Moments ago, Mariah Carey released the highly anticipated video for her new single ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ The clip was directed by Brett Ratner and shot in two locations: New York and Malibu. ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ has thus far peaked at #76 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts.

Ever had the feeling that you’ve just been ‘Punk’d’? Well that’s what I’m experiencing at this very moment. Wasn’t the video filmed at two different locations? Wasn’t Mariah supposed to be wearing actual clothes in some of the shots? As much I support the ‘if you’ve got it, flaunt it’ adage, I sense that it is high time that MC starts showing some variation in her productions because quite frankly, I’m tired of looking at an extended series of glamour shots in every video. In fact, what does running around on the beach have to do with the song?

Hopefully, this is just one version of the clip. Nevertheless, this is going into the box at the back of my mind with the ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ video; never to be spoken of again.

Thoughts?

Mary J. Blige‘s video for new single ‘I Am’, the lead single from her forthcoming LP ‘Stronger With Each Tear’,’ premiered within the hour. Though rather simplistic, I’m loving the visuals in the clip; Mary looks great and it’s evident money was spent on this one – even if only on the setting and the overall gloss of the vid. What’s more, the video is befitting to the song, which I’ve had on replay for the longest while and gets better with every listen.

Stronger With Each Tear’ hits stores December 21st.

What do you think of the song / video?

The video for rapper 50 Cent’s latest single ‘Do You Think About Me’ premiered a few minutes ago on Vevo. Though the song is kinda ‘just there’. the video – which interesting stars one-time girlfriend Vivaca Fox along with actress Tamala Jones and Tahiry – does make for quite engaging viewing. Whether it’ll do enough to revive Fiddy’s ‘Before I Self Destruct’ LP, which is in relative freefall on the charts, remains to be seen.

What do you think of the song / video?

Check out the official album cover for Usher‘s forthcoming effort ‘Raymond vs Raymond’, which is now due March 1st 2010.

What do you think of the cover?

Pop icon Mariah Carey made an appearance at Skylight Studio, New York for the official launch of VEVO. The diva premiered the video for her new single ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ at the event before mingling with some of he other attendees. Peep more pictures from the event blow:

Mariah and husband Nick Cannon posed for the paparazzi.

The singer also met rising star Taylor Swift.

Rihanna and Mariah shared a fun moment, contrary to reports that the two are feuding.

I wonder what they were talking about…?

What do you think of the pics?

The video ‘Say Something’, the Drake-assisted 2nd single from Timbaland‘s ‘Shock Value II’ LP, surfaced a few moments ago. Check it out above…

What do you think of the song / video?

A radiant looking Whitney Houston features in the January 2010 issue of InStyle magazine. Peep more pics from the feature below (Nippy is giving me everything in that last pic…work!):

What do you think of the pics?

Any hope Rihanna‘s team had of her ‘Rated R’ LP sustaining on the charts have been dashed upon the publication of the Bajan model’s (trademark: Trent) 2nd week sales. According to Hits Daily Double, the album took a massive tumble down the charts this week, dropping #4-#18 and selling though just 53,544 copies (a whopping 70% drop in sales from her first week tally). {Source}

‘Wow’ is all I can say! So after releasing the record during the holiday season, slashing its price to $0.99, a huge promo campaign, not to mention the sympathy garnered from ‘the incident’, Ms. Fenty is still struggling to shift copies of her supposedly critically acclaimed LP? A mess.

At this rate, not even my prediction of the inevitable 300 singles and 25 re-releases (including the Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Ultra Premium Deluxe, Spanish, Hebrew and Japanese versions…and of course the Super-Super Uber Ultra Premium Deluxe edition which comes with a DVD) can save this project. IMO, it seems this Bajan model has gone too far with the imaging and isolated her audience in the process. That and, of course, the fact she lacks everything it means to be a credible performer in this day and age.

Your thoughts?

Exactly 10 years ago, Jennifer Lopez was at the helm of the pantheon of Urban/Pop artists. The entertainer was one of the few women to emerge from the ‘Latin explosion’ of the turn of the century and find major success on the Pop charts. ‘Jenny from the block’ has had 4 number songs from 8 top 10 hits.

However, in recent years, the singer has found it difficult to crack the upper peripheries of the Billboard Hot 100, especially with her new song ‘Louboutins’ which has yet to chart even after  high profile performances on the American Music Awards and ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’. In fact, this week the song has generated less than 0.370 million audience impressions and is falling rather quickly. In other words, it’s a flop.

Many critics highlight similarities between the star and her contemporaries including popular models Rihanna and Cassie, who are better known for their fashion know-how than their musical prowess (although neither can hold a candle to Jennifer’s danging/singing ability). Indeed, many have cited that like the style trends that they promote, their presence in the industry is nothing but a fad.

The real question that comes out of this situation is: does Jennifer have the potential to once again rule the Pop roost? Or will the performer be left in the 00’s like her former collaborator Ja Rule? I personally believe that unless Ms. Jlo is able to find a hit with her next single, her time may officially be up.

Do you think that Jennifer can make a comeback?

We here at That Grape Juice are pleased to announce that will be interviewing multi-time Grammy nominee Fantasia in the coming week!

The American Idol alum is gearing up for the January première of her new VH1 reality show ‘Fantasia For Real’, as well as her 3rd studio album, which is also due early 2010.

Do you have any questions for Fantasia? If so, be sure to drop them in the comments section. As usual, only legitimate questions will be considered.

Thanks!

Rapper 50 Cent is currently over here in Europe promoting his latest LP ‘Before I Self Destruct’, most recently stopping by The Graham Norton Show here in the UK.

In this hilarious interview, the G-Unit general talks everything from bloggers, his condom line, his new music (of course), getting “shot 9 times” lol and a whole lot more. As much as ol’ Curtis is an annoyance at times, he’s really been coming across well in these recent interviews. This one particularly, for – as on paper (as UK folk will know) – Graham and 50 aren’t a pair you’d expect to hit it off like they did. Great interview.

Your thoughts?

Singer/actor Jamie Foxx is currently working on his next LP. One of the songs that will be featured on the album is a collaboration with the elusive Justin Timberlake entitled ‘Winner’. Foxx’s 4th studio release will hit stores in 2010.

This track truly is a ‘winner’. The blaring horns form the base of a captivating melody which fluidly sync into the thumping beats of the verses. If this is the direction that Foxx is taking with his album then I will certainly being paying attention – something that I have never done to any of his past material with the exception of his features (see Kanye West’s ‘Gold Digger’).

Hit or Miss?