..::That Grape Juice.net::..

LeToya Predicted To Sell 25k-30k First Week

27th Aug

According to Hits Daily Double, R&B singer LeToya’s sophomore effort ‘Lady Love’ is set to debut at #6 on the Billboard 200 album chart with sales in the region of 25,000 – 30, 000.

Regardless of which way this is spun, it’s not a good look for Ms. Luckett. With the album growing on me daily and it’s all-round great reception, one would have hoped that the sales would reflect it’s quality. Unfortunately this doesn’t look like it’ll be the case. At this point it appears it’ll be an up-hill struggle hitting Gold.

With LeToya being a skilled vocalist, not to mention her media and business savviness, I’d say a move to another label is pretty much a necessity for her to acheive the success she deserves. It’s been a well-known fact for sometime that her label (Captiol/EMI/Virgin) have been having a lot of difficulties – hence the many delays this album – which was due out early last year – has had. SMH…

Update: Check out LeToya’s recent UStream video chat session with her fans, where she talks about not being satisfied with her promotion. (LaTavia is also a guest) Word has it Toya has switched management, as recent as 2 weeks ago, to Alicia Keys’ manager Jeff Robinson of MBK management. Anyways, peep the vid:

Your thoughts?

MOBO Awards 2009 Nominations

27th Aug

That Grape Juice was on hand at the MOBO Awards 2009 Nominations Launch at 5* venue The May Fair here in London yesterday. As I’m sure many of you know, the annual show celebrates the undeniable presence of Music of Black Origin on the contemporary music scene. The event saw PA’s from JLS and Jade Ewen, though was largely populated by press outlets.

Having attended last year’s nominations launch, this year’s event definitely marked a major step forward; everything from the swanky venue, to the more ethnic feel (i.e. Patti’s, Saltfish etc on the menu lol), to the flowing free drink (I am actually still hungover LMAO) and most importantly the united-in-music aura, made this perhaps their best launch yet. A very enjoyable night indeed.

Check out the full list of nominations below:

BEST UK ACT
Alesha Dixon
Bashy
Beverly Knight
Chipmunk
Dizzee Rascal
DJ Ironik
Donae’o
Mr. Hudson
N-Dubz
Tinchy Stryder

BEST NEWCOMER
Alexandra Burke
Jade Ewen
JLS
Laura Izibor
Master Shortie

BEST R&B / SOUL ACT
Beverly Knight
Ciara
Jeremih
Keri Hilson
Lemar

BEST HIP HOP ACT
Chipmunk
Dizzee Rascal
Drake
Eminem
Kanye West

BEST VIDEO
‘Bonkers’ – Dizzee Rascal
‘Boy Does Nothing’ – Alesha Dixon
‘Diamond Rings’ – Chipmunk ft. Emeli Sande
‘Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)’ – Beyonce
‘Supernova’ – Mr. Hudson ft. Kanye West

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Akon
Beyonce
Ciara
Drake
Eminem
Jay Z
Kanye West
Keri Hilson
Lady Gaga
Mariah Carey

BEST SONG
‘Beat Again’ – JLS
‘Diamond Rings’ – Chipmunk ft. Emeli Sande
‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ – K.I.G. Family
‘Number One’ – Tinchy Stryder Ft. N-Dubz
‘Strong Again’ – N-Dubz

BEST ALBUM
‘808s and Heartbreaks’ – Kanye West
‘Catch 22’ – Tinchy Stryder
‘Catch Me If You Can’ – Bashy
‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’ – Beyonce
‘Uncle B’ – N-Dubz

BEST REGGAE
Movado
Sean Paul
Serani
Tarrus Riley
Vybz Kartel

BEST JAZZ ACT
Diana Krall
Herbie Hancock
Madeleine Peyroux
Melody Gardot
Yolanda Brown

BEST AFRICAN ACT
Amadou and Mariam
Baaba Maal
Eidee
Femi Kuti
K’Naan
Lira
Mujava
Nneka
Oumou Sangare
Salif Kelta
BEST GOSPEL ACT
Desire to Worship God
Kiki Sheard
Mary Mary
New Direction
Victizzle
BEST DJ
Manny Norte
Masterstepz
Mistajam
Ras Kwame
Rickie & Melvin
Sarah Love
Semtex
Shortee Blitz
Steve Sutherland
DJ Target
Tim Westwood
Trevor Nelson

The 2009 MOBO Awards take place at Scotland’s SECC on September 30th; you can vote for the winners by clicking here and / or purchase tickets for the show by clicking here

Your thoughts on the nominations?

