Fresh off the success of 'American Boy', UK breakout star Estelle is set to serve up 'Come Over' as the 2nd US single from her highly acclaimed 'Shine' LP. This brand new version, not found on the album, features Sean Paul - who I must say compliments the already great track very well. Good stuff.

Labels: Estelle

That Grape Juice was on hand at the MOBO Awards 2008 Nominations Launch at the swanky Beach Blanket Babylon restaurant here in London yesterday. As I'm sure many of you know, the annual show celebrates the undeniable presence of Music of Black Origin in the contemporary music scene. The event, which was largely populated by press outlets, saw the nominations announced, as well as the show's hosts - Mel B aka 'Scary Spice' and Rev Run.

BEST UK MALE

Dizzee Rascal
Jay Sean
Sway
Taio Cruz
Wiley

BEST UK FEMALE

Adele
Duffy
Estelle
Leona Lewis
M.I.A

BEST UK NEWCOMER

Bryn Christopher
Chipmunk
DJ Ironik
Skepta
T2

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

Akon
Alicia Keys
Chris Brown
Jay Z
Kanye West
Mariah Carey
Mary J Blige
Ne-Yo
Rihanna
Usher

BEST REGGAE

Beenie Man
Busy Signal
Etana
Mavado
Tarrus Riley

BEST JAZZ

Courtney Pine
Guy Barker
Lizz Wright
Tony Kofi
Yolanda Brown

BEST GOSPEL

Ekklesia
GreenJade
Jahaziel
Kirk Franklin
Tye Tribbett

BEST AFRICAN ACT

9ice
Asa
D'Banj Mo Hits Allstars
Faze
Hip Hop Pantsula
Jozi
Jua Cali
Magic System
P-Square
Wahu

BEST SONG

American Boy - Estelle
Dance Wiv Me - Dizzee Rascal
Lollipop - Lil' Wayne
Low -Flo Rida
Wearing My Rolex - Wiley

BEST R&B / SOUL

Chris Brown
Estelle
Jay Sean
Ne-Yo
Usher

BEST HIP HOP

Dizzee Rascal
Jay Z
Lil' Wayne
Lupe Fiasco
Wiley

BEST VIDEO

Bashy - Kidulthood to Adulthood
Estelle - American Boy
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
Tinchy Stryder - Stryderman
Will.i.am - Heartbreaker

BEST ALBUM

Alicia Keys - As I Am
Estelle - Shine
Leona Lewis - Spirit
Lil' Wayne - The Carter III
Usher - Here I Stand

The 2008 MOBO Awards take place at Wembley Arena, London on October 15th; and will air live on BBC Three at 9pm.

Your thoughts on the nominations?

Labels: Estelle

Home-grown (and now International) star Estelle's video for new single 'Pretty Please' premiered today. Serving as the 4th release from her awesome sophomore effort 'Shine', the single's accompanying clip features appearances by Danity Kane's Aubrey O'Day, Taraji Henson, Jackie Long and Malik Yoba.

Having gone to see Estelle live for the first time at London's Shepherds Bush Empire back in June, this was one of the many songs I came away humming. Great song for the summer. The vid is pretty good too.

Your thoughts?

Labels: Estelle

I really enjoyed the performance. Though I've seen Estelle offer more polished live showings of the song, having Kanye on stage as well as the 30, 000 strong crowd really made for an awesome atmosphere.

'American Boy' is lifted from Estelle's fantastic new album 'Shine' which is in stores now.

What do you think of the performance?

Labels: Estelle, Kanye West

Labels: Estelle

UK songstress Estelle appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this past Monday. Joined by John Legend, she performed 'Come Over' as well as her smash 'American Boy'. I really enjoyed their showing.

Estelle's sophomore LP 'Shine' is out now both here in the UK and in the US.

What do you think of the performance?

Labels: Estelle, John Legend

Labels: Estelle

R&B star Estelle performed her chart-topping smash 'American Boy' on The Late Show with David Letterman yesterday (April 24th). I really enjoyed her showing; it's great to see UK artists receiving recognition in the tough-to-crack US market.

The Londoner's latest LP 'Shine' is set to hit stores across the US next Tuesday (April 29th)

What do you think of the performance?

Labels: Estelle

'American Boy' singer Estelle features in the Spring 2008 issue of BLEU Magazine; the UK sensation is the first artist to receive a double cover in the magazine's history.

Speaking exclusively to BLEU Magazine's contributing writer Lenox Magee, Estelle dishes on how the UK does not know how to promote black artists. She also addresses the Lauryn Hill comparisons:

"I think they compare me to her (Lauryn Hill) because I'm dark-skinned and I sing and rap. But, if they're saying the music is just as great, then compare me all day because I'll be really happy about that."

The issue hits newsstands across the US on April 29th, as does Estelle's great new album 'Shine'.

Your thoughts?

Labels: Estelle

British chart-topper Estelle performed her smash 'American Boy' on The Friday Night Project a few weeks ago. She nailed it! Great performance. The band really added an extra dimension to the already awesome track. 'American Boy' has occupied the top spot on the Official Singles Chart here in the UK for the last three weeks.

What do you think of the performance?

Labels: Estelle

According to reports, R&B star Estelle is receiving pressure from her US label to make changes to her appearance:

US label Atlantic Records wants Estelle to have surgery on her teeth to help her break into the American charts, say reports.

Her bosses also want her to ditch the boyish haircut she has in her 'American Boy' video and would like to give her image a complete overhaul, according to The Sun.

"The American executives are adamant she makes a lot of significant changes," said a source. "They want rid of her tomboy hair and want her to get her teeth fixed.

"Estelle is not happy. She feels her teeth and the rest of her look are a big part of her character."

The R&B star has spent the last three weeks at number one on the UK singles chart.

{Source}

The truth of the matter is anyone's guess, however it does raise a few interesting questions. Do you feel Estelle should comply with what the label want of her or refuse? Is this another (unfortunate) case of image over talent?

Your thoughts?

Labels: Estelle

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

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

Estelle's international smash 'American Boy' has raced to the top of the Official UK Singles Chart - earning the Londoner her first #1. The single, which features rapper Kanye West, dethroned Duffy's 'Mercy' - which had been a fixture at the top of the chart for the past four weeks. Madonna's '4 Minutes To Save The World' was the highest new entry at #7.

Labels: Estelle

UK singer Estelle stopped by BBC Radio 1's 'Live Lounge' to perform her current smash 'American Boy'. I really enjoyed this performance and I'm glad she's finally receiving the recognition she deserves both here at home and in the US too. According to the mid-week charts, 'American Boy' is on-course to hit number 1 on the Official UK Singles Chart this Sunday - a career first for the West Londoner.

What do you think of the performance?

Labels: Estelle

UK songstress Estelle is really doing it big these days. Set to release her anticipated LP 'Shine' in May, 'American Boy' - which features Kanye West - is the second single to be lifted from the set. Though kinda simple, I'm liking the video and the song even more so. I applaud Estelle for not joining the growing list of UK artists who, when they hit the US, compromise the sound they originally came out with to 'fit in' (*cough* Craig David *cough*). Expect to see a lot more from Estelle on That Grape Juice in the months ahead.

What do you think of the song / video?

Labels: Estelle