott’s last album ‘The Cookbook‘.

Since then, the groundbreaking MC has gone onto enjoy acclaim for work penned for other artists- but now, after years of anticipation, she is readying her return to music.

Details below…

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This week’s That Grape Juice Cover Star is soulful songbird Sarai. Watch as the US native take on Kelly Rowland‘s latest single ‘Ice’ below:

Yes, yes, yes! Sarai smashed this.

A tricky song to sing (see: low register for verses, higher for chorus), not only did she “handle” it well, she mixed and moulded it into something of her own. Those adlibs were off the Richter! Great performance.

For more on Sarai, check out her Youtube page.

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Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email to sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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Your thoughts?

Much like ‘The Game’ switcheroos that left fans in the dark earlier this summer, many were shocked to learn that last week, Tracee Ellis Ross – lead star of BET‘s hit family comedy ‘Reed Between the Lines’ – made a very unexpected departure.  The show, recently renewed for its second season, was in gears to pick up where season 1 left off – chronicling love life of Ross’s character Dr. Carla Reed and husband Dr. Alex Reed (Malcolm Jamal Warner).

Initially mum on the topic, now Ross has taken to Essence.com to shed light on what caused her sudden departure:

“It was that BET hadn’t decided if they were picking up the show yet or not,” says Ross. “During that time when they didn’t know, I was offered a really amazing pilot for NBC, and BET graciously allowed me to go and do it. But it’s not because I wanted to leave.”

The former Girlfriends’ actress continued by saying:

“I love Reed Between the Lines, I believe in it. There is a chance I’ll go back, always. There’s nothing weird about it.”

No premiere date has been set for season 2 of the show.  It is, however, expected to be one of many filling out BET‘s highly anticipated 2013 lineup.

If Twitter has proven itself to be nothing else since its popularization, it has celebrity been a celebrity battleground.  It is there where many an e-diss have been dished and dodged by many stars including Jennifer Hudson, Brian McKnight, K. Michele, and more.

And, with no two stars finding themselves afront a tweet gone wrong headline more than ‘Birthday Cake’ co-stars Chris Brown & Rihanna, it’s pretty safe to say this trend will continue.

Indeed, while everyone was talking about Ri‘s tell-all sit down with Talk Queen Oprah Winfrey earlier this week, the talk of a certain comedy queen – Joan Rivers – did not earn a soft response from the ‘Hard’ singer today…

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‘Diary’ diva Alicia Keys is sharing more secrets about her upcoming release ‘Girl On Fire’.

After sending fans into a frenzy earlier this week with the unleashing of its November 27th  start date and accompanying album cover, the singer has also unveiled a plan for a media onslaught – beginning with the debut of her new single on the MTV Video Music Awards (Sept. 6th).

Until then, see what other dibs the diva dished concerning the new project below:

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