Last week, we provided you with the cover shot of Chris Brown’s VIBE magazine feature. In the issue, the dynamic performer shared his views about this year’s BET Awards ceremony which honored the late Michael Jackson.  Brown was removed from the production’s line-up after ‘the incident’ involving ex-girlfriend Rihanna. Peep an excerpt from interview below:

Chris Brown on being removed from the BET Awards…

“It was wack. I’ll keep it a hundred. The BET Awards was horrible. I was watching it, holding my face like, ‘Oh my God this is wack’. I didn’t get it. Michael Jackson was such a big entertainer. And I’m not dissing any of the artists who did the songs. But I was expecting a lot more energy for Michael. And BET Awards usually comes hard. I was expecting them to have Usher, Omarion and even Justin. And I was expecting Ne-Yo to dance. They were so bent on not getting me there that they messed up their own show.” {Source}

Most of you may have read Sam’s opinion of the BET Awards, and I must admit that I am inclined to agree. The show was possibly one of the worst productions of the decade; horrible performances, poor editing and a baffling set list. Brown would have been a welcome addition to the line-up especially as no one displayed what Michael was probably best known for: his dancing. That’s a damn shame.

Thoughts?

The Black Eyed Peas are looking to continue their immensely successful run with their current LP ‘The E.N.D’ by releasing the record’s 4th official single ‘Imma Be’. {Source}

While the album wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea, ‘Imma Be’ is blazing hot and undeniably had to receive the single treatment at some point in the LP’s shelf life. Killer production, swagger-heavy and more than anything, one of the year’s best club-bangers, they worked it out on this one. More power to BEP!

Hit or Miss?

Sade has just released the first single from next year’s ‘Soldier of Love’ LP. The title track features productions by Mike Pela and vocals from lead singer, Sade Adu. The ‘Soldier of Love’ album hits stores on February 8th 2010.

Although promoting a similar message, this track serves as the complete opposite of Jordin Sparks’ ‘Battlefield’; dark and haunting. Sade Adu’s smokey vocals tie in perfectly with the foreboding productions. It is  really astonishing how a vocalist with such a limited vocal range is able to convey such a powerful performance. It goes to show that the old adage is true: less is indeed more.

Hit or Miss?

In a recent interview with VIBE magazine, monster producer Tricky Stewart discussed several of his past and upcoming projects as well as his creative process. The ‘Single Ladies’ producer also elaborated on the direction that Pop star Christina Aguilera will be taking with her new album. Peep an excerpt from the interview below:

How did you approach working with Christina Aguilera versus R&B artists?

With Christina it’s a little different, because Christina wants music that you haven’t heard before. She did things that she’s never necessarily heard on the radio. She doesn’t want a record that sounds like anything else so you’re trying to create an entirely new sound for an artist. The three tracks that I did, they’re all uptempo tracks so we definitely kind of get the club moving but it’s just a matter of her doing different styles and using her voice in different ways. {Source}

This is some interesting news. Many would argue Christina has never been the type of artist to provide original content. Most of the material that she has put forward has followed the direction that acts such as Mariah Carey, Madonna and even Britney Spears did before her. Nonetheless, given the amount of mystery that has been surrounding this project, I would be lying to myself I said that I was not quite intrigued.

Thoughts?

According to Hits Daily Double, Chris Brown‘s new LP ‘Graffiti’, which went on sale this week, is projected 150,000 copies first week in the US.

Though I’d be cautious of deeming such numbers anywhere near definitive (these are a projection as opposed to a prediction based on first day sales – it only hit stores in the US a few hours ago!), I’d still say these are quite solid numbers CONSIDERING (the ‘incident’, no televised performances as at writing etc). Nonetheless, for the album to have any sustainable legs, Jive are going to need to put in overtime. Chris has the talent to sell the project, but as we’ve come to know, talent only makes up a small piece of the equation.

Tidbit: Missed our ‘Graffiti’ review? Click here to check it out!

Your thoughts?

Eccentric singer Lady GaGa met Queen Elizabeth of England during the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall tonight. As ever, the talented 23 year old put on one hell of a show with her performance. Peep more pics below…

Thoughts?

Amidst unconfirmed reports that she is about to go on tour, diva Mariah Carey is set to debut her video for her new single, ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ The Brett Ratner-directed clip is set to premiere later this week according to Mariah’s management. ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ has thus far peaked at #76 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts.

Hopefully this video is ‘the business’ because, quite frankly, nobody seems interested in either this song or the album. It’s really a shame though, as the track is undoubtedly one of the best records off the album, and is lyrically and vocally fantastic. Here’s to hoping that things work out for this one.

