True Blood is back!

The HBO hit is set to return for its sixth season on June 16th. Check out an exclusive sneak peek at what this series will be offering below…

(more…)

The second search for ‘The Voice UK’ is underway!

Already a smash in the US (and its original home of Holland), the show has arrived on British shores by way of the BBC last year and takes its place prime-time for another year running. Coaches this side of the pond are Jessie J, will.i.am, Danny O’ Donoghue, and the legendary Tom Jones.

Billed as the definitive talent-search, many are predicting it to serve as a true contender to The X Factor‘s strong hold.

Judge for yourself below with highlights from episode 1 / series 2 below…

(more…)

That Grape Juice: Hello there Miss Alexis! Thanks so much for taking the time. How are you today?

Alexis Spight: Doing well! And, thank you for taking the time!

TGJ: Our pleasure. So, let’s get right to it as we’re excited to talk about your debut album ‘L.O.L.’ (which debuted at #3 on Billboard Gospel charts) last week. How does it feel to have that kind of reception?

AS: It feels amazing and I’m very grateful. I always say I know people have to work years to acquire something like this, so I know it’s nothing but the grace and favor of God. I’m really humbled by it.

TGJ: Why did you feel the song ‘Steady’ was the best choice to act as the album’s lead single?

AS: It’s a song I wrote two years ago after taking a close observation of the world with everything that’s going on. People are losing their houses, minds, jobs, etc. and my prayer was just that God would keep me grounded – or steady.

That prayer is something I’m learning to incorporate in my life as I go through this industry and am being exposed to different things. I pray that He continues to cover me. Even though I wrote it a couple of years ago, it’s still a very relevant concept today.

TGJ: That’s amazing! So, any thoughts on what the follow-up single will be?

AS: I have a couple of things in mind, but I don’t want to give them away quite yet.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrs1j9Ed5Do]

TGJ: Well, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for it. Speaking on the album as a whole, where did the inspiration for the title of the album come from?

AS: ‘L.O.L. (Living Out Loud)’ is just that…living out loud. Living what we sing about, preach about, and pray about.

TGJ: After listening to “L.O.L”, what should listeners expect? What do you want them to walk away with?

AS: Expect uplifting, different, and out of the box things. I’ve always been different, so I incorporate that into my music. I remember going onto the show [Sunday’s Best] and I recall having a conversation with a preacher. He told me, “There are a lot of people you aren’t going to reach because of how different you are with that bright red hair and weird, crazy fashion sense.” In so many words, he said churches wouldn’t embrace me because although times are changing, many churches are still moderately conservative.

‘L.O.L.’ Album Preview

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpnsZufG9UI]
AS (continued): It bothered me a little bit because I love God like crazy, but I prayed and consulted God about it. I had to wonder about people who were just like me – different, unique, and don’t necessarily fit into a box of traditionalism that some churches try to enforce. I want to reach those people.

I came to the realization that God created me as unique as he did to catapult those souls toward the Kingdom.

TGJ: We know many new artists are not very involved in the creative aspect of their early albums. Were you?

AS: I was very involved with this album! I had a lot of creative control. I actually wrote two of the songs (‘Music’ and ‘Steady’). I also got the opportunity to choose what songs I wanted included on the album. I even was privileged to put my own spin on the demoes presented to me.

It’s really important because you are the artist. You always want to maintain originality in what you do. Better to be disliked for being yourself than liked for trying to be someone else.

TGJ: Now, as with many interviews, we have a segment called “Five From Fans” where we received five questions from our readers for you. Are you ready?

AS: Yes!

TGJ: #1 – Have you had trouble adjusting to the demands of being a “celebrity”?

AS: No. I definitely want to say it’s a learning experience. I’m definitely living my dreams and grateful for this platform [BET’s] ‘Sunday Best’ has given me.

TGJ: #2 – Any plans on experimenting with other genres, namely R&B?

