Diva Mariah Carey made an appearance at the UNICEF Snowflake Ball in New York City last evening. The megastar present Island Def Jam Chairman LA Reid with the ‘Spirit of Compassion Award‘. Peep more images of her and husband Nick Cannon below:

What do you think of Mariah’s look?

Young diva Leona Lewis made an appearance on the National Lottery airing on BBC1 recently. The singer performed  the Arnthor Birgisson-produced ‘I Got You’ which will serve as  the second single from her new album, ‘Echo’, in the US.  ‘Echo’ proved to be a commercial upset in that territory when it debuted at #13 on the Billboard 200 with 68, 413 units sold.

Now this is the kind of song she needed to release as the first single! Her vocals suit the drifting melody wonderfully and the building rhythms would sit well amongst many of the hits on today’s Pop radio format. Hopefully this record proves to be a success because she needs all of the help she can get if she wants this album to even go Gold.

Thoughts?

As you may remember, we posted fan footage of Shakira performing on NBC’s annual Christmas special. Well last evening the network finally aired the event, ‘Christmas In Rockafella Center’. Peep the performances from Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys and Shakira below:

Aretha Franklin – ‘Joy To The World’

Alicia Keys – ‘Little Drummer Girl’

Shakira – ‘Santa Baby’

Thoughts?

The Grammy Awards nominations were revealed last evening. The nominees were announced at ‘The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!’ concert which was held at Club NOKIA in Los Angeles. LL Cool J (seen above) hosted the event.

Keri Hilson looked amazing in this number. The singer was nominated for ‘Best Rap/Sung Collaboration’ for her hit single ‘Knock You Down’.

Rapper Drake kept it simple in this outfit. He received a nomination for ‘Best Rap Song’ for ‘Best I Ever Had’.

Singer Fergie look stunning in this ensemble. Her group, the Black Eyed Peas, were nominated for 6 awards including ‘Album of the Year’ (which they deserve!)

Later that evening Fergie celebrated with her band mates back stage.

Keri and T-Pain pose for the camera.

Finally, Maxwell’s idol Smokey Robinson congratulated the singer for his 6 nominations and his breathtaking Michael Jackson tribute.

What did you think of the show?

R&B singer Maxwell took the stage at ‘The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!’ last evening. The smooth performer did a rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Lady In My Life’ which he did in tribute to the late King of Pop. Maxwell received 6 nominations at the event including ‘Song of the Year’ for his smash hit ‘Pretty Wings’ which dominated the Hip-Hop/R&B charts for 14 consecutive weeks.

Maxwell is without a doubt one of the best male vocalists in the game right now. The way in which he is able to seamlessly transcend into his falsetto without sounding forced or strained is a prime example of what sets him apart from his contemporaries. He is even outshining many of the girls in the industry! This man is just too smooth.

Thoughts?

The 52nd annual Grammy Awards show will take place on January 31st 2010, live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. You can check out the full list of nominations which were announced a few moments ago in a special telecast on CBS.

Beyonce and Taylor Swift lead the pack with Ms. Knowles-Carter receiving 10 nominations and Swift 8. Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, and Maxwell earned 6 nods, while Lady GaGa, David Guetta and Jay-Z scored 5 noms a piece.  Whitney Houston, who was a strong favourite, received NO nominations (WTF!!!)

Update: My girl Kelly Rowland received a nomination! Go Kelly.

Album of the Year
Beyoncé – I Am… Sasha Fierce
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.
Lady Gaga – The Fame
Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King
Taylor Swift – Fearless

Record of the Year
Beyoncé – “Halo”
Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling”
Kings of Leon – “Use Somebody”
Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”
Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”

Song of the Year
Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”
Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
Kings of Leon – “Use Somebody”
Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals
Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling”
Bon Jovi – “We Weren’t Born to Follow”
The Fray – “Never Say Never”
Daryl Hall & John Oates – “Sara Smile”
MGMT – “Kids”

Best Rap Solo Performance
Drake – “Best I Ever Had”
Eminem – “Beautiful”
Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)”
Kid Cudi – “Day ‘N’ Nite”
Mos Def – “Casa Bey”

Best Rock Album
AC/DC – Black Ice
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood – Live From Madison Square Garden
Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown
Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King
U2 – No Line on the Horizon

