Aretha Franklin‘s classic ‘Natural Woman’ is not only one of her many unforgettable Hot 100 top 10 hits, but it’s stood the test of time as one of the greatest odes to womanhood in the history of recorded music.

Penned by the legendary Carole King, the tune – a signature vocal performance of Franklin’s – has found itself on several ‘greatest song ever’ lists over the last six decades and shines as an anthem of femininity for generations of women.

But, despite its legacy and enduring reverence, one LGBTQ+ activist group is challenging music lovers to take a deeper listen at its lyrics.  Those words, the group allege, not only play on harmful anti-Trans stereotypes but also incite violence against women of the transgender experience.

Details inside.

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Sam Smith is strutting the promotional pavement in support of their brand new album ‘Gloria.’

With the LP just one week away from its January 27 release, the performer stopped by Saturday Night Live to serve up a musical feast from the project.

As is custom for SNL guests, Smith delivered two showings – the first being a high-octane performance of #1 hit ‘Unholy’ with Kim Petras and a moving rendition of the ‘Gloria’ title track.

The British belter’s appearance on the long-running NBC series comes as they gear up to hit the road on ‘Gloria – The Tour’ – which is set to make stops in North America, the UK, Europe, and Australia.

Watch after the jump…

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After an almost five-year hiatus, Beyonce delivered her first full-length concert since 2018 at the extravagant opening of Atlantis The Royal in Dubai.

Taking center stage amidst a stunning backdrop, Queen Bey and her bevy of dancers showed up and showed out.

While the music royal held on to songs from her ‘Renaissance’ album (which reports suggest could be for an upcoming showing), she still wowed with a diverse setlist that included classics such as ‘Crazy In Love,’ Pop bops like ‘Beautiful Liar,’ and rare gems ala ‘Flaws & All.’

The superstar also seized the moment to shine a light on tracks from ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ – serving up the first live renditions of critically-acclaimed cuts such as  ‘Spirit,’ ‘Bigger,’ and the GRAMMY-winning ‘Brown Skin Girl’ which she performed with 11-year-old daughter Blue Ivy.

Check out more snaps from an unforgettable night after the jump…

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

So, as our retrospective segments, ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay,’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our latest feature –  Chart Rewind – serves as a variation of our Retro Rewind assay to salute an entire era of music history.

This week, we’re revisiting one of the hottest female Rap hits of all time – Foxy Brown‘s 1999 smash ‘Hot Spot.’

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TikTok has not only proven itself a great promotional tool for new music over the years but also a powerful mean to introduce younger generations of music lovers to the hits of yesteryear.

And while many acts can attest to the platform’s commercial potency, the most astounding recent example comes courtesy of ‘Sure Thing‘ – the 2011 breakout single of R&B crooner Miguel.

Catapulted to viral status on the app thanks to users incorporating clips of the Happy Perez-produced track on their videos, the awakened exposure has led to impressive sales and streaming gains of the 3x Platinum track.

So much so, ‘Sure’ appeared on the refreshed Hot 100 – leapfrogging over some of the day’s biggest hits from the likes of Taylor Swift, SZA, Drake, and other current-day hitmakers.

Details inside.

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Beyonce made her grand return to the stage tonight (January 21) at the lavish opening of Atlantis The Royal in Dubai.

And while it was a private event, the star-studded spectacle sparked ample excitement on social media (where it trended in earnest) – particularly as it served as Queen Bey’s first full-length showing since 2018.

Viewers of the clips that spilled online (despite the no-filming policy) noted that the superstar’s setlist did not include any tracks from her chart-topping ‘Renaissance’ album.

Instead, the hour-long performance was comprised of classics such as ‘Crazy In Love,’ Pop hits like ‘Beautiful Liar,’ and rare gems ala ‘Flaws & All.’ Songs from ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ also received their first live showing – including ‘Spirit,’ ‘Bigger,’ and ‘Brown Skin Girl’ with daughter Blue Ivy.

This prompted speculation that the upcoming GRAMMY Awards could be the platform for a rousing ‘Renaissance’ showing.

And now a new report suggests that may well be the case.

Full story below…

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SZA is scorching like never before with new album ‘S.O.S,’ which continues to reign on the Billboard 200 more than a month after its release.

One of the key drivers mobilizing its success is the set’s current single ‘Kill Bill.’

Omnipresence on the streaming scene, the smash hit continues to put up a fierce challenge for the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

While that battle rages on, the R&B star has gifted fans a behind-the-scenes look at how the track’s accompanying visual (which draws inspiration from the classic ‘Kill Bill’ movie) was pieced together.

Check out SZA and director Christian Breslauer in action below…

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The Queen is back!

Beyonce glowed in gold at the launch of The Atlantis The Royal resort in Dubai tonight (January 21).

As reported, the megastar scored a mega check to perform at the exclusive event – with sources touting a titan-sized total of $24 million for the one-hour show.

Said performance, her first full-length show in five years, is taking place as we write. It comes as anticipation grows for the visuals for the diva’s chart-topping ‘Renaissance’ album.

Pending more from the epic showing, check out the ‘Break My Soul’ belter blazing the red carpet after the jump…

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Madonna is magnetizing the masses to her newly announced trek, ‘The Celebration Tour.’

Full story below…

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Cop a gander at Jennifer Lopez!

The booked and busy multihyphenate showed up and showed out at the premiere of her latest movie ‘Shotgun Wedding.’

Sparkling on the red carpet, the superstar – who is gearing up for the release of her new album ‘This Is Me…Now’ – appeared alongside her co-stars such as Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Coolidge, and Lenny Kravitz at the glitzy TCL Chinese Theatre event.

An interactive affair, the spectacle boasted a “Just Married” speedboat, a zipline adventure ride that took over Hollywood Boulevard in LA, and more activations inspired by the film.

‘Shotgun Wedding’ – which sees J.Lo and Duhamel appear as a couple who’ve jetted abroad for a drama-drenched destination wedding – premieres on Amazon’s Prime Video on January 27.

Pending then, peep more after from launch night after the jump…

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Just hours after taking to social media to slam Chrisean Rock for having to be forcefully removed from an interview after she displayed erratic behavior, rapper Blueface – her on-and-off-again boyfriend – says the two are “officially done” after he discovered she’s allegedly pregnant with someone else’s child.

Details inside.

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While many harbored dreams of romantic liaisons with B2K back in the group’s heyday, 3LW singer Kiely Williams says hers were a reality.

Speaking during an interview with Carlos King on the Reality With The King podcast, the ‘Spectacular’ performer waxed candid about her interactions with the ‘Bump Bump Bump’ belters.

Full story below…

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