Estelle Covers BLEU Magazine‘American Boy’ singer Estelle features in the Spring 2008 issue of BLEU Magazine; the UK sensation is the first artist to receive a double cover in the magazine’s history.

Speaking exclusively to BLEU Magazine’s contributing writer Lenox Magee, Estelle dishes on how the UK does not know how to promote black artists. She also addresses the Lauryn Hill comparisons:

“I think they compare me to her (Lauryn Hill) because I’m dark-skinned and I sing and rap. But, if they’re saying the music is just as great, then compare me all day because I’ll be really happy about that.”

The issue hits newsstands across the US on April 29th, as does Estelle’s great new album ‘Shine’.
Estelle Covers BLEU Magazine Estelle Covers BLEU Magazine
Estelle Covers BLEU Magazine

Your thoughts?

Mariah Carey - 'Bye Bye' (Remix) (ft. Jay-Z)This Jay-Z assisted remix of Mariah Carey’s current single ‘Bye Bye’ surfaced just a few hours ago. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that I’m not sold on the original version, but this doesn’t really do much for me. Unlike Mariah’s past remixes, which oft are equally as good, if not better than the originals, this is kinda blah. On a more positive note, the track is worth a listen, if only to hear Jay’s untouchable flow.

Hit or Miss?

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Mariah Speaks On Leona Comparisons Diva Mariah Carey, whose latest effort ‘E=MC²’ is set to top the US charts this week, spoke recently on the comparisons between herself and UK singing sensation Leona Lewis:

“Honestly, there has been so many, ‘This is the new her,’ and I’m like, ‘OK, show me the new her. Can she come and work for me and be my double?’ And I’m not particular talking about this girl Leona, because I only heard her once and I didn’t really hear a true similarity, particularly in the style of music. It is what it is and critics have compared me to so many people who are not really singers, and they’re certainly not writers”. {Source}

Is it me or does she come across kind of catty here? I mean, not for a long while has a voice like Leona’s risen to prominence, yet Mariah seems to see this as a bad thing. Yes, she’s worked incredibly hard to reach the status she enjoys today, but I’ve never been a fan of the whole veterans feeling threatened by the newcomers thing.

Your thoughts?

Beyonce & Jay-Z Sign Marriage LicenceWhile Beyonce and Jay-Z continue to remain tight-lipped about their much-talked about wedding two weeks ago, the pair made a very public declaration of their union. This past Friday the pair finally signed their marriage licence – before it expired, according to PEOPLE.com:

Scarsdale Town Clerk Donna Conkling tells PEOPLE the license – which lists the wedding date as April 4 – was received on Friday afternoon. The couple applied for the license just three days before the ceremony.

Interesting. It’s a bit puzzling as to why they left it so long to sign the document – which usually is signed at the actual ceremony….

Any thoughts?

Janet Tour to Kick Off September 11th In news that will, no doubt, please Janet Jackson’s army of fans, the Pop superstar has confirmed to E! Online that her much-anticipated world tour will start on September 11th. According to the ‘Feedback’ singer, promotion for the her album ‘Discipline’ is on-going, with tour rehearsal commencing in a months time. {Source}
While it’s great to see Janet pressing on with promotion and the tour, I sure as hell hope that Def Jam/her people have some plan in place to help shift some more units of the record. After all, healthy album sales, for the most part, equal good ticket sales.

Will you be checking for Janet’s tour?
Fergie Preps 'Dutchess' Re-ReleaseAccording to MTV, Fergie is set to re-release her multi-Platinum smash ‘The Dutchess’. Boasting several new tracks including her collaboration with Nelly, ‘Party People’, as well as ‘Labels & Love’ – the theme of the much-anticipated ‘Sex In The City’ movie, the revamped LP will hit stores on May 27th.
In response to the question of why she decided to re-issue the record, the Black Eyed Peas front-woman was surprisingly candid with her explanation:

That’s what everyone’s doing nowadays, I hear,” she laughed. “The label came to me and said this would be a good idea, and I thought, ‘Well, OK, if this is another way for me to put out these songs that I’ve been wanting people to hear, then great.’ The music business is changing, and this repackage thing is a new way for people to put out songs that they want people to hear, so I’m cool with it.”

