Electro-pop’s reigning super DJ David Guetta has revealed the tracklisting for his forthcoming ‘Nothing But the Beat’ album due August 29th.  The album’s cameo list boasts some of Hip Hop and Urban pop’s heaviest hitters, including Usher and Chris Brown (to name a few).

What are you waiting for?  Check out the full listing after the jump:

(more…)

R&B is on a respirator.  Once a celebrated genre that has given the music industry some of its most praised acts (see: Luther, Whitney, Aretha, Marvin), the musical styling has unquestionably lost its identity to Hip-Hop and now Electro-Pop.

The question at hand: is R&B (as a commercially viable force) on its last breath or is revival in its future?  In a three part series, That Grape Juice will analyze three sectors of the fallen genre:  ladies (songstresses), males (crooners), and groups (both male and female) to determine if resurrection is in its future or if it will find permanent rest in the history books.

As always, ladies first…

Turning the dial (or Youtube search engine) back 20 years to see the plethora of female R&B acts dominating the radios and Pop charts is a stinging reminder of a time when the industry thrived on variety.  From crossover acts such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson, to up-and-comers Mary J. Blige and Toni Braxton (just to name a few), there was no shortage of R&B estrogen on the airwaves or charts.  Not to mention such classic, yet then-active artists like Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight.

However, as Hip-Hop/R&B fusions became more of a constant (which some attribute to artists like Carey and Mary J. Blige), the junior generation of R&B diva emerged in the form of the Aaliyah’s, Brandy’s, Monica’s, and eventually Ashanti’s.  Then, of course, you had that brand of 90s R&B diva (Faith Evans, Tamia, Deborah Cox and Kelly Price) who lacked crossover appeal, yet were still relevant – even if just appealing to a small niche.

But, as the 2000s rolled on and Hip-Hop was becoming the driving force of the music industry, ballads and slow jams were losing steam on the charts, and Hip-Hop was surely killing the R&B star. And while many of the time period marked Alicia Keys as a ‘savior of R&B’, she was one of very few pure R&B females who was granted relevancy in an increasingly convoluted music world.  Interestingly, though Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey (who by 2005 were considered veterans) were seeing some of the best numbers of their careers, the genre’s overall shortcomings were inescapable.

Then, as the Beyonce’s and the Rihanna’s of the music world began to dominate charts by willingly trading in their R&B humbling’s for Pop’ier hits, the 90s divas of yester-year who refused to succumb to the change found themselves succumbing to irrelevancy. Even those who once showed promise in the early 2000s (Amerie, Tweet, and co) were finding themselves lost in the fray.  Suffice it to say, the industry at large began to suffer (see: illegal downloading, cd leaks), yet R&B’s former leading ladies seemed to fall victim most (Brandy, Monica, Mya, and eventually Ashanti).

Fast forward to 2011. Where is  R&B female? Even with hints of recent reigniting of public interest (i.e. Fantasia’s ‘Back To Me’, Monica’s ‘Still Standing’), they alone are not enough to indicate a resurgence.  And, even with notable record sales (given the current musical climate), those sales are marginal at best comparatively.

Record sales aside, the presence of R&B females on the Hot 100 chart recently is rarely without rapper accompaniment. There is a new class of R&B divas, however.  While not reporting record-breaking numbers, the Keri Hilson’s, Kelly  Rowland’s, Jennifer Hudson’s, and co. are definitely making noise.  But, is it enough to resurrect the fallen genre? Or will R&B eventually rest in peace?

Do you think that there will be a resurgence of mainstream R&B females?

It’s that time of year again! With the BET Awards 2011 fast approaching, the hotly anticipated nominations for Urban music’s biggest calendar night are being announced live on the network’s flagship show, 106 & Park.

Find out who up for gongs, as well as the show’s host, after the jump…

(more…)

The stars came out full force last night for the MET Ball at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A who’s who of the entertainment industry, including Beyonce, Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Jennifer Hudson celebrated the launch of the ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’ exhibition, which unveiled some the deceased designer’s final designs. McQueen passed away last year.

More pics below…

Your thoughts?

