The video for Diddy’s Dirty Money new single ‘Love Come Down’ premiered a few moments ago. Lifted from his forthcoming LP ‘Last Train To Paris’, the song borders on the fine-line of ‘good different’ and construction work noise. Yet, it still works kinda-sorta-ish. About the video, I’m actually liking this one. Clearly there was a few more $$$ pumped into this one compared to their last video ‘Angels’, which didn’t really go anywhere.

Speaking of not going anywhere, as much as this release and video are very much serviceable, folk just don’t seem to be ‘locking in’ (as Diddy would say) to this Dirty Money movement. I say, at the risk of sounding rather abstract, that it’s to do with the aftermath of the Danity Kane scenario. Diddy P’ed off a lot of folk with the handling of the Danity Kane scenario, and as did Dawn by joining him (although I’m sure most folk would do the exact same thing she did). Whether Dirty Money will be successful remains to be seen.

Tidbit: Diddy knows he’s wrong for them grills. He’s 40 years old for goodness sake. LMAO!

What do you think of the song / video?

Continuing along the promotional trail for their latest single ‘About A Girl’, the Sugababes stopped by GMTV this morning to perform the song. Unlike the stripped back version they performed on Radio 1 yesterday, this live showing saw the ladies move a lot more.
As mentioned yesterday, the Keisha scenario was the final ‘no-no’ as to taking the group that seriously, however with each performance of this song, it’s hard to deny they are actually doing a great job. I mean, yes the choreography was minimalist; but with it being the Sugababes that was kinda-sorta expected (though judging by this Jade really is the best dancer). Vocally, they were very solid. Great performance.

Tidbit: Jade was getting that choreography (though it wasn’t demanding). Watch her legs compared to the other two and you’ll see what I mean.

What do you think of the performance?

Diva Mariah Carey is currently here in Europe promoting her current LP ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’. Tonight she performed ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ on Italy’s version of the X-Factor.

Oh Mimi! I legitimately am a supporter of hers, but she’s making it oh-so-hard to defend these performances. While the beginning of the performance started off rather inoffensively, by the middle she sounded like she’d been gargling concrete, yet miraculously she is belting out her trademark notes at the end (see: lip-synching). 2009 Mariah’s inconsistency on the live performance tip is really damaging her legacy IMO. A big statement, yet one I stand by. Yes, the lambs and industry pundits will forever remember the Mariah whose voice soared to sonic levels unachievable by her peers. Yet, to your average listener, she’s only as good as her last performance; and if this is anything to go by….you get my point.

Contrary to popular belief I do believe there is some serious greatness left in Mariah, yet I just wish she’d pace out her releases and performances much more, so as to ensure she delivers the best every time. As hard a pill as it is to swallow for some, at 39 and after such a lengthy career, Mariah cannot keep up (neither should she be expected to) with today’s best vocalists such as Beyonce. Hence, in working with what she’s got left, I think the less is more approach (in terms of performance and album frequency) may just be ol’ Mimi’s best bet.

Your thoughts?

Peep this behind the scenes look at the making of Lady GaGa’s epic video for ‘Bad Romance’. A great watch, I must say.

Hand-down the best video of the year, Lady GaGa really took to another level with this Francis Lawrence directed clip. Many an artist harp on about wanting to be an ‘Icon’. Well, here’s hoping they are taking note, because ‘this’ (aka marching to the beat of your own drum and doing it so well) is how to go about achieving it. Go GaGa!

Your thoughts?

It’s back! After being rested on the bench for almost a year, our much-loved Best You Never Heard feature returns this week. For new(er) That Grape Juice readers, The Best You Never Heard is a once weekly feature which showcases great songs which aren’t known (as much as they should be) to the masses. This week’s edition features little known gems by Madonna, Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis and R&B quartet Metro City.

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Madonna – Dance 2night (ft. Justin Timberlake)

Lifted from Madonna’s 2008 effort ‘Hard Candy’, ‘Dance 2night’ is a lush throwback to her Madegesty’s 80’s heydey. The Justin Timberlake produced (and featured) cut boasts a thumping bassline over a funky Electro-Pop groove. Why this wasn’t a single in some capacity really baffles me, as it’s hand-down the album’s best song next to ‘4 Minutes’.

