Jennifer Lopez‘s blink-or-you-miss-it fall at Sunday’s American Music Awards had many a folk talking, with there being what I deem the unfair assertion that she’s ‘past it’. Explaining what happened the next day on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS FM radio show, the mother of 2 said:

“Did I? Did I? Did I trip a little bit? I don’t even remember,” Lopez said with a chuckle. “Yeah, I meant to do that. You should know me better than that. That was part of the choreography.”

Knowing she had to be having a laugh about it being ‘part of the choreography’ (LMAO), she seemingly admitted it wasn’t in the same interview (confused.com):

Seacrest gave her props for what he termed “the greatest recovery ever” and Lopez explained that, “The measure of things is not what happens when you fall, it’s how you recover when you fall … It was fun, it was really fun,” she said. “It was nice to be back on stage and doing my thing.”

{Source}

I’ve said it already in my AMA review, but kudos to Jennifer for recovering like a pro. Had it not been for the Internet culture of nothing going unseen, the fall being part of the choreography would be very plausible.

Tidbit: The West Coast (L.A etc) airing of the AMA’s edited out the fall.

Your thoughts?

R&B five-piece Day26 have announced that they have parted with Bad Boy Records. Speaking with AOL’s The Boombox, member Willie Taylor said: “Bad Boy is always our family, but we’re with Atlantic right now”

Diddy had previously secured a distribution deal for Bad Boy with Atlantic Records (who went on to snap the guys up once they became free agents). Yet he, himself,  opted to sign with Interscope Records, where his latest project, ‘Last Train to Paris’, with new group Dirty Money (featuring former Danity Kane star Dawn Richard and singer-songwriter Kaleena) will be released.

With Making The Band now off the air and a new label deal, the guys seem intent on taking things to that pivotal next level:

“We really want to get people focused on the artistry, on the music,” Taylor explained. “I think a lot of people lost it with the entertainment of the show. So now, we really want to show people what we’re all about, that we do our thing whether its on stage, in the studio, writing and producing — we do it all.”

Speaking on their 3rd studio album, recording for which starts early next year, Taylor stated:

“We’re very excited about it. We know exactly what the fans are expecting from us on this third album. We’re going to take the gloves off, really go for it. A lot of people thought Day 26 weren’t going to be here but we’re still standing.”

{Source}

Here’s wishing the guys the best of luck…they are going to need it. Though immensely talented, the lack of push they received from Diddy and Bad Boy means it’ll be an uphill struggle to re-establish themselves as a viable and chartable act.

Your thoughts?

Thoughts?

Despite being pushed back several times already, fans hoping to snap up Usher‘s new album ‘Raymond vs Raymond’ will have to wait longer, as the R&B crooner has announced that the record will not be hitting stores on December 21st as previously announced. In fact, there is now no release date set for the project, which was proceeded by the single ‘Papers’ (currently #2 on the Billboard R&B Chart).

Speaking in the reason for the latest delay, a rep for the singer told MTV:

“We believe that the album is so strong that we want to give it the opportunity to have the proper setup before coming out,”

While my inner-cynic is itching to give the side-eye to the notion of “it’s so good, we’re pushing it back again” explanation, I’m somewhat inclined to believe it true in this particular instance  – well, at least the part about giving it a proper set-up. After all, without a video in site and no promotion thus far, it really did appear as if those handling his project were cheaply looking to cash in on the Christmas heightened sales season and nothing more.

In any case, here’s hoping this is the last of the delays (as bar ‘Papers’, I’m really liking what I hear of the record). Then again we know nothing  of a new release date. SMH…

Your thoughts?

{Written immediately following the show}

The American Music Awards 2009 has just come off the air on ABC…and where do I begin?! With a performer-list which read like a who’s-who of the music industry, the show – which took place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles – most definitely hit a home-run in terms of star power. Whether these translated into memorable performances is the question. Read on for That Grape Juice’s 2 pence on tonight’s events…

Kicking off the night with a bang was Janet Jackson, whose 8-minute retrospective medley showed she still has ‘it’. Lacking, however, was the ‘has it – and then some’, which IMO really is essential for Ms. Jackson at this stage of her career. By this I mean though Janet commanded the stage with her trademark vigour and undeniable stage presence, what she displayed was kind of ‘hit’ and ‘miss’ in terms of propelling her back to the status of ‘the best’ in the minds of the masses. She did the damn thing on ‘Miss You Much’ and straight snatched off many a wig with ‘If’ (the breakdown of which never gets old, even after 15 years). However, the rest, particularly ‘Make Me’ didn’t translate as well – with the latter’s choreography really not doing the song any justice. I can’t help but think the chosen songs weren’t as on-the-ball as they could have been. Where was ‘All For You’, ‘Rhythm Nation’, or even ‘Feedback’ (the masses last real memory of la Jan)? Yes, it’s not her fault if some of her moves haven’t aged as well as she has (she looked great, minus the outfit), yet the song choice was in her hands, and as much as I remain a stan fan, in being 100% with you all, she kinda didn’t deliver in the way I thought she would have. Still, I’m sure she’ll bring her A-Game for her new album performances next year. She’s still force, and I have every faith she’ll deliver. On a lighter note, Jermaine Jackson’s botched sing-along to ‘Together Again’ had to be one of the funniest moments of the entire night!