A bevy of music’s biggest stars were out in full force last night to help Mary J. Blige celebrate her 2nd Annual Mary J. Blige Honors Concert to Benefit FFAWN event. The R&B diva established FFAWN (‘Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now’) in 2008.

Peep the likes of Christina Aguilera, LeToya Luckett, and Jennifer Hudson arriving below…

Your thoughts?

Britney Spears’ ‘Femme Fatale’ has debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. However, her fans may want to put their celebrations on hold as the record marks her 2nd her lowest 1st week sales to date, proving that she is definitely not stronger than yesterday.

(more…)

In news that already has the industry abuzz, it is being reported by  by several reputable outlets that music mogul LA Reid is the first judge to sign on to the US version of the X Factor.

Full story below…

(more…)

Guess who attended the 4th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon yesterday! Hint: she will be releasing a new video today! Look below for the answer:

(more…)

The 2011 Grammy Awards are currently underway at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and That Grape Juice will be providing you with performances as they occur!

Check out performances from Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Lady GaGa, B.o.B., Bruno Mars, Janelle Monae, Usher, Justin Bieber, Cee-Lo, Rihanna, Emimen, Dr. Dre and more below:

(more…)

With the 53rd annual Grammy Awards set to get under-way live from Los Angeles’ Staples Center in a few hours, That Grape Juice’s ‘Grammy Awards 2011: Your Shout!’ area goes live right now!

Tonight’s show boasts performances from Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Usher, Drake, Justin Bieber,Jennifer Hudson, Bruno Mars, Eminem, Dr Dre, Lady GaGa and many more. Undeniably, popular music’s biggest calender night.

Here you can post your views on  anything and everything regarding the show. Pre-Show rumours…Who you’re looking forward to seeing… Who you feel rocked the red carpet, who should have skipped it altogether… Who deserved to win what…performances…and all that good stuff –  before, during, and after the show….

This is ‘Your Shout’!

With her performance at this evening’s 53rd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on the horizon, what better way is there to build buzz for the show than with a From The Vault selection of one of Christina Aguilera’s most memorable moments? If it’s excitement you want then you’ll feel it with ‘Ain’t Not Other Man’.

This rendition of the song is taken from Aguilera’s ‘Back to Basics: Live and Down Under’ showcasing the Australian leg of her ‘Back To Basics’ tour. The studio version of the track was released the 1st single from her platinum-certified ‘Back To Basics’ LP 2006 and peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

What was impressive about this performance was the fact that Aguilera was belting yet easily keeping up with the choreography. A talent like hers is incredibly rare and although many may argue that she has since passed her prime, it would be difficult to find a comparable act in the younger crop of today’s performers.

Here is hoping that Aguilera can deliver such an effortless vocal showing at this evening’s Grammy Awards. With Jennifer Hudson and Yolanda Adams sharing the same stage, she has to bring her best if she wishes to stand out.

Sidebar: Aguilera will be singing Aretha Franklin’s ‘Ain’t No Way’ and this song is called ‘Ain’t No Other Man’. Coincidence?

Thoughts?

The 2011 Grammy Awards will be airing live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 13th via CBS. As the show will feature performances from many of the industry’s brightest stars including Eminem, Lady GaGa, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Bruno Mars, Drake and others, you’re going to need expert coverage of all the action.

Not to worry because That Grape Juice will be providing live on-the-minute updates from the event including news, commentary and, of course, all of performances! Expect four main areas:

Red Carpet Arrivals

Continuously uploaded images of all the red carpet arrival.

Your Shout!

Here you’ll be able to express your thoughts on everything related to the Grammy Awards from rumours to spoliers and, of course, the actual show as they occur. Anything and everything goes; randomness, observations, ‘WTF!’ moments and all that jazz. A live stream also be available!

Performances

All the show’s performances minutes after they’ve aired. Visitors who’ve observed our coverage of previous award shows will know what we mean!

Twitter Commentary

Be sure to follow That Grape Juice on Twitter for our commentary of the show. Furthermore, Trent will be sharing his hilarious (and uncensored) thoughts throughout the event so be sure to follow him too!

Click here to follow That Grape Juice on Twitter!

Click here to follow Trent on Twitter!

So for ‘net’s most thorough live coverage of music’s biggest night be sure to keep it locked on

That Grape Juice!