Seemingly out of nowhere the debut solo single from Girls Aloud’s Cheryl Cole, ‘Fight For This Love’ premiered on BBC Radio 1 this morning. Then again, with Cole apparently holding the title of the nation’s ‘sweetheart’ and her soaring popularity on the X-Factor, now more than ever is the best time to launch her solo. Is the single actually any good then?
The R&B-tinged Pop cut isn’t the car-crash I was admittedly expecting. Cliche lyrics? Tick. Heavily processed vocals for her Cheryls waifer-thin voice? Tick. Dated sounding; would have been fresh 5 years ago? Tick. All that aside, the track is very catchy, with many a hook to make it a staple in one’s head – whether they opt for it to or not (which I guess is the desired effect). What’s more, the song seems to give a nod to Mary’s ‘Just Fine’ (“Fight, fight fight fight for this love”), KC & JoJo’s ‘All My Life’ and Kandi’s ‘Don’t Think I’m Not’ (the jingle sound).
Tidbit: Interestingly enough, Cheryl’s as-yet-untitled album is set to hit shops the very same day as X Factor winner Alexandra Burke’s debut LP (October 26), who she continues to mentor today. While I’m sure some sort of chart battle to maximise both of their sales is the objective here, I can’t see how this will help Cheryl – as it’s pretty much a cert she will come up short, with the X Factor promo machine that will inevitably propel Alex.
Hit or Miss?

Beyonce celebrated her 28th birthday this past Friday. To celebrate Bey’s big day, her team put together this awesome video of friends, family and fellow celebrities including Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, Diddy, John Legend and Tyra Banks, wishing ol’ Bouncy a Happy Birthday.
Randomness: Say what you want about her, but IMO Ms. Knowles-Carter has cemented her place in music history. Am I alone in thinking so or…
Your thoughts?
Sugababes - 'About A Girl' (2nd Single)
The follow-up to the Sugababes smash ‘Get Sexy’, the Red One produced ‘About A Girl’, premiered moments ago on BBC Radio 1 Chart Show. Expectantly an uptempo, the song is an Electro-Pop fusion that seems destined for the clubs. Though lacking kinda lacking lyrically (the Independent Woman cliches are a bit OTT), the song still manages to go hard and is incredibly catchy. With a killer video (perhaps even without), I envision this being B-I-G over here.
‘Sweet 7’, the ladies aptly titled 7th studio album hits stores November 23rd.
Tidbit: Loving the “Red One…Sugababes” part!
Hit or Miss?

X Factor 2009: Auditions - Week 3 - TGJ '2 Pence'The third week of X Factor 2009 audition stage aired last night here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence below:

{For those unfamiliar with the show; The X Factor is the UK’s version of American Idol – with a twist in that groups and over 25’s are eligible to enter. The show also birthed the career of a certain Leona Lewis, as well as Alexandra Burke}
I’ve still yet to see that one contestant that knocks it out of the park ala Leona or Alexandra’s audtions, however Jade, for That Grape Juice, was the one to watch last night – despite her atrocious weave (off-topic, I know but still….you’re on TV love lol). Peep her performance of Jennifer Hudson’s ‘And I Am Telling You’ (thank goodness folk are singing a diverse array of songs this go round, and not the uber obvious ‘bait’ choices aka Whitney, Mariah etc):
Jade

Not the best rendition I’ve heard of the song and her voice does need to mature more, but still a great effort – especially for a 17 year old.
Your thoughts?

Can’t wait!
Tidbit: Word has it Whitney’s rendition of ‘I Didn’t Know My Own Strength’ was tore the house down, as did her live showing of ‘I Love The Lord’. I guess we’ll find out come next Monday/Tuesday.
In other Whitney news, her comeback LP ‘I Look To You’ is a lock for the #1 position according to Hits Daily Double and will debut with first week numbers in excess of 300,000. Go Nippy!
Will you be watching Whitney on Oprah?

Kelly Rowland and David Guetta took to the stage at Europe’s biggest music festival The Dome in Cologne, Germany yesterday to perform their smash ‘When Love Takes Over’. Hands-down this was Kelly best live rendition of the song. Killer vocals (for the most part) and an awesome stage presence, Ms. Kelly did the damn thing. Was literally saying ‘Kelendria Trene Rowland, you better walk!!!’ at 1.34 onwards lol. Great performance.
What do you think of the performance?


‘Happy’, the lead single from singing sensation Leona Lewis’ sophomore effort ‘Echo’ (due November), officially premiered today. Produced by Ryan Tedder, the power ballad plays to the star’s biggest asset – her undeniably remarkable voice, with Lewis turning in a stellar vocal performance. That said, I can’t say this one is exciting me much at all. I’m still hopeful the album serves up the good good, but this seems like at best ‘a grower’. Still, with the major promotional machine her success-to-date grants her, I’m sure this one will be a hit. Whether it genuinely deserves to be is definitely up for debate.
Hit or Miss?
This week’s From The Vault pick, Gabrielle’s 1993 smash ‘Dreams’, will no doubt resonate with our UK visitors that bit more. The British songstress delivered a classic with this one if there ever was one. I was 5 when this came out and to think it still goes hard today. Love it. Check it:



Your thoughts?

