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

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?

Labels: Mariah Carey

Speaking to The Guardian newspaper, songstress Estelle expressed her views on what she described as the blindness to black talent here in the UK. Taking aim at some of the artists at the forefront of the 'White Soul Invasion', the 28 year old singer, whose song 'American Boy' is currently #1 on the Official Singles Chart, laments on the lack of press attention paid to black singers over here:

Singling out Adele and Duffy, who she knocked off the number one spot at the weekend, she says:

“I’m not mad at them, but I’m wondering - how the hell is there not a single black person in the press singing soul? Adele ain’t soul. She sounds like she heard some Aretha records once, and she’s got a deeper voice - that don’t mean she’s soul. That don’t mean nothing to me in the grand scheme of my life as a black person. As a songwriter, I get what they do. As a black person, I’m like: you’re telling me this is my music? Fuck that!” {Continue reading...}

Granted I feel music is one of the few 'universals' that exist today, I definitely see where Estelle is coming from - especially as a black person who lives here in the UK.

Your thoughts?

Labels: Estelle

While Mario continues to impress on Dancing With The Stars, the 21 year old's music career seems to be receiving a much-needed new lease of life. According to AllAccess.com, fan-favourite 'Music For Love', from his grossly underrated 'Go!' album, has been lined up as his next single and will be going for adds on radio tomorrow (April 1st). Whether or not the release will get the video treatment is unknown, however I must say I'm glad the masses will get a chance to listen to this track - which IMO is Mario's best song, hands-down.

Labels: Mario

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.

Labels: Michelle Williams

Sean 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?

After 50 Cent's loss in the high-profile September 11th album showdown with rapper Kanye West last year, much, if not all, promotion surrounding his 'Curtis' LP ground to a halt. In a recent interview with MTV, the G-Unit leader spoke candidly on the album and what went wrong:

“It was a blockbuster that I lit, and it didn’t explode. I felt like it should have went a lot further than the results I received … Publicly, I feel that 50 Cent fans don’t believe it was a dud. It did have ‘I Get Money,’ it did have ‘Ayo Technology,’ ‘I’ll Still Kill,’ ‘Follow My Lead’ with Robin Thicke. These records were hit records, but the timing they came out was wrong. If the first record you heard off Curtis was ‘I Get Money,’ it would have shifted more millions in sales.”

Granted 50 can be overly egotistical a lot of the time, I actually agree with some of what he's saying. While I don't look at 'Curtis' as any kind of 'blockbuster', I do feel things may have gone differently had the single choices been better. I guess he won't be so fast as to run his mouth next time around...then again, it is 50.

Your thoughts?

Labels: 50 Cent

Definitely one of the 90's best R&B/Hip-Hop collaborations IMO. Watching this back kinda makes Foxy's current predicament (still incarcerated) all the more annoying; such a talent wasting away. Here's hoping she sorts herself out and gets back to what made her who she is: the music.

Your thoughts?

Labels: From The Vault

R&B star Estelle's current smash 'American Boy' begins its second week atop of the Official UK Singles Chart. The song, which also occupies the top spot on the Official Download Chart, fended off competition from Flo'Rida's 'Low' (which sits at #2) and Madonna's '4 Minutes To Save The World (which climbs #7-#5 this week). The Londoner's new album 'Shine', her first release under John Legend's Homeschool Records, hits stores here in the UK tomorrow.

Labels: Estelle

"They said I couldn't do it solo!" Kudos to Kelly, she did great.

What do you think of the performance?

Labels: Kelly Rowland

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?

Labels: Mariah Carey

'Misses Glass' is one of two new tracks from the revamped US version of Leona's debut album 'Spirit'. The uptempo cut injects a much-needed lease of life into 'Spirit's' ballad-laden form. What's more, with its 'Pop-meets-light R&B' sound, the Mad Scientist produced track should appeal to the mass US audience. 'Spirit' hits stores in the US on April 8th.

Labels: Leona Lewis

A fully recovered Janet Jackson (who had been suffering from the flu) was one of many stars who stepped out for the 2008 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in Hollywood last night. Other celebs in attendance included Chris Brown and Rihanna (separately), Will Smith, Akon, Jordin Sparks, Jermaine Dupri, Lil’ Mama and Usher. It’s been so long since I tuned into one of these awards – getting older I guess. Anyway, enough of my rambling, check out more pics from the event below:

What do you think of the pics?

