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Whitney Houston Album Update

14th Jun

As Whitney Houston continues to ready her as-yet-untitled ‘comeback’ effort for a September 1st release (August 31st – UK), more details about the LP has surfaced via Showbiz 411 columnist Roger Friedman:

I told you earlier this week that Whitney’s album was done, and would be released by the Grammy deadline cut off of August 31, 2009.
Well, yesterday Arista Records confirmed it. There’s one weird hitch: the album will go on September 1st, one day after the deadline. I know, it doesn’t make any sense. Maybe it’s a shipping thing, and the Grammys will allow a 24 hour grace period.
More importantly, here’s some news: Alicia Keys wrote and produced a track on the album for Whitney. Houston has been “working” Alicia for a couple of years, and it finally happened. The track is also produced by Alicia’s reported current love interest, the producer Swizz Beatz. (His real name is Kasseem Dean, by the way.)
There are tracks on Whitney’s album from Diane Warren, Stargate, and other top producers of the day. But the first single is set to be a David Foster production.
And yes, the track that was leaked last year with Akon, “Like I Never Left,” will be included in its finished form.
I am told, also, that the album is a combination of big, sweeping ballads and 80s dance music like Houston’s trademark hit, “How Will I Know” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
So it looks like we will have new albums from Whitney and Mariah at the same time after all. It’s a flashback battle of the divas, circa 1994. Bring it on! {Source}

The Swizzy and Alicia production collabo sounds real interesting. As pertains the Akon collabo ‘Like I Never Left’, the song grew on me considerably after first hearing it; the airy, laidback nature of it feels apt for the impending summer period ahead. That said, I’m gonna need the final version of the song to see Nippy batting it out of the park with the vocals, because, the end aside, she was talking through most of the track. In any case, roll on September 1st, roll on!

Your thoughts?

From The Vault: Destiny’s Child Reunite At BET Awards 2007

14th Jun

After a lengthy spell on the bench, That Grape Juice’s ‘From The Vault’ feature is back! This week’s classic video is Destiny’s Child 2007 reuniting at the BET Awards. Having at the time spent several years out of the limelight as a group, Michelle, Kelly and Beyonce took to the stage during Bey and Kelly’s joint performance of ‘Get Me Bodied’ and ‘Like This’. Check out the performance below:

All the makings of an epic performance…and what an epic performance it was! Yes, Ms. Kelly has had better days vocally, but that couldn’t take away from the overall swagger all the ladies possessed on this one. Summed up as simply ‘the business’, this performance was everything and sure had me itching for a DC3 reunion record / tour /or something in the near future. Good stuff.

Your thoughts?

14th Jun

That Grape Juice Update

Hey the TGJ faithful! Hope all is good good with you all 🙂 Just a few quick points:

* New Staff: Many thanks to all those that expressed interested in the new positions here at That Grape Juice. I was quite taken about by the amount of applications received (thank you again!), so I am still ploughing through them all. I’ll have something more concrete to announce in the way of that in the coming weeks and month.

* That Grape Juice E-Street Team: I’ve been looking to roll this one out for a while now, with the present being the most apt. Are you a That Grape Juice addict? Do you tell anyone who will listen about what’s going down here at That Grape Juice?! If so, we’re looking for you! I’m looking to assemble a team of promoters who will form the ‘That Grape Juice E-Street Team’.

What does this entail? The ideal team member will promote That Grape Juice in both the internet sphere (forums, email blast-outs, Facebook, Twitter etc) as well as in the ‘real world’, with leaflets, posters (please believe I already have these printed to supply and oft go flyering myself – hustle LOL), as well as word of mouth etc. There will be monthly incentives and prizes for those who perform best. If you’re interested, do be sure to drop me an email at: sam@thatgrapejuice.net

* Graphic designers: Are you a Photoshop wiz? Do you consider yourself a pro on everyone’s favourite software? If so, we’re looking for you! I’m needing assistance in that department for a few site-related projects. So…if you feel you’re up to scratch (please see site banner for type of standard I’m talking about), please drop me an email with an attachment of some of your work to: sam@thatgrapejuice.net . *Not a paid job, but plenty of exposure!!! LOL*

* Send It In: Have any juicy stories, music, tidbits etc you wish to pass along? Please feel free to keep ’em coming. It’s always most appreciated, and, as ever, full credit is given.