Listen:

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Mariah Carey – For The Record

Though Mariah Carey’s 2008 LP ‘E=MC2’ was argued by many to be a let-down (myself included), it’d be unfair to deny that it features a song or two which can be deemed some of her best work. Indeed, the Brian M Cox produced ‘For The Record’ not only serves as the album’s biggest highlight, it stands as one of my favourite Mariah cuts ever.  A ballad with that ‘knock’, ‘Record’ easily completes the trinity of recent Mimi classic ballads (‘We Belong Together’, ‘Don’t Forget About Us’). From the lyrical content which makes you ‘feel’ what she’s singing, to her outstanding vocal delivery (I’m almost certain this was recorded during the ‘Emancipation’ era), this is – to it bluntly – the business. I’d certainly welcome more tracks in the vein of this for future Mariah releases.

Listen: 

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Leona Lewis – Take A Bow

Singing sensation Leona Lewis has taken the world by storm since hitting the scene back in 2006. While I feel some of her released material has been a bit hit and miss, when the East-Londoner knocks it out of the park she knocks it all the way out! This is perhaps best evidenced on ‘Take A Bow’, which featured on her debut LP ‘Spirit’. An edgier ballad than we’re used to hearing from Ms. Lewis, this one exudes a real epic aura, which is bolstered by her progressively soaring vocals. Awesome track.

Listen: 

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Metro City – Be Without You (Mary J Blige Cover)

Male R&B quartet Metro City, who I’m sure this is the first time you’re hearing of, delivered this stunning rendition of Mary J Blige’s ‘Be Without You’ in 2007. For the life of me, I cannot even remember how I stumbled upon this one, yet for a hot minute I played this more than the original. Unlike your typical cover version, this studio-recorded take on the song features tweaked lyrics, as well great (new) harmonies and arrangements. A winner.

Listen: 

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Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

That Grape Juice can EXCLUSIVELY reveal that diva Whitney Houston will be taking to the stage to perform at the American Music Awards on November 22nd. As at writing the legend will be performing ‘I Didn’t Know My Own Strength’.

Houston joins Janet Jackson, Rihanna among others, as a performer at the event.

This serves as the beginning of a fresh promo push for Whitney’s #1 charting comeback effort ‘I Look To You’. Houston will also performing on the finale episode of Dancing With The Stars.

In terms of star-power, the AMA’s really are doing the damn thing this year. Cannot wait!

Randomness: I am posting from my Blackberry. The wonders of technology lol…

Update: For those somewhat confused, we received word about this DIRECTLY from Whitney’s team – and no where else!

Your thoughts?

According to our good friends over at LeToya Online, things are going from bad to worse with Capitol Records‘ handling of LeToya’s latest project ‘Lady Love’.

Ever reliable, the site, run by Toya’s camp, assert that the label have pulled the plug on all promotion for the album, inclusive being new single ‘Regret’. A video for the song, which has been a surprise hit considering the lack of any promo, was commisioned soley due to the countless fan petitions calling the label out for ignoring the Ludacris-assisted song’s success. Yet many internally are scratching their heads at the point of giving Ms. Luckett the green light for a video, yet refusing point-blank to promote it. What’s more, a crossover remix of ‘Regret’, with all new lyrics, beat, melody (the full works) is ready to drop, however the label apparently aren’t willing to service it to radio. {Source}

Though the ‘done-wrong-by-label’ argument is levelled by many an artist and fan, I really feel LeToya is being mistreated here. I never understood  the logic of a label under-promoting a project from the jump, it goes on to perform badly, and they hastily drop all support (and usually the artist). Itjust doesn’t make any sense. Here’s hoping things work out for LeToya in the long-run – she seems to have a thick, media/industry-savvy skin, so I’m sure it will.

In other LeToya news, the video for ‘Regret’ premieres this Friday on BET’s 106 & Park.

Your thoughts?

Pop superstar Britney Spears is said to be ‘extremely upset’, following the controversy which greeted her recent Australian shows.

The mother of two, whose hugely successful Circus tour, hit Down Under last week, was reported to have left fans disgruntled after lip-synching the entire set, with some angry fans even leaving the show’s venue, Perth Burswood Dome, after just three songs. Other fans were reportedly disgruntled as they were unable to see Spears on the large screens, with some simply unsatisfied with her ‘lackluster’ performance.

