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Although it has been less than four months since the release of her Rihanna‘s ‘Rated R’ LP, fresh reports today are confirming that the model-turned-aspiring singer is set to release an entirely album ‘this summer’. According to insiders close to the project; after the tumultuous year the Bajan experienced during the recording period of her current LP (which was critiqued by some for being ‘too dark’), the 22 year old is keen to re-embrace a lighter-Popier sound, in the vein of previous hits ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ and ‘Disturbia’. {Source} {Source 2}

I can’t say I didn’t see this coming (a fact regular readers will know we’ve been calling out ever since ‘Rated R’ dropped). I mean granted ‘Rated R’ is probably Ms. Fenty’s best album to-date (which isn’t saying all that much), that dark (or as her folk would call it ‘edgy’) image she was trying to sell was just not cutting it with the masses – hence the so-so sales of the project despite 4 videos and an epic promotional push. I guess the current success of ‘Rude Boy’, the most playful cut on her record, has her label anxious to ‘go that route’ again. While I imagine they’re hoping it brings in the $$$, it kinda leaves me wondering still – ‘just what kind of artist is Rihanna?’ Four albums down the line and many still have not ascertained the answer to the question.

While I’m sure some will greet the news of more sheep-bleating on a CD with glee, I can’t say I share in that sentiment. Rushing through singles with the quickness and dropping a new album less than a year after the first was released (likely due to lukewarm sales) is on par with RiRi’s much critiqued re-release strategy (see: the 100 re-issues of ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’). I mean really. Saturation.com

To digest the absurdity of it all, one need not look further than Lady GaGa, who continues to enjoy chart-smashing success (BOTH ‘The Fame’ and ‘The Fame Monster’ are still in the top 10 on the Billboard 200), yet has only officially released one single since November – that being ‘Bad Romance’ – and has been on tour for the most part. I guess it goes to show folk will still buy records – if it’s worth their cash.

Still, it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Your thoughts?

As the release of Kelly Rowland‘s hotly anticipated new album draws ever-nearer its May/June release, producer Rico Love has given fans a taster of what the LP will sound like. The hit-maker, who is co-producing Rowland’s entire project, previewed an instrumental of a confirmed album track on Twitter a few moments ago. Eager to get a feeler of what Ms. Kelly’s single is set to sound like? Check it out after the jump!…..

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Chris Brown has endured heavy media criticism over the last year after facing allegations of domestic abuse against his ex-girlfriend, Rihanna. Now the controversial singer has offered his views on the problems being faced by Tiger Woods who recently was accused of cheating on his wife with multiple women. Check out what Brown had to say during an interview on radio show ‘Mojo in the Morning’ below:

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Lady GaGa’s ‘The Monster Ball’ tour hit Liverpool in the UK last evening. The ‘Bad Romance’ singer performed some of her biggest hits in her own unique style for thousands of fans at the Echo Arena. Check out more shots below:

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With the release of his 7th album, ‘Raymond vs. Raymond’, on the horizon, Usher’s team has provided his fans with a look at the record’s official tracklisting. The album features contributions from Rico Love, Polow Da Don, Jim Jonsin, Danja and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. ‘Raymond vs. Raymond’ hits stores on March 30th. Check out the official line-up below:

1. Monster

2. Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home) (Ft. Plies)

3. There Goes My Baby

4. Love ‘Em All

5. She Don’t Know (Ft. Ludacris)

6. Lil Freak Usher (Ft. Nicki Minaj)

7. Mars vs. Venus

8. Prolover

9. Foolin’ Around

10. Papers

11. So Many Girls

12. Guilty (Ft. T.I.)

13. O.M.G. (Ft. will.i.am)

14. Making Love (Into The Night)

{Source}

Thoughts?

Power-couple, Beyonce and Jay-Z, looked a picture of happiness court-side at the Lakers vs Mavericks game yesterday in Dallas, Texas. 40 year old rapper Jay was in town for his Blueprint 3 tour, which made a stop there. Fun times.

Check out more pics below:

Your thoughts?

Pinned: Normal Posts Resume Below!

That Grape Juice caught up with Grammy award winning R&B star Monica this week. In our candid interview with the mother-of-two, she spoke on everything from finding her place in the industry again, to whether her hit BET reality show will be returning, exclusive details on her new album ‘Still Standing’, marriage, kids, Rihanna, and much more.

As ever, we ask the questions you really want answers to. A great read, I must say….Enjoy!

{Transcription by Bisi Kadejoh}

Monica Shouts Out That Grape Juice

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It’s been more than two years since the release of Estelle‘s critically acclaimed LP ‘Shine’ (which spawned the Grammy award winning ‘American Boy’).  The UK-bred/US-based singer is back and set to release new  album ‘All of Me’ later this year. Check out a behind the scenes look at the making of the video for record’s lead single ‘Freak’, which features Kardinal Official (above).

Directed by Nabin Elderkin, the unique clip looks like it’ll be a winner. The full video premieres on Friday. Can’t wait…

Randomness: Did you know Estelle is signed to John Legend’s HomeSchool record label, with her releases distributed by Atlantic Records?

Your thoughts?

Your favourite Bajan model and ours, Rihanna, continues to press ahead with the promotion for her moderately well-selling ‘Rated R’ LP, most recently stopping by AOL Sessions. The 22 year old performed a range of her hits – past and present-  including ‘Take A Bow’, ‘Disturbia’, ‘Russian Roulette’, ‘Hard’, and latest single ‘Rude Boy’. Check out the entire set above…(I’ll update the post with separate performances as and when they become available).

As usual, the billy-goat bleeting was in full-effect, but on an upside she’s giving more ‘umph’ than usual these days, which must count for something, right…?

Your thoughts?

Check out R&B vixen Teairra Mari and Souja Boy on the set of the video for ‘Sponsor’ – Mari’s hot new single, which the rapper features on. Shot in Los Angeles earlier this week, the vid are sure to get tongues wagging. More than the PR buzz this generates though, I’m hoping the actual song goes on to chart well, as it’s perhaps one of the best uptempo R&B cuts I’ve heard in a long while. Put simply, it is the business!

Peep more pics below:

Your thoughts?

Reports surfaced this week that Jennifer Lopez was dropped by her label, Epic Records. Now, the singer has released an official statement via her publicist regarding the news, stating that the split was amicable. Here is what the singer had to say:

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