Kelly Rowland Talks New Album / + New Pics

26th Aug

Kelly Rowland really is flying high these days; hit singles, a majorly anticipated new album and on the brink of signing a new recording deal, the only way for this Destiny’s Child alumni is seemingly up. Ms. Kelly recently sat down with USA Today to talk about her new project, her artistic direction and more. An interesting read. She also looks fab in these new pictures from the piece too:

Since going solo Kelly Rowland hasn’t seen much success in the US but has been having a better luck overseas. Kelly tells USA Today that she had decided to embrace the international market that loves her. She recently had a number one hit with When Love Takes Over one of the three songs she recorded with David Guetta.
“Here, sometimes it’s like my music didn’t quite work, but overseas it’s on top of everybody’s chart. I’ve had more international success than domestic success, and I think that opens my eyes up to music. I mean, I just got back from performing in Lebanon. Lebanon!” she says.
Kelly hopes to release a solo album by the end of 2009 or early 2010.
“I have a new boost of energy,” she says. “All the creative juices are flowing, and I’m having so much fun in the studio because I’m making dance records. And I’m working with producers who are just as curious about the sound internationally, too.”
She says her next release will be dance-heavy, but she won’t forget her R&B roots. While she still covets domestic success working toward that success won’t be her guiding light, she says.
“I don’t ever want to get in a box to where I’m thinking that this is the only place that can ever exist,” she says. “I love being overseas just as much as I love being home. Plus, I know all my eating spots over there now, so I’m good!”
“I feel empowered. Finally,” Rowland says with a laugh and a snap of her fingers. “When you don’t believe in yourself, you feel like you’re living in fear. You don’t give yourself the opportunity to believe that you can. And as much as you tell yourself you can’t do it, you end up not doing it. Me? I was complacent and comfortable where I was.” {Source}

It’s refreshing to see Kelly speakin Justify Full

g so frankly about her success to-date in the US, as well as her embracing of her International appeal. That said, I hope Kelly doesn’t serve up ‘When Love Takes Over’-esque cuts on a solo tip. While it was a great track which opened her up to new audiences, I know many of her R&B fans felt it a little too left-field. In a perfect world Kelly would mesh both the Urban and the Dance sound to come up with something in the vein of what Danity Kane did on their last LP (see: ‘Damaged’, ‘Sucka 4 Love’, ‘Pretty Boy’ etc) and what Whitney does on some of the tracks on her comeback (see: ‘For The Lovers’).

Your thoughts?

5 Comments

Chris Brown Sentenced To Probabation

26th Aug

Yesterday somewhat saw closure in the long-running Chris Brown and Rihanna saga, with Brown, 20, being sentenced for assaulting the Pop princess back in February:

US singer Chris Brown has been sentenced to 180 days’ community labour and five years’ probation for assaulting pop star Rihanna.
The 20-year-old R&B star pleaded guilty in June to beating Rihanna, his former girlfriend, before the Grammy awards in Los Angeles in February.
The judge said Brown must do physical labour, not community service, and attend domestic violence counselling.
Brown must also stay at least 100 yards from Rihanna for the next five years.
The judge said violation of the terms would be taken “very, very seriously”.
Brown said nothing at the sentencing other than to acknowledge he understood the terms.
The sentencing had been delayed from 5 August as a response was still awaited from officials in Virginia as to whether Brown could serve his community labour in that state.
The judge said she was now satisfied that the labour in Virginia would be physical and would include clearing rubbish, washing cars and grounds cleaning.
Brown must also attend a 52-week violence counselling programme. The singer was also fined $2,500.
He must reappear in court on 19 November for a progress report.
Brown was arrested on 8 February after the dispute in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles. {Source}

I’m glad this has been made official, nothing to do with whether I agree with the sentence or not, rather the fact that we have known Chris wasn’t going to jail for months now, so this is merely formality. That said, I’m sure this sentence will keep folk talking…

Your thoughts?

