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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Diva Whitney Houston made a triumphant return to the stage tonight, when she kicked off the European leg of her ‘Nothing But Love Tour’ in Birmingham’s LG Arena. The ‘I Will Always Love You’ singer had been battling a respiratory infection, an illness which forced her to re-schedule a number of dates at the start of the tour’s most recent leg.

According to sources in attendance, Nippy nailed it! More power to her!

Your thoughts?

As anticipation for Ciara’s new material reaches fever-pitch, the sultry songstress has revealed that her forthcoming LP is titled ‘Basic Instinct’.

Revealing the news at the premiere for Chris Rock’s ‘Death at a Funeral’ last night in LA, the singer added that the album is “even more sensual, confident, and cocky…in a fun way”. The record was executive produced by the 24 year old, and hitmakers The-Dream & Tricky Stweart.

‘Basic Instinct’, which will be preceded by first single ‘Ride (ft. Ludacris)’, is due in stores this summer.

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Great title; probably one of the best I’ve heard in a while. One can imagine it’ll refer to the singer re-engaging with her earlier sound – a point both Ciara and the album’s producers have commented on previously. Now, if only ‘Ride’ would hurry up and drop!

Your thoughts?

Rapper Nas’ wallet will no doubt be feeling lighter today, following the latest ruling in his divorce settlement with ex Kelis.

TMZ report that documents filed in L.A. County Superior Court reveal that the 36 year old star has to immediately pay a sum of $47,249.42 in back-child support and $40,454 in back spousal support to the ‘Milkshake’ singer.

Worse still, the presiding judge further ordered Nas to pay $10,000 a month in spousal support until he pays off the $299,015.50 total he owes Kelis.

Wait there’s more…

Nas also has to pay 90% of Kelis’ legal fees to the tune of $155,787.28, as well as $48,549.83 to cover Kelis’ accounting expenses.

Legal analysts suggest that the rapper could have avoided such financial blows had he settled from the jump; particularly considering the fact that Kelis was repped by hotshot divorce attorney Laura Wasser.

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Can you say ‘taken to the cleaners’ or what?! Wow….

Your thoughts?

Peep Bajan model Rihanna on the set of the video for her latest single ‘Rockstar 101’, along with Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker. While it’s great to see that her team have finally decided on a single (after changing it three times), it’s not so great to see that Ms. Fenty has reverted back to her dark/faux-edgy look.

Surely with ‘Rude Boy’ being the only thing that actually caught on from ‘Rated R’, the aspiring singer and her team would have got the memo that that spooky ish was just not gonna cut it. It’ll be interesting to see how this particular release pans out…

Your thoughts?

Sade performed ‘Baby Father’ on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno a few hours ago. Check out the performance of the song, which is the second single to be lifted from their Platinum selling ‘Solider of Love’ LP,  after the jump…

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