Well, at least she was honest. It still baffles me as to why the label would re-issue an almost 2 year old album. Surely everyone who wanted it the first time has it already?

Your thoughts?

Ciara - 'Supernatural' (Snippet) With R&B star Ciara hard at work on her third studio album tentatively titled ‘Fantasy Ride’, a snippet of one of the supposedly featured track has surfaced. Though the smooth mid-tempo ‘Supernatural’ isn’t a bad effort, it certainly leaves a lot to be desired. It’ll be interesting to see what the album, due out in the Autumn, will have on offer – material better than this I should hope.

Hit or Miss?

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Rapper Khia recently made an appearance of VH1 reality show ‘Miss Rap Supreme’ – as a contestant. The show pits new female MC’s against each other, who battle it out for the $100,000 prize money. What Khia was doing on this is beyond me, but check out the hilarity below:

Khia’s Elimination

LMAO at Miss Cherry letting Khia know exactly what she is – a one hit wonder. SMH…

Your thoughts?

As many of you know, the That Grape Juice Facebook Group launched last month. Be it at work, school, college, wherever; I’m sure many of you – like myself – spend countless hours on Facebook. Yes, it’s overly addictive lol.
Combine your daily Urban Pop Culture fix with social networking and come be a part of the ever-growing That Grape Juice Facebook community. Along with the hundreds who have already joined, you’ll be the first to get word on upcoming interviews, competitions and 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 your friends too!
Kanye & Alexis Call It QuitsFollowing mounting speculation, Kanye West’s fiancée Alexis Phifer has confirmed that she and the rapper have, indeed, ended their relationship. The pair had been engaged for a year and a half, having dated on and off since 2002. Check out the report via PEOPLE.com:

“It’s always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends,” Phifer tells PEOPLE. “I wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavors. He’s one of the most talented people I’ve ever met.”

Phifer was spotted on the red carpet sans her engagement ring at an “Evenings in Vogue” event on Thursday night in New York, where her clothing line, Ghita, was featured.

“They’d been having problems,” a pal of West’s says. “Kanye is really focused on his show; he’s putting everything into the show right now. Alexis is a nice girl, but Kanye has been going through a rough time. They hit a rough patch and for now they’ve split.”

According to the friend, Phifer and West, both 30, had been spending less time together in the last few weeks as the Grammy-winning star prepared for his nationwide “Glow in the Dark” tour. “I haven’t seen [Alexis] around at all the last few times I’ve seen him recently,” the friend added.

Another one bites the dust…

Your thoughts?

Mariah Carey Lines Up 'Love Story' In an interview New York’s Hot 97 radio station today, Mariah Carey confirmed that ‘Love Story’ will likely serve as the third single from ‘E=MC²’. Elaborating further, she revealed actor Nick Cannon will both feature in the clip for current single’ Bye Bye’ as well as that of ‘Love Story’, citing a storyline tie-in similar to ‘It’s Like That’ and ‘We Belong Together’ from the ‘Mimi’ record.

Having dropped the light mid-tempo in the form of ‘Touch My Body’ and now the ballad ‘Bye Bye’, the most logical move IMO would be to release club banger ‘Migrate’ next. Granted there’s a strong likelihood that the track will at some point receive the single treatment (according to Mariah), delaying what will inevitably be a hit, especially in favour of ‘Love Story’ doesn’t make much sense to me.

Your thoughts?

Teairra Mari - 'No No No'Former ‘Princess of The Roc’ Teairra Mari is currently prepping her Interscope debut for a summer 2008 release. In the meanwhile, the album’s first single ‘No No No’ has surfaced (via YBF). Though hardly groundbreaking, I’m liking this. The gritty hard-hitting production, as well Teairra’s flow make for a real solid track; her runs toward the end really highlight her growth vocally. Good stuff.


Hit or Miss?
 

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