Following Mariah’s premiere of ‘Migrate’ during her set on ‘Saturday Night Love’ a few weeks back, the studio version of the track surfaced via Chicago’s B96 radio station yesterday. The Danja produced cut is definitely one destined for the clubs. With its hard hitting production and catchy hooks, this one has hit written all over it. As one who often has a lot to say about Mariah’s current vocal state, I really can’t fault her delivery here; she flows effortlessly over the beat and still sounds great with T-Pain’s vocoder effect. Big ballad or otherwise for the second single (‘Bye Bye’ has been confirmed), ‘Migrate’ has to be a single at some point. Good stuff. ‘E=MC²’ drops April 15th.

Hit or Miss?

Khia Is Still Talking The self-proclaimed ‘Queen of The South’ Khia is still bitching about rival Trina and Pop superstar Janet Jackson – this time via her MySpace page:

On Trina / Lil’ Wayne:

WHAT DA HELL IS BOBBLE HEAD DOING ON DAT BITCH TRINA PAGE. CUZ ONLY A FOOL’S ALBUM WILL DROP ON APRIL FOOLS. DA JOKE IS ON ANYBODY WHO BUYS IT!!!yESSSSSSSS!!!

DIS NUT BUCKET BITCH, DONE PROMOTED NASTI MUZIK!!! SHE DONE PUT POSTERS OUT WITH THE THUG MISSES NAME ON IT. THANK U BITCH!!! SOMEBODY DONE GAVE DIS HO COURAGE JUICE. I THOUGHT SHE LEARNED FROM THE DISS RECORD. HELL…. YALL SEEN WHAT HAPPENED AFTER DAT SHE LOST HER MAN…… FROM WHOM I HAVE EVER INTENTION ON MAKING MINE…… DATS RIGHT WEEEEEEZY!!!!!YESSSSSSSSS!!! THE QUEEN HAS CHOSEN. YALL AINT SEEN HER SHE DONE LOST WEIGHT AND FROM DA LOOKS OF THANGS. THIS IS WRONG TIME FOR HER TO EVEN THINK TO PUT OUT A ALBUM. ALL I COULD THINK OF IS HOW SHE NEEDED TO CONTINUE WITH PEDIALITE AND ENSURE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE BREAST FEED DIS BITCH? OR SHOULD I DO IT SINCE MY TITTIES LOOK LIKE DEY SLEEP!!!! OR IS IT DAT IM DA ONLY BITCH DAT CAN PRODUCE SWEET MILK. ASK WEEEEEEEZY!!!!! I LUVVVVVVVV HIM. I WANNA BE HIS LADY!!!!!!!!

YA SEE!!! DATS THE DIFFENCE BETWEEN ME AND DA BITCH TRINA!! SHE SINGLE AGAIN AND BACK ON DA PROWL. I WANNA BE WEEZY’S LADY AND HAVE HIS BABY. DA DIFFENCE BETWEEN QUEENS AND HO’S!!!!

ALL MY FANS….. LETS ALL SAY IT TOGETHER……….. THANK U TRINA FOR ALL DA PROMOTION!!!!!!

PS. MS NIVEA…… GO BACK TO YA HUSBAND…… AND QUIT CREEPIN WIT MY MAN!!!! UR A MOTHER NOW!!!!!!!

THUG MISSES “LIVE AND OUTLOUD!!!!!!!”””

On Janet:

LET’S TALK BOUT JANET!!!!!!!!!!MS. JACKSON IF U NASTI!!! BEIN A KHIA HATA. U KNOW DERS A LOT OF DEM….. LURKIN AROUND….UNDERCOVER HATIN!!! CUZ YESSSSSSSSS!!!!! DATS WHAT SHE DID. IM SICK AND TIRED WITH THEM CONFUSING DA TRUTH WIT ME TRYNA PROMOTE MY NEW ALBUM. MY FANS KNOW I DONT NEED HER TO DO SHYT TO HELP PROMOTE NO ALBUMS!!!!!

DA QUESTION WAS…… WHY WAS I ON DAT IN TV….. LOOKING LIKE A OLD ALFRED HITCHCOCK FILM!!!!!!! IN BLACK AND WHITE!!!!! TELL ME WHATS REALLY GOING ON. WHEN I LEFT DA SET THE VIDEO DIDNT LOOK LIKE DAT!!!! FURTHERMORE….. THE FULL VIDEO WAS WORLD PREMIERE WAS FEATURED ON ACCESS GRANTED. SO WHY WAS DA QUEEN EDITED OUT!!! I KNOW IT WASNT JERMAINE….. CUZ I KNOW IT WASNT JERMAINE. HE GAVE MUCH LUV AND SHOUT OUT ON DA SHOW!!!! SO WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM JANET!!! MS. jACKSON IS A LEGEND…….. DONT MAKE ME BURN WITH DA IRON. PENNY ON GOODTIMES.

