Despite a high-profile appearance on the X-Factor last week, Mariah Carey’s 12th studio album ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ has flopped in the UK, entering the official album chart at a disappointing #23. Meanwhile,  ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’, the record’s lead single in UK after ‘Obsessed’ release was cancelled, barely scrapped the top 20 on the singles chart – debuting at a lowly #19. Ouch.

All pantomime banter aside, I actually feel a little sorry for ol’ Mimi. While nowhere near her best offering, ‘Memoirs’ – at the very least – deserved to perform better than some of her other poorly charting material (see: ‘Glitter’ and ‘Charmbracelet’). Instead, it stands as the lowest selling album of her career.

As reported, it wouldn’t surprise us in the slightest if Mariah’s next LP – whenever it drops – isn’t released under the Def Jam umbrella. I mean, at this point, it’s even doubtful this ‘Memoirs’ remix album will ever see the light of day either. For,  from a business standpoint, pumping money/promotion into an already dead and buried project makes no sense at all. At best, I envision an iTunes-only/for-the-fans type release for any kind of remix LP. I wouldn’t hold my breath though. Oh Mimi…

Your thoughts?

Alexandra Burke gave a rousing performance of her smash ‘Bad Boys’ at T4’s Stars of 2009 event today at London’s Earls Court Arena. Sung entirely live and performed with much zeal, Ms. Burke is proving with each performance, not only why she won the X-Factor, but why she’s one of best talents to emerge on the music scene in long while. Great performance.

What do you think of the performance?

The new-look Sugababes took to the stage a few minutes ago at T4’s Stars of 2009 extravaganza at London’s Earls Court Arena. Put simply, their live big-spectacle showing of ‘About A Girl’ was probably their worst performance I’ve seen all year. I BS you not. Sloppy, sluggish and a sore sight, the performance really drove home of the fact that it really is curtains for this once credible group. Amelle looked like she’d rather be smoking a cigarette somewhere, Heidi was…Heidi (take from that what you will) and Jade didn’t come anywhere near as hard as she usually does – especially on the vocals. The addition of dancers to their act made the whole shabang even worse, as they only served to highlight how awful the ladies were at moving…

Hot Mess!

What do you think of the performance?

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While 2009 brought us much in the way of good music, it also served up great additions to the television spectrum – none more so IMO than ‘The Cleveland Show’.

A spin-off from popular Fox show ‘Family Guy’ (which I ironically have never watched a full episode of), ‘The Cleveland Show’ centres on the adventures of Peter Griffin’s neighbor Cleveland Brown. Many years ago, Cleveland (voiced by Keith Michael Richardson) made a promise to his old high-school sweetheart, Donna (voiced by Saana Lathan). After divorcing his wife, Cleveland, along with Cleveland Junior, move to Stoolbend, VA to start a new life with Donna and her two children – Roberta (voiced by Nia Long) and Rallo.

The show really is a must watch. Check out the series’ most recent episode above and let us know what you think. Would you like to see future episodes on That Grape Juice?

Your thoughts?

R&B force Beyonce was recently interviewed by The Observer’s Caspar Llewellyn Smith where she answered questions concerning a myriad of topics. Amongst the items discussed, the entertainer spoke about the possible direction of her next studio project. Peep an excerpt from the interview below:

Is there anyone left you’d still like to record with?

Oh, where do I begin? There’s so many people I’d like to work with still, but I’d like to maybe go outside of the box. My sister [Solange] has put me on to bands like [indie group] Of Montreal and some other different types of artists. I would love to do something like that on my next album. {Source}

To say that I didn’t expect this would be a blatant lie. Beyonce is one of the few artists who always manage to revamp their appeal with each record; capturing the attention of new audiences with each LP. Undoubtedly, she has the voice to adapt to almost any arrangement, hence further experimentation with acoustic instruments would be a  more than manageable feat for her. If the productions sound anything like ‘Disappear’, ‘Irreplaceable’, ‘Satellites’ or ‘Stop Sign’, I would be all ears.

Sam Edit: Hmm…I’m all for artistic experimentation, however some of the slower/stripped-back offerings on ‘I Am…Sasha Fierce’ are among the most boring material Bouncy has ever recorded IMO (2nd only to the added tracks on the ‘B’Day’ re-release). If there’s one thing Ms. Knowles-Carter has established since the start of her career, it’s the epic, grandeur that accompanies her songs (see: ‘Halo’, ‘Listen’, ‘Dangerously In Love’, as well as most of her upbeat cuts). I’d much prefer a building on that, instead of a potentially contrived take on Indie music.

Thoughts?

High energy performer Chris Brown called in to DJ Whoo Kid’s ‘Shade 45’ yesterday. The singer discussed his decision of putting popular model Cassie in his video, his relationship with Jay-Z, his album cover, his thoughts on Rihanna’s recent press interviews, and a possible mixtape. Brown’s new album ‘Graffiti’ hits stores on December 8th.

