(Bare with my guys with the reviews, I have a surprise for you, which will make all the ‘reviews in a bit’ all the more understandable. Hold tight…you’re gonna love it!)
R&B star Ciara tore down the house at Justin Timberlake’s charity concert in Las Vegas over the weekend. Backed by a troop of female dancers, the 23 year old performed hits ‘Love Sex Magic’ (w/ Timberake), ‘Goodies’ and ‘1, 2 Step’. To say she killed it, would be an understatement; she continues to prove why she is one of the best performers (notice I didn’t say ‘singers’) out today. Here’s hoping the sales of her upcoming 4th album (which she is working on exclusively with Tricky Stewart and The-Dream), reflect this. I mean, though not amazing, ‘Fantasy Ride’ deserved to perform better.
Tidbit: As a Janet stan fan, I can’t help but (and I know I’ll get some stick for this) wish she’d give me them ‘WOW’ moments that Ciara has been doing consistently in her videos and performances since ‘Promise’. Come on la Jan, ‘crank it up, give it to me some more, crank it up, give it to me some more’….
Alexandra Burke hit up T4 over the weekend to perform her smash ‘Bad Boys’, which rocketed to the top spot on Sunday (besting Leona Lewis’ ‘Bleeding Love’ numbers in the process).
Refreshing to see here was the fact that Alexandra was clearly singing live here, as evidenced by her imperfectness of the vocal (it was a great vocal showing nonetheless). As ever, Ms. Burke served up the business with this one. Great performance!
Legendary diva and comeback queen Whitney Houston took to the stage on tonight’s X-Factor results show to perform new single ‘Million Dollar Bill (Freemasons Mix)’. As with most things ‘Whitney’ these days, her appearance on the show was almost exclusively the main talking point on everybody’s lips.
As for the actual performance, I really, really enjoyed this. Ms. Houston commanded that stage like the unashamed diva that she is. Work! Her energy and overall stage presence were so off-the-charts that they compensated for the still-rather-good (for 2009 Whitney) vocals. In what I hope doesn’t become a big deal, Nippy’s ‘wardrobe malfunction’ was in reality a minor and she continued on like the professional she is, poking fun at it at the end.
The interview at the end, upon watching it live, had me (and a whole lot of other folk) giving a collective ‘What in the blue hell?’ For whatever the reason, Ms. Houston wasn’t quite ‘with it’, this evidenced by her not having much of clue when the album was to be released, the constant looking at the floor, fidgety composure, and the lengthy gap in answering some of the questions. That said, I do not agree with some of whispers-turned-loud accusations that Whitney is back to her troubled times. I strongly doubt it’s that. I guess only she know’s the reading. However, after talking everything there is to talk about with Oprah, it’d be great if her team did a Britney Spears and limit the talking/doing interviews and have her just perform.
Peep Kelly Rowland on the set of 50 Cent’s new music video for single ‘Baby By Me’, which was shot in Los Angeles recently. Kelly will be starring in the clip as 50’s love interest.
While our views on ol’ Curtis are well documented, there’s no denying this is a good look for Ms. Kelly. I’m loving that she’s upping her visibility in the States; she has the rest of the world on lock – it’s time to re-establish herself on her home soil. Bring on album #3
If you were wondering what in the hell was going on with That Grape Juice over the last few days, I return from a trip out to several messages telling me the site was down. I check my mailbox only to see a copyright claim from the RIAA for posting Beyonce’s ‘I Am… Yours’ DVD cover…not even a song/MP3! To say I was not impressed would be an understatement. Not knowing exactly where to point my finger as to the origin of the complaint, all I will say is that, after all the promo/good vibes we throw Bouncy’s way, this wasn’t the best way to pay us back, was it?! We still love her! Stay tuned to That Grape Juice in the coming week for some big surprises (Hint: you may hit us up one day and notice some major changes…so excited!)
So moving from one talented artist to one who arguably lacks it altogether, check out these snaps of Rihanna on the video set of her as yet untitled new single (which premieres on Monday 20th October). Not feeling ol’ Billy-Goat’s look at all. The blonde streaks and eye patch reek of contrived-ness. I’m fine with gimmicks as long as there is talent to back it up once it all fades (see: Lady GaGa), but Ms. Fenty’s brand of caca, I cannot get down with. No maam.
International star Kelly Rowland looked the picture of fierceness at the MTV Latin Awards this week in Universal City, California. Dressed in SPACE designer catsuit to perform her smash ‘When Love Takes Over’, Ms. Kelly looked the best she has in a long, long time. Loving the look. With the industry today being just as much about what we see as well as what we hear, I’m hoping Kelly sticks to a look like this and makes it her own. Her own ‘theme’, if you like. Work.
Kenny Ortega, the acclaimed producer of Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ project, has been doing the media rounds ahead of the movie’s simultaneous worldwide release on October 28th. Check out his real interesting chat with talk show queen Oprah Winfrey from yesterday’s episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show (part 1 above, and part 2 below). The vid also includes lengthy exclusive footage from the movie.
I have no qualms in saying this will be a tear-jerker. Admittedly, quite a tough-cookie, even I was welled-up watching this. That said, I feel this movie, in as much as it is about recouping lost money on the tour, I really believe it will be a fine send-off for Mike – with his ‘final’ body of work being solely centred on his immense talent – which lives forever. I’m smiling as I type 🙂
Ms. Wifrey is killing it with these interviews; Iron Mike Tyson’s first stint on the show earlier this week was so well-received that he was invited back on for yesterday’s episode. Reaffirming her show as the one to watch, Oprah accepted a request from Evander Holyfield – who Tyson infamously bit his ear off several years ago, to speak with Tyson on the show. A great watch.
The lead single from Timbaland’s ‘Shock Value 2’, the So Shy assisted ‘Morning After Dark’ premiered during the last 24 hours.
Put simply, the track sounds great – with top notch production; it’s just that…how do I say it nicely…it’s top notch production, yet sounds almost identical to the sound he was pimping like a $2 h*e to everyone and their mother about 2 years ago. I mean there’s having an identifiable sound and there’s rehashing; at the moment this feels like the latter.