Peep this new promotional shot for Ciara‘s forthcoming LP ‘Basic Instinct‘ (due August 17th via Jive).

Your thoughts?

Despite the lead single from Usher‘s newly-announced EP  ‘Versus’ having only just premièred, details of its follow-up have surfaced. It now appears that the Pop-flavoured ‘DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love’ will be the record’s Mainstream/Crossover single, while new track ‘Hot Tottie’ – which was produced by Polow Da Don – will be geared towards the Urban audience. ‘Hot Tottie’ is reportedly set to hit radio on August 9th. {Source}

Needless to say, Usher and his team are covering all bases with this current era of his. Who would have thought a year or even 6 months ago that Mr Raymond would have the industry in the palm of his hand again? With ‘Raymond vs Raymond’ serving as one the year’s biggest sellers and ‘DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love’ blowing up on radio already, it really has been a great comeback for the father of two. Here’s hoping her serves up the goods with the new release. ‘Versus’ hits stores August 24th.

Randomness: Did you know Usher is no longer managed by his mother? After dropping her during Tameka-gate, then re-hiring her afterwards, the R&B crooner is now managed by AEG and Randy Philips (the man behind Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’). There’s no doubt his signing with Philips (whose financial and business resources are limitless) has been a major factor in his reversal of career fortunes.

Your thoughts?

Despite calls to the contrary, Lil’ Kim is apparently still relevant – according to the rapper herself.

In a recent interview with Life Lounge, the 34 year old star states that she is still relevant and has remained so because of her ability to reinvent herself – something she feels artists of today need to do more.

Full story after the jump…

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Though renown for his hard-hitting lyrics, Snoop Dogg left the macho-bravado on the bench in a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine. The at-times tearful rapper opened up about his youngest daughter Cori‘s struggle with Lupus, as well as the positive effect it had on his marriage to wife of 13 years, Shante.

Full story below…

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Cult hit ‘The Boondocks’ is back Adult Swim for its third and final season. Check out episode 11, which aired last night,  after the jump…

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Stars Wish That Grape Juice A Happy Birthday

{Interrupting your regularly scheduled programming}

Three years. For such a lengthy spell of time, it sure has passed with lightening speed. Indeed, I can vividly recall the humble beginnings of That Grape Juice.

Aged 18 and having just started university, I remember being fascinated by the then-emerging trend of blogs – particularly those of the Urban persuasion. From Concrete Loop to The YBF to Kevipod, and even Toya, I was hooked. So much so, that I decided to marry my fixation with the blogging platform with my love for all things Urban Pop Culture, hence the creation of That Grape Juice in 2007.

A spin on Marvin Gaye’s ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’, I sought for my grapevine to be unlike the unreliable, gossipy one described in the song. My grapevine was going to be concrete, legit; yet at the same time equally – if not more – entertaining!

Fast forward three years, and I’m so proud to see that this has been realised and then some!

Indeed it only really hit me when watching the video above, just how much has been achieved with what simply started out as ‘little ol’ me’ sharing my love for music.

Today That Grape Juice stands as one of the net’s premier sources for all things Urban Pop Culture – news, reviews, cutting edge interviews and so much more; and for that I am infinitely thankful.

All this could not have been possible without…

God: Need I say more?

My Family: To my mother, father, and two beautiful sisters, thank you SO much for all of your support; morally, financially, and the countless ways you’ve all been there for me. I will never EVER forget. From mother pushing me to interview everybody (cue Naija accent “Is Kelly Rowland in town?”), to my sisters telling any-and-everyone about their brother’s ‘amazing site’, I love, thank, and appreciate you more than words can describe!

Trent: Where do I begin?! An asset in every sense of the word; Trent you truly are the backbone of That Grape Juice. You’ve brought so much to the site – both on the front and back end (to an extent only you and I will really know). Above all, you’ve become one of my closest friends (ironic for a number of reasons). Let’s take it to the top!

