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

15th Aug

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?

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14th Aug

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.

What do you think of the video?

14th Aug

Rihanna’s ‘Disturbia’ Hits #1

Def 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?

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14th Aug

JD At Janet’s Tour Rehearsal

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?

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14th Aug

New Song: Brandy – ‘Right Here (Departed)’

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?

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14th Aug

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 🙂

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13th Aug

Crazy Fan Interrupts Solange Show

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?

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13th Aug

Omarion Cuts Hair – The Video

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?

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13th Aug

America’s Next Top Model To Feature Transgender Contestant

America's Next Top Model To Feature Transgenger

The 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?

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13th Aug

Michelle Williams On The Wendy Williams Show

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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13th Aug

Britney Talks Kids, New Album & More

More than two years since her last interview, Pop star Britney Spears sat down with OK! magazine, speaking candidly on her kids, sister Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy as well as her forthcoming new album:

On Not Wanting Her Kids In Show Business:

“I’d love them unconditionally if they wanted to,” she explains. “I’d just as soon they have a more normal childhood.”

On Learning Of Jamie-Lynn’s pregnancy:

“I was shocked a little bit,” says Brit. “She’s always been the baby, and now the baby was having a baby. It was mind-boggling.”
“I’m sure the boys (her sons) will be like big brothers to Maddie,” she says.

On Her New Album:

“I’m writing every day, right here at the piano in this living room… This is my best work ever.”

Good to see Ms. Spears on the mend. There’s no doubt ‘Blackout’ was a very solid effort, so I’m sure many are hopeful at the prospect of something even better. Britney’s new album is tentatively scheduled for an early 2009 release.

OK! hits stores in the US tomorrow.

Your thoughts?

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13th Aug

New Jennifer Hudson Photo Shoot

Jennifer Hudson glams it up in this latest photo shoot by shot Derek Blanks. Awesome shoot. Jennifer’s self-titled debut hits stores September 30th via J Records.