Bajan model Rihanna guested on the popular radio spot ‘Big Boi in the Neighborhood’ recently. In the interview, the singer discussed her new album, ‘Rated R’, as well as people in the industry that she dislikes. Among the names that the star named was none other than Tiffany Evans who recently spoke out about the symbolism involved in Rihanna’s hit song ‘Russian Roulette’. Interestingly, Tiffany released an apology almost immediately after Rihanna made her comments, then retorted by slamming her right back.

*Click here to listen to the segment*

This is getting better with every passing moment! Whether or not there is any hidden meaning in Rihanna’s music is besides the point because I staunchly subscribe to the belief that “meaning lies in people, not in words.” What is  interesting, however, is how these two artists are going at it so publicly. In fact, they should take a cue from the rappers and go at it on the stage with a good, old-fashioned vocal battle. We all know who would lose…sorry, I couldn’t help it.

Thoughts?

R&B songstress Alicia Keys was recently interviewed by BET where the diva discussed  several aspects of her upcoming album ‘The Element of Freedom’. In particular, she conversed about her highly anticipated collaboration with fellow entertainer Beyonce. Keys’ new album hits stores on December 15th.

This is shaping up to be one of the biggest unions of the decade! It is definitely the closest thing to the iconic Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey ‘When You Believe’ record that floored critics in 1998. However, I am trying to keep my excitement in check because as we’ve witnessed by many of today’s collaborations, such as Beyonce and Lady GaGa’s ‘Video Phone’ remix, artists don’t always deliver as promised.

Thoughts?

The extended preview of Chris Brown’s ’20/20′ interview hit the airwaves today. The special, hosted by Robin Roberts, will be shown on ABC this Friday. In the clip, Brown discusses ‘the incident’ with his ex-girlfriend Rihanna and addresses several of the statements made against him by the Bajan model. Interesting…I won’t say anything until I see the full interview.

Thoughts?

Jennifer Lopez visited ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ today. The music mogul performed her new song ‘Louboutins’ which marks the first time that Lopez has performed the track live since  the American Music Awards where she notoriously fell during her choreography. The song will be featured on her upcoming studio album ‘Love’? which is slated for release in the first quarter of 2010.

Minus the blatant lip-syncing throughout the entire set, this was a very good performance. The dancing was tight (minus her uninspired dance solo) and I was completely engrossed (although partially because I was wondering if she was going to fall again). I must admit that this song is growing on me but not enough to get me excited for the album. Hopefully her next single will be far more impressive. Peep the hilarious interview where she makes fun of her AMA mishap below:

Thoughts?

As reported earlier today, the legendary Whitney Houston has been unceremoniously shut-out from the nominations for the 52nd annual Grammy Awards. The news comes as a shock to many, as the singer’s critically acclaimed, Platinum-selling comeback LP ‘I Look To You’ has long been touted as a Grammy favourite, with its US release date even brought forward to make it eligible for nomination.

While many will debate as to why Houston, 46, was snubbed (a prominent reason cited being her supposed diva antics towards the committee – comprised of writers, producers, industry folk –  at her peak), it’ll be interesting to see what happens with her comeback campaign moving forward. With the Grammy’s supposed have been the crowning moment of her rise from the ashes, so to speak, her team will have to find alternate ways to further enrich the campaign – the answer not being solely to tour.

That Grape Juice exclusively reported months back that there’d be no further singles from the album this year. However, upon the start of the new year, Ms. Houston’s best bet IMO would essentially be to put her best foot forward. By that I mean, releasing some of the record’s A* cuts (‘For The Lovers’, ‘Worth It’, ‘Calling You Tonight’, ‘Nothin’ But Love’, for example) – no playing around. In being frank, neither ‘Million Dollar Bill’ or ‘I Look To You’ were first or second single worthy IMO – something which proved not that big a deal when looking at the album’s success to-date, yet will do with the selection of future singles.

It’d also definitely benefit Whitney being more visible, not necessarily in the way of just performances, but talk-show interviews, TV specials, and maybe even a return to movies. As much as Whitney may have become accustomed to her ‘new life’, any hopes of making a significant dent on the music industry once again will require diligence and concentrated saturation of the market (see Mariah‘s hustle and flow approach during the ‘Emancipation’ era…my girl was everywhere!). Speaking of Mariah, does anyone else see Whitney’s Grammy shut-out as a more extreme version how they did Mariah at the 2006 show? Not the business. That said, I guess this whole episode further lends support to the age old saying that “nothing is a certainty”. Here’s hoping things move onwards and upwards for Whitney…

Your thoughts?

R&B vocalist and go-to songwriter The-Dream was on a rampage last evening after not receiving a single Grammy nomination for his ‘Love vs. Money’ LP which was released earlier this year. The Executive Vice-President of Island Def Jam took to his official twitter page to vent his frustrations about being ignored by the Grammy Awards committee. Peep an excerpt from his tirade below:

Wow! I absolutely agree with his sentiments. ‘Love vs. Money’ stands as one of the best Contemporary R&B albums released this decade, in my honest opinion. With unique productions, dynamic vocals and incredible productions, there is certainly no reason why this record should not have been nominated in several of the major categories. His single ‘Walking On The Moon’ (featuring Kanye West) was a definite front-runner for ‘Best Rap/Sung Collaboration’ as was ‘My Love’ (featuring Mariah Carey) for ‘Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group’. The fact that Jamie Foxx and T-Pain’s auto-tuned ‘Blame It’ got favoured over the latter song is completely baffling. To compound the situation, many of the songs that The-Dream wrote himself were chosen in place of his own material (see Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’). Hot mess.

Sam’s 2 Pence: Can’t say I thought the album was Grammy worthy, Trent. (FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT lol)

Thoughts?

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?