Rihanna – Take A Bow

Pussycat Dolls – Medley

Leona nailed it! I really have not seen the hype surrounding the song, which is currently #1 on the UK chart until now. Awesome performance.

It may come as a surprise to some, but Rihanna’s sheep-like bleating wasn’t half as annoying as usual. Dare I say, she actually turned in a solid showing.

Pussycat Dolls served up more of the same. Take from that what you will.

What do you think of the performances?

Christina Milian features on the cover of the Winter 08 /09 issue of Rap-Up magazine. In her interview, the singer speaks on former boyfriend Nick Cannon’s surprise wedding to Mariah Carey, getting dropped from Def Jam and what inspired her to return to the industry. Check out quotes from her piece below:

On the reason why she was dropped:

“It was a budget cut, I believe. [Def Jam] probably got rid of projects like mine to spend the money on [Rihanna].”

On who inspired her to get back into music:

“I bumped into Janet Jackson at a club. We talked for an hour and I was telling her I don’t know if I’m gonna do this, and she was like, ‘Girl, do not let them stop you. I’m a fan and you make good music.’ She’s a person I actually looked up to growing up, so her telling me that really was the day I was like, ‘I’m not gonna let these people hold me down. It’s time.’”

On Nick Cannon marrying Mariah Carey:

“I was surprised like everyone else. I was like, ‘Really?’ It just seemed like a weird match, but I was happy for him. I always feel Nick works hard to get what he wants, whether that be women—that’s how he got me.”

Interesting, no doubt. She seemed kinda salty with that Rihanna comment – and rightfully so IMO (no shade on Rihanna, personally). Pretty, talented and oozing with cross-over appeal, had she had the kind of backing Rihanna got (and continues to get), Christina could easily have been what and who Rihanna is today.

Tidbit: Janet, a Christina Milian fan? Things that make you go ‘hmmm’…

Your thoughts?

Entertainment Tonight last night ran a feature on Beyonce’s latest foray into the acting world – ‘Obsessed’, which also stars Brit Idris Elba and that woman from ‘Heroes’ (LOL). The movie, which hits theatres in April 2009, looks really good judging by the clip above.

I’m admittedly a bit cynical when it comes to Beyonce and her acting (‘Dreamgirls’ being her best movie showing to date), so I’ll definitely be paying close attention to this one, as it’s her first non-musical role.

Will you be going to see ‘Obsessed’?

Hot on the promotional trail for his new album ‘Intuition’, Jamie Foxx performed current single ‘Just Like Me’ on Good Morning America yesterday. Pretty good live showing. I’m really warming to the song a lot more now.

What do you think of the performance?

A brand new cut, said to be from Ciara’s ‘Fantasy Ride’ LP (due early 2009), surfaced today – a collaboration with singer/song-writer The Dream titled ‘Keep Dancing’.

The airy, laidback feel of the song is a real juxtaposition to the song’s title- which suggests something more uptempo and hard-hitting. For what it is – a decent R&B slower paced effort – it’s works. Though, I sure hope Ms. Harris is cooking up something of a higher caliber than this, as much of the material I’ve heard thus far sounds very hit or miss.

Hit or Miss?

Madonna took a tumble during her recent concert in Brazil’s Rio De Janeiro. Peep the clip above

By all means funny stuff, but the Pop superstar is likely to be the last one laughing; her Sticky & Sweet tour continues to break records across the globe, already amassing a whopping $213 Million for the singer already.

Randomness: I really wish Michael and Janet would take note. Record sales may not be what they once were (even for ol’ Madge), but hitting the road is increasingly becoming ‘the’ way to go. One can only hope…

Your thoughts?

