Check out this preview performance of ‘Halo’ from Beyonce‘s eagerly anticipated ‘I Am…Yours’ DVD (due November 23rd). As usual, she killed it…snatching R&B chick wigs off left, right and centre. Gotta love it!

Tidbit: That Grape Juice was invited to Bouncy’s upcoming show at London’s 02 Arena on November 15th. Seen Ms. Knowles-Carter live many a time now, yet can’t help but be excited as if it were the first. A testament to a true performer.

What do you think of the performance?

According to Essence, R&B songstress Toni Braxton and husband Keri Lewis are to divorce after 8 years of marriage. Braxton and Lewis, formerly of Mint Condition, have two children together – 7 year old Denim and 6 year old Diezel. {Source}

The news comes on the heels of Ms. Braxton kissing singer Trey Songz in the mouth on stage at the Soul Train Awards (click here to see the pic). Interesting, considering the above picture was taken AFTER the kiss. Though, I must say I didn’t ‘OMG’ at this kiss, as I smell publicity stunt; she and Trey will be starring in a video together soon. Hmm…

If true, it’s kinda sad to yet another Hollywood couple call it quits (can such couples ever stay together?). Here’s hoping they stay civil for the kids’ sake.

Your thoughts?

British Pop sensation and winner of ‘The X Factor’, Alexandra Burke, has confirmed that the next single to be lifted off of her album ‘Overcome’ will be none other than ‘Broken Heels’. The track was written by Nadir Khyatt, Bilal Hajji and Savan Kotecha, and produced by RedOne.

Having listened to the entire album and disliked most of the material, I wasn’t very interested in the future of this project all, to be honest. However, I was hoping that her camp would have selected ‘The Silence’ as the second release because it is by far the best song on the record. ‘Bad Boys’ is an infectious up-tempo that definitely grew on me (especially after the video came out) but ‘Broken Heels’ is dead in the water. Either way, I’m sure her label won’t spare any expense to make sure that it’s effectively rammed down our throats. Sigh…

Thoughts?

R&B diva Alicia Keys looked ravishing in green at the 10th annual Latin Grammy Awards held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Singer Michelle Williams shows her comedic side during a recent alter ego photo shoot. Hilarious yet somewhat disturbing lol!

Hip-Hop mogul 50 Cent promoted his new perfume ‘Power by 50 Cent’ at Macy’s in New York City. Do you want to smell like 50 Cent?

Rapper Lil Kim looked…interesting while in Berlin, Germany after the recent MTV EMA’s.

And R&B crooner John Legend posed with his girlfriend Christine at the National Breast Cancer Awareness Fund Gala in NYC.

What do you think of their looks?

It has been confirmed today that your favourite singer and mine, Rihanna, will be performing on the current season of the X-Factor. The Bajan beauty is set to to take to the stage to perform current single ‘Russian Roulette’ on the November 29th episode of the hugely popular series. Speaking of her appearance on the show, the 21 year old said:

“It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made.

A lot of people watch the show over here on YouTube and I personally caught a lot of it when Leona Lewis was on who’s an amazing artist.

So to say yes to Simon was an honour, especially as I know the show so well”

{Source}

In terms of special guests, this series of the X-Factor is on fire. It’s just a shame the remaining contestants are dryer than toast. Ugh.

About Ms. Fenty’s performance, I’m quite eager to see if the stronger vocals flaunted on the single translate into a decent live performance. Somehow I feel there’ll be a whole lot of sheep-bleating going down come November 29th. Here’s hope she proves us wrong. Go RiRi 😉

Your thoughts?

In a recent interview with BBC Radio 1, Sugababe Heidi Range hit back at those doubtful of the group’s chances of success following the ousting of orginal member Keisha Buchanan back in September. Range, 26, said:

“I don’t want to sound like I’m being bigheaded but the Sugababes had one album which didn’t sell and they were dropped,” she says, sounding not so much bigheaded as just plain mean. “I joined eight years ago and we were signed together by Island Records. I’ve been there since our first number one Freak Like Me and been part of the history of the band ever since. Amelle has been in the group for over four years and she’s been part of our biggest album as a group. I think it’s unfair. That’s not disrespecting what previous members have brought to the group, but we were signed as Sugababes to Island Records and I’m still signed to Island Records as Sugababes.” {Source}

Poor Heidi. She seems genuinely quite a sweet girl, something I can vouch for after interviewing the group back in August. However, it’s quite surprising why she’s failing to understand folk’s reasoning for being salty toward what’s left of the group. It comes down to principle; neither she or Amelle were there at the group’s inception, hence Keisha was the group’s sole shred of credibility. Ousting her left them with none. Ms. Heidi may have been there at the group’s most successful point, yet there would have been no group in the first place had it not been for Keisha et al.

