Word has it Mariah and Nick Cannon may be expecting their first child…for real this time:

MARIAH Carey’s wish may finally be coming true. Spies in LA saw the songbird coming out of a well-known ob/gyn’s office on North Crescent Boulevard, “clutching what looked like a sonogram and being greeted by her entourage with cheers. She was ebullient.” It was the same type of paper that Minnie Driver was holding when she found out she was pregnant at the same doctor’s office. Carey, who wed Nick Cannon this year in a quickie Bahamas ceremony, has made no bones about wanting a child. {Source}

If true, congratulations to them. After initially being thrown by their sudden marriage (thinking it was a publicity stunt), I’d be real glad for them as their union seems very genuine.

Your thoughts?

As this year draws nearer to its close, we will be acknowledging the releases, events, surprising moments etc that have made the last 12 months as memorable as they have been with our 2nd annual That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2008.

Shaking things up a bit from last year, we will be giving you the chance to decide who will be shortlisted for nomination in each of the categories – something you can do via the comments section below. There are no limits on the number of recommendations you can make per category.

Nominee suggestions must be in by December 15th. The final list of nominee will be announced on December 16th, also the day in which voting starts. Winners will be announced on December 23rd.

Album of the Year

Single of the Year

Best Video:

Best Collaboration

Best New Artist

Best Female Artist

Best Male Artist

The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist Of The Year Award

The Please Go Sit Down Somewhere Award

Worst Single Of The Year

Worst Album Of The Year

(You) Slippin’ / Step Your Game Up Award

Best Reality TV Show

Most Shocking Event of 2008

Your nominations?

Hot on the promotional trail for her latest effort ‘Human’, Brandy filmed an episode of The Tyra Banks Show which aired yesterday. The interview has yet to hit the ‘net, however her performances of ‘Right Here (Departed)’ and ‘Long Distance’ can be seen above (RH) and below (LD):

Wow! That has to be the best performance I’ve seen to date of ‘Right Here’. From the ad libs and runs, her swagger, everything was on-point. after seeing this, I hope she leaves the band at home for future performances of the song, as the original arrangement/backing track trumps the band version. Her rendition of ‘Long Distance’ was great too.

‘Human’ is on stores today!….

What do you think of the performances?

Will you be buying ‘Human’?

X Factor firm favourite, Alexandra Burke, performed at a special ‘homecoming’ gig at London’s KoKo venue last night. With the final just days away, Burke, 20, gave near flawless renditions of some of her best performed songs during her time on the show – including an acapella version of ‘Listen’, which you can watch above.

Put simply, she must win! Awesome performance.

In other Alex news, word has it she and Beyonce will be performing ‘Irreplaceable’ together on Saturday’s final.

What do you think of the performance?

The video for ‘Right To Dream’, the signature song from Mariah Carey’s new movie ‘Tennessee’, premiered within the last hour. Carey co-wrote the cut with legend Willie Nelson specifically for the movie – clips of which make up the music video, as well as footage of Mariah in the studio recording the track.

While Mariah turns in a good vocal performance on the track, I can’t say it moves me in anyway, same with the video. Tennessee’ hits theatres in the US later this month.

What do you think of the song / video?

With this week ushering in the release of Brandy’s new LP ‘Human’, Ms. Norwood is hot on the promo trail – today stopping by CW11’s Morning Show to perform the album’s first single ‘Right Here (Departed)’ as well as the awesome follow-up ‘Long Distance’, both of which you can view below:

Long Distance

Right Here

She nailed it! I was becoming a lil’ weary of the ‘Right Here’ performances (still great though), so it was refreshing seeing her give such a stellar rendition of my current song of the moment ‘Long Distance’. Fantastic.

Randomness: Is anyone elses best part of ‘Long Distance’ the runs and adlibs at the end (“Can you hear me crying ohhhh”) LOL?

What do you think of the performances?

Everyone’s still wondering why Janet Jackson bailed on most of her “comeback” tour –- the one guy who would probably know says it’s not because she was pregnant.

Jermaine Dupri tells Hollyscoop.com his woman isn’t knocked up, despite the scuttlebutt. Dupri even called out certain members of gossiping classes for spreading false rumors.

Nonetheless, Janet hasn’t totally pooh-poohed the idea of bringing more spawn of Jacko into the world: “I’d love to have children. It’s just up to Jermaine, what he wants to do.”

I keep saying this, but Janet, Mariah and co are no spring chickens. Granted they can’t just pop babies out at the push of a button, it baffles me when they speak like they are 21 on the baby front. Time doesn’t wait for anyone…

Your thoughts?

This clip of R&B songstress Keyshia Cole singing the US national anthem – The Star Spangled Banner – at the Oscar De La Hoya boxing match over the weekend has been making the rounds on the ‘net. Quite understandably too; Keyshia’s choice of outfit and ‘that’ hair has me thinking she got dressed in the dark. That said, even the vocals make for interesting convo. IMO she was good for the most part, yet the over the top adlibs and runs kinda messed it up a bit.

Your thoughts?

Check out this behind the scenes look at the making of Brandy’s fantastic new album ‘Human’. From discussing her past struggles to reuniting with hit maker Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, to of course, how these factored into the album, the video made for a great watch.

In an industry which sees albums and artists with little substance dominating the charts, it warms me when seeing artists like Brandy have such a respect and dedication to their craft as well as a genuine care for the impact of the music they release.

‘Human’ hits stores in the US tomorrow, December 9th.

Your thoughts?

The ninth week of X Factor 2008 live shows aired last night here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the semi-final episode 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}

This year’s X Factor is hotting up, with surprises never amiss – more specifically the ousting of former firm favourite Diana Vickers last night. The evening, which saw the contestants perform 2 songs – one of their choice and one of their judges choosing, was all about Alexandra IMO. Check out her performances of Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ & ‘Unbreak My Heart’ below:

Alexandra – Don’t Stop The Music

Alexandra – Unbreak My Heart

Alex did great, although I wasn’t so sure about the ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ performance. ‘Unbreak My Heart’ was awesome. This girl really must win. Roll on next week.

Your thoughts?