This week, That Grape Juice salute a breed that we’re particularly fond of. Without an ounce of doubt we are talking DIVAS {www.SheIsDiva.com}! What better way to honour these iconic figures than to give a nod to today’s most pronounced ambassador of the cause?
Needless to say, today’s From The Vault comes courtesy of the legend-in-the-making Beyonce and her aptly-titled ‘Diva’ release.
Helmed by TGJ favorites Bangladesh and Sean Garrett, the 2008 cut (lifted from the multi-Platinum ‘I Am…’ LP) sees Ms. Knowles’ alter-ego, Sasha Fierce, take center stage for an unapologetic ego-trip. If you didn’t know it before, the then-27 year old left no uncertainty that she was “the number one diva in this game”.
The Hip-Hop soaked cut, which for many was an estrogen equivalent to Lil’ Wayne’s infectuous ‘A Milli’, peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart (sidenote: the single was only sent to Rythmic and Urban radio, a shame if you ask us). Without ever being officially released outside of the US, it still managed to chart at #40 in Australia and #72 in the UK based on downloads alone.
In the black and white music video, directed by longtime collaborator and friend Melina Matsoukas, Sasha amps it up with attitude-filled choreography accompanied by her ever reliable dancers and rocking Thierry Mugler designs with both sass and class.
As Bey drills home in the song, “a diva is a female version of a hustler”. Although we concur with her definition, we definitely feel there more, which begs the question…
What is your definition of a diva?
BONUS: Check out Ms. Knowles blazing the stage at her Revel comeback concert earlier this year below. We can’t wait for the DVD when it arrives this Fall!