monica-first-night-tgj billboard

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

So, just 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 press play on ‘The First Night’ – Monica’s very first #1 hit on the Hot 100 as a solo artist. Following the history-making success that was ‘The Boy Is Mine’ (the song), Mo’s sophomore effort of the same name would find an impressive follow-up with the Diana Ross-sampled number.  Leap-frogging over her Brandy-tag teamed tune this week in 1998 to hit the #2 spot, ‘Night’ eventually dethroned chart champion ‘I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing’ (Aerosmith) the week of October 3rd that year and not only gave the singer her first #1, but also her 6th top 10 entry.

Fast forward nearly 20 years later and we’re still just as in love with it now as we were then.  Tuck in below to see the other familiar faces that lined the top 20 this week that year:

(more…)

nelly-jeremih-that-grape-juice-2015-191910

DJ Mustard is to thank for the production on Nelly‘s new single ‘The Fix‘ which features ‘Freak of the Week’ wonder Jeremih!

So, hoping to ensure the jam is given the very best backing the collaborators enlisted the creative force that is Aristotle to serve as its director.

Hit the play button after the jump to catch the Hip-Hop & R&B pals in action!

(more…)

the-weeknd tgj

Canadian crooner The Weeknd continues to prove himself 2015’s breakout success story.

As if landing his first number one on the Billboard 200 with his sophomore release ‘Beauty Behind the Madness’ was not enough, the singer/songwriter followed suit with a summer-long domination of the Hot 100 with hits ‘Earned It’ and ‘Can’t Feel My Face’ – his first #1 on the tally.

Now, after his history making trek of being the first male artist ever to top Billboard’s album, single, and “artist” charts simultaneously, he etches his name in record books again by replacing himself at #1. Dethroning his own ‘Face’ with hit ‘The Hills,’ Weeknd becomes the first male artist of the decade to replace himself at the top of the summit (11th overall).

All of this while ‘What Do You Mean,’ the comeback singer of fellow Canadian crooner Justin Bieber, logs its third week as the country’s best selling single and ‘Hotline Bling’ (by Canadian crooner/rapper Drake) notches the week sole new entry in the top 10.

Canada is clearly running things on US charts…

(more…)

rihanna-that-grape-juice-2015-181919181919107181811919

Rihanna may be one of Pop music’s favourite stars but it seems that she and her team rubbed one of the U.K’s most powerful men the wrong way when they met before he was due to interview her.

Find out what happened below…

(more…)

k.michelle-that-grape-juice-2015-1919818181191901181910911819

Does your favourite artist struggle to sell albums but soar when tasked with filling seats at live music venues?

If the answer to the question above is yes you’ll be pleased to learn that there’s good news on the horizon.

(more…)

dc-tlc

In the past year, what seemed to be a resurgence of girl groups proved to be a fluke. Indeed, the fall of acts such as Danity Kane, GRL, and Neon Jungle warrants the question of whether girl groups can make it past the catty quarrels and management dilemmas.

With the likes of pop surveyors Fifth Harmony and Little Mix currently holding the torch, it begs the question of whether the industry would be welcoming to another urban girl group. Since Destiny’s Child‘s exit in 2005, there has not been a urban girl collective that has been able to maintain relevancy or major success in the industry. There have been groups that attempted to state their claim, such as Cherish, RichGirl, and even Girlicious. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to cement their status as established artists.

Taking influence from previous success stories (such as TLC, Destiny’s Child, En Vogue and the like) we have compiled a few strategic moves to make future urban girl groups “work.”

Check them out below…

(more…)

adele-25-2015-thatgrapejuice

It’s the album fans have been waiting for and rivals have been afraid of.

Adele‘s follow-up to ’21’ has been the subject of much discussion and industry-wide excitement. And up until now secrecy has encased the project.

However a new report not only suggests that it’s near – but also attaches an alleged release date.

Details below…

(more…)

janet-unbreakable-press-thatgrapejuice

For many, Pop icon Janet Jackson is a rarity, a deity, and a bonafide legend in music.

Now, after launching Rhythm Nation Records, she can also add label head to her lengthy list of titles.

Beyond orchestrating the release and roll-out of her own new album ‘Unbreakable,’ Jackson’s latest executive move sees her pair up with British hitmaker Naughty Boy for rumoured new single ‘BURNITUP! (ft. Missy Elliott).’

Details below…

(more…)

lady-gaga-redone3-thatgrapejuice

In previous era’s, Lady Gaga albums have been preceded by hyper-hype from the singer herself. A practice that has worked both for and against the star.

Taking no chances with her upcoming fifth studio album, the 29-year-old has instead employed a more subtle approach to building buzz for the project.

Much of this has centered on her reunion with longtime collaborator RedOne.

Indeed, fans have continually been sent into a frenzy with each new snap of the pair recording together.

Little has been divulged, but Gaga the ringmaster ignited excitement again with a new pic of her and Red working with one another last night (above). The hashtag attached? #LG5.

More below…

(more…)

It’s nearly been 11 years since Grammy winning divas Destiny’s Child graced record shelves with a studio LP, but if manager Matthew Knowles has his way, fans won’t have to wait 11 more before they can get their hands on some new-new from the trio.

Indeed, recently revealing he has “a few” projects in the works including a biography, television show, and more, Matthew – who still contractually manages the group – says he is “extremely hopeful” they will reunite for a new album and tour.

This, of course, after plans surfaced last year the music mogul was readying a tell-all movie based on them.  Read his words below:

(more…)

Lana-Honeymoon-Cover-tgj

Just like the misreported prediction surrounding its lead single ‘High by the Beach,’ Lana Del Rey‘s ‘Honeymoon’ has suffered a similar fate as its first week’s forecast has been recalculated.

While not as drastic as that of ‘Beach,’ which saw over a 70% drop after new reports surfaced, it’s certainly enough to stir up a frenzy among the diva’s devoted fans.  Indeed, once considered the frontrunner for the top spot on next week’s Billboard 200, the trap pop queen has been dethroned by Drake and Future‘s hotly selling mixtape ‘What A Time To Be Alive.’

Curious to know Del Rey’s new numbers?  We thought you’d be. Tuck in below for the original projections and see where she is expected to fall next week:

(more…)

ariana-grande-v-magazine-photo-shoot-tgj-september-2015-400x560xx

Brand Ariana Grande may have taken a hit with donut-gate, but that hasn’t stopped the pop starlet from pressing forward with her other sweet ventures.

As her faithful #Arianators anxiously await her return to television via tonight’s highly anticipated FOX series ‘Scream Queens,’ the pint-sized powerhouse is still pressing forward with the finishing touches on her official third LP ahead of its lead single ‘Focus’ (due October 25th).

To rev up the already high excitement, Grande took to the latest ‘V’ magazine (covered by Lana Del Rey) to dish on what fans should expect from the project, her TV outing, and so much more.  Get into it below:

(more…)

**