Check out the video for ‘I Like’, Keri Hilson‘s contribution to the soundtrack for German movie ‘Zweiohrküken’. Though nothing amazing per se, I’m quite liking the song. Kudos to Keri for expanding her profile outside of the US.

What do you think of the song / video?

The new-look Sugababes took to the stage at the BBC’s annual Children In Need special which aired last night. Amelle, Heidi and Jade gave their first live rendition of the Keisha-heavy ‘Get Sexy’, which to put it politely was passable at best. The vocals were a hot steaming mess – this coming from one who knows they can all sing. Their ‘About A Girl’ performance, which you can watch below, was marginally better, but still nothing to scream about. After watching this, it’s vividly clear that they need more time to gel as a group, because this was not the business.

What do you think of the performances?

The video for Janet Jackson‘s new single ‘Make Me’, the lead single from her ‘Number Ones’ compilation (out now), premiered a few moments ago on ABC’s 20/20. With the song and accompanying video seeming only to serve the purpose of promoting her greatest hits, I guess I was never expecting an-all out big budget affair, but I’d be deceiving myself and you if I said I wasn’t slightly disappointed. I can’t put my finger on why, but between the not-so-enthralling choreography and the overall so-so’ness of the clip, I found myself a tad underwhelmed. Ms. Jackson usually comes a lot harder. That said, in view of all that’s been going on, she kinda gets a pass. Here’s hoping she nails it with her hotly anticipated performance at Sunday’s American Music Awards, where she opens the star-studded event with an 8-minute medley.

What do you think of the video?

Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez has been hard at work preparing for her upcoming performance on the American Music Awards this Sunday, where she will be performing her new song ‘Louboutins’. In the mean time, however, the singer has decided to release the video her her ‘buzz’ single ‘Fresh Out The Oven’. The clip was directed by Jonas Åkerlund and features Pitbull. Lopez’s new album, ‘Love?’, hits stores on January 26th 2010.

As the video was made to support a promotional single, I can understand why the budget was not very expansive. However, given the fact that Lady Lo has not been present on the broadcast airwaves for such a long time, I assumed that she would have tried a bit harder to ensure that she made a bigger splash. Certainly the the lackluster response of radio to the track should have compelled her to produce something of greater substance. Either way, I eagerly await her performance this weekend; that is if Janet doesn’t give me a heart attack first.

Sidebar: Is anyone seeing all the similarities between Jennifer and Beyonce lately? The alter ego was one thing but that leopard print cat suit and heavy eye makeup looks awfully familiar…

Thoughts?

Chocolate contralto Toni Braxton released the music video for the remix of the first single off her upcoming album, ‘Yesterday‘. The clip was directed by Billie Woodruff and features Braxton’s collaborator on the track, Trey Songz. To date, ‘Yesterday’ has climbed to #49 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts. Braxton’s new album, ‘Pulse’, hits stores in February 2010.

This video is the typical ‘recession special’ that has come to define the caliber of music videos given the current economy. Either way, there is no denying that Toni is possibly the beautiful woman in the music industry today – beautiful face, body, skin and voice. I am surprised that there wasn’t any more chemistry between her and Trey in the video though, especially given their recent passionate performance at the Soul Train Music Awards. I was really hoping to see more intimacy between the two, rather than having them in completely different shots without any interaction what so ever.

Sidebar: Toni’s wig collection sure got some air time in this video huh?

Thoughts?

Since launching That Grape Juice 2.0 the site’s traffic has almost doubled! While this has been a blessing, it’s dually also been a bit of a nag, as the site’s server has been experiencing difficulties in trying to cope with the increased traffic.

As a result, we’ll be moving to a more advanced server later today, so as to keep things afloat here at your favourite site and mine. If everything goes to plan, you won’t experience any difficulty accessing the site at all. However, if you do, continue to refresh the page until it comes up.

Thanks for your patience!

Remember, keep it locked on That Grape Juice!

UK media darling Cheryl Cole performed at the Children In Need concert, which aired on BBC1 yesterday, offering a ‘live’ rendition of smash single ‘Fight For This Love’.