Mariah's 'Memoirs' Tracklisting
Apologies about the slow-go over the last 24 hours. Have been working quite rigorously on That Grape Juice’s move over to WordPress and getting the new design in place, which I’m sure you’ll love.
Anyway, according to reputable Mariah Carey fansite Mariah Daily, the following is the official tracklist from the diva’s ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ LP (due September 25th):

1. “Betcha Gon’ Know (the prologue)”
2. “Obsessed”
3. “H.A.T.E.U.”
4. “Candy Bling”
5. “Ribbon”
6. “Inseparable”
7. “Standing O”
8. “It’s a Wrap”
9. “Up Out My Face”
10. “Up Out My Face (the reprise)”
11. “More Than Just Friends”
12. “The Impossible”
13. “The Impossible (the reprise)”
14. “Angel (the prelude)”
15. “Angels Cry”
16. “Languishing (the interlude)”
17. “I Want to Know What Love Is”

Despite my criticism of ol’ Mimi, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anticipating this one. Not for the same reason as the lambs (who I have a soft spot for LOL), who essentially eat up anything she serves up. Rather, I’m keen to see whether she can redeem herself creatively after the last dud of an album. Though I still shudder at the thought of ‘Obsessed’, which for some strange reason consistently manages to remind me of the equally atrocious ‘Touch My Body’, ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ is growing on me daily. Definitely not what it’s supposed to be as a ‘Mariah Ballad’, but is still kinda solid. Saying that, I’m a little bit more optimistic about the LP, especially after hearing the demo of ‘Up Out My Face’ – fast food music, yet pretty good sounding fast food music.
Tidbit: The album is almost entirely the work of Mariah, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart. Yes, after a largely successful run together, it appears Mariah has ditched Jermaine Dupri. Ouch.
Are you checking for Mariah’s ‘Memoirs’?

R&B crooner R. Kelly stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live this week to perform current single ‘Number One’ along with Keri Hilson. An enjoyable performance, yet something about it was just a tad off – though I can’t put my finger on what it was (a little help people)?
What do you think of the performance?

Shakira - 'She Wolf' Album CoverPeep the offical cover for Shakira’s new LP ‘She Wolf’ (due October 13th).

What do you think of the cover?

Michael Jackson’s formal funeral service was held in private last night at the Forest Lawn Cemetary in California. Check out the video report above, write-up below, as well as pics from the event below:
Seventy days after the death of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop was finally laid to rest last night, September 3rd, with a private ceremony Glendale, California’s Forest Lawn Cemetery. About 200 close friends and family members attended the evening funeral, which concluded with Jackson being entombed in Forest Lawn’s Great Mausoleum, the final resting place of Walt Disney, Clark Gable and other legendary talents.
Elizabeth Taylor, Berry Gordy, Quincy Jones, Jackson’s ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley and Macaulay Culkin attended the ceremony, along with Mila Kunis, This Is It director Kenny Ortega, Teddy Riley, Chris Tucker, Corey Feldman and Miko Brando. According to a statement from the Jackson family, Michael’s five brothers Tito, Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Jackie all served as pallbearers.
Look back at Michael Jackson’s life, in photos.
Michael’s three children Prince Michael, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II placed a crown atop Jackson’s casket to signify his status as the King of Pop. The Jackson family had provided a live video feed to media prior to the ceremony when guests began arriving at the cemetery, however the feed ceased transmission the moment the Jackson brothers went to take Michael’s gold-plated casket out of the hearse.
Photos from Jackson’s star-studded L.A. memorial.
After Pastor Lucius Smith read the opening prayer and a portion of Ecclesiastes 3:7, Gladys Knight sang the gospel hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” Songwriter Clifton Davis next sang the Jackson 5 tune he wrote for the group, “Never Can Say Goodbye.” Speakers then began to take the podium to pay tribute to the singer, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, Michael’s father Joe Jackson and other close friends and family members.
According to the New York Times, the media that congregated outside Forest Lawn outnumbered the number of fans, though one group of fans held a large white banner that read “Gone too soon.” Following the ceremony, according to the ceremony’s nine-page engraved invitation, family and friends of Jackson were encouraged to drive to an Italian restaurant in Pasadena, California, for “a time of celebration.”
The first page of the invitation also featured a quote from Michael’s 1992 book of essays and poems Dancing the Dream, “If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.” {Source}
Michael Jackson Finally Laid To Rest In Private Funeral
Michael Jackson Finally Laid To Rest In Private Funeral
Michael Jackson Finally Laid To Rest In Private FuneralMichael Jackson Finally Laid To Rest In Private FuneralMichael Jackson Finally Laid To Rest In Private FuneralMichael Jackson Finally Laid To Rest In Private Funeral
Michael Jackson Finally Laid To Rest In Private Funeral
Michael Jackson Finally Laid To Rest In Private Funeral
Michael Jackson Finally Laid To Rest In Private Funeral

Gone in body, but not in spirit. R.I.P Michael Jackson. I

t’s somewhat comforting to know that he is now at peace, a peace he unfortunately was never able to enjoy while on this earth. Long live the King…
Your thoughts?
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