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

10th Jun

The second single from Amerie’s latest album has been confirmed as ‘Gotta Work’. It’s being reported that Scott Franklin, who directed the singer’s last video ‘Take Control’, will also work on this. Amerie, 29, released her third album, ‘Because I Love It’, in Europe this past May; the album is scheduled for a Stateside release in the summer.

Though ‘Gotta Work’ is a good track, I would have preferred her label go with one of the album’s better cuts such as ‘Make Me Believe’ or ‘Crush’. Either way, I’m hoping the video is better than the extra confusing ‘Take Control’ vid.

Are you feeling the single choice?

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9th Jun

Joss Stone Responds To Dallas Austin Accusations

R&B/Soul singer Joss Stone has finally responded to producer Dallas Austin’s much publicised claims that she ‘F*cked For Tracks’. Speaking to Metro New York, Stone had the following to say:

“I’m gonna let you decide. I never met him. I don’t know what he looks like. What can I say about that except for, ‘What an interesting high little man!’ I guess he was being a young boy and a little childish. What can I do? I don’t want to date any of them. I don’t want a boyfriend. Rather than be mad for that, I probably should pray for him because he’s got to have some issues. I think he needs to get a little help. He’s not well.”

….Ok then. I’m not convinced by her denial; she sure did take a long time to respond.

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9th Jun

50 Cent ‘Curtis’ Album In Trouble

Things aren’t looking too good for 50 Cent’s forthcoming ‘Curtis’ album. According to reports, execs at the G-Unit leader’s record label, Interscope, are unhappy with the lack of public interest in regard to the rapper’s latest singles ‘Amusement Park’ and ‘Straight To The Bank’. This, apparently, was a major factor in the decision to push the album back from June to September. 50 is said to be frustrated and is ‘attempting to salvage the situation’.

I can’t say I didn’t expect it. 50’s tactic of starting beef with other rappers to generate a buzz around his own album got tired real quick. It’s as if he started to believe his own hype and now no one is checking for him. I really don’t see this ‘Curtis’ album performing as well as any of his other CD’s. Seems he’s heading for the same fate as Ja Rule…

Will 50 Cent Succeed With ‘Curtis’?

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9th Jun

New Song: Rihanna & Chris Brown ‘Umbrella’ (Remix)

This remix to Rihanna’s mega-hit ‘Umbrella’ sees teen R&B star Chris Brown put his own spin on the track. Tweaking the lyrics, Brown replaces ‘Umbrella’ with ‘Cinderella’ and gives the song a cool new perspective. Having said that, the production is exactly the same and Chris’ vocals are badly edited into the track. Still alright though…

What do you think?

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8th Jun

Kelly Rowland Performs ‘Like This’ On Loose Women’

Continuing her promo blitz through Europe, R&B star Kelly Rowland performed ‘Like This’ on Loose Women today. I saw the performance as an improvement over her GMTV performance earlier this week. Her vocals were just as good, if not better, and she moved with a lot more sass. In other Kelly news, her single ‘Like This’ has moved into the top ten on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart – sitting at #7.

What did you think of Kelly’s performance?

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8th Jun

Rihanna Performs ‘Umbrella’ On 106 & Park

Rihanna seems to be everywhere nowadays promoting her latest effort ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’. This time the Def Jam star performed her #1 hit ‘Umbrella’ on BET’s 106 & Park yesterday. As has been the case recently, she performed really well and her new-found confidence as a performer shone through. Considering the news of Rihanna’s lower-than expected first week album sales, it’ll be interesting to see how she fares with future singles.

What did you think of the performance?

8th Jun

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Mariah Carey took a break from recording her new album to make an appearance at the Fresh Air Fund’s Salute to American Heroes last night in New York City. She looks great; it’s the best I’ve seen her look in a long while. The downtime she’s had since her tour wrapped, in October last year, has done her some good.

In other Mariah news, Timbaland collaborator Nate ‘Danja’ Hills – who co-produced Nelly Furtado’s smash ‘Promiscuous’ – has stated that he is currently recording tracks with the ‘We Belong Together’ singer. Danja joins a host of hit-makers lined up to produce for the project including Jermaine Dupri, Swizz Beats and Scott Storch.

