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 questto 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.
Now, as the world celebrates the 34th birthday of music icon Beyonce, there’s no better time to ode her with a salute in the form of a “replay” of her sophomore album ‘BDay.’
“This is the album women need to hear. It’s for all the women out there that need to hear something that will give them strength and empowerment. There’s a song for everyone on this album – women in love, women who need to get out of love, women who are vulnerable, and women in every aspect of a relationship.
A lot of the records [on the album] are not about my life, but are about my friends’ lives or women around me. I thought it was important that I didn’t do the same album about love once again, but I needed a variety of things everyone can relate to.” – Beyonce, 2006
The Best You Never Heard is back! Each week will once again see That Grape Juice spotlight an array of little known gems. Featuring picks from the TGJ editorial team, we want to know…who chose the best song! Let us know below…
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Fantasia – I’m Not That Type
As American Idol graduates go, the likes of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood may posses the most Platinum plaques, yet -for us- it’s Fantasia Barrino who boasts the most solid catalogue.
Indeed, in the 10 years since the North Carolina native blazed onto the scene, she has solidified herself as one of music’s most consistent talents. A status she earned with releases such as her self-titled sophomore set in 2006.
While much of the LP is soaked in the classic soulfulness we’ve come to love from the singer, it also served up a number of pleasant surprises. Case, point, ‘I’m Not That Type’.
Produced by Missy Elliott, the cut places Fantasia on “Club” terrain with its pulsating bassline, gritty beat, and all-round “edgy”. While lyrically, the track embraces the brand and strand of new age feminism perpetuated by the likes of TLC and Destiny’s Child.
Sonically, though, this is all flavours of ratchet. And yours truly loves it.
If this year’s ‘Without Me’ had an older, feistier, sister, this gem would be she! {SAM}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”xyg4ny_W73U”]
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Lady GaGa – Disco Heaven
This week’s pick comes courtesy of Pop force Lady GaGa and her gem ‘Disco Heaven’.
A bonus track from Stefani’s first LP ‘The Fame’, it is a throwback to – as its title implies – the golden era of the Disco. Produced by former collaborator Rob Fusari, the dark retro number stands as a favorite among Little Monsters.
Markedly different from the singles released from its parent album but rather similar to her more recent output, it is again a testament to GaGa’s vision of who she wanted to be as an artist – especially when this song was recorded pre-RedOne and was part of Lady GaGa’s shows BEFORE she was “LADY GAGA”. Indeed ‘Heaven’ wouldn’t sound misplaced if played in between tracks such as ‘ARTPOP’ and ‘Applause’.
In any case, the song is a major winner, press play to find out why! {JOE}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”Hb7L3ZEg_K4″]
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Rihanna – Last Goodbye
Pulled from her sophomore LP ‘A Girl Like Me’, Rihanna‘s ‘Final Goodbye’ now stands as one her lesser known songs, perhaps lost in the shadows of the chart-toppers that followed its release and the ballads she now finds herself being celebrated for.
However, as you’ll agree once you press play below, the number does more to showcase her vocal skill than the songs that have seen her go from Teen Pop sensation to one of the this era’s most successful entertainers.
Penned by Luke McMaster, Charlene Gilliam and Curtis Richardson, the Gaelic- sounding ‘Goodbye’ sees an 18 year old Fenty bid adieu to the nightclub-ready themes found in ‘SOS’ and ‘Break It Off’ and land on mature ground with a cut that’s just as poignant today as it was upon its 2006 release.
Love it as much as I do? You know who to vote for below! {DAVID}
LISTEN: [audiotube id=”gujdHQboago”]
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Kierra Sheard – Wave Your Banner (ft. Mary Mary)
If there was a duckwalk in your spirit, we wouldn’t be mad if you broke out into it while listening to this song. In the streets or in the church, ‘Wave Your Banner’ – the triumphantly, energetic cut from gospel songstress Kierra Sheard and Grammy winning gospel sister duo Mary Mary – simply bumps…hard!
