The incomparable Lauryn Hill took to the stage at Australia’s Raggamuffin 2010 reggae festival today at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Joined by Julian Marley, Hill (34) gave a rousing performance of Bob Marley’s classic ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low’ – which she herself covered and released in 1999.
Though a little rough around the edges in places, I really enjoyed this. What’s more, watching this really has me eager to see Lauryn find peace and come back and remind the new generation why she is who she is. She has an audience, she has a label (still signed to Columbia), so the ball really is in her court…
Though Janet Jackson‘s feature in Wonderland magazine isn’t set to hit news-stands until February 5th, an exclusive video has surfaced showing the full shoot. Check it out above!
Shot by Aitken Jolly, the shoot looks stunning. At 43, Janet really is looking almost half her age and still going strong. More power to her!
Our girl Kelly Rowland took to the stage at will.i.am‘s ‘Dip Dive’ pre-Grammy party earlier this week. The singer, who is set to officially announce her new record deal with Universal Motown at any moment now, performed her worldwide smash ‘When Love Takes Over’ with DJ David Guetta.
Ms. Kelly really has been knocking it out the park with her most recent performance, with this being no different. Her vocals were powerful and overly on-point. Great performance!
That Grape Juice were fortunate enough to catch up with Grammy-nominated R&B star Fantasia Barrino recently. The 25 year old, whose new VH1 reality series ‘Fantasia For Real’ has been a hit with viewers, spoke candidly with That Grape Juice in a 40 minute long conversation about many a topic. Areas discussed include how ‘real’ the show actually is, her new album, the rumours which threatened to destroy her career, her romantic life (yes, we asked about Antwaun Cook!), industry politics and so much more. As ever, we asked the questions you really want answers to…and answer them Fantasia did. A lengthy, yet great read; this is Fantasia for real….Enjoy!
Check out this alternative trailer for Tyler Perry‘s ‘Why Did I Get Married Too’ which surfaced today. The eagerly awaited movie, which stars Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Sharon Leal, Malika Yoba, as well as Tasha Smith, is set to hit theatres on April 2nd. Judging by this clip, and the previously seen trailerthis looks like a must-see. Roll on April…
Randomness: It’s a little surreal to think Janet filmed parts of this the week after Michael passed. By the looks of the trailer, Ms. Jackson turned in an emotionally-charged performance.
Global star Kelly Rowland rocked the stage on the George Lopez Tonight Show with David Guetta a few hours ago. The Destiny’s Child alumni and the French DJ – who is undeniably the hottest producer out at the moment – performed their worldwide smash ‘When Love Takes Over’. Check out the performance above…
It’s so refreshing to see Ms. Kelly doing her thing on her home turf once again. I was really loving the powerful vocals, her confidence, sass, and energy. What’s more, the audience were LOVING it. Great performance!
Tidbit: Kelly and David are nominated for Best Dance Song at this Sunday’s Grammy Awards. Here’s hoping they win!
As Toni Braxton continues to ready her Atlantic Records debut ‘Pulse’ for a May release, a new track from the LP titled ‘Make My Heart’ has surfaced on her newly-relaunched official website. Though a snippet of the track had been floating around the net for a short while, the full version had yet to premiere until now.
It really is becoming apparent that Ms. Braxton is ironically better suited to the uptempo’s this go round, as each of the faster paced tracks I’ve heard from the set have been fire, this one being no different. From the horns during the verses, to the sass in her vocal delivery, I’m really feeling this one. What’s more, the song is both contemporary, yet age appropriate for the mother of two.
With the hot material Toni has been serving up as of late, here’s hoping ‘Pulse’ delivers the goods.
Contrary to earlier reports, popular Bajan model Rihanna will not be taking to the stage to perform at this Sunday’s hotly anticipated Grammy Awards.
Speaking on Carson Daly’s AMP Radio show this morning, the 21 year old confirmed that she will be attending the show, yet shot down claims that she’d be performing, adding “We messed their show up pretty bad last year. They might be a little mad at me.” The aspiring singer, real name Robyn Fenty, was referring to her much-publicised incident with then-boyfriend Chris Brown the night before last year’s show, which caused a media-frenzy and an overall bad aura around the Grammy’s. {Source}
It’s a shame; I really wanted to see Ms. Fenty rock the stage like only she can 😉 Still, I guess we’ll have to settle for the likes of Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Maxwell and Pink. Sigh….LMAO!
