That Grape Juice caught up with sassy Shakira in New York this week for a brief chat (she’s a busy girl), which you can watch above.

Sidenote 1: It turns out the Columbian megastar loves That Grape Juice!

Sidenote 2: We will likely be having more substantial interview time in the coming weeks. Keep it locked on TGJ!

Shakira’s new album ‘She Wolf’ is out now!

Your thoughts?

Musical innovator Kelis is back with a new offering entitled ‘Acapella’. The track, which was produced by David Guetta, will be featured on her fifth studio album, due out early next year. The LP will feature productions from Burnz, DJ Ammo, Boys Noize, Diplo and Switch, and Free School.

Having purchased Kelis’ last album, ‘Kelis Was Here’, and thoroughly enjoyed almost every track, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t perplexed after listening to this song. However, there lies the beauty of Kelis! She is one of the few singers who constantly finds new ways of revolutionising their sound; never producing redundant material. A lot of singers (some of whom have great shoulder pads…) have emulated Kelis’ appeal over the years yet none have successfully captured her unique blend of R&B, Hip-Hop and Pop/Rock. I am definitely eager to here what else she is going to put forward.

Hit or Miss?

In a move that was no doubt actioned to ensure a #1 debut, Rihanna‘s new LP ‘Rated R’ is now selling for a paltry $3.99 on Amazon MP3. Yet, despite Ms. Fenty’s team pulling all the stops for a #1 charting on the Billboard 200 next week, Interscope’s Lady GaGa‘s sophomore effort ‘The Fame Monster’ is currently sitting comfortably at #1 on iTunes – which serves as one of the biggest music retailers overall. {Source 1} {Source 2}

Oh RiRi! After all the publicity, big budget videos and all that jazz, stunts like this still need to be pulled to garner decent sales. From a business standpoint, I can’t hate on her label’s game. Yet, from an artistic standpoint – which is where the bulk of my critique of Ms. Fenty stems from – it really says a lot about her label’s belief in how many folks will part with their cash to buy her album. I mean, correct me if wrong, but you don’t see the Alicia’s, Beyonce’s, Whitney’s and co selling their album a fraction of the cost to save face. I mean how embarrassing would it be after all the hype, 20/20 interview etc for her not to pull in some seriously decent/great numbers first week?

Randomness: While my review of the AMA’s will be up later today; if Rihanna’s performance wasn’t the night’s worst, I really don’t know what was. A mess.

Your thoughts?

Peep a stunning Whitney Houston posing it up with daughter Bobbi Kristina at last night’s American Music Awards. Bobbi-K has grown into a fine young lady herself!

Alicia Keys and Whitney. Tidbit: did anyone else see Whitney getting “crunk for Jesus” (trademark Miss Jia!) during Jay & Alicia’s ‘Empire State Of Mind’ performance?

Though Rihanna‘s performance was a steaming hot mess, she never disappoints on the fashion tip. She looked hot in the press portrait room!

Peep Jennifer Lopez giving her trademark “diva” for the papps. I feel sorry for her; she gave a relatively decent performance, only for everyone to dwell on her falling on her a**. Damn.

Jennifer and hubby Marc Anthony

Ne-Yo in the press portrait room…

Ms. Keri Hilson looks pretty in her press room shot, yet something looks different, which I can’t put my finger on (??)

Snoop Dogg.

What do you think of the looks?

Today marks the US (and in many cases, the International release) of new album’s from Lady GaGa, Beyonce, Shakira and Rihanna.

GaGa serves up her 8-track sophomore LP ‘The Fame Monster’, while Beyonce’s ‘I Am…Yours’ concert LP/DVD hits stores too, as  does Shakira’s ‘She Wolf‘ and Rihanna’s ‘Rated R’.

With all being such major releases, we, here at That Grape Juice, want to know…

Which will you be buying?

Videos Removed As Requested

With the eagerly anticipated American Music Awards 2009 about to get underway live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, That Grape Juice’s ‘American Music Awards 2009: Your Shout!’ area goes live right now! Tonight’s show boasts performances from Janet Jackson, Lady GaGa, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Eminem, and Whitney Houston. Something tells me this AMA’s will be one for the most talked about show of the year!

Watch the American Music Awards LIVE here!

UPDATED: Click here or here if link above doesn’t work

This is Your Shout!

The 2009 American Music Awards are taking place as we speak at the NOKIA Theatre in  Los Angeles! While you enjoy the performances, ThatGrapeJuice also brings candids from the red carpet. Enjoy!

Rihanna arrived in her usual fierceness!

Alicia Keys looked rather sexy in this little blue number.

Keri Hilson rocked it in this bedazzled ensemble.

Snoop Dogg showed up with his wonderful wife.

Leona Lewis looked interesting in this outfit. Haven’t we seen this before?

The beautiful Toni Braxton showed up with her son. What a resemblance!

Melody Thornton turned up the heat in this sexy piece.

Newcomer Drake looked rather dapper.

Shakira is killing them with her shoe game!

The Black Eyed Peas took it to the future. Loving that dress on Fergie!

What do you think of the looks?

Diva Mariah Carey‘s performance of ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ on the X-Factor aired a few moments ago.  While I’m almost certain parts of this were lip-synched, for the first time in a long while Ms Carey-Cannon did the damn thing! From the power belting to her trademark whistle note, this was awesome. She definitely redeemed herself after last year’s shambolic showing of ‘I Stay In Love’ (shudders at the mere mention). Nonetheless, a great performance!

What do you think of the performance?

What do you think of the video?

R&B star Ashanti has inked a major deal with Revielle LLC – the major TV production company behind ‘Ugly Betty’, ‘The Biggest Loser’, and ‘It’s On With Alexa Chung’ – it has been announced.

The partnership will see the former INC star serve as Executive Producer, overseer, as well as an on-air personality on a music-based competition TV show. Speaking of the deal,  Ashanti said:

“I’m excited about the opportunity to be working with Reveille LLC, one of the tv industry’s heavyweights and I can’t wait to begin production.” {Source} {Thanks Stefan}

Kudos where kudos are due, it’s great to see Ms. Douglas doing her thing outside of being an artist. Folk may get on her for sales, current ‘relevancy’ etc, yet anyone who really knows how this industry works understands that it’s all about diversifying into other areas to ensure you longevity (see: LL Cool J, Ice T, Diddy etc). More power to her!

Your thoughts?

R&B songstress Brandy took to her bathroom again on film, this time offering her rendition of Sam Cooke’s classic ‘A Change Gonna Come’. Put simply, this was off-the-charts! I literally got chills listening to this. If there was ever proof needed as to why Ms. Norwood remains one the industry’s premier vocalists, this is it! The power, the range, the runs… wow…

{Thanks Clint!}

Your thoughts?