..::That Grape Juice.net::..

Lil’ Kim & Cyndi Lauper Perform ‘Time After Time / Lighters Up’ (A Must See)

20th Jul

In what has to be the most music’s most random pairing and performance, rapper Lil’ Kim and 80’s pop star Cyndi Lauper took to the stage together this past Saturday at the Mandela Day concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The duo performed a medley of Lauper’s hit ‘Time After Time’ and Kim’s ‘Lighters Up’. Not an ordinary duet, in that both actually did each others parts. Yes, Lil’ Kim SANG and Lauper rapped.

Despite pretty much hovering on the ‘hot mess’ / ‘what were they thinking’ border for pretty much the entire performance, this definitely managed to engage me, if only for its sheer randomness.

What do you think of the performance?

New Song: Ne-Yo – ‘Discipline’ (Janet Demo)

19th Jul

Some of you may recall Janet Jackson’s ‘Discipline’, the title track to her criminally underrated album of the same name. Well, the demo version of the song, performed by the song’s writer Ne-Yo surfaced today. It’s real interesting hearing his take (essentially the original) on the record, as he really seems to channel Janet vocally with his delivery.

Note: This is a demo and the lyrics are written for Janet to perform. No rumours or messiness folks LOL!

Hit or Miss?

{Link removed as requested}

19th Jul

Ciara has switched up her look quite dramatically, as these new shots show. The 23 year old performer is rocking a short do, one which I feel suits her really well. Some may remember, she sported a similar look in one of the scenes in the ‘Promise’ video.

Tidbit: I am finding it quite funny reading on some of the other blogs about how CiCi chopped off her hair LOL. Like next to all the females artists now, she wears weaves – this being one of them, along with the one before this, the one before that, and so on. She looks awesome all the same.

What do you think of the pics?

LeToya: "I’m Open To Destiny’s Child Reunion"

19th Jul

LeToya Luckett has hit the television promo trail in support of her new album ‘Lady Love’, most recently stopping by ABC News’ What’s The Buzz. The R&B star spoke on a number of things including, of course, the new record and her latest acting roles – which includes a movie with Ashton Kutcher.

Most interestingly, when asked the oh-so-expected Beyonce/Destiny’s Child questions, LeToya revealed she’d be open to a Destiny’s Child reunion. Notable, in that it’s the first time she’s been asked this on-air. With Destiny’s Child now having spent the majority of their professional careers as a Beyonce, Kelly, and Michelle, it sure would be interesting to see how would work out. That said, if ever billed as a tour/special with all the ladies, it would definitely amp the anticipation even more. One can dream…

Tidbit: Did anyone else find it funny that the show was playing the ‘Say My Name’ video when LeToya wasn’t even in it? LOL.

Your thoughts?

New Song: The-Dream – ‘H.A.T.E. U’ (Mariah Carey Demo)

18th Jul

With Mariah Carey currently in the studio putting the final touches to her 12th studio album ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’ (I still ‘LOL’ at that title everytime), a demo of one of the record’s featured tracks ‘H.A.T.E U’ has surfaced. Penned, and performed (in this case), by The-Dream, the mid-tempo cut sounds great. If pulled off well by Mariah, it could very well indicate the return to qualitative form I’ve been hoping for from Mariah.

‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’ hits stores August 25th.

Hit or Miss?

Janet Jackson & Jermaine Dupri Split?

17th Jul

Never ones to dabble in hear-say, it was kinda hard to ignore the latest reports surrounding superstar Janet Jackson and hitmaker boyfriend Jermaine Dupri’s 7 year relationship. US Weekly are reporting that the couple have split:

On July 7, Michael Jackson’s family gathered to celebrate him at his much-watched memorial service.
Noticeably absent?
Janet Jackson’s longtime music-exec boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri. (A pal says Dupri skipped the memorial because he “doesn’t attend funerals.”)
And for good reason. “His friends are telling people it’s over,” a source tells the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.
Echoes another: “They have been moving in different directions for a while.”
So what drove Jackson, 43, and Dupri, 36, apart after nearly seven years?
“You shouldn’t mix business with pleasure,” a mutual pal explains. (Dupri produced several tracks on her last two CDs.) “Janet felt their lives were too crossed and they should have kept things sepa rate.”
Plus, the polar opposites were never too compatible.
“Jermaine likes to be out there, mingling with everybody, and Janet’s more shy.” (And secretive: She kept her nine-year marriage to Rene Elizondo hidden until their 2000 divorce.)
Meanwhile, Jackson is still deeply mourning the death of her big brother.
“She’s devastated,” an insider says. “She’s busy caring for Michael’s kids. Janet’s the family’s backbone.”
See photos of Jackson and his kids through the years.
Jackson’s rep couldn’t be reached.

Seven years is no short period of time, so I’m hoping this isn’t true. Plus Janet has seemed at her happiest -personally-since she’s been with Jermaine. Then again, the age old adage does go ‘all that glitters isn’t always gold’…

Your thoughts?

That Grape Juice To Interview Michelle Williams

17th Jul

That Grape Juice Interviews Michelle Williams (Part 2)

That Grape Juice received word today that we’ll be meeting with Michelle Williams next week here in London. As usual, please drop any questions you may have for her in the comments section below. Please note, only legitimate questions will be considered.

Rihanna Unveils New Hair Do

17th Jul

Your favourite ‘artist’ and mine Rihanna was spotted out and about at the Italian eatery Da Silvano in New York sporting a new shaved hair do, Cassie-style.

As much as Rihanna doesn’t rock my world, it’s hard to deny her position as a fashion trendsetter. So, it’s kinda weird to now see her jumping on the shaved head bandwagon, which in itself is already full with the likes of La La Vasquez, Amelle from the Sugababes, of course Ms. Spread-Her-Legs herself Cassie and all the chicks in your local mall. I guess Ms. Fenty’s fashion-sense and image is as authentic as her music. It’s not.

What do you think of the pics?

17th Jul

That Grape Juice Update

I’ve been meaning to update you guys on a number of things for a while now, but (as usual) have been procrastinating. So without further ado LOL…

* New Staff: Many thanks to the hundreds of you that submitted requests to join the That Grape Juice team! I’m making sure to look at each email, which is a time-consuming endeavor, yet one that ensures the process is fair. Please do bare with me.

* Move To WordPress: Our move over to the far superior WordPress platform from Blogger will be taking place early next month. There are a wealth of benefits for both myself as a publisher and you as That Grape Juice faithful, which will become more apparent over the weeks and months. Look out for a new layout around late August/September. *Please update any blogrolls, favourites, etc that still use the ‘www.thatgrapejuice.blogspot.com’ address with the ‘www.thatgrapejuice.net’*

* Blogroll: Let me take this opportunity to apologise to those who have sent me requests to be featured on our blogroll. My mailbox is the epitome of a hot mess, hence it’s really difficult to sift through them all. So, while a dedicated and regularly updated ‘Link Exchange’ post will be posted soon, please submit any link exchange requests in this post in the comments section.

As ever, thank you all! Remember to keep it locked on

That Grape Juice!

Rowland: "There Will Be No Destiny’s Child Reunion Any Time Soon"

17th Jul

Kelly Rowland has shot down rumours that Destiny’s Child are soon to head back into the studio together to fulfil a contractual obligation to their label Columbia for one more original album:

Kelly Rowland has denied that she and former Destiny’s Child bandmates Beyoncé Knowles and Michelle Williams are working on another album.
The ‘Work’ singer encouraged fans to ignore the reports and insisted that the trio, who split in 2005, are concentrating on their solo careers.
Rowland told the New York Post’s PopWrap blog: “There is no Destiny’s Child album in the works. None of us have talked about an album or anything. And until we do, no-one else should worry about it. Simmer down now!”
Rowland’s ex bandmate Williams recently announced that she will be playing the role of Roxie Hart in London’s West End production of Chicago. {Source}

With Kelly flying high on charts all over the world with ‘When Love Takes Over’, Michelle making history as the first black actress to have a headlining role in a West End play and Beyonce busy being Beyonce, a reunion any time soon – as much as folks want it – would be a little premature IMO. Plus I need a new Kelly solo record that does what it is supposed to chart-wise, before I’d be content with a return her to Destiny’s Child. Same with Ms. Williams.

Randomness: Which do you prefer most: Destiny’s Child as a group or as solo artists? Why?

Your thoughts?

1 Comment

Jade Ewen Performs ‘My Man’ On BBC 5:19 Show

17th Jul

Geffen signee Jade Ewen stopped by BBC’s 5:19 Show to give an acoustic rendition of her first single ‘My Man’. I’m quite big on the song in its recorded form, with its rousing production and all-round club-banger feel. So, it was kinda half expected that this particular performance would be a lil’ hit and miss in places. While a good live showing, it really drove home the fact that some songs are best performed with all the accompanying bells and whistles.

In other Jade news, the singer is currently in LA filming the video for ‘My Man’ and is working with one of Beyonce’s choreographers for the clip. Exciting stuff!

If you haven’t heard the ‘studio’ version of ‘My Man’, click here

What do you think of the performance?