From me (Sam), Trent, and all of us here at That Grape Juice, we’d like to wish you our dear readers a very Happy New Year!

It’s surreal to think that That Grape Juice is now entering its third year online. Oh how time flies when you’re having fun! It’s been such a blessed journey for me in so many ways, a journey I thank you all sincerely for coming along with us on. I really look forward to steering That Grape Juice wave to amazing new heights in 2010 (we’ve got A LOT in the pipeline…watch this space!)

I also hope that this year brings you all that your heart desires and then some. Onwards and upwards folks. Let’s do this!

Happy New Year!

Exactly three years ago rapper Nas controversially proclaimed that ‘Hip-Hop Is Dead’. Fast forward to the present and the same bold declaration can arguably be applied to R&B too. Indeed, with today’s industry churning out an increasingly homogenised sound, one which largely seems to favour the Pop genre, the future (or lack thereof) of R&B as we’ve known it does not look promising. The question remains, though: is this a bad or good thing?

Birthed in the 1940’s, R&B music saw its journey to mainstream prominence really pick up in the 1960’s with the Motown movement. Furthermore, the 70’s ushered in a host of wildly successful R&B acts such as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and Aretha Franklin. Though the likes of Prince, Sade and Chaka Khan continued the trend in the 1980’s, it was the 90’s which saw the true boom and arguable peak of R&B. If in doubt, the names and successes of Lauryn Hill, TLC, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, R Kelly, and Toni Braxton, to name but a few, speak volumes.

Yet despite the dizzy heights it once enjoyed, R&B today no longer occupies its once-pole position in the musical sphere. For evidence of this, one need not look further than the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Charts, where songs topping the chart often struggle to make any impact on the all-inclusive Billboard Hot 100. Though fans and stans oft cite the successes of their favourite act on the R&B/Hip-Hop tally, any such success is arguably limited to the Urban arena – one of the smallest when compared to other genres.

If the format is truly in decline, then what happened R&B?

On a surface level, the fusing together of R&B with other genres such as Pop and more recently Dance/Electronica can be heralded as a (positive) testament to the ‘coming together’ of the world’s many cultures and societies. Yet, R&B and Urban music more generally, seem to have drawn the shorter end of the stick in this cultural exchange. For, while both the Pop and Dance genres have benefitted greatly from flirting with R&B, they have also managed to remain successful genres in their own right. R&B, unfortunately, has not. Today it’s almost laughable for both new and established acts to release ‘pure R&B’ and anticipate any chart success (see: Mariah’s ‘Memoirs’ and any new act NOT jumping on this Euro-Pop bandwagon).

Yes, there are exceptions such as Maxwell and Sade, both of whom have enjoyed critical and commercial success this year, releasing music with their trademark (R&B) sound. However, it’s wholly believable that the hype surrounding their comebacks largely factored in to them defying the odds.

More so than any other factor, the industry’s gradual move to a more Pop-dominated mode-of-operation seems to have dealt R&B what could prove to be a fatal blow. Traditionally even the most R&B of R&B songs were sprinkled with Pop sensibilities i.e. catchy hooks and hummable melodies. However, what used to be a quality-rich genre seems to have been replaced with what long caused Pop music to not be taken seriously – the idea of image over substance. No longer are vocals or the establishing of artists who will inspire future generations the priority of labels. Instead, we now have models posing as singers topping the charts (“eh eh eh”). Even undeniable talents such as Beyonce, whose first album was an all-R&B affair, have moved further away from the genre in favour of an almost-entirely Pop sound. These occurrences have consequently birthed a culture of fast-food music made for fickle audiences, who see artists as only as good as their last hit.

The idea of R&B being dead may be premature and somewhat pessimistic. However the likelihood of its eventual demise is becoming increasingly evident with each new generation. As an advocate for innovation and the blurring of musical boundaries, it would be endearing to see R&B in its pure form return to prominence and co-exist alongside its diluted incarnation.

Your thoughts?

In news which comes very much as a surprise, supermodel-turned talk-show host Tyra Banks has pulled the plug daytime Emmy award-winning ‘The Tyra Banks Show’ after just five seasons.

Banks, 36, made the announcement exclusively to People.com, confirming that the show, most memorable for its ‘weave-exposing, cellulite-revealing and tear-jerking moments’, will cease production at the end of its current season in Spring 2010.

According to People, Banks will focus on the launch of Bankable Studios, a New York-based film production company currently reviewing possible projects. Sticking to her mission, Banks aims to bring “positive images of women to the big screen”.

“My next huge steps will allow me to reach more women and young girls to help us all feel as fierce as we truly are,” Banks says.

People.com cites an insider as saying: “Tyra is sad because she’ll be missing so much of the daily connection to her viewers, but excited at the same time to be taking on a new challenge.” With encouragement from filmmaker Tyler Perry and longtime mentor Oprah Winfrey, Banks is “redefining beauty for women in film,” adds the source. “With Oprah’s big announcement this year, I think that gave Tyra the confidence to get out there and follow her longtime dream of film producing.”

