Comeback queen Whitney Houston kicked off her world tour today in Moscow, Russia. The singer, 46, voice was in tip-top shape (for 2009 Whitney) as she revisited her classic hits as well as new cuts from her Platinum selling LP ‘I Look To You’. She has really come leaps and bounds with the vocals, which in time I’m sure will only get even better. You can watch the performance of ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ above, and the rest below (video quality isn’t great, but oh well). Go Nippy!

I Will Always Love You

My Love Is Your Love

Man In The Mirror (Michael Jackson Tribute)

Saving All My Love For You

Bobbi Kristina Tribute

I Look To You

Million Dollar Bill

What do you think of the performances?

Sexy siren Ciara spoke to ‘MTV News’ last evening while at the VEVO launch in New York City. The singer elaborated about the direction that  she will be taking on her next album, the follow-up to this year’s ‘Fantasy Ride‘. Ciara received a Grammy Award nomination for ‘Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals’ for her hit ‘Love Sex Magic’, which featured Justin Timberlake. The new LP hits stores in 2010.

This is certainly some interesting news. The fact that she is going to target “everybody” with this project is a very good indication that she will be developing material similar to ‘Love Sex Magic’, which saw her step out of her Urban niche and into the realm of Pop music. Ciara definitely has the potential to be an international act; with the potential to find success beyond the Hip-Hop/R&B format. Indeed, unlike many of her contemporaries (*hint hint*), she has both beauty and talent in her corner. I am eager to hear what she puts forward.

Thoughts?

As our girl Kelly Rowland puts the finishing touches to her third studio album, a remix of Mario‘s ‘Thinkin’ of You’ featuring the Destiny’s Child alum surfaced a few moments ago.

While it may seem like somewhat of a random song for Ms. Kelly to jump on, it hardly surprises us as The Runners produced cut was penned by Rico Love (Beyonce’s ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Radio’), who is overseeing Kelly’s project.

About the song itself, Ms. Kelly worked it out! As well as adding another dimension to the already cracking track, Kelly’s vocals (as evidenced by some of the adlibs and runs) show a lot of vocal maturity (we always knew she could cut it live, yet previous studio recordings had been played too safe IMO). Great remix!

Be sure to keep it locked on That Grape Juice for a special announcement about Kelly very soon!

Hit or Miss?

Peep episode 7 of Monica‘s BET reality show ‘Still Standing’ (below), which aired earlier this week. As usual, I’m watching it now…what are you waiting for?! LOL. Enjoy.

(more…)

Check out this behind the scenes look at Beyonce and Lady GaGa‘s much hyped collaboration for the clip for ‘Video Phone’. As ‘ok’ as the video turned out to be, I must say this ‘making-of’ proved a lot more engaging than the finished product.

Tidbit: Aww @ what Bouncy says at the tail end of the video.

Your thoughts?

For this I have no words.

Your thoughts?

Last evening the Skylight Studio, New York hosted the official launch of VEVO, the music video website started by Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. Some of the biggest names in Pop, Country and Urban entertainment appeared at the venue to debut their latest projects. Check out some the shots below:

Mariah Carey shut everyone down with those shoes!

Ciara experimented with this ‘look’. Okay then…

50 Cent and Mary J. Blige posed for the cameras.

Lady GaGa wowed the crowd with a performance of ‘Speechless’ from her ‘The Fame Monster’ LP.

John Legend kept warm in this ensemble.

Wyclef Jean was enjoying the festivities.

Music executive Doug Morris, L.A. Reid, and Mariah Carey were clearly some of the most powerful people at the event. O yeah, and Rihanna’s in the picture as well.

Thoughts?

During a recent playback of his comeback effort ‘Graffiti’ for MTV, Chris Brown confirmed that the Eva Simons-assisted ‘Pass Out’ will serve as the LP’s next single along with ‘Sing Like Me’.

While ‘Pass Out’ will be serviced to Pop radio and TV stations, ‘Sing Like Me’ (the album’s standout cut IMO) will receive the Urban treatment. {Source}

Major props to whoever is selecting Chris’ singles for this project, as each decision made has been logical, well-thought out and all round the best possible pick IMO. An interesting observation, as I can name countless album’s which have faltered, despite having some great material, due to crappy single choices.

In any case, check out ‘Pass Out’ below:

Hit or Miss?

It’s that time again! That Grape Juice wants to see what you all are listening to. Which 5 tracks have you got on constant rotation at the moment?

1) Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart – Alicia Keys
2) Monster – Lady GaGa

3) I Am – Mary J. Blige
4) Put It In A Love Song – Alicia & Beyonce
5) Sing Like Me – Chris Brown

What are Your Top 5 Songs of The Moment?

Moments ago, Mariah Carey released the highly anticipated video for her new single ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ The clip was directed by Brett Ratner and shot in two locations: New York and Malibu. ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ has thus far peaked at #76 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts.

Ever had the feeling that you’ve just been ‘Punk’d’? Well that’s what I’m experiencing at this very moment. Wasn’t the video filmed at two different locations? Wasn’t Mariah supposed to be wearing actual clothes in some of the shots? As much I support the ‘if you’ve got it, flaunt it’ adage, I sense that it is high time that MC starts showing some variation in her productions because quite frankly, I’m tired of looking at an extended series of glamour shots in every video. In fact, what does running around on the beach have to do with the song?

Hopefully, this is just one version of the clip. Nevertheless, this is going into the box at the back of my mind with the ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ video; never to be spoken of again.

Thoughts?

Mary J. Blige‘s video for new single ‘I Am’, the lead single from her forthcoming LP ‘Stronger With Each Tear’,’ premiered within the hour. Though rather simplistic, I’m loving the visuals in the clip; Mary looks great and it’s evident money was spent on this one – even if only on the setting and the overall gloss of the vid. What’s more, the video is befitting to the song, which I’ve had on replay for the longest while and gets better with every listen.

Stronger With Each Tear’ hits stores December 21st.

What do you think of the song / video?

The video for rapper 50 Cent’s latest single ‘Do You Think About Me’ premiered a few minutes ago on Vevo. Though the song is kinda ‘just there’. the video – which interesting stars one-time girlfriend Vivaca Fox along with actress Tamala Jones and Tahiry – does make for quite engaging viewing. Whether it’ll do enough to revive Fiddy’s ‘Before I Self Destruct’ LP, which is in relative freefall on the charts, remains to be seen.

What do you think of the song / video?