Brandy Unveills 'Human' LP Just days after Brandy’s ‘comeback’ single ‘Right Here (Departed)’ surfaced, the R&B star’s new label Epic Records have issued a press release regarding her forthcoming album. Titled ‘Human’, the set will arrive in stores on November 11th. Check out the press release below:

NEW YORK, Aug 15, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Epic Records proudly announces the release of “Human,” the new full-length studio album from the multi-platinum-selling Grammy-winning R&B/pop music superstar Brandy, available online and in stores on Tuesday, November 11.

Brandy’s Epic Records debut and first new album since 2004’s Grammy-nominated RIAA gold-certified “Afrodisiac,” “Human” is a bold new collection of songs reflecting the artist’s evolution as a musician and an individual.

‘Human’ is my most personal album to date,” said Brandy. I have grown so much since my last album. Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can’t describe. With this new chapter of my life it feels good to have Rodney, a familiar face, by my side again. He brings out emotions in me like nobody else.”

Reunited with executive producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who first collaborated with Brandy on her 1998 multi-platinum-selling collection “Never Say Never,” Brandy has created the most emotionally resonant album of her career with songs and performances reflecting the truth and complexity of her experiences.

“It feels good to be back in the lab with Brandy again,” said Rodney Jerkins. “We’ve always made great records and I’m humbled and honored to be continuing our legacy. The sound might be new, bigger, and more uplifting but we’ve kept our musical promise by making great songs and great music once again. There is no musical combination like ours!!!”

The album’s title is a real life mirror of Brandy as a woman, an artist, a musician and a performer, communicating what it means to be fully “Human”: strong yet vulnerable, candid and triumphant, in love with life and in touch with the things of the spirit.

“Right Here (Departed),” the first single from “Human,” will impact Pop radio on September 16. The single and ringtone are scheduled to be released on August 26, with a digital pre-order for the album slated the same day.

Other key tracks on “Human” include “Fall,” which Brandy co-wrote with the chart-topping British dance/pop singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield, as well as the new songs “Long Distance,” “Piano Man,” and “Torn Down.” Brandy’s other musical collaborators on Human include Brian Kennedy (Rihanna/”Disturbia”), emerging production whiz RedOne (Kat DeLuna, 2006 World Cup Official Single “Hips Don’t Lie” with Shakira & Wyclef Jean), and James Fauntleroy (Jordin Sparks/”No Air”).

I’m really anticipating this one. Welcome back, Ms. Norwood!

Your thoughts?

Monica - 'Still Standing (ft. Ludacris)' (Full) R&B songstress Monica’s latest single surfaced last week in preview form; today, owever, the full version has materialized.

Put simply, I’m really liking this one. The Bryan Michael Cox produced mid-tempo manages to serve up a hard-hitting beat which is still able to compliment Monica’s vocals, while not compromising her ‘sound’. Ludacris’ feature works surprisingly well too. Great track.

Hit or Miss?

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Usher Lines Up 2 New Singles In an attempt to revive his luke-warmly received ‘Here I Stand’ LP, Usher is set to go for the dual-single approach for the album’s third release. Title track ‘Here I Stand’ as well as ‘Trading Places’ are to be serviced to radio shortly. It’s unknown at present whether both singles will receive the video treatment.
While I’m glad the record’s standout cut (IMO) ‘Trading Places’ is to be released, I can’t help but think this whole project has missed the mark. With Usher not being one to dish albums on a yearly basis, it’ll be interesting to see what he’ll do to salvage his increasingly unstable status as prince of R&B.

Your thoughts?

Ne-Yo On The Set Of 'Miss Independent' Ne-Yo On The Set Of 'Miss Independent'
R&B star Ne-Yo recently shot the video for new single ‘Miss Independent’ in Santa Monica, California. Featuring cameos from Keri Hilson (she’s everywhere lol), Gabrielle Union, trey Songz and Lauren London, the Chris Robinson directed video will be debuting in the weeks ahead.

Ne-Yo On The Set Of 'Miss Independent'Ne-Yo On The Set Of 'Miss Independent'

What do you think of the video?