Speaking of funniest moments, Rihanna’s live showing of ‘Madhouse’ and ‘Hard’ certainly had me chuckling, not only because it was the exact same performance I saw her give this Monday here in London, but because it was that bad. When not standing there like a lazy loaf of bread, she moved so sluggishly across the stage, all the while sounding like crap. How folks manage to defend her criminal vocals are well and truly beyond me. Honestly.

Interestingly, a moment many seemed to find much humour in, yet I didn’t, was Jennifer Lopez’ fall during her debut performance of brand new single ‘Louboutins’. If you ask me, Ms. Jenny The Block, J.Lo or whatever she likes to call herself these days, delivered a pretty solid performance – one which actually had me feeling the song a bit more. More than anything, she recovered so well from her fall, that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was part of her choreography. She may not be any kind of vocalist, but she sure knows how to perform. It’s a shame folk will likely only dwell on the negative, when she had a killer stage set-up and danced her derriere off.

Another of the night’s other great performances was Lady GaGa’s premier showing of ‘Bad Romance’ and ‘Speechless’, which though understated, still IMO pushed her further ahead of her contemporaries. Like the fire which lit her piano, GaGa performance was hot, hot, hot. Loved it.

I went to the toilet during the Eminem / 50 Cent performance.

More notable live showings were served up by Shakira and Mary J. Blige, who, if I am to be honest, weren’t at the top (or anywhere near) my most anticipated list prior to the show. However each brought their A-Game, which resulted in a pair of great performances respectively.

The Black Eyed Peas, for as much as I like them, just don’t offer me anything of substance live these days, so I phoned a friend when they came on…and got a bite to eat.

Meanwhile, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ rousing showing of ‘Empire State of Mind’ – despite essentially being the same performance, different show – strangely grabbed me more so than any of the other times I’ve seen them do it. I’m thinking it was Alicia’s soaring vocals on the anthem-esque hook that really got me this time. Speaking of Alicia, Ms. Keys had me fall in love with ‘Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart’ all over again with her performance. Though not the best mover and shaker, she was getting that choreography (anyone else notice the Ciara ‘Promise’ part?) and she took it church with her vocals (and backing arrangements). Phenomenal.

Highlight of the night, hands-down, goes to Whitney Houston who tore the house down with her emotional performance of ‘I Didn’t Know My Own Strength’. The performance was everything – breakfast, lunch and dinner! Nippy’s vocals were the best they’ve been in years, with “The Voice” emanating from Whitney in ways many, myself at a time included, never thought they’d hear from her again. Yes, this was ‘Whitney 2009’, yet one who sits almost effortlessly beside Whitney of 1998 during her ‘My Love Is Your Love’ project. Putting to one side the media hype and hysteria, it legitimately felt like watching the crowning moment of one of the biggest comeback’s of all-time.

All in all, the American Music Awards 2009 delivered more than it didn’t. Great show.

Overall show rating: B+

Tidbit: Adam Lambert…c’mon son! LOL

Taylor winning over Michael Jackson?!  Kanye caused that ish…

Your thoughts?

In a move that was no doubt actioned to ensure a #1 debut, Rihanna‘s new LP ‘Rated R’ is now selling for a paltry $3.99 on Amazon MP3. Yet, despite Ms. Fenty’s team pulling all the stops for a #1 charting on the Billboard 200 next week, Interscope’s Lady GaGa‘s sophomore effort ‘The Fame Monster’ is currently sitting comfortably at #1 on iTunes – which serves as one of the biggest music retailers overall. {Source 1} {Source 2}

Oh RiRi! After all the publicity, big budget videos and all that jazz, stunts like this still need to be pulled to garner decent sales. From a business standpoint, I can’t hate on her label’s game. Yet, from an artistic standpoint – which is where the bulk of my critique of Ms. Fenty stems from – it really says a lot about her label’s belief in how many folks will part with their cash to buy her album. I mean, correct me if wrong, but you don’t see the Alicia’s, Beyonce’s, Whitney’s and co selling their album a fraction of the cost to save face. I mean how embarrassing would it be after all the hype, 20/20 interview etc for her not to pull in some seriously decent/great numbers first week?

