Billie Eilish has ample cause to be ‘Happier Than Ever.’

Because the singer’s sophomore album of the same name has debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. 

Full story below…

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Tyler, The Creator may be working his latest charting-topping album ‘Call Me If You Get Lost,’ but it was talk about the project’s predecessor ‘IGOR’ that sent tongues wagging following a new interview with Hot 97. 

The 2019 set notably launched at #1 upon its arrival and in doing so eclipsed the sales of DJ Khaled’s then-new album ‘Father of Asahd.’

At the time, Khaled responded to the position, saying:

“I make albums so people can play it and you actually hear it. You know, driving your car, you hear another car playing it. You know, go to the barbershop, you hear them playing it. You know, turn the radio on, and you hear them playing it. It’s called great music. It’s called albums that you actually hear the songs. Not no mysterious shit that you never hear it.”

In the frame since, Tyler has touched on the topic at a surface level. However, he clearly had no issue making his feelings known in a detailed manner during his sit-down interview.

His words below…

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Join us as we celebrate a major musical anniversary. Today’s From The Vault pick is the first single from an album that turned 20 years old this weekend.

It’s Usher‘s ‘U Remind Me’ from the iconic ’8701.’

Issued as the lead offering from the entertainer’s third studio effort, ‘Remind Me’ finds Ush unable to shake off how much a new girl is reminiscent of an ex-girlfriend, hence his inability to date her.

The track was penned by Anita McCloud and Edmund Clement; it was produced by the latter alongside Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

A US smash, the song hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also fared well worldwide, reaching the Top 5 in the UK, France, Australia, and Canada. Furthermore, it earned Usher his very first GRAMMY in 2002.

The ever-enduring force that is Dave Meyers directed the song’s visual which presented Usher serenading several girls around before ending up at a club with his girlfriend-at-the-time, Chilli from TLC.

Who could forget that iconic solo dance sequence that proved once and for all that Mr. Raymond doesn’t need to rely on a troop of dancers to bring the house down.

20 years on, this single (and its parent album) still bang and remain radio, club, and bedroom fixtures.

Speaking on ‘8701’ just this week, ‘Usher said: “this album defined me.” And we agree in earnest.

Truly, the era at large set him apart from the other male R&B artists thanks to its powerful storytelling, memorable melodies, slick production, exciting music videos, and a killer accompanying tour.

Two decades later, it’s fantastic seeing him perform these very songs with the same gusto and precision as when he presented them to the world for the first time.

Salute to Usher for 20+ years of embodying excellence.

Your thoughts?

Tinashe has taken to the promotional trail in support of her freshly released album ‘333.’

The independent set serves as the performer’s fifth LP and is perhaps her most experimental offering yet.

Sitting down with Zane Lowe on Beats 1 radio, the eclectic singer opened up in earnest about the project, as well as her journey up to its release.

Speaking candidly, she dished on the difference in her approach now that she’s set sail on the indepenent path.

Watch below…

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Khalid is wasting no time igniting his new single ‘New Normal.’

Issued as the inaugural offering from the star’s forthcoming album ‘Everything Is Changing,’ the emotional number has been greeted with applause from fans and critics alike following its release late last month.

Now, as he looks to amplify the song’s reach the more, the 23-year-old has unwrapped an acoustic performance video.

Armed with a guitarist and a mic, watch Khalid take vocal flight after the jump…

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Check out Mary J. Blige!

The Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul serves regal on the cover of InStyle Magazine‘s September issue.

Styling and profiling, the superstar shines in the stunning shoot which was lensed by AB+DM.

The feature celebrates the luminosity of Blige’s career, which continues to grow from strength to strength.

As well as growing music accolades, the star has been earning praise for her acting efforts, including her role in the STARZ series ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ and upcoming appearance in Aretha Franklin biopic ‘Respect.’

It also arrives on the heels of her Amazon documentary ‘My Life,’ which received praise aplenty upon its release in June.

Check out more from MJB below…

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Do you know what today is? It’s #WAP’s anniversary!

Hard to believe, but Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion‘s tsunami-sized hit, ‘WAP,’ celebrated its first birthday Saturday (August 7).

Though still often the center of the ongoing debate on female representation in media (empowerment vs hypersexualization), what cannot be debated is the 6x Platinum tune’s place in history books as the most successful all-female Rap song ever.

Taking to social media celebrate the #WAPiversary, Cardi and Meg gave a nod to the enduring cut then sent their respective fan bases – #BardiGang and #Hotties – into a frenzy with the recognition.

Look inside to see how:

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Beyonce is taking the masses to the Rodeo with the latest installment of her Adidas x IVY PARK line.

As reported, the mega-star fronts the campaign for the range, which arrives on August 19. 

More than a surface theme, the range is specifically inspired by cowboys of color.

Head below for pics and quotes from Mrs. Carter…

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Circle September on those calendars! Because Netflix has officially announced the premiere date for the fourth and final season of ‘Dear White People.’

Full story below…

Helmed by Justin Simien, the show has explored issues of race, class, and sexuality against the backdrop of a college campus setting at the fictional Winchester University.

Since its debut as a series, the show – which stars the likes of  Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, Antoinette Robinson, and Deron Horton – has been showered with praise for its eagerness to ignite meaningful conversations.

September 22 brings with it the show’s final season and the streamer trumpeted the news with a high-octane teaser trailer. It touts the series’ last installment as:

“Both an Afro-futuristic and 90s-inspired musical event, Dear White People Vol. 4 is a can’t-miss, farewell experience with one pitch-perfect promise: sometimes the only way to move forward is to throw it back.”

We’ll be watching! Will you?

Your thoughts?

Normani is making the promotional rounds in support of her new single ‘Wild Side’ featuring Cardi B.

And her latest stop was Genius. 

The fun-filled feature sees the rising star unpack the racy song’s lyrics.

Taking a verse-by-verse approach, the 25-year-old sings much of the song acapella, while sharing insights into the semantics of each line.

The appearance adds to a packed plate of promotion lined up for ‘Wild Side,’ which recently became her highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100 to date.

Check it out below…

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Here at That Grape Juice, we love all things R&B! So, fittingly, we’ve teamed up with DJ Ace – one of the UK’s most revered R&B connoisseurs and host of BBC 1Xtra‘s weekly series Everything RNB (which airs Sundays at 10pm).

Each week he’ll be rounding up his latest show and previewing what’s upcoming on the next episode. Right here on That Grape Juice.

Without further ado, check out the latest installment with DJ Ace below…

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Readers of That Grape Juice know how passionate we are about music – whether that be past or present.

However, unlike our other segments – Retro Rewind, TGJ Replay, and From The Vault – The Pop Stop is the most in-depth look at Pop songs that may have flown under the radar over the last week that you should know, rather they be from music’s biggest stars or those on the rise.

This week, we want to highlight cuts from Finneas, Lil Huddy, Allison Ponthier, and Holly Humberstone.

Join us inside…

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