The video for Nicki Minaj‘s debut single ‘Massive Attack’ premièred literally a few moments ago. Check out the clip in its entirety above. Sean Garrett features…

Hmm. While the song is not rocking my world (the word doo-doo comes to mind), its accompanying video was a commendable first solo effort. The video really encapsulated Minaj’s ‘larger-than-life’ / cartoon-esque character particularly well. There were many an instance where the overwhelming feeling of ‘seen it / heard it all before’ came over me (see: Lil’ Kim). Yet Nicki’s undeniable charisma – which hasn’t been seen in years with female Hip-Hop – just about redeems the Young Money star.

Not bad.

What do you think of the video?

The video for Usher‘s new International single ‘OMG (ft. will.i.am)’ premiered a few moments ago. Check out the Anthony Mandler-directed clip above…

As of late, it’s really appearing that those who counted Mr Raymond out will have to start eating some humble-pie, as he’s serving up the business with these songs / videos – the clip for ‘OMG’ included. Great concept, which was awesomely executed. More power to him.

Usher’s new LP ‘Raymind vs. Raymond’ hit stores today!

Your thoughts?

In a somewhat unbelievable turn of events, Usher has revealed that his recent song ‘Papers’ was actually written before the end of his marriage. The R&B singer shared the information about the buzz single for his new album, ‘Raymond vs Raymond’, in an interview with MTV News earlier today. ‘Papers’, which peaked at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hip-Hop/R&B chart, seemed to be taking jabs at his now ex-wife, Tameka Foster, and quickly gained radio play for its controversial lyrics. Check out what Usher had to say about the record below:

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Holding true to our promise of keeping things fresh here at That Grape Juice (v.2.0 baby!), we bring you ‘Cover Star’. Completing our current feature-list (From The Vault, Original Articles etc), Cover Star will each week showcase regular folk’s rendition of your favourite tracks. Recent history has shown the web to be the place to discover new talent – talent which is undeniably out there in abundance. So what better way to give shine to undiscovered talent than on your favourite site and mine – That Grape Juice!

This week’s Cover Star is Shanterrial . The 23 year old Chicago-based music student serves up her own rendition of Monica‘s recent R&B smash ‘Everything To Me’. Check it out below:

Solid showing! With the song being one which requires much in the way of a technically-sound vocal, Shanterrial really nailed it. Loved it.

For more on Shanterrial, check out her Youtube page

Your thoughts?

Linda Perry sat down for a very interesting interview with the New York Post recently. The famed songwriter, who was responsible for Christina Aguilera’s Pop classic ‘Beautiful’, noted that the young diva has dialed down her powerhouse vocals on her new album, ‘Bionic’. Perry contributed ‘Lift Me Up’ to the LP – a ballad that the two performed earlier this year during the ‘Hope For Haiti Now’ telethon. Check out what Perry had to say below:

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It appears R. Kelly‘s criminally underrated ‘Untitled’ LP isn’t dead afterall…well not yet anyway. The R&B crooner has just released two videos – one for ‘Echo’ (above) and the other for ‘Be My #2’ (above).

While the songs are some of Kelly’s best work in years, the clips have to be, hands down, the worst of his entire career. Besides being recession-specials, which looked like they were filmed AND edited on his cell phone, the whole shabang is made worse by the fact that there was simply no need for them. I mean really, does it look like any of these videos could do anything to save the album? SMH…

Peep the other travesty after the jump….

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As the Sugababes today confirm our report that they have ceased working with Roc Nation (aka were dropped), fresh reports have emerged today suggesting that ousted member Keisha Buchanan is on the brink of signing with the Jay-Z-owned firm for her solo project.

Buchanan and the rapper are said to have hit it off at the BRITS after-party last month, with Roc Nation set to formally meet with the 25 year old during her current trip to Los Angeles for the recording of her solo LP.

Should such a deal be finalised, it would ironically be exactly the same deal Buchanan entered into as part of the group – which would see her record label remain Universal Island, while Roc Nation would, essentially, A&R/produce the project.

How the tables have turned!

