With just hours to go before  Janet Jackson is honored with the Billboard Icon Award at the BBMAs, this week’s From The Vault journeys back to MTV‘s historic salute.

Aptly timed to coincide with the release window of Jackson’s 2001 album ‘All For You,’ the network went all out for the superstar songstress. For, she was selected as the inaugural artist to receive the stand-alone televised special.

A host of artists – including Destiny’s Child, Nsync, Usher, Pink, and Mya – paid homage to the the stage blazer with spirited renditions of some of her top hits.

But when it came to igniting her then-new single, Ms. Jackson was the only star with the mega-wattage needed to blow the roof off the building.

Backed by a troop of dancers (all sporting varied takes on her iconic look), the diva delivered a hyper, high-octane performance.

Rocking the house with the precision of an olympian, Janet served sass, slick choreography, and a dazzling dance-break.

It served as a resonating moment too, as the song (which was produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis) went on to become her 10th #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its like-titled housing album also opened atop of the pack and went on to sell over 3 million copies in the US and 7 million worldwide.

As the clock countdowns to her Billboard offering, re-live this seismic moment above.

Your thoughts?

Christina Aguilera is full of surprises as she struts on to the release of new album ‘Liberation.’

Indeed, the diva – who is set to perform current single ‘Fall In Line’ at the Billboard Music Awards tonight – has seized the moment to reveal all new guest features on the LP.

Prior to now (and based on the initially released tracklist), the sole features came courtesy of Demi Lovato (‘Fall’) and Ty Dolla $ign + 2 Chainz (‘Accelerate’).

Find out who else will join them on ‘Liberation below…’

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Robin Antin, the founder of the group The Pussycat Dolls, has scrapped plans to call on its original members to reunite following claims the band’s members doubled as high-class sex workers.

Full story below…

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Rebounding into the Hot 100’s top 20 this week thanks to its cinematic video, ‘Chun Li’ – one of two singles used to launch Nicki Minaj‘s ‘Queen’ era – may see itself spin back into the top 10 after the rapstress took to ‘SNL’ tonight to show off the cut to its first television audience.

Taking over the Tina Fey-hosted episode as musical guest, Minaj not only cranked out a Kung Fu-inspired live rendition of ‘Chun,’ but also called on Playboi Carti to help bring ‘Poke It Out’ to the live stage.

Keen to see how she fared on her fifth stop on the historic variety show?  Look inside:

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Justin Timberlake may not have set the charts ablaze with latest album ‘Man Of The Woods.’

However, he seemed to be faring better on the touring front.

That is, until now.

And let’s just say JT’s European fans are in for disappointing news.

Dive below for details…

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Cardi B‘s ‘Invasion of Privacy’ has been propelled back into the Official Albums’ Chart Top Ten this week!

Brilliant news below…

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Janet Jackson‘s impact spans many genres and generations.

As such, it’s little surprise that artists are queuing up to share how their stories of how much she’s touched their lives.

Ciara, Ne-Y0, and Khalid are just a few.

All three will be on hand at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards tomorrow night when Jackson will perform and then be presented with the coveted Icon honor.

Head below as each star reflects on the diva’s enduring resonance…

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Christina Aguilera is back in music mode.

The vocal powerhouse returned to the apex of the charts with new single ‘Fall In Line’ with Demi Lovato. 

Indeed, as reported, the track blasted to the top of iTunes upon its mid-week release.

Now, with a big performance set for tomorrow night at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards and a music video to come, Xtina called in to ‘On Air With Ryan Seacrest’ to discuss both – as well as her new album ‘Liberation’ (due June 15th).

Head below to hear what she had to say…

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Our excitement rivals that of the #JanFam as time grows closer to Janet Jackson‘s sure-to-be-stageblazing performance at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards (click here to read more about that) on Sunday (May 20).

The Music Industry Bible recently sent that anticipation into overdrive with the unveiling of the newest ‘Billboard magazine’ featuring none other than the pop queen as the centerpiece.  Dishing on everything from new music, motherhood, and more (click here to read more), chatter about the quotables from the interview only paled in comparison to the stunning collection of photos that accompanied it.

Curious to see the lens magic before the final products?  Look inside for a behind-the-scenes video of all the action from the shoot:

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With summer right around the corner, it’s only fitting fan anticipation of Iggy Azalea‘s long-awaited sophomore offering, conveniently titled ‘Surviving the Summer,’ would be at its highest.

The project, originally an LP titled ‘Digital Distraction,‘ was scrapped due to the nonperformance of its singles and a label change – a shift that prompted the birth of ‘Summer’ (reportedly a visual EP). Launched on the wings of the Quavo-assisted ‘Savior’ (which, to date, has not exacted lived up to its titling as it relates to widespread interest of its parent opus), the EP – announced late last year – has yet to see pertinent details around its release arise.

Nevertheless, Azalea took to Twitter recently to respond to ongoing pressure from fans to unveil said details.  Announcing a hiatus from social media until she is able to provide specific info about ‘Summer,’ look inside to see her lengthy rant about the creative process around the 6-song EP, its completion, and more:

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Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, just as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week we’re ready to ode ‘I’m Ready’ – the second single from unsung R&B maestro Tevin Campbell‘s sophomore album, ‘I’m Ready.’ Released in winter 1994, ‘Ready’ (the song) – penned and produced by Darryl Simmons and Babyface (who also performed background vocals) – had big shoes to fill as the follow-up to the Hot 100 top 10 success of ‘Can We Talk?’ It did not disappoint.

Eventually peaking at #9 on the Hot 100 (the same as its predecessor), ‘Ready’ went on to be his last appearance in the chart’s topmost dectet of positions.  Going on to nab a nomination for “Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance – Male” at the next year’s ceremony, ‘Ready’ the song (and its parent album) would go down as his last two nods at the awards show.

The industry may have not been as kind to the singer over the years that followed, but we at TGJ keep Mr. Campbell on repeat.  Look inside to help us remember ‘I’m Ready’ and see who joined him in the top 25 this week 24 years ago on this week’s ‘Chart Rewind’:

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Normani‘s solo charge was just gifted quite the boost.

For, it’s been announced that she’ll be taking to the stage at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards this Sunday alongside Khalid.

Details below…

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