This week’s From The Vault comes courtesy of former Murder Inc front-woman, Ashanti. Our pick is her sizzling debut solo single ‘Foolish’.

In 2002, after a carefully planned campaign that saw Ms. Douglas featured on many a rapper’s song to great success, all eyes were on the diva to see if it was all make-believe or if the hype was legit. With no other choice but to score a home-run, the Inc. opted for the heartfelt ‘Foolish’ as their first lady’s launching single – a bold move considering the upbeat musical landscape that was the year ’02.

An exquisite pick, ‘Foolish’ went on to become one of the most successful songs of the 00’s in the US with 10 weeks spent at #1 and over 8 millions physical copies sold, as well as many Top 10 placings around the world including the UK, Australia and Japan.

Fun Fact: ‘Foolish’ replaced none other than the Ja Rule assisted ‘Ain’t It Funny’ by Jennifer Lopez at the top spot of the Billboard and was in its turn replaced by Nelly’s ‘Hot In Herre’. We’re pretty sure we don’t have to explain the connections here.

Produced by 7 Aurelius and Irv Gotti, the track’s cinematic VMA’s nominated visual was helmed by the latter and features cameos by the likes of then-label mates Ja Rule, Vita and Charli Baltimore and was of course featured Academy Awards nominee Terrence Howard. Based on the movie ‘Goodfellas’, it depicts Howard as a cheating gangster (of sorts) that Ashanti – no matter of unhappy she is – can’t seem to leave. Just like in the tune’s lyrics.

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Oh how we miss this Shany. Though the music remains of quality, the same cannot (always) be said about her most recent visual delivery. Sadly that’s often the price to pay (no pun intended) when you opt for the independent route, which is quite unfortunate because Team Ashanti did a great job establishing her as a visual artist, from this to ‘Rain On Me’ and ‘Only U’, the singer-actress has an ability to truly elevate her sound to the next level by way of amazing imagery.

Still, it’s refreshing to see an artist who stands by their beliefs and their art.

May the future be bright for the stunner and see her star shine as bright as it was once.

‘Braveheart’, in stores now.

Your thoughts?

Microwave music maven Rihanna may have passed on putting out new music last year (due to insurmountable competition), however it appears the star is looking to make quite the splash in 2014.

For, in a move few could have anticipated, film house DreamWorks have announced that the 25-year-old is piecing together a concept album based around their animated movie ‘Home’ – which will hit stores in November.

As at writing, the release will serve as the first new material from the model since 2012’s ‘Unapologetic’.

Details below…

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It was billed as “the comeback”. However, after a week of availability, the flame that heated the buzz for Mariah Carey‘s new single ‘You’re Mine (Eternal)’ has but burned out.

As at writing, the track sits at #376 on US iTunes. Yes, three-hundred-and-seventy-six.

A tale of unfortunate proportions, the placing sees the song chart under releases that impacted several years ago. Indeed, the likes Beyonce’s ‘Halo’ (2008), Rihanna’s ‘We Found Love’ (2011), and even Nicki Minaj’s ‘Super Bass’ (2010), all rank higher on the tally. Even Mario’s ‘Let Me Love You’ (2004) places above ‘Mine’.

And granted a rebound is plausible as the cut has just been sent to radio and further performances are lined up, the jaw-dropping dip suggests only a marginal rise is likely.

So what is the “problem”?

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Over a decade before current effort ‘You’re Mine (Eternal)’ blasted on to airwaves, Mariah Carey released one of her most underrated singles. This week’s From The Vault is 2001’s ‘Loverboy’.

Taken from the ill-fated and criminally overlooked ‘Glitter’, the easy-breezy track served as the launching single of the album, Mimi’s first release under her new and (then)record-breaking contract with Virgin Records.

Helmed by Carey alongside producer Clark Kent and built around a sample of wedding-anthem ‘Candy’ by Cameo – who’s lead singer is featured on one of the two versions that were released – ‘Boy’ was a US #2 hit for the diva. Unfortunately, it never matched this success overseas, making it one of the singer’s lowest charting singles abroad. Since then, a number her releases have had a similar fate. But we digress.

Sidenote: this very song is considered the reason behind the alleged feud between Mariah and Jennifer Lopez. Lambily, see you in the comments section to explain why.

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The ‘Loverboy’ videos, directed by “the” David Lachapelle displayed a blonder Mariah than the world was used to, with shorter shorts and a now-infamous double-handkerchief bra.

Of course, in an era of visuals such ‘Blurred Lines’,’ Pour It Up’, ‘Partition’, and much of Mimi’s 00’s output, the clip’s raunch seems tame. Yet, at the time it caused quite a stir for being too racy with critics blasting Carey for trying too hard to compete with younger starlets such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera… and Jennifer Lopez.

