According to our good friend Necole Bitchie, R&B star Ashanti is set to release her 5th studio album independently on her own label Written Entertainment. {Source}

Slated for release later this year, the as yet untitled record will hit stores some two years after the release of her criminally underrated LP ‘The Declaration’. A commercial disappointment, the latter saw her eventual departure from Universal Motown, as well as the severing of ties with Irv Gotti and The INC last year.

I still find it utterly baffling that, despite having stepped her game up significantly, folks still take shots at Ms. Douglas. Confused.com with that one. In any case, here’s wishing her much success with this new record 🙂

Your thoughts?

Comeback queen Whitney Houston will be the the receiptitent of the ‘Entertainment Honour’ at the 2010 BET Honours, it has been revealed. The show, which takes place on February 1st (ironically a day after the Grammys who snubbed her), will see Houston tribute performances from the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Patti Labelle and Mary J. Blige. {Source}

It’s awesome to see Whitney getting her props where they’re due. Should her team keep up the great work with the handling of her ‘I Look To You’ project, I’d imagine the ceremony will coincide with the release of a new single or singles (fingers strongly crossed for a ‘For The Lovers’ release).

Your thoughts?

As many of you may know, 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.

Be sure to follow That Grape Juice’s Trent as well….

Click here to follow Trent’s Twitter too!

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The That Grape Juice Facebook Group has been up and popping for a while now. 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 also gives 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

Peep the video for Trey Songz latest single ‘Say Ah’ featuring rapper Fabolous. While the clip is pretty much standard-fare, I  must say I’m actually really feeling the song.  More so than anything, despite my reservations about Trey, I can’t knock his hustle; he’s been milking this his 3rd LP ‘Ready’ for all its worth. More power to him.

What do you think of the song / video?

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Check out episode 10 of the hilarious ‘Cleveland Show’.

Enjoy!

Peep this new promotional shot for Kelly Rowland‘s 3rd studio album! She looks diva!

Note: Keep it locked on That Grape Juice for an important announcement regarding Ms. Kelly *VERY* (can’t stress the word enough) soon.

What do you think of the pic?

Controversial rapper Kanye West has returned to the studio to start work on his next album. The innovator revealed that he will be bringing his best work yet on the LP. Peep his blog post below:

West is one of the few artists in the industry today that has managed to continuously reinvent himself with each release. Hate him or love him, there is no doubt that he is one of the most intriguing and talented acts in the game. Some would go as far as to say that he helped keep Hip-Hop alive in a time when many thought it was dead. I eagerly await to hear what he has in store.

Thoughts?

Having recently embarked on her ‘Angels Advocate Tour’, diva Mariah Carey has finally revealed the title of her high anticipated remix LP. The record has been named ‘Angels Advocate’, and will feature appearances from Mary J. Blige, Nicki Minaj, Ne-Yo, Big Boi, R. Kelly, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Jodeci, Gucci Mane and Jermaine Dupri. The album is set to hit stores on February 23rd, preceded by the release of the first singles, ‘Up Out My Face (Ft. Nicki Minaj)’ and ‘Angels Cry (Ft. Ne-Yo)’.

The title is simple and to the point. Furthermore, giving the LP the same name as the tour will help patrons to associate both ventures, thus having a possible positive effect on the sales of the album. Interestingly, Carey’s team is going to have to be the biggest advocate of this record. As the followup to the commercially disappointing ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’, it is safe to say that this album is set to debut in rocky territory. Hence, Carey’s camp is going to have to work twice as hard to promote this project and capture public attention.

Thoughts?

Singer Tiffany Evans enjoys covering songs by her favourite artists. This time around, the 17-year old took on the challenge of singing one of Whitney Houston’s most popular ballads, ‘I Have Nothing’. Evans was recently involved in a public feud with Rihanna, in which she responded to one of the model’s comments by stating “too bad I can Sang!”

And “sang” she can! Although she did not outperform Houston’s original, Evans’ rendition was powerful, soulful and impressive. Her transitions through the registers of her vocal range and the conviction that she displayed while she sang depict a vocalist who can certainly out-sing many of today’s other so-called ‘singers’. Great stuff.

Sidebar: Which performance do you prefer – Evans’ cover of ‘I Have Nothing’ or Rihanna’s version of Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero’?

Thoughts?

After a brief hiatus for Christmas,  Monica‘s BET reality show ‘Still Standing’ aired again on BET. Check out episode 9 above. As usual, I’m watching it now…what are you waiting for?! LOL. Enjoy.

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This week’s From The Vault classic is Lil’ Kim‘s year 2000 smash ‘No Matter What They Say’. Featuring the pint-sized rapper at her best (looks and lyrics), this is a great throwback to the days when female rap actually made an impact chart-wise. Great song, even better video.

Tidbit: Doesn’t anyone else see a few parallels between KIM and a certain Nicki Minaj? I’m just saying…

Your thoughts?

Holding true to our promise of keeping things fresh here at That Grape Juice (v.2.0 baby!), we bring you ‘Cover Star’. Completing our current feature-list (From The Vault, Original Articles etc), Cover Star will each week showcase regular folk’s rendition of your favourite tracks. Recent history has shown the web to be the place to discover new talent – talent which is undeniably out there in abundance. So what better way to give shine to undiscovered talent than on your favourite site and mine – That Grape Juice!

This week’s Cover Star is 27 year old  J Rome. The Maryland native turns in a ridiculously good rendition of  Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing’: Check it out:

Wow! J really took it to CHURCH! It’s not often that male vocalists can tackle a track recorded by a female with the voice of a Whitney et al. Yet not only did he tackle it, he turned in an awesome performance, one in which really saw him put his own stamp on it.

For more on J Rome, check out his Youtube page

Your thoughts?