With her latest assault on the charts ‘Discipline’ now sitting comfortably at #1, Janet Jackson continues along the promo trail in support of the project, this time stopping by Jimmy Kimmel Live. The interview, which aired yesterday, saw Janet speak about the new album, her family and career, as well as chipping in on the running gag about Jimmy (the host) and Ben Affleck.

Your thoughts?

Kelly Rowland - 'Love Again' It has been confirmed that Kelly Rowland’s digital-only (US) re-release of her sophomore effort, now dubbed ‘Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe’, will hit online outlets on March 25th. ‘Love Again’ is one of five new tracks set to feature on the revamped LP. Despite this only being a snippet, the track sounds very promising. Having really enjoyed the original ‘Ms. Kelly’, one of my only complaints was that it sounded as if she were holding back vocally on some tracks; judging by the new material heard thus far, she’s exerting herself more, vocally, and the results are great.

Update: You can now also listen to a snippet of another new track titled ‘Unity (Stay With Me)’

Hit or Miss?

 

{Link Removed As Requested}


DJ Premier Lifts Lid On New Aguilera LP In a recent interview with our friends over at SOHH, producer DJ Premier revealed details on Christina Aguilera’s new LP:

Currently working on projects for his label, Year Round Records, DJ Premier shared plans to head back into the studio with Christina Aguilera soon.

“I’m definitely working with her on the next album,” Premier said. “She’s doing an all pop album again, but she wants me to keep the tone like what we did before. She’s ready to start next month…She’s so cool, she’s like my little sister now.”

I’m assuming by ‘all pop’, he means something in the vein of what Christina did with the ‘Stripped’ record. A smart move IMO, as her last album, the throwback/concept LP ‘Back II Basics’, was the pits.


Your thoughts?
BET UK: Your Thoughts? Some of our readers in the UK will have noticed the launch of popular US channel BET on Sky Digital last week (channel 209). Having seen a lot of the channel during my stays in the US over the years, I’m definitely feeling what the UK version has on offer; I see it as the superior alternative to MTV Base. The repetitive ads (an understatement), I’m assuming, are due to the channel still being kind of in a testing period.
For those who have tuned in…

What are you thinking of the channel so far?
R&B star LeToya is currently starring in the play Rumors, which is touring across the US at present. During the plays stop in Atlanta last week, the singer performed her hit single ‘Torn’ as part of her performance. Check it out:

She nailed it; her vocals are in the best shape I’ve ever heard them in. This actually has me geared up for her sophomore effort, as her improved vocal ability should obviously reflect on the new CD. Good stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

As reported recently, That Grape Juice has a number of high profile interviews lined up for the month of March. I’m pleased to confirm, then, that we will be interviewing teen R&B star Chris Brown here in London in a few weeks time. The multi-Platinum selling singer will be in town for his ‘MTV…Presents Chris Brown’ show at the Indig02 on March 23rd (click here to buy tickets). I’m sure many of you will like to submit questions for Chris, so, as usual, please drop them in the comments section. Remember, only genuine/appropriate questions will be considered. Thanks guys 🙂
The Game Begins Jail Sentence Rapper The Game, today, began serving his 60 day prison term for weapon possession:

The Game finally showed up to Twin Towers to serve his weapons-possession sentence, and we’ve learned that he’ll be a “keep away” while inside, meaning that he’ll be segregated from the general population while in the joint. {Source}

I’m still waiting for one of these celebs to get a legit sentence and not a slap on the wrist. We all know, had it been a member of the public, the sentence would have been longer.

Any thoughts?
That Grape Juice, once again, wants to see what you guys 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, throwback, even something you made yourself lol. Drop a comment in the comments section. Mine are – in no particular order:

1) Special Feeling (ft. Mika) – Diddy
2) Hell No – Monica
3) Money – Jamelia
4) Scream (ft. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger) – Timbaland
5) Til’ My Baby Comes Home – Fantasia

What are your ‘Top 5 Songs Of The Moment’?
Snoop Dogg recently spoke about his relationship with Dr. Dre on Chicago’s Power 92 radio station on the Kendra G show. Though he maintained that everything is cool with his former collaborator, he had some interesting words about why Dre doesn’t feature on his new record ‘Ego Trippin” (due March 11th). Check it out:

Your thoughts?

The video Akon’s new single ‘I Can’t Wait’ premiered today. Featuring T-Pain, the song is lifted from Akon’s second studio album ‘Konvicted’. Both the song and video are pretty decent, yet I can’t help but wonder how these immensely talented individuals (lol lol) are guaranteed chart toppers.

What do you think of the song / video?

Fat Joe Takes Aim At 50 CentRapper Fat Joe has hit out at 50 Cent again, this time in a video where he vows to break 50’s “f**king new teeth”. Check out the report via Contact Music below:

In the footage, which is set to appear on music website All Access later this month (Mar08), the hip-hop star reiterates his desire to fight the In Da Club hitmaker – even though he is positive the G-Unit rapper would win. The 37-year-old – real name Joseph Cartagena – says, “He’s mad. We never fought a one-on-one. He should win. I’m being honest with you. “You can put your money on that guy. I just want to bust his f**king new teeth he got. Wide-open. “What he doesn’t understand is that Fat Joe is straight brave heart. I’m a warrior, win or lose… I’m a warrior.”

Ok then…lol. As much as I feel 50’s career is on a downward spiral, Fat Joe stopped being relevant way before. This just comes off as a desperate attempt to drum up interest in whatever, harsh as it sounds, destined-to-flop album he’s looking to release.

Any thoughts?
Rihanna & Chris Brown Go Public It would that R&B stars Rihanna and Chris Brown are no longer concealing their much-talked about romance. The pic above was taken at a Paris nightclub this past weekend, where Rihanna, 20, met up with Brown, 18, before he launches his International tour. Publicity stunt or legit? Who knows.

Your thoughts?
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