Randomness: While my review of the AMA’s will be up later today; if Rihanna’s performance wasn’t the night’s worst, I really don’t know what was. A mess.

Your thoughts?

R&B star Ashanti has inked a major deal with Revielle LLC – the major TV production company behind ‘Ugly Betty’, ‘The Biggest Loser’, and ‘It’s On With Alexa Chung’ – it has been announced.

The partnership will see the former INC star serve as Executive Producer, overseer, as well as an on-air personality on a music-based competition TV show. Speaking of the deal,  Ashanti said:

“I’m excited about the opportunity to be working with Reveille LLC, one of the tv industry’s heavyweights and I can’t wait to begin production.” {Source} {Thanks Stefan}

Kudos where kudos are due, it’s great to see Ms. Douglas doing her thing outside of being an artist. Folk may get on her for sales, current ‘relevancy’ etc, yet anyone who really knows how this industry works understands that it’s all about diversifying into other areas to ensure you longevity (see: LL Cool J, Ice T, Diddy etc). More power to her!

Your thoughts?

This week’s classic From The Vault video is Kelis‘ year 2000 clip for ‘Get Along With You’, which was lifted from her debut ‘Kaleidoscope’. Directed by Paul Hunter, this video really ushered the emergence of the alternate, left-field Kelis that we grew to know and love. While the former Ms Nas’ industry contemporaries were churning out the same ol’, same ol’, she hit us with this this deep, multi-layered take on the song’s underlying message – how someone’s love and the need to “get along with them” is more substantial than material possessions and even the world itself. Awesome video! I need me some new Kelis ASAP.

Tidbit: Did this remind anyone else of ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’?

Your thoughts?

Chocolate contralto Toni Braxton released the music video for the remix of the first single off her upcoming album, ‘Yesterday‘. The clip was directed by Billie Woodruff and features Braxton’s collaborator on the track, Trey Songz. To date, ‘Yesterday’ has climbed to #49 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts. Braxton’s new album, ‘Pulse’, hits stores in February 2010.

This video is the typical ‘recession special’ that has come to define the caliber of music videos given the current economy. Either way, there is no denying that Toni is possibly the beautiful woman in the music industry today – beautiful face, body, skin and voice. I am surprised that there wasn’t any more chemistry between her and Trey in the video though, especially given their recent passionate performance at the Soul Train Music Awards. I was really hoping to see more intimacy between the two, rather than having them in completely different shots without any interaction what so ever.

Sidebar: Toni’s wig collection sure got some air time in this video huh?

Thoughts?

UK media darling Cheryl Cole performed at the Children In Need concert, which aired on BBC1 yesterday, offering a ‘live’ rendition of smash single ‘Fight For This Love’.

I oft find myself quite torn with how I feel about Ms. Cole. The critic side of me knows she couldn’t sing her ABC’s in tune if she tried (as evidenced by this performance), yet the consumer side sees the spectacle and media-flooding, which is hard not to fall victim to. Either way, I doubt she cares too much; her album ‘Three Words’, though critically panned, has been certified Platinum here in the UK and her profile seems to be expanding with each passing day (see: X-Factor, L’Oreal).

What do you think of the performance?

Diva Mariah Carey is currently over here in the UK promoting  her new album ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’, yesterday performing ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ on the Alan Carr Chattyman show.

The few semi-off points really drive home the fact that this was, for the most part, live. So with that in mind, Mariah did a great job. She’s still look likes she’s about to burst a vein trying to hit certain notes, but the output were some really great vocals. Loved the whistle and the belting at the end. Great performance.

What do you think of the performance?

Toni Braxton has finally opened up about her recent split with her husband Keri Lewis. The sultry singer spoke with popular UK newspaper ‘The Voice Online’, an excerpt from which can be seen below:

The Unbreak My Heart hitmaker has two sons with her spouse, and she revealed in an exclusive interview with The Voice that she’s not entirely sure why the marriage broke down.

“I’m newly separated – no-one really knows what went wrong,” Braxton said. “My husband and I are still cool – we get along great. But that could become challenging. If things go further, you may read about some things… things will have to be split and all of that.”

However, the US songstress is hopeful that the split won’t become a messy battle that’s played out in the public eye.

“Oh, it’ll nothing like that,” she said. “We were friends for years before we started dating and we’ve been married for almost nine years. I’m a little sad about it and I can’t see anything down the line because it’s all so new. We’re sorting different things right now.”

Good for her. It’s great to see that she is remaining focused and not allowing this situation to consume her. I hope that she keeps this same attitude when it’s time to promote her new album, ‘Pulse’, when it hit stores in February 2010.

Thoughts?