* Upcoming interviews and competitions: We have lined up an interview with a certain R&B star who is riding high on the charts both in the US and UK at present. Meanwhile, we’ll be running a competition centered on a huge feature star in her latest video. Sounds like babble? All will be unravelled in the coming week and weeks….stay tuned!

As ever, many thanks for your continued support! Remember to keep it locked on That Grape Juice!

Ashanti Performs On ‘The Wiz’

13th Jun

Check out this footage of Ashanti performing during rehearsals for her stint as Dorothy in the Broadway adaptation of ‘The Wiz’, which kicks off next week.

While her vocal showings early in her career left a lot to be desired, I never quite understand why people still get on her on the vocal tip these days. As this video shows, she can actually *sang, sang*. More power to her!

Your thoughts?

1 Comment

Confirmed: Usher & Tameka Divorce (See Court Filing)

13th Jun

Reports surfaced yesterday suggesting that R&B star Usher has filed for divorce from wife of 2 years Tameka Foster. Today, the speculation was confirmed, with the court divorce filing hitting the net also. Peep the report and the filing below:

ATLANTA (AP) — R&B singer Usher filed for divorce Friday from Tameka Foster Raymond, less than two years after their glitzy wedding at a Georgia resort.
The 30-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Usher Raymond IV, filed the petition in Superior Court in Atlanta. Records posted to the court’s Web site did not give any details about the split between the R&B star and his wife, who were married in August 2007.
About 200 people attended the wedding between the two at resort built in the style of a 16th-century-style French chateau on 3,500 hilly acres outside Atlanta.
They have two young sons, 1 1/2-year-old Usher Raymond V and 6-month-old Naviyd Ely Raymond. His wife has three children from a previous marriage.
E-mail and telephone messages to Usher’s publicist were not immediately returned.
In a May 2008 interview with The Associated Press, Usher addressed negative feedback from bloggers over his relationship with his wife, who’s 8 years older than him and was once his stylist.
“People are so attracted to drama. That’s easier to take than a story of righteousness,” Usher said at the time.
“I decided to marry this woman, then I decide to be a father to my child,” he said. “… It’s not like I got caught with a gram of coke in my car or speeding or was caught for murder, so why would I be ridiculed, that’s why I don’t understand – that’s the part that is mind boggling. Why would I be ridiculed for that, even a year later.”
Prior to the marriage, Usher had a string of public romances, most notably his three-year relationship with Chilli from TLC. {Source}

Another one bites the dust. Sad. I see a lot of folk rejoicing and suggesting Usher’s career will hit sky high because of this, yet since when should someone else’s sadness or heartbreak be a good thing in the eyes of others?

Check out Usher’s court filing for the divorce below:

Your thoughts?

New Song: JoJo – ’25 To Life’

13th Jun

It seems JoJo’s record label rant last week has proved worthwhile, as news and new material from the immensely talented 18 year old has been coming thick and fast; the most recent of which is new track ’25 To Life’. Currently unknown is whether or not the track is the lead single from her ‘All I Want Is Everything’ LP, nonetheless it’s a winner! From the catchy hook, to the clever tempo changes, to Ms. Levesque’s stunning vocal delivery (as usual), I’m really feeling this. What’s more, it has me salivating for more new material from her. Great track.

Hit or Miss?

Cassie – ‘Must Be Love (ft. Diddy)’ Video

12th Jun

The video for Cassie’s brand new Diddy-assisted single ‘Must Be Love’ premiered today. Put simply, the clip for this ‘Bad Boy Classic’ (Diddy’s words not mine) is ‘blah blah blah’. Besides the video lacking substance and featuring subtlety hilarious choreography by Cassie and Diddy, it really highlights the lack of direction with Cassie generally. A few months ago she debuted a radical new look, yet this song and video don’t match that and she comes off looking foolish. Contrived, contrived, contrived. Next.

