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

3rd Apr

Madonna – ‘4 Minutes To Save The World’ Video Preview

Check out this preview of Madonna’s chart smash ‘A Minutes To Save The World’ (ft. Justin Timberlake):

I can’t even deny it, Madonna is bringing ‘IT’! The vid, which should be premiering in full any day now, looks great. I’m just here cracking up at the fact a 49 year Madonna is up there whining and whatnot – looking good doing it too! LOL..

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3rd Apr

Jay-Z To Ink $150 Million Deal With Live Nation

According to The New York Times, Jay-Z is set to leave current label Def Jam to sign a deal with concert promoter Live Nation for a whopping $150 Million. The package deal would see Live Nation finance the mogul’s own entertainment venture, as well as future recording and tours for the next 10 years.

The venture, which will reportedly be called Roc Nation, will split profits with Live Nation. Jay will release a minimum of three albums during the deal’s decade long duration – receiving a $10 million advance per album.

Jay’s deal, which is expected to be finalized sometime this week, would be the most expensive (and expansive) agreement the concert promoter have secured thus far. Within the last 6 months, Live Nation have signed both Madonna and rockers U2 to similar ‘360’ deals for $120 Million a piece.

This news comes on the heels of Jay’s standing down as President of Def Jam last December, following the breakdown of negotiations for a more lucrative deal. Jay’s final Def Jam release is slated to drop before the end of the year.

I’m not sure about this. Not hating or anything, but I keep asking myself: is 2008 Jay-Z really worth that much? The moderate sales of his last couple of releases (in comparison to his past LP’s) kinda suggest he’s not. What’s more, these increasingly popular ‘360 deals’ seem kinda risque to me. One only has to look at the amount of artists, who at some point in their careers, have been unhappy with their label; so I can only imagine the drama that would ensue should one of these type of deals turn sour – as the artist would have signed over literally everything – music, tours, merchandising…the lot. Saying that, I can’t knock Jay’s hustle.

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Music

3rd Apr

Pics: Celebrity Alter Egos

Noted photographer Derek Blanks previewed his upcoming book recently, which includes a shoot of celebrities and their ‘alter egos’. Check out shots of Ciara (above), as well as Amerie, Kym Porter and Monica. I’m liking both the pics and their concept a lot.

What do you think of the pics?

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Music

2nd Apr

Chris Brown – ‘Take You Down’ Video

The video for Chris Brown’s latest single ‘Take You Down’ premiered on BET just a few short hours ago. While it’s footage from his ‘Up Close & Personal’ tour, I’m still pleased it’s getting a release in some capacity. IMO ‘Take You Down’ is one of, if not the, best track I’ve heard from Chris. About the video, Chris really is morphing into a very seasoned performer.

What do you think of the video?

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Music

2nd Apr

That Grape Juice Update

* I’m sure many of you have been wondering about our interview with Chris Brown. Yes, I did receive all of your emails, however I wanted to wait until I was fully aware of the situation at hand before informing you guys.

As planned Chris arrived here in London to play shows at the indig02 a few weeks back, however he was added to line-up for the BBC 1Xtra Live festival in Coventry at the last minute – meaning more rehearsal time. As a result pretty much all of his allocated press time was cut – which unfortunately included ours. The long and short of the situation is that the interview has been postponed. I stress the word ‘postponed’, as my contact at Sony BMG UK (Chris’ label here) has kindly confirmed that a new date for the interview has been set for the latter part of May. Annoying as this is, it literally is ‘one of those things’. Often, bridging the site with the industry can prove rather unpredictable – both in good and not so good ways – the latter of which I’m learning the hard way about at present. Not to worry though, do rest assured that the interview is definitely still on and your submitted questions have been considered for shortlisting. You can submit them, if you haven’t already, by clicking here

* In regard to the Trina interview, it will be posted in audio form tomorrow (with written at a later date). Much of the delay has been due to the fact that it’s so long (45 minutes to be exact). Saying that, it’s definitely one that both fans and non-fans can not miss!

* Chingy interview will be up soon also. Bare with me 🙂

* The Michelle Williams interview is scheduled for sometime next week or so. Click here to submit your questions

* There *may* be a couple of new positions available here at That Grape Juice in the near future. I say ‘may’, as I’m not simply looking to rehash roles that I see some of the other great blogs doing (and others copying), but something ‘different’. I have a few ideas swirling around my head at the moment, however do feel free to drop me an email with your suggestions or simply to register your interest in joining the That Grape Juice team.