25th Aug

Today marks exactly 8 years to the day the world lost the immensely talented Aaliyah.

Gone, but never forgotten. Check out one of my all-time favourite Aaliyah videos – ‘We Need a Resolution’ above. Notice how it feels like it could have easily been released today. Great music and visuals live on forever.

Your thoughts?

1 Comment

LeToya’s ‘Lady Love’: Will You be Buying?

25th Aug

R&B singer LeToya releases her long-awaited sophomore LP ‘Lady Love’ today, three years after her self-titled first album shot to #1.

Having heard the album in it’s entirety, I must say I enjoyed a few cuts (see: ‘Lazy’, ‘Good To Me’ and ‘Lady Love’). However I feel like the album is just too slow. Coming from her Destiny’s Child background, the awesome balance (between uptempo, midtempo and slow jams) on her first album, and her all-round commercial potential, makes the slow-go nature of this album all the more baffling. Depending on what floats your boat, this is an all-out R&B/Slow Jam affair, with little in the way of cross-over appeal. The latter of which kinda irks me because LeToya so has the right personality and media savviness to sustain in the ‘big leagues’, yet the material here seems intent on keeping her (I’d even go as far as to say ‘boxing her’) as solely an R&B balladeer. Whether this factors into the dismal promotion she has had thus far is anyone’s guess. However if I’m to be honest, I’m already thinking about how I’d personally A & R her 3rd album.

I feel like I’m babbling now lol. Anyway, we here at That Grape Juice want to know what you think of LeToya’s ‘Lady Love’….

Will you be buying it?

New Song: Alexandra Burke – ‘Bad Boys (ft. Flo’ Rida) (1st Single)’

25th Aug

The much anticipated lead single from Alexandra Burke’s new album ‘Bad Boys’ premiered moments ago on Chris Moyles BBC Radio 1 Morning Show.

I’m really on the fence with this one; yes, it’s catchy as hell, but it’s markedly a lot more Pop-ier than I ever would have anticipated. While I’m sure her team’s goal was to appeal to the masses, this Phantom Boyz produced cut doesn’t have much Urban appeal at all, despite the somewhat contrived Flo’Rida feature. Not entirely bad, I just expected something completely different. Who knows, it could grow on me like Whitney’s ‘Million Dollar Bill’ – which I’m loving right now, yet didn’t on first, second or third listen LOL.

Hit or Miss?

Click here to listen!

Whitney On Set Of New Video!

24th Aug

Yes, it’s Whitney info overload here at That Grape Juice! Anyways…(LOL)

Check out Ms. Houston on the set of the video for new single ‘Million Dollar Bill’, which is being shot as I type.

She looks great!

Tidbit: Like youself, I too am wondering why they are only just shooting the vid for this now!

Your thoughts?

2 Comments

Beyonce Lines Up Next Single…

24th Aug

According to Amazon, the next single to be lifted from Beyonce’s ‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’ will be Video Phone.

Sigh. While we love Bey here at That Grape Juice, I can’t help but feel just a little bit short-changed with this ‘era’. ‘Single Ladies’ and ‘If I Were A Boy’ aside, there have either been issues with the quality of the videos or the worthiness of the chosen singles IMO – ‘Video Phone’ I feel falling into the latter category. In not being big on this song at all, I would have instead opted for ‘Radio’ or one of the album’s few ‘AAA’ ballads such as ‘Hello’ or ‘Scared of Lonely’. I mean we are seeing single after single, yet little in the way of cohesion or quality – if I’m to be entirely honest. The general promotional strategy of this record, in comparison to the first two albums, seems a little off too – with Beyonce being on tour for the bulk of it.

With ‘Single Ladies’ having had an amazing run, not to mention it’s cultural impact, as well as ‘Halo’ doing quite well too, I’m pretty much ready for her next project – which will hopefully be a more focussed affair i.e. sound-wise, as well as 3-4 really great videos as opposed to 100 medicore ones! That or she could just hook up with Michelle and Kelly and do that much anticipated Destiny’s Child reunion project LOL.

Your thoughts?