Found on Sheard’s third album ‘Bold Right Life’, the tune is an oft-overlooked gem and awesome reverse follow-up to Mary Mary’s ‘God In Me’ (which saw Kierra play guest). As the aptly titled ‘Bold’ marked the singer’s first album into adulthood, it flexed a newfound confidence befitting a growing artist and woman overall. Had the Urban contemporary ‘Wave’ ever been released to radio, we’re sure it would’ve been a hit.
Alas, we can only dream. Until then, we’ll ‘Wave’ right along with Kiki on this bass driven tune! {RASHAD}
Much to the joy of her faithful lambs, Grammy winning pop diva Mariah Carey brought a slew of Christmas classics to the 81st Annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting in New York City.
Joining a line-up that featured Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Leona Lewis, Kelly Clarkson, and diva-in-training Ariana Grande, the diva pulled a two-for-two on the NBC-aired program with classics ‘Joy To the World’ and her holiday staple ‘All I Want For Christmas’.
Immediately after, Grande took to the stage to share her rendition of ‘Last Christmas’ and her song ‘Love Is Everything’. See the sights and sounds of them all below:
P.S. – Mariah, Ariana, Kelly and Toni’s vocals were simply splendid…
Justin Timberlake‘s blockbuster success with ‘The 20/20 Experience’ has been rewarded with a whopping six nominationsat the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards it was announced moments ago.
The Pop maestro’s comeback effort, which hit stores in March (and sees a sequel unleashed this September), has nabbed the singer the most number of nominations at the 30th anniversary of the iconic show, which airs live from New York’s Barclays Center on August 25th. It’s an honor the 32-year-old shares with Hip-Pop stars Macklemore & Ryan Lewis whose success with hits such as ‘Thrift Shop’ and ‘Same Love’ have propelled them from little known hopefuls to global chart-toppers.
What categories are each up for? Who else has been nominated? Fret not, the answers await after the jump!
After spending the last few years being overlooked by the casual listener, it seems Contemporary R&B is finally reaping the fruits of its Frank Ocean fueled labor.
For, thanks to the public’s renewed interest in the genre and a well executed push by her label ‘EPIC‘, Ciara‘s ‘Body Party‘ has found itself on its way to the chart heavens…selling 20,000 units in the last week.
The Recording Industry Association Of America has announced a new rule change that’s set to change the world of music forever.
For, as to accomodate the industry’s ever changing trends, they have revealed that digital streams will now count towards sales certifications awarded to entertainers.
With over 100,000 votes cast, the time has finally arrived for the winners of the That Grape Juice End of Year Awards 2012 to be announced!
The last two weeks have seen category winners change almost hourly. However upon the penultimate cut-off point, the final list saw two “B”s nab a number of a number awards.
Check out the full list of winners below (in bold). Some may surprise:
Yes, after a year of a notable music releases, Billboard have finally released their ‘Year End Chart‘, which tallies the highest selling projects of the year and lists them according to units moved this year.
As evidenced by the rant of ‘Believe’ beau Justin Bieber‘s manager, it’s pretty safe to say that some camps are still up-in-arms about the 2013 Grammy nominations unveiled last night.
Indeed, every year sees some scorned team or artist supporter feel “cheated” due to an absence from the nominations tally (see: Jill Scott’s rant last year), but this year marks a noted difference in that A) the male domination of categories, B) the absence of hip-hop and R&B from major categories, and C) the glaring, 2011-instated removal of “gender-specific” categories.
With only acts who released material from September 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012 eligible for consideration, the wealth of overlooked talent is earning a collective side-eye from many-a-music lover. Just ask fans of Brandy & Monica‘s ‘It All Belongs To Me’, Mary J. Blige, Lana Del Rey, Madonna, and, of course, Nicki Minaj & Justin Bieber…
Nashville played host to the 2012 Grammy Nomination special where the likes of music’s biggest names gathered for the unveiling of the 2013 Grammy nominations.
While we won’t find out who will be walking away with the coveted gram-o-phones until the show airs live on CBS February 10th, click below to find out if your fave was able to nab a nomination.
Frank Ocean, Kanye West, and Jay Z are among the males dominating this year’s nominations (with 6 each) while pop tart pals Katy Perry & Rihanna nabbed multiple mentions as well.
