It turns out the two new songs posted on Janet Jackson’s official website last week, ‘Rock With U’ and ‘LUV’ are more than ‘Discipline’ album teasers; they are being released as singles – simultaneously. Both songs are to be served to radio in the weeks ahead, with ‘Rock With U’ being the Pop single, whilst ‘LUV’ is being billed as the Urban choice of single. No word yet on the video(s).
Definitely a wise move on the part of the label or whoever called for this. Judging by the material thus far, Janet is returning to her Pop roots, yet catering to her urban audience too. I’m still kinda on the fence about ‘Rock With U’, so it’s great to know that ‘LUV’ is getting the single treatment.
Check out this this short video of Ciara’s set at ESPN Magazine’s SuperBowl Party in Scottsdale, Arizona this past Saturday. Ludacris joined her onstage too:
Chingy’s latest video for single ‘Gimme Dat’ – featuring fellow Disturbing The Peace members Bobby Valentino and Ludacris – premiered a few hours ago. I’m liking both the song and video. Yet with his album ‘Hate It Or Love It, which was released little over a month ago, sitting at an abysmal #178 on the Billboard 200 chart, I have a hard time stomaching the song’s ‘I’m so fly’ message.
Our interview with Chingy will be up by the weekend – for definite.
‘Smash on the radio bet I penned it!’. Indeed, the bold claim made by singer/songwriter Sean Garrett holds pretty much true. Having written hits for the likes of Destiny’s Child (solo efforts too), Mary J, Chris Brown, Britney Spears and a host of others, Garrett is now making the transition to an artist in his own right.
‘Grippin’ On The Bed’ (ft. Ludacris) is said to be the first single from his as-yet-untitled debut. About the track, I’m really feeling the production, arrangements and whatnot, but I’m not sure if I’m liking his voice or not. The man can definitely sing, yet his voice is very nasal sounding (see: Omarion, Chris Brown). Still, this track has me anticipating more of what he has to offer. It’ll be interesting to see if he can succeed where many other ‘behind-the-scenes’ composers turned artists have failed.
Janet Jackson continues the promo for her forthcoming album ‘Discipline’ (due February 26th) by doing a photoshoot for Parade Magazine. She’s looking youthful as ever.
‘Me & U’ singer, Cassie, made an appearance at the premiere for her new movie ‘Step Up 2: The Streets’ last night in Hollywood. Sure, she’s vocally challenged, but she looks near-flawless.
Pussycat Dolls front-woman Nicole Scherzinger features in the latest issue of GIANT magazine. She opened up about, among other things, her solo journey and her portrayal by the media:
On going solo:
“It’s just one continuous journey. I started out just making music that showed the other sides of me. I am still exploring that. I don’t think I have found any definite number of songs that says, ‘This is it; this says who I am as a solo artist coming out.’ I haven’t found that yet. I am continuously being challenged and inspired. It’s safe because it’s not out yet, but it’s also scary because you really want to challenge yourself as an artist, to take risks. You want to do things that you’re not used to doing. I got to work with a lot of people that I wouldn’t have expected to work with. I was in the studio the other night, and I was like, ‘I didn’t even know I could do this. This is great!’”
On media portrayal:
“I don’t think they show my story. I don’t think they show who I am. Sometimes, when I read my stories, I am not interested So why are other people going to be interested? I know that here is more stuff in here. There are more stories and more interesting things to talk about than what lies on the surface. When I read stories about myself, it just seems so one-dimensional, kind of shallow, I think.”
Though I’ve not always had the kindest of words about Nicole, I actually respect her a little more after reading this; she’s being real to herself, which is what makes people connect with an artist. If only her awful songs weren’t so…well…awful.
During a recent interview on ‘The Morning Mess’ on Atlanta’s Star 94 radio station, hit-maker Timbaland revealed that he has ended his ‘beef’ with fellow producer Scott Storch . See excerpts from the SOHH report below:
“I reached out to Scott just a couple days ago,” he said. “Cause all this stuff I been hearing in the press about him, I just called him and said look man we been friends for so long and I’m here for you. All that stuff that I’ve done I’m sorry, I just know that you need a friend. And I just wanna be there for you cause I know people turn their backs on you.”
“I reached out to him and went over to his house and he was almost in tears cause he thought I would be the last person that would call him,” he added. “When he went against me he said that that shut a lot of doors for him.”
Sonja Norwood, the mother of R&B singer and brother Ray J, filed a lawsuit against Kim Kardashian Monday accusing her of credit card fraud. Check out the report below via PEOPLE.com:
The suit, which also names Kardashian’s siblings Khloe, Kourtney and Robert Jr., alleges they ran up the charges on the mother’s card in 2006 and 2007. It seeks the return of the money plus 10 percent interest. Kim Kardashian denied the allegations, telling PEOPLE she and her siblings had Norwood’s permission to make the purchases.
“We have her signature on all items,” Kardashian says.
In the lawsuit, Norwood’s mother, Sonja Norwood, who is also her manager, alleges Kim Kardashian had only been authorized in 2004 to make one purchase on the Norwood American Express card in Kim’s then-capacity as a stylist for Brandy (Brandy’s brother, Ray J, also appeared in the infamous sex tape with Kim).
But later, Kardashian, now starring in the E! reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, made unauthorized purchases and passed on Norwood’s card number to her siblings, who also then made unauthorized purchases, including for items in two Kardashian family-owned clothing stores, Dash and Smooch, for a total of $120,636.
I can see that this whole Ray-J and Kim Kardashian mess is getting worse. I’m thinking Sonja should check her son, who is pretty much a joke thesedays, before suing anyone though.
That Grape Juice, once again, wants to see what you guys are listening to. Which 5 tracks have you got on constant rotation at the moment? Remember, it doesn’t have to be limited to R&B or Hip-Hop; could be something new, throwback, even something you made yourself lol. Drop a comment in the comments section. Mine are – in no particular order:
1) LUV – Janet
2) Too Hot – Fya
3) Don’t Speak – No Doubt
4) How It Used To Be – Kirk Franklin
Since hearing the video for Missy’s ‘Ching-A-Ling’ was set to debut today, I’ve been anticipating it. Missy didn’t disappoint. Though she’s served up better efforts in the past, I’m really liking this. Directed by famed director Dave Meyers, the vid is being billed as the first ever 3D video – which may explain certain things about the way it looks. In an industry that likes to rehash the same ol same ol, Missy’s innovativeness is welcomed. ‘Ching-A-Ling’ is one of many singles to be released from the ‘Step Up 2’ soundtrack – which is out tomorrow (February 5th).