Breaking: MIchael Jackson’s Death Now Being Treated As A Homicide

24th Aug

Breaking: MIchael Jackson Death Now Being Treated As A Homicide

Newswire’s around the world are abuzz tonight following the confirmation that Michael Jackson’s sudden death is now being treated as a homicide by police. Check out the report below:

Michael Jackson’s death is being treated as a homicide by the Los Angeles County Coroner, it has emerged tonight.
A law enforcement official in Los Angeles confirmed this evening that a ruling from the coroner’s office has deemed Jackson’s death to be a homicide.
An investigation is ongoing to determine whether anyone is to blame for Jackson’s death and to what extent, although homicide is not necessarily equivalent to murder and can include manslaughter.
In an affidavit unsealed today in Houston, it was also revealed that Jackson had lethal levels of the powerful anaesthetic drug propofol in his body when he died on June 25 and had been taking a “cocktail” of sedatives.
The court documents also revealed that Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, told detectives that he had been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks. Court records showed that Mr Murray had been giving Jackson 50mg of propofol intravenously every night.
Propofol is a powerful sedative drug usually used as an anaesthetic during surgery and also by dentists and veterinary surgeons.
Though the results of Jackson’s autopsy have not yet been unsealed, Dr Murray told police that he had feared that Jackson was developing an addiction to propofol. He said that he had been trying to wean the singer off the drug by lowering the dosage to 25mg and mixing it with other drugs.
On the night of the popstar’s death, Mr Murray said that he had tried to get Jackson to sleep without using propofol and had instead administered valium at 1.30am and then lorazepam at 2am.
When the singer was still awake at 3am, Dr Murray gave him midazolam, another sedative. Dr Murray said that Jackson was demanding propofol, which he then administered at 10.40am.
Although Dr Murray admitted prescribing propofol, the Los Angeles Times today reported that the LA authorities had found no record of Mr Murray purchasing or ordering the drug under his medical license or official tracking number.
In the affadavit, Dr Murray also explains that propofol had been administered to the singer by a number of other doctors, in Las Vegas, Germany, and in his cosmetologist’s office. Jackson reportedly admitted to Dr Murray that he had been given a “cocktail” to help him.
On the day of Jackson’s death, Dr Murray said he had left Jackson to make phone calls to his Houston office and returned to find the singer was not breathing. He perfomed CPR while Jackson’s staff called the emergency services. Jackson was pronounced dead at the UCLA Medical Centre later that day.
An investigation is ongoing to ascertain whether Dr Murray’s actions in administering propofol to Jackson amount to negligence, which could lead to an involuntary manslaughter charge.
However, although Dr Murray has been interviewed twice by police, he has not been named as an official suspect. {Source}

SMH. Some two months later, I still find Michael’s death so surreal. So, so surreal. As a fan, it’s been hard to come to the realisation that Michael clearly had a self-destructive streak which I guess culminated in his untimely death. That said, these doctors know better, hence too have blood on their hands. Here’s hoping justice is served.

Your thoughts?

Leona To ‘Echo’ On New LP

24th Aug

International star Leona Lewis is set to release her sophomore LP this November. Today it has been revealed that the record will be titled ‘Echo’:

Simon Cowell protégée Leona Lewis has decided on a title and release date for her new album. Echo, the follow-up to Lewis’ platinum-plus 2008 debut, Spirit, is due Nov. 17.
“An echo describes a big, organic sound,” Lewis says of her choice.
Lewis is recording in various cities, including New York and Los Angeles. Though one track called Don’t Let Me Down has
leaked online, neither the lineup of songs nor the list of contributors has been finalized. “I’m working with incredible songwriters and producers, and my music has really evolved,” Lewis says.
Ryan Tedder, who co-wrote and produced Lewis’ chart-topping breakthrough hit, Bleeding Love, is one confirmed collaborator, and a number of top artists have joined her in the studio, including Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo and producer Timbaland. {Source}

I’m definitely a supporter of legitimate talent, so I’m very proud of Leona’s success – particularly with her UK roots. However, saying that, I wasn’t too big on her debut album, which sans ‘Bleeding Love’ and a few other select cuts was kinda ‘blah’. The roster of writers and producers on this new album look quite impressive, I just hope the material measures up too.

Are you checking for ‘Echo’?