Those worried about the future of  America’s Next Top Model need not worry, however. The  show slated to return for its 15th season in February.

“There’s a lot cooking right now and a lot of fire burning in my heart,” Banks writes in an open letter on her Web site. “And I salute you my amazing family of viewers; without you there never would have been a Tyra Show. I really love you all.”

It’s great to see Tyra making strides and further etching her name in the history books. However, I must say I would have much preferred if she pulled the plug on America’s Next Top Model, which has long run its course. Just saying…

Your thoughts?

In the latest celebrity Twitter outburst, Bow Wow has taken to his own page to announce that he’s firing his entire management team. The one-time popular rapper, real name Shad Moss, instead believes he himself is capable of managing his own career:

“(I’m) In one of those ‘please don’t f**k with me moods’ today. I’m firing all managers!

I’m managing myself. Who knows me better than me? I know this game very well…”

{Source}

By his management team, I’m assuming Shad means the in-house management over at his new label Cash Money, as well as the teams handling his other ventures. In any case, with this being real life and not fantasy (as some so easily forget), severing ties with management isn’t as simple as ‘I feel like firing them blah blah blah’. There’s much in the way of legalities and other hurdles before any thing becomes final. What’s more, in most cases, BOTH parties usually want out.

Still, best of luck to him; he’s as sure as hell going to need it judging by who is set to manage what’s left of his career.

Your thoughts?

Diva-in-training Alexandra Burke performed on Ant and Dec’s ITV Boxing Day special yesterday, giving her own unique spin on Mariah Carey‘s festive classic ‘All I Want For Christmas’. Though not a patch on the original (hell Mariah would struggle to do it justice these days), Alex did her thing. I can honestly say Ms. Burke is one of the most engaging performers to emerge in recent years; she really works it out on stage. Gwan!

Randomness: If you’re wondering why updates on your favourite site and mine, as well as other blogs, has been a little slow…it’s Christmas LOL. However, be sure to keep it locked on That Grape Juice, as if one thing is a certainty, it’s that anything can pop off at any time!

What do you think of the performance?

Acclaimed director Spike Lee has honoured the late, great King of Pop Michael Jackson with this video for his first posthumous single ‘This Is It’.  A visual splicing together of the singer’s home-town Gary, Indiana and shots from his storied career, this video makes for a great tribute.

Michael’s passing is still somewhat surreal to me and I will definitely be looking to exit 2009 (despite it’s many great moments for me) with the swiftness because of it. RIP.

Your thoughts?

A huge thank you to the  THOUSANDS of you who voted in the That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009.

That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2009 – The Winners

Album of the Year

Winner: The Fame Monster – Lady GaGa (31%)

Runner-Up: In A Perfect World – Keri Hilson (20%)

Single of the Year

Winner: Halo – Beyonce (29%)

Runner-Up: Bad Romance – Lady GaGa (22%)

The Michael Jackson Music Video of The Year Award

Winner: I Can Transform Ya – Chris Brown (29%)

Runner-Up: Bad Romance – Lady GaGa (28%)

Best Collaboration

Winner: Knock You Down – Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo & Kanye West (40%)

Runner-Up: Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys (38%)

Best New Artist

Winner: Drake (50%)

Runner-Up: Alexandra Burke (20%)

Best Female Artist

Winner: Beyonce (68%)

Runner-Up: Lady GaGa (15%)

Best Male Artist

Winner: Chris Brown (38%)

Runner-Up: Jay-Z (20%)

Best Club Banger

Winner: Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas (70%)

Runner-Up: Hard – Rihanna (12%)

Best Live Performer (TV, Award Shows etc):

Winner: Beyonce (39%)

Runner-Up: Janet Jackson (28%)

The Kelly Rowland Underrated Artist of the Year Award

Winner: Jordin Sparks (29%)

Runner-Up: LeToya Luckett (27%)

Most Disappointing Single of the Year

Winner: Wait Your Turn – Rihanna (71%)

Runner-Up: Happy – Leona Lewis (12%)

Most Slept-On Album

Winner: Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel – Mariah Carey (26%)

Runner-Up: Fantasy Ride – Ciara (21%)

“Step Your Game Up or Please Go Sit Down Somewhere” Award

Winner: Rihanna (70%)

Runner-Up: Mariah Carey (11%)

Recession Special: Most Disappointing Video of the Year

Winner: I Want To Know What Love Is – Mariah Carey (74%)

Runner-Up: Wait Your Turn – Rihanna (9%)

Most Shocking Event of 2009

Winner: The Death of Michael Jackson (74%)

Runner: Kanye West VMA Outburst (19%)

Best Movie

Winner: Precious (53%)

Runner-Up: This Is It (32%)

Most Anticipated Comeback For 2010

Winner: Janet Jackson (28%)

Runner-Up: Kelly Rowland (26%)

Your thoughts?

