Things seem to be going from bad to worse for controversial UK girl group, the Sugababes. Following the mass outcry from both fans and the industry about the ousting of original member Keisha Buchanan, it has now been announced that their new LP ‘Sweet 7’ has been pushed back to February 22nd 2010. The album was originally scheduled for release November 23rd as a joint venture between Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and Island Records. While current single ‘About A Girl’ will still be released on November 9th, a third single in the form of ‘Wear My Kiss’ (which you can listen to by clicking here – it’s the Keisha version BTW) will be released February 8th. {Source}

How to say this politely? Hmm. If this isn’t a hot a** mess, I really don’t know what is. How embarrassing  must it be the ladies and their management to see their ill-advised decision blowing up in their faces for all to see. From a business standpoint, I can’t help but believe a December release would have made more sense (see: Christmas sales). But February? Surely it’d make sense to strike while the iron is hot and public interest is still there. With the whole Keisha drama simmering down now, and the fact that ‘About A Girl’ is looking to b a moderate hit at best, I can’t see how a February release will benefit them. Oh well, I guess we’ll have to wait to see how things pan out. In the meanwhile…

Your thoughts?

Literally moments ago, Hip-Hop superstar Jay-Z released the video for his smash hit single ‘Empire State of Mind’ off his #1 album ‘The Blueprint 3′. The highly anticipated clip features R&B songstress Alicia Keys.

I love it. The video captures all of the best images of NYC and the black and white effect gives it a very ‘epic’ feel. Although the song has yet to grow on some people, I personally really like it and I can’t think of a better way to translate the energy of the record onto the screen. Like him or not, Jay-Z continues to redefine himself as the #1 Hip-Hop artist time and again. Yup!

What do you think of the video?

The video for Britney Spears’ #1 hit ‘3’ premiered today. Unfortunately for those anticipating the Diane Martel directed clip, the video is a real snoozer. All the visual gloss, fancy sets and troop of dancers cannot conceal the fact that – as blunt as it sounds – Ms. Spears has lost ‘it’. In being 200% honest with you, I can’t say I believe she ever got ‘it’ back after her breakdown. Despite the spectacle around her since her media-sanctioned ‘comeback’ last year, I’ve yet to see that spark that had commentators heralding her as the next Janet or Madonna. There is something distinctly run-of-the-mill, stiff and uninspiring about 2009 Britney Spears.

Not to be mistaken for as a dig at her personally, I’m simply of the opinion that her much publicised issues clearly have put a dent into her confidence – hence the so/so calibre of performances we’ve seen from her as of late. Yet in being fair and judging her, in her current state, on the same plateau as her industry rivals, she comes across average at best. I can’t help but think that ‘comeback’ could have waited a few more years, while she fully came into her own again personally.

What do you think of the video?

As Usher readies his 5th studio album tentatively titled ‘Raymond vs Raymond’ for a December release, two new cuts -presumed to be from the LP – have surfaced, the Red One produced ‘More’ and ‘Daddy’s Home’, which was produced by The Runners.

Usher’s seems to be onto something with his partnership with producer Red One. While the sound they are churning  out is by no means original (see: Lady GaGa and just about every other uptempo R&B-meets-Electro Pop cut released over the last year!), I’m really feeling their output on ‘More’ as well as the previously heard ‘Rockband’).

Cranking up the tempo and not trying to ‘move mountains’ seems to be call of the day with this new project, as further evidenced by the stormer that is ‘Daddy’s Home’. The slick production and easy on the ear hook, make this one a sure-fire radio smash in waiting.

It’s quite clear to see after the relative tanking of ‘Here I Stand’, Usher is re-positioning himself as the artist and performer we know and love, doing away with the defensive declarations of his manhood and disdain for those who talked about his private life. Come to think of it, had the material on this project been what he released as his last album during the Tameka times, I’d imagine it would have done well. More artists need to swallow the pill they are public figures (hence folk will always talk), and simply serve up the hits. Mr Raymond seems to be getting the memo now…

Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

More

Daddy’s Home

X Factor star Alexandra recently performed a set for MTV Europe’s new channel VIVA. You can watch her performance of album cut ‘They Don’t Know’ above, as well as her #1 hit ‘Bad Boys’ below:

I’m glad that she’s starting to perform more of the material from ‘Overcome’. The only problem is that that material isn’t very good

‘They Don’t Know’ left me so bored that I was hoping that the video would stop working halfway through. Alex has a great voice, but this album does not feature engaging enough material. Furthermore, although I really like ‘Bad Boys’ I’m growing a lil’ tired of watching her perform it, although it’s a plus that she’s singing it live now.

