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…