Ever since Lady GaGa crash-landed onto the music scene two years ago, comparisons to Christina Aguilera have been rife. Yet, while much of the chitter-chatter centred around GaGa imitating Aguilera, the tide has turned in the wake of the ‘Bad Romance’ singer’s undeniable success. Indeed now,  many argue that it is Aguilera who is ‘borrowing’ elements of what has turned GaGa into a superstar, both visually and musically.

Such comparisons do not sit well with acclaimed songwriter Claude Kelly, who penned four cuts for Aguilera’s forthcoming ‘Bionic’ LP. Speaking to VIBE recently, Kelly said of the comparisons…

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That Grape Juice
It’s that time again! That Grape Juice wants to see what you all are listening to. Which 5 tracks have you got on constant rotation at the moment?

Remember, it doesn’t have to be limited to Urban music; could be something new, Throwback, religious, even something you made yourself LOL. Drop a comment in the comments section. Mine and Trent’s are below – in no particular order:

Sam

1) Making Love (Into The Night) – Usher
2) Tell Me What Your Name Is – Ciara
3) Commander* – Kelly Rowland
4) Not Myself Tonight – Christina Aguilera
5) Here I Am – Monica

Trent

1) Lil’ Freak – Usher
2) Lose My Breath – Destiny’s Child
3) 3 – Britney Spears
4) When Love Takes Over – Kelly Rowland
5) Mr Yeah. – The-Dream

What are Your Top 5 Songs of The Moment?

R&B crooner Trey Songz is showing no signs of slowing down. Fresh off the success of his Gold-selling LP ‘Ready’, and a coveted slot on Jay-Z’s ‘Blueprint 3 Tour’, Songz is gearing up for the release of his fourth album this September (14th). Speaking to MTV, the 25 year old’s manager, Kevin Liles, elaborated on his plans for the burgeoning star. Peep what he had to say below…

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Peep songstress Toni Braxton on the cover of the latest issue of Bleu magazine. The 42 year old mother of two is set to release new LP ‘Pulse’ on May 4th via new label Atlantic Records.

Your thoughts?

After months of dodging questions surrounding her love life, Rihanna has finally revealed that Los Angeles Dodgers player Matt Kemp is indeed her new ‘boyfriend’.

Speaking on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show today, the Bajan model said of Kemp (when questioned about how she’d categorise her relationship with him)…

“Erm…he’s my boyfriend (laughs). It’s new and it’s fun. It’s nothing too serious. I don’t want anything that is going to take up too much of my time in a bad way, you know. I just wanna have fun…and that what it’s about”. {Source}

And there you have it. Perhaps we’ll stop hearing about Chris Brown from Ms. Fenty moving forward. Just thinking out aloud…

Your thoughts?

Check out Lin Yu Chun’s stunning rendition of Whitney Houston’s version of ‘I Will Always Love You’. Being hailed as the ‘Taiwanese Susan Boyle’, the reality show contestant delivered one of the best performances of the song since Houston revamped the track for ‘The Bodyguard’. Chun’s cover has already become a Youtube sensation with over 1 million views and counting.

Sidebar: I wonder who would be able to sing this song better today: Chun or Houston?

Sam’s 2 Pence: I see a certain Lamb is throwing shade LOL…

Thoughts?

M.I.A. has put Lady GaGa on blast. The Oscar-nominated rapper, best known for her 2008 hit ‘Paper Planes’, claims that the Pop phenom is nothing more than a “good mimic” who “models herself on Grace Jones and Madonna“. Check out what she had to say below:

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Whitney Houston says that she is in great health. The legendary singer has rejected tabloid reports which claimed that the cause of her recent hospitalisation was a result of a drug relapse. Houston has been at the centre of media speculation regarding her well-being since the start of this year after a string of poor performances and lip-syncing during the Australian leg of her ‘Nothing But Love’ tour. Here is what she had to say to PEOPLE magazine below:

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Kelis’ highly anticipated ‘Flesh Stone’ LP has finally be given an officially release date. The record will hit stores in the US and Canada on July 6th whereas international territories will receive the album on May 17th. The first single from the project, ‘Acapella’, has secured the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart, making it her first chart-topper since her 2004 collaboration with Enrique Iglesias on ‘Not In Love’. {Source}

Thoughts?

Christina Aguilera is on the brink of having one of the biggest radio hits of the year. Her new song, ‘Not Myself Tonight’, recently nabbed the title of being the most added song to Top 40 radio since January 1st, despite only being serviced to US stations on April 5th.  Now, as part of the building promotional campaign for the single and her new album, ‘Bionic’, which hits stores on June 8th, the singer has taken to her official website to discuss what fans can expect from the project. Check out what Aguilera had to say below:

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Rihanna took centre stage on American Idol a few moments ago to perform  now-new single ‘Rockstar 101’ (previously ‘Te Amo’). Check out how the stunner fared above…

Hmm. It’s probably best to get the ‘good’ out of the way first. Ms. Fenty did indeed look every part the ‘rockstar’ we’re being told she’s supposed to be. Additionally, this Bajan model must get props for upping her swagger on stage.

However, despite the slightly better stage presence, Rihanna – as a live performer, is like watching a plate spin in the microwave for 3 minutes. Not the business.

What’s more, it’s impossible to ignore the billy-goat bleating ol’ RiRi was doing into that poor mic. Folk can defend her with all the vigour they choose, yet it doesn’t take away the fact that those vocals were undeniably criminal – cracking at many a point during that performance.

Yet she’s supposedly a ‘rockstar’….ok.

Your thoughts?

After the backlash which ensued following the première of Kiely Williams‘ new video for single ‘Spectacular’, the former 3LW star has taken to the net to defend the risqué clip. Check out what she had to say after the jump…

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