What do you think of the Alexandra’s performance?

R&B singer and Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member Kandi Burrus hit up The Mo’Nique Show this week. Burrus, who finance AJ Jewell was killed last month, spoke candidly to the comic about how she’s coping with her loss, her role on Real Housewives of Atlanta, her new song ‘I Fly Above’, her new store and much more. It’s really inspiring to see her pressing on in the midst of all that’s happened.

UPDATE: Performance of ‘Fly Above’ added:

Tidbit: Is it me or is Mo’Nique not as funny as you’d have expected she’d be as a host? If anything, her screaming and hollering is a tad annoying. Still love her all the same.

Your thoughts?

Ousted Sugababe Keisha Buchanan, has promised that her solo material will be, quote on quote, “fierce”. Buchanan, 25, signed a deal with Island Records following her now-infamous departure from the UK’s top girl group in September.

Speaking more about her future plans, the talented singer-songwriter ruled out a reformation of the original Sugababes line-up, despite former member Mutya Buena reaching out to her:

The star, who insisted that she has no hard feelings towards the current Sugababes members, admitted that she turned to former bandmate Mutya Buena after leaving the group.

“I’m happy, Mutya’s been very supportive. It’s been good to talk with her and have so many friends look out for me,” she said, adding: “We’re not forming another band, that is out of the question. But we are friends, of course.” {Source}

I’m really hopeful Keisha succeeds solo; I legitimately believe she can with the right material and handling. Moving beyond the whole ‘whose side are you on’ hoo-haa, Ms. Buchanan is immensely talented in her own right, hence it’d be great to have a genuinely talented talent at the top of the charts here. More power to her.

Your thoughts?

That Grape Juice faithful!

It feels so great to have That Grape Juice V.2.0 up and running – moreso the fact that the vast majority of you are loving it, as evidenced by your comments in our welcome post, along with the countless emails and text messages I received when it went live. The concept was conceived little under a year ago, with the actual design being worked on over the last couple of months.

Designed and programmed by the immensely talented Dustin Gary (with additional work from Tobbie and Lukau), the idea here was to make the site visually encapsulate all that the name ‘That Grape Juice’ lends itself to. Hence gone  was the dark colours (and MJ background lol) and in came what you see now.

As well as the design, I want to take the opportunity to shine a light on two of the new sections that are now live at your favourite site and mine:

About That Grape Juice

Ever wondered how the name of the site came about? Or perhaps you want to know a little more about Sam and co? New to the site, and want to know about our history? Click here to go to our ‘About That Grape Juice’ section.

Celebrity Shout-Outs

Your favourite stars know where to keep it locked!  Click here to check out this section to see who and who support That Grape Juice!

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I kid you not when I say there is so so much you can expect from That Grape Juice in the days, weeks and months ahead. Let’s just say, we’ve been cooking up a whole lot behind the scenes during the ‘slow-days’ of recent months! Without hesitation I can say, though, that you can expect much more daily posts, exclusive competitions and awesome interviews (you know how we do!).

That said, we are always eager to hear from you all – ‘the That Grape Juice drinkers’, as someone said to me the other day lol. What would you like to see on That Grape Juice i.e. new features? The return of particular older ones that you really liked? Increased coverage of certain artists? Etc. We want to hear from you! Hit up the comments section below with your thoughts and suggestions.

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A tad off-topic, I’d really like to thank the following for their support in getting the new site up and running in one way or the other (queue award speech lol): God (all day, everyday!), my mother and father, my beautiful sisters, Dustin, Tobbie, Lukau, Sean, Kwame, Leon, Jonelle, Antoine, Clifford, Hilario, Joanne A, Alistar, Glynn, Trent, Sandra D, Jamell, Dare, Nathan, Jade, Seye Iizsik and Courtney over at Crushlabs. Thank you.

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Your suggestions?

UK media darling Cheryl Cole stopped by T4 over the weekend to perform her record-breaking #1 ‘Fight For This Love’, which has become the year’s fastest selling single (if you are thinking ‘WTF?’, trust me you are not alone).

As much as I’ve played the cynic when it comes to Cheryl’s talent (or lack of), it’s hard to deny a hot performance when I see one. Questionable vocals aside, I really enjoyed this one, with the song becoming quite the grower. What Ms. Cole lacks in vocal ability, she appears to make up with her all-round fierceness. That said, it’ll be interesting to see what how she fares with her future releases once the X-Factor ends, as reviews of her debut LP ‘Three Words’ have been almost unanimously atrocious. Ouch.

