With 2024 finally upon us, we here at That Grape Juice are all sorts of excited about what the New Year has in store.
Indeed, the unpredictability of showbiz together with the lengthy list of buzz-worthy happenings already on the calendar, has us amped in earnest for the year ahead.
Join us after the jump as we tally That Grape Juice’s Top 4 Wishes for 2024.
Usher Wins the Super Bowl
Over the decades, the Super Bowl Halftime Show has served as the showcase of the immortals.
That said, there are a very select few headliners who were clearly born for such a moment. Indeed, for a rare breed, the 12-minute showcase plays as much more than a colossal promotional platform. It, by design, scale, and reach, is emblematic of the superstar at its helm.
Enter this year’s headliner, Usher.
Easily one of the contemporary climate’s standard-bearers of excellence, the hitmaker has undeniably been overdue a headlining spot.
Yet, as the age-old adage goes, everything in due time.
Because the pre-game narrative is ripped straight out of Hollywood’s finest writing room.
As with most careers, there have been peaks and troughs, mountains conquered and challenging valleys veered through. Yet, over a steady frame, Mr. Raymond has experienced renewing that is fuelled by the best material matter available – organic goodwill.
Showing up and out in Las Vegas, together with fan-driven viral moments and hard-hitting new material, has proved to be a potent potion and placed Usher where he was always meant to be: on the Super Bowl stage.
Add to this the fact that it’s taking place in…Las Vegas!
All that’s left to do is for him to score the touchdown he’s so equipped to score come February 11 at the Super Bowl 2024.
And the fact that his new album ‘Coming Home’ is dropping?! It’s shaping up to be an epic year for one of music’s most epic talents.
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Rihanna’s Return
The unpredictable has long been our favorite flavor here at That Grape Juice.
As such, Rihanna’s story arc of annual albums to nearing a decade without an album in sight is all sorts of intriguing.
Eschewing the mystery that often defines the hiatuses of acts such as Sade and Adele, the rationale for RiRi’s break has played out for all to see. From her billion-dollar Fenty empire to her rapidly expanding family, she’s been booked and busy with her non-musical endeavors.
Still, with her recently promising to give the fans what they deserve, we’d love for 2024 to finally bring with it that long-gestating follow-up to ‘Anti.’ Especially as there are no guarantees as to which direction she’ll be looking to drive her success train to next.
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Beyonce Delivers ‘Act 2’
Ok, Beyonce, we get it. We are the visuals, baby. However, we still have questions and much hope regarding what’s…next.
The ‘Renaissance’ album and era, for us, are up there as particular career highs in a career comprised of history-making wins.
Yet, we continue to be intrigued about this three-act project Queen Bey relayed on the release day of ‘Renaissance.’
And yet there’s been radio silence on this front ever since.
We’ve heard the murmurs and would bet that Mrs. Carter has too.
She promised that she’d take her time with the ‘Renaissance’ campaign, which – with its companion tour film still in theaters as we type – has now officially spanned two calendar years.
As an artist who long-avoided the practice of annual albums and one who has taken the approach of slow-baking her bops, we’re ready for a fresh serving of newness. Be that “Act 2” or something totally new.
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A True Breakout Superstar
Today’s streaming-led market often makes for breakout “hits.” Similarly, the proliferance and potency of social media has catapulted many a new face to the highest heights as “personalities.” Yet, not for a while have we seen a true marriage of these elements to birth music’s next big superstar.
Who can forget the delightful pandemonium that came with Lady Gaga’s landing? The headlines, the outlandish outfits, the eccentricity…and, most importantly, the buckets of talent to back it up?
Much has changed since then and, with “change” itself being a given in all spheres, it could be argued that the configuration of the modern music industry as well as the bigger value placed on “big songs” over creating “big names” ultimately means the very concept of ”superstar” is forever…changed.
Still, with there being something enduringly epic about names like Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, and Whitney Houston, we’ll continue to hold out hope (and a torch) in the hunt for a worthy set of names to join that elite list.
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What do you think of TGJ’s 2024 Wish List? What are your hopes for 2024? Let us know…
I would love for Usher to make a huge comeback. He’s the last of a dying breed. At this point I can do with or without Rihanna lol. As I’ve gotten older I realized she isn’t the most talented artist. She’s the epitome of a manufactured popstar and she looks like an auntie now sooooooo.
This generations attention span is too short for a breakout star. I see Tyla being successful but not 1980’s, 1990’s 2000’s breakout successful. They’re always looking for the next best thing these days.
Xtina and Britney will making a huge comeback in 2024! White gurls power!
so does JLO or maybe Shakira? Light skinned Girl power!
I’m ready for Normani’s album to drop this year. She is coming to SLAY
keep dreaming sweetie.
I’m where tf is Normani? She’s still the most highly anticipated album of recent times stop being shady to
Keri Hilson, unfortunately, took her name out of the conversation. Plenty of potential, but she can’t just sing good music and put on good performances; she has to air out her animosity for other women whether it’s Beyonce or Teairra.
Maybe Janet will return with something. Her last tour seemed like a substitute for her canceled Black Diamond era, so maybe a new album and bigger tour is coming.
There will be no more superstars as long as the labels are comfortable with easy money. They’re not interested in developing major talent which is why A&R isn’t much of a thing anymore.
LOL tgj shady and wrong for not mentioning normanis debut album
Flopmanii ain’t happening Victoria, Coco and Tyla already surpassed her
I think you’re thinking of flopmila cabello the same girl that couldn’t release another hit if her life depended on it
TGJ, y’all need to stop wishing for RiRi, she’s done with music. Beyonce done worked all of 2023, let her rest this year. She already doesn’t want to give visuals, and you know we aren’t seeing act 2 until next year. Usher will give a good show, hopefully the album is top tier, and the new crop of stars we’ll have to wait and see.
Anyone mentioning Normani is highly delusional. The only thing she has “coming” is a trash ass movie debuting at Sundance this month. There is no single. There is no album. Just stop mentioning her all together.
Zip it up hater. Check twitter cuz she’s all anyone’s talking about. still. No album out since 2018 and people are still anticipating give her her props for that and stop hating
Bey act 1 was the album , act 2 the docu-movie, and act 3 will be the visuals. She isn’t about to put anything else out.
This Blog is well-written.
Usher: I’m so glad he’s getting his moment. He is one of the finest of the breed before the newbies. He and Bey or mirrors and I’m glad I’ve lived to experience their talents.
Bey: Mama Bey has always been great at working an era. We must not forget she has been intentional about doing a rest within the music industry. While I think the visuals weren’t meant to take this long, she did mean to not share them for a while. She mentioned going back to the way the 1900s when consumers had to digest music w/without videos. If you haven’t noticed, Nicki M is following her trend and I wouldn’t be surprised if others don’t. It’s low-key working.
New stars: while I see many want to blame the industry, I think the mindset of the new stars has a lot to do with this change around stardom. Chloe had the traditional backing and it hasnt taken off for her, yet. The same with Normani. However, I think Mani is facing more restriction than we are currently aware of. Victoria, Coco, Tyla, and Tate are showing promise tho. So far they are going at the industry in the way our favorites did. Victoria is on the cusp of generations and her approach to her brand shows. She is thorough with aestics, marketing, her albums, and touring. The others, I mention with her, are doing much of the same. Tate needs better music but she is definitely catching my attention. I’m still unsure about Chlo and Mani. I’m hoping they didn’t come and go to let the others learn from their mishaps.