AS: No, I’m always going to be a gospel artist. Even still, I don’t ever want my ministry to be exclusive to one type of audience or one genre [sonically]. I don’t want to conform or compromise my work, but I do want it to get rid of barriers and naturally flow into another markets like R&B or even country.

Alexis with R&B singers Avant, Chris Brown, Raphael Saadiq, actors Lance Gross, Morris Chestnut, and rapper T.I.

TGJ: #3 – Who are your vocal idols?

AS: So many! Kim Burrell, The Clark Sisters, John P. Kee, Lisa Knowles, and overall, just anything with a positive message. That’s not restricted to gospel though. I love India Arie and even Rascal Flatts! (laughs)

TGJ: #4 – Some people argue that singing competitions have really run their course and no longer produce “superstars”. Considering you’ve been [to varying degrees] on ‘American Idol’, ‘X Factor’, and ‘Sunday’s Best’, what are your thoughts?

AS: I don’t agree. I’m a believer in seizing opportunity and I believe that aside from anything else, those are major opportunities [for upcoming artists]. You never know what doors they can open, I’m living proof of that. I didn’t win the competition, but even so, God is still opening doors for me.

TGJ: #5 – With the new season of BET’s ‘Sunday Best’ coming soon, any advice for up-and-comers?
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/85655284″ params=”color=a319ad&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

TGJ: Thanks so much for that. Continuing on that same plane, now that you two aren’t going head-to-head every week on the show, is there any pressure to compete with ‘Sunday Best’ winner Joshua Rogers? Even if only in a friendly manner?

AS: No, I don’t. We’re so different and have our own styles, so we don’t compete. We never ever had that vibe, even when we were on the show. I thank God for our friendship.

TGJ: We’re sure a number of fans would actually like to see you two collab!

AS: Well, I don’t want to give away too much, but Joshua and I have some tricks up our sleeves. (laughs) Just say on the look out for that. My “uncle” John P. Kee and I have some tricks up our sleeves too.

TGJ: We are certainly looking forward to those. Any other collaborations we should be on the lookout for? Or even “dream” collabos?

AS: No, but I would love to work with Lisa Knowles. It would be an honor to work with the Clark Sisters, Mali Music, or The Walls Group. Even Kierra Sheard and other youthful artist. I believe this generation is about to take over!

TGJ: Last, but not least, where can fans find more about you?

AS: I’m everywhere! For booking, check out booking4lexi@gmail.com. Of course you know I’m on Twitter @lyrically_lexi and Facebook @Alexis Spight! And, for all you SocialCam users out there, see me on SocialCam.

******

Interview by: Quinno Rashad (That Grape Juice US)

(@blueeyedsoul517)

******

Visit Alexis Spight’s Official Twitter Page//Click to purchase ‘L.O.L’ on Itunes

Your thoughts?

While some fans of songbird India Arie rejoiced at news of the Grammy winner’s forthcoming album ‘Songversation’ (June 25) – led by the single ‘Cocoa Butter’ – others weren’t exactly gleaming at first glance of the single’s cover art.

Arie, whose career has wielded a number of self-love hits like ‘Private Party’, ‘Video’, and ‘I Am Not My Hair’, immediately came  under fire with accusations of skin bleaching.

Now, it seems the ‘Ready for Love’ singer is ready to nip the rumors in the bud.  Taking to Twitter over the weekend, see what Miss Arie had to say:

(more…)

As reported here, one of gospel‘s top families The Sheards is readying a reality show for BET.  Featuring famed mother-daughter duo Karen Clark and Kierra ‘Kiki’ Sheard, the reality venture is set to premiere April 7th immediately after the airing of 2013 ‘Celebration of Gospel’.

While we’ve already given you a sneak peek into what to expect upon its debut in a few weeks, BET is teasing fans more with an extended trailer.  See it above:

Your thoughts?

Fans of BET’s hit gospel singing competition ‘Sunday Best’ are no stranger to the name Alexis Spight, but, for those who are, that’s about to change.

