Friday, August 31, 2007
posted by Sam at 7:07 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |

Like many other artists this year, Trey Songz has seen the release of his new album 'Trey Day' pushed back on numerous occasions. Now re-scheduled for an October 2nd release, the CD will be preceded by this new single 'Can't Help But Wait' - which was penned by Johnta Austin. I'm liking the song and the video; I found both to be pretty engaging. It's kinda hard to believe that Trey has yet to fully blow up, seeing as he's very talented. Here's hoping this album garners him the recognition he deserves.

What do you think of the song/video?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 6:45 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
R&B singer Fantasia's home was featured on an episode of MTV Cribs earlier this week. As you'll see, the house is amazing. I've kinda tired of the show, but it's always good to see genuine talent reap the rewards of their success. Check out the vids below {Thanks Selena!}:

Part 1



Part 2


Part 3

Your thoughts?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 6:11 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
Despite the poor performance of the singles released from his 'Curtis' album so far, 50 Cent remains confident of his chances of coming out on top in his chart battle with Kanye West. Speaking with San Diego’s 93.3 radio station yesterday (August 30th), he said:
“Its not possible for Kanye to beat me, I don’t know why I said that. Its like the teddy bear vs. the gorilla. Def Jam [West’s label] is going to buy about 200,000 of Kanye’s records. Kanye sucks, I’m going to be honest, he sounds like a robot, he has a robot record.”

Their albums need to hurry up and drop already; it's gonna be a interesting to see 50 justify his losing (which seems inevitable now). We all know he won't stay true to his word and retire if Kanye tops him (one can only dream), but he'll be more of a joke than he already is.

What do you think of 50's comments?

Labels: ,

 
posted by Sam at 10:43 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |

Following the success of her debut single 'Lip Gloss', Lil' Mama is back with 2nd single 'G-Slide / Tour Bus'. The video for the track premiered on Yahoo's Launch and BET Access Granted last night. Though not immediately as catchy as her debut, 'G-Slide' is pretty good - it's a grower. As for the video, Lil' Mama serves up more of the same great choreography and fun vibes that made the 'Lip Gloss' vid so good. I'm really liking the way doing things 'different', instead of following the norm - she reminds me of a little Missy Elliott'. This 17 year old is definitely one to watch out for.

What do you think of the video?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 5:44 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
A, somewhat, bitter Irv Gotti spoke out on Ashanti in an interview with Wendy Williams yesterday (August 30th). The INC president admitted to having an affair with the 'Only U' singer...while he was still married. He went on to make sly comments about Ashanti's now-shelved new single 'Switch'. Gotti's outburst seems to stem from his belief that the singer was 'disloyal' during the label's much publicised legal woes a few years back.

What an idiot. The affair is hardly shocking - we all know how they were all getting down back then (See: Superhead's book). He claims to be all about his business, yet he doesn't seem too smart. Disloyal or not, Ashanti is still signed to the INC (though her album will drop via Universal/Motown) and is their best bet at chart success; I mean I don't see Ja's project doing anything. Anyway, you can listen to the interview below:

LISTEN: Irv Gotti - Wendy Williams Interview

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 5:19 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
Rihanna recently shot the video for 'Hate That I Love You' (ft. Ne-Yo), the fourth single from her 'Good Girl Gone Bad' album in Santa Monica, California. I can understand why the label rushed through releasing her past CD's, but the rate she's dropping singles and videos now is a joke; and it's kinda showing too - 'Shut Up & Drive', the album's 2nd single, has stalled on the charts. Anyway, be on the lookout for the Anthony Mandler directed video in the coming weeks.


What do you think of the pics?

Labels:

 
Thursday, August 30, 2007
posted by Sam at 7:36 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
According to Hits Daily Double, the video for Kelly Rowland's long-awaited (and much needed) new single 'Ghetto' (ft. Snoop Dogg) will debut on September 10th on BET's 106 & Park. Be sure to check it out. {Source}

It's about time! Aside from the fact that its been 5 months since 'Like This' came out, 'Ghetto' is doing real good on Urban radio so dropping the video soon is a must.

Your thoughts

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 6:19 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |


The video for Chris Brown's new single 'Kiss Kiss' debuted today on BET's 106 & Park. I'm guessing the fact that I'm not a fan of the song is hindering me from liking the otherwise decent video. Still, Chris delivers with the choreography (as usual) and it definitely trumps the mess that was the 'Wall to Wall' video.