I oft find myself quite torn with how I feel about Ms. Cole. The critic side of me knows she couldn’t sing her ABC’s in tune if she tried (as evidenced by this performance), yet the consumer side sees the spectacle and media-flooding, which is hard not to fall victim to. Either way, I doubt she cares too much; her album ‘Three Words’, though critically panned, has been certified Platinum here in the UK and her profile seems to be expanding with each passing day (see: X-Factor, L’Oreal).

What do you think of the performance?

After a lengthy hiatus Jennifer Lopez hoping make a dent on the music scene with new single ‘Louboutins’ (lifted from new album ‘Love?’) which premiered moments ago. Unfortunately for Ms. Jenny From The Block, this cut is…well…not cutting it. Repetitive lyrically and showing little in the way of vocal growth (something which IMO was necessary for Jennifer coming out this go round), the Tricky Stewart produced track’s only worthwhile offering is it’s stellar production which screams epic and ‘I’m back’. It such a shame that the rest of the track doesn’t.

Hearing this has me wondering what exactly is going on with her team, as the previously heard ‘Hooked On You’ was the epitome of fire on a track and a sure hit had it been released. In any case, whose to say this won’t be a grower (the ‘hook’, though redundant is quite catchy), particularly after her upcoming performance at the American Music Awards this Sunday.

Hit or Miss?

As many of you may know, we announced several  months back that you can now follow That Grape Juice on Twitter! Adding to the ever-expanding ways to be apart of the That Grape Juice community, our Twitter page allows you to receive up-to-the-minute updates about the latest posts on the site as well as what’s happening in the Urban Pop Culture world more generally.

Click here to follow Trent’s Twitter too!

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The That Grape Juice Facebook Group launched last year, as I’m sure many of you will know. Work, school, college, home, wherever; I’m sure many of you – like myself – spend a ridiculous amount of time on Facebook. Yes, it’s ‘that’ addictive!

Why not, then, combine your daily Urban Pop Culture fix with social networking and come be a part of the rapidly growing That Grape Juice Facebook community. Along with the thousands who have already joined (thank you all!), you will be the first to get word on upcoming interviews, competitions, view exclusive pictures and much much more. The discussion board/wall will also give you the chance to interact with other ‘Grape Juice readers moreso now than ever before.

It’s an open group, so anyone can join – invite all your friends too!

Click here to join That Grape Juice On Facebook

Pop singer Leona Lewis made a special appearance on ‘The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brian’ recently. The singer promoted her new album ‘Echo’ and performed the first single from the record, ‘Happy’. The song has thus far peaked at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It’s good to see that she is still trying to promote the album because as with the projected figures, it’s going to need all the help it can help. However, with a rather boring and generic single like ‘Happy’, I can’t see the LP getting the push that it so desperately needs. Add that to her emotionally vacant performances and generally poor reviews from the critics, I sense that this album has little hope of matching the success of it’s predecessor.

Thoughts?

The 2009 ‘Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’ took place at The Armory in New York City last evening. The lingerie extravaganza attracted a long list of celebrities including Fergie (seen above) who looked far from fugly while she rocked the stage.

Two of Hip-Hop’s most powerful players, Jay-Z and Dr. Dre, were also at the event.

Keri Hilson made a stop at the show as well. She could easily fit in with the models on the runway if she wanted.

Keri and Jay bumped in to each other at the after-party. What an interesting conversation that must have been.

Finally, we have Fergie once again who this time posed with her illustrious band-mates, the Black Eyed Peas, on the red carpet.

What do you think of their looks?

Do you know which song spent the most weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100? Do you know which song was the first to debut at the top spot? That Grape Juice has you covered! ‘Back In The Beat’ is our brand new feature, which each Friday takes a look back at the songs that topped the Billboard Hot 100 at this exact point in time in years of past.

Covered by me, Trent, it provides the opportunity to not only take a ‘trip down memory lane’, but remember some of the monumental songs that molded the present day sound of the music industry. So get out your pen and paper because class is officially in session!

Thoughts?