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

So, 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.

Next, we’ll salute ‘Hero’ – the 8th of a historic 18 #1 singles by pop icon Mariah Carey.  As diehard Carey fans – affectionately called #Lambs – already know, the song almost belonged to another chart-topping diva:  Gloria Estefan.  Originally penned for the legendary Latin pop songstress, Carey – originally disenchanted with the song – later opted to keep it and make some “flavorful” changes to its arrangement.  The reworking not only met MC’s favor, but apparently the buying public’s as well.

Just ten weeks after its release, ‘Hero’ topped the Hot 100 for four weeks (where it was found this week 23 yeaers ago).  Ousting Janet Jackson‘s scorching ballad ‘Again’ from the top spot, Carey’s uplifting tune went on to quickly earn platinum status. And, while it was not honored by any major awards academy, it endured to become her signature song.

Tuck in below to see who joined her in the top 25 this week in 1994:

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Since the onset of the New Year, gospel singer Kim Burrell has been embroiled in a colossal scandal centered on a homophobic sermon.

Indeed, as reported, a video hit the web of the “pastor” branding gay people as “perverted” and implying that they will die in 2017.

The fall-out / fall from grace has been well-documented, with a horde of names publicly lashing Burrell. A list that includes Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan, and Octavia Spencer.

Perhaps most notable was Ellen Degeneres, who control, alt, deleted a scheduled performance from Burrell on her show.

Pharrell Williams, who she was set to perform with, did still appear and addressed the drama head-on.

See what he had to say of his ‘I See A Victory’ collaborator below…

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The future of Fifth Harmony has yet to be determined following the controversial departure of a central member last month.

However, while the band’s fans await word on what’s next, Normani Kordei is keeping things moving.

Continuing her trend of hopping of hot tracks, the 20-year-old has unwrapped a majestic mash-up of Solange‘s ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’ and ‘Cranes In The Sky’. Both of which are lifted from her chart-topping album ‘A Seat At The Table.’

The move sees the popular starlet assert her solo gravitas – something 5H’s supporters were promised would be the case from the group’s remaining members following last month’s drama.

Take a listen to Normani’s latest cover below…

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Another couple bites the dust.

This time it’s rappers Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill.

Full story below…

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Legendary ‘Hold My Mule’ hitmaker Shirley Caesar probably should’ve held her tongue if the fiery backlash that ensued after her vocal support of fellow gospel songstress, Kim Burrell, is anything to judge by.

The Grammy winning gospel pioneer – who was the center of the late 2016 viral #Unameit challenge – is seeing her name fly atop headlines for not only condoning Burrell’s highly publicized, anti-LGBT sermon but even going so far as to slam Pres. Obama for the legalization of gay marriage.

She may have served us beans, greens, potatoes, and tomatoes over the holidays, but now Twitter is serving her something else.  See it all below:

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Mariah Carey may be several days removed from her disastrous performance at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, but her showing remains a hot topic.

Tommy Mottolla – the Sony exec responsible for launching her into the stratosphere – is the latest name to weigh-in on the drama.

As reported, the performance saw Mimi meltdown by refusing to sing when her “backing track” failed to kick in. A move which has seen lip-sync accusations erupt in earnest.

What did Mottolla, who was married to Carey’s from 1993-98, have to say?

Find out below…

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As the music world is still reeling from the untimely death of Grammy-winning crooner George Michael, new fans and old are clinging to the singer’s prized discography to remember him.

And, while it’s by no means unusual for an artist’s catalog to see a boost in sales posthumously, some acts – as legends David Bowie, Whitney Houston, and Prince exhibited at the time of their passings – exceed even the highest expectations.  Now, Michael can add his name to that list.

Billboard reports:

“In the week ending Dec. 29, sales of Michael’s music — including with his former duo, Wham! — increased 2,678 percent (to 477,000 albums and songs, rounded to the nearest thousand) as compared to the previous week (17,000). Of the 477,000 total, album sales equaled 48,000 (up from just 1,000 the week previous), while song sales totaled 429,000 (an increase from 16,000 a week earlier).

In total, Michael/Wham! earned 103,000 equivalent album units during the tracking frame — a gain of 2,071 percent compared to the 5,000 units earned a week earlier.”

Tuck in below to see who joins George in this week’s refreshed TGJ Chart Check:

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As reported here, The Weeknd‘s ‘Starboy’ was behind Rae Sremmurd‘s #1 hit, ‘Black Beatles,’ on the Hot 100 for so long it actually tied the all-time record for most consecutive weeks at #2.  Finally, after a $.69 iTunes sale, the Daft Punk-assisted tune finally ascended to #1 last week, giving Weeknd his third chart-topper.

Now, as the refreshed Hot 100 reveals, that sale may have been just what the doctor ordered to get him to #1, but it damn sure wasn’t enough to keep him there.  For, after just 1 week of topping the tally, he’s already been ousted from its perch.

Curious to see who its new occupant is?  Tuck in below to see and also find out whom among your faves landed in this week’s new TGJ Chart Check:  Hot 100…

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According to Brandy, her 2017 will be all about peace and positivity.

She is, however, keen to clear up any confusion as to a claim made by a songwriting friend who alleged that she took issue with him posing for a picture with Beyonce.

See what she had to say below…

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Rihanna may not have nabbed a hit with ‘Kiss It Better,’ but she’s managed to snag a Platinum plaque for the ‘ANTI’ track.

Full story below…

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‘Crank That’ rapper Soulja Boy has gone from cranking out disses to cranking out an apology to Chris Brown and Migos member Quavo after days of trading insults online with each.

The beefs – which saw Brown and Quavo shade Soulja into oblivion  unearth unflattering videos of the the rapper as well as wield attacks on his finance, physical appearance, and more – were called to a halt today when Soulja took to Twitter to offer the proverbial “white flag.”

This, after Brown proposed the two literally enter a boxing ring to “duke it out.”  See the video below:

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Drake‘s domination of 2016, thanks to his blockbuster album ‘Views,’ is looking to spill over into 2017 the awards season is any indication.

Indeed, after nabbing an impressive 8 nominations for the 2017 Grammys, now the rapper/singer can add 12 – that’s right – 12 iHeartRadio Music Award nominations to his growing awards resume.  In categories that include “male artist of the year,” “hip hop artist of the year,” and even “song of the year” for his #1 hit “One Dance,” Drizzy is set to dominate the showing once it’s held on March 5th at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

Keen to see who he’ll face for the coveted trophies?  See the full list below:

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