That Grape Juice: End Of Year Awards 2008

Just a quick reminder to let you all know that you can still give your 2 cents/ as to who should be nominated in the That Grape Juice: End Of Year Awards 2008 by clicking here.

X Factor 2008: Live Shows - Week 9The final of X Factor 2008 live shows aired tonight here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the show below:

{For those unfamiliar with the show; The X Factor is the UK’s version of American Idol – with a twist in that groups and over 25’s are eligible to enter. The show also birthed the career of a certain Leona Lewis}
I must begin by congratulating my girl Alexandra for winning tonight! It definitely makes me proud to live in a country that has been able to produce such a talent. A talent I believe is very much a world class act. Week in and week out, Alexandra has delivered the goods and then some. Very proud of her. Very.
My phone has been going off non-stop about Alex’s show stopping performance of ‘Listen’ with none other than Beyonce (special ‘hey’ to Sean, Kwame, Jonelle, Sandra, Nathan, Jamell ‘Mr Damaje’, Leon and co!). You can also check out Alex’s performances of ‘Silent Night’ below (the other performances will be added as they become available):

Alexandra & Beyonce – Listen

Alexandra – Silent Night

Alexandra – Hallelujah (Winner’s Song – 1st Performance)

Winning Moment

Winner’s Performance

Beyonce – If I Were Boy

That Beyonce and Alexandra performance was TV gold. Amazing stuff. So so glad Alex won – I even did a victory lap in my street (don’t watch that LOL). I really think there is something in the stars this year – Obama, Vogue’s Black Issue, Lewis Hamilton and now Alexandra. So proud right now. Here’s to a great career.

Randomness: I must say it’s somewhat satisfying to note that we here at That Grape Juice have been rooting for Alex since day 1. Day 1. LOL.

Your thoughts?

The 'RandomNess' PostIt’s Friday, it’s been a slow news day thus far, so I’ll throw it back to you guys to express yourselves as you wish. Always an entertaining read, I must say…

As per the title of this post, feel free to drop anything and ‘errrrrthing’ in the comments section.
So, anything from your thoughts on the site, to random ramblings, particular views on any story (music, politcs, sports etc), share a story/new song, shameless promotion of your own site/material lol…not to be limited to music alone…a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g!
It’s your shout….
Estelle Preps New Album; Eyes Adele Collabo

After the worldwide success of Estelle’s ‘American Boy’ and the critical acclaim her ‘Shine’ LP received, it has been revealed that the Londoner is readying her third studio album. Speaking on the record, which has a tentative 2009 release date, she expressed her desire to work with fellow Brit Adele:

Grammy-nominated Brit female stars ADELE and ESTELLE look set to collaborate on a track.

Both have expressed an interest in working together — and now Estelle has told how a duet with Chasing Pavements star Adele would be “dope”.

The pair are now settling down to finalise their new albums with each other’s names at the top of their collaborations wish lists — so expect a tune from the talented pair next year.

Estelle started work on her new collection this month.

She said: “I’m really excited to start working on my next album.

“I’m going to go totally left field and surprise a lot of people.

“I’m going to hit it out the ball park with this one. I’m thinking a mix of COLDPLAY and MARVIN GAYE.” {Source}

Considering Estelle turned in such a stellar effort with ‘Shine’, I’m really anticipating what her next release will be serving up. The Adele collabo seems like a good look too.

Your thoughts?

Usher & Tameka Welcome 2nd Child According to People.com, Usher’s wife of a year Tameka Foster gave birth to a bouncing baby boy last night:

Sources confirm to PEOPLE that Usher and his wife Tameka have a new addition to the family: a baby boy born on Wednesday.

The new Raymond (whose name has not yet been released) joins older brother Usher Raymond V, who turned 1 on Nov. 26. The couple married in 2007. Tameka, 37, also has three sons from a previous relationship.

A source says Usher was at his wife’s side during the delivery.

Last month, he told Access Hollywood that his soon-to-arrive baby was “one of the best Christmas gifts there is to have.”

“I’m so proud to be a father by the time I’m 30,” Usher (who hit the big 3-0 in October) told PEOPLE back in August. “I’d hate to be 80 years old and not be able to run with my kids. I need to still be able to do flips when they’re in high school!”

Major congratulations to the Raymond’s!

I must say I’ve warmed to the Usher/Tameka union a lot more since they decided to stop being so ‘in-your-face’ with it all.

Your thoughts?

