Hudson To Make Comeback At The Superbowl Nearly five months after the horrific murder of Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew, the singer is set to make her first public appearance at next month’s Superbowl, performing the US national anthem at the event:

NEW YORK (AP) — Jennifer Hudson is using pop culture’s grandest stage — the Super Bowl — to make her return to the spotlight following the slayings of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed Wednesday that Hudson will sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 1. E! News first reported Tuesday that Hudson would perform.

Hudson hasn’t made a public appearance since her 57-year-old mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson; 29-year-old brother Jason Hudson; and 7-year-old nephew Julian King were slain in Chicago in October. Her estranged brother-in-law has been charged in the killings.

Hudson, who had released her self-titled debut album shortly before the killings, is also scheduled to sing at the Grammys’ MusiCares event in Los Angeles a few days later. She is nominated for four awards at the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards. {Source}

It’ll be great to see Jennifer back doing what she does me.

Your thoughts?

New Song: LeToya - 'Not Anymore'
LeToya’s brand new Ne-Yo penned single ‘Not Anymore’ premiered literally moments ago over at LeToyaOnline.com (shout out to Ced!). Keeping it entirely real, I can’t say I’m particularly keen on this one, having given it a few listens. The mid-tempo cut does sound like it has grower potential, yet lacks the spark of first single material and lyrically is kinda ‘been there, done that’ territory for the former Destiny’s Child star. Vocally, she sounds great, I must say.
I still hail her 2006 debut as one of the most solid R&B efforts in recent years, so I’m remaining optimistic about what her sophomore set ‘Lady Love’ (due in April 7th – same day as Ciara’s new LP) will be serving up. For her sake (particularly after hearing this), it needs to be the hotness. Anyway, you can listen to ‘Not Anymore’ below


Hit or M
iss?
Whitney Houston Eyes March For New LP

It’s been seemingly a lifetime in the making, but word has it Whitney Houston’s comeback album will be in shops in March:

The music industry’s hottest party in town — Clive Davis’ Annual Pre-Grammy Party — is set to be the golden ticket this year, with word that Whitney Houston will start her official comeback at the bash.
The untimely Ms. Houston is set to perform brand new tracks completely live from her upcoming album. Whitney’s mentor, Clive Davis, also announced the new album will be due in March. {Source}
We’ve been waiting on this one for too long already; here’s hoping this is true. The Clive Davis pre-Grammy party should be interesting. Like many, we are eager to see whether Nippy can still deliver the goods.
Any thoughts?

With 50 Cent’s ‘Before I Self Destruct’ LP nearing release, it could only mean one thing – ol’ Curtis pathetically stirring up some drama. Once again taking aim at Kanye West, the G-Unit rapper uploaded this several years old video to his ThisIs50.com site, showing Kanye talking about getting his fashion sense from gay guys. 
It’s funny; since Kanye wiped the floor with him in their 2007 chart battle, I’ve yet to hear Kanye make any mention of 50. Whereas 50 stays mouthing off about Kanye and just about everyone else. No surprises though. When your career is heading where 50’s is (See: Ja Rule, Fat Joe etc), desperate times call for desperate measures – and desperate this is. SMH.
Your thoughts?
Aubrey: 'Yes, I Did Pose For Playboy!'It seems it really is ‘K.O’ for Aubrey O’Day and Danity Kane. Remember that announcement O’ Day said she had for the 14th January? Turns out she will be announcing she has indeed posed for Playboy magazine’s March issue – and, yes, it will be featured nude:

“I’ve done the cover of Playboy,” she said late in December. “You know, I think that Playboy for me was one of the most liberating things that I’ve done as a woman.”

Scanning the pics on her Macbook laptop while chilling in Costa Mesa, California, O’Day showed off the results of her session with photographer Markus Klinko, who has done portraits of Mariah Carey and Pamela Anderson in the past and who shot the cover of Beyoncé’s 2003 album, Dangerously In Love.

Taken amid sessions for her solo debut, O’Day said she was surprised at the negative repercussions from her earlier, revealing shoot for Complex magazine, which is reported to have played a role in Diddy’s decision to drop O’Day from the group. {Source}

I’m sorry, but I must take a moment to pop my damn collar! Some of you may remember I predicted Aubrey’s whole ‘it’s empowering /liberating’ nonsense talk from the moment the rumours started gathering steam. Granted she’s grown and can do as she chooses, I’m kinda thinking this was either a) an act of rebellion to the whole Diddy/Making The Band situation or b) too good a pay cheque (reportedly $500,000) to turn down. I’m guessing it’s probably both. How she plans on launching a legitimate singing career after this, I’d itching to see…

Your thoughts?

