Katy Perry may have witnessed her fifth album, ‘Witness,’ debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 last week with 2017’s highest first week figures for a female (to date), but she probably didn’t anticipate seeing it enter record books for a historic tumble in sales just 7 days later.

That’s right, the album – which is her first major label release to hit shelves without a #1 single on the Hot 100 to precede it – was widely disregarded a week after fans got a full taste of what the ‘Bon Appetit’ beauty was serving this course. Despite an onslaught of promotional appearances in its support, refreshed reports have it Perry’s latest LP saw a whopping 89% sales drop its second week (despite enjoying the benefit of ticket bundling).  With this freefall down sales charts, Katy dethrones Queen of Pop Madonna as owner of “the largest second week percentage sales drop for a #1 debuting female album.”  Fans may remember her Madgesty once owned the title when her 2012 release, ‘MDNA,’ dropped a whopping 86.7% in sales its second week despite its numbers being padded with figures from ticket bundling (click here to read more on that).

Before Madge it was Lady Gaga‘s 2011 release ‘Born This Way’ that posted an 84% sales drop its second week.  Like ‘Witness’ and ‘MDNA’ before it, Gaga’s set had an “enhanced premiere week” due to taking an unconventional approach to album sales.  Read more about that by clicking here.

Alas, Katy’s fall didn’t hurt her too much on the chart placement front.  Check below to see where she landed and who joins her in the top 25 of this week’s refreshed Billboard 200:

Billboard 200 This Week

Your thoughts?

#Barbz in need of a Nicki fix have gotten more than their fill in 2017.

The rapstress, who not only set but also extended a historic lead among women on the Hot 100 earlier this year, is looking to ensure none of her closest competitors come anywhere near threatening the record.  And, after one listen of ‘Skrt On Me,’ her brand new collabo with Calvin Harris, her mission will most likely be accomplished.

Found on the famed DJ/producer’s star-studded ‘Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1’ (in stores June 30), the sexy Summertime single sees the Trinidadian beauty tap into her island roots over a soca/dancehall-inspired instrumental.

Hear it below:

(more…)

K. Michelle has been cooking up her fourth studio album and, as its release nears, she’s pairing it with a brand new look.

Moments ago on Instagram, the R&B singer revealed that she’s ditched the weave and showcased a shaved hair do.

Ever unapologetic, the Southern songbird captioned the pic above: #whatevermakesyoufreakinhappy.

Granted we’re all about the music here at That Grape Juice, we must say that her new cut suits her. She looks stunning!

Peep another snap below…

Your thoughts?

JAY-Z is pulling out all the stops to ensure the release of his new album ‘4:44’ is an event.

At the strike of midnight, the mogul’s latest offering will be made available on his streaming service TIDAL and for all Sprint customers after the phone giant bought into the platform.

However, it’s been revealed that the Rap titan also has an unprecedented radio strategy.

According to Hits Daily Double, all iHeart Pop, Urban and Rhythm radip stations will be playing ‘4:44’ album in its entirety at midnight. And again at numerous points over the weekend. Word on the curb is that, despite the amount of stations involved, secrecy surrounding project means programme directors have yet to hear what they’ll be playing.

As for digital strategy, sources close to the roll-out claim the TIDAL exclusive is slated to last one week and thereafter the LP will be made available on all platforms.

Exciting times.

Your thoughts?

Kanye West is back and feeling better than ever.

After taking time away to raise his sons and regain his peace, the visionary is currently planning to put comeback plans in epic motion.

How?

By teaming up with ‘Live Nation‘ to put a new live show together!

TMZ reports: 

Various sources tell us Kanye is physically and mentally back … in fact, better than they’ve ever seen him. They say he’s focused, engaged, and has overcome the issues that landed him in the hospital last year. We’re told when Kanye decides to go back on stage, it will not be a replica of last year’s ‘Saint Pablo’ tour. Although the floating stage was pretty awesome, we’re told Kanye will almost certainly improve on it or replace it, as well as other various effects.

We’re also told he will update the set list.

Exciting times!

Your thoughts?

Anyone that remembers Wendy Williams‘ days as a radio shock jock will recall her feud with Diddy.

The talk show queen never held back when it come to the Bad Boy mogul and sent the rumor mill into overdrive when she made suggestions about his sexuality.

Those were wilder days and, despite a very public fall out, it appears it’s all water under the bridge. Something the pair made clear during Diddy’s visit to Williams’ show today.

The Hip-Hop maestro sat down with his former foe to plug his new Apple Music documentary ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop’ – which chronicles the rise of his Bad Boy empire.

Naturally, the conversation was not limited that.

Williams quizzed Diddy, real name Sean Combs, about his family, girlfriend Cassie, his recent tour, and much more.

Check out the interview…

Diddy was definitely operating with much trepidation initially, but relaxed as it went on.

Growth is great, so it’s cool to see that fences have been mended. Right?

Your thoughts?

Lady Gaga has always marched to the beat of her own drum and she’ll be doing exactly that this summer.

For, despite being weeks away from setting sail on the ‘Joanne World Tour’ in a mix of arenas and stadiums, Mother Monster has announced that she’ll be staging another Dive Bar trek in partnership with Bud Light.

The 31-year-old originally launched her chart-topping ‘Joanne’ LP with the unique venture last October.

Billed as ‘Bud Light’s Dive Bar Tour 2.0,’ the mini-tour will feature Gaga as headliner— with two soon-to-be-announced guests. Their names are under wraps, but she tells E!:

“[they’re ] very different from me. It’s really going to diversify the tour.”

As for her motivations for the three-date excursion, she says:

“I just really love to play in bars and I miss it all the time, which is why we’ve created this amazing tour that I’m so happy other artists will be doing now.

