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?

Check out the official album cover for Usher‘s forthcoming effort ‘Raymond vs Raymond’, which is now due March 1st 2010.

What do you think of the cover?

Pop icon Mariah Carey made an appearance at Skylight Studio, New York for the official launch of VEVO. The diva premiered the video for her new single ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ at the event before mingling with some of he other attendees. Peep more pictures from the event blow:

Mariah and husband Nick Cannon posed for the paparazzi.

The singer also met rising star Taylor Swift.

Rihanna and Mariah shared a fun moment, contrary to reports that the two are feuding.

I wonder what they were talking about…?

What do you think of the pics?

The video ‘Say Something’, the Drake-assisted 2nd single from Timbaland‘s ‘Shock Value II’ LP, surfaced a few moments ago. Check it out above…

What do you think of the song / video?

A radiant looking Whitney Houston features in the January 2010 issue of InStyle magazine. Peep more pics from the feature below (Nippy is giving me everything in that last pic…work!):

What do you think of the pics?

Any hope Rihanna‘s team had of her ‘Rated R’ LP sustaining on the charts have been dashed upon the publication of the Bajan model’s (trademark: Trent) 2nd week sales. According to Hits Daily Double, the album took a massive tumble down the charts this week, dropping #4-#18 and selling though just 53,544 copies (a whopping 70% drop in sales from her first week tally). {Source}

‘Wow’ is all I can say! So after releasing the record during the holiday season, slashing its price to $0.99, a huge promo campaign, not to mention the sympathy garnered from ‘the incident’, Ms. Fenty is still struggling to shift copies of her supposedly critically acclaimed LP? A mess.

At this rate, not even my prediction of the inevitable 300 singles and 25 re-releases (including the Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Ultra Premium Deluxe, Spanish, Hebrew and Japanese versions…and of course the Super-Super Uber Ultra Premium Deluxe edition which comes with a DVD) can save this project. IMO, it seems this Bajan model has gone too far with the imaging and isolated her audience in the process. That and, of course, the fact she lacks everything it means to be a credible performer in this day and age.

Your thoughts?

Exactly 10 years ago, Jennifer Lopez was at the helm of the pantheon of Urban/Pop artists. The entertainer was one of the few women to emerge from the ‘Latin explosion’ of the turn of the century and find major success on the Pop charts. ‘Jenny from the block’ has had 4 number songs from 8 top 10 hits.

However, in recent years, the singer has found it difficult to crack the upper peripheries of the Billboard Hot 100, especially with her new song ‘Louboutins’ which has yet to chart even after  high profile performances on the American Music Awards and ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’. In fact, this week the song has generated less than 0.370 million audience impressions and is falling rather quickly. In other words, it’s a flop.

Many critics highlight similarities between the star and her contemporaries including popular models Rihanna and Cassie, who are better known for their fashion know-how than their musical prowess (although neither can hold a candle to Jennifer’s danging/singing ability). Indeed, many have cited that like the style trends that they promote, their presence in the industry is nothing but a fad.

The real question that comes out of this situation is: does Jennifer have the potential to once again rule the Pop roost? Or will the performer be left in the 00’s like her former collaborator Ja Rule? I personally believe that unless Ms. Jlo is able to find a hit with her next single, her time may officially be up.

Do you think that Jennifer can make a comeback?