A teaser snippet of former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams’ new material has surfaced. Though it’s uncertain whether the track, ‘Stop This Car’, will be the lead single from her as-yet-untitled album, it is believed that the song will feature on the singer’s LP – her first non-Gospel solo venture. About the track, I’m really like it and feel the production and vocal arrangement compliments her alternate sound. It kinda has me psyched for what the often underrated ‘Do You Know’ vocalist has in store on this album.

Hit or Miss?

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Keeping the exclusive interviews coming, I’ve just gotten confirmation that That Grape Juice will be interviewing rapper Trina next Wednesday. The Diamond Princess is currently prepping the release of her new album ‘Still Da Baddest’, which drops via Slip-N-Slide/EMI on February 12th 2008. Do feel free to drop any questions you have for her in the comments section. As is usually the case, only legit/genuine questions will be considered. Thanks 🙂

Bow Wow and Omarion were guests on a ‘Sexual Health’ episode of the Tyra Banks show, alongside rapper Eve and Dita Von Teese. I am still in hysterics about what went down when Tyra asked “Stand up if you’ve ever faked ‘it’…” Check it out:

LMAO at Bow Wow! Omarion’s face was priceless. I’m guessing the jokes kinda write themselves with that one…

Your thoughts?

CBS aired the first annual Movies Rock! special yesterday. Taped at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, performers on the night included Beyonce, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige and Chris Brown. Check out the performances below:

Beyonce – Somewhere Over The Rainbow

 

Jennifer Hudson – Somewhere

 

Usher – Singing In The Rain

 

More performances:

Fergie – Live & Let Die

Chris Brown – Jailhouse Rock

Mary J. Blige & John Legend – As Time Goes By

Nicole Scherzinger – Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend

Will.i.am, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J & Eve – Theme

I really liked the concept of the show and enjoyed most of the performances – most notably Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson. Usher’s rendition of ‘Singing In The Rain’ was pretty good too.

What do you think of the performances?

As 2007 winds down to an end, I can’t help but think that some of the best R&B releases were held off until now. For, judging by these two new tracks, the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul Mary J. Blige appears to bringing ‘it’ on her forthcoming new album ‘Growing Pains’ (due December 18th).
Mary and Usher trade verses on the metaphorical (yet lyrically simplistic) ‘Shake Down’. The Tricky Stewart penned/ Jazze Pha produced track is hardly groundbreaking, but works all the same.
The masterminds behind Mary’s 2005 smash ‘Be Without You’, Bryan-Michael Cox and Johnta Austin, are re-enlisted on the mid-tempo ballad ‘Stay Down’. I’ve had this on heavy rotation since hearing it; great track, very lyrically engaging.

Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

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Snoop Dogg stopped by the ‘Ellen Degeneres’ show earlier this week to perform his latest single ‘Sensual Seduction’. Though kinda weary of the song at first, I have to give Snoop his props -he came with something ‘different’ this time and it turned out great.

In other Snoop news, his reality show ‘Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood’ premieres this Sunday in the US at 10:30/9:30c on the E! channel.

What do you think of the performance?

The youngest of the Knowles’ clan, Solange, attended the PEOPLE Magazine Grammy Party yesterday following the nominee announcements. I’m kinda feeling the ‘different’ look she’s been rocking as of late – she looks good.

What do you think of the pic?
Rapper Bow Wow was rushed to hospital immediately following his co-headling ‘Up Close and Personal’ tour stop with Chris Brown in Cincinnati yesterday (December 6th).
The 20 year old star is said to be in ‘good spirits and awaiting doctors diognosis’; though his condition is thought to have brought on by ‘stress and exhaustion.’
Unfortunately for fans hoping to see Bow Wow on the tour’s stop in Chicago tonight, he will be sitting it out. However, he assures his Chicago-area fans that “he loves them and will be sure to come back to Chicago soon!”
I know some of you may jump on my back, but I can’t help but question the timing of this. I mean, the release of his joint album with Omarion ‘Face Off’ is drawing ever-nearer (December 11th) – amid little hype. If I’m wrong, here’s hoping he makes a speedy recovery…

Your thoughts?
Speculation has been mounting for months that all is not well with Jay-Z over at Def Jam. According to NY Daily News, negotiations for the renewal of the mogul’s ‘President’ position at the label are not going smoothly due to his ‘excessive’ (monetary) demands:

“He wanted big, big money that was way out of sync with the realities of today’s record business.”

