Shakira debuted the video for her much hyped new single ‘She Wolf’ today. Put simply, this was very much a hit and miss affair…although it did kinda win me over in the end. While Shakira oozes sex appeal here and really brings the song to life via the clip’s performance, it’s her ‘trademark’ moves that left me both hot and cold. There really wasn’t any middle ground; she either nailed the at-times awesome choreography or looked like she was having a seizure. Really though, some of that choreography was hot steaming mess. I’m kinda on the fence about the song too; the production is fire, but the vocals and the fact that I can barely understand a word she’s singing is by no means hot.
That said, for the simple fact I’ve seen no one these days bring the ‘uniqueness’ Shakira does to her performance, both she and the video (overall) get a thumbs up from me.
What do you think of the video?

As Madonna gears up for the release of her Greatest Hits compilation ‘Celebration’ (due September 29th), the LP’s title track has surfaced. Produced by Dance hitmaker Paul Oakenfold, the track can quite frankly be summed up as ‘blah’. I say this not because the genre isn’t my usual forte, but simply due to the song sounding cheesy and dated. What’s more, with the lead singles from ol’ Madge’s more recent efforts ‘Hung Up’ and ‘4 Minutes’ being undeniable winners, I feel she dropped the ball with this one.
Hit or Miss?

The video for the Sugababes new single ‘Get Sexy’ premiered literally moments ago. ”Sexy’ serves as the first single to be lifted of the ladies as-yet-untitled US label debut (on Jay-Z’s Roc Nation). While the song has grown on me considerably since initially hearing it, the video looks like it cost less than a KFC Bargain Bucket. Not the business. I was expecting a whole lot more from the clip considering the US label they are now in partnership with, but I guess everyone – including Roc Nation – are feeling the effects of this recession.
What do you think of the video?

Since the tragic passing of the King of Pop Michael Jackson last month, I have made a particularly conscious effort to not indulge in the media circus and exploitation of what is a very sad situation. For this reason, the rumour of Michael having an unknown child wasn’t reported here.
However, in an interview with NewsOne, the ever-controversial Joe Jackson revealed that the child (now a man) in question is in fact Michael’s biological son!
While I will reserve judgement until the facts surrounding this surface, this really is quite shocking.
Your thoughts?
'Sasha Fierce Is Dereon' Promo Shot
{Click pic to enlarge}
Check out Beyonce’s latest promotional shot for her and her mother’s ‘Dereon’ clothing line. This particular campaign is for their new ‘Sasha Fierce Is Dereon’ range.
Say what you will about the clothes, but Beyonce looks great here.
What do you think of the pic?
Whitney Pushes Album UP & Gives Single Away For Free
Whitney Houston and her team are not playing with this ‘comeback’ of hers. Feeding off the intense buzz surrounding Houston’s ‘I Look To You’ album, Arista have made the rare move of the pushing UP the release date.
Sounds exciting, eh? Well it’s only been pushed up by one day, so will now hit stores August 31st in the US instead of the previously announced September 1st store date (it was always due in shops Internationally on the August date). Sources close to That Grape Juice are claiming that the new date has just as much to do with the high public interest and an extra day to add to the first week sales as it does the Grammy Awards. The cut off date for nomination eligibility for the 2010 Grammy’s is…you guessed it…August 31st. I really can’t fault Arista for being on top of their game with the orchestrating of Nippy’s comeback; after all there is no grander stage than the Grammy’s for Whitney’s comeback to be a done-deal – big performance and/or award clean-up – than at the biggest show of them all. Roll on January!
In other Whitney news, it has been confirmed that the song ‘I Look To You’ will also serve as the first single from the album along with the Swizz Beats produced, Alicia Keys penned ‘Million Dollar Bill’. As a gift to fans, ‘I Look To You’ is available to download free from Ms. Houston’s official website. {Click here to download}
Your thoughts?

