Stars Wish That Grape Juice A Happy Birthday
{Interrupting your regularly scheduled programming}
Three years. For such a lengthy spell of time, it sure has passed with lightening speed. Indeed, I can vividly recall the humble beginnings of That Grape Juice.
Aged 18 and having just started university, I remember being fascinated by the then-emerging trend of blogs – particularly those of the Urban persuasion. From Concrete Loop to The YBF to Kevipod, and even Toya, I was hooked. So much so, that I decided to marry my fixation with the blogging platform with my love for all things Urban Pop Culture, hence the creation of That Grape Juice in 2007.
A spin on Marvin Gaye’s ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’, I sought for my grapevine to be unlike the unreliable, gossipy one described in the song. My grapevine was going to be concrete, legit; yet at the same time equally – if not more – entertaining!
Fast forward three years, and I’m so proud to see that this has been realised and then some!
Indeed it only really hit me when watching the video above, just how much has been achieved with what simply started out as ‘little ol’ me’ sharing my love for music.
Today That Grape Juice stands as one of the net’s premier sources for all things Urban Pop Culture – news, reviews, cutting edge interviews and so much more; and for that I am infinitely thankful.
All this could not have been possible without…
God: Need I say more?
My Family: To my mother, father, and two beautiful sisters, thank you SO much for all of your support; morally, financially, and the countless ways you’ve all been there for me. I will never EVER forget. From mother pushing me to interview everybody (cue Naija accent “Is Kelly Rowland in town?”), to my sisters telling any-and-everyone about their brother’s ‘amazing site’, I love, thank, and appreciate you more than words can describe!
Trent: Where do I begin?! An asset in every sense of the word; Trent you truly are the backbone of That Grape Juice. You’ve brought so much to the site – both on the front and back end (to an extent only you and I will really know). Above all, you’ve become one of my closest friends (ironic for a number of reasons). Let’s take it to the top!
Dustin Gary: You are truly, truly heaven sent. Cheesy-sounding, perhaps, but I cannot stress how much that statement holds true. I firmly believe that certain people come into our ‘little worlds’ for a reason, and Dustin definitely has bettered mine (in an immeasurable amount of ways). A great teacher, a great friend, and a great person, I thank you for EVERYTHING. God bless you…(hell, He is already!) More power to ya!
Special thanks
Sean Leopold: Thank you for coming on my ‘lil’ journey. Thank you for your words of wisdom. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for being YOU!
Kwame: There in the beginning and here now. GMB!
Jamell (Mr Damaje): So much of ‘this’ wouldn’t be possible without your talent, time, and friendship. A blessing!
Seye (Iizsik): I really do credit you with bringing the quality of the site’s original content (video, image) up to par with that of the editorial content. Amazingly talented and a pleasure to work with!
Leon McFarlane, Glynn, Antoine, Joanne, Clifford, Alistair, Nathan Devonte, Sade, Sandra, Jade, Hilario, Luca M, Bisi, Luka, Tobbie and everyone else who has been there for me (in one way or another) on this journey…thank you!
Blogging friends/inspirations: Thank you Angel, Brian and all over at Concrete Loop, Necole Bitchie, B Scott, Sandra Rose, Rap-Up, Miss Jia, AOL Black Voices (Jawn), Michael (The Cynical Ones), Kevin (The Skorpion), Fresh (Crunk & Disorderly), Gossip on This, The YBF, and Kevipod (gone but not forgotten!)
To every label, every artist, every manager, every PR, every radio personality, and every ad agency we’ve ever worked with…Thank you!
Above all, I thank YOU…the That Grape Juice faithful! Those who have been with the site since the beginning, to those who are here for the first time, to those who ever told a friend about us, to you ALL ….thank you so much!