Check out the official album cover for Kelis‘ ‘Flesh Tone’. A-mazing!

‘Flesh Tone’ hits stores in the UK on May 17th and in the US on July 6th

Tidbit: Kelis’ new single ‘Acapella’ is currently set to debut in the top 5 on the Official UK Singles Chart!

Your thoughts?

R&B star Monica stopped by the Lopez Tonight Show a few hours ago to perform her chart-topping hit ‘Everything To Me’, as well as sit down for a chat with host, comedian George Lopez. Check out the awesome performance, as well as the interview after the jump…

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The video for the second of Toni Braxton‘s new singles, ‘Hands Tied’, premièred literally moments ago. Check out the Billie Woodruff directed clip below…

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Check out R&B songstress Keri Hilson striking a pose in Avon‘s latest campaign. The Grammy nominated singer-songwriter recently replaced Jennifer Hudson as the face of the long-standing brand.

Speaking on her involvement in the campaign, Hilson said:

“I’m really careful. I don’t want to be affiliated with too many brands. It’s got to make sense, and it makes sense [with Avon.] I love fragrance. I love beauty. I love to teach women that they should feel confident and feel good about themselves for themselves.”

“Miss Keri Baby” looks great! Check out another pic from the shoot after the jump. {Thanks Keri Hilson Central / J. Mac}

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Kelly Rowland has been teasing her fans who have been desperately waiting to hear material from her new album. Now, while singer continues to ready the project, a new song from the Rowland has just made it’s debut. However, the track, ‘Everywhere You Go‘, isn’t from her new LP; it’s the theme song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. ‘Everywhere You Go’ was produced by Steve Morales and features a host of African artists including 2Face, Awadi, Chameleone, Crotale, Jozi, Kwesta, Rola, Samini, Slikour and Zuluboy. Listen to the song below {Shout out to Kelly-Rowland.net}:

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Maxwell just released the video for his new single, ‘Fistful of Tears’. The song, which has thus far peaked at #94 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, serves as the 3rd official single from his ‘BLACKsummers’night’ LP. To date, the album has been certified platinum by the RIAA. Check out the video below:

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That Grape Juice are pleased to announce that we are giving away 2 pairs of tickets to Fantasia‘s upcoming London show at the indig02 on May 3rd! The hotly anticipated show marks the first time the American Idol alum has performed live in the UK; and with support from FDM (Ne-Yo’s Compound Entertainment), this is an unmissable event!

We’re giving you the chance to win a special ‘That Grape Juice Pass’ to the show, which includes a pair of tickets, as well as a meet and greet with Fantasia herself! A runner-up will also win a pair of tickets to the show (excluding the meet and greet).

To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question correctly:

Fantasia starred in which hit Broadway production?

a) Chicago

b) The Color Purple

c) Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

Submit your answer, along with your name, age, address, and telephone number to the below address. Please be sure to title it ‘Fantasia Comp’:

competitions@thatgrapejuice.net

All entries must be received by 8am UK time  Wednesday 21st April 2010!

Good luck!

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Ciara‘s hotly anticipated new single ‘Ride’ premièred literally a few moments ago. The Ludacris-assisted cut was produced by hitmakers The-Dream & Tricky Stewart and serves as the first official offering from the singer’s fourth studio album.

After the not-so-great sales of Ms. Harris’ last effort ‘Fantasy Ride’, the question on the lips of many is whether ‘Ride’ packs enough punch to redeem her in the eyes of the masses. Thankfully for the 24 year old, the answer is a loud and resounding ‘YES!’

The gritty mid-tempo reunites Ciara with the edgy sound which captivated many on her earlier material, yet does so while implementing a fresh twist. Hands down, one of her best releases in a long while. Welcome back CiCi!

Hit or Miss?

After a brief rest on the bench, our Best You Never Heard feature returns this week with little known gems by Mya, Sugababes, Ciara and Smokie Norful.

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Mya – I Am

Mya’s last major label effort ‘Liberation ‘ironically remains caged after label mishaps and the poor performance of its singles forced it to be shelved. While what we did sample of the album was kinda hit and miss, the record did boast potential in the form of tracks such as the Kwame produced ‘I Am’. The gutsy up-tempo, saw the singer raunch it all the way up, in what is a very pro-female anthem. A great song!

Listen:

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Sugababes – No More You

Despite the Sugababes’ most recent LP ‘Sweet 7’ being anything but ‘sweet’ (see: it’s dismal chart performance), the album did serve up a few gems – ‘No More You’ being one of its best. The haunting production courtesy of Stargate really compliments the song’s lyrics (which were penned by Ne-Yo); lyrics which Jade, Amelle, and Heidi do an awesome job of delivering – truly capturing the essence of the song. There’s no doubt this could easily be a hit for the ladies should they release it, or any other act for that matter.

Listen:

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Ciara – Tell Me What Your Name Is

Song leaks and bad strategy brought Ciara’s ‘Fantasy Ride’ to an abrupt halt last year. However, despite its shortcomings, the project did yield winners such as the Dr Luke produced ‘Tell Me What Your Name Is’. A well-produced, breezy mid-tempo, with much in the way of playful sensuality.  One of Ms. Harris’ best offerings to-date.

Listen:

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Smokie Norful – Run To You (Cover)

Gospel heavyweight Smokey Norful put his own spin on Whitney Houston’s classic ‘Run To You’ in 2006. Norful’s interpretation not only does the original justice, its tweaked lyrics open the song up to a whole new audience, while capturing an audience already familiar with the original. A skilled vocalist, whose tone favours John Legend, yet whose power is incomparable to contemporary secular acts, Norful turned in an amazing performance with this one.

Listen:

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Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

Soulful songstress Helen Adu and the rest of the band Sade stopped by Dancing With The Stars last night to perform their classic ‘Sweetest Taboo’. To say I love this song would be an understatement, hence seeing them perform it was a welcome throwback. Great performance!

Randomness: UK’ers, does anyone else remember the Shola Ama version of this song? Loved it!

Your thoughts?

Toni Braxton’s music video for ‘Make My Heart’ made it’s debut just moments ago. The track, which has yet to chart, will feature on her upcoming ‘Pulse’ album. The LP is set to hit stores on May 4th. Check out the video below:

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Following hitmaker Claude Kelly’s recent claims that comparisons between Christina Aguilera and Lady GaGa are ‘crap’, GaGa’s mentor and label head Akon has given his own two cents on Aguilera. Speaking to VIBE, the ‘Smack That’ singer’s comments are sure to get tongues wagging. Check out what he had to say after the jump…

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