“Michael Jackson left the spirit of dance in Chris Grant” – Frank Gatson

For anyone else, such a billing would generate some discomfort. Yet for 23 year old Chris Grant, it’s not only a title he is humbled by, it’s one he’s keen to both embrace and honour.

A renown dancer and choreographer, the New York native has amassed a wealth of experience in his few years on the scene. Indeed, his choreography credits boast many a Beyonce stage-show, Jennifer Lopez‘s ‘On The Floor’ video, and most notably a spot on Michael Jackson’s ill-fated ‘This Is It’ concert.

With Grant eager to emerge from the shadows as an artist himself, That Grape Juice presents episode 2 of ‘Introducing…Chris Grant’.

And with it, this week, being announced that Grant will portray the King of Pop in a show-stopping solo dance tribute at next week’s ‘Michael Forever’ extravaganza, it’s apt that this edition sees him discuss what it was like working with MJ in his final days – and more.

Hit ‘PLAY’ to get familiar with this face and story you’ll be seeing a lot more of! Click here to watch episode 1.

Your thoughts?

For more on Chris Grant, check out his official website:

www.chrisgrantmusic.com

Booking Enquiries: Chris@chokolate.tv

Chokolate Management & Chokolate Records – www.chokolate.tv

‘This Is It’ footage credit: Sony Pictures

As announced here, R&B pint-sized powerhouse Tiffany Evans is prepping fans for the release of ‘Won’t Find Me’ – the forthcoming single from her mixtape.  Set for an October 1st premiere, Evans is building buzz by bringing fans a behind-the-scenes look at the photoshoot for the single.

The now-19-year-old, recently released from Matthew Knowles management, is certainly asserting her newfound independence in so many ways.  And, if this shoot is anything to go by, fans ‘won’t find’ the same Tiffany they’re used to.

See the behind-the-scenes action after the jump:

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Peep Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige gracing the cover of Paper magazine’s October issue.  Readying her highly anticipated ‘My Life II:  The Journey Continues’ for its November 21st release, the songstress continues her promo campaign leading up to the visual for ’25/8′ – the album’s lead single.

Though Blige was most recently spotted bringing down the house at the Paper Magazine Awards, now fans can see more of the ‘No More Drama’ songstress in the host’s magazine.

Via Paper:

Read the accompanying interview here.

Your thoughts?

Jason Derulo may have been bested by rising rap star J. Cole on next week’s Billboard tally, but the ‘It Girl’ entertainer is still looking to make a solid splash on the charts.  On the promo trail for his latest venture ‘Future History’, the dance machine has been seen making rounds on various print and broadcast outlets.  However, his sophomore set isn’t the only thing having the hitmaker in headlines.

Igniting the rumor mill, Derulo and fellow pop star Jordin Sparks were seen getting quite cozy during a dinner date earlier this week.  Both parties have remained mum on the topic – until now.  For, while recently making a promo pit stop over at CBS, Derulo was quizzed on his relationship with the songstress.

His remarks after the jump:

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The 2008 debut of Missy Elliott’s Pennsylvanian protégé Jazmine Sullivan was indeed an introduction to some. But given her songwriting resume (see: Christina Milian, Monica, Jennifer Hudson) and already established Youtube following long before ‘Fearless’ hit shelves, by the time ‘Need U Bad’ blared from Urban radios, her unmistakable contralto was already a celebrity.

Showcasing a maturity in tone and technique far beyond her years, many would be forgiven for not knowing the ‘Bust Your Windows’ beauty was only 21 the year her debut LP arrived on record shelves. Heralded by many as the second-coming of Lauryn Hill, Sullivan’s soulful servings instantly gained her mainstream notoriety – some even christening her as R&B’s long-awaited messiah. Four hit R&B singles would follow ‘Fearless’ as it made an impressive top 10 debut. And, with Jazmine garnering an impressive 5 Grammy nods for the album, it appeared she was on her way to the same heights once held by Hill. Unfortunately, that trek to compeer Hill quickly turned uphill.

For, while her singles (that never made much noise on Pop charts anyway) were losing ground on home fronts, the singer was unceremoniously snubbed at the 2009 Grammy’s. This, of course, only furthering fears that the ‘Fearless’ follow-up would suffer a sophomore slump.