R&B star Ciara posted this Twitter video moments ago updating her fans on what she’s been up to as of late. During the clip, Ms. Harris breaks out into song, giving an interesting rendition of Estelle’s 2008 smash ‘American Boy’. She did g-o-o-d. Go CiCi!
Your thoughts?
Follow That Grape Juice On Twitter!As some of you may know, we announced a few months back that 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.
What’s more, you, as well as the thousands who have already joined, will be able to keep up with me, ‘Sam’, while I’m on-the-go. I’ll be making use of Twitter’s cool SMS feature which allows me to let you guys know what I’m up to via my mobile/cell. That means everything from checking in with you guys while on location at an artist interview to complete randomness from the wackiness that is ‘my world’. So what are you waiting for…

——————–
The That Grape Juice Facebook Group launched last year, as I’m sure many of you will know. 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 will also give 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!

Hard at work on the promotional trail for new album ‘Battlefield’, Jordin Sparks performed the title track on The Wendy Williams Show yesterday. As with all the performances for the song, Jordin smashed it. Good stuff.
Tidbit: There’s a lil’ interview at the end too.
What do you think of the performance?
According to our friends over at Rap-Up.com, Mariah Carey has been added to the performer line-up at the MTV Video Music Awards 2009. The show airs live on September 13th at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. More performers are to be announced in the coming weeks.
No doubt this will be Mariah’s moment to sell her ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ LP, which hits stores 2 days later. For her sake, lets hope she doesn’t sound like crap. This performance and the one’s which launch the album really need to be on-point; no “stop singing my part now baby” moments this go round! Gone are the days where I felt I was the minority that loved Mariah, yet noticed something was up with her voice (basically a lot of the ‘Emancipation’ era). Casual listeners are starting to catch onto the fact that Mariah not only doesn’t sound like how she once did (understandable), but actually sounds straight shot (not acceptable). Fans, stans and Lambs can quote how much she’s sold till the cows come home, but it doesn’t change the fact that crap will always sound like crap – whoever the artist. We are in a day and age where live vocals are scrutinised a lot more. So my dear Lambs, Mariah doesn’t automatically get a pass because of who she is. She has to come correct just like anyone else. Otherwise it’s like saying ‘I know she sounds like she’s on the toilet, but I’ll buy it because she’s so amazing’. I mean, honestly….
Your thoughts?
Chris Brown Makes Chart Comeback
In what comes as quite a surprise considering Chris Brown’s current ‘predicament’, the 20 year old star is once-again riding high on the charts – thanks to a Youtube video. The clip, which sees a couple make a ‘unique’ entrance during their wedding to Brown’s hit ‘Forever’, has become an internet sensation, racking up 8 million views in just 7 days! As knock-on-effect, ‘Forever’ has rocketed to #7 on the iTunes after not even being on the chart anymore and will almost certainly re-enter the Billboard Hot 100 next week at a relatively high position. Who said second chances can’t happen?
Check out the video below:
Your thoughts?
Mary J 'Stronger' On New LP
The Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul Mary J Blige is set to release her 9th studio album, the title of which has been unveiled as ‘Stronger’, on November 24th via Geffen Records.
Preceding the record is buzz single ‘The One’, which currently features in the latest AT&T commercial (click here to watch). While the next single to be lifted from the set is the title track, the unmastered version of which you can hear by clicking here. ‘Stronger’ will also feature on the soundtrack to ‘More Than A Game’, a basketball documentary about NBA star LeBron James, which arrives in theatres in the US on September 22nd.

Speaking on the album, Mary said:

“The album represents who and what I am right now. I’m a stronger human being after all the growing pains. It’s about life, love, change, strength—mostly really knowing who you are and being confident in that.”

I know I may catch some flack for this, but I’m gonna need Ms. Blige to start humming a new tune when it comes to what her albums are about. Lord knows that quote could and has been used to describe her last album ‘Growing Pains’, the one before that ‘The Breakthrough’, and others before that. While every artist has their ‘lane’, it just looks a little creatively-starved on Mary’s part, you know…as if she’s just going through the motions. Couldn’t she hit us with a concept record or something fresh? What’s more, the new material seems kinda ‘just there’.
Little rant aside, I hope what Mary serves up this go round appeases the doubt I currently have in my mind, because she really is an asset to the industry and it would be a shame if she made the mistake so many continue to make – getting too ‘comfortable’.
Your thoughts?
**