This week’s From The Vault video comes in the form of Destiny’s Child’s festive classic ‘8 Days of Christmas’. One of the most recent songs to join an elite list of Holiday classics (2001) and certainly the most Urban, this one is sure to elongate that Christmas feeling well beyond the big day itself. Great song!

Your thoughts?

A very pregnant Keyshia Cole decided to spread some Christmas cheer recently. The singer distributed gifts at the ActsFullGospel Church in East Oakland, California this week. Reportedly, Cole is expected to give birth in Spring 2010. Check out more pics below:

What do you think of the pics?

The legendary Mariah Carey has been busy enjoying the Christmas season in Aspen, Colorado. Yesterday, the diva decided to have some fun outside in the snow with one of her many dogs, J.J. Carey will be taking the stage on New Year’s Eve to perform a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Peep more shots below:

What do you think of the pics?

What’s Christmas day without a little drama?!

Following Mary J. Blige‘s launch party for her latest LP ‘Stronger With Each Tear’ earlier this week, there has been murmurings about some kind of drama going down between Blige and husband and manager Kendu Issacs. Though unconfirmed, the dispute is said to have originated due to Blige’s brother being thrown out of the party.

Initially believing it to be hearsay, a video has surfaced today of the R&B star laying the smacketh down on Issacs at the star-studded party, with security having to separate the couple! You can watch the video, which features Beyonce and Jay-Z ambiently enjoying themselves in the background, above (the slap comes at about the 1.04 mark).

Your thoughts?

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

Here’s hoping you enjoy the day with your loved ones and eat till you can eat no more!

Merry Christmas!

P.S. Be sure to check out the winners of the That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009 below!

A huge thank you to the  THOUSANDS of you who voted in the That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009.

That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009 – The Winners

Album of the Year

Winner: The Fame Monster – Lady GaGa (31%)

Runner-Up: In A Perfect World – Keri Hilson (20%)

Single of the Year

Winner: Halo – Beyonce (29%)

Runner-Up: Bad Romance – Lady GaGa (22%)

The Michael Jackson Music Video of The Year Award

Winner: I Can Transform Ya – Chris Brown (29%)

Runner-Up: Bad Romance – Lady GaGa (28%)

Best Collaboration

Winner: Knock You Down – Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo & Kanye West (40%)

Runner-Up: Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys (38%)

Best New Artist

Winner: Drake (50%)

Runner-Up: Alexandra Burke (20%)

Best Female Artist

Winner: Beyonce (68%)

Runner-Up: Lady GaGa (15%)

Best Male Artist

Winner: Chris Brown (38%)

Runner-Up: Jay-Z (20%)

Best Club Banger

Winner: Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas (70%)

Runner-Up: Hard – Rihanna (12%)

Best Live Performer (TV, Award Shows etc):

Winner: Beyonce (39%)

Runner-Up: Janet Jackson (28%)

The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist of the Year Award

Winner: Jordin Sparks (29%)

Runner-Up: LeToya Luckett (27%)

Most Disappointing Single of the Year

Winner: Wait Your Turn – Rihanna (71%)

Runner-Up: Happy – Leona Lewis (12%)

Most Slept-On Album

Winner: Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel – Mariah Carey (26%)

Runner-Up: Fantasy Ride – Ciara (21%)

“Step Your Game Up or Please Go Sit Down Somewhere” Award

Winner: Rihanna (70%)

Runner-Up: Mariah Carey (11%)

Recession Special: Most Disappointing Video of the Year

Winner: I Want To Know What Love Is – Mariah Carey (74%)

Runner-Up: Wait Your Turn – Rihanna (9%)

Most Shocking Event of 2009

Winner: The Death of Michael Jackson (74%)

Runner: Kanye West VMA Outburst (19%)

Best Movie

Winner: Precious (53%)

Runner-Up: This Is It (32%)

Most Anticipated Comeback For 2010

Winner: Janet Jackson (28%)

Runner-Up: Kelly Rowland (26%)

Your thoughts?