Dustin Gary: You are truly, truly heaven sent. Cheesy-sounding, perhaps, but I cannot stress how much that statement holds true. I firmly believe that certain people come into our ‘little worlds’ for a reason, and Dustin definitely has bettered mine (in an immeasurable amount of ways). A great teacher, a great friend, and a great person, I thank you for EVERYTHING. God bless you…(hell, He is already!) More power to ya!

Special thanks

Sean Leopold: Thank you for coming on my ‘lil’ journey. Thank you for your words of wisdom. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for being YOU!

Kwame: There in the beginning and here now. GMB!

Jamell (Mr Damaje): So much of ‘this’ wouldn’t be possible without your talent, time, and friendship. A blessing!

Seye (Iizsik): I really do credit you with bringing the quality of the site’s original content (video, image) up to par with that of the editorial content. Amazingly talented and a pleasure to work with!

Leon McFarlane, Glynn, Antoine, Joanne, Clifford, Alistair, Nathan Devonte, Sade, Sandra, Jade, Hilario, Luca M, Bisi, Luka, Tobbie and everyone else who has been there for me (in one way or another) on this journey…thank you!

Blogging friends/inspirations: Thank you Angel, Brian and all over at Concrete Loop, Necole Bitchie, B Scott, Sandra Rose, Rap-Up, Miss Jia, AOL Black Voices (Jawn), Michael (The Cynical Ones), Kevin (The Skorpion), Fresh (Crunk & Disorderly), Gossip on This, The YBF, and Kevipod (gone but not forgotten!)

To every label, every artist, every manager, every PR, every radio personality, and every ad agency we’ve ever worked with…Thank you!

Above all, I thank YOU…the That Grape Juice faithful! Those who have been with the site since the beginning, to those who are here for the first time, to those who ever told a friend about us, to you ALL ….thank you so much!

Here’s to many more years!

Global superstar Shakira performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony earlier today. The singer performed her monster hit ‘Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)’ for the crowd of thousands. Check out Shakira’s electric performance below:

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Pop stars JLS have secured their third UK number one with with their latest single ‘The Club Is Alive’. The song, which serves as the lead effort from the group’s as-yet-untitled sophomore album, rocketed to the top spot of the Official UK Singles Chart in its first week on sale.

Though both the song and group are cheddar-cheese, congratulations are no doubt in order for them; indeed, three of their four singles have hit number one – a feat which shouldn’t be overlooked. That said, if durable success is something they are on the hunt for, they need to drop the corny songs, routines, and whatnot. For their young and ____ fanbase will only remain that way for so long.

Your thoughts?

The official tracklisting for Katy Perry‘s eagerly awaited sophomore LP ‘Teenage Dream’ has been unveiled. Check out what the ‘California Gurls’ singer will be serving up come August 24th below…

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Ciara and Kelly Rowland were both in New York City yesterday for the wedding of La La Vasquez and Carmelo Anthony. The duo were joined by scores of other well-wishers including Serena Williams. Check out Rowland’s look below:

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The legendary Prince released his hotly anticipated ’20Ten’ LP here in the UK yesterday. A landmark release, in that the Purple one shunned iTunes and store stocking of the album in favour of giving it away for free with The Mirror newspaper, the LP is being hailed by some as his best work in 20 years.

Never ones to follow hearsay, we here at That Grape Juice are keen to hear what YOU think of ’20Ten’. Is it any good? Does it live up to the 52 year old’s efforts of yesteryear? Or is it simply yet another Prince album by the numbers…

Your thoughts?

This week’s classic From The Vault clip comes courtesy of En Vogue and their 1992 smash ‘Free Your Mind’. Lifted from the ladies ‘Funky Divas’ LP, the song  packs more than a pulsating beat…it packs a powerful message. A message conveyed oh-so-well by Dawn, Terry, Cindy, and Maxine  in its accompanying video.

Watching this kinda has me hopeful that some of today’s charting acts will be inspired to fuse powerful and necessary messages into their music – if even only to try. For, as this shows, it is indeed possible to weave-sling, Naomi Campbell walk, and rock out to a song which boasts lyrics other than those centred on the same ol’ topics of love and clubs.

Your thoughts?