Episode 11 of Monica‘s BET reality show ‘Still Standing’ aired on BET last night. Check it out above. As usual, I’m watching it now…what are you waiting for?! LOL. Enjoy.

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While his former B2K bandmate Omarion is struggling to have an impact on the charts, Raz B has reportedly been signed to Tila Tequila Records. The singer will supposedly be managed by the Tequila herself and is said to be working on a reunion album with the rest of the B2K members, including Omarion. Raz B’s first solo album on the label will be released by the end of 2010. {Source}

*Takes a breath* This has to be a joke. Who in their right mind would sign a record deal and agree to be managed by someone who clearly does not have a grip on their own career? Clearly, if this is true, Raz B has to be so desperate to get a cheque that he is willing to sign anything attached to a few zeros. Seriously, if artists signed to major labels are struggling to sell albums, then what has possessed him to think that he can get a hit with Tila Tequila?

I really sense that this is indeed untrue and Tequila has finally gone clinically insane. As you may remember, Omarion himself denounced any idea of him reuniting with B2K during his interview with Kendra G. News like this really makes me wonder about what is wrong with the world today. Hot doodoo mess.

Thoughts?

Que, formerly of Day26, appears to be keeping things moving and his name out there via Youtube. The 22 year old, who is now managed by Soul World Entertainment, posted a video of himself singing Michael Jackson‘s classic ‘Human Nature’, as well as a brief flirtation with Billy Preston’s ‘You Are So Beautiful’. Check it out above.

Though, as with most things MJ-inspired, it wasn’t a patch on the original, Que still turned in a pretty decent rendition. Goof stuff. {Spotted over at my girl Miss Jia}

Randomness: It’ll be real interesting to see how things pan out with Day26 in the long run. I say this, because – as at now – it’s looking like a Holy Ghost intervention is the only thing that will make folks care for them again.

Your thoughts?

R&B crooner Trey Songz made an appearance on ‘The Mo’Nique Show’ last evening. The singer performed his latest single ‘I Invented Sex’ as well as participated in an interview with the late night host. ‘I Invented Sex’ has thus far peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hip-Hop/R&B chart. Check out the interview below:

Thoughts?

Grammy Award-nominated singer Melanie Fiona made guested on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ last evening. The R&B vocalist performed her hit song ‘It Kills Me’ from her debut album ‘The Bridge’. To date, the track has peaked at #49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts.

Fiona did her thing. She sang beautifully and seemed to be really ‘feeling’ the lyrics. Although I am not a fan of the song and consider it to be quite boring, it is great to see a singer with such raw talent on the stage again who does not have to step out on the stage half naked or rely on intricate hairstyles to get attention. Good stuff.

Thoughts?

That Grape Juice has exclusively received word that Michelle Williams has parted ways with Mathew Knowles and Music World Entertainment! Check out Michelle’s official statement below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2010

STATEMENT REGARDING GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING SINGER MICHELLE WILLIAMS DISSOLVING HER MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENT WITH MATHEW KNOWLES AND MUSIC WORLD ENTERTAINMENT

“After much prayer and consideration I have decided to part ways from my management team, Mathew Knowles and Music World Entertainment. From my time in Destiny’s Child to my solo career, I am grateful for everything Mathew and his team has done for me. We’ve shared great success together. However, as I move in a new direction in my career, I felt it was time. I wish Mathew Knowles and the Music World Entertainment family all the best.”

ABOUT MICHELLE WILLIAMS

This winter, Grammy Award-winning recording artist and actress Michelle Williams returns to Broadway as Roxie Hart in the Tony Award-winning hit musical CHICAGO for a seven-week limited engagement, Monday, February 8, 2010 through Sunday, March 28, 2010 at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.).

Michelle Williams first took on Roxie Hart last year to critical acclaim in London’s Cambridge Theatre, marking the first time an African American woman has played the role of Roxie Hart on London’s West End. Her limited engagement proved so successful that it was extended an additional three weeks by popular demand.

She made her Broadway stage debut in 2003, replacing R&B icon Toni Braxton in the title role of Disney’s Aida.  In April 2007, she joined the national touring company of the hit musical The Color Purple, performing extended runs in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix with members of the original Broadway cast.

Michelle Williams also maintains her stake as a minority owner of the WNBA team, Chicago Sky.

WOW!

Your thoughts?

Just when you thought it was safe to watch BET’s ‘106 & Park’ again, Omarion decided to hit their stage. The entertainer performed both his new song ‘Hoodie’ featuring rapper Ja Rock and his mother as well as his popular ‘Ice Box’. Omarion’s new album ‘Ollusion’ hit stores today.