Best New Artist
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Adele – “Hometown Glory”
Beyoncé – “Halo”
Katy Perry – “Hot N Cold”
Pink – “Sober”
Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
John Legend – “This Time”
Maxwell – “Love You”
Jason Mraz – “Make It Mine”
Seal – “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”
Stevie Wonder – “All About the Love Again”

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen – “Sea of Heartbreak”
Ciara & Justin Timberlake – “Love Sex Magic”
Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat – “Lucky”
Willie Nelson & Norah Jones – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat – “Breathe”

Best Pop Vocal Album
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.
Colbie Caillat – Breakthrough
Kelly Clarkson – All I Ever Wanted
The Fray – The Fray
Pink – Funhouse

Best Dance Recording
Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow”
David Guetta & Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over”
Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”
Madonna – “Celebration”
Britney Spears – “Womanizer”

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Melanie Fiona – “It Kills Me”
Lalah Hathaway – “That Was Then”
Ledisi – “Goin’ Thru Changes”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Lions, Tigers & Bears”

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
Anthony Hamilton – “The Point of It All”
Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
Musiq Soulchild – “Sobeautiful”
Pleasure P – “Under”
Charlie Wilson – “There Goes My Baby”

Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals
Jamie Foxx & T-Pain – “Blame It”
India.Arie & Musiq Soulchild – “Chocolate High”
Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige – “Ifuleave”
Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters – “Higher Ground”
Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby – “Love Has Finally Come at Last”

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
Beyoncé – “At Last”
Anthony Hamilton – “Soul Music”
Boney James & Quinn – “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight”
Ann Nesby – “Sow Love”
Calvin Richardson – “Woman Gotta Have It”

Best R&B Song
Jamie Foxx & T-Pain – “Blame It”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Lions, Tigers & Bears”
Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Pleasure P – “Under”

Best R&B Album
Anthony Hamilton – The Point of It All
India.Arie – Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
Ledisi – Turn Me Loose
Maxwell – BLACKsummers’night
Charlie Wilson – Uncle Charlie

Best Contemporary R&B Album
Beyoncé – I Am… Sasha Fierce
Jamie Foxx – Intuition
Pleasure P – The Introduction of Marcus Cooper
Trey Songz – Ready
T-Pain – Thr33 Ringz

Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group
Beastie Boys & Nas – “Too Many Rappers”
Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent – “Crack a Bottle”
Fabolous & Jay-Z – “Money Goes, Honey Stay”
Kid Cudi, Kanye West & Common – “Make Her Say”
Kanye West & Young Jeezy – “Amazing”

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Beyoncé & Kanye West – “Ego”
Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down”
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West – “Run This Town”
The Lonely Island & T-Pain – “I’m On a Boat”
T.I. & Justin Timberlake – “Dead and Gone”

Best Rap Song
Drake – “Best I Ever Had”
Kid Cudi – “Day ‘N’ Nite”
T.I. & Justin Timberlake – “Dead and Gone”
Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)”
Jay-Z, Rihanna, & Kanye West – “Run This Town”

Best Rap Album
Common – Universal Mind Control
Eminem – Relapse
Flo Rida – R.O.O.T.S.
Mos Def – The Ecstatic
Q-Tip – The Renaissance

Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television, or Other Visual Media
Miley Cyrus – “The Climb” (From Hannah Montana: The Movie)
Paramore – “Decode” (From Twilight)
A.R. Rahman, Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah, Mahalaxmi Iyer & Vijay Prakash – “Jai Ho” (From Slumdog Millionaire)
Beyoncé – “Once in a Lifetime” (From Cadillac Records)
Bruce Springsteen – “The Wrestler” (From The Wrestler)

Click here to read the full list

What do you think of the nominees?

Controversial entertainer Chris Brown is featured on the cover of the upcoming issue of VIBE Magazine. In the release, the singer gives an interview where he discusses several issues including his new album and, of course, ‘the incident’ involving ex-girlfriend Rihanna. Brown’s new LP, ‘Graffiti’, which was first exclusively reviewed here on That Grape Juice, hits stores on December 8th.

This cover is sure to stir up a slew of controversy! However, regarding the question of whether or not people are “still down” with Brown, it’s clear that many would respond with a resounding “yes!” His album has thus far received generally favourable reviews from the critics and several predict that he will enjoy decent first week sales. Now it’s time to see if consumers are willing to support his project. You can peep the alternate cover of the issue featuring rapper Drake below:

Thoughts?

