Do you know which song spent the most weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100? Do you know which song was the first to debut at the top spot? That Grape Juice has you covered! ‘Back In The Beat’ is our brand new feature, which each Friday takes a look back at the songs that topped the Billboard Hot 100 at this exact point in time in years of past.

Covered by me, Trent, it provides the opportunity to not only take a ‘trip down memory lane’, but remember some of the monumental songs that molded the present day sound of the music industry. So get out your pen and paper because class is officially in session!

Thoughts?

As a result of the lackluster reception of ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’, and Mariah Carey‘s indignation with the handling of the record, sources close to That Grape Juice have informed us that the songbird may just be ready to take flight to a new label. There is reliable word that Carey has been at logger-heads with label-head LA Reid for several months now.

The 39-year old diva has been signed to the Island Def Jam Music Group since 2002. The terms of the singer’s deal entail a minimum of 3 albums for the grand total of 22.5 million dollars, with her being named a joint partner with the Universal Music Group. Carey’s first LP released under the agreement was 2002’s ‘Charmbracelet’ which was followed by the 6x platinum ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’, ‘E=MC²’ and ‘Memoirs…‘, which was released on September 29th 2009.

If Carey decides to leave IDJ, I will not be shocked. The promotional efforts behind ‘Memoirs…’ reflect less than half of the energy that the label placed into the ‘Emancipation’ project. Has anyone else noticed that she has barely taken any new promotional pictures for this record with the exception of her single covers and the album booklet? Add that to Carey’s criticism’s of ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ being chosen as a single in place of ‘H.A.T.E.U.’, and it’s easy to understand why she might be preparing to ditch the label.

It is no secret that several labels have been itching to sign Carey since she left Virgin Records in 2001. Clive Davis (Whitney Houston, Leona Lewis, Jennifer Hudson) at J Records, for instance, tried to get her to join his team. The real question is: should Carey leave IDJ, where would she fit in? I personally think that her best move would be to go back to Sony, where she would be able to get the attention and funding she deserves; a plausible option now that ex-husband Tommy Mottola is no longer with the company. Either way, with a rare talent like hers, she would be an invaluable addition to any label’s lineup.

What do you think Mariah’s next move should be?

With Britney Spears‘ new album set for a May 2010 release, the Pop starlet and her team have enlisted hitmaker Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins (‘Feedback’, ‘When I Grow Up’) to produce for the project. Confirming the news of his Twitter page today, Jerkins said:

In the studio creating a smash for Britney right now!!! Got the call this morning!!! January we start!!!

I’m somewhat cynical about Ms Spears’ dropping a new album, when all signs point to her being nowhere near capable of performing at world-class standard…hell, not even a local talent show (I’m not being a cow…I’m just being honest). That said, news of her working with Darkchild and apparently reverting back to the more Urban-influenced/darker sound of her ‘Blackout’ LP (her best IMO), has me quite eager to hear her new studio offerings. I’m just hoping she remembers how to dance come time of album release, as I doubt many will be cutting her any slack for sloppy performances this go-round.

Tidbit: Other producers/writers said to be working on the project include Danja, Fernando Garibay, and Sean Garrett.

Are you anticipating Britney’s new album?

After much speculation, it has been confirmed today that Janet Jackson will be taking to the X-Factor stage next Sunday (December 6th). In addition Lady GaGa will give her first UK live rendition of  new single ‘Bad Romance’ on the show the same night! {Source}

WOW! What a combo! As a Janet supporter, I’m eager for her to show the UK masses (who haven’t seen much of her in a while) why she is one the best that ever stepped on a stage. While, Ms. GaGa is definitely the icing on the cake! Roll on next Sunday!!! Roll on.,.

Tidbit: Does anyone else feel that though X-Factor has been killing it in terms of star-guests, they would have been better off on last years show? I say this as the contestants are so awful this year that the star guests make them seem even crapper. Imagine the final this year…who on earth would be able to hold their own with a Beyonce, for example, like Alexandra did last year? Anyway, let me stop rambling…Janet and GaGa are performing!

Your thoughts?

Check out episode 5 of Monica‘s BET reality show ‘Still Standing’ (below), which aired last night. We’re really loving the positivity that is this show…plus Monica’s new music is sounding HOT! Roll on January for the new album…

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R&B star Fantasia features in the latest issue of Upscale magazine. As well as serving up a fierce photoshoot (courtesy of noted photographer Derek Blanks), the immensely talented vocalist talks in the feature about her new VH1 reality show (which begins in January), her relationships with her daughter, her mother, her ex rapper Young Dro and her father (who controversially filed a lawsuit against her). Check out more pics below {Spotted at The YBF!}

What do you think of the pics?

That Grape Juice wishes all our US visitors a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Though not a UK holiday, we’d like to say that we are thankful for…

YOU!

What are you thankful for?

