Thoughts?

Despite being pushed back several times already, fans hoping to snap up Usher‘s new album ‘Raymond vs Raymond’ will have to wait longer, as the R&B crooner has announced that the record will not be hitting stores on December 21st as previously announced. In fact, there is now no release date set for the project, which was proceeded by the single ‘Papers’ (currently #2 on the Billboard R&B Chart).

Speaking in the reason for the latest delay, a rep for the singer told MTV:

“We believe that the album is so strong that we want to give it the opportunity to have the proper setup before coming out,”

While my inner-cynic is itching to give the side-eye to the notion of “it’s so good, we’re pushing it back again” explanation, I’m somewhat inclined to believe it true in this particular instance  – well, at least the part about giving it a proper set-up. After all, without a video in site and no promotion thus far, it really did appear as if those handling his project were cheaply looking to cash in on the Christmas heightened sales season and nothing more.

In any case, here’s hoping this is the last of the delays (as bar ‘Papers’, I’m really liking what I hear of the record). Then again we know nothing  of a new release date. SMH…

Your thoughts?

{Written immediately following the show}

The American Music Awards 2009 has just come off the air on ABC…and where do I begin?! With a performer-list which read like a who’s-who of the music industry, the show – which took place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles – most definitely hit a home-run in terms of star power. Whether these translated into memorable performances is the question. Read on for That Grape Juice’s 2 pence on tonight’s events…

Kicking off the night with a bang was Janet Jackson, whose 8-minute retrospective medley showed she still has ‘it’. Lacking, however, was the ‘has it – and then some’, which IMO really is essential for Ms. Jackson at this stage of her career. By this I mean though Janet commanded the stage with her trademark vigour and undeniable stage presence, what she displayed was kind of ‘hit’ and ‘miss’ in terms of propelling her back to the status of ‘the best’ in the minds of the masses. She did the damn thing on ‘Miss You Much’ and straight snatched off many a wig with ‘If’ (the breakdown of which never gets old, even after 15 years). However, the rest, particularly ‘Make Me’ didn’t translate as well – with the latter’s choreography really not doing the song any justice. I can’t help but think the chosen songs weren’t as on-the-ball as they could have been. Where was ‘All For You’, ‘Rhythm Nation’, or even ‘Feedback’ (the masses last real memory of la Jan)? Yes, it’s not her fault if some of her moves haven’t aged as well as she has (she looked great, minus the outfit), yet the song choice was in her hands, and as much as I remain a stan fan, in being 100% with you all, she kinda didn’t deliver in the way I thought she would have. Still, I’m sure she’ll bring her A-Game for her new album performances next year. She’s still force, and I have every faith she’ll deliver. On a lighter note, Jermaine Jackson’s botched sing-along to ‘Together Again’ had to be one of the funniest moments of the entire night!

Speaking of funniest moments, Rihanna’s live showing of ‘Madhouse’ and ‘Hard’ certainly had me chuckling, not only because it was the exact same performance I saw her give this Monday here in London, but because it was that bad. When not standing there like a lazy loaf of bread, she moved so sluggishly across the stage, all the while sounding like crap. How folks manage to defend her criminal vocals are well and truly beyond me. Honestly.

Interestingly, a moment many seemed to find much humour in, yet I didn’t, was Jennifer Lopez’ fall during her debut performance of brand new single ‘Louboutins’. If you ask me, Ms. Jenny The Block, J.Lo or whatever she likes to call herself these days, delivered a pretty solid performance – one which actually had me feeling the song a bit more. More than anything, she recovered so well from her fall, that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was part of her choreography. She may not be any kind of vocalist, but she sure knows how to perform. It’s a shame folk will likely only dwell on the negative, when she had a killer stage set-up and danced her derriere off.

Another of the night’s other great performances was Lady GaGa’s premier showing of ‘Bad Romance’ and ‘Speechless’, which though understated, still IMO pushed her further ahead of her contemporaries. Like the fire which lit her piano, GaGa performance was hot, hot, hot. Loved it.

I went to the toilet during the Eminem / 50 Cent performance.

More notable live showings were served up by Shakira and Mary J. Blige, who, if I am to be honest, weren’t at the top (or anywhere near) my most anticipated list prior to the show. However each brought their A-Game, which resulted in a pair of great performances respectively.

The Black Eyed Peas, for as much as I like them, just don’t offer me anything of substance live these days, so I phoned a friend when they came on…and got a bite to eat.

Meanwhile, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ rousing showing of ‘Empire State of Mind’ – despite essentially being the same performance, different show – strangely grabbed me more so than any of the other times I’ve seen them do it. I’m thinking it was Alicia’s soaring vocals on the anthem-esque hook that really got me this time. Speaking of Alicia, Ms. Keys had me fall in love with ‘Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart’ all over again with her performance. Though not the best mover and shaker, she was getting that choreography (anyone else notice the Ciara ‘Promise’ part?) and she took it church with her vocals (and backing arrangements). Phenomenal.

Highlight of the night, hands-down, goes to Whitney Houston who tore the house down with her emotional performance of ‘I Didn’t Know My Own Strength’. The performance was everything – breakfast, lunch and dinner! Nippy’s vocals were the best they’ve been in years, with “The Voice” emanating from Whitney in ways many, myself at a time included, never thought they’d hear from her again. Yes, this was ‘Whitney 2009’, yet one who sits almost effortlessly beside Whitney of 1998 during her ‘My Love Is Your Love’ project. Putting to one side the media hype and hysteria, it legitimately felt like watching the crowning moment of one of the biggest comeback’s of all-time.