Thoughts?

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming….

{So sad, I’ve always wanted to say that LOL}

OK,  so it’s been a slow news day until maybe a few hours ago, which believe it or not has made for one boring a** day for me. In saying that, it freed me up to surf the net on a non-“must post this now” basis the first time a while. It also got me thinking about a host of random things. Check out my ramblings below:

* Does anyone else think Fantasia‘s performance (above) at the Patti Labelle tribute is one of the year’s best. Classic!

* Can someone, anyone, please clue me up on the latest on ‘Desperate Housewives’. I keep watching religiously and then going Cold-Turkey for no reason! Note: The last episode I watched saw Lynette’s son framed for ‘the fire’. What’s popped off between then and now?

* The comments I read on That Grape Juice crack me up on the daily (even the ones cussing me out)! I swear some of y’all need to be comedians lol

* I’m such a procrastinator. There are at least three things I should be doing instead of this at this exact moment! LOL

* I am legitimately intrigued at people’s stories of how they discovered That Grape Juice, no matter how basic such accounts may be (Google, another site, a friend…)

* This message on Facebook from a childhood friend who emigrated to the US made my day:

You know whats funny Sammy….Is that some of my friends over here were showing their other friends this website (yours) a while back…..and I was like…I know the creator! ( i felt so proud! lol)

* My Rihanna debates regularly extend into discussions with my friends (half of whom agree with me and the other half think Ms. Fenty is a “baaaad b**ch”!)

* I’m completely shocked at some of the messy comments thrown my way by a couple of fellow bloggers since v.2.0 launched (go figure – begins with a ‘J’ ends in a ‘Y’ LOL). If you’re wondering who I’m talking about, I’ll just say: a random Australian weed-smoker and another UK blogger who I really respected at one point.

* Is anyone else fascinated by the many different impressions people have of you? I’ve heard that I’m quiet, too loud, friendly, ‘stoosh’, an outright ‘bitch’. Things that make you go ‘hmmm’

* Super Mario Wii looks like ‘the business’. Got it? Is it any good?

* I miss Michael Jackson 🙁

*  That Grape Juice’s Trent is probably the most hot-headed person I know. Boy do Caribbean’s have a tongue on them! LOL

* Blackberry or iPhone? (My BB is in repair…damn that trackball aka wackball!)

* Relationships; what’s your take on the concept of in every relationship there being ‘the lover’ and ‘the loved’?

Your thoughts?!

Check out the first official advertisement for Usher’s upcoming album ‘Raymond vs. Raymond’. The clip features the newly single artist, reveling in the freedom of his post-Tameka lifestyle.  ‘Raymond vs. Raymond’ hits stores on March 1st 2010.

This reminds me a lot of the promotional campaign that Usher’s camp used for the ‘Confessions’ LP. Either way, I am intrigued by this project based on the recent surfacing of ‘Stay Down’. 2010 is shaping up to be a great year for music!

Thoughts?

R&B star Mary J. Blige is set to unleash her latest studio album ‘Stronger With Each Tear’ on December 21st. You can now preview the entire album via Amazon France {We’ll hold our full judgement until hearing the album its entirety…but the album sounds hot!}.

Click here to preview ‘Stronger With Each Tear’

Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

Check out these sneak peeks of Jennifer Hudson’s forthcoming Christmas Special ‘Jennifer Hudson: I’ll Be At Home For Christmas’, which will air on ABC on December 14th at 8pm. In the clip above, Jennifer and and co deliver a rousing rendition of ‘O Come Ol Ye Faithful’.

Your thoughts?

In a recent interview with MTV UK, rapper 50 Cent had many a critical word to say about the Grammy Awards.

When questioned about Beyonce and Taylor Swift receiving the most nominations, the G-Unit general said:

“Man, f*ck the Grammys!

I couldn’t care less about the Grammy Awards. It’ll be the Beyonce and Taylor Swift show.

I guess they’ll both be performing at the awards show, which means their record companies will be spending money to raise the production values of the entire show.

And when you spend that kind of money you’re supposed to get trophies.”

{Source: Susan Younis – MTV}

I’m trying to put aside the fact ol’ Curtis has been nominated 13 times at the Grammy’s, yet has never won, but I’m finding it oh-so- hard LOL. Besides him sounding a little bitter, if there’s one show in which nothing is a certain as to who wins or is even nominated, it’s the Grammy’s (just ask Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Jazmine Sullivan and many more). No sir…

Your thoughts?