Burgeoning star and the youngest of the Knowles clan Solange takes no nonsense when it comes to defending her superstar sister Beyonce. The ‘I Decided’ singer lashed back at a post on Twitter suggesting that her elder sister needs to sit down somewhere and let “better” vocalists such as Jennifer Hudson and Jazmine Sullivan have the limelight. Check out Solange’s response is below:

“Sick of people thinking I’m gonna be my sisters enemy. Now that was the “nice” read. Next person who hits me with some negative energy about my sister is gonna get Fox news all over again. Don’t try to love ME because you want to be the “anti Beyonce”. I am the ‘all for’ Beyonce. Now kiss both of our Knowles asses if you don’t like it!”

Preach LOL! It’s actually refreshing seeing Solange address the topic of Beyonce head on without the media-savvy answers. It must be uber annoying being pit against your own sister by outsiders for no logical reason. Not sure I’m feeling the Fox News subliminal gloating, but I get where she’s coming from.

Your thoughts?

Check out this lengthy clip of R&B star Ne-Yo giving advise to an up-and-coming female singer, in a video lifted from Jo Jo Capone’s DVD. As per the title of this post, you can see ol’ Shaffer didn’t hold back with his words. However, not ones to sensationalise anything, I can see where he was going with what he said – to an extent. The reality of the industry today is ‘looks over talent; not a good look’, but the reality nonetheless.

As for my take on Ne-Yo’s comments, I’m torn; on the one hand, he’s spouting the cold facts, yet on the other I’m thinking I’m not hearing much in the way of criticising the industry for the way it is and encouraging the lady to pursue her dreams regardless. After all, the likes of Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Jazmine Sullivan, among others, don’t necessarily fit the mould, yet still enjoy great success.

Your thoughts?

Legend Whitney Houston made her return to the stage last night at mentor Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Awards bash. Looking radiant and sounding better than she has in years, Whitney performed career-definer ‘I Will Always Love You’ along with hits ‘I Believe In You & Me’, ‘It’s Not Right But It’s Okay’ and ‘I’m Every Woman’. Peep the performance below (apologies about the so-so quality, it’s all that is available at present):

Not great, yet still a great sight to see; a healthy and happy Whitney doing what she’s renown for – singing her heart out. Hoping for her voice of today to be reminiscent of her heyday is somewhat far-fetched IMO. I’m thinking of this as ‘2009 Whitney’, which a a lot better than any ‘Whitney’ in recent years.

Rihanna and U2 have been added to the list of performers at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Kid Rock, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have also joined the lineup. Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, the Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney have already been confirmed.

The 51st annual Grammy Awards takes place at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on February 8. {Source}

I’m sure she’ll give a roof-raising performance – as she always does LMAO.

Many thanks to the thousands of you who voted in the 2nd Annual That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards. You can peep the list of winners below and see if your favourite scooped an award:

‘I Am…Sasha Fierce’ – Beyonce (38.71%)

‘Human’ – Brandy (14.93%)

Single of the Year

‘Single Ladies’ – Beyonce (46.94%)

Runner Up: ‘A Milli’ – Lil’ Wayne (14.59%)

Best Video:

‘Single Ladies’ – Beyonce (46.94%)

Runner Up: ‘Go Girl’ – Ciara (18.02%)

Best Collaboration

‘Live Your Life’ – T.I. & Rihanna (24.83%)

Runner Up: Love In The Club (Remix) – Usher, Beyonce & Lil’ Wayne (21.93%)

Best New Artist

Jazmine Sullivan – (25.07%)

Runner Up: Leona Lewis (23.15%)

Best Female Artist

Beyonce – (43.8%)

Runner Up: Rihanna (14.83%)

Best Male Artist

T.I. – (22.77%)

Runner Up: Chris Brown (20.7%)

The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist Of The Year Award

Solange – (22.62%)

Runner Up: Michelle Williams (21.67%)

The Please Go Sit Down Somewhere Award

Rihanna – (38.86%)

Runner Up: Soulja Boy (29.31%)

Worst Single Of The Year

‘Marco Polo’ – Bow Wow & Soulja Boy (35.01%)

Runner Up: Everything She Released – Mariah Carey (20.19%)

Worst Album Of The Year

‘Just A Rolling Stone’ – Donnie Klang (30.44%)

Runner Up: ‘Brass Knuckles’ – Nelly (19.59%)

(You) Slippin’ / Step Your Game Up Award

Usher (30.22%)

Runner Up: Mariah Carey (23.3%)

Best Reality TV Show

X Factor (23.08%)

Runner Up: Making The Band 4 (22.7%)

Most Shocking Event of 2008

Jennifer Hudson Family Tragedy (42.09%)

Runner Up: Barack Obama Becoming 1st Black US President

Your thoughts on the awards/winners?

Suggestions for next year?

The nominations for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards were unveiled during a CBS prime-time concert special last night.

Congratulations to all the nominees – most especially the Brits. I’m particularly proud of Estelle and Leona. The Grammy’s are undeniably the most prestigious body an artist, of any nationality, could wish to be recognised by. So it really is a big deal seeing some of home-grown talent flying the flag.

Winners are announced February 8th 2009.

What do you think of the nominees list?