Singer Amerie has just released the video for her new sing’e ‘More Than Love’ from her ‘In Love & War’ album. The clip for the Del Pearson and Lenny Nicholson-produced track features rapper Fabolous. To date, ‘In Love & War’ has yet to surpass 30, 000 units in US sales.

Simple and to the point, this video really encapsulates the message of the song. Although the extended narration at the beginning was quite tedious to endure (it was over a minute long), the rest of the clip served its purpose. Conversely, one has to wonder if this single has the potential to save Amerie’s project. With Fabolous’ verse being the most interesting facet of the track, I am still baffled as to why the label chose to release this song as a single. However, the mere fact that her camp is still supporting her by releasing this is a sign that maybe they still have hope that ‘In Love & War’ has some life left after all.

Thoughts?

That Grape Juice recently caught up with hit-maker Rico Love, the creative force behind chart smashes from the likes of  Beyonce (‘Sweet Dreams’), Chris Brown, Usher and Keri Hilson. With the 27 year old being named as one the main players in the making of our girl Kelly Rowland’s new album, we were keen to find out the latest on the Destiny’s Child alumni’s project.

As ever, we ask the questions you really want answers to! Check out what Rico had to say about Ms. Kelly’s LP, new label and more after the jump…

(more…)

Following the surprise success of LeToya‘s most recent single ‘Regret’, the Destiny’s Child alumni has confirmed that another song from her ‘Lady Love’ LP will receive the single treatment, with the song being (drum roll please…..) ‘Good To Me’! {Source}

Great choice! Honestly speaking, I’d argue it’s the best choice made regarding Ms. Luckett’s whole project to-date. As one who was somewhat surprised at the album’s lack of mainstream appeal (too many ‘samey’ ballads), ‘Good To Me’ (with it’s commercial sprinklings), along with a few other select tracks, really stood out as viable potential chart smashes if given the right push. The notion of ‘the right push’ being essential these days for an album/single’s success. Of little importance in the current industry climate is how good an album actually is. Instead, if 2-3 solid and/or well promoted singles are released, it’s usually enough to drive up album sales. Anyway, enough of my rambling, check out The Underdogs produced ‘Good To Me’ below:

Hit or Miss?

That Grape Juice recently conducted an exclusive interview with super producer Rico Love. In our discussions with the hit-maker, who originally broke into the industry as a rapper signed to R&B phenom Usher, elaborated on some of his current projects. Included in his extensive list of works are records for Kelly Rowland, Nelly, Jamie Foxx, Pleasure P and Usher’s highly anticipated forthcoming album, ‘Raymond vs. Raymond’ which hits stores on March 1st, 2010. Peep an excerpt from the interview below:

Which abum have you worked on thus far that you feel has produced your best work (released or unreleased)?

I don’t know but I’m really confident about this Usher project. I did like 6 records on the ‘Raymond vs. Raymond’. This is 360; this is bringing it back to where I got my start. I put everything into every artist I work with – new or old, legend or newcomer – but I go above and beyond for Usher because I have so much to prove. This is the guy who gave me my start, so this album I gave some of my best work; I wrote some of my biggest records.

It goes without saying that Usher’s had a hard time recapturing the success of the ‘Confessions’ era for one reason or another. What can we expect from his upcoming record?

I just want people to know that he sings better than ever. His vocals are better than ever. He is doing innovative, new-sounding music; just a new vibe. Also, he’s not neglecting the classic ‘Usher’ sound. I feel like that’s what happened before. I wasn’t involved in the ‘Here I Stand’ album. I thought it was a great record. I feel like now he’s just capturing what made Usher so great; those classic melodies that we’re tackling; just having him sing like he’s never sung before.

Usher goes in hard; he does vocal training still! After all these years, he still gets his vocal coach and gets better; he works out his voice still. I just feel like he’s got his mind right; he’s ready for war; he feels like his back is against the wall and that’s sometimes the best feeling; the feeling that makes the best records.

This is certainly some welcome news. As an advocate of many of Usher’s earlier records, I am enthused to hear that he is pushing himself both musically and sonically to new heights. Given the current tumultuous nature of the industry, and the fact that his last LP was generally underwhelming, Usher is going to have to give everything that he’s got if he hopes to make a major impact on the charts. With many of his younger contemporaries including Chris Brown and Ne-Yo vying for his top spot, the crooner is truly going to have to prepare for “war”.

Thoughts?

R&B crooner Usher has been very busy with the preparations for his new album, ‘Raymond vs. Raymond’. One of the songs surfacing from his studio sessions is the Polow Dan Don-produced track entitled ‘Little Freak’ which features ‘it’ rapper of the moment, Nicki Minaj. ‘Raymond vs. Raymond’ hits stores on March 1st, 2010.

This is the first track from the Usher’s project that I hands down enjoyed from beginning to end. Usher really recaptured that sexual flare that made him one of R&B’s premiere acts of the decade. Nicki’s verse also ties in well, with both acts providing raw swagger over the production without getting lost in the mix. Polow did such a good job with the beat that I was happy that he let it play for over a minute by itself at the end. Great job!

Hit or Miss?