R&B songstress Ashanti appears in the latest issue of Page Six magazine. The 27 year old star speaks on, among other things, her industry competition, Rihanna as well as her wedding plans:

On Her Competition:

“I’d hear a song on the radio and wish mine was next. But I respect a lot of the artists who’ve come along since I was out, especially Rihanna. She’s smart and she’s worked the business instead of having the business work her.”

On Her Wedding Plans:

“I’ve been planning my wedding in my head since I was a little girl, and it just keeps getting more elaborate. I’m a huge fan of the Caribbean, so if I don’t get married in New York, it would have to be on the beach.”

I welcome her honesty about her current standing in the industry and that things have changed. That said, I'm not sure I wholesomely agree with the Rihanna bit...

Your thoughts?

Labels: Ashanti

Pop star Rihanna was snapped in this very revealing outfit last night in New York City (you may need to look at this one extra closely to see what we're talking about).

Labels: Rihanna

Great performance! Though real laid back, Solange delivered a fantastic vocal showing. Did anyone hear her vocal runs and 'that' high-note at the end. Good stuff.

What do you think of the performance?

Labels: Solange

Labels: Jay Z

Burgeoning star Solange has been named as an ambassador for Amarni - more specifically, an ambassador for their Armani Jeans line. Check out the report via Vogue below:

"Armani Jeans expresses my vision of a young, independent, casual lifestyle with a strong and cool, fashion sensibility. Solange epitomises this style perfectly and brings to it that swing so evident in her new single, I Decided," Giorgio Armani commented on his newest muse.

The profile-boosting partnership couldn't come at a better time for Solange, whose second album, SoL-AngeL and the Hadley Street Dreams (from which I Decided is taken), is released on August 26 prior to her embarking on a worldwide tour this autumn.

More power to her.

In other Solange news, the singer/songwriter has been added to the star-studded line-up for this years Fashion Rocks event, which includes big sis Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and Rihanna.

Labels: Solange

Interesting. I can't help but think that the fact none of Nelly's 4 releases from this album (yes, 4) have managed to catch means the age-old 'sex sells' notion being served up here. I'm sure many aren't complaining, though lol...

Original cover:

What do you think of the cover?

Labels: Nelly

We have been looking to switch things up here at That Grape Juice and give the site a fresh look and feel.

Head on over to the That Grape Juice's Facebook Group to see a preview of what we have planned for the site's new look.

Click here to see the preview

Beyonce is set to take to the stage at this year's Fashion Rocks event in New York's Radio City Music Hall on September 5th. In the meanwhile, though, the 'Deja Vu' singer features in Fashion Rocks magazine, the above pic being from her shoot. She working that that sexy meets classy look.

Labels: Beyonce

Outkast's Big Boi is currently prepping his 2nd solo LP,' Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty', for an October release. The video for the set's first single 'Sumthin’s Gotta Give'. I'm liking the Mary J. Blige assisted song and accompanying vid too. John Legend, actor Hill Harper and DJ Drama all make cameos.

What do you think of the song / video?

Labels: Big Boi, Outkast

Labels: Rev Run

Reality TV star Omarosa has declared victory over shock jock Wendy Williams, following their spat on Williams' talk show recently:

“She’s been talking smack about me for the past five years and she thought I’d go on her show, forgetting about it? She’s been so vicious, she couldn’t have expected a tea party!”

“I had some expectation that she would try and up her game, but she lowered it. I find it ironic that she would beg and plead me to come on her show and then be rude and unprofessional when I got there,” says Omarosa, who thinks she won this fight with the radio shock jock. “I knocked Wendy out. She’s so used to bullying people, but for the first time, she met her match.” “She definitely has a face for radio.” {Source}

Ouch...

Labels: Omarosa, Wendy Williams

Labels: Ciara

Confirmed as not being Cassie (too good to be true, eh? lol)

Labels: Cassie

R&B songstress Alicia Keys will perform the coveted theme for the upcoming James Bond movie. Check out the report via Billboard:

Alicia Keys and the White Stripes' Jack White will record the theme song to "Quantum of Solace," the 22nd James Bond film, which hits U.S. theaters Nov. 7.

The song, "Another Way To Die," will be the first duet in Bond soundtrack history. White wrote and produced the song, and also will play drums. The soundtrack to the movie will be released Oct. 28.

The score for the film will be composed by David Arnold.

"Quantum of Solace," starring Daniel Craig, will be directed by Marc Forster from a screenplay by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Paul Haggis.

Amy Winehouse and Leona Lewis had previously been rumored as the vocalists for the latest Bond theme.

Reports were suggesting a certain 'Crazy In Love' singer was also in contention for the much sought-after spot. More power to Alicia, though; she joins the likes of Tina Turner, Shirley Bassey and Madonna as those who have sung the theme to the classic film franchise.

Your thoughts?

Labels: Alicia Keys

As reported yesterday, Nelly has been chosen as the new face of Sean John underwear; peep the first shot from the shoot above.

What do you think of the pic?

Labels: Nelly

Good stuff. Solange has personality for miles and it really radiates in this clip.

Solange's sophomore effort 'Sol-Angel & The Hadley St. Dreams' hits stores August 26th.

Your thoughts?

Labels: Solange

Peep the cover for T-Pain's forthcoming LP, 'Thr33 Ringz' (due September 30th).

Labels: T-Pain

R&B star Ciara features on the cover of the latest issue of Billboard magazine. Liking the look; she's switched things up a bit.

Labels: Ciara

This one looks like it'll be something else. Was that Ms. Boom Kack herself I saw there? LOL...

Season premiere is August 13th on MTV.

Will you be tuning in?

Labels: Danity Kane, Day26, Donnie, Making The Band 4

Whitney Houston and Ray J were snapped getting pretty 'close' when leaving the Villa Lounge in Los Angeles, California this past weekend. This has, is and will continue to be the random-est of pairings IMO. Each to their own, I guess...

What do you think of the pics?

Labels: Ray, Whitney Houston

Review in a bit...

In the meanwhile...

What do you think of the video?

Labels: Lil' Wayne, T-Pain

Rapper Nelly has been chosen to front Diddy's latest campaign for Sean John's new underwear range:

“I have been a big fan of Diddy and the Sean John clothing line for years,” Nelly told [said]. “So, when they asked me to work with them, it was a real honor. I hope my fans will enjoy this campaign as much as I did shooting it.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs, founder of Sean John, hopes Nelly’s involvement will help boost Sean John’s earnings, which are pegged at about $525 million annually.

“I have known Nelly for many years and I really admire his work. To me, Nelly is the quintessential definition of the Sean John man,” Combs elaborated. “He has the attitude, the swagger, and most of all the physique that our customers can both aspire and relate to. And let’s be honest, all of the ladies out there are going to be thanking us for this campaign.” {Source}

Labels: Nelly

This new track from TLC's T-Boz surfaced earlier today. It's currently unknown whether 'You Got Me Open' is from her forthcoming Universal/SRC debut. For her sake I hope not; it's not that the song is bad, it's just that such material simply isn't good enough to be able to stand a chance of competing in the contemporary music industry. I must say though, that, as with Chilli, I'm kinda perplexed as to why each didn't strike while the iron was hot (during the height of TLC's popularity)to drop solo records. I mean, is there actually still an audience for them?

Your thoughts?

Labels: T-Boz, TLC