Pop star Kelly Rowland is currently wrapping up the recording of her third solo LP. With but a few slots remaining on the self-titled album’s track-list, the 29 year old has revealed in a recent interview that she has been working with hit-maker Tricky Stewart in the record’s final stages.
Stewart, whose hits-list is impressive to say the least (‘Umbrella’, ‘Single Ladies’, ‘Touch My Body’), joins the likes of Ne-Yo, Dr Luke, Stargate, Brian Kennedy, Ester Dean, Rico Love, David Guetta, and Bangladesh as a contributor to the record. ‘Kelly Rowland’ hits stores on September 21st {Source}
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Ms. Kelly and her team are clearly not playing with this record! Roll on September!
In other Kelly news, ‘Grown Woman’ is blowing all the way up on Urban radio, ahead of its iTunes release on July 13th. I say forget ‘Rose Colored Glasses’ and push the Ne-Yo penned cut to the top!
Peep Christina Milian smiling it up with Melissa Marie – The-Dream’s personal assistant and now alleged mistress – in a photo taken last year.
Marie (posing in white jacket), according to reports, is ladywho was spotted steaming it up with the married producer, real name Terius Nash, on a Caribbean beach.
Interestingly, Marie deleted her Facebook with the swiftness this morning, following the publication of the images. Figures.
This really is turning into some soap-opera ish. SMH…
Here is an interview of Fantasia with Magic 95.9’s Tim Watts from late last week. In the clip the singer spoke about how she almost did not get to audition for American Idol, her upcoming tour and even sang happy birthday for one of her fans. Fantasia’s ‘Back To Me’ album hits stores on August 10th. Peep the video below:
Super producer Bangladesh sat down with Rap-Up to talk about the records that he recently crafted for Kelly Rowland and R. Kelly. In the interview the ‘Diva’-producer spoke about his experiences working with both artists. Check out the footage below and pay particular attention to what he says about R. Kelly’s influence on the industry (Trey Songz I’m looking at you):
Speculation surrounding the relationship between The-Dream and Christina Milian is set to intensify after the hit-making producer was snapped ‘getting close’ with a mystery woman while holidaying in the Caribbean last week. The pictures come just one month after he strenuously denied that there was any issues in their marriage.
Interesting to note is that it’s less than a year since the producer (real name Terius Nash) and Milian married (they tied the knot in September 2009). The couple’s daughter Violet was born this February. Nash has three other children with ex-wife, R&B singer Nivea.
UPDATE:
Christina Milian, within the hour, tweeted the following…
Despite the lead single from Usher‘s newly-announced EP ‘Versus’ having only just premièred, details of its follow-up have surfaced. It now appears that the Pop-flavoured ‘DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love’ will be the record’s Mainstream/Crossover single, while new track ‘Hot Tottie’ – which was produced by Polow Da Don – will be geared towards the Urban audience. ‘Hot Tottie’ is reportedly set to hit radio on August 9th. {Source}
Needless to say, Usher and his team are covering all bases with this current era of his. Who would have thought a year or even 6 months ago that Mr Raymond would have the industry in the palm of his hand again? With ‘Raymond vs Raymond’ serving as one the year’s biggest sellers and ‘DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love’ blowing up on radio already, it really has been a great comeback for the father of two. Here’s hoping her serves up the goods with the new release. ‘Versus’ hits stores August 24th.
Randomness: Did you know Usher is no longer managed by his mother? After dropping her during Tameka-gate, then re-hiring her afterwards, the R&B crooner is now managed by AEG and Randy Philips (the man behind Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’). There’s no doubt his signing with Philips (whose financial and business resources are limitless) has been a major factor in his reversal of career fortunes.
Despite calls to the contrary, Lil’ Kim is apparently still relevant – according to the rapper herself.
In a recent interview with Life Lounge, the 34 year old star states that she is still relevant and has remained so because of her ability to reinvent herself – something she feels artists of today need to do more.
Though renown for his hard-hitting lyrics, Snoop Dogg left the macho-bravado on the bench in a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine. The at-times tearful rapper opened up about his youngest daughter Cori‘s struggle with Lupus, as well as the positive effect it had on his marriage to wife of 13 years, Shante.
{Interrupting your regularly scheduled programming}
Three years. For such a lengthy spell of time, it sure has passed with lightening speed. Indeed, I can vividly recall the humble beginnings of That Grape Juice.
Aged 18 and having just started university, I remember being fascinated by the then-emerging trend of blogs – particularly those of the Urban persuasion. From Concrete Loop to The YBF to Kevipod, and even Toya, I was hooked. So much so, that I decided to marry my fixation with the blogging platform with my love for all things Urban Pop Culture, hence the creation of That Grape Juice in 2007.
A spin on Marvin Gaye’s ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’, I sought for my grapevine to be unlike the unreliable, gossipy one described in the song. My grapevine was going to be concrete, legit; yet at the same time equally – if not more – entertaining!
Fast forward three years, and I’m so proud to see that this has been realised and then some!
Indeed it only really hit me when watching the video above, just how much has been achieved with what simply started out as ‘little ol’ me’ sharing my love for music.
Today That Grape Juice stands as one of the net’s premier sources for all things Urban Pop Culture – news, reviews, cutting edge interviews and so much more; and for that I am infinitely thankful.
All this could not have been possible without…
God: Need I say more?
My Family: To my mother, father, and two beautiful sisters, thank you SO much for all of your support; morally, financially, and the countless ways you’ve all been there for me. I will never EVER forget. From mother pushing me to interview everybody (cue Naija accent “Is Kelly Rowland in town?”), to my sisters telling any-and-everyone about their brother’s ‘amazing site’, I love, thank, and appreciate you more than words can describe!
Trent: Where do I begin?! An asset in every sense of the word; Trent you truly are the backbone of That Grape Juice. You’ve brought so much to the site – both on the front and back end (to an extent only you and I will really know). Above all, you’ve become one of my closest friends (ironic for a number of reasons). Let’s take it to the top!
Dustin Gary: You are truly, truly heaven sent. Cheesy-sounding, perhaps, but I cannot stress how much that statement holds true. I firmly believe that certain people come into our ‘little worlds’ for a reason, and Dustin definitely has bettered mine (in an immeasurable amount of ways). A great teacher, a great friend, and a great person, I thank you for EVERYTHING. God bless you…(hell, He is already!) More power to ya!
Special thanks
Sean Leopold: Thank you for coming on my ‘lil’ journey. Thank you for your words of wisdom. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for being YOU!
Kwame: There in the beginning and here now. GMB!
Jamell (Mr Damaje): So much of ‘this’ wouldn’t be possible without your talent, time, and friendship. A blessing!
Seye (Iizsik): I really do credit you with bringing the quality of the site’s original content (video, image) up to par with that of the editorial content. Amazingly talented and a pleasure to work with!
Leon McFarlane, Glynn, Antoine, Joanne, Clifford, Alistair, Nathan Devonte, Sade, Sandra, Jade, Hilario, Luca M, Bisi, Luka, Tobbie and everyone else who has been there for me (in one way or another) on this journey…thank you!
To every label, every artist, every manager, every PR, every radio personality, and every ad agency we’ve ever worked with…Thank you!
Above all, I thank YOU…the That Grape Juice faithful! Those who have been with the site since the beginning, to those who are here for the first time, to those who ever told a friend about us, to you ALL ….thank you so much!
