Still going strong today, Mary’s story really is a testament to the notion that true talent will always shine. Good stuff.

Your thoughts?

Bootylicious

Work

She nailed it! I really enjoyed the ‘Like This’ performance.

What do you think of the performances?

Amid all the talk about music no longer selling, rapper Lil’ Wayne’s much anticipated LP ‘Tha Carter III’ looks set to break the first week sales records of this year – as well as that of the last few years also:

“The excessive leaks and bootlegging of Lil Wayne’s new album haven’t prevented it from being a hot seller: The rapper’s “Tha Carter III” sold 423,000 copies in its first day of release, according to Billboard magazine. With such sales, Lil Wayne is on pace to sell about 900,000 copies of the CD in its first week and post the best sales debut of the year”. {Source}

That really is an amazing feat. It goes to show that Wayne’s undeniable presence in the industry, most especially within the last few years, is not going unrewarded.

Any thoughts?

That Grape Juice reported back in Febraury that Amerie was on the verge of signing with Def Jam. According to Contact Music, the singer’s move to the LA Reid headed label, which is the home of Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Ne-Yo etc, became finalized recently. Check out the report below:

Singer AMERIE is set to undergo a career overhaul – after signing a deal with the record label which turned RIHANNA into an international superstar.

The 1 Thing hitmaker has parted ways with Columbia Records and inked a deal with Def Jam, the company that secured the massive track Umbrella for Rihanna last year (07), catapulting her to global fame.
And Amerie, who has previously released two albums to moderate success, is hoping the new contract with Def Jam will help boost her career to even greater heights.

A source tells Britain’s Daily Star newspaper, “Amerie’s first two albums did well, but she’s ready to step it up a gear now.

“She was offered a deal too good to turn down and the promise to build upon her reputation for classy and sexy R&B.”

On a personal note, as a supporter of real talent, I am real pleased for Amerie and optimistic about what the future holds for her. If Def Jam can do what they’ve done with Rihanna for the much more talented Amerie (IMO), then she really may be in with a chance of hitting it BIG.

Your thoughts?

I really liking the song and felt they did a pretty good job of it live. Random tidbit: Keyshia was looking and sounding a lot better than she has in a while.

The Game’s new album ‘L.A.X’ hits stores July 22nd.

What do you think of the performance?

Great performance. I’m really liking the song.

What do you think of the performance?

Despite the Akon/Nelly assisted ‘Body On Me’ having been confirmed as the second single to be lifted from Ashanti’s ‘The Declaration’ LP, it is now being reported that the Jermaine Dupri produced ‘Good Good’ (which you can listen to above) will serve as her next official single (going for adds at radio June 16th). In the meanwhile, ‘Body On Me’ is slated to be one of two of Nelly’s follow-ups to current single ‘Party People’, the other being ‘Stepped On My J’s (ft. Ciara). {Source}

I’m really liking both tracks and, more so than that, the convergence between both Ashanti and Nelly’s projects.

Your thoughts?

Keri’s LP is definitely one of the few I’m really looking out for this year. I really see her doing BIG things this year and beyond.

Are you checking for Keri Hilson?

Though her career is in dire need of a resuscitation at present, there’s no denying she’s one hell of a performer; her rendition of ‘Get Right’ reminded me of how baffled I was at why the song wasn’t as big as it should have been -a great track, which she nails performance-wise each and every time. Random tidbit: it really seems like just yesterday that J. LO ruled the music scene. I guess it goes to show, you’re only as big as your last hit – Rihanna and co, take note.

What do you think of the performance?

Watching this really has me remembering how dominant (deservedly) the ladies were back in the day. In an industry filled with singers whose list of talents don’t include actually being able to sing, both Brandy and Monica still stand as welcomed rarities in the R&B field. I’m really anticipating both of their forthcoming LP’s.

Your thoughts?