Hollywood’s top earning star Will Smith is set to star in sequels to two of his more recent box office smashes – ‘Hancock’ & ‘I Am Legend’:

WILL Smith has sequel fever. The box-office magnet is in talks to finalize follow-ups to both “Hancock” and “I Am Legend.” A Hollywood insider said, “He is ready to do both. Producers are just trying to get Charlize Theron to sign on for the ‘Hancock’ sequel.” As for “I Am Legend,” it will be more of a prequel as Smith’s character died at the end of the zombies-take-Manhattan movie. “It will be about how the disease spreads and the fall of the last great American city. It will also develop the relationship between Will’s character and his wife.” A rep for Smith said, “There have been talks about both of these projects.” {Source}

Having really enjoyed the originals of both films, I’d definitely be checking for the sequels.

Will you be checking for the new ‘Hancock’ and / or ‘I Am Legend’?

The final of X Factor 2008 live shows aired tonight here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the show below:

{For those unfamiliar with the show; The X Factor is the UK’s version of American Idol – with a twist in that groups and over 25’s are eligible to enter. The show also birthed the career of a certain Leona Lewis}

I must begin by congratulating my girl Alexandra for winning tonight! It definitely makes me proud to live in a country that has been able to produce such a talent. A talent I believe is very much a world class act. Week in and week out, Alexandra has delivered the goods and then some. Very proud of her. Very.

My phone has been going off non-stop about Alex’s show stopping performance of ‘Listen’ with none other than Beyonce (special ‘hey’ to Sean, Kwame, Jonelle, Sandra, Nathan, Jamell ‘Mr Damaje’, Leon and co!). You can also check out Alex’s performances of ‘Silent Night’ below (the other performances will be added as they become available):

Alexandra & Beyonce – Listen

Alexandra – Silent Night

Your thoughts?

After the worldwide success of Estelle’s ‘American Boy’ and the critical acclaim her ‘Shine’ LP received, it has been revealed that the Londoner is readying her third studio album. Speaking on the record, which has a tentative 2009 release date, she expressed her desire to work with fellow Brit Adele:

Grammy-nominated Brit female stars ADELE and ESTELLE look set to collaborate on a track.

Both have expressed an interest in working together — and now Estelle has told how a duet with Chasing Pavements star Adele would be “dope”.

The pair are now settling down to finalise their new albums with each other’s names at the top of their collaborations wish lists — so expect a tune from the talented pair next year.

Estelle started work on her new collection this month.

She said: “I’m really excited to start working on my next album.

“I’m going to go totally left field and surprise a lot of people.

“I’m going to hit it out the ball park with this one. I’m thinking a mix of COLDPLAY and MARVIN GAYE.” {Source}

Considering Estelle turned in such a stellar effort with ‘Shine’, I’m really anticipating what her next release will be serving up. The Adele collabo seems like a good look too.

Your thoughts?

Word has it Mariah and Nick Cannon may be expecting their first child…for real this time:

MARIAH Carey’s wish may finally be coming true. Spies in LA saw the songbird coming out of a well-known ob/gyn’s office on North Crescent Boulevard, “clutching what looked like a sonogram and being greeted by her entourage with cheers. She was ebullient.” It was the same type of paper that Minnie Driver was holding when she found out she was pregnant at the same doctor’s office. Carey, who wed Nick Cannon this year in a quickie Bahamas ceremony, has made no bones about wanting a child. {Source}

If true, congratulations to them. After initially being thrown by their sudden marriage (thinking it was a publicity stunt), I’d be real glad for them as their union seems very genuine.

Your thoughts?

As this year draws nearer to its close, we will be acknowledging the releases, events, surprising moments etc that have made the last 12 months as memorable as they have been with our 2nd annual That Grape Juice: End of Year Awards 2008.

Shaking things up a bit from last year, we will be giving you the chance to decide who will be shortlisted for nomination in each of the categories – something you can do via the comments section below. There are no limits on the number of recommendations you can make per category.

Nominee suggestions must be in by December 15th. The final list of nominee will be announced on December 16th, also the day in which voting starts. Winners will be announced on December 23rd.

Album of the Year

Worst Single Of The Year

Worst Album Of The Year

(You) Slippin’ / Step Your Game Up Award

Most Shocking Event of 2008

Your nominations?