Get ready to bust out those earmuffs early this year because Rihanna is going on tour. The attempted singer is set to kick off the promotional venture on April 16th in Antwerp, Belgium and will bring the tour to the US on July 2nd. Joining Rihanna will two more of the industry’s most talented acts, Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha. Are you ready for 25 shows of excessive auto-tune and leather panties? Check out the list of tour dates below:

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It appears the weighty promotional campaign for Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?’ has paid off rather handsomely. Since the movie’s debut four days ago (April 2nd), it has grossed $30,150,000 – besting the first film’s debut box office sum by more than $10 million.

Originally a shoo-in for the top spot, the movie debuted at #2 behind ‘Clash of the Titans’, which rocketed to #1 after grossing a whopping $61,400,000 during the same period.

The real success story, however, is undeniably ‘Married’. For, with its $20 million production budget, the movie has – in its first week of release – recouped all of that sum as well as  made a profit of $10 million!

Perry is set to shift his attention to his latest project, the movie adaptation of the book ‘For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf’. The film, which will star Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, and Phylicia Rashad, begins filming in June, and will be released next January.

Randomness: Did you know the reason countries such as the UK don’t ever get the chance to see any of Perry’s films (and films like them) is because the movie studios -quote-on-quote – “don’t feel there is a market for them”. SMH…

Your thoughts?

Rihanna has lent her star power to a new PSA. The fashionista has teamed up with DKMS to raise awareness about the leukemia and encourage her fans to donate bone marrow to help save the lives of those affected. Check out the video below:

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Since crash-landing onto the music scene, rapper Nicki Minaj has amassed many a fan, yet also many a critic. Seemingly fed-up with the back-chat, the Young Money star, took to Youtube recently to formally address ‘the haters’. Peep an extract as well as the entire video below…(Spotted over at our girl Necole Bitchie)

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Power couple, Jay-Z and Beyonce, celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary over the weekend in New York City, by attending the Broadway’s ‘Chicago’. Beyonce’s former Destiny’s Child bandmate, Michelle Williams, is currently starring in the show as fiery Roxy Hart.

Peep the couple posing with the cast backstage at the Ambassador Theatre.

Randomness: Boy does time fly by! Who would have thought it has been 2 years since Beyonce and Jay tied the knot?!

Your thoughts?

After suffering an embarrassing episode earlier this week, Keri Hilson tried her hand at the US National Anthem (‘Star Spangled Banner’) again yesterday (April 4th) at the Yanks vs Red Sox game in Boston. Fortunately for Hilson, she didn’t forget the words this go round, turning in a commendable performance. Check it out after the jump…

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Brandy and Monica enjoyed their Easter weekend by partying in Miami, Florida. The duo, who shared a monster hit  in the 90’s with ‘The Boy Is Mine’, had reason to celebrate as Monica’s new album, ‘Still Standing’ rests comfortably at the #2 position on the Billboard 200. Last week, Brandy and her brother Ray J revealed that they have been inspired by Monica’s recent successes at the top of the music charts.

What do you think of the pic?

R&B star Ciara sported an interesting pair of sneakers at the Atlanta Hawks vs Detroit Pistons basketball game last night (which she attended with The-Dream). The Mickey Mouse themed kicks are part of Adidas’ latest ‘Originals’ range – which the 24 year old is the spokes-model for.

Peep more pics below…

Your thoughts?

While the buzz  for Kelly Rowland‘s 3rd solo album continues to grow, her new record label Universal Motown appear to be pulling out all the stops for the video for the project’s lead single – ‘Commander’.

As well as pumping their own funds into the video, the label – which is home to the likes of Lil’ Wayne, Drake, Akon, and Nicki Minaj – are seeking out top brands to feature their products in the clip. Check out the press release which made its way out to some of the world’s biggest brands:

KELLY ROWLAND is seeking a new partner for her latest music video – the singer’s reps have sent out mass emails urging big brands to appear in the promo.

The former Destiny’s Child star is following the record industry’s latest craze of teaming up with famous companies to cover the cost of music videos.

Her reps at Universal Motown are on the hunt for marketing executives to pay for their products to appear in the promo for the debut single from Rowland’s new record – her first since parting ways with ex-manager Mathew Knowles and former label Columbia Records.

The email reads, “We are currently seeking brands who want to partner with us for the upcoming (Grammy-winning, platinum-selling) Kelly Rowland music video for the first single off of (sic) her new album.

“We are primed for an outstanding project. This will be a video that is serviced around the world.” {Source}

Go Kelly! Many in-the-know about Kelly’s deal with Motown relay the fact that her main incentive for signing with the label was based on her project being their top-priority – something  their brand-seeking clearly shows is the case. As the press release highlights, this is the the way the industry is side-stepping the recession to be able to deliver epic videos in the vein of Lady GaGa’s ‘Telephone’. Hence, it’s a given that teams for the likes of GaGa and Beyonce have done and will continue to do the same thing. There simply isn’t enough money in the industry (see: illegal downloading) to be churning out mind-blowing videos on label budget alone.

In any case, this has me even more amped to see what Kelly’s team are planning for her; after all, being talented is only one half of the equation – the machine behind an artist being the other. Thus far, it’s looking like Ms. Kelly is set to hit the big leagues on solo tip this go round!

Your thoughts?

Are they? Aren’t they? That seems to be the question on everyone’s lips about R&B star Brandy and Flo’ Rida. Though the pair continue to side-step such line of questioning, they made a very public show of their ‘friendship’ yesterday in Miami at the 1st Annual Kids Spring & Break Into Motivation event. Ms. Norwood flew in Los Angeles to make join the ‘Right Round’ rapper. Hmmm…LOL. In any case, more power to them 🙂

Your thoughts?

Ciara and her team really do not appear to be playing with her forthcoming album. A previously reported, the singer shot the video for the LP’s lead single ‘Ride’ earlier this week.

Yet it seems plans for the project are being put into action way before its release window, as it has been confirmed that the dynamic performer is set to shoot the video for another song titled ‘You Got Me’ – which, like ‘Ride’, was written and produced by Tricky Stewart & The-Dream. {Source}

Ciara’s new LP is currently pencilled in for a June release.

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News of another new video definitely has me anticipating her project that much more.

It’s always a good sign when a label/marketing team are putting things into play this far off from an album’s release; a real indicator of great strategy. Good strategy being something Ms. Harris’ project needs as a necessity, considering how things ended up the last time (see: ‘Fantasy Ride’). Above all, it’s awesome to see the level of secrecy surrounding the project; for not only is it a key ingredient of generating a buzz, it’s a stark contrast to the many leaks which effectively brought ‘Fantasy Ride’ to an abrupt halt last year. Here’s hoping things are more smooth sailing for Ciara this go round.

Your thoughts?

Myself (Sam), Trent and all of us here at That Grape Juice wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Here’s hoping you enjoy the day with your loved ones, eat as much chocolate as you can, but above all, remember and celebrate the true cause for today.

Happy Easter!

P.S. Am I the only ‘grown-up’ who finds it oh-so-important to have an Easter egg every year? LOL