The video for Usher‘s latest single ‘Hey Daddy’ premiered a few moments ago on MTV. Check it out above.
Mr Raymond really seems to have got that ‘it’ factor back, as the video was pretty good. Though nothing to scream about, the choreography was on-point and Chris Robinson did his thing on the directorial tip. Good stuff.
‘Hey Daddy’ is lifted from Usher’s forthcoming LP ‘Raymond v. Raymond’, which will hit stores on March 30th.
Mariah Carey fans will no-doubt be grinning ear to ear tonight, as, not one, but two new videos from the 39 year old diva have surfaced – ‘Angel’s Cry’ and now ‘Up Out My Face (ft. Nicki Minaj)’!
Directed once again by hubby Nick Cannon, the accompanying clip for ‘Up Out My Face’ is hilarity personified. Admittedly a little recession-friendly, this really works though. Mariah’s comedic timing is impeccable and it makes a change to seeing her able to poke fun at herself, without trying to sell her expired sex-appeal at the same time. I enjoyed this so much that I’ll try extra hard to block out Nicki Minaj’s faux English accent style rapping (is this really what all the hype was about folks?!). Great video!
‘Up Out My Face’ is lifted from Mariah’s forthcoming ‘Angel’s Advocate’ remix LP, which is due in stores on March 23rd.
The video for Mariah Carey‘s ‘Angel’s Cry (Remix) (ft. Ne-Yo)’ finally surfaced a few moments ago. Check it out above…
I’ll give it to ol’ Mimi, the Nick Cannon directed clip is surprisingly not bad, boasting a pretty cool cinematic look and feel. However, with the song not necessarily screaming ‘smash’ (Ne-Yo feature or otherwise) and Mariah’s popularity waning, an off-the-charts video was what the doctor ordered if this is to have any real chance at success. Unfortunately ‘off-the-charts’ this isn’t. That said, stranger things have happened; who knows, Mariah could surprise us once again. Time will tell. {Thanks for the heads-up, Pinboard Blog!}
After a brief rest on the bench, our Best You Never Heard feature returns this week with little known gems by Ashanti, Fantasia, Mario and Alexandra Burke.
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Ashanti – You’re Gonna Miss
Ashanti‘s criminally underrated LP ‘The Declaration’ (2008) housed many a hit, with one of its best offerings being ‘You’re Gonna Miss’. Produced by LT Hutton, the 80’s inspired Synth-Pop meets R&B cut had ‘winner’ written all over it; which makes the lacklustre performance of the album (due to industry politics etc) all the more unfortunate. Still, regardless of the record’s eventual fate, we’ve still been gifted gems like this. Awesome track.
Listen:
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Fantasia – Til My Baby Comes Home
The incomparable Fantasia served up the hotness on her remake of Luther Vandross’ ‘Til My Baby Comes Home’ from 2005. Lifted from ‘So Amazing…An All-Star Tribute To Luther Vandross’ compilation, the American Idol alum took the song to church and beyond! Passionately sung and really capturing the essence of the track’s lyrical narrative, Ms. Barrino’s version, IMO, gives the original an undeniable run for its money. Some 5 years later, I cannot get enough of ‘Tasia’s vocal runs and riffs on this one. The business.
Listen:
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Alexandra Burke – Nothing But The Girl
It’s a given that X-Factor sensation Alexandra Burke has a level of talent which positions her as world-class. However the material on her otherwise successful debut ‘Overcome’ didn’t really provide her the firmest of foundations to showcase that (though she ‘s making the best of what’s she’s been given and nailing each and every live performance). The album does indeed boast a few gems though, one of the biggest stand-outs being ‘Nothing But The Girl’. Pennedby Ne-Yo, the song is a delicious slice of Electro-Pop, with a side helping of R&B. If there’s any justice in the world (or her label lol) this has to be a single at some point in the albums shelf-life.
Listen:
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Mario – Music For Love
R&B crooner Mario delivered his strongest offering yet with 2007’s ‘Music For Love’. Featured on the 24 yea old’s equally as great ‘Go!’ LP, the track is a metaphorical nod to the art of making love. Though such a topic is much-treaded on territory in R&B, the song separates itself from the masses with ridiculously clever wordplay, which makes for it to sound sensual as opposed to sleazy. Some may call it a stretch, but this is a modern day R&B classic, which most certainly should have received the single treatment. Interestingly, a video was in the pipeline, yet was axed for unknown reasons.
