The latest series of the X-Factor UK continued 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.
{An international phenomenon, local versions show now air in the US, Italy, France and beyond. The brain-child of Simon Cowell, the show is responsible for birthing the careers of Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, Cher Lloyd and JLS.}.
The Best and worst of the 6th and final week of auditions below…
This week, That Grape Juice salute a breed that we’re particularly fond of. Without an ounce of doubt we are talking DIVAS {www.SheIsDiva.com}! What better way to honour these iconic figures than to give a nod to today’s most pronounced ambassador of the cause?
Needless to say, today’s From The Vault comes courtesy of the legend-in-the-making Beyonce and her aptly-titled ‘Diva’ release.
Helmed by TGJ favorites Bangladesh and Sean Garrett, the 2008 cut (lifted from the multi-Platinum ‘I Am…’ LP) sees Ms. Knowles’ alter-ego, Sasha Fierce, take center stage for an unapologetic ego-trip. If you didn’t know it before, the then-27 year old left no uncertainty that she was “the number one diva in this game”.
The Hip-Hop soaked cut, which for many was an estrogen equivalent to Lil’ Wayne’s infectuous ‘A Milli’, peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart (sidenote: the single was only sent to Rythmic and Urban radio, a shame if you ask us). Without ever being officially released outside of the US, it still managed to chart at #40 in Australia and #72 in the UK based on downloads alone.
In the black and white music video, directed by longtime collaborator and friend Melina Matsoukas, Sasha amps it up with attitude-filled choreography accompanied by her ever reliable dancers and rocking Thierry Mugler designs with both sass and class.
As Bey drills home in the song, “a diva is a female version of a hustler”. Although we concur with her definition, we definitely feel there more, which begs the question…
What is your definition of a diva?
BONUS: Check out Ms. Knowles blazing the stage at her Revel comeback concert earlier this year below. We can’t wait for the DVD when it arrives this Fall!
No more than two hours after confirming the cast for this season’s ‘American Idol’, Mariah Carey arrived to the show’s NYC auditions with fellow judge Nicki Minaj to begin their search for the nation’s next phenom.
In fact, as you read this very article, the pair are now being joined by Keith Urban and Randy Jackson, who make up the second half of this season’s quartet.
As reported here, Brandy was one of many R&B acts on hand at Atlanta’s annual ‘For Sisters Only’ (FSO) expo.
And, while fans certainly lined the rows in anticipation of musical offerings from the likes of Miguel, J. Holiday, and more, it was the ‘Put It Down’ diva who our sources say really got the crowd moving.
Lending lives performances of her latest two singles ‘Wildest Dreams’ & ‘Put It Down’, it’s safe to say Miss Norwood is not playing when it comes to her forthcoming ‘Two Eleven’.
See what we mean below *a killer performance of ‘Have You Ever’ has been added*:
Much ado has been about the new judging panel on American Idol, however it appears the conundrum ends today.
Diva Mariah Carey, who up until now was the only confirmed judge on the re-jigged panel, moments ago shared the shot above of her with what appears to be her fellow Idol cast-mates – Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Randy Jackson, and host Ryan Seacrest.
Of course, it’s important to exercise caution until an official announcement is made. But what are the odds of Mariah, Minaj, Jackson and co all being at the same place at the same time in the same photo?
Filming for Idol 2013 auditions begins today, hence an answer as to who will be sitting with ol’Mimi on Fox next January is clearly imminent.
UPDATE: Ryan Seacrest has CONFIRMED the line-up is legit!
Frank Ocean hits the strip club and the desert for his latest visual piece, ‘Pyramids’.
Joined by SNL buddy John Mayer and more than enough strippers, the flick sees the ‘Bad Religion‘ vocalist spawn his most creative effort to date-breathing new life into the reflective number.
While many of his contemporaries struggle to say on the right side of the law, Drake continued in his efforts as a role model yesterday, serving as coach at a charitable basketball game.
Taking charge of the UK Wildcats at the University Of Kentucky, the Rapper’s contribution to the game saw an impressive $400,000 raised for charity, marking yet another successful endeavor from the ‘Mookie’s Law‘ star.
Before beginning an intense week of promo for her single ‘Sorry‘, Ciara enjoyed dinner at New York’s Mr. Chow, one night after hitting club ‘Amnesia’ with Flo Rida and Meagan Good.
Snapped by fans as she made her way into the high end spot, fans of the ‘Overdose‘ hit maker will be pleased to know she carried out an interview with the world renown DJ Clue, set to hit the air in coming days.
Three of That Grape Juice favorites joined forces for a snap at Saturday’s ‘For Sisters Only’ expo in Atlanta. With Miguel and Brandy both on the billing for entertainment (as was J. Holiday, Mindless Behavior, and more), B-Rocka’s bff Kelly Rowland dropped by in support – rocking a fresh set of braids herself.
Tidbit: A record with these three? FIRE! Alas, we can only dream. But we definitely look forward to the coming months as all three of the prime R&B acts are set to release solo projects! It’s definitely a good look and a good year for R&B lovers.
As reported here, tonight’s season premiere of ‘Saturday Night Live’ boasted the musical stylings of ‘Pyramids’ performer Frank Ocean.
Fresh off a stunning performance from the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, the 24-year-old singer/songwriter took to the New York audience to lend live renditions of two of his ‘Channel Orange’ hits.
Joined by smoky voiced guitarist John Mayer, catch all the action below if you missed it:
Ever keen on keeping the masses abreast of fresh and/or often underrated talent, That Grape Juice presents ‘The Spill’ – a renewed look at not-so-new, yet active, acts.
Much like its ‘Freshly Squeezed’ sister segment, this revived assay aims to put the magnifying glass on talents who may not appeal to the buying public on a broad scale yet are still serving material that could easily spin side-by-side with some of today’s top hits.
Covering a kaleidoscope of genres, ‘The Spill’ is set to feature some names you probably know and love as well as some you’ll (soon) be glad to know.
Click below for The Spill on…R&B crooners Ryan Leslie, Bobby V, and Avant:
Bringing us such classics as the impromptu ‘Bumpin & Grindin’, ‘Pick Up That Phone’, and ‘The Daddy Song’, Miss Braxton-Herbert may have comically secured that title by enlisting the piano skills of her superstar, Grammy-winning sister Toni Braxton recently.
Introducing the interestingly titled ‘Ding-a-Ling of Gold’, the tune is aimed at sister Trina Braxton‘s consideration of reconciliation with ex-husband Gabriel Solis. The twosome’s split came highly publicized on the family’s hit WeTV reality series ‘Braxton Family Values’.
See the oldest and youngest of the Braxton clan take to the ivories to lend a heartfelt ballad with hopes of offering an explanation of Trina’s decision above:
