it's gonne be me nsync tgj #tbt

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week we’re gonna rewind to ‘It’s Gonna Be Me’ – the second single from *NSYNC‘s mega-selling second album ‘No Strings Attached.’  Interestingly, while the group’s self-titled debut album sold over 10 million copies and its follow-up, ‘Attached,’ broke sales records by boasting a whopping 2.4 million units sold its first week (a record that was maintained until Adele‘s ’25’ shifted a shattering 3.38 million in 2015), the quintet’s successful narrative was devoid of one feat:  a #1 single.

That changed when ‘Me’ moseyed its way to #1 on the Hot 100 this week in 2000. Moving Matchbox 20 from the top spot, the pop tune led the pack for two consecutive weeks before being ousted by Sisqo‘s ‘Incomplete.’

Unknown to them at the time, the run would be their first and last reign over the singles chart.  Fun while it lasted right?  Anywho, tuck in below to see if any of your faves from today can be found on the summer 2000 chart:

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Rihanna-thatgrapejuice-umbrella-#tbt

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week we tip our hats and raincoats to Rihanna Fenty‘s 2007 megahit ‘Umbrella.’  Originally written for (but later passed on by) pop princess Britney Spears, the tune found a home on Rih’s tertiary release, ‘Good Girl Gone Bad.’ A loss for Spears, but just the right move for Fenty as the Dream-produced cut and its accompanying music video came as a visual and sonic reintroduction of sorts for the Bajan beauty (who up to that point was known for her fairly safe radio offerings).

Calling to mentor/labelhead Jay-Z to assist with the percussion driven pop number, the song was an out-of-the-box success thanks for its catchy guitar riffs and, of course, that signature repetitious “ella ella ey ey.”  Going on to be the best-performing single of 2007 (only behind Beyonce‘s ‘Irreplaceable’), ‘Umbrella’ would not only garner Grammys, global critical acclaim, an impressive reign at #1 on the Hot 100 and help its parent album to #1 on the Billboard 200, but most importantly – in the grand scheme – it successfully transitioned the star to the bad gal we know today.

Hop down below the jump to replay ‘Umbrella’ and see if any of your faves from today accompanied Rih on the Hot 100’s upper rankings this week 9 years ago:

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You're Still The One - Shania Twain1-thatgrapejuice

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week we’re still jamming to ‘You’re Still the One’ – the most successful crossover single of country Queen Shania Twain.  Lifted from Twain’s tertiary release, ‘Come On Over,’ ‘One’ is not only widely recognized as the song that launched the songstress to pop radio and audiences, but also helped propel its parent album to heights of 40 million+ sold (making it the best-selling album by a female ever).

While ‘One’ never actually reached #1 on the Hot 100 due to being held at bay by Brandy & Monica‘s massive hit ‘The Boy is Mine’, it still etched its way into history books and hearts – ours included.  Tuck in below to see who joined B-Rocka, Mo, and Shania this week in 1998 in the upper rankings of the Hot 100:

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fantasia thatgrapejuice #tbt

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week we’ll jet back to ‘I Believe’ – the inspirational inaugural release of 2004 ‘American Idol’ winner Fantasia Barrino (known mononymously today).  Launched this week 12 years ago, the tune made an impressive debut at #1 on the Hot 100 – standard fare at the time for winners of the juggernaut reality singing competition.  Temporarily disrupting the reign of the year’s biggest success story – Usher (and the hits found aboard his blockbuster album ‘Confessions’) – ‘Believe’ only lasted atop the singles chart a week before the Grammy winning crooner reclaimed the spot.

To date, the soaring single may be songbird’s only flight to the Hot 100’s perch, but in 2016 it’s clear the purpose it served:  to introduce the world to the magnificent vocalist that is Fantasia.  Today, unlike many of her fellow ‘Idol’ alums, the world is still singing her songs (and her praises).

Rewind with us back to 2004 where it all began for the North Carolina-born beauty:

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shakira-hips-dont-lie-animated-gif-6-thatgrapejuice

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, just as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week we try (and fail) at doing our best hip roll to Shakira‘s hit single ‘Hips Don’t Lie,’ featuring Wyclef Jean.  Though this week in 2006 brought with it the song’s dethronement from the top of the Hot 100 by the year’s ‘American Idol’ winner Taylor Hicks, by the time he hopped over ‘Hips’ to occupy the tally’s perch, the damage had long been done by the Colombian beauty.

Topping the charts in over 50 countries worldwide during its prime, ‘Hips’ lent Shakira her first and only #1 single (to date) on the Billboard Hot 100.  Going on to sell nearly 20 million copies, the song was not only the most successful release of 2006, but still reigns as one of the best-selling tunes of all time – thanks in no small part to a rocking video that featured the return of hip-rolling choreography that brought Shaki to U.S. fame a few years prior (see: ‘Whenever, Wherever’).

Tuck in below to see if any of your faves from today can be spotted on the Hot 100’s lineup this week 10 years ago:

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jennifer lopez thatgrapejuice tbt if you had my love

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, just as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

Before any of us “knew her” (as a singer), Jennifer Lopez was seeing her Hollywood star rise on the heels of a critically acclaimed portrayal of late Tejano star Selena.  The dabble in music would prove itself a catalyst for the dancer/actress to pursue her dreams of being a singing star herself.

Enter ‘If You Had My Love.’