The full version of Christina Milian’s video for ‘Us Against The World’ premiered today unsurprisingly on her official Myspace page (she is signed with MySpace Records). Directed by Ray Kay, the clip is visually stunning, as is Christina in it. If there is one video that really captured the essence of the song, thinking along the lines of more recently released clips, this one certainly comes out tops. I’ve been liking the song and it’s anthem-like feel for a while now. Definitely rooting for Christina with this one.

‘Dream In Color’, Christina’s 4th studio album, is set for release later this year.

What do you think of the video?

New Song: Ciara - 'Roll Call (ft. Lil Jon & Lil' Wayne)'
Having been left with a salty taste in my mouth after hearing Ciara’s new single ‘Never Ever’, it’s great to finally hear material from her ‘Fantasy Ride’ album (due April 7th) that reignites my anticipation for the project. ‘Roll Call’, which features Lil’ Jon and Lil’ Wayne, is a guitar driven, hard hitting cut which sees the singer give a nod to her ‘Crunk’ beginnings – and taking it to another level. This one is definitely a winner. You can listen below:

Hit or Miss?

Peep Chris Brown dancing to Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ at the after-party for the Liverpool stop of his UK tour last night. My eyes were deceiving me, but for a moment I thought I could spot Rihanna in the background. She sure as hell could learn a thing or two. Just saying.
Your thoughts?
The That Grape Juice Facebook Group launched last year, as I’m sure many of you will know. Work, school, college, home, wherever; I’m sure many of you – like myself – spend a ridiculous amount of time on Facebook. Yes, it’s ‘that’ addictive.

Why not, then, combine your daily Urban Pop Culture fix with social networking and come be a part of the rapidly growing That Grape Juice Facebook community. Along with the thousands who have already joined (thank you all!), you will be the first to get word on upcoming interviews, competitions, view exclusive pictures and much much more. The discussion board/wall will also give you the chance to interact with other ‘Grape Juice readers moreso now than ever before.
It’s an open group, so anyone can join – invite all your friends too!

The video for Teairra Mari’s brand new single ‘Hunt 4 U’ (ft. Pleasure P) premiered earlier today. For what it’s worth, I’m really liking the song and the fact that Teairra has moved into more commercial territory – as I feel she has mass appeal. That said, I’m not particularly feeling the video. Ms. Mari looked stunning throughout, however the clip as a whole just came off as kinda cheap IMO. The green screen editing didn’t really do the vid any favours and didn’t make any less obvious the fact that she is essentially doing nothing throughout the entire vid. As Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ vid showed, there are more imaginative/creative ways to use a tight budget!
What do you think of the video?
{For those not in the know as what Eurovision is, it is essentially a televised competition which sees acts from European countries competing on one stage for their country to be crowned overall winner. While in some European countries the show is taken very serious, over here it is kinda looked at kinda tongue in cheek}
It appears the BBC are trying to inject some much needed credibility back into the UK’s entry for the Eurovision song contest, after dismal results in past years. The Beeb are running an X-Factor styled show to choose this year’s UK entry called ‘Your Country Needs You’. A contestant who stood out from last night’s first episode was East Londoner, Jade. Check out her performance of Beyonce’s ‘Deja Vu’ below:

By no means perfect, but still pretty good all the same. She has a very good stage presence and, despite some shaky parts, held her own singing and dancing.

Kinda off-topic, but the UK is in much need of commercial urban artists with the total package, hence me feeling that I’d much prefer acts like Jade receive contracts instead.

What do you think the performance?

This week’s From The Vault clip is Janet Jackson’s now infamous 2004 Superbowl Half-Time performance with Justin Timberlake. Granted I’m sure many of you know the reason for the hysteria surrounding this performance, there didn’t (and doesn’t) seem to much emphasis on the actual performance in it’s own right. Hell, outside those who watched the actual telecast, many probably haven’t even seen the performance in it’s entirety – besides the ‘wardrobe malfunction’ part. So without further ado, check out Janet’s medley showing of ‘All 4 U’, ‘Rhythm Nation’ and ‘Rock Your Body’ with JT below:

Truly awesome! From the stage spectacle to the choreography to the cool pre-recorded vocals (hehe), I really enjoyed this one. It’s a shame that such a minor occurrence (be it accidental or intentional) overshadowed this. It grates at times to see how one nipple (which, as you see from the video, can only seen from a far distance) could cause such furore, when Janet’s contemporaries – namely the Madonna’s and co have been thrusting their most private of areas for all to see since the beginning of time.

On a lighter note, watching this goes to show why there is only one Janet.

Your thoughts?

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