Young singer JoJo was recently interviewed by Rap-Up.com. During the Q&A session, the 19 year old discussed her plans for the Holiday season, her Christmas list and her favourite Christmas songs. In addition, JoJo did a short rendition of the classic song ‘Winter Wonderland’. The singer’s new LP, ‘All I Want Is Everything’, hits stores in early 2010.

It goes without saying that JoJo has a very talented singer. Judging by her taste in music, it’s obvious that she has studied some of the industry’s best. Interestingly, several other ‘singers’ also list Mariah Carey amongst their personal favourites yet there isn’t a glimmer of such an influence in what they have put forward. Very interesting indeed.

Thoughts?

Singer/actress Jennifer Hudson’s camp has vehemently denied previous reports regarding her possible pregnancy. Here is an excerpt from her representative press release below:

“Contrary to what has been falsely reported, Jennifer Hudson is not pregnant,” the representative says in a statement. Providing evidence to quash the false pregnancy claim, Lisa reveals, “Jennifer leaves in April for South Africa where she will portray Winnie Mandela in the feature film, ‘Winnie’.” She continues stating, “It is a commitment she is excited about and takes very seriously. Jennifer is currently in the studio recording her second album and this is the only delivery she is looking forward to in 2010.”

“Jennifer was in total shock when she found out she was having another baby,” the magazine quoted what it called as Jennifer’s close friend as claiming. “She had wanted some space between the kids’ ages.” However, “She and David love kids. It’s another thing for them to celebrate during the holidays,” added the friend. {Source}

And there you have it!

Thoughts?

Young singer Chris Brown sat down with ‘Radio One’ for an interview recently. The energetic entertainer answered questions about a wide range of topics including his fears, marriage, dating and explained the meaning behind the song ‘I’ll Go’ from his new album, ‘Graffiti’. After its release on December 8th, Brown’s new LP debuted on the Billboard 200 selling a disappointing 102, 000 units.

Isn’t it interesting how Brown remained notably silent when asked about the recent Tiger Woods controversy? Undoubtedly, he identifies with Woods’ situation because of the media backlash that they both have been enduring in recent times. Given all of the antics that Brown displayed in this interview that many may deem ‘childish’, his response to that topic depicted a true sense of maturity and media savvy on his part. A very wise decision indeed.

Thoughts?

Controversial MC Kanye West returned to the US stage on Tuesday evening. The rapper alluded to his infamous MTV Awards moment by slamming his industry counterparts for “being to scared to stand up for something” because they are “afraid to lose their record deals”. West also brought out his girlfriend, Amber Rose, to the stage to thank her for standing by him during the recent months.

Wow! This is certainly going to have many his fans and critics buzzing. West has always been one to encourage public dissent with his actions but there is no denying his talent as a rapper after hearing this spit those lines. Without a doubt, he is one of the best in the game today.

Sidebar: I bet the Illuminati theorists are going crazy after his “I sold my soul to the devil” statements This is the best Christmas present that he could have given them.

Thoughts?

Sexy siren Shakira performed on CBS’ ‘A Home For The Holidays’ last evening. The singer did a rendition of the 3rd single from her ‘She Wolf’ LP, ‘Gypsy’. To date, ‘She Wolf’ has sold over 158, ooo copies in the US and 1.5 million units worldwide.

Surely Shakira’s camp could have selected a different song to release from ‘She Wolf’. This song is painfully boring and the live showings that Shakira has done for the record have not managed to sway my opinion in any way. I remain adamant that ‘Did It Again’ should have been promoted in the US as a single, especially after seeing its thrilling music video. Either way, with such strong sales on the international front, I doubt that her team is feeling complacent at this point.

Thoughts?

Mary J. Blige has been working non-stop promoting her new album, ‘Stronger With Each Tear’. The singer took the stage last evening on CBS’ ‘A Home For The Holidays’ to perform her new single, ‘I Am‘. The song has thus far peaked at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #18 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts.

That was yet another solid performance from Blige. She sang wonderfully and she engaged the audience like a true performer. It goes without saying that Blige is one of the best in the game right now and very rarely disappoints. Hopefully her hard work pays off and she receives the sales figures that reflect the high quality material that she has put forward on the album.

Thoughts?