Pitched to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop passed on the tune reportedly saying “it would sound better if a female sang it.”  Earlier, a similar tune – ‘If I Gave Love’ recorded by powerhouse R&B vocalist Chante Moore  was set for release but rumor has it Lopez’s then-boyfriend, Sean “Puffy” Combs, swiped the song, reworked it with Rodney Jerkins and rushed his boo to record and release it.  Forcing Moore’s version to shelves, the move proved itself a lucrative one for Lopez.

With the assistance of a smoking hot video, which showed off all of Jenny’s assets, it wouldn’t be long before ‘Love’ slid to the top of the Hot 100. Ousting fellow Latin sensation Ricky Martin‘s ‘Livin La Vida Loca’ from the top spot at the top of this month in 1999, J’s inaugural hit would lead the singles chart for a month before being dethroned by Destiny’s Child.

Tuck in below to see who among your favorites dominated the charts this week in 1999:

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2Pac - How Do U Want It - (Front)-thatgrapejuice

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, just as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.
Now, just a day after what would’ve been the 45th birthday of rap legend Tupac Shakur, we revisit his first and only #1 hit – double A side single ‘How Do U Want It/California Love’ (found on his critically and commercially acclaimed album ‘All Eyez On Me.’)  Ousting fellow rap stars Bone Thugs-N-Harmony‘s hit ‘Crossroads’ from the top spot this month in 1996, 2pac saw his Quincy Jones-sampled jam bolt to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with the assistance of KC & JoJo (of 90’s R&B group Jodeci) and a raunchy music video equipped adult entertainment stars, stripper poles, and more.
Going on to garner a Grammy nod at the 1997 ceremony, ‘Want’ continues to be one of Pac’s most enduring numbers from his short, yet storied career.  Now, as we anxiously await his long-awaited biopic (some 20 years after his death), we push play on ‘Want It’ and get our jam on this flashback Friday.  Join us below:

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lady marmalade 2001 thatgrapejuice

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history

This week we’ll revisit ‘Lady Marmalade’ – the colossal Missy Elliott-produced remake of Patti Labelle‘s 70s hit.  Featuring the Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, P!nk, and Mya, the unexpected quartet boosted the tune to the top of the charts this week in 2001 and kept it there for 5 weeks.  ‘Marmalade’ was so successful it not only topped 2001’s year-end charts as it reigned as the year’s best-selling release, it went on to garner a Grammy for the ladies and remain the highest selling releases from Lil Kim and Mya’s overall catalogue (while P!nk and Aguilera would go on to earn even higher accolades in their respective careers).

Strut down memory lanes with us as we press ‘play’ on the ‘Moulin Rouge’ soundtrack hit:

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mya thatgrapejuice #tbt

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week it’s all about Grammy winning R&B diva Mya.  The singer/songwriter saw her Sisqo-penned debut single, ‘It’s All About Me,’ make quite the splash on the Hot 100’s top 10 in mid-May 1998.  Jumping to the #6 spot, the tune would continue enjoying its peak run there this week that year.  The mid-tempo groove served as ample introduction to the triple threat songstress, whose seductive coo and fancy footwork would see her dance up the charts a number of times in the late 90s and early 2000s alongside the eras leading R&B teen sensations Brandy, Monica, and Aaliyah.

While the musical landscape has shifted from the Urban-dominated charts of the late nineties and early noughties, we still reminisce on the time where it was nothing to hear ‘All About Me’ bumping from radio speakers.  Oh, the good old days (sigh).

Look below to find out who accompanied Mya on this week’s Hot 100 from 1998…

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ashanti thatgrapejuice #tbt

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, just as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week we’ll nod our heads to the beat of ‘Foolish’ – the official debut single from Grammy winning singer/songwriter Ashanti.  The songstress, who had already made history for seeing her first three singles simultaneously place on Billboard’s Hot 100, would follow the feat by fueling ‘Foolish’ to dethrone Jennifer Lopez‘s ‘Ain’t It Funny’ from the top spot the week of April 20, 2002.  The irony? Ashanti wrote the song’s remix and performed background vocals on it.

To say the girl was on fire – in front of and behind the scenes – was an understatement.

This week in 2002 Ashanti was in the middle of a historic 10 week reign atop the Billboard Hot 100, quickly proving herself to be the time’s true ‘princess of Hip-Hop/R&B.’  Tuck in below to see who else was making a splash alongside the singer this week that year:

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he wasn't man enough thatgrapejuice

Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, just as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week we’ll ode Toni Braxton‘s 2000 comeback hit ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough,’ the first single lifted from her third LP ‘The Heat.’  Reaching its Hot 100 peak of #2 this week sixteen years ago, the up-tempo Rodney Jerkins-produced number was hailed by fans and critics as a welcomed departure from her standard catalog of slow jams.  Ushering her oft-praised contralto to a new generation of listeners, ‘Man Enough’ proved itself to be just enough to make fans forget the balladress’s bevy of legal and financial woes that kept her out of the limelight for the 3 years following her megahit ‘Unbreak My Heart.’

With its accompanying video featuring a cast of familiar faces (see: Robin Givens, Tamar Braxton, ‘Noah’s Arc’s Rodney Chester, and ex-husband Keri Lewis), pop the top on the jump below to waltz down memory lane and find out who else among your faves joined Braxton in the top 25 this week in 2000…

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THE-FACULTY-THAT-GRAPE-JUICE-201-6-191010110

Welcome to Retro Rewind, the TGJ original feature carved out to take you on a journey to TV and Film’s glorious past.

Today, as the icon continues to build his eighth studio album, Usher‘s role in 1998’s ‘The Faculty’ is spotlighted and celebrated for the part it played in turning the entertainer into a household name.

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