Some of you may remember Jennifer Lopez‘s ill-fated ‘comeback’ single from last year ‘Louboutins’. Well, as previously reported, the song was initially recorded by R&B star Brandy for inclusion on her forthcoming project; however, The-Dream penned track was left on the cutting room floor, thereafter being snapped up by Lopez.

In any case, Brandy’s version of the song – albeit unmastered and unfinished – has surfaced. While one would presume Ms. Norwood’s version would be better – which it is, her vocal trills, adlibs and whatnot, cannot take away the fact that the song just isn’t very good. Still, judge for yourself…

Hit or Miss?

Former Misteeq singer, Sabrina Washington, stopped by GMTV this morning to perform smashing new single ‘OMG’ (which is available on iTunes now). Sporting a daring hairdo and an even more out-there outfit, Ms. Washington held her own, doing the song justice live.

Check out the performance after the jump…(performance starts at 1.50 mark)…

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Things are not looking good for Rihanna‘s forthcoming ‘Last Girl On Earth’ tour. With initial ticket-sales not being as high as anticipated, the worldwide trek has been hit with another blow – supporting act Nicki Minaj has pulled out of the tour.

Announcing the news on her Twitter page, the popular rapper, offered the following explanation as to her sudden decision…

Ouch. One would think something more serious would have prompted Minaj’s decision. After all, album or no album, going on tour with a chart-topper shouldn’t be anything but an extremely good look for the Young Money star. Then again, when that chart-topper isn’t shifting tickets in the way a worthwhile performer should be, taking a rain check may not be so bad after all.

I doubt Ms. Fenty is fretting, though….she still has the super-talented Ke$ha to open for her.

Your thoughts?

Many a naysayer will be eating humble-pie tonight, as Usher‘s new LP ‘Raymond v Raymond’ hit #1 on the Billboard 200 chart – after shifting through 329,000 copies first week. The impressive feat marks the singer’s third consecutive #1 LP on the chart; with the previous efforts being 2004’s career-definer ‘Confessions’ and 2008’s ‘Here I Stand’.

So much for Usher being ‘done’, ay? Despite ‘Here I Stand’ not being up-to-par, I never understood the mass declarations of Mr Raymond’s time being up. I mean, every artist has career highs and career lows. Luckily for Usher, things seem to be on the come-up for him; which is awesome (IMO), considering the fact that in an increasingly talent-starved industry, his level of skill is difficult to replace. More power to him…

Your thoughts?

The video for The-Dream‘s new single ‘Love King’ premièred literally moments ago. Check it out above…

Pretty much your typical Dream video; simple concept and choreography-heavy. Not bad, yet definitely nothing to scream about.

Your thoughts?

US Weekly‘s latest issue features the first public photo of Christina Milian and The-Dream‘s baby daughter, Violet. The youngster, who was born in February, is the newly-wed couple’s first child together. The Dream has 3 children from his previous marriage to R&B singer Nivea. {Spotted over at Miss Jia!}

Your thoughts?

Siblings Brandy and Ray J stopped by the Lopez Tonight Show this week to promote their VH1 show ‘Family Business’, which kicks off this coming Sunday (April 11th).

The pair chatted it up with host, George Lopez, about a number of topics – including Brandy’s rumoured relationship with Flo’Rida, Ray J’s infamous ‘tape’, their brother-sister dynamic, of course the show, and much more. Peep the interview after the jump…

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Things do not seem to be going well with the European leg of Whitney Houston‘s ‘Nothing But Love Tour’.

After postponing the trek’s first date in Paris this week, Houston’s label have announced that another 3 shows have been postponed due to the singer coming down with a  respiratory infection. The illness being one which saw the 46 year old have brief spell in a French hospital yesterday.

Sony Music UK sent That Grape Juice the following press release, elaborating on the issue, as well as advising on re-scheduled dates and refunds. Here’s hoping Whitney makes a speedy recovery…

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{UPDATED: Non-UK visitors now able to watch}

Taio Cruz looks set to follow-up the chart success of ‘Break Your Heart’, with new single ‘Dirty Picture’. The video for the Ke$ha-assisted single debuted a few moments ago. Check it out above…

Pretty standard-fare. As a UK’er whose seen many of Taio’s videos, a bit of variety from the singer/songwriter/producer really wouldn’t go amiss. I say this as the video has a look and feel much like the that of his past offerings. In any case, the song – though lyrically empty, goes hard. Here’s to another smash!

Tidbit: Ke$ha looked so classy on that toilet-seat, right?!

Your thoughts?

R&B star Monica is set to follow-up her Urban smash ‘Everything To Me’ with new single ‘Here I Am’. Confirming the news just moments ago on Twitter, the Grammy winner also revealed that she and label-mate Jamie Foxx have put an interesting new twist on the song, alluding to a re-worked / collaboration serving as the single version.

To say I’m ecstatic would an understatement! From the standpoint of yours truly, ‘Here I Am’ is not only Monica’s best offering on her ‘Still Standing’ LP, it’s one of her best songs period. Besides the stunning vocals and production (courtesy of Polow Da Don), the purely R&B  track is lyrically on another level; something which lends itself to some great video concepts.

With ‘Still Standing’ selling another 80,000 copies in its 2nd week, it’s fair to say that Monica is doing it BIG all over again. It honestly is great to see R&B making a comeback, and Monica serving as the face of it’s revival. Awesome.

For those who haven’t heard ‘Heard I Am’, check it out below…

Hit or Miss?

Eclectic singer Kelis stopped by the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show last night to perform new single ‘Acapella’. With label head will..i.am spinning on the decks behind her, Kelis delivered a rousing performance of the #1 Billboard Dance smash (while a slightly unenthusiastic audience looked on ). Check out how she fared below…

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R&B star Ciara is gearing up for the release of new single ‘Ride’, the first to be lifted from her forthcoming 4th studio album. Check out these official shots from the recently-shot video, courtesy of ThisIsRNB.com; by the look of them, it’s fair to say Ms. Harris is very much a grown-up now…

Your thoughts?