* On a final(ish) note, I’d just like to say a big Thank You to you all for supporting That Grape Juice! At the start of the year, I stated that 08 would definitely mean ‘onwards and upwards’ for the site – something I’m firmly committed to making manifest. Therefore, do be sure to keep it locked on That Grape Juice as there are a lot of great things to come

* Feel free to submit any site suggestions, queries, news submissions etc to me by emailing: sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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2nd Apr

New Song: Michelle Williams – ”Until The End Of The World’

Thus far this week, it appears as if new Michelle Williams material has been surfacing on the daily. I can’t complain though, as much of what has been seen/heard is very promising. Set to feature on the soundtrack for the much-anticipated ‘Sex & The City’ movie, ‘Until The End Of The World’ is an uptempo Synth-Pop cut that is very much in the same vain as the sound Michelle has been channeling on her records as of late. I’m really feeling this one, especially the bridge. She really is carving out a great niche for herself musically that should still appeal to the masses.

I must give kudos to Michelle’s team this go-round; from the debut of her single on People.com, to the placement on the soundtrack for such a high-profile movie to…everything. As a result there seems to be a serious buzz about Michelle’s project. She really does seem destined for much deserved solo success.

Hit or Miss?

LISTEN: Until The End Of The World {Link removed as requested}

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Music

2nd Apr

Lil’ Wayne Covers VIBE

Rapper Lil’ Wayne features on the cover of the May 2008 issue of VIBE magazine. The Cash Money star talks to the magazine about his controversial lifestyle – including his obsession with making music, to his admitted addiction to prescription cough syrup as well as his recent run-ins with the law.

The issue is available on newsstands now. Wayne’s much-anticipated ‘Tha Carter III’ album hits stores May 13th.

What do you think of the cover?

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Music

2nd Apr

New Ashanti Promo Pics

With R&B songstress Ashanti set to release her 4th album ‘The Declaration’ on June 3rd via Universal/Motown, new promotional shots for the set have surfaced. She looks ‘F-L-A-W-L-E-S-S. {Spotted at Concreteloop}

What do you think of the pics?

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Music

2nd Apr

Mariah & Madonna Make Chart History

2008 really does seem to be the year of the Divas; both Mariah Carey and Madonna, this week, have surpassed Elvis Presley in the Billboard chart record books.

Securing her 18th #1 with ‘Touch My Body’ – which shot #15-#1 this week, Mariah Carey now stands solely in 2nd place as the artist with the most #1’s on the chart, having been previously tied with Elvis at 17 entries. Carey’s tally is second only to The Beatles 20 chart toppers.

Meanwhile, the rocketing of Madonna’s latest effort ‘4 Minutes To Save The World’ from #68-#3 has meant the 49 year old has overtaken Presley as the artist with the most Top Ten charting singles – which now stands at 37. {Source}

Congratulations to both ladies, it really is a major achievement in each case. Something tells me Mariah may likely crank out her 19th ,and possibly 20th, chart topper from her forthcoming ‘E=MC²’ record. I guess time will tell. {Note to Janet’s people: What the hell is going on?!}

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Music

2nd Apr

Day26 Topple Danity Kane To Hit #1

R&B five-piece Day26 have hit #1 on the Billboard 200 with their self titled debut, knocking off their Making The Band co-stars Danity Kane in the process. Bad Boy’s latest signees shifted a respectable 190,000 copies of their LP first week, besting the girls’ sales of ‘Dollhouse’ – which sits at #4 after shifting 89, 000 copies in its 2nd week. {Source}

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Music

2nd Apr

Usher – ‘Love In The Club’ Preview

Check out this preview of the video for Usher’s chart-topping smash ‘Love In The Club’ – the first single to be lifted from his new album ‘Here I Stand’. Rapper Kanye West, Diddy and Keri Hilson – who plays Usher’s love interest – make cameos in the clip:

Visually, while the vid looks great, I can’t help but notice the obvious similarities between this and the vid for his 2004 hit ‘Yeah’. Not sure what I’m thinking of that. Still, the choreography – which was choreographed by Jamaica – looks on-point. The video in its entirety will debut next Monday (April 7th).

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Music

2nd Apr

Beyonce & Jay-Z To Finally Tie The Knot?

PEOPLE.com are reporting that Beyonce and long-time boyfriend Jay-Z have taken out a marriage licence in Scarsdale, New York. Could it be wedding bells for music’s most-talked about couple?

According to a source, the pair took out a license on Tuesday morning. The document is valid for 60 days.
A rep for Beyoncé told PEOPLE, “No comment.” Jay-Z’s spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

I’d be surprised if this latest claim was actually true. After all, if I’m counting right, they’ve ‘reportedly’ tied the knot 20 times already. Saying that, after six years of dating, this wouldn’t be too far fetched either.

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