Despite kicking off to a great start, Janet Jackson‘s ‘Up, Close, & Personal Tour’ has attracted critique from a select sect of her fans.

Mainly based in the US, the group have voiced their displeasure with the apparent recycling of setlists and costumes on the trek from the singer’s 2008 ‘Rock Witchu Tour’.

Unimpressed, the tour’s lead choreographer (and Jackson’s close friend) Gil Duldulao today wrote an open letter to fans. Therein, he relayed his anger at fans who “can’t see the bigger picture” – one which sees this tour serve as a prelude to a new album, and thus creating way for a bigger full-on spectacle thereafter.

Check out the letter after the jump…

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With it almost being a year since ‘Commander’ surfaced, many have been left scratching their heads as to the whereabouts of Kelly Rowland‘s third studio album.

Perhaps sensing the growing impatience within her supporters, the Grammy winner took to her official website today to update fans on the status of the project.

Check out what she had to say after the jump…

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Moments ago Trey Songz released his own version of Chris Brown’s latest hit single, ‘Look At Me Now (Ft. Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne)’. In his usual fashion, he applied his oversexed ego to the beat of the track in a way that only an artist who has yet to go platinum can. Give the record below:

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Yet another new song from Dawn Richard’s upcoming ‘A Prelude To #ATELLTALEHEART’ mixtape has been released. The sensual ‘Vibrate’ was initially written by the Diddy-Dirty Money member for Ciara but she decided to keep it for herself. Listen to the record and hear her describe its concept below via VIBE:

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It has been just four months since the release of Trey Songz‘s 4th album ‘Passion, Pain, & Pleasure’, yet the R&B crooner already has his sights set on his next studio LP.

Full story after the jump…

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In what is a rarity in the music industry, chart sensation Jessie J has pushed up the release of her debut  album ‘Who You Are’.

Full story after the jump…

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Another day, another Teairra Mari video. This go round, the visual is for ‘Body’ – the latest single to be lifted from her ‘Point of No Return’ mixtape.

Check out the World Star Hip-Hop exclusive after the jump…

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On slow news days such as this, reaching back into the archives always yields some interesting tidbits. Case, point, example, Rihanna, Amerie, and Teairra Mari’s tribute to Destiny’s Child at the 2005 World Music Awards.

Beyond scratching my head at how 6 years have flown by so fast, it was also unbelievable to reflect on the path each of the ladies careers have taken. With Mari clearly billed as the main attraction and Amerie effortlessly making the part her own, who would have thought Rihanna and her mechanical whine would emerge as the most successful. Or have more number #1’s than the group she was tributing? Sigh.

At this point, it seems promo teams should be the ones getting Platinum plaques; for – as Rihanna’s have shown – folk will buy hot doo-doo on a platter. Just make sure it’s shined up real good.

Randomness: I miss DC3!

Your thoughts?

Check out the latest episode of ‘Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business’. The show’s ratings experience a minor decline last week by slipping to 0.781 million viewers compared to the 1 million viewer average observed earlier in the season. Look below for episode 8:

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This week’s That Grape Juice Cover Star is Miles Anthony. The Londoner turns in a unique redition of Britney Spears’ latest chart-topper – ‘Hold It Against Me’. Anthony weaves in another smash into the performance. See if you can spot it.

Check it out below:

Loved it! Great re-working of a solid song; one Miles’ soulful, yet Pop friendly vocals made  seem like an effortless task. More than anything, this really underscores the fact that UK boasts much in raw Urban talent; here’s hoping this year sees more labels recognise that.

For more on Miles Anthony, check out his Youtube page

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Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email to sam@thatgrapejuice.net or trent@thatgrapejuice.net

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Your thoughts?

A new video was T.I was released today. ‘Lay Me Down (Ft. Rico Love)’ is yet another buzz single being utilised to promote his latest album, ‘No Mercy’, which is currently struggling to match the multi-platinum success of its predecessor, ‘Paper Trail’. Check out the clip below:

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Ever keen to spotlight, fresh new talent, That Grape Juice introduces to you Blaze Blackheart.

The Zambian-born / London-bred rapper is the subject of mounting buzz within the British industry. For, with his uniquely quirky sound, Blaze serves as one of the most refreshing UK Hip-Pop acts to emerge in some time..

He admits to drawing creatively from an interesting array of artists; asserting “Shakespeare taught me how to rap… how to put words together”, while 2Pac provided my musical inspiration”.

In carving out his own lane, Blaze has shunned the staple topics of violence and hyper-masculinity often found in popular rap. Instead, the self-styled ‘Gentleman of Hip Hop’, talks only of what he knows: real life, real feelings and the moments and situations that capture his true emotions.

Discovered, and now managed by James Merritt of Kiss 100, Blaze is currently hitting the live circuit, playing his music to an ever-increasing number of new fans. You can catch the newcomer on 1st February at London’s Embassy Club.

In the meanwhile, take a listen to Blaze’s new single ‘I Feel Alright’ below – which gets the That Grape Juice stamp of approval.

Your thoughts?