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Karma really is serving it up! Granted we don’t actually know what went on behind the scenes, for many it simply boils down to principle – you can not dispose of the last original component of a group and expect credibility or support to remain. It just doesn’t work like that. How any label or management team failed to foresee this back in September is anyone’s guess. I mean, prior to Keisha’s album even coming out, the group are being forced to eat some serious humble-pie, with ‘Sweet 7’ belly-flopping and public support and interest at an all-time low.

About the Roc Nation deal; it’s definitely understandable as to why they are actively seeking out Keisha. It is no secret that for many years she was the creative force behind the Sugababes, particularly with the last line-up. Hence, common-knowledge was the fact that she’d often be the first and last at the studio, co-wrote many of their hits, and enjoyed great relationships with several producers – a number of which, reportedly, refused to begin work with the other ladies until Keisha arrived at the studio.

One can only hope that Keisha really serves up the hotness with her solo project and is successful; which if she manages to pull off, will be one of the biggest stories in recent UK music history.

Your thoughts?

In a recent interview with MTV News UK, former Hip-Hop heavyweight 50 Cent revealed some interesting fantasies about some of music’s ‘it’ girls. The rapper shared his thoughts on Lady GaGa’s ‘Telephone’ video as well as who he would kiss, marry and avoid among Beyonce, Lady GaGa and Rihanna. So what was his response? Peep the answer below:

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After the commercial disappointment that was Amerie‘s ‘In Love & War’ LP, the singer has kept a relatively low profile Stateside. Not one to give up, the 30 year old is currently in her mother’s native country of Korea, promoting the project. Check out her performance of ‘Heard Em All’ on M!Countdown from yesterday above…

As ever, she nailed it! Her energy and stage presence really are leaps and bounds ahead of some of her contemporaries who top the charts – a fact which makes her lack of success as of late a little hard to swallow.

That said, in keeping it 100% real, her last album was lacking. The material was just not hitting the spot. I mean, for an artist who is so easily marketable as a talented R&B/Pop act, I was confused as to why she seemed to be going down such a niche/alternate-sounding route. After all, her biggest success to-date has come with such a sound (‘One Thing’). I mean for as much as Def Jam may not have promoted the project, the material (for the most part) didn’t boast much in the way of hit-potential – hence its eventual fate IMO.

On a more positive though, word has it for her next release Amerie will be re-engaging with the Synth-Pop/R&B sound which made 2007’s  ‘Because I Love It’ LP, such a delight. Here’s hoping she’s more successful this go round – too much talent to go to waste.

Your thoughts?

Fans awaiting the debut of Kelly Rowland‘s new material will be pleased to hear that the wait is almost over! It has been confirmed that Grammy award winner is set to première the first international single from her hotly anticipated new album  this weekend at the Winter Music Conference in Miami. The track, which was penned by Rico Love and produced by David Guetta, has been confirmed to be titled ‘Commander’.

The Destiny’s Child alumni is set to unveil the track in performance form at the event, and is currently in rehearsals in Los Angeles.

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To say we’re excited about this would be the biggest of understatements! It’s been a almost 3 years since Kelly served up new solo material, hence the level of excitement not only among fans, but casual listeners too (as evidenced by the response to the ‘Smooches’ leak). With great new management, a new label, and a new team who really seem adamant on her success, the remaining piece of the puzzle is the material. Here’s hoping Kelly serves up the hotness – which, judging by the statements of many close to the project – she has and then some.

Tidbit: I’m guessing her label Universal Motown are going with one single for the US and another, ‘Commander’, for international territories.

Your thoughts?

Yesterday, Christina Aguilera revealed the official cover of her soon-to-be-released track ‘Not Myself Tonight’ and promised a surprise for her fans every day this week. The song, which was written and produced by Ester Dean and Polow Da don, will be the first single to be lifted off her upcoming ‘Bionic’ LP which hits stores later this year. So what’s today’s surprise? Check it out below:

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Diva Toni Braxton has been hard at work in the lab, working on her upcoming studio release, ‘Pulse’. However, the husky-voiced singer took a break from recording to divulge details about the new LP to Digital Spy and explained why it was delayed several times since 2008. Read what she had to say about the record and the possibility of an Alicia Keys collaboration below:

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