What do you think of the video?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 5:12 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
I know you don't usually see Britney Spears around these sides and neither do I have a particular interest in her music, yet it's evident her 'comeback' is an event in itself. Two new tracks from her forthcoming album have surfaced today; first single 'Gimme More' and 'Cold As Fire' (written by T-Pain).

Nate 'Danjahandz' Hills ('Promiscuous', 'SexyBack' etc) produced 'Gimme More', which is slated to be Britney's comeback single. I'm liking the track's urban/electro feel - it sits comfortably next to a lot of Rihanna's most recent material. Though the song is nothing groundbreaking, it should do enough to earn her another hit.

Having listened to the second track, 'Cold as Fire', it's evident which direction she's opted to take - a Pop/R&B/Electro fusion. The track, which was written by T-Pain (damn...he's on everything!), is 'ok' - it seems like a grower.

What do you think: Hits or Misses?

LISTEN: Gimme More
LISTEN: Cold As Fire

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 3:40 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |


Keyshia Cole performed her smash hit 'Let It Go' on Yahoo's Pepsi Smash recently. She has really stepped it up with the live performances as of late and I thought she did pretty good here - although the choreography was kinda 'amerteurish'. Still, it's her voice that she's loved for, so it's all good.

In other Keyshia news, 'Let It Go' is currently the #1 most played track on US radio. The video for the track also occupies the top spot on BET's 106 & Park.

What do you think of the performance?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 10:19 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
Following the controversy surrounding his comments on black women, producer Polow Da Don has has spoken out - again justifying his comments:
AllHipHop.com: So do you stand by your statements?

Polow Da Don: Oh definitely. It has nothing to do with me, these effects. I didn’t make this stuff up. Only thing where people got misled is that I said I prefer a White woman, and that’s not the case at all. Really, I date all types of women. It was a stage in my life when I started dating a lot of White women- that was just a stage in my life. Right now, I date girls I like. I don’t base it off of any shade or color when I meet a girl now. They linked my comments about the Black family and Black women with the “King of the White Girls” and [the fact that] I dated White girls. That’s where it all went wrong. So when I was comparing Black women to White women, that has zero to do with me dating White women. What I was saying was factual though. Ladies and gentlemen agreed, n****s and b******s got mad.
{Source}
Talk about pouring fuel on fire...

What do you think about his latest comments?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 9:03 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
A host of stars came out to celebrate with Jermaine Dupri at the opening of his new nightclub, Studio 72, in Atlanta last night. Celebs in attendance included Usher and wife Tameka Foster, Nelly, Monica and T-Boz. As expected Dupri's girlfriend, Janet Jackson (who was looking on-point), accompanied the hit-maker to the event.


What do you think of the pics?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 7:14 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |

Soulja Boy stopped by BET's 106 & Park earlier this week to perform his smash hit 'Crank That'. I liked the performance, though he must be one of the first rapper's I've seen use a backing track...it's all good though. Though some of our international visitors may not know who he is, they will do soon. 'Crank That' as well the dance that goes along with it have taken the US by storm; where the song currently sits at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is still rising.

What do you think of the performance?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 5:45 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
Since the much hyped finale of 'Making The Band 4' this past Sunday, many have been looking for the ballad version of the group's song 'I Want You Exclusive' - which was performed during the live telecast. You can listen to the track below. I'm definitely liking this one; it'd be good if they recorded this version in the studio.

What do you think of the song?

LISTEN: I Want You Exclusive (Live Ballad Version)

Labels:

 
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
posted by Sam at 11:58 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
Click pics to enlarge
Judging by these pics (and these), the video for Jennifer Lopez's comeback single 'Do It Well' looks like it's gonna be interesting. I really think she's redeemed herself with this song, so here's hoping the video does it justice. Be on the lookout for it in the weeks ahead. {Spotted at Crunk N' Disorderly}

What do you think of the pics?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 10:42 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
Though Amerie's third album, 'Because I Love It' has been a moderate success over here in Europe - spawning two UK top 10 singles, the CD's US release seems to be in jeopardy. Following a number of push-backs, the CD was re-scheduled for Stateside release in 'Summer 2007 ', yet it's status now reads 'TBD' (to be decided). Sources are claiming that the 'One Thing' singer will soon be (or may have already been) dropped by her US label.

