After the numerous delays and title-changes, critics and fans alike could be forgiven for believing Kelly Rowland’s sophomore effort ‘Ms Kelly’ would never see the light of day. However, Rowland dispels any notion of ‘doubt’ on what is a highly sassy, confident and, yet, emotionally vulnerable record. With ‘Ms Kelly’, the Destiny’s Child singer firmly establishes her prowess as a solo artist. Ready or otherwise, Kelly Rowland – the solo star – has arrived.

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The video for Rihanna’s 2nd single ‘Shut Up & Drive’ premiered yesterday on Yahoo’s Launch. It’s ok, but my expectations were higher after hearing her label Def Jam shelved out $600,000 for the vid. Nonetheless, Rihanna looks great and the vid illustrates the theme of the song well. I am left wondering whether this will do anything to re-ignite her album sales, as many assumed. According to Hits Daily Double, ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ takes a -52% dip in it’s second week, with the album dropping to #7 on the Billboard 200 Album chart.

What do you think of the video?

The video for the R. Kelly’s latest single ‘Same Girl’ (ft. Usher) debuted on BET today. I’ve felt the song to be one of the best tracks on his new CD ‘Double Up’, so it’s great to see that the video turned out fantastic. The video, which is arguably one of the year’s best, mirrors the concept of the song closely and there’s an unexpected twist at the end. ‘Same Girl’ is fast climbing up the US charts and I anticipate this vid making the song a definite hit. Great stuff.

What do you think of the video?

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{Design Credit: GoPlatinum}
To celebrate the release of R&B star Kelly Rowland’s sophomore album ‘Ms Kelly’, That Grape Juice is giving away 5 copies of the CD – courtesy of Sony BMG (UK). The album, which will be released in the UK on June 25th (July 3rd in the US) is the long-awaited follow-up to Rowland’s 2002 effort ‘Simply Deep’ and has been described as ‘more sexy, honest, playful and passionate’. Producers featured on the album include hit-makers Scott Storch, Rockwilder and Polow Da Don. Guest features include Snoop Dogg, Eve and Tank.
For the chance to win a copy of ‘Ms Kelly’, answer the following question:
What Was Destiny’s Child’s First #1 Single?
a) No, No, No
b) Say My Name
c) Lose My Breath
Email your answer as well as your full name, age, and address to competitions@thatgrapejuice.net. Please be sure to put ‘Ms Kelly’ as the subject. Winners will be selected randomly from all correct answers. Competition ends Sunday June 24th. Good luck!

Grammy-Award winning songstress Alicia Keys is hard at work on her new album. The video above is of Alicia recording a new track called ‘Superwoman’. I’m really feeling the the song and it’s got more even hyped for her project. The album was originally supposed to drop this month, however it was pushed back to October.

Are you anticipating Alicia’s new album?

Though ‘Do You’ is a decent track, I was surprised it was released as the 2nd single from Ne-Yo’s ‘Because of You’ album. There are definitely better cuts on the CD that are more single worthy. However, I’m really liking this remix – which sees The Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul Mary J. Blige join Ne-Yo on the track. Mary’s verses rejuvenate what, otherwise, was a kinda boring track. Check it out…

Hit or Miss?

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R&B singer Monica is currently in the studio working on the follow-up to to her 2006 effort ‘The Makings Of Me’. Speaking to Metro Weekly last month, she revealed that she is in the process of ‘writing and putting songs together’ for the new project. The ‘So Gone’ singer added that the album will be released ‘far sooner than her typical three-or-more year wait between albums’.
Considering the terrible sales of ‘The Makings Of Me’, it makes sense for her to release another album soon. I actually liked the CD; it was the single choices and poor promotion -in my opinion- that messed up the project. I’m pretty anxious to hear what she comes up with on this new album.

Will you be checking for Monica?
Reports from HOT 107.9’s Birthday Bash XXII – which took place in Atlanta over the weekend -are claiming that Young Buck launched a profanity-filled attack on G-Unit leader 50 Cent. The tirade allegedly took place during Buck’s set and signals his departure from the Hip-Hop collective. However Hot 97’s Miss Info denies anything went down; ‘Eyewitnesses say that he talked about his new label Cashville Records, which he recently found a home for, but he never dissed 50 and G-Unit’ she said.
This really doesn’t surprise me. It’s obvious being with the G-Unit is doing nothing for anyone else’s career apart from 50’s. What’s more is that 50 has become increasingly vocal about his views of his fellow G-Unit members; in this month’s issue of VIBE magazine he even labelled Lloyd Banks ‘lazy’. With 50’s career showing signs of fatigue, Buck would be smart to get out of there quick.
According to the Miami Herald, Pop superstar Janet Jackson is in Miami recording a new album. The ‘All for You’ singer has booked 3 months of recording time at Circle House Studios. Interestingly, Def Jam head LA Reid has accompanied Jackson on the trip. Though boyfriend Jermaine Dupri has yet to been seen with them, he is slated to produce on the project.
It’s great that Janet is already recording the follow-up to ’20 Y.O’. I’m guessing LA Reid’s presence confirms the speculation that she has signed with Def Jam. As one of the few that enjoyed Jermaine’s contribution to her last CD, I’m glad that they’re collaborating again; though, it may be in her best interest to keep his presence on the CD to a minimum. This new album really will be ‘make or break’ for Janet – whose career has been struggling since the Superbowl incident a few years back. I’m hopeful she’ll make a spectacular comeback. If Def Jam put as much money/promo into the project – as they did for Mariah’s last CD and Rihanna currently – then I’m sure Janet will do great.

Are you anticipating Janet’s new CD?
R&B superstar Beyonce has officially been added to list of performers at the 2007 BET Awards. Also confirmed to perform at the event is Beyonce’s fellow Destiny’s Child band-mate Kelly Rowland. The pair join an already star-studded line-up of performers including 50 Cent, T.I. Ciara and Ne-Yo. Comedienne Mo’Nique hosts the awards which will air live on June 26th.
With both Beyonce and Kelly performing, the comparisons will be inevitable. Throw Ciara into the mix and tongues will definitely be wagging. I see Kelly as having the most to prove; hopefully she comes hard with her performance. Generally, I’m really anticipating the show; the line-up is the most impressive it’s been in the last few years.

Whose performance are you most wanting to see?

It seems the, somewhat, underwhelming opening sales of Rihanna’s new album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ hasn’t affected her promotional campaign. The Def Jam star stopped by The View to perform her international smash ‘Umbrella’. Aside from the obvious technical issues, this is performance was disappointing; she didn’t seem all that into it and the vocals were kinda shaky.

What did you think of the performance?

This is the official art work for Common’s latest LP ‘Finding Forever’. I’m liking this. The album, led by first single ‘The Game’, will hit stores and iTunes on July 31st.
What do you think of the cover?
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