Over the years, That Grape Juice has established a distinguished voice that – whether loved or loathed – sparks discussion, debate, and, on occasion, drama!
Though comprised of seasoned writers who share a similar outlook on Urban Pop culture, the idiosyncrasies of the TGJ team members often lend for quite heated debates “behind the scenes” about the hottest topics.
Now, we give you a front row seat to the show. In a format similar to ‘The View’ or ‘The Real,‘ TGJ editors – Sam, David, Rashad, and Joe – get candid like never before.
Today’s roundtable topic asks each anchor his thoughts on the…
SZA fans have been waiting for her second studio album with feverish anticipation.
And while it’s not yet known when the follow-up to 2017’s ‘CTRL’ will arrive, the GRAMMY nominated singer has teased the roll-out of new material in a unique fashion.
It’s been 5 years since fans of the Daytime Emmy Awards were able to view the ceremony on live television, but that’s set to change with its 47th incarnation.
Set for broadcast on CBS on June 26, the network and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced the telecast will return with awards presented virtually as the recipients and other special guests will appear from home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Look inside to see this year’s full nominations’ list:
Tyra Banks was the subject of many a headline last week when throwback clips from her time on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ went viral.
As reported, the mogul’s conduct became the center of debate – with some billing her antics inappropriate and others defending it as simply mirroring the reality of the fashion and entertainment industries.
The year was 2002 and Ashanti had added another global chart-topper to her name when Fat Joe collaboration ‘What’s Luv?’ took over the music landscape.
However, the rapper – who, in recent years, has become renowned for his candid storytelling – revealed to her on Instagram Live that the song was on the cusp of sounding very different. Primarily because plans were in place for not to feature.
Nene Leakes, the star of the hit show ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’, feels that Vivica Fox took aim at her because her career and run as a Hollywood actress is in the gutter.
On May 9, Neo-Soul Queens Jill Scott and Erykah Badu were the queens of hearts as they turned their highly anticipated ‘VERZUZ’ battle into an undeniable lovefest and declaration of sisterhood.
The first female combatants to virtually duke it out on the wildly popular platform, Badu Vs. Scott boasted Michelle Obama, Spike Lee, and Janet Jackson among the 700,000 viewers it amassed at one point during the live session. With those numbers the GRAMMY winners surpassed the viewership figures of the previous record-holders (Babyface vs. Teddy Riley) by well over 200,000 viewers.
As if that win wasn’t enough to celebrate, the love from those watching the digital duel spilled over to digital charts as some of the ladies’ most prized entries from their respective discographies shot up iTunes charts.
iTunes sent the fan bases of some of Pop music’s most revered divas into battle mode last week when it announced a flash $4.99 sale of prized entries from their respective discographies.
After jaws dropped once reports surfaced Mariah Carey‘s 2008 album, ‘E=MC2,’ topped the real-time iTunes chart, fans of Janet Jackson and Madonna rushed to buy their albums as well, which resulted in their respective ‘Control’ and ‘Bedtime Stories’ sets soaring on the tally as well (as we reported here).
As fans wait with bated breath to learn where the new sales activity will land the projects on next week’s Billboard 200, the publication delivered a report to indicate it’s quite unlikely such will occur – especially given the absence of a streaming boost to assist.
Kehlani fans apparently couldn’t wait to get their hands on her new music.
Three years after landing at #3 on the Billboard 200 with her Gold-certified debut album, ‘SweetSexySavage,’ the GRAMMY-nominated songstress unleashed her sophomore studio effort – ‘It Was Good Until It Wasn’t’ – Friday (May 8).
Unseating Drake‘s ‘Dark Lane Demo Tapes’ as iTunes champion less than an hour after its unveiling, the victory comes as a first for Kehlani – a feat she took to Twitter to note.
Look inside to see her emotional response to the win:
Two decades ago, the world had no idea just how much fire the ladies of Destiny’s Child had under their flashy sleeves with their soon-to-be-released third studio album.
As we celebrate this week its 19th anniversary, its title track ‘Survivor’ is today’s From The Vault pick.
As a way of reclaiming the narrative that had been making the rounds in the media after a total of three members had left or been fired from the group, its lead vocalist Beyonce decided to write a song that would let the naysayers know that neither nasty words nor petty insults could ever prevent them from chasing their destiny.
The Anthony Dent-produced track marked the start of the divas sharing the vocal load in a fairer way compared to what could be heard on their first two projects. Michelle Williams in particular shines during her intense bridge.
‘Survivor’ was a monumental chart success for the band, peaking at #2 for 7 consecutive weeks in the US and in the Top 10 of many European countries – including a #1 in the UK.
Darren Grant directed the song’s video. Presenting Kelly, Michelle and Bey as three survivors living on an uninhabited island, it was a not-so-subtle reference to the comparisons the press had been making between the group and the reality series of the same name – where contestants in isolated locations are pitted against each other and are voted off every week.
This visual houses some of the most iconic DC3 looks, from the cut-out castaway dresses, their fur two pieces and of course their military dance sequence outfits. Oh how we adore the early 2000’s!
And that, dear friends, is how you turn the tables around and successfully bring it back to the music. After this release, the girls were finally able to move on from the unfortunate ending of DC4 and focus on turning the definitive incarnation of Destiny’s Child into a blueprint for every aspiring band out there.
Today, thanks to their blazing solo endeavours, the children of destiny are as seasoned as ever – as seen with their “Beychella” segment.
It would be a lie if we said we haven’t been dreaming about some sort of more robust reunion; whether for a tour, an EP or all of the above. Stranger things have happened right?
Anyhow, in the meantime we’ll be blasting ‘Survivor’ and its parent album with our fist up in the air.
BONUS: Check out Kelly Rowland’s latest in-studio feature for Red Bull Studios by clicking here.
May 19 marks the 22nd anniversary of one of the most successful singles of all time – Brandy & Monica‘s iconic duet, ‘The Boy Is Mine.’
For commemoration of that occasion and other reasons (see: purported rivalry, occupying similar spaces in music history, etc.), the divas’ longtime fans are calling for them to participate in the ‘VERZUZ’ battle craze to highlight gems from their respectively prized discographies.
As both ladies are hot on the promo trail for their most recent ventures (see: Bran’s new single ‘Baby Mama,’ Mo’s VH1 reality series ‘Friends & Family Hustle’), they’ve both been quizzed on their interest in engaging on the platform.
