This week’s From the Vault video is R&B crooner Keith Sweat’s 1996 classic ‘Twisted’ (ft. Kut Klose). Undeniably one of the 90’s defining Slow Jams, the song and the video have remained one of my favourites since being released. Check it out:

Ahh the 90’s, when R&B was almost-universally good.

Your thoughts?

UK singing sensation Leona Lewis performed her smash ‘Bleeding Love’ at Germany’s ECHO Awards ceremony last night (February 15th). Not her best performance of the song – a couple of ‘iffy’ moments made for that – but still great all the same. Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed ‘Better With Time’ is Leona’s next single here in the UK.

What do you think of the performance?

Wynter Gordon - 'Surveillance' Yes, I know I’m a little on the late side with this one, but I felt it worth posting all the same. Wynter Gordon, a new Atlantic Records signee, has hit the scene with her storming debut single ‘Surveillance’. Produced by D’Mile (who co-produced Janet’s ‘Feedback’), the track is very reminiscent of the sound both Timbaland and Danja (Britney’s ‘Blackout’) have been churning for the last year or so. The track is very much an electro/urban/house fusion, which, despite it’s similarities to the aforementioned, still manages to sound fresh. A video for the song has, reportedly, been shot and will be premiering soon. Wynter’s debut album, tentatively titled ‘Wynter Time’ is slated for a summer 2008 release. Definitely an artist to watch out for.

Hit or Miss?

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The video for the third single from Trey Songz’ ‘Trey Day’ LP, Last Time’ premiered recently. Great song, and pretty good video too. I’m liking the concept.

What do you think of the video?

Kanye West - Hey Mama As many of you know, rapper Kanye West gave a heartfelt tribute performance of ‘Hey Mama’ at last Sunday’s Grammy Awards, in remembrance of his late mother Dr. Donda West. The song originally featured on Kanye’s ‘Late Registration’ LP. A new version of the track was recorded in the studio -the version performed at the Grammy’s – and surfaced recently. Listening back to this kinda makes me feel for Kanye all the more. I definitely have a lot of respect for the way he’s soldiered on since the unfortunate event.

Your thoughts on the track?

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That Grape Juice To Interview D.Woods I will be interviewing D. Woods from R&B/Pop collective Danity Kane tomorrow (fourth from left). Apologies for the short notice, I’ve just received confirmation of this a few moments ago.
Currently starring in the latest instalment of the show that catapulted them to stardom, MTV’s Making The Band, D. Woods and her Danity Kane bandmates are set to release their sophomore effort ‘Welcome To The Dollhouse’ on March 18th via Bad Boy/Atlantic Records.
Please drop any questions that you wish to present to D. Woods in the comments section. As usual, only genuine/appropriate questions will be considered. Thanks guys 🙂

Your questions?
Pop superstar Janet Jackson was awarded with the Best Supporting Actress award at the NAACP Awards yesterday for her role in Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married’. Check out her acceptance speech below:

She looked genuinely surprised to have won. Congratulations to her. Here’s hoping she achieves success with her new LP ‘Discipline’.

Your thoughts?

Disturbing The Peace songstress Shareefa is back with new song ‘On Fire’. Set to feature on the 24 year old’s sophomore effort ‘The Black Dahlia’ (due later this year), the track is a solid uptempo that showcases Shareefa’s oft-underrated vocal ability. Saying this, the track sounds like something that could easily have been featured on her first album; and in an industry with the Keyshia Cole’s and Mary J. Blige’s (who Shareefa is often compared to), the song doesn’t do much to set her apart. Still, I’m anxious to hear what her album will be serving up. She’s too talented to go unnoticed.

Hit or Miss?
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Hit-maker Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins spoke with our friends over at Rap-Up.com about some of the projects he’ll be working on this year. As well as revealing that he’ll be going into the studio with, among others, Keyshia Cole, Ludacris and The Pussycat Dolls, he confirmed that he’s currently working with Beyonce. He also shed some light on the direction the ‘Irreplaceable’ singer’s next LP will be going in.

Your thoughts?

Eva Pigford At 39th Annual NAACP Awards America’s Next Top Model winner Eva Pigford sported this ‘interesting’ do at the 39th Annual NAACP Awards, which aired last night on Fox. SMH….

What do you think of the pic?

This remix to Mariah Carey’s new single ‘Touch My Body’ has been gathering steam on the net for the last couple of days. Dare I say, it actually sounds better than the original.

What do you think?

Rihanna & Chris Brown: A Couple?For the last couple of months, speculation has been mounting as to whether R&B stars Rihanna and Chris Brown have been dating. Following the surfacing of the pic above, taken at LA Reid’s post-Grammy party this past Sunday, PEOPLE.com report Brown, 18, was spotted at the ‘Umbrella’ singer’s 20th birthday party recently:

When partygoers (like Kanye West and Wilmer Valderrama) weren’t flinging cupcakes, they offered a standing ovation after Chris Brown sang an acapella version of “Happy Birthday.” While Brown has denied that he and the birthday gal are dating (”We’re just friends … we hang out,” he told PEOPLE at a post Grammy party), a party guest tells us the two were cuddling and acting “very cozy all night.”

Add to this the fact Rihanna came to visit Chris on the set of Jordin Sparks ‘No Air’ video (which he features in), I’m thinking there may be truth to the rumors. Hmmm..

In other Rihanna news, her club-ready, bassline-heavy new single ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ is performing fantastically well here in the UK. After a whopping 27 weeks on the Official Singles Chart, the song continues to hold steady, rising #5-#4 this week. The track is available at most music stores and iTunes.

Any thoughts?

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