What do you think of the performance?

R&B crooner Mario stopped by Good Morning New York today to perform new single ‘Thinkin’ of You’, as well as his hit ‘Break Up’.

We’re definitely supporters of Mario around these sides, however this live showing was just not cutting it. Lazy, sloppy and distinctly run-of-the-mill, this performance didn’t at all convey the fact (IMO) that Mario is one of the premier male R&B vocalists on the scene at present.

I was going to go off on one about how awful his label’s promotion and all-round handling of his project has been (did you know Mario dropped his album last week? My point exactly) However, on second thought, performances like this (aka ‘so-so’ / ‘doing it for the sake of it’ ones), while seeming quite harmless, are what separates your ‘typical R&B singer’ from the Usher’s and co. Surely, if an artist is undeniably doing the damn thing, the label has no choice but to pay attention. Having to admittedly eat a bit of humble pie on this one (as some of my favourites are guilty of the same thing), being successful in today’s industry really is a two way street: the artists need to do their part x100, and the label will more times than not hold up their end of the deal. Perhaps the days of hollering about ‘such and such got crappy promo’ need to end. That said, some labels are taking the p*ss (see: Amerie / Def Jam).

Wow, really off-topic there. In any case…

Your thoughts?

While Diddy’s musical offerings may have you reaching for the mute button, the Bad Boy honcho sure knows how to dish the business when it comes to interviews – well at least when it comes to his recent chat with Elle Magazine. In this revealing interview, which I spotted over at my girl Necole Bitchie, Diddy opens up about the effect his father’s murder had on him, his approach to relationships and more. An interesting, I must say:

Were you a sexually precocious kid?

SEAN COMBS: I was in pursuit of female attention from when I was probably four or five. It started with my mother’s friends putting me to sleep on their laps. But I wasn’t really asleep; I was enjoying the way it felt to lay on a pair of beautiful breasts.

And how did your first time go?

SC: Great, but I’d had a lot of practice from watching this show on cable called Midnight Blue, where they had actual scenes from pornos. Me and Midnight Blue had a Thursday night at one o’clock date—I’d make sure my mother was asleep, take a shower, lock the door, put on cologne.

Wasn’t there an awful lot of talking from Midnight Blue host Al Goldstein?

SC: Yeah, he definitely talked a lot. And he interrupted. But it taught me mind control.

Your dad was shot to death when you were only three. Who taught you how to behave with women?

SC: A couple years ago, my psychologist came to the conclusion that this is one of the big problems I have as far as maturing in a relationship. After my father got killed, my mother said, “I’m never getting married again. I don’t want men around my children.” So I’ve never actually been able to witness a husband and wife’s love. Sometimes when I see it with my friends, I just find myself staring like a child, because I’ve never actually seen it before. It’s one of the sad parts of my life.

So what kind of behavior does this bring out in relationships?

SC: When a relationship gets to a certain point, I probably get scared and become a little self-destructive.

By self-destructive, do you mean going out with other women?

SC: Yeah.

If you get caught cheating red-handed, what’s the best response?

SC: Cry. It might not work, but it at least shows that you care. Goddamn, this is a deep interview. You didn’t ask Will Smith none of this shit!

But we’re making such valuable progress! Just tell me: Are the tears real?

SC: Yeah, it hurts me. One of my weaknesses is that I actually have a conscience.

Click here to read the rest of the interview

Wow. This is the first I’ve heard about his father’s passing. Quite unfortunate.

In any case, reading this sure as hell drives home why Cassie and Kim Porter are in the positions they are (see: Monica’s ‘Makings of Me’ LP, track #3). I just marvel at how, knowing this, these chicks still throw themselves at him. Confused.com…

Your thoughts?

Another song from Amerie’s latest LP, ‘In Love & War’, has surfaced today. That track, which has been getting a lot of buzz from her fans, is titled ‘Swag Back’ and was produced by Jim Jonsin, the production mastermind behind  TI’s ‘Whatever You Like.’ The songstress’ album officially hits stores on November 3rd.

I liked this song. It’s definitely radio-friendly and has the kind of beat that’s made for car speakers. The melody works well with her crisp vocals and she does not get lost in the productions – a problem that affects many of today’s artists who sacrifice their voices in favour of club-ready singles (I’m not calling any names, just initials: KH).

My only problem with the song is that the melody sounds almost exactly like TI’s ‘Whatever You Like.’ Usually I am not a fan of recycled tracks but I think she managed to pull it off really well. Good stuff.

Hit or Miss?