The ‘Babes new LP ‘Sweet 7’ is now set for release March 8th. SMH…

Your thoughts?

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!

Back in 2000, on October 14th to be precise, Pop star Christina Aguilera rocketed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with the 4th single from her Grammy Award-winning debut album, ‘Christina Aguilera’, entitled ‘Come One Over Baby (All I Want Is You)’. The song held the #1 spot for 4 consecutive weeks and remained on the Hot 100 for an impressive 21 weeks in total. ‘Come  On Over…’ also gained success in markets outside of the US by peaking in the top to of 12 countries. The Spanish version of the track, ‘Ven Conmigo (Solamente Tú)’, became her first song to reach the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks, establishing her as one of the major Latin superstars during the era where male artists like Ricky Martin and Santana dominated the genre.

‘Come On Over…’ was one of the songs that helped define the return of the (quality) Pop era of music; demonstrating a brilliant combination of tight production and talent. It’s astonishing that quality material like this has been replaced by the hollow voices of the new generation of chart toppers.  Interestingly, Christina herself seems to have strayed from the formula that helped make her a global sensation; substituting restraint and precision with the overbearing and rather unpleasant wailing that incorporated her last album, ‘Back To Basics’. Hopefully, she will veer back toward her roots on her upcoming project, ‘Light & Darkness’, and leave the over-singing to the amateurs.

Thoughts?

Your thoughts?

R&B singer Lloyd has announced that he will be releasing an EP entitled ‘The Young Goldie EP’ in December. The project, which includes productions and appearances from J. Holiday, Nicki Minaj, Juelz Santana, Richboy, Drake, is preceded by the title track ‘Like Me’ (featuring Bun B) which was produced by Jim Jonsin. The singer’s new album, which hits stores in 2010, comprises contributions from Jim Jonsin, Cool & Dre, Rico Love, and Rodney Jerkins.

It’s encouraging to see that Lloyd is continuing to pursue his career given everything that he has had to endure with the disaster that is now The Inc. (which some refer to as the new Bad Boy Records) and Irv Gotti. I thoroughly enjoyed a lot of his earlier releases, especially ‘Girls Around The World‘, ‘You’ and the monster club hit, ‘Get It Shawty’. If only ‘Like Me’ was of similar quality. The song is generic and boring; hardly even worth the energy required to type this sentence. Nonetheless, I’m still expecting to hear bigger, and hopefully better, things from Lloyd because he has a lot of potential. Listen to ‘Like Me’ below:

Thoughts?

Superstar Beyonce took home the most awards at tonight’s MTV European Music Awards in Berlin, including Best Video for ‘Single Ladies’ (who didn’t see that one coming?!…Well deserved). During her acceptance speech, Ms. Knowles-Carter showed a rare sign of affection to hubby Jay-Z by solely thanking him for (quote on quote) “putting a ring on it!” You got to love ‘love’.

In other Bouncy news, her much anticipated video for new single ‘Video Phone’, featuring Lady GaGa has been postponed due to tragic events in Texas’ Fort Hood army base. The clip was first pushed back to 8pm (US eastern time), however will now premiere at a later date this month.

Your thoughts?

Amerie continues on her promo grind for her 4th studio album ‘In Love & War’, this week stopping by BET’s 106 & Park to perform previous single ‘Why R U’. Still not sold on the song, but a great performance nonetheless. I see she’s making the weave-shaking/dutty-whine hybrid a trademark move. I like!

What do you think of the performance?

The 2009 MTV EMA’s in the the 02 World Arena in Berlin, Germany earlier this evening. Below are photos of some of your favourite stars arriving at the event:

Beyonce went for the techno-mermaid look in this ensemble.

Shakira looked beyond sexy in this little number.

Singer Leona Lewis also got in touch with her sexy side (possibly for the first time ever).

Rap diva Lil Kim also made an appearance at the event. Why Kim…why…?

Star DJ David Guetta was also on the red carpet. Ironically, when I think of the sound of European Music, he is the first name that comes to mind!

Katy Perry looked beautifil in her outfit, but I sense that I have seen this before…

What do you think of the looks?