Former Murder Inc collaborators Ashanti and Ja Rule took to the stage at VH1 Hip-Hop Honors to perform a medley of their past hits. I enjoyed this for nostalgia and that alone; that aside, it was a little lacking in energy, however it was great to see that their relationship is on good terms again.

What do you think of the performance?

Diddy and Dirty Money stopped by BET’s 106 & Park to promote their new ‘Last Train To Paris’ project. As well as that, Diddy addresses his move from Atlantic over to Interscope, as well as the future of his acts over at Bad Boy/Atlantic.

I don’t know if it was just me, but even after Diddy’s ‘explanation’ as to what’s happening with his artists, I was still very confused by what exactly he was trying to say. To be honest, I don’t even think he know’s where he was going with that one. I mean all previous reports indicated that he was starting a new label over at Interscope, with Bad Boy remaining at Atlantic; yet now (correct me if wrong) he seems to be saying his launching Bad Boy over at Interscope with some, but not all of the previous roster. Ugh…confused.com.

Kinda going a tad off-topic, I can’t help but feel Diddy even still having a rap career is nothing more than an ego-stroke. When everyone and their mother thinks you suck as an artist (and have forever), and you struggle to sell despite throwing MILLIONS at your last project (see: ‘Press Play’), why is he bothering? It sounds a bit harsh, but for a multi-million dollar mogul, you’d think he’d be a bit more business savvy than that. When has anyone ever rated Puffy as an artist? It’s 2009, it’s pretty much a joke thinking that in the world of Kanye’s and Jay-Z’s, that a Diddy rap record is gonna excite folks (see: the chart performance of ‘Last Train”s lead single ‘Angels’).

Your thoughts?

Shakira stopped by ABC’s Dancing With The Stars this week to promote her new LP ‘She Wolf’. The Colombian beauty performed her 2005 smash ‘Hips Don’t Lie’. While her live vocals left a lot to be desired (as usual), I really enjoyed this performance. You know a *star, star* when there is no one that can be compared to them. Good stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

After months of being in the limelight for every reason other than her music, Rihanna is set to return to the charts with her fourth studio album. For a while now, there has been increased speculation that the Bajan star was eyeing a November release for the as yet untitled LP; today those murmurs were confirmed as true – with the ‘singer’s’ Twitter page cryptically reading:

Am I excited about the prospect of another RiRi LP and the inevitable aggressive ‘be force fed it until you like it’ promo campaign that will accompany it? No. Am I looking forward to hearing her dying alley cat in pain vocals all over the radio? Hell no. I will say, though, that Ms. Fenty – who I legitimately believe is the Best-Worst singer to have graced the charts – definitely has my attention in that I’m interested to see if she can duplicate or even come close to the success she achieved with ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’. With her limited/non-existent talent and her place as more of tabloid fodder rather than a legit artist, Stevie Wonder could see her sell-by date. Then again, this is the music industry…. stranger things have happened (see: Madonna).

Your thoughts?

R&B starlet Mya continues to impress on Dancing With The Stars. Peep her performance of the Lambada. Loved it!

What do you think of Mya’s performance?

Oprah is killing it this season with the celeb interviews, check out her insightful talk with boxing legend Mike Tyson – which aired yesterday. Iron Mike leaves no stone unturned, opening up about the recent death of his infant daughter, his abusive nature in the past, Holyfield, his wife, seven kids……HIS LIFE. A deep watch, I must say.

Your thoughts?

According reports today, comeback queen Whitney Houston will begin a world tour next April, right here in the UK!

WHITNEY HOUSTON is embarking on her first major UK tour in more than a decade.
The diva will play five arena dates in April.

She said: “This is my first full tour since 1999.

“I cannot wait to perform songs from my new album along with favourites.”

Whitney will also sing on The X Factor on October 18.

The gigs start at Manchester’s MEN Arena on April 8 before taking in Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle and London’s O2 on April 25. {Source}

Like most, I too am wondering whether Whitney’s voice is capable of a world tour at this point. That said, I commend her for going out there and doing her thing. If anything, continued practice and vocal discipline may just be what she needs.

Your thoughts?

‘This Is It’, a previously unreleased Michael Jackson track, which will be used to promote the late star’s Docu-Movie of the same name,was unveiled by Sony early this morning. The record, which was interestingly recorded back 1991 during the ‘Dangerous’ studio sessions, features his brothers on backing vocals.

About whether the track is any good; though, not bad at all, it expectedly sounds a little dated, and to be honest, kinda unfinished – which leaves me a lil salty as to why as was dug out of the vault in the first place. The chorus’ seem like its building towards a rapturous, choir-style peak (see: Michael’s ‘Cry’), yet turns out to be rather repetitive, without the best diction either. With Sony having confirmed that the song WILL NOT be available to buy by itself, only as part of the ‘This Is It’ soundtrack, this is all seeming a lil ‘kaching’ in my opinion. As much I’m interested in MJ’s older material, I’m much keener on hearing the material he’d been working on in his final years (‘Invincible’ sessions and to his passing). However, I’m guessing the label are keeping that tucked away, to make more money (for themselves and the MJ estate) at a later point. For as dodgy as this is, it further reinforces the reality that this is all a business. Just the way it is, I guess. Anyway, your thoughts…

Movie out October 28th

Soundtrack out October 26th

Hit or Miss?

Alexandra Burke gave the first live performance of her brand new single ‘Bad Boys’ moments ago on the first results show of this year’s X-Factor (which we will be reviewing shortly).

Put simply, Alexandra nailed it! I mean ‘ball out of the park’ nailed it! I was particularly impressed, as she sold me a song that I’m not really feeling with this performance. It’s important to note that, as a student of Mariah and la Janet’s live performances, I’m pretty cert Ms. Burke lip-synched the majority of the performance to a pre/re-recorded version of the track (with all the added breathing and other live-sounding effects). That said, knowing that she can sing like this live on any given day, I’m not too fussed at the utilisation of a pre-recorded track here. Watching this cemented the fact that she’ll be around for a long while…

What do you think of the performance?

Friend of That Grape Juice, the immensely talented Tiffany Evans, recently put up her own rendition of Beyonce’s smash ‘Halo’. Check it out above!

I’m being 100% real with you when I say that her version is on the same wavelength as Beyonce’s (IMO); amazing. To think Ms. Evans only just turned 17 in August makes her vocal capabilities all the more astounding. Awesome.

Your thoughts?

Check out the official album covers for the re-release of Lady GaGa’s debut, the double-disc ‘The Fame: Monster’ (due for release November 24th). I like – a lot.

The LP will be preceded by lead single ‘Bad Romance’, with the record itself featuring additional production credits from the likes of Fernando Garibay (Whitney’s ‘Nothing But Love’), Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, and Interscope honcho Ron Fair.

What do you think of the covers?

The bleating billy-goat herself Rihanna is apparently prepping the release of her fourth studio album for release next month (with her new single reportedly set to debut any day now). Peep the vids above and below, which capture the Barbados-bred beauty doing a photoshoot for the album. While she pretty much looks a mess here (the whole ‘different’ image seems extra contrived here…she just looks silly), I’ve always said she should be a model. Posing and looking good really are her biggest talents, don’t you agree?

Do you think Rihanna’s next album will be a hit?