2015 has brought us countless great albums, and some not so great. Looking forward, there are a few artists who we are expecting to take 2016 by storm and anxiously awaiting their arrivals. Find out who after the jump!

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The 38th annual ‘Kennedy Center Honors, hosted by Stephen Colbert, aired last night on CBS after being taped earlier this month at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Honoring a group musicians, singers, playwrights, actors, and more whose lifelong contributions have greatly impacted their respective fields, last night’s honorees – Carole King, George Lucas, Ciccely Tyson, etc.- were serenaded by some of the days best movers and shakers (see:  Janelle Monae, Sara Bareilles, and more).

But, as if their show-stopping performances weren’t enough, leave it to Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin to really show ’em how it’s done.  Even moving President Obama to tears with her soul-stirring rendition of the 1967 classic, ‘Natural Woman,’ tuck in below to recap this and some of the night’s best performances:

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Kendrick Lamar‘s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ recently surpassed sales of 750,000 units in the United States alone much to the delight of his swelling fan base and the critics who praised its bold and unashamedly hard hitting material.

What inspired its sound?

Lamar’s traumatic childhood which he discussed only during an interview set to shock those who know very little about his life before his rise to fame.

Read below…

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Welcome back to TGJ Replay!

Designed much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ features, ‘Replay’ is That Grape Juice‘s newest reflective segment to act as a written quest to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday. Unlike its TGJ retrospective predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase entire albums (and eras) from a library of pop and Urban pop music hits.

This week, we’ll press play on the critically acclaimed, self-titled debut album of pint-size powerhouse Jojo: (more…)

Christmas week 2015 saw music superstars Chris Brown & Monica go head-to-head in the name of R&B amidst a fray of the year’s top sellers (see: Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Adele).  Hoping to capitalize from the holiday rush, the RCA labelmates respectively lent their 8th official projects (‘Royalty’ and ‘Code Red‘) to much critical fanfare.

On the commercial front, however, the responses saw a wider margin of variance.  Both launched without a top-performing single on the Hot 100, the R&B sets also took a more demure route to promo. While Mo hit the streets for a 22 date Stateside tour (and sparse media stops), Brown relied on a few print features and a slew of music videos to spread awareness about his project.

Were their approaches just right or did they miss the mark?   Find out below:

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‘2 On’ performer Tinashe is calling out the music industry for only championing one black female artist at a time.

Read her point of her view below…

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R&B crooner Sammie, formerly known as Leigh Bush, is ending his 2015 on a high note with a new mixtape for his devoted fans.

Titled ‘Indigo,’ the 12-track digital project boasts penning by Sammie in its entirety.  An emotional affair for the 28-year-old singer, he says the project is representative of his own personal and professional growth.

“This project is closure. I’ve been conflicted for so long on how to prioritize my life that in the process of doing so the most important thing which is love, got pushed to the bottom of the list. I’m finally at the point where nothing else matters to me but love. From my mistakes, I’ve learned the lesson. And those very same mistakes molded me into the man I am today.”  – Sammie

Your listen awaits below:

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To work hard doesn’t always mean one is “working smart.”

Unfortunately, the above is a lesson R&B prince Chris Brown is yet to learn as he joins the artist Cal Scruby to release the visual for the song ‘Ain’t Sh** Change.’

Pulled from the latter’s ‘House in the Hills’ EP the song and its supporting video now stands as one of many impressive yet forgettable  releases the ‘Fine China’ singer has released to aid his latest album ‘Royalty.’

Why we say Brown is working hard but not “smart”? The video below, when joined by all the others seemingly released without rhyme or reason this month, pulls the public’s focus away from the main event (‘Royalty‘s material) while robbing Brown’s brand of the high end exclusivity it once had.

That’s enough from us.

Peep the video below….

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If there are two things Urban fans know K. Michelle for it’s her big voice and big booty.  But, just last month the R&B diva revealed the surgically-enhanced latter would soon be placed on a permanent hiatus.  In a telling interview, she shared:

“For me, and my career right now, and me doing business — like really being on the frontline in business — I don’t need to have a man looking down at my ass when I’m trying to talk numbers. I can’t wear designer clothes. It’s always a problem when it comes to designers and like when they have to get stuff to fit my body.”

Well, it appears she’s kept her word.  Taking to Instagram, Michelle showed off her newly shaped bum (which she has affectionately nicknamed ‘Betsy’) and accompanied it with a touching caption.  See the full pic and Mz. New Booty’s words of wisdom below:

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Superstar songstress Toni Braxton reminds that her beauty is one that endures on the latest cover of Upscale Magazine.

The sultry contralto glows in the feature, which is one of many media spots lined up to promote her Lifetime biopic ‘Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart.’

Premiering January 23rd, the movie will re-tell the private and professional highs, lows, and all in-between that have defined the life of one of modern music’s most captivating talents.

On a relatively random note, we’re crossing our fingers, toes, and everything crossable in hope that Toni seizes on the “moment” and serves up new music with the swiftness.

Unlike some of her contemporaries, her voice is still in amazing shape and she hasn’t lost any of her stage gravitas (or sensualness). With the right push, she could be the definitive diva in the Urban adult contemporary arena.

Your thoughts?

Iggy Azalea is laying the foundations for what she hopes will be a fruitful 2016.

Now Def Jam‘s leading lady following Rihanna‘s departure from the label the entertainer has kicked off the campaign for her next studio album by releasing a snippet from its first official single.

Its name?

‘Team.’

Listen below…

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With the help of the industry power player that is Jay Brown and his Roc Nation camp Rihanna has risen in Pop’s ranks to rival artists she once considered her idols.

Alas, after shocking the world with messages published here the singer’s producer Glass John claims the star plans to follow in the footsteps of ‘Size’ sales clerk turned Pop superstar Rita Ora by leaving the company.

Full story below…

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