A a brief rest on the bench, Cover Star is back!

Today’s spotlight is shined on Florida bred songbird Mikayla Jade, who takes flight with Rihanna‘s ‘Kiss It Better.’

Despite its odd chart run, the cut remains one of the most-praised on the star’s ‘ANTI’ album.

How did Mikayla fare? Find out below…

Boasting a sweet tone and ample vocal control, Mikayla delivered with her delicious rendition.

Hers is a voice that is altogether lighter than the original, which helped put a fresh spin on the track. She also used it skilfully to showcase the different shades of her varied vocal palette.

Great performance.

For more on Mikayla, check out her YouTube channel here.

————————————————————

Want to be featured on That Grape Juice’s ‘Cover Star’? Drop an email to sam@thatgrapejuice.net OR rashad@thatgrapejuice.net

————————————————————

Your thoughts?

On April 8th 2003, Monica released ‘So Gone’ to aid the effort that was her LP ‘After the Storm.’

Penned by Missy Elliott and Spike & Jamahl, the jam saw the ‘Angel of Mine’ chanteuse find fresh chart glory following the chart-scorching single that was ‘The Boy is Mine’ when ‘Gone’ peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Today, over thirteen years later, a new generation of music lovers have taken to the net to express their admiration for the R&B effort by creating the ‘So Gone Challenge.’

In it, said fans take on the number’s rap section with their own lyrics inspired by life, love and ‘Miss Thang’ herself.

Their submissions are pretty awesome.

Check a few out below…

(more…)

Britney Spears is just two weeks away from lifting the lid on her ninth studio album ‘Glory.’

Set to strut into stores on August 26th, the LP (the follow-up to ‘Britney Jean’) is preceded by single ‘Make Me’ – as well as promo cuts ‘Private Show’ and ‘Clumsy.’

From the era’s video to still shots, it’s more than apparent that Britney is making a bid to reclaim her siren status. Case in point the newly released promotional snap above.

******

We’re all about the music, but there’s no denying that Ms. Spears has been bringing it with her aesthetic of late. She’s looking better than she has in a long while.

As for the music heard thus far? Promising in places, yet we’re not entirely sold.

The full answer to that question arrives in a mere matter of weeks.

In the meanwhile, watch the much-debated video for ‘Make Me’ below…

(more…)

Well that didn’t take long.

Fresh from debuting new single ‘Prolly,’ singer Sevyn Streeter has previewed its accompanying video.

The track, which features a guest spot from Gucci Mane, is the lead release from the star’s eagerly awaited album debut.

Wonder what its visual is set to look like? The full clip arrives on Monday, but peep a teaser below…

(more…)

Alicia Keys‘ softly launched comeback track didn’t move the needed as intended. But that’s not stopped the singer from taking ‘In Common’ for another swing of the bat.

This time she receives assistance in the form Kanye West and Travis Scott.

The trio have unwrapped an official remix of the song, with the official premiere taking place moments ago on Scott’s newly launched Beats 1 radio show.

Can the collective breathe life into the criminally underrated number? Listen below and let us know…

(more…)

Tinashe rounds up her besties for a spot of “BaeWatch” in the video for new single ‘Superlove.’

The Tricky Stewart and Dream produced jam is the lead release from the starlet’s long-awaited sophomore album ‘Joyride.’

Due in October, the LP will reportedly feature additional production from the duo, as well as from Boi-1da, Metro Boomin, and Londoner Joel Compass.

And while folk will have to exercise patience to see if she’s delivered with the LP, no such wait is necessary for the project’s first visual.

Watch the ‘Superlove’ video below…

(more…)

After a few false starts, Usher signalled his comeback with infectious club jam ‘No Limit.’ Presently racing up the Billboard R&B and Hot 100 tallies, it’s being hailed as a long-awaited return to form.

Wasting no time hitting the promotional trail, the R&B veteran gets his grown and groomed on it the latest issue of Flaunt Magazine.

Beyond the striking images lensed by Zackery Michael, the inside feature also packs quite the bite.

With Mr Raymond dancing into his third decade of stardom, he’s neither the “Next Big Thing nor the wizened elder statesman.”

During the interview, he muses on this, as well as a number of topics including long-awaited eighth album, connecting with his roots, and more.

Peep quotes and pics below…

(more…)

Check out Alicia Keys!

The 15-time Grammy winner embraces the beauty of her base a-front of the French edition of Grazia.

As previously reported, the singer-songwriter is rocking a make-up free look to promote self-love — and her sixth studio album.

Though the status of the latter remains in question (after lead single ‘In Common’ didn’t ignite the charts), Ms. Keys is gearing up for a major media takeover.

Next month she joins NBC hit ‘The Voice’ as a coach alongside fellow newcomer Miley Cyrus. And with her as yet untitled LP scheduled for a Fall roll-out, another single release is almost certainly imminent.

Pending its arrival, relive the underrated bliss that is ‘In Common’ below. Because chart or no chart, it remains a bop!

(more…)

Singer-songwriter Sevyn Streeter sprung a surprise on fans moments ago with the early release of new single ‘Prolly.’

Initially due tomorrow, the Gucci Mane assisted cut was launched early…by Sevyn herself.

Writing on Twitter, she said…

I told yall I appreciate the heck outta yall…is my team goin to be mad for releasing it early?…iono #prolly ?

After a slew of EPs, mixtapes, and early triggers, ‘Prolly’ is the first official taste of Sev’s debut album.

Tuck in below…

(more…)

The Pakistani performer Zayn Malik teams up with ‘Gentleman’s Quarterly’ for a fresh shoot and promotional spread this month.

Why? To light the way for his forthcoming studio album and support its predecessor ‘Mind of Mine.’

Despite peaking at #1 on the Billboard 200, the set has been unable to live up to the commercial expectations placed on it by industry observers who’d hoped he’d inherit One Direction‘s unit-moving fanbase.

So, there’s no doubt that the pressure is on Malik to fare much better with his aforementioned sophomore set.

Will his time with ‘GQ’ help?

(more…)

New video alert!

Pulled from his Greatest Hits effort ‘Platinum Hits’ in Jason Derulo‘s ‘Kiss the Sky.’

Wondered what its visual would look like?

Wonder no more, because the Atlantic cut crafter has released the single’s music video with hopes that it will push the single to the heights reached by the jams that appear on his ‘Hits.’

Check the charismatic performer out in action after the leap!

(more…)

Historically, the MTV Video Music Awards have saved the surprises for the show. However, organisers are bringing the jaw-dropping moments early this year. Because Rihanna, yes Rihanna, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. 

Full story below…

(more…)