I must admit that for the first time, I am actually eager to get my hands on a Chris Brown album. Thus, I was a bit disappointed that the discussion didn’t delve deeper into the nature of the record or the concepts behind individual tracks. Either way, it was a very interesting interview indeed.

Sidebar: Did anyone else catch how Brown’s tone changed when Whoo asked him if he would ever get back with Rihanna? Sorry, but that was hilarious!

Thoughts?

Your favourite ‘model’ and mine Rihanna poses it up in this exclusive shoot for the New York Times. Though I’m sure some will disagree, I’m actually feeling this look.

What do you think of her look?

This week’s From The Vault comes in the form two videos because…well..I feel like it LOL!

The first (above) is Blaque‘s 1999 punchy R&B hit ‘Bring It All To Me’. Mentored by the late Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes (hence perhaps the subtle similarities to TLC), the trio served up this killer cut as the 2nd single from their debut LP, which was released the same year. As well as being a great song, I vividly remember really gravitating to the fact that all of the ladies got equal mic / face time and collectively were very promising. While the group have since disbanded, only to re-group to disband again (!), they left us with gems like this, which is alright by me!

The 2nd of our picks this week is UK group Eternal‘s 1997 chart-topping collaboration with BeBe Winans ‘I Wanna Be The Only One’. Fronted by power-house vocalist Easther Bennett, the group IMO still stand as the UK’s best female group (vocally) in many-many years. I still blast this song out from time to time, and it sounds as fresh as it did when it first came out. Quality music lives forever!

Your thoughts?

Peep singing sensation Alexandra Burke on the set of the video for her next single ‘Broken Heels’ in Los Angeles last week (with more pics below). The immensely talented X-Factor vocalist recently spoke on her plans on cracking the US market as well as Beyonce, who loaned her musical director Frank Gatson to Ms. Burke for the new video:

On Cracking The US:

“I want to crack America but I’m c***ping myself. Even Europe scares me. America’s a huge deal. In the UK everyone knows me because of the show but in America they have no idea who I am.

I won’t be annoyed if things don’t work like Leona Lewis. I’m giving this my all and I want to make it work.

But I’m different to Leona. I’m going to work my a**e off. I guess I started on the show being compared to her and now I’m back being compared. If theyaccept you they do, but if they don’t then they don’t.”

On Beyonce

“Beyonce has lent me her choreographer. Frank worked with me for the video in LA last week and he’s helping me out with my live stuff. He’s out of this world and I want him to be in my life for ever. He’s given me a whole new identity as a performer.”

{Source}

Go Alex! Anyone who follows the industry closely knows that snagging Frank Gatson is an oh-so-good-look for Ms. Burke. The song is growing on me, I’m the video and its anticipated killer choreography will speed up the process.

As regards cracking the States, Alex has the talent, I just wonder if she has the material. Hmmm…I guess they can always record extra tracks (ala Leona) for the US release. Generally, it’ll be interesting to see how her US label Epic place her, considering Leona has been targeted towards the Pop audience (if I’m correct, Ms Lewis has yet to appear at or on anything BET related?), while Alex has that Urban edge but the music, IMO, wouldn’t fit with the BET/urban chart mandate over there. A shame, as had her album been more balanced and less outright Pop, she would have been box-fresh ready to hit the States and likely succeed; something I still as a possibility, just with quite a bit of tweaking.

Your thoughts?

Former Sugababe Keisha Buchanan is keeping things moving since being controversially ousted from the group back in September. As well as working diligently on her solo album, she also features on fellow Brit Jay Sean‘s latest LP (‘All or Nothing’) on the track ‘Far Away’ (which surfaced today).

A laid-back cut, with a ‘knock’ and a great meshing together of Buchanan and Sean’s voices make this one a winner – something if I’m to be honest, I never thought I’d say about a Jay Sean track. Listening to this has definitely wet my appetite even more so  for more Keisha’s solo LP. Roll on 2010…

Hit or Miss?

Amidst rumours of a possible split from her label, Mariah Carey’s ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’ remix album will be arriving in stores in February 2010. The news was confirmed today by the diva’s manager Chris Lighty via his official twitter page. An all-star list of Hip-Hop/R&B acts have been lined up for the project including Big Boi, R. Kelly, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Jodeci, Gucci Mane and Jermaine Dupri. The original version of ‘Memoirs…’ has thus far shipped an underwhelming 325,000 copies in the US.

To say that I am excited will be the understatement of the year! It was literally only moments ago that I was blasting the ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ remix and wondering what the rest of the LP will sound like. Hopefully she switches up the productions on all of the tracks and delivers classic sounds in the fashion that helped establish her as an icon in the industry. 2010 is already shaping up to be a great year!

Thoughts?

Pop mega-star Janet Jackson has revealed in an interview The Times newspaper that she is readying a European tour for 2010. It will mark the first time in over 10 years that Jackson, 43, has toured this side of the globe. {Shout out to Hattie Collins who conducted the interview!}

Finally!!!

It’s been too long. After all the label drama and mishandled projects, it’ll be great to see Janet live on our turf again. You already know I’ll be there. Her new team really do seem to be on the ball…

Your thoughts?