Chris Brown’s video for new single ‘Forever’ premiered today. The track is lifted from the upcoming re-release of his sophomore LP ‘Exclusive’ (due June 3rd). About the clip; put simply, I think it’s wack, as is the song. However I do commend Chris for experimenting with a ‘different’ sound and trying to appeal to a wider audience. It’s just a shame the execution fell short of his (label’s) intentions.

What do you think of the video?

Girlicious stopped by The Sauce yesterday to promote their new single ‘Like Me’ (currently #3 on the iTunes chart). As well as being interviewed, the girls also gave an impromptu acapella rendition of the song. Check it out:

Perhaps it’s because I see a lot of potential with the group that I’m still rooting for them, because that acapella was a mess…a hot mess, at that. It’ll be interesting to see if they can deliver the goods with their future showings. Their self-titled debut is set to hit stores July 1st.

Any thoughts?

Usher: 'Chris Brown Is The Next Me' R&B star Usher recently spoke on the young talent in the today’s industry – more specifically teen singer Chris Brown:

Usher has hailed fellow singer Chris Brown as a younger version of himself – insisting the star will “follow the same path”. Usher, 29, was just 15 when he released his self-titled debut album in 1994 and has gone on to forge a highly successful music career. And Usher is convinced Brown, 19, is all set to follow in his footsteps and dominate the R&B scene.

He says, “All of this young energy is great for the industry. Chris is the guy who dances and sings, which is a lot like I do and did as a young artist as well. If time serves us correctly, and artists are continuing to better themselves, then hopefully he’ll follow the same path that I did.” {Source}

While it’s good to see Usher giving props to the crop of younger stars on the come-up, I can’t help but feel he’s a tad on the self-indulgent side. I mean after all, he along with the Justin’s and co are evidently still students at the ‘Michael Jackson School of Performing’. To be honest, I can’t pick any one male artist of today that has carved out a lasting trademark in the way the MJ’s and Prince’s did.

Your thoughts?

Kelly Rowland is back on this side of pond to promote her new single ‘Daylight’. The R&B star stopped by The Paul O’ Grady Show yesterday to perform the song:

Good stuff, Kelly did her thing. She’s really becoming a lot more ‘at home’ on stage these days (solo), which is something I’m anticipating seeing more of in future performances too.

What do you think of the performance?

R&B star Alicia Keys performed her current single ‘Teenage Love Affair’ on the Late Show With David Letterman earlier this week. Check out the performance below:

I’ve really taken a liking to the song since the debut of the music video. Great performance.

What do you think of the performance?

New Kelly Rowland Promo Pic This new promotional shot for Kelly Rowland’s ‘Ms. Kelly: Deluxe’ album surfaced recently. She looks near-flawless. The European-only release will hit stores May 10th.

What do you think of the pic?

With rapper Busta Rhymes readying his latest LP ‘Blessed’ for a June 17th release, two new videos in support of the set have surfaced; official single ‘We Made It’ (ft. Linkin Park)’ (above) and buzz cut ‘Don’t Touch Me (Throw The Water On ‘Em)’ (below). While I’m not really feeling the clip for ‘Don’t Touch Me’, I’m really liking the ‘We Made It’ song and video – very different for Busta.

What do you think of the song(s) / video(s)

EnVogue At Tobago's Plymouth Jazz FestivalThe original line-up of EnVogue (including Dawn Robinson) performed at Tobago’s Plymouth Jazz Festival this past Sunday. Granted their age is starting catch up with them, all-four are still very beautiful women.
EnVogue At Tobago's Plymouth Jazz FestivalEnVogue At Tobago's Plymouth Jazz FestivalWhat do you think of the pics?
Competition: Alicia Keys Tour Give-Away! As earlier reported, That Grape Juice has teamed up with AEG Live, one of the world’s leading providers of live entertainment, to give you the chance to win tickets to see Alicia Keys live in concert! The Grammy Award winning superstar is currently touring the US in support of her multi-Platinum album ‘As I Am’. With special guests Ne-Yo and Jordin Sparks, the tour is unmissable!
Over the course of three weeks, That Grape Juice will be offering a pair of tickets to select dates of the tour in May. This weeks (Week 2) cities/dates are:

* Dallas, Texas: Nokia Theatre – May 14th 2008

* New Orleans, Louisiana: New Orleans Arena – May 22nd 2008

To be in with a chance of winning this week’s instalment, answer the following question correctly:

What is Alicia’s real name?

a) Alicia Augello-Cook

b) Alicia Moore

c) Alicia Keys

Email your answer as well as your full name, age, and address (as well as State – *very important*) to competitions@thatgrapejuice.net. Please be sure to put ‘Alicia Comp – Week 2 + your desired date’ as the subject. Winners will be selected randomly from all correct answers. Competition ends Sunday 4th May. Good luck!

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You can also purchase tickets to Alicia’s tour by clicking here

Soulja Lines Up New Album & More Despite being ridiculed as a ‘one hit wonder’, teen star Soulja Boy is currently readying his sophomore LP as well as several other ventures. Check out the report via MTV.com:

“My new album is called Back to School,” he revealed last week in Atlanta. “Basically, it is really me taking it back to the basics. It’s time to start studying again. Make it happen, man. … The time I drop the album, everybody is gonna be going back to school. My fans are 21 and under. That’s what I’m focusing on.”

Soulja may have rapped about getting F’s in school, but since he’s become a celeb, the young’un has obviously garnered knowledge in economics. He has a full blitz tied into the album. Besides the record, he’s dropping the Soulja Boy sunglasses, his own signature shoes called Yums, as well as a cartoon titled “Bad Little Homies” about him and his friends. Not to be left out is the ever-essential clothing, S.O.D.s. It’s named after his record label, Stacks on Deck. On deck are his protégés the All-Stars. Topping it all off will be the Soulja Boy and Friends Tour, featuring himself and other young acts.

Soulja said that since he’s making all that money now, he’ll be willing to open his album up for collaborations this time. He produced 90 percent of his debut and had no big-name features.

“I’m on Interscope [Records]. I could have went to 50 [Cent], Polow [Da Don], Timbaland,” he said about his first effort. “I feel as though I had to prove myself. [This time,] I’mma look around [for tracks], whether it’s a producer like Polow or a producer nobody ever heard of. For my fanbase, people who tune in to Soulja Boy, I think a good feature would be me and Chris Brown. Soulja Boy featuring Chris Brown — my audience would be like, ‘Oh my God!’ ”

Didn’t his first album (which was garbage IMO) just come out?! I guess he knows his ’15’ could be up at anytime (they arguably they are already), so he’s keeping it moving. I can’t knock his hustle. Saying that, I find it a little hard to believe any of the artists he name-dropped would ever think of doing a collabo with him. Imagine 50 and Soulja Boy on the same track LMAO.


Any thoughts?
As reported yesterday, Whitney Houston performed at Tobago’s Plymouth Jazz Festival on Sunday. Reports have been suggesting the 44 year old disappointed with her set, however you can judge for yourself by watching her rendition of ‘I Will Always Love You’ at the show below:

Hmm. Not as bad as I thought, yet still left a lot to be desired. On the one hand, it’s great to see her sing with a clear, polished tone; however ‘The Voice’ was largely absent from this overly safe performance – showing itself sporadically between the ‘talky’ majority. Still, watching this offers hope that Whitney could very well crank out a successful well-sung ‘Studio LP’ (See: Mariah Carey). Whether her unmatched live vocal ability returns to past glories will be interesting to see. Whitney’s much-anticipated new album is tentatively slated for a November release.

What do you think of the performance?

Madonna - 'Hard Candy': Will You Be Buying? Today sees the release of Madonna’s 11th studio album ‘Hard Candy’. Boasting contributions from Urban heavyweights Timbaland, Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, the record is the superstar’s first full-scale foray into the world of Urban music.
That Grape Juice wants to know if you’re sold on Madonna’s latest musical effort. Is it believable or contrived? Will you be buying? Drop your views in the comments section…

Your thoughts?
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