With the release of Mariah Carey‘s remix LP ‘Angel’s Advocate’ drawing nearer, the diva’s label Island Def Jam have announced that the release will NOT be available in all retail outlets. Instead, the record will be released as an exclusive to retailer Target:

Mariah has completed her 13th studio album, Angels Advocate, a collection of newly remixed duets with some of her favorite artists, performing Mariah’s favorite songs from her #1 R&B album Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (released September 2009). Angels Advocate, on Island Records, will be available March 30 exclusively at Target stores nationwide, iTunes.com/target and Target.com.

Featured duet partners with Mariah on Angels Advocate include: Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Nicki Minaj, Fabolous, R. Kelly, The-Dream & Ludacris, T-Pain & Snoop Dogg, Akon, Trey Songz, K-Ci & Jo Jo, and OJ Da Juiceman & OutKast’s Big Boi.

Not one to toot my own horn, but many of you will remember me suggesting such a move as best for the project, factoring in the initial album’s poor performance, and the further embarrassment a full-blown release flopping would cause for ol’ Mimi. By releasing the record as a Target/iTunes only release, the project takes on a ‘for the fans’ form, being less about sales – although I doubt this is what was intended for it initially. Back to the drawing board it seems for Mariah. Sigh…

Your thoughts?

When Mariah Carey set out on her ‘Angel’s Advocate Tour’ in support of her poorly received, and even worse charting, ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ LP, we highlighted that it made little sense considering her dismal record sales and public disinterest. It appears such observations have been validated, as it has been revealed that the 39 year old diva is struggling to sell-out 3000 seat venues.

Box office tally’s, as per Billboard (via Mariah Daily), for Carey’s January 27th 2010 show at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C, show that of a possible 3166 seats, the songbird only managed to fill 2430… leaving 736 seats empty. Ouch.

Oh Mimi! It’s actually kinda sad to see how things are turning out for her after such an amazing comeback with ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’. I mean even playing such small venues when she’s a star of such a magnitude must have been a blow to her ego; so not being able put bottoms in seats, must be even worse.  Looking at the situation objectively, it was evident a mile off that a tour was a no-no, hence why it ever materialised is beyond me. Embarrassing.

Tidbit: In other Mariah news, ‘Angel’s Cry (ft. Ne-Yo)’ is on heavy rotation on UK music TV channels.

Your thoughts?

Sam

1) Monster – Lady GaGa

2) My Ring – Toni Braxton

3) Say It – Ne-Yo

4) Rude Boy – Rihanna

5) For The Lovers – Whitney Houston

Trent

1) On To The Next One – Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz

2) Poker Face – Lady GaGa

3) Bad Romance – Lady GaGa

4) The Roof – Mariah Carey

5) If Only You Knew – Patti Labelle

What are Your Top 5 Songs of The Moment?

According to our good friends over at Mariah Daily Journal, Mariah Carey‘s serially delayed remix LP ‘Angel’s Advocate’ has been pushed back yet again. Initially due out in January, then March 9th, the album is set to hit stores on March 23rd. The videos for the singles preceding the record’s release – ‘Angel’s Cry (ft. Ne-Yo)’ and ‘Up Out My face (ft. Nicki Minaj)’ are set to première this Thursday (January 28th).

Oh Mimi! Though pushed back by just a few weeks, news of this nature never tends to bode well for projects, especially projects like this where the original album flopped worse than ‘Glitter’ (fact).

Having actually had the original (‘Memoirs’) keep annoyingly pop up on my iPod when in shuffle mode, it has grown on me significantly (loving ‘More Than Just Friends’). However it seems it’s less the material and more so Mariah that folks just don’t seem to be gravitating to, hence the album’s dismal sales. Whatever the reason (be it the industry’s unfair ageism towards females or the fact many just want Mariah to sing meaningful, yet easy-on-the-ear songs again), one thing is for sure; Mariah would definitely have benefited from pretending ‘Memoirs’ never happened and laying low musically for a while (to recharge her creative batteries and give the public a break).

