Ever keen to broaden our musical scope, recent months have seen That Grape Juice venture into a number of new musical landscapes including, most recently, gospel.
Let a number of reports tell it, the 56th annual Grammy awards will welcome an appearance by Beyonce.
So, if these reports to prove to be true, one can expect the entertainer to arrive a sizeable smile on her face, brought about the undying success of her brand new studio album, ‘Beyonce.’
This week’s From The Vault spotlights yet another magnificent track, courtesy of the King Of Pop himself: it’s Michael Jackson‘s ‘Stranger In Moscow’.
‘Moscow’ was the last of five singles to be released from Mike’s 1995 ‘HIStory’ album. A qualitative classic, the Jackson produced cut remains a fan favorite thanks largely to its honesty and vulnerability. Written at the height of MJ’s 93 legal drama – first as a poem then developed into a full fledged-song – ‘Moscow’ deals with isolation and solitude. The slow pace and minor-key arrangements convey that very sentiment of sadness and loneliness.
While remaining rather composed throughout the bulk of the track, the bridge sees the vocalist burst out in anger, releasing his frustration about being mistreated and misunderstood.
In the US – where Jackson’s profile wasn’t at its best following much publicized controversy – the gem only peaked in the lower tier of the Hot 100, precisely at #91, but fared much better in Europe where it ascended to #4 in the UK, #1 in Spain, and #18 in France. In Australia the song reached the 14th position of the charts and peaked at #6 in New Zealand.
The black and white Nick Brandt-directed video mirrors the track’s theme and depicts sombre-looking characters including Jackson wandering the streets while the other passersby run counter in slow-motion – which is symbolism for the song’s lyrical narrative, as is the rain at the end of the video. Impressive CGI was used as often was the case with the visual artist’s biggest videos.
When it comes to fusing music and video together, it – quite literally – doesn’t get any better than Michael Jackson. Hopefully today’s talent follow in his footsteps and internalize the importance of delivering sounds and visuals that so envelope pushing that once opened they inspire generations to come. The likes of Beyonce and Lady GaGa are – at least – trying, but the industry would benefit from more.
There’s only one King Of Pop, that much is a given. Yet, the new generation would benefit from seeing his achievements and innovations as a challenge, rather than resting on their laurels. Momentary popularity is fleeting, greatness is ever-lasting.
Now just months away from the release of his new album, the Hip Hop hero that is Future joined fiancee Ciara in Milan recently, where they posed for the killer snap placed above.
Akin to something one might expect to see in Wachowski’s ‘The Matrix’, the blacked-out pair shared the pic with the world via Ciara‘s Instagram page, just two weeks before they attend the 56th Annual Grammy Awards alongside the likes of Pharrell Williams, Lorde, Katy Perry-and if reports published this week are to be believed- Ciara‘s R&B relative Beyonce.
Could Madonna be plotting the release of ‘Ray of Light 2.o’?
Well, if a report published by Paul Dacre‘s ‘Daily Mail’ is anything to go by, Pop’s heartbeat is doing just that this year, reportedly calling on ‘He Won’t Go‘ performer Adele to help bring her ideas to fruition.
Having undergone a coach overhaul (which saw Jessie J and Danny O’Donoghue depart the show), the BBC1 hit welcomes Pop superstar Kylie Minogue to the judging panel alongside Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson for its third outing. The pair join original “coaches” will.i.am and Tom Jones.
Currently in the “Blind Auditions” phase of the competition, you can check out episode 1’s contestant’s below…
With just one album under her belt, Roc Nation‘s leading lady continues to prove a magnet for some of the world’s biggest multi-nationals.
Having already landed lucrative endorsement deals with Rimmel, DKNY, and Madonna’s Material Girl, the ‘R.I.P’ singer can now add Adidas to the ever-growing list.
The sports giant has teamed up with the Brit-bred beauty to promote their uber popular “Originals” imprint.
Just when you thought you’d seen and heard it all.
‘If You Had My Love’ singer Jennifer Lopez may want to think hard before she poses that hitmaking question again, believes former fan Rodrigo Ruiz.
For, in a bizarre lawsuit, Ruiz is suing Lopez for $10,000 for alleged sexual harassment, claiming the triple threat diva demanded he send her nude photos in exchange for potential romantic involvement and a record deal.
With digital downloads and online streams becoming two of the more dominant ingredients in the recipe of most of Billboard Hot 100 hits today, critics started to argue that topping the chart had become easier than ever to achieve. But, despite the likes of Jay Z, Drake, and Beyonce making headlines in 2013 for moving some of the year’s most impressive numbers on Billboard 200, they have another commonality – no Hot 100 #1 singles.
In fact, they join a bevy of African American hitmakers (i.e. Alicia Keys, Kanye West, J. Cole) who delivered chart-topping albums in late 2012 or 2013 without the aid of a similarly successful single.
Even this generation’s Hot 100 queen Rihanna, whose #1 single ‘Diamonds’ was dethroned two weeks before 2013’s beginning, did not see her name stamped atop the tally [as a leading act] for a song she released this year…
As reported here, gospel songstress Erica Campbell is forging a fiery solo path to Billboard glory via two well-received singles in the form of the Grammy-nominated ‘A Little More Jesus’ and its highly anticipated follow-up ‘Help’.
Acting as the title track from the March 27th due project, the song’s visual finds help from famed director Bille Woodruff as well as co-stars/Grammy-winning rapper Lecrae, Rodney Jerkins and the song’s Grammy winning producer Warryn Campbell (Erica’s husband).
That Grape Juice recently caught up with the powerhouse singer on the set of the video for ‘Help’ where she dished on the visual, its parent album, WeTV reality show ‘Mary Mary’ (February 25th), and more.
Ever keen on keeping the masses abreast of fresh and/or often underrated talent, That Grape Juice presents ‘The Spill’ – a renewed look at not-so-new, yet active, acts.
Much like its ‘Freshly Squeezed’sister segment, this revived assay aims to put the magnifying glass on talents who may not appeal to the buying public on a broad scale yet are still serving material that could easily spin side-by-side with some of today’s top hits.
Covering a kaleidoscope of genres, ‘The Spill’ is set to feature some names you probably know and love as well as some you’ll (soon) be glad to know. Click below to find out the spill on J. Holiday, Trevor Jackson, Eric Roberson, Algebra Blessett, Teedra Moses, and Jacob Latimore…
Cop a gander at Grammy winning R&B divas Kelly Rowland and Monica posing it up with Beyonce’s mom Tina Knowles at a recent party.
As fans know, Mama Knowles celebrated her 60th birthday this week and commemorated the milestone with a number of headline-grabbing celebrations – most recently a star studded affair in New Orleans.
Lifted moments ago to Monica’s Instagram page, look below to see photos of Grammy winning songstress Jennifer Hudson, Kris Jenner, and Mo’s husband Shannon Brown.
Tidbit: How much fire on a track would it be to hear Kelly & Mo collab?! Could one song handle that much slayage?
