A couple months ago, That Grape Juice debuted a new promotional pic of Ciara. Now, one of the sexy songstress’ most popular fan networks, UltimateCiara.com, has provided us with the full collection. The shoot was conducted by famed photographers Steven Gomillion and Dennis Leupold. The images will be featured in the French magazine L’Officiel Magazine later this month. Peep all of the hotness below:

What do you think of the pics?

As Omarion gears up for the release of 3rd studio album, ‘Ollusion’ (due January 12th),  the record’s next official single ‘Speedin” premiered. Unsurprisingly, with Omari resting the annoying talk-singing  of his last few singles on the bench, ‘Speedin” easily serves as his best single in a LONG while. The mid-tempo ballad, which was produced by 253, sees the 25 year old turn in an emotionally-charged and mature sounding vocal, which really compliment the song’s lyrics (the notion of racing to the side of the one you love). A great track and an even better single choice.

After having had a few choice words about Omari’s recent material, the former B2K star undeniably has a winner on his hands with this one. Here’s hoping it’s chart performance reflects its quality.

Hit or Miss?

Christina Aguilera was once the darling of the Pop charts; one of the crown jewels of the industry’s musical diadem. Wielding a voice that rivaled many of music’s greats, the singer was once hailed by critics as “the voice of her generation”. Without a doubt, the rampant success that Aguilera enjoyed in her early career was out-paced by only a few of her contemporaries. Nevertheless, it seems that the singer has since been ousted from her position at the top of the Pop roost.

Having taken the time to establish herself as a both a wife and mother, Aguilera’s dominance of the Billboard charts has become but a distant memory. Where she once garnered #1 hits around the world, she has now been placed on the back burner of public interest. In fact, her last widely successful studio release was the ‘Stripped’ LP of 2002 which was certified 4x platinum in the US, a far cry from the relatively mediocre sales of ‘Back To Basics’ which struggled to achieve platinum status in her native market. Indeed, many would consider the young star to be a diva in aging.

Moreover, where her only rival in the industry was once only considered to be Britney Spears – who has since managed to continue her Pop music supremacy despite her many personal issues – Aguilera has now been replaced at the top of the charts by a flurry of new artists including Rihanna, Beyonce and Lady GaGa. Interestingly, she once denounced GaGa’s presence entirely, claiming not to have even known that the singer existed, a move that she may have come to regret as GaGa has now captured her market; erasing almost all memory of Aguilera’s former reign.

With that being said, the question is this: does the music  industry still have a place for Christina Aguilera? Or would she become a staple of the past like many of the songs on her ‘Back To Basics’ LP? Regardless of how talented she may be, one thing is certain: she no longer has the luxury of resting on her laurels like she has in recent times. If she does not have a major breakthrough with this release, it might be wise for her to consider motherhood as a full-time job.

Do you think that the industry has left Aguilera

behind?

‘Thong Song’ singer Sisqo thrust himself back into the limelight last night (relatively speaking) by entering the UK’s Celebrity Big Brother 2010. Joining the likes of Vinnie Jones, Heidi Fliess, Dane Bowers and Stephen Baldwin (aka largely the irrelevant), the former Dru Hill star made perhaps the grandest of entrances in the show’s history by actually performing ‘Thong Song’ enroute to the house itself.

While initially cringing watching this on TV, I can’t knock him for doing whatever need be to keep his name out there (this particular show really is scrapping the bottom of the barrel though). That said, I searched high and low for the video which had the ‘About Me’ part prior to the his actual performance; as I wasn’t sure which was more hilarious – the fact she show was billing him as a quote-on-quote “R&B superstar” or his dated performance itself.

In any case, I’m sure this will make for interesting (or potentially car-crash) TV.

Your thoughts?

According to our good friend Necole Bitchie, R&B star Ashanti is set to release her 5th studio album independently on her own label Written Entertainment. {Source}

Slated for release later this year, the as yet untitled record will hit stores some two years after the release of her criminally underrated LP ‘The Declaration’. A commercial disappointment, the latter saw her eventual departure from Universal Motown, as well as the severing of ties with Irv Gotti and The INC last year.

I still find it utterly baffling that, despite having stepped her game up significantly, folks still take shots at Ms. Douglas. Confused.com with that one. In any case, here’s wishing her much success with this new record 🙂

Your thoughts?

Comeback queen Whitney Houston will be the the receiptitent of the ‘Entertainment Honour’ at the 2010 BET Honours, it has been revealed. The show, which takes place on February 1st (ironically a day after the Grammys who snubbed her), will see Houston tribute performances from the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Patti Labelle and Mary J. Blige. {Source}

It’s awesome to see Whitney getting her props where they’re due. Should her team keep up the great work with the handling of her ‘I Look To You’ project, I’d imagine the ceremony will coincide with the release of a new single or singles (fingers strongly crossed for a ‘For The Lovers’ release).

Your thoughts?

As many of you may know, you can now follow That Grape Juice on Twitter! Adding to the ever-expanding ways to be apart of the That Grape Juice community, our Twitter page allows you to receive up-to-the-minute updates about the latest posts on the site as well as what’s happening in the Urban Pop Culture world more generally.

Click here to follow That Grape Juice on Twitter!

Be sure to follow That Grape Juice’s Trent as well….

Click here to follow Trent’s Twitter too!

The That Grape Juice Facebook Group has been up and popping for a while now. Work, school, college, home, wherever; I’m sure many of you – like myself – spend a ridiculous amount of time on Facebook. Yes, it’s ‘that’ addictive!

Peep the video for Trey Songz latest single ‘Say Ah’ featuring rapper Fabolous. While the clip is pretty much standard-fare, I  must say I’m actually really feeling the song.  More so than anything, despite my reservations about Trey, I can’t knock his hustle; he’s been milking this his 3rd LP ‘Ready’ for all its worth. More power to him.

What do you think of the song / video?

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Check out episode 10 of the hilarious ‘Cleveland Show’.

Enjoy!

Peep this new promotional shot for Kelly Rowland‘s 3rd studio album! She looks diva!

Note: Keep it locked on That Grape Juice for an important announcement regarding Ms. Kelly *VERY* (can’t stress the word enough) soon.

What do you think of the pic?

Controversial rapper Kanye West has returned to the studio to start work on his next album. The innovator revealed that he will be bringing his best work yet on the LP. Peep his blog post below:

West is one of the few artists in the industry today that has managed to continuously reinvent himself with each release. Hate him or love him, there is no doubt that he is one of the most intriguing and talented acts in the game. Some would go as far as to say that he helped keep Hip-Hop alive in a time when many thought it was dead. I eagerly await to hear what he has in store.

Thoughts?

Having recently embarked on her ‘Angels Advocate Tour’, diva Mariah Carey has finally revealed the title of her high anticipated remix LP. The record has been named ‘Angels Advocate’, and will feature appearances from Mary J. Blige, Nicki Minaj, Ne-Yo, Big Boi, R. Kelly, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Jodeci, Gucci Mane and Jermaine Dupri. The album is set to hit stores on February 23rd, preceded by the release of the first singles, ‘Up Out My Face (Ft. Nicki Minaj)’ and ‘Angels Cry (Ft. Ne-Yo)’.

The title is simple and to the point. Furthermore, giving the LP the same name as the tour will help patrons to associate both ventures, thus having a possible positive effect on the sales of the album. Interestingly, Carey’s team is going to have to be the biggest advocate of this record. As the followup to the commercially disappointing ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’, it is safe to say that this album is set to debut in rocky territory. Hence, Carey’s camp is going to have to work twice as hard to promote this project and capture public attention.

Thoughts?