Confirmed: Beyonce & Tiner Turner To Rock The Grammy'sThe Recording Academy today announced that Beyonce will take to the stage with the legendary Tina Turner at this Sunday’s 50th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. No further details were given on the performance. Other performers on the night include Fergie with John Legend, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin and a much speculated possible performance by Janet Jackson. {Source}With Beyonce having tore several pages out of Tina Turner’s book (hit up Youtube to see what I’m talking about), I’m thinking this performance will be a showstopper. The Grammy organisers really seem to be pulling out all the stops for their 50th.

Are you looking forward to Beyonce and Tina’s performance?

Jay-Z Teams With Mary J For US Tour
Two of Urban music’s biggest entities, Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige, are set to join forces for a 3 month North American tour. Billed as the ‘Heart of the City’ tour, Jay and Mary will kick off the 26-show arena trek on March 22nd in Miami and wrap up in May. Both artists latest efforts, ‘American Gangster’ and ‘Growing Pains’ respectively, are certified Platinum – after only a few months on sale.
Jay said in a statement: ‘The (songs) we’re playing are the soundtracks to people’s lives. We’ve poured our hearts out many a night in the studio and look forward to going one step further on stage.’ {Source}
I think it’s a great pairing. Jay and Mary have lasted the distance in the industry, so this tour will be a testament to that.

Will you be going to see Jay & Mary?
A listening session for select publications/websites, to hear Janet Jackson’s new album ‘Discipline’ was held in New York yesterday. That Grape Juice actually received an invite, yet, with such short notice, it wasn’t possible to make travel arrangements soon enough. Still, our good friend Soul Man over at SOHH Soulful did attend and kindly sent along this video. La Reid, Janet and Jermaine Dupri were all in attendance:

Great interview.

Tidbits: The official promotional trailer for ‘Discipline’ can be viewed by clicking here // I’ve posted the Janet Xone (fansite) write-up of the session in the comments section. Enjoy.

Any thoughts?

Despite having released his third album ‘Go!’ this past December, Mario is already prepping the follow-up, with a ‘Sometime in 2008’ released date pencilled in. This new track ‘Me & My Girl’ is said to be the first taste of what the 21 year old singer will be serving up on his new project. Though I’ve heard better from Mario (See: ‘Music For Love’…my song), this is solid R&B – which is what he does best.

Hit or Miss?

 {Link Removed As Requested}

Laurie Ann ‘Boom-Kack’ Gibson’s video for her debut single ‘Addictive’ premiered on BET’s 106 & Park yesterday:

Lord, where do I begin? Terrible. Horrid song, even worse video. BET know they were wrong for even premiering this mess. I guess the fact that Making The Band is being screened now has something to do with the release of this.

What do you think about the video?

Word has it 50 Cent’s G-Unit clothing line has gone under:

According to inside sources, G-Unit Clothing is shutting down, with its last business day this Friday.

The brand was a joint venture with 50 Cent, who entered into a (what else?) 50/50 partnership with Ecko.

Senior marketing department staff were recently let go, as was the brand’s design team. {Source}

With rumors of in-fighting among G-Unit, as well as waning relevancy in today’s chart, things aren’t looking too good for 50. Still, having lined his pockets up nicely over the years, I doubt he’s too fussed….Scratch that; 50’s ego definitely has taken a knock with this one. Oh well.

Your thoughts?

Wendy’s interview with the boys from Making The Band 4 was posted earlier, however the famed shock-jock also interviewed the ladies of Danity Kane.
I’m still in hysterics at this interview. I won’t spoil it, but Wendy and co put the girls through their paces lol lol.

LISTEN: Danity Kane On Wendy Williams Show
Confirmed: Jennifer Lopez Having Twins Jennifer Lopez’s father has confirmed that the pregnant singer/actress is, indeed, expecting twins. See the report below via MSNBC:

LOS ANGELES – Jennifer Lopez is having twins, the singer/actresses father, David Lopez told Escándalo TV.

The elder Lopez’s admission is the first official confirmation from the singer’s family.

“Yes, twins,” he told the Spanish language TV show, People reported. “The thing is in my family, my sister also had twins, so it’s a hereditary thing,” he said.

And he already has gifts for the impending arrivals.

“In Puerto Rico it’s custom to buy an azabache [jet black, stone] bracelet for babies to protect them from the evil eye, it’s part of our culture,” he said.

Lopez said he was thrilled for his daughter.

“I’m very proud,” Lopez said. “Jennifer has yearned to be a mother for many years.”

Congratulations to Jennifer and husband Marc.

Your thoughts?

The Game Given Four Month Jail TermThe Game has struck a plea deal with prosecutors in his assault/weapons possession case, opting to serve four months in the slammer instead of going to court. Speaking to ‘Monsta Magazine’, the West Coast rapper, who maintains his innocence, explains the reason for his decision:

“The crazy part about this is that I’ve had guns before in my life. But this time I didn’t have a gun. And because one person said I had a gun and coaxed his homies into saying that I had a gun, I’m in a predicament where I’m asking ‘do I want to spend another million dollars to fight this trial so who knows what jury’s gonna come in and say I’m guilty? Or do I want to save my money, go sit down for four months and accept this felony they’re trying to give me for no reason?”
{Source}

Go to jail for something you didn’t do? I’m not buying that. IMO, he either did it or is just plain dumb.

Any thoughts?
Day26 Appear On Wendy Williams ShowThe guys from MTV’s Making The Band 4 – now known collectively as Day26 – made an appearance on shock-jock Wendy Williams’ WBLS radio show yesterday. Typically, Wendy and Charlamange got on them HARD; they had me rolling with the digs at Qwanell lol lol lol. The most hilarious interview I’ve heard in a long while.

Your thoughts?

LISTEN: Day26 On Wendy Williams Show
Michael Jackson To Appear At The Grammy Awards According to the NY Daily News, the King of Pop Michael Jackson is set to make an appearance at this Sunday’s Grammy Awards. Check out their report below:

The Gloved One appears to have won a stare-down with the Grammy-givers at the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. For weeks, show producer Ken Ehrlich has been mulling the idea of marking the 25th anniversary of Jackson’s “Thriller” album with a revue that would feature guest stars from his rereleased blockbuster, which drops two days after the Feb. 10 broadcast.

The medley number would include Will.i.am (on “The Girl Is Mine”), Fergie (on “Beat It”), and possibly Kanye West (on “Billie Jean”) and Akon (on “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'”).

Ehrlich said he’d do the tribute only if Jackson sang and danced, say insiders. “Michael can’t go along with that,” says a source. “He needs more time to rehearse new versions of the songs. And everything requires new choreography.”

Now, we hear, Ehrlich has agreed to having Jackson just appear onstage – apparently believing viewers will tune in just to see what Jacko looks like now.

Grammy reps and Jackson spokeswoman Lois Najarian didn’t get back to us. But word is Jackson is saving his moves for a show where he’ll make some money – a “Thriller” TV special and a series of concerts.

The Grammy’s is really shaping up to be one hell of a show. Though I personally see it as the perfect time for Michael to put his ‘comeback’ into play, I guess the time has to be right.

Do you think Michael should perform?
Rihanna Launches Umbrella Range At Macy'sRihanna launched her new range of umbrellas – eh eh eh (ok that was kinda sad lol) – yesterday at the world’s largest department store, Macy’s in New York City’s Herald Square. As much as she jarrs me at times, I can’t hate on her hustle. More power to her.

What do you think of the pic?
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