“We are really big Britney fans, but it was crap,” Josh Blee complained to Australia’s News Limited newspapers. “I thought after the music awards she would make up for it with a wicked concert, but she has let us down.”

Some fans had paid up to $1,500 AUD to watch the show from a two-person loveseat “ringside” at the circus-themed concert. Regular seats were sold for $200 AUD. The Australian tour is Spears’ first of the continent.

The debate is not a media spectacle alone, with Australian Fair Trading Minister, Virginia Judge, stating that Sydneysiders would not tolerate a “Mickey Mouse performance” – referring to Britney’s childhood stint in the Disney Mouseketeers.”Let’s be clear – live means live,” she said. “If you are spending up to $200, I think you deserve better than a film clip.”The NSW Government would be happy to look at options, such as a disclaimer on a ticket which would warn consumers a performance is pre-recorded.” {Source}

I kinda go back and forth with myself about this one; on the one hand, some artists’ main forte is stage-show spectacle and overall performance (see: Janet, Ciara etc), hence lip-synching isn’t that big a deal. Yet on the other hand, surely if you’re a singer, you should actually sing, regardless of whether ‘performer’ or otherwise? It doesn’t help Britney’s case either that she seems to have forgotten how to dance as well.

Nonetheless, I’m sure fans will continue to flock to her shows and she’ll keep making that cash. I must say, though, I do like the Fair Trading lady’s stance on adding a disclaimer on tickets; as many an artist would rather risk sounding a hot a** mess on stage (in the process bettering their talent in the long run IMO), than have their lip-synching exposed. A win-win for everyone, right?

Your thoughts?

Pop group JLS will be celebrating this week after scoring their second #1 on the Official UK Singles Chart with their second single ‘Everybody In Love’. Ironically, the guys knocked off UK-media darling Cheryl Cole from the top spot; ironic in that it was  Cole who judged them on last year’s X-Factor.

Though I wasn’t the JR Rotem produced song’s biggest fan, it has kinda grown on me. I guess if there’s one song the guys could ever drop in America, video en-toe, it would be this. Very slickly produced and the video possesses enough ‘gloss’ for the US audience. Perhaps I’m jumping the gun a little, as in no way do I feel the guys are ready to crack the US market.

In any case, much congratulations to them! It’s very refreshing to have a UK group of an ethnic minority being so successful and having this much marketing £££ pumped into their brand. Things really are changing for the better on the UK scene.

Your thoughts?

There has much murmuring about Janet Jackson taking to the stage at the upcoming Amerian Music Awards on November 22nd, murmuring which was confirmed as true today.

In an interview with The Montreal Journal, dancer Nico Archambault (of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’) let the cat out of the bag confirming that he will be taking to the stage with the 43 year old superstar. Also adding that he, along with 3 other dancers will feature in the ‘Make Me’ video, which wrapped shooting this week. {Source}

Surprise or no surprise, it’s great to see Janet going all out with the promotion for her ‘Number Ones’ project (out November 17th). I anticipate a GH medley topped off with a performance of ‘Make Me’. Here’s hoping she knocks it out the park!

Your thoughts?

Turns out today’s interview is in reality a preview for her big 20/20 interview tomorrow.

Watching this now…review up shortly….

Remember Donnie Klang? Making The Band 4? Still don’t? I really can’t blame you. A victim of Diddy’s ‘no-promo-when-show-ain’t- on-air’, we’ve heard pretty much nothing from Donnie since his debut album ‘Just A Rolling Stone’ sold triple copper last year.

In any case, the 24 year old is back with new single ‘Prisoner of Love’, the video for which premiered today. Directed by The Littles, the video and the song aren’t that bad. While I remember scratching my head as to why Diddy signed him (he’s simply not good enough, plus that bootleg Justin Timberlake thing was never going to cut it), this is definitely much more in line with what Donnie should be singing IMO. As  that contrived Electro-Pop he was trying to pass off as believable the last go round was not the business.

No word yet on a title or release date for his sophomore effort…(Sam checks to see if he’s still on Bad Boy>>>he is>>>sounds about right! SMH…)

What do you think of the song / video?