Nearly everyone and their mother jumped on the Lil’ Wayne ‘A Milli’ bandwagon, each offering their own take on Wayne’s cut. R&B star Ne-Yo has gone a step further, though, and dropped this new video for his version – courtesy of producer Bangladesh. Check it out {Thanks Necole Bitchie!}:

Your thoughts?

Rihanna On The Set Of 'Disturbia' Video Check out these shots of Rihanna, via Just Jared, on the video set of yet another single – namely ‘Disturbia’. Judging by her outfits, the David LaChappelle directed vid looks like it’ll be pretty interesting; which it needs to be, as the song is the absolute pits.

Rihanna On The Set Of 'Disturbia' Video Rihanna On The Set Of 'Disturbia' Video Rihanna On The Set Of 'Disturbia' Video
What do you thin of the pics?
Young Jeezy Covers Vibe; Talks Keyshia ColeYoung Jeezy features in the August (All-Rap) issue of VIBE magazine. As well discussing music, his presidential vote and his family life, the rapper spoke candidly about his rumoured relationship with R&B songstress Keyshia Cole:

“To be honest, it was more what she wanted. She was cool and we had a cool friendship. The media made it out to be something crazy. We kicked it. We hung out. Thing is, you can’t be cool with somebody you wanna be cool with [without the media thinking it’s a relationship]…I was grown enough to tell her, Look baby, that isn’t what it is right now.”

Ouch…

Your thoughts?

The Best You Never Heard: Jennifer Hudson, Michael Jackson, Beyonce & TrinaThis week’s edition of The Best You Never Heard features little known cuts by Jennifer Hudson, Michael Jackson, Beyonce and Trina. Do you have any suggestions for future instalments? Drop me an email at sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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Jennifer Hudson – Stand Up

 

Some of you may remember ‘Stand Up’ from a post earlier this year, which saw Jennifer belting it out in her bathroom. Recorded back in 2006, ‘Stand Up’ was initially made available as a gift to fans via one of her fan-sites, however has since become so popular (among her fan-base) that it’s currently being considered for placement on her upcoming debut album. Indeed, the ‘big ballad’ showcases Jennifer’s powerful vocal ability to the fullest, while also engaging the listener lyrically. Great song.

 

Listen: Stand Up


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Michael Jackson – One More Chance

Originally set for release in late 2003 (video filmed too), ‘One More Chance’ never saw the light of day beyond a feature on MJ’s ‘Number Ones’ LP due to well his publicized legal drama – which he eventually overcame. The soulfully soulful cut manages to mesh vintage Michael Jackson (‘Michaelisms’ included lol) with a contemporary sound that would, no doubt, work even in today’s musical climate. Definitely a testimony to MJ’s continued musical relevance.

 

Listen: One More Chance

 

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Beyonce – Baby Boy (Alternate Version)

 

 

Beyonce’s 2003 chart topper ‘Baby Boy’ needs little introduction. Yet many don’t seem to be aware of the existence of an alternate version of the song; which features entirely new lyrics. Weirdly enough, it was this version of the track (which still goes hard even today) that I heard initially; I remember scratching my head at the 2003 MTV VMA’s when she performed what is now known as the ‘single’ version of the track. Enough of my babbling, take a listen…

 

Listen: Baby Boy (Alternate Version)

 

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Trina – 50/50 Love (ft. Trey Songz)

 

Despite releasing a few decent LP’s, both before and after, it’s 2003’s ‘The Glamourest Life’ that stands as Trina’s best album IMO. Featuring several collabo’s including ‘Here We Go’ with Kelly Rowland, one of the record’s standout cuts was the Trey Songz assisted ’50/50 Love’. With Trina at her raunchy best, and Trey turning an impressive performance on the hook, this one is a winner.

Listen: 50/50 Love (ft. Trey Songz)

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Your thoughts: Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

Check out this new cut titled ‘I Told You So’ from Solange’s forthcoming LP ‘Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams’ (due August 26th via Geffen/Music World):

Hmm. I’m kinda wishing I didn’t listen to this, as, up until now, every track I’d heard from Solange’s album was a winner. However, the same can’t be said for this largely so-so track….which, for the most part, can be summed up as being kinda ‘blah’. Still, with a array solid cuts under her belt for the record, ‘Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams’ is definitely still one of the few albums I’m anticipating this year.

In other Solange news, ‘I Decided’ debuted at #44 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart this past week. The charting is her highest to date.

Hit or Miss?

Kanye West At Lanvin Fashion Show Kanye West At Lanvin Fashion Show
Peep these pics of rapper Kanye West at the Lanvin Menswear fashion show this weekend. It’s well noted that Kanye likes to do things ‘differently’ on the fashion tip…

What do you think of the pics?
Michelle Williams took her new Euro-Pop sound to the club – literally – over the weekend. The singer performed at a New York night spot; belting out ‘Hello Heartbreak’ and awesome new single ‘We Break The Dawn’, both from her forthcoming album ‘Unexpected’ (due August 12th). Check out the performances below:

She sounded great on both songs. The ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ feature on ‘We Break The Dawn’ was a nice tie-in.

What do you think of the performances?

Fantasia Celebrates 24th Birthday Fantasia celebrated her 24th birthday this past weekend at Dreamz ATL. The American Idol winner was was joined by boyfriend Young Dro, former Xscape members Kandi and Tiny (pictured above) as well as Trey Songz.
This is definitely one of Tasia’s better showings…

What do you think of the pic?
With the news of Akon teaming up with Michael Jackson now over a year old, today a sample of the collaborative efforts surfaced in the form of ‘Hold My Hand’. Though it’s uncertain whose project exactly the track is meant for, word has it the song will feature on Akon’s forthcoming LP. Check it out {Thanks Leonard & Patrick!}:

The cut is familiar territory for Michael – from both his and Akon’s vocal arrangements right down to the subject matter; which I guess makes it accessible for fans of that aspect of his music. Saying that, I’m kinda on the fence about this one. Despite the supposedly ‘new’ MJ material floating around, this is the first legitimate taste of post-‘Invincible’ MJ material and it doesn’t really deliver the ‘umph’ I would have hoped for. Still, this could be a grower.

Hit or Miss?

In part 2 of Rap-Up.com’s interview with Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, the hit-maker shed light on new projects from Britney Spears and R&B songstress Brandy:

Both albums are definitely highly anticipated. So it’ll be interesting to see if they deliver the goods.

Whose album are you looking forward to most: Britney or Brandy?

Ne-Yo's 'Closer' Hits #1R&B star Ne-Yo has unseated Coldplay on the Official UK Singles Chart this week with his single ‘Closer’. Having already secured the #2 position the week prior on download sales alone, the song’s charting stands as the singer’s second UK #1 – the first being 2006’s ‘So Sick’.
‘Closer’ has definitely grown on me since my initial listen; a much deserved charting, I must say.

Your thoughts?

Despite the controversy surrounding Jay-Z being billed as the headliner at the largely ‘Rock’ Glastonbury festival, the renown rapper silenced naysayers by delivering a show-stopping set. Inclusive were a tongue-in-cheek opening of Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’ – which took aim at group member Noel Gallager’s remark that “I’m not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It’s wrong”, as well as a remix of Estelle’s ‘American Boy’. Check it out:

Ms. Jigga was also in attendance to support her husband…

Beyonce

What do you think of the performance?

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