Enter ‘Love Me Back’ – ‘Fearless’ unsuccessful successor headed by R&B hit ‘Holding You Down (Goin’ In Circles)’. And, though marginally besting the first week sales of her first album, ‘Love Me Back’ wasn’t getting much love from record buyers. Consequently, many believe, leading the soulful songstress to ‘retire’ from the industry indefinitely.

That Grape Juice wants to know – what is the problem? Clearly one of this generation’s leading talents, the promo from her introductory hype alone helped float her first album sales. Albeit very deserved, could the lack of such her second-go-round have played a role in its successor’s sink? Lack of singles? Bad videos? Some may even argue weight gain, but the successes of the Adeles of the world could counter that argument.

Or, regardless of Jazmine’s mega-talent, was the material from ‘Love Me Back’ too dated and unappealing to garner mainstream success?

You tell us. Product vs. Promotion? What’s Jazmine Sullivan’s shortcoming?

Your thoughts?

In support of her forthcoming studio release,  ‘The High Road’ songstress Jojo is wowing fans and critics alike on the road and documenting every step of her tour chronicles via her Youtube vlog.  The new album ‘Jumping Trains’ (led by ‘Disaster’), which she describes as ‘pop with anger management problems’, is expected on record shelves in early 2012.

Joined on a nationwide trek with fellow pop performers Joe Jonas and Jay Sean, the singer’s most recent recorded pit stop was in Denver, Colorado.

And, with parts 1 through 6 already boasting quite the buzz, fans are now invited to join Jojo once again as her travels take her through the Midwest on parts 7 and 8 after the jump:

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Hot off the success of his very first #1 album on Billboard 200, 85-year-old Tony Bennett and ‘The Lady Is a Tramp’ co-star Lady Gaga are preparing the accompanying visual for their critically acclaimed duet.  ‘Tramp’, the follow-up to the Amy Winehouse-assisted ‘Body & Soul’, is just another of the many diva-aided duets that lent their talents to Tony’s ‘Duets II’ album (Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, etc).

While readying its visual, Gaga has also sent fans into a frenzy with announcement of her next solo single.  Find out the video’s premiere date and her single selection after the jump:

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Alicia Keys may be in the studio prepping the follow-up to 2009‘s ‘The Element of Freedom’, but the absence of new music certainly hasn’t kept her off the promo trail.  Her latest project, Lifetime’s ‘Five’ (Demi Moore,Jennifer Aniston), has seen Keys covering many-an-outlet including  Good Morning America Monday morning and attending the premiere later that night.

Speaking with Extra’s A.J. Calloway (of 106&Park fame), Mrs. Beatz dished on the film and also shared well-wishes for ‘Put It In a Love Song’ co-star/mommy-to-be Beyonce.

Check out Keys after the jump:

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R&B beauty Melanie Fiona is finding herself the center of quite the buzz as her promo path gets closer to the release of ‘The MF Life’ – her sophomore album.  Following the gold-certification of its predecessor ‘The Bridge’, the Canadian vocalist is hoping to continue her crossover success by winning over critics and fans alike with her moving live sets.

Enlisting top producers The Dream, Rico Love, and more for the project, Melanie most recently sat down with our friends over at YouKnowYouGotSoul (following her highly praised live showing in New York) to dish on who and what else fans can expect from the forthcoming album.  The songstress even dished on plans to release a third single.

Find more Melanie Fiona after the jump:

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Looks like Jermaine Cole‘s aggressive promo push for his debut LP ‘Cole World: A Sideline Story’ is paying off.  For, while rumors have lit the Twitterverse ablaze that the North Carolina native knocked out 115k his first day, Hits Daily Double has provided their early projections for the project.

And, if their numbers are anything to go by, Cole is set to make an impressive splash on the charts.  How many units is the rap rookie set to move?  Find out after the jump:

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Check out these snaps of ‘Motivation’ maestra Kelly Rowland during her ‘Conversations With Kelly Rowland’ interview, in Los Angeles last night.

Discussing everything from her time in Destiny’s Child to her latest LP ‘Here I Am’, peep more images and  the interview itself  below…

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Now one of the world’s most celebrated entertainers, Pop force Beyonce has remained under the heavy eye of the media’s gaze since her debut in 1997.

From the termination of her business relationship with her father Mathew Knowles to the confirmation of the arrival of her first child with husband Jay Z, it seems very little of the Golden Globe nominee’s life goes unnoticed by her adoring public.

Now watch the ‘Happy Face‘  vocalist admit to sometimes wishing she wasn’t so famous below…

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