Instead, we have ol’ MiMi trying to re-flog an album, which no was checking for to begin with. If the foundation wasn’t there at the start, I’m a little baffled as to why she’s trying to build on it. At best, this should have been a ‘for the fans’ type iTunes release; yet giving it the whole album treatment (especially when the label aren’t supporting it) will only cause for more embarrassment IMO. I’d be forced to shut my mouth if the material was actually any good, but the wackness that has been these cheap remixes (no new vocals or lyrics, just phoned-in guest appearances) hasn’t done her any favours. It’s all quite sad really, as she’s kinda ruining the re-establishment of herself as a musical force that she achieved with the ‘Emancipation’ with her album offerings thereafter. SMH…

Tidbit: Trent come and get your girl!

Your thoughts?

R&B contralto Jazmine Sullivan is preparing to release her sophomore album. The Lauryn Hill-inspired singer has been in the studio with some of music’s biggest hit makers including Ne-Yo, Carlos ‘Los Da Mystro’ McKinney and Ryan Leslie. The untitled LP hits stores in Summer 2010. {Source}

Sullivan has one of those voices reminiscent of those once heard on ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ in the early 1990’s. If her new album is anything close to what she did on her debut, then I am sure that she will have a hit on her hands. I still can’t believe that she did not win the ‘Best New Artist’ at last year’s Grammy Award ceremony, especially after hearing her live vocal performances of ‘Need U Bad’. Shame shame shame.

Sidebar: I know I’m not the only one who got caught in singing ‘Bust Your Windows’ at the top of my lungs in the middle of traffic. Am I?

Thoughts?

Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger is pushing ahead with her solo career. The songstress, who recently split from longtime boyfriend Lewis Hamilton, is reportedly focusing all of her energy from their breakup into her new music. Scherzinger is currently in the studio with Ne-Yo who had the following to say about their work together:

Nicole is in a state of liberation right now so the tracks are very free. She is in a place where she is happy to be alive and the tracks are definitely expressing that.

The whole album is going to be a pressure release – a great big exhale – and I’m happy about that. She has a lot of emotions after splitting up with Lewis. But it’s like taking an eagle and giving it back its wings. {Source}

It’s great to see that Nicole has found a way to express herself in her music. However, where does this leave the  rest of the Pussycat Dolls? It seems that everyone else in the group gets put on pause whenever she attempts to develop a solo venture. This really says something about the system that the group has in place where everything revolves around one singer. Furthermore, unlike Destiny’s Child, where Beyonce was undoubtedly the group’s front woman, the rest of the band generally lacks the support to have their own side projects and careers while Nicole is away. I would really like to hear what she has to say about these issues as, thus far, she has remained very quiet about them.

Thoughts?

Mariah Carey’s ‘Angels Advocate‘ remix album has been unsurprisingly pushed back. The news comes via MariahDaily.com, who have confirmed that the LP will hit stores on March 9th, 2 weeks later than the originally scheduled February 23rd release date. Carey’s ‘Angels Cry (Remix)’ which features Ne-Yo is also going for adds at Top 40/Mainstream on February 16 (was January 19) and Top 40/Rhythmic (just added) on January 26 instead of January 4th.

Having delayed the premiere of her remixed singles on radio, it is not sshocking that this album is being pushed back. The buzz surrounding this project is decreasing everyday, especially after people realised that most of the songs are almost exactly the same as the originals with cut and paste vocals from new guest stars. Only the Jermaine Dupri remix of ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ bears any dramatic change from the previous version. Carey’s team is going to have to ‘pull a rabbit out of the hat’ for this one because this album is already shaping up for a very slow start.

Sidebar: Maybe Dupri was right when he retweeted fan statements about him being the only one capable of creating hits with Carey…

Thoughts?

Having recently embarked on her ‘Angels Advocate Tour’, diva Mariah Carey has finally revealed the title of her high anticipated remix LP. The record has been named ‘Angels Advocate’, and will feature appearances from Mary J. Blige, Nicki Minaj, Ne-Yo, Big Boi, R. Kelly, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Jodeci, Gucci Mane and Jermaine Dupri. The album is set to hit stores on February 23rd, preceded by the release of the first singles, ‘Up Out My Face (Ft. Nicki Minaj)’ and ‘Angels Cry (Ft. Ne-Yo)’.

The title is simple and to the point. Furthermore, giving the LP the same name as the tour will help patrons to associate both ventures, thus having a possible positive effect on the sales of the album. Interestingly, Carey’s team is going to have to be the biggest advocate of this record. As the followup to the commercially disappointing ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’, it is safe to say that this album is set to debut in rocky territory. Hence, Carey’s camp is going to have to work twice as hard to promote this project and capture public attention.

