Welcome to the latest
TGJ Roundtable!
Over the years, That Grape Juice has established a distinguished voice that – whether loved or loathed – sparks discussion, debate, and on occasion drama!
Though comprised of seasoned writers who share a similar outlook on Urban Pop culture, the idiosyncrasies of the TGJ team members often lend to quite heated debates “behind the scenes” about the hottest topics.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Now, we give you a front-row seat to the show. In a format similar to ‘The View’ and your favorite panel shows, TGJ editors get real in a very candid way.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Today’s roundtable topic asks each anchor their thoughts on the…
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)GRAMMYs 2024
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Sam
Music’s Biggest Night may have been missing some of the industry’s heaviest hitters, but it delivered in its own way.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)In the words of Mariah Carey (who graced the show with her presence), the GRAMMYs 2024 very much gave ”doing the best with what I got.”
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)For, what it lacked in mega-wattage performances, it made up for across the other pillars of the ceremony – namely its winners and surprise moments.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Let’s get into it!
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Beyond Fantasia and Dua Lipa’s electrifying showings, I wasn’t particularly moved by the majority of the ceremony’s other live performances.
While those ladies showed up and showed out with a Tina Turner tribute and a fierce medley of hits (new and known), most of their peers delivered phoned-in offerings.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)SZA’s performance, for instance, made for a cluttered watch and adds to the growing list of showings that don’t quite capture the “colossal-ness” of the current era she’s in.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Elsewhere Burna Boy ignited the stage with a heavily plugged spectacle, yet I just couldn’t shake the feeling that it should have been one scorching showing of ‘Sittin’ On Top Of The World’ (the nominated track) rather than a three-song medley that didn’t allow any one song to truly shine in the way the nominated cut could have. Also, 21 Savage standing around like he was waiting for a bus was especially grating. Brandy, as ever, was a treat to watch and hear (the Vocal Bible!).
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)On the winner’s front, the clean sweeps appear to be a relic of the past. In its place, there’s now a more equal distribution of winners that spread the triumph across a wider pool of acts.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Thus there are a multitude of success narratives to pass around that warm, fuzzy feeling of achievement that comes with a GRAMMY win. From Tyla’s touchdown to the crowning of Victoria Monét’s 15-year grind to Miley Cyrus bagging her first gramophones (including one of the biggest of the night). All of which brought with them impassioned speeches.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)
Speaking of speeches, JAY-Z – the Global Impact Award honouree – gagged the people with facts and stats that turned the volume up on a sentiment many have felt for a long time. Regarding Beyonce being snubbed and beyond. I love me an off-script moment; it’s what the best shows are made of.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)
Surprise appearances are also joyous, especially when they come in the form of Celine Dion! Given the health-related headlines that have put a pause on her career, it was amazing to see this bonafide legend in great spirits.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)
Add Taylor Swift’s surprise album announcement into the mix and this stands as “the” GRAMMY edition where the performance of music was outperformed by…everything else around it.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)**************
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Rashad
**************
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Joe
This year, the GRAMMYs were FUN! The whole vibe seemed way more chill than in previous years. I’m not sure if it’s a reflection on the contenders’ list or the performers’ one, but the overall ambiance felt very enjoyable.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)As good as Dua Lipa’s performance was, it felt a bit too ‘Future Nostalgia’ for my liking, from the sound of the new song to the staging and choreography. Curious to see where they go next with this project.
Miley Cyrus served vocals, dialogue, and… Tina – with the latter being unnecessary considering Fantasia was coming to bring the house down with her own performance. I won’t lie, I would have preferred a heartfelt rendition of the beautiful and powerful song that is ‘Flowers,’ but she was a true rockstar and she delivered solidly.
SZA killed her cinematic performance – pun definitely intended. Olivia Rodrigo didn’t give much. Fantasia by contrast took us all the way down that river Ms. Turner was belting about.
Happy to see the legends on deck. Mariah, Brandy, Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell and, of course, Celine Dion came over to bless the youngins with their remarkable presence and talent.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)
I still don’t get for the life of me why Victoria Monét didn’t hit the stage for a blazing performance of the deserving ‘On My Mama.’ But to see her going home with 3 prizes made it all ok.
Having said all of that, one thing about the GRAMMYs: there’s a consistent thread about recognizing Black artists, and yesterday’s festivities were no different.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)While Black excellence was rightfully celebrated, there’s still a “something” clouding things. Although no one is owed any award by any means, the cracks are getting bigger and it’s starting to get really boring.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)
But hey, we’ll all be tuned in next year to see if they “get it right” as Mr Shawn Carter asked them anyway.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)**************
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Do you agree with our picks? Who was spot on? Let us know your thoughts on the latest TGJ Roundtable and your thoughts on the GRAMMYs 2024.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)
I wanted less of SZA’s mumbling and more Brandy and Victoria.
I wonder if Brandy’s mic was low, I couldn’t hear her one bit. But I enjoyed performances by Tracy Chapman, Billy Joel, Fantasia, Annie Lennox, and Miley Cyrus. Also good to hear Sounds of Blackness/Optimistic, I just wish Batiste (or whatever his name is) wouldn’t have talked through the performance. Overall decent show imo.
TAYLOR SWIFT IS ANNOYING AF . LIKE HOW THIS WOMAN BECAME A POP STAR REALLY I CANT STAND HER . SHE IS ANNOYING AND STUPID
I’m glad the TGJ creators enjoyed Fantasia as I did. I’ve been seeing some mainstream outlets describe her efforts as disappointing. HOW, Sway? Fantasia was fantastic. I wasn’t moved by Tracy Chapman. Competent performance but nothing to re-watch or write home about. Must be a nostalgia moment for everyone…