Rihanna's 'Disturbia' Hits #1Def Jam star Rihanna has landed her 4th #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week with ‘Disturbia’. According to Nielsen Soundscan, the track jumped from #3-#1 this week, leap-frogging rumored boyfriend Chris Brown’s ‘Forever’ which remains at #2 for a second week.
It’s interesting to note that 3 of the 4 of the 20 year old’s US #1’s have been from her most recent LP ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’.
Congratulations where congratulations are due; it’s an amazing feat for such a young artist. That said, it goes to show how far questionable talent mixed with killer promo and a label/management constructed image can take you. Evidently very far….well far enough for the quality of the garbage you insist on putting out to not be a factor of your success. Go Rihanna!

Your thoughts?
Peep Jermaine Dupri’s latest video blog, which sees the mogul at rehearsals for long-time girlfriend Janet Jackson’s forthcoming ‘Rock Witchu’ tour:

Funny stuff.

Randomness, I know, but isn’t it time for Jermaine to pop the question already? Just a thought…

Your thoughts?

R&B songstress Brandy’s much anticipated new single ‘Right Here (Departed)’ finally surfaced a few hours ago. You can listen to the Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins produced cut below {Thanks for the heads-up Orande and Diane!} :

While not the best collaborative effort I’ve heard from Brandy and Darkchild, I am very impressed with this one….very. The beat has a serious ‘knock’ and everything from the vocal arrangements to the hook are on-point. Put simply, this song has a lot of commercial potential. Welcome, Ms. Norwood.

Brandy’s Epic debut is slated for a late 2008 release.

Hit or Miss?

Ne-Yo Interview Update Many thanks to all those baring with me as regards the Ne-Yo interview. I was hoping to have the matter tended to by now, yet it’s all still in the works. So the situation is as follows lol:
That Grape Juice were fortunate enough to have interviewed Ne-Yo towards the end of last month here in London. We were allocated 15 minutes with Mr ‘Closer’ himself, however, due to time constraints our slot was trimmed slightly – leaving us with a 3/4 completed interview.
Thankfully, we were able to secure more time with Ne-Yo, however we are currently awaiting an affirmative date/time – which should be materializing any day from now.
I’ve been in two minds as to whether to post it in its current form or hold back until the final few questions were answered.
All feedback from you guys is much appreciated 🙂
Back from her promotional stop in Europe, Solange performed at the Soul Picnic 2008 festival this past weekend in the States. During her set, an obviously ‘not all there in the head’ fan got carried away and proceeded to jump on stage. Luckily for him Solange wasn’t as fazed as one may think. Check out the hilarity below:

LMAO!

Your thoughts?

Peep the clip above of R&B singer Omarion having his lengthy hair cut off. This seems to be the latest trend among guys as of late – both in the industry and more generally (well those around me lol).

Your thoughts?

America's Next Top Model To Feature TransgengerThe latest cycle of Tyra Bank’s model search show America’s Next Top Model is set to feature a transgender hopeful. Check out the report via US Weekly below:

One of the 14 girls who will compete on the new season of America’s Next Top Model – which returns to The CW on September 3 – is transgender. “My cards were dealt differently,” Isis, a 22-year-old former receptionist, tells Us Weekly exclusively in its new issue, on newsstands now. Hailing from Prince George’s County, Maryland, Isis identifies herself as “a woman born physically male.”

Will she be a role model? “I like to help people, but I’m here to follow my dreams,” she tells Us.The inclusion of Isis is being hailed by GLAAD president Neil Giuliano as “an unprecedented opportunity for a community that is underrepresented on television. “We applaud Tyra Banks and The CW for making this historic visibility of transgender people possible,” Giuliano said.

Each to their own, I guess. I must say, though, that I find it real apt that, amid talk of the show becoming stale and boring, such a non-conventional contestant has been added into the mix. Hmm…


Your thoughts?

The Michelle Williams promotional campaign is finally in full swing (thankfully so); the 28 year old star stopped by The Wendy Williams Show for an interview as well as to perform her single ‘We Break The Dawn’ today. As with everything ‘Wendy’, no stone was left unturned; so everything from the album pushback, to Matthew Knowles to ‘the engagement’ were addressed. Michelle came across very, very well – real personable. The performance was great too. More power to her. Check out the performance above and the interview below:

Randomness: Wendy had me rolling…they both did. Good stuff.

What do you think of the performance / interview?

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