STOP IT!!!!! ULL NEVA BE MARIAH!!!!! SHE DONT HAVE TO BE INTIMIDATED BY ME. PUTTIN ME ON DAT DAMN TV!!! SHE AT HATA. DIVAS CAN BE HATAS TOO!!!

NOWWWWWWW!!!!!MYT ADVICE TO JANET. MS. JACKSON IF U NASTI!!! STOP TRYNA TO COMPETE WITH THE LITTLE GIRLS. GO TO VEGAS AND DO SIDE SHOWS WITH CELINE DION AND MAKE REAL MONEY…….. WITH DOSE TRAMPESE CIRCUS ACTS!!!

WE ALL KNOW YO TEA SINCE DA VALET ROPE. LET IT GO JANET. IF U NASTY!!!!

THE THUGMISSES SAID DAT ON LOUD AND OUTLOUD!!!!!!!!!

No comment.

Any thoughts?

Beyonce  - 'Kick 'Em Out'Beyonce’s new material seems to be coming thick and fast. Following the hysteria that ensued upon the surfacing of ‘Beautiful Nightmare’ last week, a snippet of another recently recorded track called ‘Kick ‘Em Out’ has hit the net. I’m really feeling the song, from the production to Beyonce’s flow to everything. Judging by the material heard thus far, I’m thinking she may just deliver the album we’ve been waiting to hear from her for some time now.


Hit or Miss?

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This week’s edition of ‘The Best You Never Heard’ serves up tracks from the likes of Fantasia, FDM, Mashonda and the Southern Hummingbird Tweet. You can drop me your suggestions for future installments at sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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Fantasia – Two Weeks Notice

Though the success story from Fantasia’s underrated self-titled sophomore effort was undeniably ‘When I See You’, the album definitely boasted several equally as solid tracks. One of the standouts IMO is ‘Two Weeks Notice’. With its clever word-play, as well as Fantasia’s stellar vocal delivery, this stands as one of my favourite R&B songs from the last few years.

Listen: Two Weeks Notice

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FDM – Playground

Some of our UK visitors may be aware of homegrown R&B trio FDM (formerly known as Fundmental’03). Having burst onto the scene back in 2005, the guys served up what I feel to be their best release yet in the form of ‘Playground’. Arguably ahead of its time (or market aka UK), the track didn’t really garner the attention it deserved. Still, the uptempo cut goes hard, even today. {FYI: FDM have relocated to the US having signed a joint-venture deal with Geffen/Interscope late 07. Their debut album should be hitting stores before the year is out.}

 

Listen: Playground

 

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Mashonda – Blackout (ft. Nas)
Most noted for her 2005 smash ‘Back of the Club’, as well as being the wife of hit-maker Swizz beats, R&B singer Mashonda served up the club-banger ‘Blackout’ as the second release from her admittedly terrible debut ‘January Joy’. Unsurprisingly produced by Swizz, Mashonda’s swagger compliments the gritty, street sounding beat really well. Nas’ verse adds to what is an already great track.

Listen: Blackout (ft. Nas)

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Tweet – Taxi

Lifted from Tweet’s sophomore LP ‘It’s Me Again’, ‘Taxi’ serves as a reminder of the Southern Hummingbird’s oft under-appreciated appeal. In an industry filled with gimmicks and microwaveable hits, the soulful ‘Taxi’ highlights that there is still good music and genuine talent out there.

Listen: Taxi

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Your thoughts: Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

 

Check out this video preview of Mariah Carey recording her confirmed next single ‘Bye Bye’:

At this rate, much of Mariah Carey’s ‘E=MC²’ album will have been heard before it drops. I can’t complain though, the more I hear of the album, the more amped I get for its release. Reiterating what I said yesterday, the ballads really do seem like they’ll be the saving grace of this album. ‘E=MC²’ drops April 15th.

Any thoughts?

Michelle Williams - 'We Break The Dawn'The full version of Michelle Williams’ new single ‘We Break The Dawn’ made its debut on People.com earlier today. Set to be the first release from Williams’ forthcoming LP ‘Unexpected’ (due August), the Synth-heavy track sees the former Destiny’s Child member embrace a more Pop/Dance/International sound – something we can expect to hear more of on the album as well. I’m loving the fact that Michelle wasn’t afraid to step outside of her comfort zone and try something new, as the results are evidently fantastic. A solid cut, that should (and most likely will) have many anticipating more of what Michelle has on offer. I really feel as though Michelle has a great chance of hitting it big (solo) this time around. As I’m sure most of you all know, we will be interviewing Michelle very soon. Click here to submit any questions you may have for her.