What do you think of the video?

Your Top 5 Songs Of The Moment?

12th Jun

*Had to do a rewind on this one!*

You know the deal; That Grape Juice, once again, wants to see what you all are listening to. Which 5 tracks have you got on constant rotation at the moment? Remember, it doesn’t have to be limited to Urban music; could be something new, Throwback, religious, even something you made yourself LOL. Drop a comment in the comments section. Mine are – in no particular order:

1) Battlefield – Jordin Sparks
2) Big Spender – Adrienne Bailon
3) I’mma Be – Black Eyed Peas
4) Cause A Scene – Teairra Mari

5) Decisions (ft. Ne-Yo) – Brandy

What are your ‘Top 5 Songs Of The Moment’?

Report: Usher & Tameka To Divorce

11th Jun

Speculation has been mounting for several months over the relationship status of Usher and wife Tameka Foster. Well it appears the rumours have been validated, with the R&B superstar reportedly filing for divorce from his stylist wife today:

R&B star USHER and his wife are reportedly planning to divorce after almost two years of marriage.
The Yeah! hitmaker and stylist Tameka Foster have been living apart for the past year, according to U.S. publication In Touch.
Divorce papers were filed in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday morning (11Jun09).
The shocking news comes just four months after Foster suffered cardiac arrest during cosmetic surgery in Brazil.
At the time, Usher, who flew to be by her side, insisted he had no idea his wife was there for the procedure.
A source close to the couple says, “Usher’s primary concern is for his children. He is a great father and just wants to do what is right for them.”
The couple have two kids together, Usher Raymond V, 18 months, and Naviyd, six months. {Source}

Damn. While it’s never a good thing to see a once-happy couple divorce, this must surely be leaving Usher feeling kinda embarrassed, After all the defensive rants and raves. Here’s hoping they both act responsibly in the midst of this all for the sake of their kids.

Your thoughts?

Tiffanie Addresses Girlicious Drama

11th Jun

Ousted ex-Girlicious member Tiffanie took to Youtube today to clear up the rumours and speculation surrounding her place in the group. Unsurprisingly she confirmed that she is no longer with the group; however her reasons make for a really interesting watch and kinda emphasise how shady the industry can be at times. Clearly the most talented in the group, Tiffanie deserves her shine IMO, hopefully this isn’t the last we hear from her.

In other Girlicious news, while still under the Universal Records umbrella, the girls have been moved from Geffen Records to Interscope.

11th Jun

Irv Gotti’s INC ship seems to continue its descent, with R&B singer Lloyd announcing that he has too left the once dominant label:

R&B singer LLOYD has parted ways with his longtime record label The Inc.- just a month after ASHANTI walked out of her contract at the music firm.
Ashanti left the label, run by music mogul Irv Gotti, in May (09) after years of reportedly frosty relations with The Inc. bosses.
And Lloyd has now followed her out the door after releasing three albums with the company – but insists the split was amicable.
He tells AllHipHop.com, “I’m ready for a change. There’s no bad blood. I just feel I need to take more control over my career and get a fresh start. Hopefully Irv can understand my position.”
Lloyd’s manager, Henry ‘Noonie’ Lee, adds: “Even though Lloyd is appreciative of the opportunity that has been afforded him by The Inc, he feels it’s time for him to move on and seek opportunities that will allow him to build and enhance his brand.” {Source}

Ouch. It really goes to show how you can be the hotness one minute and no one wants to touch you with a barge pole the next; The INC are seeing all their talent flock elsewhere, yet no good new talent are taking their place. About Lloyd himself, I feel as though we’ve yet to see the best of what he has to offer. Here’s hoping the future is bright for him.

Your thoughts?