The legendary Stevie Wonder broke down while performing ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ (with John Legend), as a tribute to the late, great Michael Jackson at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame’s 25th Anniversary yesterday. Seemingly shaken quite early on in the song, Wonder completely lost it at about the 1.36 point. Check out the video above.

Michael and Stevie not only shared a deep, mutual respect for each other musically, they were great friends; a fact which makes this all the more harder to watch. Kudos to Stevie for soldiering on and finishing the performance.

In keeping it 100% real with you, I’ve yet to fully come to terms with the fact that Michael is no longer with us. With his music being what birthed my interest in music full-stop (hence the eventual emergence of this very site), my swallowing of the idea that he’s left this earth will take much more than a movie (which was great BTW) or the countless tributes assembled. Put simply, I’m yet to be ‘OK’ with the fact Michael Jackson is dead. Hence, (tell me if it’s the same for you) I periodically find the whole fact he’s gone hitting me and thinking ‘Damn’. I guess we should all find comfort in the fact that what he did achieve and leave (us with) will live forever – hence so will he. Long live the King…

Your thoughts?

Check out episode 6 of Monica‘s BET reality show ‘Still Standing’ (below), which aired last night. I’m watching it now…what you waiting for?! LOL. Enjoy.

(more…)

R&B singer Amerie recently spoke to our good friends over at Rap-Up.com about the poor performance of her latest LP ‘In Love & War’. The 31 year old stunner isn’t ‘sweating’ sales, because she apparently sees ‘the bigger picture’. This despite, the album (her Def Jam debut) selling just 12,500 in its first week and only managing a lowly #46 peak on the Billboard 200:

On The Album’s Sales

“It’s a very weird time. I didn’t worry about it ’cause I felt like it’s not about the first week. I knew when the album came out, it wasn’t coming out with a big hit ’cause we just went to radio with the ‘Pretty Brown’ record two weeks before the album came out, so we already knew it was going to be one of those over time things vs. a first week thing, which is cool.”

On not setting expectations of herself due to unpredictability of industry

“There’s no way to tell right now. I was actually curious ’cause I kept saying, ‘This is interesting, going to radio with a song and two weeks later your album is coming out.’ I’ve never really done it like that before.”

On the iTunes error which saw the album not available on the leading music outlet

“That was weird. I don’t know what happened with that. The people at iTunes are really cool. I just thought that was so odd. They tried to fix it as fast as they could.”

Though I feel both the album and Amerie herself are criminally underrated, I’m sure hoping she was putting on her media/political ‘face’ on when giving this answer. For, if not, her ramblings would be denial personified. Having interviewed her for this very project, she came across very intelligent to me, so I’d lean more towards the notion of her knowing internally that her label screwed all the way up and that she’s putting on a brave face.

The whole situation is such a shame, as had Def Jam paid even a fraction of the attention they paid to Rihanna (yes, I went there), I’m sure Amerie would be performing a lot better than she is. Not to be confused as me taking a pop at Ms. Fenty (which I’m legitimately not, it’s in no way her fault), it’s oh-so-annoying seeing a label pump money into a less talented entity, when they have a performer of Amerie’s calibre on their roster. If we’re talking aesthetics too, Amerie is equally if not more stunning – but that’s just my opinion. In any case, it seems like this album is done. SMH…

Your thoughts?

R&B singer Alicia Keys promoted her new album during a benefit concert for World AIDS Day yesterday on Youtube. The event, which was held at New York City’s NOKIA Theatre, featured the debut of new material from Keys’ upcoming ‘The Element of Freedom’, as well as special guest Jay-Z. ‘The Element of Freedom’ hits stores on December 15th. Peep the performances below:

‘Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart’

‘Distance and Time’

‘Fallin’

‘No One’

‘Wreckless Love’

‘Empire State of Mind (Ft. Jay-Z)’

What do you think of the performances?

A couple weeks ago, That Grape Juice provided you with ‘Hot Shots’ of the Black Eyed Peas performing at the 2009 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Now that the show has finally aired on CBS, you can peep performances of the group performing their monster hits ‘Boom Boom Pow’ and ‘Meet Me Halfway’. See below:

‘Boom Boom Pow’

‘Meet Me Halfway’

What do you think of the performances?