..::That Grape Juice.net::..

5 Comments

7th Nov

Mya Working On new Album

Despite Mya’s serially delayed (and now shelved) ‘Liberation’ album having not been released, the singer is already hard at work at the follow-up. Check out this report via MyaHarrison.net:

R&B singer Mya is hard work on her 6th album, with two out of those being scratched and shelved due to label conflicts, but she has not given up! She is hard at work on her new album tentatively titled Smoke & Mirrors which should be out 1st or 2nd quarter of 2008! Mya stated in a recent interview I did with her, “I feel as though Liberation was my best project to date, of course I wanted it released in the US, but things happen, so maybe it wasnt meant to be”. She also stated that she would be working with better producers on this album such as Timbaland, The Dream, The Underdogs, Scott Storch, Dre & Vidal, and Brian Michael Cox again. She also said she has been working on the album since Liberation was completed at the of 2005, and that its more fresh, up to date, and different. She also said that since Liberation won’t be released in the US, that she will be using 2 or 3 of the best songs from that album for this new one, but the album will still have all new material, because she is sure her fans have heard Liberation now being that it was released in Japan and probably made its way back to the US.

How true this is remains to be seen, however I applaud her hustle factor if it is. Will the album drop on her current label, though? Hopefully it won’t be this ‘Liberation’ mess all over again.

Your thoughts?

8 Comments

Rihanna: "I’ve Fallen For Josh!"

6th Nov

After weeks of speculation, Rihanna has admitted to being in a relationship with Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett. The 19 year old singer, who is 10 years younger than Hartnett, had the following to say:

“I’ve fallen for him (Hartnett) big time. I would be lying if I (said) we were not more than just friends.
“He is so hot and he is really sweet to me. When we hang out it feels right – even though it’s still pretty new.”

{Source}

Is it just me or does this scream ‘publicity stunt’? It just doesn’t sound genuine. A last ditch attempt to spark interest in her under-performing album, maybe?

Your thoughts?

23 Comments

Jay-Z – ‘Roc Boys’ (And The Winner Is) Video

6th Nov

The video for Jay-Z’s new single ‘Roc Boys’, the second to be lifted from his ‘American Gangster’ album, premiered recently. Directed by Chris Robinson, the video is a star-studded affair, with cameos made by, among others, Diddy, Mariah Carey, Nas, Swizz Beatz and Cassie. As much as I had my doubts, I can’t deny that Jay really brought his ‘A-Game’ with this project; the song/video, as well as the whole album are on-point.

What do you think of the video?

Prince’s Demands Outrage Fans

6th Nov

Prince has angered his fans by demanding that all photographs, images, lyrics, album covers and anything linked to his likeness be removed from several fansites. The sites have been served with ‘Cease and Desist’ orders and have been threatened with further legal action for copyright infringement.

Disgruntled webmasters have banded together against the demands by forming the ‘Prince Fans United’ group. Here’s an extract of what they feel about the orders:
“It is our opinion that these threats are not made in an attempt to enforce valid copyright as Prince alleges in his threats, rather we believe they are attempts to stifle all critical commentary about Prince.
We strongly believe that such actions are in violation of the freedom of speech and should not be allowed. Prince claims that fansites are not allowed to present any artwork with Prince’s likeness, to the extreme that he has demanded the removal of fans’ own photographs of their Prince inspired tattoos and their vehicles displaying Prince inspired license plates.”
{Source}

This has to be a joke, right? Some of these artists are forgetting who made them famous in the first place. A mess.

Your thoughts?

‘The Adventures Of Mimi’ Commercial

6th Nov

As reported last week, Mariah Carey will release a DVD of her ‘ The Adventures Of Mimi’ tour on November 19th. The commercial for the set hit TV screens across the US today. Check it out below:

I’m kinda looking forward to this – most especially the performance of ‘Fly Like A Bird’ (IMO the best track on the ‘Mimi’ CD). Judging by this ad she looks to have nailed it.

Will you be picking up the DVD?

New Song: Cheri Dennis – ‘Remind You’

6th Nov

After a nearly 10 years at Bad Boy Records, Cheri Dennis is finally set to release her debut album ‘In and Out Of Love’ on November 13th. The long awaited set is being preceded by first single ‘Portrait’ (click here to listen) and will also feature this new track ‘Remind You’. As with the material that has surfaced so far, I’m really liking this. It’s just a shame that there’s a strong likelihood not many people will get to hear the album – it’s being released amid no promotion and, worst still, only as an exclusive iTunes download.

{Update: the physical version of the album will hit stores in February 2008. I still don’t see the sense in the handling of the project}

Hit or Miss?

{Link Removed As Requested}

5th Nov

After a difficult few months, things appear to be looking up for Kelly Rowland. It has been confirmed that the ‘Like This’ singer is set to film the video for what is believed to be the first single from the revamped ‘Ms. Kelly’ album (due early 2008). The shoot will be for the track ‘Daylight’, which features Gym Class Heroes, and will be filmed in the coming weeks. {Source}

I’m still wondering whether a new album or a re-release is her best option. Either way, any new Kelly material is welcome. The Gym Class Heroes feature should be pretty interesting too, as their pairing {Kelly and the group} seems kinda ‘different’.

Will you be checking for Kelly this time around?

15 Comments

5th Nov

Jennifer Lopez Update

It has been confirmed that the next single to be lifted from Jennifer Lopez’s ‘Brave’ CD will be the Midi Mafia produced ‘Hold It, Don’t Drop It’ (click here to listen). Initially, the track was to serve as the album’s first single. {Source}

Jennifer must want out of the project quick, as there seems no other way to sink the album -lower than it is already- than to release this mess. With ‘Brave’ lacking (m)any real hit-worthy songs, releasing one of the few standout tracks such as the Keri Hilson penned ‘Wrong When Your Gone’ may have been the album’s saving grace. Obviously, someone had other ideas. Since it’s release on October 9th, ‘Brave’ has sold a pitiful 240,000 – worldwide. I’m still kinda confused as to how quickly Jennifer went from being at the top to having album after album tanking.

What do you think of the single choice?

5th Nov

According to reports, R&B singer Trey Songz was arrested this past Saturday (November 3rd) in Springfield, Massachusetts. Songz was detained for resisting police officers orders in connection with a shooting that occurred outside one of his concerts. Check out the report below via All Hip Hop.com:

The singer, born Tremaine Neverson, was released after posting $500 bond.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of The Hippodrome, where Songz performed Saturday evening.
According to Lt. John Slepchuck of the Springfield Police Department, police officers where present when shots were fired behind the venue at 1700 Main Street.
“Our disorderly person charge can involve several different things including the use of certain language, failure to do what an officer asks,” Slepchuck told AllHipHop.com. “[Neverson] was interfering with an active crime scene involving a victim.”

With the way Trey’s latest album came and went, I’m guessing he thinks any publicity is good publicity.

Any thoughts?