All in all, the American Music Awards 2009 delivered more than it didn’t. Great show.

Overall show rating: B+

Tidbit: Adam Lambert…c’mon son! LOL

Taylor winning over Michael Jackson?!  Kanye caused that ish…

Your thoughts?

As reported earlier, rapper Eminem is re-releasing his ‘Relapse’ album on December 22nd. The cover art of the project, as provided by our friends over at Rap-Up, ‘Relapse: Refill’, can be seen above. Wow, this looks nothing like the original…

That Grape Juice caught up with sassy Shakira in New York this week for a brief chat (she’s a busy girl), which you can watch above.

Sidenote 1: It turns out the Columbian megastar loves That Grape Juice!

Sidenote 2: We will likely be having more substantial interview time in the coming weeks. Keep it locked on TGJ!

Shakira’s new album ‘She Wolf’ is out now!

Your thoughts?

Musical innovator Kelis is back with a new offering entitled ‘Acapella’. The track, which was produced by David Guetta, will be featured on her fifth studio album, due out early next year. The LP will feature productions from Burnz, DJ Ammo, Boys Noize, Diplo and Switch, and Free School.

Having purchased Kelis’ last album, ‘Kelis Was Here’, and thoroughly enjoyed almost every track, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t perplexed after listening to this song. However, there lies the beauty of Kelis! She is one of the few singers who constantly finds new ways of revolutionising their sound; never producing redundant material. A lot of singers (some of whom have great shoulder pads…) have emulated Kelis’ appeal over the years yet none have successfully captured her unique blend of R&B, Hip-Hop and Pop/Rock. I am definitely eager to here what else she is going to put forward.

Hit or Miss?

In a move that was no doubt actioned to ensure a #1 debut, Rihanna‘s new LP ‘Rated R’ is now selling for a paltry $3.99 on Amazon MP3. Yet, despite Ms. Fenty’s team pulling all the stops for a #1 charting on the Billboard 200 next week, Interscope’s Lady GaGa‘s sophomore effort ‘The Fame Monster’ is currently sitting comfortably at #1 on iTunes – which serves as one of the biggest music retailers overall. {Source 1} {Source 2}

Oh RiRi! After all the publicity, big budget videos and all that jazz, stunts like this still need to be pulled to garner decent sales. From a business standpoint, I can’t hate on her label’s game. Yet, from an artistic standpoint – which is where the bulk of my critique of Ms. Fenty stems from – it really says a lot about her label’s belief in how many folks will part with their cash to buy her album. I mean, correct me if wrong, but you don’t see the Alicia’s, Beyonce’s, Whitney’s and co selling their album a fraction of the cost to save face. I mean how embarrassing would it be after all the hype, 20/20 interview etc for her not to pull in some seriously decent/great numbers first week?

Randomness: While my review of the AMA’s will be up later today; if Rihanna’s performance wasn’t the night’s worst, I really don’t know what was. A mess.

Your thoughts?

Peep a stunning Whitney Houston posing it up with daughter Bobbi Kristina at last night’s American Music Awards. Bobbi-K has grown into a fine young lady herself!

Alicia Keys and Whitney. Tidbit: did anyone else see Whitney getting “crunk for Jesus” (trademark Miss Jia!) during Jay & Alicia’s ‘Empire State Of Mind’ performance?

Though Rihanna‘s performance was a steaming hot mess, she never disappoints on the fashion tip. She looked hot in the press portrait room!

Peep Jennifer Lopez giving her trademark “diva” for the papps. I feel sorry for her; she gave a relatively decent performance, only for everyone to dwell on her falling on her a**. Damn.

Jennifer and hubby Marc Anthony

Ne-Yo in the press portrait room…

Ms. Keri Hilson looks pretty in her press room shot, yet something looks different, which I can’t put my finger on (??)

Snoop Dogg.

What do you think of the looks?

Today marks the US (and in many cases, the International release) of new album’s from Lady GaGa, Beyonce, Shakira and Rihanna.

GaGa serves up her 8-track sophomore LP ‘The Fame Monster’, while Beyonce’s ‘I Am…Yours’ concert LP/DVD hits stores too, as  does Shakira’s ‘She Wolf‘ and Rihanna’s ‘Rated R’.

With all being such major releases, we, here at That Grape Juice, want to know…

Which will you be buying?

Videos Removed As Requested

With the eagerly anticipated American Music Awards 2009 about to get underway live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, That Grape Juice’s ‘American Music Awards 2009: Your Shout!’ area goes live right now! Tonight’s show boasts performances from Janet Jackson, Lady GaGa, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Eminem, and Whitney Houston. Something tells me this AMA’s will be one for the most talked about show of the year!

Watch the American Music Awards LIVE here!

UPDATED: Click here or here if link above doesn’t work

This is Your Shout!

The 2009 American Music Awards are taking place as we speak at the NOKIA Theatre in  Los Angeles! While you enjoy the performances, ThatGrapeJuice also brings candids from the red carpet. Enjoy!

Rihanna arrived in her usual fierceness!

Alicia Keys looked rather sexy in this little blue number.

Keri Hilson rocked it in this bedazzled ensemble.

Snoop Dogg showed up with his wonderful wife.

Leona Lewis looked interesting in this outfit. Haven’t we seen this before?

The beautiful Toni Braxton showed up with her son. What a resemblance!

Melody Thornton turned up the heat in this sexy piece.

Newcomer Drake looked rather dapper.

Shakira is killing them with her shoe game!

The Black Eyed Peas took it to the future. Loving that dress on Fergie!

What do you think of the looks?