Uber Diva Mariah Carey‘s performance of ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ on UK show This Morning aired today. The performance, which was filmed last week, was a little hit and miss. There is no question about it, Ms. Carey-Cannon lip-synched several parts of this performance, yet she sounded pretty decent on the live sections too (aside from a few doo-doo notes).

It’s a shame she has to lip-synch when her voice is her most renown talent. Hence why I kinda give Whitney Houston props over ol’ Mimi. Ms. Houston could be sounding a hot mess (as evidenced in some of her performances pre-comeback), yet as I type I’m struggling to remember an instance when Whitney has ever mimed in recent times (Superbowl doesn’t count). Any way enough of my waffle…

What do you think of the performance?

This week’s edition of Best You Never Heard features little known gems by Jennifer Hudson, The-Dream, Stevie Wonder and Brandy.

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Jennifer Hudson – Invisible

As seemingly one of the few who didn’t wholesomely enjoy Jennifer Hudson‘s 2008 self-titled debut, for me ‘Invisible’ – alongside lead single ‘Spotlight’ – stood far and above the rest of the album’s material. Produced by The Underdogs, the anthem-esque mid-tempo ballad is delivered with such conviction, rawness, emotion that one can’t help but ‘feel’ what Ms. Hudson is singing – the testament IMO to a great song and a an even better singer. Awesome track.

Listen:

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The-Dream – She Needs My Love

2007 saw the emergence of songwriter The-Dream into the limelight with his smashing debut LP ‘Love/Hate’. Full to the brim with box-fresh hits, the album is best described as one of those where almost every track could have viably been a single – especially the steamy ‘She Needs My Love’. Put simply, the song is audio-fire! From the catchy hooks, to Dream’s trademark layered vocal arrangements, to the production (sparse cowbell driven verses which launch into a rousing chorus), this still goes hard today.

Listen:

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Stevie Wonder – So What The Fuss

The legendary Stevie Wonder served up more of his classic brilliance, this time with a modern twist, with 2005’s ‘So What The Fuss’ (lifted from his ‘A Time To Love’ LP). Featuring Prince on bass and EnVogue on background vocals, this raw slice of funk re-positioned Stevie as a legend whose new music can stand effortlessly beside today’s chart-topping hits, whilst preserving the high quality we’ve come to expect from him.

Listen:

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Brandy – Camouflage

R&B vocalist Brandy served up one of, if not ‘the’, best album of her career in 2008 with the release of the criminally underrated ‘Human’ record. Despite its lack of commercial success, the album will be best remembered IMO as serving up track after track of sheer brilliance – especially ‘Camouflage’. Produced by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins and penned by Claude Kelly, Ms. Norwood entered new territory with this markedly Pop, organic guitar-heavy cut.  Yet she manages to ride the track flawlessly, really capturing the essence of what the song is about – a celebration of human  fragility and imperfectness. Great track.

Listen:

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Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

Colombian entertainer Shakira gave a performance of her new song ‘Give It Up To Me’ on Fox’s ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ last evening. The Timbaland-produced single has thus far peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #29 on the Pop 100. Shakira’s 3rd English album, ‘She Wolf’, debuted at #12 on the Billboard 200 with 80, 000 copies sold.

It’s really refreshing to see Shakira diversifying her dance skills and experimenting with step dancing. As she said in our interview earlier this week, she really enjoys adapting to new challenges and improving her craft as a performer; a drive that is blatantly absent amongst many of the ‘artists’ on the charts today. However, it was painful to watch her struggle to mime in time with her backtrack. I personally have no problems with singers who lip-sync during their hectic promotional tours (I can think of a few who should never be allowed to ‘sing’ live), especially if there is choreography involved. Nonetheless, it is important that the performances are seamless (see Beyonce’s ‘Singe Ladies’ performance on ‘The Tyra Banks Show’).

Thoughts?

Rising diva Leona Lewis made a guest appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!‘ last evening. The singer took the stage to perform the songs ‘Happy‘ and ‘Outta My Head‘ from her new album, ‘Echo‘. As predicted, Lewis’ album has proven to be a commercial failure, debuting at #13 on the Billboard 200 with barely 67, 000 units shipped.

As usual, her vocals were on point but her stage presence was nonexistent. One would assume that given the nature of her album sales, she would have been motivated to give the crowd a bit more fire. Shy or not, she has to come a lot harder than that if she wants to leave an impression on the mass media audience.

Sidebar: How many times is she going to wear the same outfit?! That’s the exact same dress she wore to the AMA’s only this time she wore leggings. No no no, that won’t work!

Thoughts?

Sassy Shakira stopped by the Lopez Tonight show this week to promote her new LP ‘She Wolf’. The 32 year old was interviewed and gave a solid performed of new single ‘Give It Up To Me’, both of which you can watch above.

Your thoughts?