Thankfully, gone are the days where the ‘Never Too Far’ songstress was an outright laughing stock. Indeed through stellar music, performances, and carefully constructed reminders of past achievements, Ms. Carey-Cannon is widely regarded as one of the most gifted talents of all-time.

Do we think she overdoes her “sexy” these days to conceal/compensate for shortcomings elsewhere? Perhaps. What is certain, though, is that if she’s able to keep the hits a’coming, her adamance to share her “particulars” wouldn’t bother us.

Peep the video for the ‘Loverboy’ remix – featuring Cameo, Da Brat, and Ludacris – below…

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Film. Music. Fashion.

Pulling from Benny Medina‘s ‘Media Domination for Dummies’ handbook this year is Pop princess Rita Ora, employed as she readies the release of her US debut.

Indeed, in a move that sees her step into a mould carved out by Jennifer Lopez, the vocalist has now embedded herself in the aforementioned arts, using their platforms to both fund and promote her bourgeoning career in music.

In short, she’s set to become unavoidable.

Now watch as she kicks off her plans for world domination on a shoot with Madonna‘s ‘Material Girl’, launched as part of her arrangement with the brand, for whom she serves as a spokeswoman!

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Pitbull seems to have found the key to success – co-stars!  Just ask Enrique Iglesias, Christina Aguilera, Ne-Yo, and Jennifer Lopez as they’ve all assisted or been assisted by the hit-making Latino rapper over the past two years.

Now, in co-star Ke$ha, the pop emcee has found a new chart-topper in ‘Timber’ as reports surfaced today the tune is set to hit #1 upon the Billboard Hot 100’s forthcoming refreshing tomorrow.

Ousting 4-week champions Eminem & Rihanna‘s ‘Monster’ out of the top spot, ‘Timber’s ascension comes after weeks of playing second fiddle to the second rap-pop combo from Em & Ri – the follow-up to 2010’s ‘Love the Way You Lie’.  But, will Pit and Ke$h’s run atop the tally be short-lived?

If you ask Katy Perry & Juicy J, the answer may soon be “yes”…

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Months may separate the world from her third studio album, but that hasn’t stopped Nicki Minaj from frequenting many a chart by way of 2012’s ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ and the numerous Hip-Hop efforts she lent a verse to in 2013.

This year, it’s her take on PTAF‘s ‘Boss Ass B*tch’ that’s brought her good news in the last seven days, whipping the digital community into a sassy frenzy and boosting her stock on Billboard’s Social 50!

Good news below…

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With over 100,000 votes cast, the time has finally arrived for the winners of the That Grape Juice End of Year Awards 2013 to be announced!  The last week has seen category winners change almost hourly.

However, upon the penultimate cut-off point, the final list saw many last minute surprises.

Check out the full list of winners below (in bold). Prepare yourselves for wait awaits…

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If money talks, today sees it ‘fix its lips’ to praise the 10 highest paid women in music, congratulating them on a job well done this year!

Indeed, using accurate data pulled from their managers, RIAA, their attorneys, Pollstar and Nielsen SoundScan, Forbes have compiled the official list of the year’s highest earning Pop belles, featuring appearances by Beyonce, Madonna, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Lady GaGa.

Who made what and how?

Details below…

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Consider your favourite artist one of the best vocalists of all time?

If so, you’ll be interested to learn of Yahoo’s brand new list, naming their Top 250 female singers of the 20th century- compiled with the aid of Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, Past perfect, Amazon, Cynamans, UGO, Listverse, Rocklist, Essence, Timout, Acclaimed Music, and Youtube. 

Sure to surprise some while pleasing others, the list comes courtesy of vocal teacher/songwriter Jessica Eisenberg, responsible for the message placed above the Top 250 below!

Check it out…

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#Fighters rejoice!

For, reports have surfaced that your Grammy-winning leader Christina Aguilera is one of the latest names added to the performers list at this Sunday’s American Music Awards showing. Said to be on hand to render a live rendition of her latest tune ‘Say Something’ with A Great Big World, the visit will mark Xtina’s fourth visit to the annual award show in as many years.

The report follows news that newcomer Ariana Grande will also take the stage to make her AMA debut via a two song medley. The big voiced divas join the likes of performers Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, TLC, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, and many more.

Catch all these performances and more live Sunday, November 24th at 8/7c on ABC!

Your thoughts?

Kelly Rowland‘s flirtation with EDM in 2010 yielded chart smashes such as ‘Commander’ and ‘When Love Takes Over’. It’s little surprise, then, that the singer re-embraces the sound on her new collaboration with Pitbull.

Christened ‘That High’, the track appears on the dance-floor titan’s latest album ‘Global Warming: Meltdown’ – which hits stores on November 25th.

With the release around the corner, the LP -which also features Ke$ha, Jennifer Lopez, and Mohombi – has officially been made available to stream.

Take a listen to Ms. Kelly’s cut, and the rest of the LP after the jump…

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