I felt the album was very solid and it's a shame that her US label don't know what to with it. Label aside, the American market doesn't seem to warm to Amerie (just like Kelis). Still, things continue to be on the up for her across the pond in Europe; both 'Take Control' and 'Gotta Work' did well on the charts and she is prepping the release of her third single 'Crush' (the album's best track IMO).

Why can't Amerie crack the US market?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 10:05 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
Singer Keyshia Cole graces the cover of Sister 2 Sister magazine's October issue. Though I'd say she's looking good, something feels a little off with the shot - can't think what it is though...

What do you think of the cover?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 8:44 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
Upon hearing the snippet of Alicia Keys' new single 'No One' last week, I was kinda sceptical about the track as well as the direction of her forthcoming album 'As I Am'. However, having listened to the track in it's entirety, I'm definitely liking it more. This soulful mid-tempo isn't far removed from the sound she has channeled on her past efforts and is sure to please fans and critics alike. Alicia's third studio album 'As I Am' hits stores November 13th.

Hit or Miss?

LISTEN: No One (Full Track) {Updated Link}

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 7:49 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
Don't usually do this, but I thought to take a minute to wish Michael Jackson a Happy Birthday. The undisputed King of Pop turned 49 today. I'm just hoping he hurries up and drops that new album of his to remind the imitators, and the world at large, of who really sits at the top.

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 7:48 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
R&B star Chris Brown features in the October issue of VIBE magazine. In the interview, Brown (attempts) to explain his way with the ladies:
“I’ve had girlfriends, but it’s different. Not jump-offs! Like, you don’t be like, ‘That’s my girl,’ but you know when you hang with her, it’s like … friends with benefits. If I’m singling out one girl, think about all the other girls who are falling in love with me in that club. What they gon’ think? So it’s like, I have a relationship with every girl. It’s like every girl is my girlfriend.”
{Source}
Having tried to make sense of what he said, the only thing I did understand was that it sounded like nonsense. I'm not too sure Chris knew what he meant either lol. With all this talk of 'friends with benefits', it's hard to think that the boy only just turned 18. SMH...

In other Chris Brown news, a video for the remix of his current single 'Wall to Wall' featuring Jadakiss premiered last night:

Though the song has grown on me a little, it's still sub-par as - is this video. I don't know why his label are beating a dead horse; the song is bonafide flop - peaking at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100.

What do you think of his comments / video?

Labels:

 
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
posted by Sam at 10:47 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |

It turns out Akon's 'apology' in his current single 'Sorry, Blame It Me' isn't as personal as he would have us believe. Check out the report via TMZ:
Akon, hip-hop singer and amateur concertgoer tosser, is singing a new tune — “Sorry, Blame It On Me” — where he offers apologies for his recent troublesome events — including lewd dancing at a club in Trinidad with a 14-year-old pastor’s daughter, and causing Verizon to dump their sponsorship of Gwen Stefani’s tour, reportedly because of Akon’s shenanigans. Someone’s had a busy summer!

TMZ inside sources reveal that Akon did not pen the song. Say what?! It seems DJ and producer Clinton Sparks actually wrote the entire ballad — even though his credit is listed as co-writer and producer. Sparks will fly!

This leaves many wondering if Akon’s apology is more of a publicity stunt to capitalize on his bad decisions. An insincere apology? From a man who allegedly practices polygamy? Say it ain’t so!
I can't say I'm surprised by this...

Your thoughts?

*I'll be leaving later LA today :( so updates may be a bit slower than usual. Be sure to keep it locked on That Grape Juice though, as there are some great things in the works upon my return to the UK. The interviews with Jagged Edge and Johnta Austin will DEFINITELY be up before the week is out*

Labels:

 
Monday, August 27, 2007
posted by Sam at 1:20 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
After establishing herself as a successful song-writer, Solange Knowles has signed a worldwide co-publishing deal with EMI Records. Having already co-penned hits for her sister Beyonce ('Get Me Bodied', 'Upgrade U' etc), the deal will see Solange earn a nice percentage of rights to any song she (co)writes. She will also receive more writing opportunties for other artists. The youngest of the Knowles clan is currently in the studio recording her sophomore album 'Solange & The Hadley Street Dreams'. {Source}

Though Solange has mainly written in-house for Music World artists i.e. Beyonce, Kelly Rowland etc, this is definitely a good look for her. Hate on them all you want, but you can't deny the Knowles' work ethic - everyone's doing their thing. I know Matthew ain't standing for no freeloading LeToya Jackson's in his family lol.