Hit or Miss?

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Sean Levert Dead At 39Sean Levert, brother of the late Gerald Levert and son of Eddie Levert Sr of The O’Jays, died late last night:

Levert, 39, died at 11:57 p.m. at Lutheran Hospital after being transported to the facility from the Cuyahoga County Jail – where he was serving time for not paying child support. Sean Levert had gone to the jail infirmary complaining he was sick.

It was in November that Sean Levert started singing again. He talked with NewsChannel5 about finishing a project — bringing the group back together — that his brother started.

Gerald Levert died Nov. 10, 2006. He was found dead in his bed at his Newbury home. {Source}

One has to really feel for Levert’s father Eddie, who has lost two sons in such a short space of time. Condolences to the Levert family.

Your thoughts?

Syleena Johnson Update Some of you may have been wondering about the whereabouts of R&B songstress Syleena Johnson, following the release of her last album ‘Chapter 3: The Flesh’ back in 2005.
After the poor performance of her last LP, Syleena severed ties with then label Jive Records in 2006. A year later the singer gave birth to her and husband Kiwane Garris’ first child – Kiwane Garris Jr in August 2007.
Having signed a deal this year with with Federal, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, Johnson’s own label Aneelys Records (Syleena spelt backwards) will release her new album ‘Chapter 4: Labor Pains’ as a joint-venture on September 2nd. {Source} Check out new promo pics for the release below:

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Syleena Johnson Update Syleena Johnson Update Syleena Johnson Update
I’m real amped for Syleena’s new album; ‘Chapter 3: The Flesh’ was one of my favourite records upon its release – I vividly remember having ‘Hypnotiq’ and ‘Another Relationship’ on constant rotation. It’s a shame the album didn’t fare as well as it could and should have – much of which can be attributed to the label’s lack of support. Here’s hoping that ‘Chapter 4’ earns Syleena the recognition she deserves.

Any thoughts?

Check out this video of Mariah Carey in the studio recording ‘Love Story’, one the tracks set to feature on her forthcoming ‘E=MC²’ LP:

This is more like it! I’m really feeling this Jermaine Dupri produced cut. Mariah definitely seems more comfortable in the studio than she does on stage, as the vocals here are near-flawless. As at now, all signs are pointing toward the ballads on the album being the standouts. Much ado has also been made about another ballad on the record called ‘Bye Bye’. I’m actually starting to feel a little more optimistic about this new album.

Your thoughts?

Michelle Williams UpdateWith Michelle Williams set to release her first secular album ‘Unexpected’ this August, new promotional shots for the album have surfaced. I’m really feeling Michelle’s new ‘look’; having listened to her new material (which is more edgy/dance-orientated); her imaging, this go-round, is something I’d been wondering about for a little while, so it’s good to see everything seeming to fit into place so well. ‘We Break The Dawn’, the album’s first single, has been confirmed to debut on People.com this coming Monday (March 31st) {Source}. For those wondering, our interview with Michelle is coming up in the next few weeks, you can still submit your questions by clicking here.

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Michelle Williams Update Michelle Williams Update Michelle Williams Update

Your thoughts?

Beyonce Speaks On 'Beautiful Nightmare' As previously reported, a new Beyonce track surfaced earlier this week, amid confusion about its origins. The Grammy Award winning singer issued the following statement on her official website addressing the situation:

Yesterday, ‘Beautiful Nightmare,’ a demo I’ve been working on for possible inclusion on my next album, leaked on some websites. I want to thank all my fans for the positive response to the song, but I want to tell you that this is just a work in progress.

It is not my time to put out new music. If you really want to hear some really great music now, you have to support my girls Kelly, Michelle and my sister Solange. Kelly just re-released her album digitally in the US, so check out Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe. Michelle is about to put out the first single, ‘We Break The Dawn,’ from her album and Solange’s single, ‘I Decided,’ is already one of my favorites.”

Granted this does seem a little scripted, I do commend this move, whoever made the call for it. Music World do have other interesting projects in the pipeline and diverting attention back to them is a good look IMO.

Your thoughts?

Solange Spotted In Miami Solange, the youngest of the Knowles clan, was snapped at the ‘Armani Exchange Icons of Dance DJ Portraits’ at the A/X Music Lounge in Miami yesterday. I must say, she really has grown into her ‘look’ and tends to be on her ‘A’ game these days. The 21 year old’s sophomore album ‘Soul Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams’ hits stores in August.

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Solange Spotted In Miami Solange Spotted In Miami Solange Spotted In Miami

What do you think of the pics?

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