Continuing along the promo trail for her latest effort ‘The Declaration’, R&B star Ashanti stopped by MTV’s TRL to perform her current single ‘The Way That I Love You’:

Good stuff.

Reminder: That Grape Juice will be interviewing Ashanti within the coming week. You can submit questions for her by clicking here.

What do you think of the performance?

*Had to bump this one…*
Your Top 5 Songs Of The Moment?You know the deal; That Grape Juice, once again, wants to see what you all are listening to. Which 5 tracks have you got on constant rotation at the moment? Remember, it doesn’t have to be limited to R&B or Hip-Hop; could be something new, Old Skool, even something you made yourself LOL. Drop a comment in the comments section. Mine are – in no particular order:

1) I Decided (Part) (Freemasons Mix) – Solange
2) Since You’ve Been Gone – Day26
3) I Ain’t Trippin’ – Cherish
4) Trading Places – Usher
5) Should Have (Now I Know) – Beyonce

What are your ‘Top 5 Songs Of The Moment’?
With the Pussycat Dolls video for their storming new single ‘When I Grow Up’ set to premiere any day now, Extra revealed this preview of the highly anticipated vid. Though not seen in the clip, Pop superstar Britney Spears is set to make a cameo:

Looks pretty good. The Nicole ‘Star of The Group’ concept is starting to jarr me ever so slightly, though (peep what the other chicks are wearing compared to her). I’m reserving judgement on that front until I hear more of their new material. I mean they’ve got to give Melody (the dark-er skinned member) something to sing, right?

What do you think of the preview?

Lil' Wayne Set For Year's Highest Debut; 900k Amid all the talk about music no longer selling, rapper Lil’ Wayne’s much anticipated LP ‘Tha Carter III’ looks set to break the first week sales records of this year – as well as that of the last few years also:

“The excessive leaks and bootlegging of Lil Wayne’s new album haven’t prevented it from being a hot seller: The rapper’s “Tha Carter III” sold 423,000 copies in its first day of release, according to Billboard magazine. With such sales, Lil Wayne is on pace to sell about 900,000 copies of the CD in its first week and post the best sales debut of the year”. {Source}

That really is an amazing feat. It goes to show that Wayne’s undeniable presence in the industry, most especially within the last few years, is not going unrewarded.

Any thoughts?

Official: Amerie Signs With Def JamThat Grape Juice reported back in Febraury that Amerie was on the verge of signing with Def Jam. According to Contact Music, the singer’s move to the LA Reid headed label, which is the home of Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Ne-Yo etc, became finalized recently. Check out the report below:

Singer AMERIE is set to undergo a career overhaul – after signing a deal with the record label which turned RIHANNA into an international superstar.

The 1 Thing hitmaker has parted ways with Columbia Records and inked a deal with Def Jam, the company that secured the massive track Umbrella for Rihanna last year (07), catapulting her to global fame.
And Amerie, who has previously released two albums to moderate success, is hoping the new contract with Def Jam will help boost her career to even greater heights.

A source tells Britain’s Daily Star newspaper, “Amerie’s first two albums did well, but she’s ready to step it up a gear now.

“She was offered a deal too good to turn down and the promise to build upon her reputation for classy and sexy R&B.”

On a personal note, as a supporter of real talent, I am real pleased for Amerie and optimistic about what the future holds for her. If Def Jam can do what they’ve done with Rihanna for the much more talented Amerie (IMO), then she really may be in with a chance of hitting it BIG.

Your thoughts?

The Game performed his current single ‘Game’s Pain’ on BET’s 106 & Park yesterday, along with Keyshia Cole. Check out their showing below:

I really liking the song and felt they did a pretty good job of it live. Random tidbit: Keyshia was looking and sounding a lot better than she has in a while.

The Game’s new album ‘L.A.X’ hits stores July 22nd.

What do you think of the performance?

Solange stopped by MTV’s TRL yesterday to promote her brand new single ‘I Decided’ as well as speak about her forthcoming album ‘Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams’. Check out the interview below:

I’m guessing it’s not just the music that differs so much from Big Sis; Solange came across very animated, direct and generally all-round entertaining in the interview. I’m liking her more and more with each appearance/performance.

Any thoughts?

Chris Brown Confirms Rihanna 'Friendship' After months of shooting down the mounting rumors, Chris Brown has admitted that he and Rihanna are ‘close friends’. During a visit to Power 105.1’s Ed Lover Show, the teen star replied to a caller (as regards him and Rihanna):

“I wouldn’t say it’s technically dating, I would say it’s a very close friendship”. The caller replied: “Oh so y’all friends with benefits?” Chris cackles with laughter before replying: “Whatchu know about friends with benefits?

Like I’m sure many of you will be thinking, the host tells Chris to stop evading the question. Then again, what more confirmation does one need. Anyway, You can listen to the interview in its entierty by clicking here.

Your thoughts?

The video for Nelly’s latest single ‘Stepped On My J’s (ft. Jermaine Dupri & Ciara)’ premiered on BET just a few short hours ago. Though I think the video is pretty decent, especially considering how poor the song is(IMO), Ciara’s showing was definitely the highlight of the clip. Good stuff.

What do you think of the video?

Danity Kane wrapped up their North American trek last night in Los Angeles. Check out great footage of their set below:

Good stuff. The new series of Making The Band 4, which will center on the tour, will start in August on MTV.

What do you think of the performance?

Hit-maker Timbaland and his girlfriend, music exec Monique Idlett, have tied the knot, according to US Magazine:

The two wed — in their sweats! — in Virginia on Tuesday by a family pastor.

They are getting hitched again in a formal ceremony in Aruba on June 22.

The couple, who are based in Miami, welcomed a baby girl, Reign, last year. (He also has a son from a previous relationship.) He popped the question at Idlett’s baby shower.

Congratulations to Timbo and Monique.


Your thoughts?
Mariah Carey - 'Bye Bye (Remix) (ft. Akon & Lil' Wayne)' It would appear there are two official remixes to Mariah Carey’s current single ‘Bye Bye’ ; some of you may remember the Jay-Z assisted version that surfaced around the time the single first dropped. Well now, this version, which features man of the moment Lil’ Wayne as well as Akon, is being touted as the official remix as too.
In any case, the track is pretty good; despite Mariah not laying down any new vocals and the instrumentation largely remaining, Akon surprisingly kinda adds a new spin on the song, while Lil’ Wayne’s contribute is welcome.

Hit or Miss?

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