Thursday, May 9th 2013

TGJ Replay: “Waiting To Exhale” Soundtrack (Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige)

458e09091bab91880cc124d75bd5f6e5 TGJ Replay: Waiting To Exhale Soundtrack (Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige)

Much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ segments, readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past. So in a quest to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday we introduced a new retrospective segment – ‘TGJ Replay’.

Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase albums (and eras) from a library of pop music hits. Today, we put the spindle on the star-studded, 7x platinum (U.S.) soundtrack to the 90s ultimate chick flick ‘Waiting To Exhale’…

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Posted By: That Grape Juice Team

16 Comments

Monday, April 8th 2013

Hot Shots: Mary J. Blige Enjoys Puerto Rican Get Away

Check out these snaps of ‘Just Fine’ singer Mary J. Blige enjoying Puerto Rico‘s sun, sea and sand yesterday.

Snapped in the tropical spot by local paparazzi, the vocalist touched down weeks after her Lifetime movie ‘Betty & Coretta’ came under fire from the daughters of the named women, after they billed the inspirational movie historically inaccurate.

Telling the story of Martin Luther King‘s wife ‘Coretta Scott King‘ and her friendship with Malcom X‘s wife Betty Shabazz, the unfortunate response from pair’s families marked a minor bump along Mary’s road.

A road, that saw her watch her latest LP ‘My Life II: The Journey Continues’ scan Gold for sales of half a million units weeks after release and hold the record for having the longest running R&B number 1 with the song ‘Be Without You‘, despite facing heavy competition from Rihanna‘s smash hit ‘Diamonds‘.

More below…

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Posted By: That Grape Juice Staff

54 Comments

Wednesday, March 6th 2013

Hot Shots: Mary J.Blige Shoots ‘Black Nativity’ In NYC

Royalty stepped out onto the streets of NYC yesterday, when R&B life force Mary J. Blige was snapped shooting scenes for new movie ‘Black Nativity‘ in the city.

Starring as an angel named ‘Platinum Fro‘, the ‘Mr Wrong’ trendsetter graces the movie alongside ‘Spotlight‘ singer Jennifer Hudson and ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ actress Angela Bassett, shooting scenes two years after the launch of her last LP, ‘My Life II: The Journey Continues‘.

Peep more pics from Ms.Mary below…

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Posted By: That Grape Juice Staff

10 Comments

Sunday, February 17th 2013

Oh Na Na: What’s Your Favorite ‘NBA All Star’ Performance? (Vote)

As reported here, today will see ‘Girl On Fire’ Alicia Keys blaze the NBA All Star Game Halftime Show with a medley of hits, much like her 2010 showing.

As ever, while we hope to add Keys’ name to a list of the awesome performances of the platform’s past, we would be remiss not to ode those performances by collecting a few of our favorites.

Take a stroll with That Grape Juice down NBA All Star memory lane and see the best of the best do it oh so well. Sound off below on your favorites as well:

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Posted By: That Grape Juice Team

40 Comments

Wednesday, February 13th 2013

Hot Shots: Mary J. Blige Beams For ‘Vibe’ (Full Spread)

As reported here, R&B royal Mary J. Blige brought her regal stylings to the latest issue of VIBE magazine.

Raising a few eyebrows in the mag’s feature story with her interesting comments on ‘Diamonds’ diva Rihanna and the current status of R&B, Blige’s feature in the hip hop publication has certainly earned its fair share of headlines.

We’ve already shown you some excerpts from the much talked about sitdown with the diva, now check below to see some of the visuals that came from that same showing.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: That Grape Juice Team

17 Comments

Tuesday, February 12th 2013

Mary J. Blige Weighs In On Rihanna, Drake, & the State of R&B Via ‘Vibe’ Magazine

daee448acf9b1932e00a02097102c40c Mary J. Blige Weighs In On Rihanna, Drake, & the State of R&B Via Vibe Magazine

As reported here, R&B majesty Mary J. Blige can be seen afront the February issue of ‘VIBE’ magazine. There, the ‘Be Without You’ beauty dished on a number of topics including her 20 year tenure in the industry and recent ventures into acting.

However, it was her weigh in on the current state of the genre that brought her to prominence that has been splashed across headlines across the net. Never one to bite her tongue, Blige offers interesting insight into her thoughts on the reviving genre, its key players, and the never-ending Chris Brown/Rihanna saga.

See what the ‘All That I Can Say‘ singer had to say below:

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Posted By: That Grape Juice Team

54 Comments

Sunday, February 10th 2013

Hot Shot: Mary J. Blige Beams Afront February ‘Vibe’ Magazine

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After winning rave reviews for her portrayal of civil rights activist Betty Shabazz on Lifetime’s recent ‘Betty & Coretta’ (Angela Bassett), Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige found herself in Los Angeles this weekend being honored at the VIBE Impact Awards.

Joined by celebrities like Ciara, Future, Diddy, and more, the magazine toasted their own success of 20 years in print as well as to Mary’s two decade long career as well.

The ultimate honor comes in the form of the singer’s latest cover of the hip hop publication for February/March 2013. Many may not know, but Mary has covered Vibe magazine more than any other artist since its debut. As ever keep it locked to That Grape Juice for more from this spread as it becomes available.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: That Grape Juice Team

24 Comments

Wednesday, January 23rd 2013

Justin Timberlake Nabs R&B #1 With ‘Suit & Tie’ / ‘Saves’ Mary J. Blige From Rihanna

While a number of his contemporaries turned to the current EDM craze to secure their recent chart toppers, Justin Timberlake has proved that trend hopping isn’t…well… all that trendy anymore.

For, by way of his star power, the public’s hunger for new material and that voice, he is well on his way to scoring the fastest rising hit of the year with his new single, ‘Suit & Tie‘.

Details below…

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Posted By: That Grape Juice Staff

420 Comments

Saturday, January 12th 2013

Rihanna To Score Longest Running R&B #1 Single / Beat Mary J. Blige Record

d5f4b3c1853d4d436032a37df3ab5b84 Rihanna To Score Longest Running R&B #1 Single / Beat Mary J. Blige Record

Though it isn’t as publicized as it should be, Mary J.Blige remains R&B’s only consistent female ‘seller‘.

Unfortunately tarred with the same brush of perception that’s sullied her genres worth to the wider public, regular releases and well executed campaigns have ensured that her numbers remain favorable and at times miraculous even at their ‘worst’.

Her ‘worst’, being watching her latest LP ‘My Life II’ receive Gold certification after six months. A certification, many of today’s R&B releases are unlikely to ever see…ever.

However, by way of Rihanna‘s smash hit ‘Diamonds‘, Blige is on course to lose a record set in 2005 with Bryan Michael Cox penned ‘Be Without You’.

Chart details below…

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