Hip-Hop/Soul Queen Mary J. Blige has dropped the second single from her forthcoming album ‘Stronger’. The song, entitled ‘I Am’, was written by hit-maker Johnta Austin and produced by Stargate. Blige’s LP will now hit stores on December 22nd after being pushed back from the last projected release date of December 15th.

I enjoyed the vibe of this song. The production was sound and her vocal delivery hit the mark. On the other hand, the almost cliche ”O O O’s” near the end of the track are reminiscent of something that The-Dream would have included on one of the many songs he did with Mariah Carey (see ‘Standing O’ and ‘Obsessed’). Either way, I foresee this song achieving respectable radio airplay figures, especially on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts.

Thoughts?

The multi-talented Mya has been doing her thing on ABC’s ‘Dancing With The Stars’ for 8 straight weeks. Along with her partner Dmitry, she has managed to consistently remain on top of the judges’ scoreboards and maintain the audiences’ favour. Watch Mya and Dmitry completely slay the Quickstep (above) and the Samba (below)!

That Grape Juice can EXCLUSIVELY reveal that diva Whitney Houston will be taking to the stage to perform at the American Music Awards on November 22nd. As at writing the legend will be performing ‘I Didn’t Know My Own Strength’.

Houston joins Janet Jackson, Rihanna among others, as a performer at the event.

This serves as the beginning of a fresh promo push for Whitney’s #1 charting comeback effort ‘I Look To You’. Houston will also performing on the finale episode of Dancing With The Stars.

In terms of star-power, the AMA’s really are doing the damn thing this year. Cannot wait!

Randomness: I am posting from my Blackberry. The wonders of technology lol…

Update: For those somewhat confused, we received word about this DIRECTLY from Whitney’s team – and no where else!

Your thoughts?

Pop phenom Lady GaGa has just released the highly anticpated video for her latest single ‘Bad Romance’. The clip was directed by the acclaimed Francis Lawrence. ‘Bad Romance’ has so far peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stands as the first official single from her new album, ‘The Fame Monster’.

This is not a music video; this is art! Everything about the costume designs and the editing was on point. Add those elements to the well-placed choreography and you’ve got a hit in every sense of the word. I think this even rivals her clip for ‘Paparazzi’, which to date I considered to be the best video of the year. I didn’t even like the song but now that I have seen this, I can’t get it out of my head. Great work!

Tidbit: Did anyone else notice the bear rug dress she was wearing? FIERCE!

Thoughts?

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Rihanna revealed that her new LP ‘Rated R’ is “so deep and personal” that she had to leave the studio to not burst out in floods of tears.

The jokes evidently write themselves here, so I’ll refrain from calling out the obvious.

‘Rated R’ hits stores November 23rd. Tissues at the ready…

Your thoughts?

With just a few hours left before the final sales figures are available, HitsDailyDouble is reporting that Amerie’s ‘Love And War’ has thus far sold a dismal 7, 7o3 units based on 54% of the tallied retailers. The record is on track to debut at #7 on the Billboard 200, clocking a projected total of 15-17, 000 units. Thus far, none of Amerie’s 3 singles have managed to appear on the Billboard Hot 100, with ‘Why R U’ peaking the highest on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts at #55.

I highly doubt that this comes as a shock to anyone. With horribly handled promotion, a blatant lack of media presence and zero radio support, there was no way that this was going to be a top-seller. Amerie is definitely talented but talent alone does not equate to a successful album. Many people would suggest that the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of her label, Island Def Jam, which we all know support some of their other far less gifted artists (who shall remain unnamed…) a lot more than those with actual talent. I would have to agree with some of that criticism as well. However, the material on this record did not scream “mega-hit” either so the real fault truly resides with all of the parties involved, including Amerie herself.

Thoughts?

R&B diva Beyonce performed to a sold out crowd of 15, 000 patrons at the Olympic Indoor Hall on Sunday in Athens, Greece. However, before she took the stage, the singer posed with her mother, Tina Knowles, on the red carpet. Beyonce’s body is ON in that dress!

What do you think of their looks?

According to our good friends over at LeToya Online, things are going from bad to worse with Capitol Records‘ handling of LeToya’s latest project ‘Lady Love’.

Ever reliable, the site, run by Toya’s camp, assert that the label have pulled the plug on all promotion for the album, inclusive being new single ‘Regret’. A video for the song, which has been a surprise hit considering the lack of any promo, was commisioned soley due to the countless fan petitions calling the label out for ignoring the Ludacris-assisted song’s success. Yet many internally are scratching their heads at the point of giving Ms. Luckett the green light for a video, yet refusing point-blank to promote it. What’s more, a crossover remix of ‘Regret’, with all new lyrics, beat, melody (the full works) is ready to drop, however the label apparently aren’t willing to service it to radio. {Source}

Though the ‘done-wrong-by-label’ argument is levelled by many an artist and fan, I really feel LeToya is being mistreated here. I never understood  the logic of a label under-promoting a project from the jump, it goes on to perform badly, and they hastily drop all support (and usually the artist). Itjust doesn’t make any sense. Here’s hoping things work out for LeToya in the long-run – she seems to have a thick, media/industry-savvy skin, so I’m sure it will.

In other LeToya news, the video for ‘Regret’ premieres this Friday on BET’s 106 & Park.

Your thoughts?

Holding true to our promise of keeping things fresh here at That Grape Juice (v.2.0 baby!), we bring you ‘Cover Star’. Completing our current feature-list (From The Vault, Back In The Beat etc), Cover Star will each week showcase regular folk’s rendition of your favourite tracks. Recent history has shown the web to be the place to discover new talent – talent which is undeniably out there in abundance. So what better way to give shine to undiscovered talent than on your favourite site and mine – That Grape Juice!

This week’s Cover Star is 18 year old Cortez from Richardson, Texas, who gives his own spin on Whitney’s ‘I Look To You’. Check it out:

Great rendition! Though not perfect, he actually sounded almost as good as Whitney’s version – yes, I went there (permission to slap me if I’m being OTT lol).

For more on Cortez, check out his Youtube page

What do you think of Cortez’ version?

Songstress Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon were snapped leaving her taping of The Tonight Show With David Letterman. The diva was interviewed and performed new single ‘H.A.T.E U’ on the show, which airs this Friday. Ms. Carey-Cannon looks great!

What do you think of the look?

Rihanna was named one of Glamour 2009 Women of the Year at the Carneige Hall in New York today (I know…I was thinking the same thing too). Def Jam label honcho L.A Reid accompanied Ms. Fenty, who donned a flowing, white ensemble.

‘That’ hair has yet to grow on me, but she definitely looked a picture of beauty.

Thoughts?

It’s been a tough few years for St.Louis native Nelly, who hasn’t been able to catch a hit for the longest. However, as they say, it’s during the down times that an artist will hit you with their best work. Indeed, a new Nelly cut (said to be from his new album – due March 2010), in the form of the ‘She Got Me’ surfaced today and it’s a sure-fire winner. With great 80’s throwback production courtesy of JR Rotem and several catchy hooks (a tried and tested formula for many a hit), this is radio-food if I ever heard it. Welcome back Nelly!

Hit or Miss?