Even jointly, late 2013 blockbusters from the likes of Beyonce, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga were not enough to save the fledgling music industry as reports confirm worry that the industry is nearing its darkest days yet.

Predictably, physical CD sales have continued their slump as news has it that the CD album format is down 20.5 percent so far this year (31.9 million units sold from the 40.1 million units scanned in the first quarter of 2013).  But, the once flourishing alternative (i.e. digital sales from outlets like iTunes and Amazon.com) are also reflecting swift and downward movement.  So much so, that its decline is nearly matching the rate of physical CD sale decline for the first time in history.

While the industry nears a state of panic, relief has come via popular streaming outlets like Pandora and Spotify as they boast increases in activity and revenue…

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#1.

After rising to R&B notoriety surfacing word-of-mouth waves pushed by streaming currents, it would seem Elijah Blake is now on course to turning his grassroots water into digital wine this week…heading straight for the chart position above.

How?

Find out below!

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Pop megastar Beyonce may have spent the last month crossing borders on her ‘Mrs.Carter Show’ world tour, but it would seem her self-titled new album has no intentions of leaving the spot it currently resides in.

The US Top Twenty.

Find out how below…

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It may have taken it longer than her fans would have liked, but it would appear Lana Del Rey‘s ‘Born to Die‘ debut now stands no more than 4,000 units from hitting the 1 million units sold mark in the USA!

Want the 411 on her impending Platinum glory?

Come with us…

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Three years after arriving at Pop’s front door, April 14th 2014 will see Iggy Azalea granted entry with the release of her debut album ‘The New Classic.’

Set to unleash jams written by the likes of Katy Perry, Rita Ora, and Mavado, today’s saw the album’s forthcoming journey to the commercial heavens made a little easier, after its latest single ‘Fancy‘ was play listed on ‘BBC Radio 1‘!

Full story below…

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‘We Fall Down’, ‘Speak To My Heart’, and ‘Stand’ are just a few of the gospel titles imparted over the last two decades that continue to stand the test of time.  Gospel legend Donnie McClurkin, the critically acclaimed creator of all three tunes, boasts mastery of that very same test.

With radio, television, and music all lining his decorative resume, the Grammy winner continues to conquer many-a-media format. Then, just when fans thought he had no new ground to claim, McClurkin revealed news of a ‘Duets’ album (in stores March 4th).

Now, speaking exclusively to That Grape Juice, Pastor Donnie dishes on the project (which features Dorinda Clark Cole, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Marvin Sapp, and more), the highly anticipated 7th season of BET’s ‘Sunday Best’, rumors of starting his own reality show, and so much more.

Find out what Donnie McClurkin had to say about these topics below:

Donnie McClurkin Shouts Out That Grape Juice

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16 years after she first stormed the charts with her self-titled debut, R&B maestra Mya returned to the spotlight this month with a brand new EP cut and crafted for the lovers.

Aptly christened ‘With Love’, the singer bills the set (which she has deemed a prelude to her global chart return) as a treat for the army of loyal fans who have stuck with her over the years.

Ever eager to ask the questions you really want answers to, That Grape Juice caught up with the ‘My Love Is Like…’ belter for a candid chat.

Having experienced the bright and dark sides of the “industry”, the 34-year-old was both equipped and ready to offer fascinating insight into the past, present, and future of her layered career.

Check out our exclusive interview with Mya below…

Interviewer: Sam

Transcribed by: Josh Wexler

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As the gem that is Mariah Carey‘s ‘You’re Mine’ free falls its way down iTunes USA, Jason Derulo can boast of standing on much higher ground today, as his new single ‘Talk Dirty’ continues to turn up the heat on the Billboard Hot 100.

Details below…

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Bashed and belittled by those who weren’t impressed by its ‘R-rated’ nature, Rihanna‘s ‘Pour It Up‘ made quite the impact upon its October 2013 arrival, for reasons both good and bad.

The good? The push it gave supporting album ‘Unapologetic’ on a sales front, after surpassing sales of 1 million units in the US itself. The bad? Criticism from fans of DanceHall staples Lady Saw and Patra, who took aim at the star’s alleged ‘borrowing’ of their work and trademark styles.

Today, the good finds itself outweighing the bad as the clip reaches a monumental milestone, and as the performer joins management company Roc Nation in celebrating the release of new music from collaborator Elijah Blake!

Full story below…

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Shakira is Pop’s most popular artist.

No really…she is. Well, at least she is this week, after gains made on social media and streaming services forced her to the top of Billboard’s Social 50, which ranks the most popular artists on YouTube, Vevo, Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud, Wikipedia, Myspace and Instagram!

Details below…

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After a lengthy break on the bench, ‘TGJ Replay’ is back!

Designed much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ segments, ‘Replay’ is That Grape Juice‘s newest retrospective segment – a written quest, if you will, to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday.

Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase entire albums (and eras) from a library of pop and Urban pop music hits.  As this weekend marks the 10th anniversary of her epic Super Bowl showing, today’s ‘Replay’ revisits ‘Damita Jo‘ – the ensuing era of pop icon Janet Jackson.

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Cop a gander of Beyonce!

The megastar took to her Tumblr page this evening to debut fierce new box braids.

Looking like freshly printed money, King B continues to prove that she can rock any and every style.

Are we the only ones who’d love to see the ‘Drunk In Love’ singer don this ‘do in a video or two? Given the edgier  lane she’s driving in these days, it could be hot tamale.

In any case, peep another shot below…

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