I’m anxious to hear Mariah’s new material; after the success of ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ it’ll be interesting to see whether she can deliver once again.

Can Mariah top ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’ album?

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7th Jun

Meeting Kelly Rowland

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I managed to meet R&B star Kelly Rowland today in London. This took place at the taping of Loose Women which she was performing on (airs tomorrow). I didn’t attend the show, but caught up with Kelly afterwards.

I’ve seen ‘Ms Kelly’ in concert etc before, but she is STUNNING in person – a real beauty. She was so gracious and down-to earth. Smiling and being very friendly with everyone. Her minder allowed the waiting crowd full access to Kelly, so along with an autograph, hug and many pictures, I was able to speak with Kelly in some detail.

Many were acting star-struck, which to some extent I was too, but I said to myself ‘you don’t see Kelly everyday…you better ask her something!’ I proceeded to wish her luck with the project and asked her what the 2nd single will be – to which I got a ‘hmmm’ as a response. I informed her that alot of people are feeling ‘Work’ (someone else screamed out ‘Still In Love With My Ex’) and then lol…*crickets* she (and her entourage) stared at me right in my face for like 5 seconds straight. I had to ask her ‘why is everyone looking at me? lol’ She was shocked and said that she didn’t know people knew of ‘Work’ etc like that. She was really flattered, so much so that when she was about to leave she called me out personally – by name – and thanked me for the info and said ‘it’s really useful’. I’m guessing their still mulling over which single to pick and it was good for her to get an idea of what people are liking.

All in all, a great day…

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7th Jun

Lil’ Kim Resigns With Bad Boy?

According to AllHipHop.com, rapper Lil’ Kim has (re)signed with Diddy’s Bad Boy Records. The pint-sized star made her first appearance as a renewed Bad Boy artist during Diddy’s set at Hot 97’s Summer Jam event on June 3rd. This may come as a surprise to some, as the relationship between Kim and Diddy was rumored to be far from great.

I’m not entirely sure if it’s true, but it could be a good thing for Kim. Despite the obvious complications promoting her last LP ‘The Naked Truth’ (due to her prison sentence), Kim’s then-label Atlantic messed up the project with wack video’s and poor promo. Needless to say, the album tanked. Maybe Diddy will do her right with this new deal. Then again, when does Diddy do anyone right? 112, Danity Kane, Cheri Dennis….the list goes on.

Do you think Lil’ Kim is right to sign with Bad Boy?

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7th Jun

Eve ‘Here I Am’ Cover

Our friends over at Rap-Up.com have posted what is supposedly the official cover for Eve’s upcoming album ‘Here I Am’. Can’t say I’m liking it too much; she’s stepped up her look overall, but that wig is just not cutting it. ‘Here I Am’, which features her current single ‘Tambourine’, will hit stores on August 7th.

What do you think of the cover?

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6th Jun

Ne-Yo GIANT Magazine Shoot

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I’m not entirely sure what ‘look’ Ne-Yo was going for in this GIANT magazine shoot, but it definitely doesn’t work. On first glance, I thought it was a joke, yet the pics are legit. This shoot- especially that first pic (lol)- don’t do anything to ease the ‘rumors’ about him. What was he thinking?

6th Jun

It appears that even after the massive success of ‘Umbrella’ and a huge promotional campaign, Rihanna’s latest LP ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ won’t be debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200.

According to Hits Daily Double’s analysis of first day sales, Rihanna will vie for the #2 or #3 position with T-Pain – whose ‘Epiphany’ album was also released yesterday. Both artists are expected to sell in the region of 160-170k in their opening week. Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney is tipped to take the top spot with his latest effort.

I’m kinda surprised by this. Def Jam haven’t been behind an artist this much since Mariah’s comeback and to think that after all that she won’t debut in the top spot. Then again, the opening numbers will be Rihanna’s highest yet. Surely that’s an achievement?

What do you think?

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