For some reason, Black Eyed Peas front man Will.i.am seems intent on continuing his solo assault on the charts - this time in the form of new single 'Heartbreaker'. The track, which surprisingly features Cheryl Cole - a member of UK group Girls Aloud, is pretty awful, as is its accompanying 'tight budget' video. Kudos to Will for trying though. Saying that, I hope hope and hope that this isn't the kind of material he's working on with Michael Jackson (shudders at the thought).

What do you think of the song / video?

Labels: Will.i.am

The guys did a great job; they started off a little shaky, but definitely picked things up toward the end. Good stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

Labels: Day26

With 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.

Your thoughts?

Labels: Michelle Williams

Following Remy Ma's conviction an major assault charges earlier this week, her rumored boyfriend, rapper Papoose, has spoken out - in an email to MTV - announcing that they will tie the knot in prison - next week:

"We always wanted to keep our personal lives personal, so that's why we never went public with our relationship," he wrote in an e-mail to MTV News. "Right now, I just feel like she gotta live through me. Yes, we were scheduled to be married on a yacht April 27th. But due to circumstances beyond our control, we are now making arrangements to be married in prison." Click here to read more

Erm...this whole episode seems to be getting more bizarre with each story {imagines Remy in her wedding dress...}

Labels: Papoose, Remy Ma

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?

Labels: Beyonce

Thank you all those who entered our 'EA Games Easter Give-Away' competition. The correct answer to the question:

1) Jasma Anderson

2) Anna Asare-Mensah

3) Casey Baker

4) Imran Butt

5) Daryl Campbell-Gayle

6) Amar Dattani

7) Edirin Eruesegbefe

8) Difu Ilobi

9) Naomi Jackman

10) Anthony Jaiyeola

11) Louise Martin

12) Christian Medrano

13) Jashub O'Brien

14) Otis Peters

15) Briana Peterson

16) Ryan Taylor

17) Robert Whiterod

Congratulations to the winners! Remember to keep it locked on That Grape Juice for future competitions.

Many thanks to EA Games (UK)

Labels: Competition

With Trina set to release her new album 'Still Da Baddest' on April 1st, the video for the set's second single 'I Got A Thang For You' made its debut today. Featuring Keyshia Cole, the video is pretty good and does the equally as good song justice. I've been feeling a lot of Trina's new material and will definitely be checking for the album.

*For those still patiently awaiting That Grape Juice's interview with Trina, hold tight, it will be posted next week*

What do you think of the video?

Labels: Trina

Actor Terrence Howard appears in the latest issue of GIANT magazine. Check out a few *interesting* quotes from his feature:

“It’s so hard to find a good woman who’s gonna help build the family and not be so interested in just building herself. I could be like any other male wannabe celebrity out there and hang out and date a bunch of people. Of course, there’s a beautiful opportunity to be out there and free. Why not eat up all the fruit on the trees? But the end result is that those things bring a dishonor to the family, and I will have served nobody but myself. I’ve sacrificed what I want to do for the sake of my family, and that’s what I need.”

“Sometimes men are drawn to each other and don’t know how to deal with that. So they think, ‘I must be gay!’ But we hide from the quality that is most prolific in human beings, to express love. God is love. And we remain in his image. Only one other angel is made in his image, and he became Jesus on this earth, his only begotten son. So why is it that we run from love? Why can’t men look at each other in the eye with honesty?”

Hmmm....

Anyway, you can view Terrence's full shoot for GIANT by clicking here

Your thoughts?

Labels: Terrence Howard

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.

What do you think of the pics?

Labels: Solange

Capitol recording artists Cherish have pushed back the release of their sophomore effort 'The Truth' to May 13th. The set was originally set to drop on April 29th. To coincide with the release of the record, a second single has been lined up in the form of 'Amnesia' (a video for which is set to be shot in the coming weeks). Whilst I'm liking the slow/mid-tempo cut, I feel the girls excel on their more upbeat/club-destined tracks i.e. 'Do It', 'Shoe Fanatic' and 'Keep It Fresh'. Kinda has me thinking whether this has any real chance of making an impact on the charts - a much needed occurrence for the group after the so-so performance of their last single 'Killa'.

Labels: Cherish

R&B superstar Beyonce features on the cover of the April issue of techno-gadget magazine JACK. The ‘Déjà vu’ singer appears in the mag to promote her ‘B’ Phone’ Samsung range. I’m telling you, she’s out for world domination.

Labels: Beyonce

The verdict in rapper Remy Ma's trial was handed down today; Ma, real name Remy Smith, was found guilty on four major charges - two counts of first-degree assault, attempted coercion and criminal possession of a weapon. The charges stem from a 2007 incident that saw Remy almost-fatally shoot a former friend during an argument over $3000.

Labels: Remy Ma