That ‘Hoodie’ performance had to be one of  the worst showings in BET history. Not only was Omarion attempting to lip-sync his way through the rendition, he seemed to be performing the dual task of being both the main act and his own hype man. Furthermore, his dancers were amateurish at best, only adding insult to injury for the rather unamused and obviously unimpressed studio audience. Quite interestingly, his mother proved to be the highlight of the entire showing; outshining her son for the entire minute that she was on the stage (how old is she?).

Check out the slightly better ‘Ice Box’ performance below.

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Former B2K member Omarion made a promotional stop for his ‘Ollusion’ LP on the ‘Kendra G’ show recently. The singer discussed a variety of topics, including his taste in women, Young Money and the possibility of a B2K reunion. One of the most interesting points were his comments on being a better dancer than Chris Brown. ‘Ollusion’ was released today.

Omarion made it a point that if anyone doubts his dancing ability then they should check his ‘Get It In’ video. Although that clip demonstrated some athleticism, I would hardly consider that the best demonstration of why he deserves his self-awarded title of the “King of Dance”. Omarion is indeed a talented dancer but Brown is without a doubt on a completely different level terms of agility and variation. There are only so many times that Omarion’s robotic movements and tricks can ‘wow’ anyone. Next.

Thoughts?

The Grammy Award. This trophy serves as a symbol of honour and prestige; the most coveted decoration in the music industry. From new artists to seasoned veterans, all musicians aspire to win in their respective categories, not just because of the associated bragging rights, but also to put the final touches on a year of hard work. To win a Grammy is to know that you are the best.

Nevertheless, it seems that the glamour of the Grammy Award has begun to fade; its golden glint slowly beginning  to rust. In recent years, the voters have conformed to the trend of choosing the nominees and winners based on  their popularity and power, rather than merit. As an implication of this, many of the best records released during the last decade have been shamelessly overlooked and uncelebrated.

Indeed, this phenomenon is blatantly apparent in the list of nominees for the 2010 Grammy Awards ceremony. With Beyonce and Taylor Swift receiving the most nominations, many wonder if they only achieved such attention from the voters because of their pervasive presence in the mass media. In fact, Whitney Houston’s ‘I Look To You’ album was shockingly ignored by garnering not a single nomination, including in the R&B categories.

Hence, various acts continue to get shut out in favour of their more popular or politically supported counterparts. Many wonder if the Grammys are drifting closer to the stature of the MTV Awards, a ceremony that Kanye West indicated is influenced by an intricate web of unpublicised politics. However, with artists such as Maxwell and the Black Eyed Peas receiving nominations in the major categories, it seems that quality may still have a place in the judgments after all.

Do you think that the Grammy voters play

favourites?

Today sees the release of Omarion‘s third studio album ‘Ollusion’. The record is preceded by singles ‘I Get It In’, ‘Hoodie’ and his new hit ‘Speedin’ (I know some of you are rolling your eyes at the juxtoposition of Omarion and ‘hit’ lol, but the song is very deserving IMO). In any case, the former B2k singer is releasing the LP on his own imprint StarWorld Entertainment, which has distribution via EMI Records

That Grape Juice wants to know….

Will you be buying Omarion’s ‘Ollusion’?

A husky-voiced Kelly Rowland hit stage at the PokerStars VIP Party at Paradise Harbour in Nassau, The Bahamas over the weekend. The singer performed her international hit ‘When Love Takes Over’. Rowland is currently working on her forthcoming studio album which hits stores later this year.

Clearly Rowland’s voice has seen much better days. It’s safe to say that her hard work in the studio is undoubtedly the reason for her vocal issues at the event. However, although she struggled through the verses, she handled the belting in the chorus quite well and engaged the crowd like a pro.

Sidebar: Is Rowland looking more muscular or is it just me? Looks like somebody’s been working on improving her game both musically and physically. I ain’t mad at you Kelly!

Thoughts?

Solange Knowles has started working on her next studio album. The singer has headed to Australia to team up with the alternative rock band Midnight Juggernauts and is reportedly planning to release the LP independently. No indication of when the album will hit stores has been confirmed. {Source}

Solange has been a mainstay on BET Centric for the since 2008 without showing any signs of slowing down. Her music has really gathered a strong following in the Neo-Soul and traditional R&B circles so I expect that this news will excite many of her fans. However, she will have to work twice as hard to get public attention without label support. Even with her father’s assistance, an artist without a label always has to fight an uphill battle if they hope to be commercially viable. Let’s see if she could pull it off.

Thoughts?