For the last year, Lady GaGa, who is signed to Akon’s Kon Live/Interscope imprint, has been creating quite a buzz within the industry. Indeed, her first single ‘Just Dance’, which made its debut back in May, has been making a steady ascent up the Billboard Hot 100 and currently sits at #3. Her debut album ‘The Fame’ was released in October.

With a sound that is an eklectic fusion of Electronica, Pop, Rock and Hip-Hop/R&B, this New York native is definitely a breath of fresh air in an increasingly ‘samey’ industry; you’ll be seeing alot more of her here on That Grape Juice. Check out the video for her current smash ‘Just Dance’ above, as well as a live rendition of the track below:

Are you checking for Lady GaGa?

After taking the charts by storm with her 3rd studio album ‘I Am…Sasha Fierce’, Beyonce is embarking on a world tour in support of the record. Her camp released the first set of dates for the trek today – which happen to be for the European leg of the tour. Check out the cities, dates, and on-sale dates below:

DAY DATE CITY VENUE ON SALE
Sun 26-Apr Zagreb, Croatia Arena 15-Dec
Tue 28-Apr Vienna, Austria Stadthalle 17-Dec
Wed 29-Apr Budapest, Hungary Arena TBC
Thu 30-Apr Prague, Czech Republic O2 20-Dec

Sat 2-May Rotterdam, Holland Ahoy 20-Dec
Tue 5-May Paris, France Bercy 17-Dec
Wed 6-May Strasbourg, France Zenith 17-Dec
Thu 7-May Antwerp, Belgium Sportpalais 19-Dec
Fri 8-May Berlin, Germany 02 TBC
Sun 10-May Herning, Denmark MCH Arena TBC
Mon 11-May Gothenburg, Sweden Scandinavium 17-Dec
Wed 13-May Stockholm, Sweden Globen 17-Dec
Fri 15-May Koln, Germany Arena 19-Dec
Sat 16-May Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadion 19-Dec
Mon 18-May Lisbon, Portugal Atlantico 12-Dec
Tue 19-May Madrid, Spain Palacio Desportes 16-Dec
Wed 20-May Barcelona, Spain Palau St Jordi 16-Dec
Sat 23-May Birmingham, UK NIA 12-Dec
Mon 25-May London, UK 02 12-Dec
Wed 27-May Manchester, UK MEN 12-Dec
Fri 29-May Dublin, Ireland The O2 17-Dec
Sun 31-May Belfast, UK Odyssey Arena 17-Dec

To purchase tickets, it’s best to hit up your native Ticketmaster (UK folk: click here to purchase tickets).

Anyone who has seen Bouncy live knows she delivers one hell of a show. Be sure not to miss out on what I’m sure will be a great tour.

Will you be going to Beyonce’s ‘I Am…’ tour?

Chris Brown 'Got Milk?' AdR&B singer Chris Brown is the latest star to pose for the iconic ‘got milk?’ campaign. More power to him!

What do you think of the pic?
(Kinda) Confirmed: Janet Jackson Pregnant Life & Style magazine is reporting in their latest issue that Pop superstar Janet Jackson is indeed expecting her first child with long-time partner Jermaine Dupri. This comes after the couple denied the rumors just last week. Hmm…
If true, major congratulations to Janet and Jermaine.

Your thoughts?

Yesterday, we posted Brandy’s awesome performances from her recent stop on The Tyra Banks Show. Ms. Norwood was also interviewed by the supermodel turned talk show host and opened up about many a topic, including her fake marriage, ‘that’ fatal car accident, her brother Ray J’s sex tape and a whole lot more. Part 1 is above, with the rest watchable below:

Great interview!

Any thoughts?

Britney's 'Circus' Is #1; Sells Over 500,000Pop superstar Britney Spears has more cause for celebration this week, as her ‘comeback’ LP ‘Circus’ has shot straight to the top of the US album charts. The set, Spears’ 5th studio album, sold more than 500,000 copies guaranteeing a #1 opening on the Billboard 200 chart as well as a Gold certification straight out of the gate. {Source}

While congratulations are no doubt in order for Britney, I’m still hoping she finds her ‘It’ factor ASAP as those live performances left a salty taste in many a mouth. It’s a thing by which, yes she’s having this major comeback, but how deserving is she if she’s turning in such sub-par showings where it matters? Hmm…

Your thoughts?

Akon stopped by E!’s Chelsea Lately Show this week to promote his latest effort ‘Freedom’. The ‘Smack That’ singer lived up to the song’s name by erm…(you’ll see) during the interview. He also shed an interesting light on his relationship status, working with Michael Jackson and more. Good stuff.

Your thoughts?

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