Island/Def Jam CEO L.A. Reid and his boss, Doug Morris, are said to have found Jay’s demands “excessive” in light of the time he’s been spending on tour.

“People have lost count of how many times he’s come out of retirement. Everybody knows he’s not around the office much. Everybody at Universal loves him, but they can’t justify paying him the money he wants when so many people have been laid off.”

His contract is said to expire at the end of this month.

The news couldn’t have come at a worse time for the rapper, who is dodging claims that he spent a whopping $15 million (of Def Jam’s money) on the promotion of his ‘American Gangster’ album.

It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out…

Your thoughts?
Former Terror Squad rapper Remy Ma stopped by a radio station to respond to a recent diss track directed toward her by Lil’ Kim:

“That little boy better leave me alone,” Remy said referring to Lil Kim. “ She was saying ‘I’m going at [Remy] hard, she go hard to me so I go hard back’. I feel like if that’s going at me hard, like seriously, I’m just gonna chill out. That’s crazy to me.”

“What did she say? ‘Put it on my lipstick, I was to be busy being conceited’. Like, how could you be conceited, you don’t even like your own face,” Remy continued. “ What are you talking about? Are you serious? How was I supposed to take that offensive.” “I don’t believe you,” stressed Remy. “ You don’t like your nose, you don’t like your cheek , you don’t like your chin, you don’t like your skin color, you don’t like your tits , you don’t like your stomach, you don’t like your teeth. What are you talking about?”

“At the end of the day it’s funny to me. When I really feel like it’s amusing, when I feel like someone’s getting at me, then I’ll drag them all over the first spot that I see them of course,” Remy continued. “ But in the meantime, in between time…like this chic has more ghostwriters than Foxy [Brown]. I just feel like right now she’s reaching,”

Hmmm…I like Kim (moreso than Remy), but she can’t be going on at anyone looking the way she does these days. I mean, as much of a mess as Remy is, Kim just..well..watch the vid below to see what I mean:

Any thoughts?
The nominees for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards were announced just a few short hours ago and it’s rapper Kanye West and UK singing sensation Amy Winehouse who lead the field. West notched up eight nominations, whilst ‘Rehab’ singer Winehouse clocked in with an impressive six nominations. The news is likely welcomed by both artists, who have each been through a difficult few months – West losing his mother and Winehouse’s much documented drink and drug issues.
Both West and Winehouse are nominated in the coveted ‘Album Of The Year’ category for their ‘Graduation’ and ‘Back To Black’ albums respectively. Winehouse is also nominated for ‘Song Of The Year’ and ‘Record Of The Year’ for her smash ‘Rehab’. In the latter category, Winehouse faces competition from Beyonce’s ‘Irreplaceable’, Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ and Justin Timberlake’s ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’.
Winners will be announced at the live show on Sunday February 10th 2008. The show will take place at Los Angeles’ Staple Centre. Keep it locked here for all the latest in the run-up to the big day.

What do you think of the nominations?
Atlanta rapper T.I, who is currently on house-arrest, features on the double cover of Rap-Up magazine’s December/January issue along with Nicole Scherzinger.
T.I, real name Clifford Harris Jr, discusses his luxury lifestyle, his plans to marry and start a family with girlfriend Tiny, staying out of trouble (ironically), his friendship with Suge Knight and Jay-Z, as well as retiring from rap.
Pussycat Doll front woman Nicole Scherzinger talks about going solo, her admiration for Beyoncé and Gwen Stefani, getting close with T.I. on ‘that; video, being a nerd in college, and dealing with the paparazzi.
The magazine is on newsstands across the US now.

What do you think of the covers?
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