The credits are done rolling on the 91st Annual Academy Awards, known more commonly as the 2019 Oscars.  Hailing from the Los Angeles Dolby Theatre, the night saw the year’s most notable releases honored for their multi-layered contributions to the world of film.

Like any memorable ceremony, it was the unscripted moments that made for the most resonating…namely those inspiring acceptance speeches.

Keen to see who got the opportunity to deliver one?  See the full list of winners inside:

(more…)

A month after John Legend released the trailer for ‘Preach’ – his most cinematic visual yet – the clip has finally arrived in full.

“The idea behind the song is that sometimes we can get so frustrated by the news and what’s going on and there’s this scatter going on in ourselves,” Legend said in a statement. “Do we become apathetic? Do we become engaged? Do we just talk about it, or do we do something?”

The Dominique DeLeon-directed video takes a harrowing look at a handful of social issues in America including school shootings, law enforcement’s mistreatment of African Americans, children being separated from parents at the border and so much more.

See the heart-tugging video inside:

(more…)

After Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich took to press to assert Pop star Ariana Grande had pulled out of a scheduled performance on this Sunday’s (February 10) event because she “felt it was too late for her to pull something together,” the singer took to Twitter to lend a fiery clap back.

“I’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me,” she wrote on Twitter. “I can pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken. It was when my creativity & self-expression was stifled by you that I decided not to attend. I hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more.”

Going on to claim she did not “feel supported” and that the Grammy producer was “playing games,” her emotional response grabbed headlines to say the least.  By the time the news hit the desk of Ehrlich, he took to press again to offer a response.  Sitting down with our friends at Rolling Stone, he stated:

(more…)

Estelle is back and heating up the scene with scintillating new album ‘Lovers Rock.’

Soulful, candid, and refreshingly direct, the set has earned praise aplenty following its release last Fall.

The Brit native turned Brooklyn resident stopped by That Grape Juice‘s The Sip to chat about the project and a whole lot more.

Chopping it up with hosts Patrick and Steph on the show’s 30th episode, the fun-filled sit-down saw no stone left unturned.

Drawing on the lyrics from songs such as ‘Slow Down,’ ‘Meet Up,’ and ‘Better,’ the Grammy winner waxed honest about the real-life stories and experiences behind the cuts and gave insights into her perspective as a grown, experienced woman.

Take a listen and check out a clip from the filmed interview below…

(more…)

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 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.  Today, in honor of her birthday (January 11), we fast backward to the quintessential entry in Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige‘s prized discography – her sophomore album ‘My Life.’

Meet us on the other side:

(more…)

For Janet Jackson fans, the years which followed 2004’s SuperBowl gate are marred by the star’s fall from grace in the court of public opinion and decline on the charts.

Today, these fans have learned that her decline, which some Pop spectators put down to her age and supposed inability to compete with the likes of then- “newbies” Beyonce & Ciara, was fuelled by a petty and vindictive CBS executive.

An unbelievable revelation below…

(more…)

Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston and Rihanna‘s success on the Billboard Hot 100 has seen them soar above and beyond their rivals on the Hot 100s Top Artists of all Time.

(more…)

Rihanna may be serving Avon-lady of late – selling socks, sneakers, and make-up – but make no mistake: RiRi has music on the mind.

According to a new report, recording is well-underway for the star’s next project – which may manifest in the form two albums.

Per initial sources, the 30-year-old is prepping Pop and Caribbean-kissed LPs.

Now more info has emerged about the latter.

Head below for the tea…

(more…)

As fans of The Carters (Beyonce & Jay Z) jointly and individually continue to go apesh*t over the duo’s newly released joint effort, ‘Everything is Love’ (June 16) more and more details around the creation of the secret project are being unveiled.

The latest peek into the album’s baking process comes courtesy of veteran producers Cool & Dre, who are credited on three of the project’s nine tracks.  Taking to ‘Rolling Stone’ to dish on how Jay and Bey were secretly recording their first duet album while simultaneously preparing for their ‘On the Run II’ world tour, look inside to see the hitmakers detail the creation of some of set’s fan favorites:

(more…)

Janelle Monae fused truth with artistry on her latest album ‘Dirty Computer.’

Powered up and beamed out to all in April, the set saw the eclectic songbird shatter the silence surrounding her sexuality; she came out as a queer female.

During a recent interview to promote the project on Beats 1 radio, Monae elaborated on the challenges she experienced navigating her sexuality while growing up in Kanas.

Speaking candidly with Ebro Darden, the 32-year-old revealed the uphill battle she encountered dealing with religious influence and even the words of family.

Her words await below…

(more…)

Five years may have separated fans of Janelle Monae from a studio album, but that wait came to an end on April 27th thanks to ‘Dirty Computer.’  Preceded by the critically acclaimed cuts ‘I Like That,’ ‘Make Me Feel,’ ‘Django Jane,’ ‘Pynk,’ and a short film, ‘Computer’ comes as the eclectic singer’s first project to be completely devoid of the “Cindy Mayweather” narrative.

Applauded for its brazen subject matter – namely songs that circulate around sexual freedom and feminism – promotion of the effort also saw Monae make headlines for officially “coming out of the closet” as pansexual (click here to read more).  Yet, while the artist found her name listed atop a number of talking points on social media and news media, ‘Computer’s content – given all its critical fanfare – has not exactly seen that recognition mirrored commercially.  Among the set’s singles, ‘Feel’ is the only one to crack the Hot 100 and, as of time reported, has peaked at #99.

Curious to know if the nonperformance of its leading trio of tunes had any bearing on the LP’s anticipated first week commercial showing?  Look inside to see:

(more…)

The 60th Annual Grammy Awards certainly provided many a notable moment courtesy of the host of music stars who took to the stage.

Now, after show-stopping performances from Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar and more, see who walked away with the show’s biggest star – its coveted trophies!

A full winners’ list awaits below…

(more…)