This is more like it! I’m really feeling this Jermaine Dupri produced cut. Mariah definitely seems more comfortable in the studio than she does on stage, as the vocals here are near-flawless. As at now, all signs are pointing toward the ballads on the album being the standouts. Much ado has also been made about another ballad on the record called ‘Bye Bye’. I’m actually starting to feel a little more optimistic about this new album.

Your thoughts?

A fully recovered Janet Jackson (who had been suffering from the flu) was one of many stars who stepped out for the 2008 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in Hollywood last night. Other celebs in attendance included Chris Brown and Rihanna (separately), Will Smith, Akon, Jordin Sparks, Jermaine Dupri, Lil’ Mama and Usher. It’s been so long since I tuned into one of these awards – getting older I guess. Anyway, enough of my rambling, check out more pics from the event below:

What do you think of the pics?

For some reason, Black Eyed Peas front man Will.i.am seems intent on continuing his solo assault on the charts – this time in the form of new single ‘Heartbreaker’. The track, which surprisingly features Cheryl Cole – a member of UK group Girls Aloud, is pretty awful, as is its accompanying ‘tight budget’ video. Kudos to Will for trying though. Saying that, I hope hope and hope that this isn’t the kind of material he’s working on with Michael Jackson (shudders at the thought).

What do you think of the song / video?

The guys did a great job; they started off a little shaky, but definitely picked things up toward the end. Good stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

With Michelle Williams set to release her first secular album ‘Unexpected’ this August, new promotional shots for the album have surfaced. I’m really feeling Michelle’s new ‘look’; having listened to her new material (which is more edgy/dance-orientated); her imaging, this go-round, is something I’d been wondering about for a little while, so it’s good to see everything seeming to fit into place so well. ‘We Break The Dawn’, the album’s first single, has been confirmed to debut on People.com this coming Monday (March 31st) {Source}. For those wondering, our interview with Michelle is coming up in the next few weeks, you can still submit your questions by clicking here.

Your thoughts?

As previously reported, a new Beyonce track surfaced earlier this week, amid confusion about its origins. The Grammy Award winning singer issued the following statement on her official website addressing the situation:

Yesterday, ‘Beautiful Nightmare,’ a demo I’ve been working on for possible inclusion on my next album, leaked on some websites. I want to thank all my fans for the positive response to the song, but I want to tell you that this is just a work in progress.

It is not my time to put out new music. If you really want to hear some really great music now, you have to support my girls Kelly, Michelle and my sister Solange. Kelly just re-released her album digitally in the US, so check out Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe. Michelle is about to put out the first single, ‘We Break The Dawn,’ from her album and Solange’s single, ‘I Decided,’ is already one of my favorites.”

Granted this does seem a little scripted, I do commend this move, whoever made the call for it. Music World do have other interesting projects in the pipeline and diverting attention back to them is a good look IMO.

Your thoughts?

Thank you all those who entered our ‘EA Games Easter Give-Away’ competition. The correct answer to the question:

1) Jasma Anderson

2) Anna Asare-Mensah

3) Casey Baker

4) Imran Butt

5) Daryl Campbell-Gayle

6) Amar Dattani

7) Edirin Eruesegbefe

8) Difu Ilobi

9) Naomi Jackman

10) Anthony Jaiyeola

11) Louise Martin

12) Christian Medrano

13) Jashub O’Brien

14) Otis Peters

15) Briana Peterson

16) Ryan Taylor

17) Robert Whiterod

Congratulations to the winners! Remember to keep it locked on That Grape Juice for future competitions.

Many thanks to EA Games (UK)

With Trina set to release her new album ‘Still Da Baddest’ on April 1st, the video for the set’s second single ‘I Got A Thang For You’ made its debut today. Featuring Keyshia Cole, the video is pretty good and does the equally as good song justice. I’ve been feeling a lot of Trina’s new material and will definitely be checking for the album.

*For those still patiently awaiting That Grape Juice’s interview with Trina, hold tight, it will be posted next week*

What do you think of the video?

Actor Terrence Howard appears in the latest issue of GIANT magazine. Check out a few *interesting* quotes from his feature:

“It’s so hard to find a good woman who’s gonna help build the family and not be so interested in just building herself. I could be like any other male wannabe celebrity out there and hang out and date a bunch of people. Of course, there’s a beautiful opportunity to be out there and free. Why not eat up all the fruit on the trees? But the end result is that those things bring a dishonor to the family, and I will have served nobody but myself. I’ve sacrificed what I want to do for the sake of my family, and that’s what I need.”

“Sometimes men are drawn to each other and don’t know how to deal with that. So they think, ‘I must be gay!’ But we hide from the quality that is most prolific in human beings, to express love. God is love. And we remain in his image. Only one other angel is made in his image, and he became Jesus on this earth, his only begotten son. So why is it that we run from love? Why can’t men look at each other in the eye with honesty?”

Hmmm….

Anyway, you can view Terrence’s full shoot for GIANT by clicking here

Your thoughts?

Solange, the youngest of the Knowles clan, was snapped at the ‘Armani Exchange Icons of Dance DJ Portraits’ at the A/X Music Lounge in Miami yesterday. I must say, she really has grown into her ‘look’ and tends to be on her ‘A’ game these days. The 21 year old’s sophomore album ‘Soul Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams’ hits stores in August.

What do you think of the pics?