Another year, another Halftime show. With the latest Superbowl mid-game extravaganza just a few hours away, it’s the aptest of occasions to reflect on the undeniable blueprint of what a Halftime performance should be. As such, Michael Jackson‘s 1993 showing is this week’s From The Vault pick.

Hot on the promotional trail for his ‘Dangerous’ album, the late, great superstar was offered the slot following the lackluster ratings generated by his predecessors.

Already crowned the King, the genesis of modern Pop seized the moment to reaffirm why he was (and still is) the bar and the benchmark.

After making an explosive entrance (on a toaster….naturally), the stage titan stood still for 90 scintillating seconds before bursting into ‘Dangerous’ smash ‘Jam.’ Rousing renditions of classics ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Black Or White’ quickly followed.

Famed for his philanthropical and humanitarian work, Jackson closed the set with a hymn-like sing-along to ‘We Are The World’ and ‘Heal The World’ – with a choir of comprised of over three thousand.

Like most things Jackson touched, this showing forever changed the scope of live performance and arguably the entertainment industry at large. Indeed, following the 1993 ratings touchdown, the Superbowl Halftime has become the definitive destination for high-octane showings by music’s biggest names.

What’s more, between interest in the big game and the buzz about Halftime, the Bowl has become a mecca of sorts for advertisers who plunge millions into commercials which run during the show. Put simply, the event has morphed from a sports phenomenon into a global, Pop cultural experience. Something Michael Jackson was instrumental in.

[Side note: Even the chronology of the setlist (cannonball opening into a mellower, ballad flavored end) has been adopted by almost every Halftime headliner that has followed – including Madonna]

With Beyonce and Bruno Mars set to return to rock the stage with Coldplay tonight, it’ll be interesting to see which way Mike’s influence will be used this time around.

Long live the King Of Pop!

Your thoughts?

Beyonce‘s ‘Formation’ clip is scorching the net…for all the right reasons.

The visual marks the first to be released to support her sixth studio album (reportedly her last under her current contract with Columbia Music) and honours her ancestral ties to New Orleans (see Joseph Broussard.)

Now pop open the lid below to find out why the cut’s writers (Beyonce & Rae Sremmurd‘s Swae Lee) are being celebrated for its pro-Black and bold lyrics.

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Beyonce is back!

Music’s ruling royal sprung a mighty surprise on the masses moments ago with the debut of new song ‘Formation.’

The track is the first taste of the dynamo diva’s highly anticipated sixth studio album – her first since her game-changing self-titled album

Watch the video below…

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While the net revels in the new release from Rihanna‘s rival, the Bajan belle is trying to build buzz for latest single ‘Work.’

Despite reportedly shooting scenes for the Caribbean-kissed cut weeks ago, the 27-year-old ventured out to Toronto this week to film additional footage with Drake and Director X.

Taking to Snapchat, the model shared the shot above of herself and the crew.

For her sake, she’ll need to churn this one out pronto. Because, as at typing, the lion-share of her audience seem preoccupied with another release.

Your thoughts?

Nelly‘s affinity with Country music is unwavering.

So, in honour of the Pam Tillis‘s and Reba McEntire‘s of the world, the Hip-Hop star has covered Thomas Rhett’s ‘Die A Happy Man’ twelve years after he teamed up with Tim McGraw to record the hit ‘Over & Over Again.’

Ready to hear the ‘Country Grammar’ maestro honour his southern roots with song.

Hit the play button below…

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With Super Bowl 50 merely a day away, all eyes (and ears) are on Lady Gaga as she gears up to open the extravaganza with the the US National Anthem (‘The Star Spangled Banner’).

Over the years, the song has become notorious for its ability to both catapult and crush careers.

Which renditions should Gaga be Googling?

Join us after the jump as we countdown our Top 5 Super Bowl ‘Star Spangled Banner’ Performances.

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Rihanna‘s power as an album seller may remain as questionable as ever, yet following a turbo-charged launch, she continues to prove herself as a potent singles shifter with latest effort ‘Work.’

Serviced as the ‘ANTI’ album’s fourth “lead” single, the Drake assisted number is racing up the charts and is on-course to become the Barbadian beauty’s next big hit.

Scenes for its accompanying video were reportedly shot long before its premiere, yet additional dance cuts were shot this past week.

Omnipresent on social media, Rih took to Snapchat today to tease and titillate with clips from the visual.

Check it out below…

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Beyond the Halftime Show, Sunday’s Super Bowl 50 will be a must-see attraction for music fans thanks to Lady Gaga.

The superstar singer’s comeback campaign will see her kick off festivities with a spirited showing of the US National Anthem.

As history has shown, performing the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ on such a grand stage has immortalised some careers, while T.K.O’ing others.

Speaking with the NFL Network today, Mother Monster opened up about the honor of being asked to perform and revealed that she’s drawing inspiration from Whitney Houston‘s iconic showing.

See her full length interview below, as well as a preview of what folk can expect…

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Beyonce hasn’t sat down for a traditional interview in almost three years; but with buzz to build for her Super Bowl performance with Coldplay on Sunday night, the singer has shattered the silence.

Aptly, it was for a feature on CBS’ network special – The Super Bowl’s Greatest Halftime Shows.

Watch below as Queen Bey spills on her 2013 spectacle and takes the masses behind the scenes to see the ‘Formation’ of the extravaganza.

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K. Michelle is playing no games as she continues to parlay her reality fame into a viable recording career.

This year, the R&B star will release her third studio album and, fresh from debuting its lead single ‘Not A Little Bit’ last month she has unveiled the project’s official title and cover.

At one point, she teased that the LP had been christened ‘I’m Not White But I Hope You Like It.’

However, she’s clearly changed her mind.

Find out what the project has been named below…

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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.

This week we’ll rewind to the third #1 hit of R&B vet Usher‘s career – ‘U Got It Bad.’ The second single lifted from his ‘8701’ album, the tune’s ascension to the summit of the Hot 100 marked the first time in his career he nabbed consecutive #1 hits (both from one album). Skyrocketing to the top of the tally in late 2001, the song was briefly toppled by rockers Nickelback before resuming its grip on the position for 5 consecutive weeks (6 weeks overall).

A lasting fan favorite of Ush’s, the tune’s accompanying video – featuring then-girlfriend Chilli (of TLC) – is remembered most for its famous rain dance sequence (impressive choreography the crooner has recreated on stage time and time again).  Tuck in below to relive ‘Bad’ and see which of its chart co-tenants you remember most from this week in 2002:

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The numbers, after much ado, are finally in.

Rihanna‘s eighth studio album ‘ANTI’ has been the subject of much debate – thanks largely to a leak on TIDAL, a purchased Platinum plaque, and an all-round messy roll-out.

It also bears the weight of serving as the year’s first “event” release from a major Pop artist.

How did it fare, then, after its first full week in the marketplace? Find out below…

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