There is something that is very hard in a way about sitting up so close to everyone and singing, but that’s sort of the joy of it—that’s really why we’re doing it, because it’s taking it back and it’s not so separated and it’s not so ‘cellphones.’ It’s just people close together, some beer and some music.

The first two shows proceed her ‘Joanne World Tour,’ while the last takes place at the same time:

Las Vegas – July 13th
July 26 – Los Angeles
August 30th – New Orleans

Like before, all of the performances will be live streamed on Facebook.

She also hinted that – while this is a ‘Joanne’ focal undertaking – new music may randomly be premiered; much like how she hatched ‘The Cure’ at Coachella. She said:

“You just might get some more music. I love making music. I don’t know exactly when. I’m sort of feeling like I’m making songs and doing all sorts of things with music, but I don’t know exactly when or how I will release them. I’m working on that.”

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While we’re still side-eyeing Gaga re the whereabouts of ‘The Cure’ video, we continue to admire her desire to veer left-field.

It’s very “new rules / no rules” and keeps her narrative exciting.

Your thoughts?

Rising rapper DeJ Loaf shows ‘No Fear’ on the lead single from album debut ‘Liberation.’

Produced by Christoph Andersson, the catchy cut finds the Columbia Records star declaring a love free of inhibitions and worry.

Explaining the concept of its accompanying video, which was directed by Rubberband, Loaf says:

“Growing up, I used to daydream in my bedroom about everything from love to my career to traveling the world. The video sort of reflects that joyful feeling of going from daydreaming to realizing my dreams. My new album is a personal journey and I hope my fans enjoying riding along with me.”

Watch below…

A fitting visual for the summer-soaked song.

We’re keen to see her hit harder though, especially now that’s she’s armed with the momentum of ‘Try Me’ and her touring stint with Nicki Minaj.

But, in the here and now, she’s at the start of her album cycle and we’re liking what we hear.

‘Liberated’ is due later this year.

Your thoughts?

Less than 24 hours remain until JAY Z uncages his super anticipated new album ‘4:44.’

Beyond its TIDAL arrival, little has been divulged about the LP, which serves as his 13th studio effort.

What is apparent though, is that there will be a visual component to the project.

A series of mysterious commercials have been rolled out and the latest spotlights Lupita Nyong’o.

Titled ‘MaNyfaCedGod,’ the clip awaits below. Check it out…

Jigga is definitely piquing our interest with all this. Fingers crossed he delivers.

As reported, the mogul will launch the album with unique listening parties for fans across select US cities.

Your thoughts?

Jennifer Lopez has to be the hardest working woman in Hollywood.

When her schedule doesn’t call for executive producing responsibilities, the ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’ singer can be found recording her Spanish album, judging NBC’s hot dance competition, ‘World of Dance,’ starring in cop drama ‘Shades of Blue,’ readying new movie, ‘Second Act,’ rehearsing for the stages of Vegas on her ‘All I Have’ residency, or prepping for NBC’s next live musical ‘Bye Bye Birdie.’

As if all of that is not enough for an army of entertainers, Lopez is still finding time to show off her oft-praise performance skills on this year’s ‘Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular.’

Joining the likes of Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, and many more, the 41st edition of the annual New York City-hosted event – billed as the “largest Independence Day fireworks display in the nation,” will air on July 4 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

As we reported here, ‘Now or Never’ singer Halsey apparently thought now was a good time to let the world know she wasn’t exactly the biggest fan of Aussie rapstress Iggy Azalea.

Branding the ‘Mo Bounce’ beauty a ‘f*cking moron’ for her ‘complete disregard for Black culture,’ the quote made its rounds on the net and eventually made its way to the desk of rapstress.

Azalea, whose career has been fueled by a number of beefs and/or criticisms from detractor, opted to take a much more civil approach to her response when quizzed about it on Australian radio show Smallzy’s Surgery.

Iggy:

“It’s a bit weird to bring someone up in an interview that you weren’t asked about,” said Azalea.

“To me, because I’m a famous person and I know a lot of the time people have opinions and they’re not always accurate, I really try very hard not to give my personal opinions about people that I don’t know,” Azalea continued. “And I don’t know her, I’ve never met her.”

Azalea continued, stating:

“…she’s young and I hope she learns maybe to be a bit less judgmental when she’s kind of in the same shoes. I’m sure she’s getting judged all the time as well by people who don’t really know her.

So I think maybe it’d be good for her to try to be a little more empathetic to other people that are in the same situation.”

Your thoughts?

Not even a collection of stage-blazing performances from the likes of Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Future & Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige were enough to help this year’s BET Awards drum up its usual viewership figures.

For nearly the last decade Urban music’s biggest night has managed to rope in no less than a composite of 7 million viewers across the multiple VIACOM networks it’s aired across simultaneously.  This year, however, the Leslie Jones-hosted affair sang a different tune.

Report:

Viewership and ratings were both down 19 percent from last year.  The premiere telecast of the 2017 “BET AWARDS” drew 5.8MM Total Viewers P2+ (EDAC) , as it was simulcast live across 9 Viacom networks including MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Logo, Spike and Centric.

Despite the drop in ratings, BET still easily snagged the title of ‘Sunday night’s most watched television program.’

Curious to see how the 2017 showing stacks up against former editions?  Look below:

BET Awards Ratings

• 2008: 5.8 million
• 2009: 10.6 million
• 2010: 7.4 million
• 2011: 7.7 million
• 2012: 7.4 million
• 2013: 7.8 million
• 2014: 7.9 million
• 2015: 7.5 million
• 2016: 7.2 million
• 2017: 5.8 million

Your thoughts?