The Buffalo-born beauty (and her fiery red locks) rose through the ranks of the series’ season 5 set and eventually saw her name etched as its first runner up (Joshua Rogers crowned winner ).

But, while Spight may have not walked away with the gold, last week saw her having the last laugh as her debut album ‘L.O.L’ (March 12th) shot to the top of Billboard’s gospel charts.

Billed by a number of gospel critics as a noteworthy debut, the ‘Steady’ songstress speaks exclusively to That Grape Juice to dish details on her Music World Entertainment offering and so much more.  Get into it and the refreshing sounds of Alexis Spight below:

Click here to read the interview!!

Click here to read the interview!!

Click here to read the interview!!

Azealia Banks may not have an album out yet, but that hasn’t stopped the New York femcee from having A LOT to say about everyone – battling with everyone and their mom on social media at least once weekly. Indeed, the likes of Iggy Azalea, Angel Haze, Shystie, and Perez Hilton are just a few of those who’ve been at the receiving end on the forest of shade the rapper continues to throw.

Is she doing the most? Is it simply self-expression? Watch as That Grape Juice gives Azealia Banks The Business…live from SXSW!

Your thoughts?

If you know anything about Monica, you’ll know she’s actually incapable of making a bad album.

Corny? Perhaps.

Factual? No doubt.

Indeed, while her latest effort ‘New Life’ wasn’t as strong as 2009’s ‘Still Standing’, the ‘So Gone’ vocalist stands in the unique position of seeing all of her LPs receive critical acclaim, even when they are unable to do so commercially.

Now, as to ensure ‘Life‘s follow up surpasses her prior efforts, she has enlisted ‘Use Me’ singer Miguel to help craft the project, as seen in snaps released to fans today.

More below!

(more…)

They may have squashed their feud this month, but today saw Azealia Banks release a video shot in aid of the diss track she aimed at fellow Femcee, Angel Haze.

Featuring an appearance from ‘Climax‘ producer Diplo, the video storms through Pop’s doors weeks before the video for her new single ‘Yung Rapunxel’ drops on April 16th.

Tuck into her latest visual offering below!

(more…)

If you still haven’t heard Keyshia Cole’s latest LP ‘Woman To Woman’, there are two things you should know:

1. You’re seriously missing out on great material.

2. See #1.

Easily one of the strongest R&B albums to spring from the last decade, the album now stands just 200,000 copies away from Gold status  by way of consistent but slow burning sales.

It’s these sales, some fans may have noticed, that have seen the project’s push simmer in recent weeks, thus rendering its ‘non-single’ cuts relatively unknown by any who don’t consider themselves her fans.

So, as to introduce one of these numbers to all of you guys, we’re shining a light on ‘I Choose You’, a song that stays on heavy rotation here at TGJ HQ.

Want to hear it?

You won’t regret it if you do, below…

(more…)

As much as it hurts us to admit it, Christina Aguilera has pulled the plug on the ‘Lotus’ era (sheds lonely tear).

With this in mind, it’s safe to say work on its follow up will already have some of her staple collaborators wondering just how to up their creative game in preparation for it, as to ensure it surpasses ‘Stripped‘s standing as her strongest project to date.

Now, it’s time to have your say.

Find out how below…

(more…)

This week’s That Grape Juice Cover Star comes from Youtube beau Caleb Rekcah. Watch as he lays into an acoustic cover of Brandy‘s ‘Wildest Dreams’ – the second single from her critically acclaimed set ‘Two Eleven’:

We appreciate singers who can put their own twists on tunes without taking away from it.  Caleb did just that.  Softly cooing in the beginning of his cover (giving it a “lullaby” feel almost), the second verse saw him really ramp up and bring the song home.

While maintaining the vulnerability of tone the song calls for, Rekcah opted to avoid B-rocka’s rollercoaster (and oft inimitable) ride of runs and melisma, instead inserting his own blend.

Bravo sir.

For more on Mr. Rekcah, check out his Youtube page.

————————————————————

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

————————————————————

Your thoughts?