Thoughts?

A huge thank you to the  THOUSANDS of you who voted in the That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009.

That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009 – The Winners

Album of the Year

Winner: The Fame Monster – Lady GaGa (31%)

Runner-Up: In A Perfect World – Keri Hilson (20%)

Single of the Year

Winner: Halo – Beyonce (29%)

Runner-Up: Bad Romance – Lady GaGa (22%)

The Michael Jackson Music Video of The Year Award

Winner: I Can Transform Ya – Chris Brown (29%)

Runner-Up: Bad Romance – Lady GaGa (28%)

Best Collaboration

Winner: Knock You Down – Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo & Kanye West (40%)

Runner-Up: Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys (38%)

Best New Artist

Winner: Drake (50%)

Runner-Up: Alexandra Burke (20%)

Best Female Artist

Winner: Beyonce (68%)

Runner-Up: Lady GaGa (15%)

Best Male Artist

Winner: Chris Brown (38%)

Runner-Up: Jay-Z (20%)

Best Club Banger

Winner: Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas (70%)

Runner-Up: Hard – Rihanna (12%)

Best Live Performer (TV, Award Shows etc):

Winner: Beyonce (39%)

Runner-Up: Janet Jackson (28%)

The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist of the Year Award

Winner: Jordin Sparks (29%)

Runner-Up: LeToya Luckett (27%)

Most Disappointing Single of the Year

Winner: Wait Your Turn – Rihanna (71%)

Runner-Up: Happy – Leona Lewis (12%)

Most Slept-On Album

Winner: Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel – Mariah Carey (26%)

Runner-Up: Fantasy Ride – Ciara (21%)

“Step Your Game Up or Please Go Sit Down Somewhere” Award

Winner: Rihanna (70%)

Runner-Up: Mariah Carey (11%)

Recession Special: Most Disappointing Video of the Year

Winner: I Want To Know What Love Is – Mariah Carey (74%)

Runner-Up: Wait Your Turn – Rihanna (9%)

Most Shocking Event of 2009

Winner: The Death of Michael Jackson (74%)

Runner: Kanye West VMA Outburst (19%)

Best Movie

Winner: Precious (53%)

Runner-Up: This Is It (32%)

Most Anticipated Comeback For 2010

Winner: Janet Jackson (28%)

Runner-Up: Kelly Rowland (26%)

Your thoughts?

Icon Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon were spotted in Aspen, Colorado yesterday. The duo were delighted to show off their new puppy, Dolomite, to the paparazzi. Cannon has been busy directing both of Carey’s upcoming videos for the ‘Up Our My Face (Remix)‘ and the ‘Angels Cry (Remix)’ which feature Nicki Minaj and Ne-Yo, respectively. Enjoy more of the photos below:

What do you think of the pics?

As 2009 draws nearer to its close, we will be acknowledging the releases, events and shocking moments that have made the last 12 months one of music’s most memorable ever with our 3rd annual That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards.

Shaking things up somewhat from last year, the nominations process has been stream-lined this go round, with the provisional list of categories and nominees listed below. Prior to nominations going live and voting commencing this Thursday (December 17th), we’re keen to hear your feedback/suggestions on both the nominees and categories, which you can drop in the comments section below!

So quickly recapping, the final nominee list as well as actual voting goes live on December 17th. Winners will be thereafter announced on Christmas Day ( December 25th)!

(* For those wondering, Beyonce isn’t eligible for many of the awards as ‘Single Ladies’, as well as her album ‘I Am Sasha Fierce’ were both released in October 2008 – and were nominated/won many awards last year!)

That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009 – The Nominees

Album of the Year

* The Fame Monster – Lady GaGa

* The Blueprint 3 – Jay-Z

* The E.N.D – Black Eyed Peas

*  I Look To You – Whitney Houston

* In A Perfect World – Keri Hilson

Single of the Year

* Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z (ft. Alicia Keys)

*  Pretty Wings – Maxwell

* Bad Romance – Lady GaGa

* I Gotta Feelin’ – Black Eyed Peas

The Michael Jackson Music Video of The Year Award

* Love, Sex, Magic – Ciara

* Russian Roulette – Rihanna

* Bad Romance – Lady GaGa

*I Can Transform Ya – Chris Brown

* Bad Boys – Alexandra Burke

Best Collaboration

* Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

* Knock You Down – Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo & Kanye West

* Video Phone (Extended Mix) – Beyonce & Lady GaGa

* Love, Sex, Magic – Ciara & Justin Timberlake

* Hard – Rihanna & Young Jeezy

Best New Artist

* Alexandra Burke

* Drake

* Kid Kudi

* Kesha

Best Female Artist

* Beyonce

* Lady GaGa

* Alicia Keys

* Ciara

* Rihanna

Best Male Artist

* Jay-Z

* Maxwell

* Drake

* Chris Brown

Best Club Banger

* Work – Ciara

* Obsessed – Mariah Carey

* Hard – Rihanna

* Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas

* I Can Transform Ya – Chris Brown

Best Live Performer (TV, Award Shows etc):

* Beyonce

* Janet Jackson

* Lady GaGa

* Jay-Z

* Ciara

The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist of the Year Award

* Amerie

* Teairra Mari

* LeToya Luckett

* The-Dream

Most Slept On Album of the Year

* Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel – Mariah Carey

* In Love & War – Amerie

* Love vs Money – The-Dream

* Fantasy Ride – Ciara

* Graffiti – Chris Brown

The Please Go Sit Down Somewhere Award

* Rihanna

* 50 Cent

* Chris Brown

* Mariah Carey

Worst Single of the Year

* Wait Your Turn – Rihanna

* Why R U – Amerie

* Louboutins – Jennifer Lopez

* Happy – Leona Lewis

Worst Album of the Year

* Before I Self Destruct – 50 Cent

* More suggestions needed……

You Slippin’ // Step Your Game Up Award

* Mariah Carey

* 50 Cent

* Britney Spears

* Jennifer Lopez

* Rihanna

Recession Special: Worst Video of  the Year

* I Want To Know What Love Is – Mariah Carey

* Wait Your Turn – Rihanna

* I Get It In – Omarion

* Fresh Out The Oven – Jennifer Lopez

Most Shocking Event of 2009

* Kanye West VMA Outburst

* The Death of Michael Jackson (RIP)

* Whitney Houston’s Grammy Snub

Best Movie

* Precious

* This Is It

* Madea Goes To Jail

Most Anticipated Comeback For 2010

* Usher

* Kelly Rowland

* Janet

*IMPORTANT: This is NOT the vote itself. This is for feedback on the nominees list. Voting starts on Thursday*

Your thoughts / suggestions?

* Banner credit: Luca!!!

It appears Def Jam are wasting no time rushing out a re-release of Rihanna‘s latest effort ‘Rated R‘. For in a recent interview with the the BBC,  Ryan Tedder, the hitmaker behind Beyonce’s ‘Halo’, confirmed that he will be heading into the studio with the model at the start of the new year. Check out an excerpt from the feature:

Those so far on his radar include Ne-Yo, the Noisettes. Lupe Fiasco, Imogen Heap and in the new year, Rihanna.

He admits he’s been trying to synchronise schedules with the Umbrella singer for about a year and a half now and wants to get her pushing the boundaries.

He said: “She’s in a darker musical place right now… she’s got enough of those songs on Rated R to last for a while.

“I can do stuff dark musically, haunting kind of thing, but I want to have her do something vocally that she’s never done before.”

While news of a all-but-confirmed re-release comes as no surprise, two things really struck me upon reading this. The first being that in trying to get her to do something vocally she’s never done before, perhaps he could actually get RiRi to sing out of her mouth instead of her nostrils. More than anything though, it really drove home how disgusting the industry can be at times…it’s as if a re-release was always in the pipeline (yes, we all knew it was coming, but the confirmation leaves a salty taste in my mouth). Surely the general premise of re-releases are to extend the shelf-life of an already-successful album or a poorly selling album that never got a chance first go round (in the way of promotion etc)?

Whatever the eventual fate of ‘Rated R’, there’s no doubt its numbers to date are atrocious – when considering all the promo, sympathy, interviews, her success with her last album and all that jazz. If folk weren’t buying into it now, I have no idea why a re-release – which all indications point to being planned before the original even came out – is being given the green-light. As I type, the notion of another entirely new LP being rushed out next year came to mind, which IMO is equally as bad. SMH…

Your thoughts?