Your thoughts?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 12:32 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |

The video for Common's latest single 'Drivin' Me Wild' premiered today on MTV's TRL. I've been feeling this track for a while now and I'm glad it got the single treatment. It definitely serves as one of the Chi-Town rapper's best video's yet. The UK's own Lily Allen features in the song and video also. Damon Dash makes a brief cameo too.

What do you think of the video?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 8:55 AM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
Hit-maker Polow Da Don sparked controversy with his comments about 'white girls brain game' several months back. The producer, whose hits include Ciara's 'Promise', spoke more on his self-proclaimed status of 'King of the White Girls' in an interview with AllHipHop.com. Check out what he had to say:
AllHipHop.com: Now, you call yourself the “King of All White Girls.” Elaborate on that for me.

Polow Da Don: Just the “King of the White Girls.” I ain’t self proclaimed but I run with it. [Laughs] There was a stage in my life where I went crazy with dating white women. I have nothing against black women, but they’re raised differently. White women are raised to respect and serve their men. Black women are taught to question [their men]. Black women look at submission as being weak. White women look at submission as being a woman. And anyone who has a problem with this statement is ignorant. Just look at the divine order; it goes man, woman, child.

{Source}
Interesting lol. I'm sure many eyebrows will be raised with this one...

Your thoughts?

Labels:

 
Sunday, August 26, 2007
posted by Sam at 11:38 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
As Keyshia Cole's current single 'Let It Go' continues to climb the charts, a new song from her forthcoming 'Just Like You' CD has surfaced. Produced by Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins, 'Shoulda Let You Go' is a great mid-tempo track that I feel has a lot of hit potential if it were to be released as a single. Though a good thing, I must say that the track does resemble Mary J Blige's 'Enough Crying' on a number of fronts - including production, vocal arrangements and subject matter. Anyway, this track has me even more hyped for Keyshia's album (due September 25th).

Hit or Miss?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 10:58 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
It's been a while since we've heard any new material from Capitol recording group Cherish. However, as the quartet continue to work on their currently untitled sophomore effort (due in 2008), a new track has surfaced called 'Shoe Fanatic'. Though the song's subject is kinda 'blah', I'm liking this. The production is on-point and the girls ride the beat nicely. I'm actually anticipating the group's new CD; the first album was pretty good and it seems they've found their niche - the fun uptempo's.

Hit or Miss?

LISTEN: Shoe Fanatic

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 8:42 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
{Danity Kane and Diddy backstage at the finale}
All five members of Danity Kane made a surprise appearance at tonight's' grand finale of 'Making The Band 4'. Sitting alongside Diddy, the ladies - as well as the Bad Boy head himself - reaffirmed that the group is still together despite the rumors and misunderstandings. Diddy went on to announce that the girls will be heading into the studio in the coming weeks to start recording the follow-up to their Platinum selling debut 'Danity Kane'. The album is set to be released early next year and will be followed by a tour with the winners of the current season of the hit MTV show.

It was good to see ladies put on a united front after what has been a pretty messy few months. Considering it's common knowledge that Diddy screwed them over, I'm glad he's re-focusing on the group. A sidenote: It was great TV watching them fake-smile their way through the interview with Diddy; something made all the more evident by Dawn's distant body language (I'm gonna try and have a video up soon). Still, it's good that they've ironed out their differences.

Your thoughts?

Labels:

 
posted by Sam at 8:09 PM
Share: del.icio.us | Digg it | reddit | My Yahoo |
*Please don't continue reading if you don't want to know who wins*

Boy, I'm good! I called it exactly how it turned out (well sort of). The winners of 'Making The Band 4' were just announced in a one hour special on MTV. Instead of creating a four-piece - as originally planned - Diddy opted to make a five man group. The following guys made the final cut:

From left to right: Willie, Brian A, Qwanell, Mike and Robert

In a shock twist at the end, Diddy announced that Donnie, who (rightfully IMO) didn't make the band, will be offered a solo deal with Bad Boy.

I definitely feel the right guys made the group, they're all real talented. As I keep saying, I hope Diddy does right by them because they have the potential to be big.

What do you think of the winners?

Labels: