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.

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Ashanti has made a glorious return to the Song Revenue Chart years after her last appearance on the tally.

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Kelly Clarkson‘s gotten her fair share of praise for covering some of yesterday and today’s biggest hits during the ‘Kellyoke’ segment on her hit talk show, but her rocking ode to Queen of Pop Madonna‘s ‘Like a Prayer’ easily ranks as a standout.

Ironically shared the same day another piece from M’s prized discography, ‘Bedtime Stories,’ was getting widespread love (as we reported here), Clarkson laid her golden chops into the 1989 chart-topper and took to another level.

Accompanied virtually by her bandmates, look inside to hear Kelly rock out like never before:

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‘Let It Go’ singer Keyshia Cole let loose on Hollywood Unlocked recently, taking to the platform to air out her ongoing beefs with fellow entertainers – Kehlani and OT Genasis.

As has been making headlines all week, Bay area beauties Kehlani and rapper/singer Kamaiyah were set to do a record with the GRAMMY nominee that later fell apart.  ‘Lani said the fallout led to Kamaiyah sending her death threats and ultimately to the dissolution of their relationship.  Said disagreement also saw Keyshia caught in the crossfire, thereby leading to the end of her relationship with Kehlani as well.

“With me and Kehlani, it’s more so, ‘I wish you the best,'” said Keyshia Cole. “We didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things and that’s okay. [We’re not cool]. Anything’s possible as far as being cool again but I just don’t think friendship [is possible.]”

That’s not all she said.  Listen inside to see what she mentioned about her idol Mary J. Blige, ‘I Ain’t Thru’ co-star Nicki Minaj, longtime nemesis OT, Monica, and more:

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11 years after its Comedy Central run ended, one of the network’s most beloved series – ‘Reno 911!’ – is back for another rounds of laughs courtesy of Quibi.

Details inside:

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What would you do if you had ‘4 Minutes’ to save the world?

Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland’s answer clearly was: create an infectious Pop bop.

This week’s From The Vault pick is ‘4 Minutes’ by the dynamic trio.

In 2008, after celebrating the disco era with the impeccable ‘Confessions On A Dancefloor’ era, Madonna had her sights on the future. Notably with subsequent release ‘Hard Candy.’ So, in a very expected manner, she made sure she surrounded herself with the people responsible for the biggest hits at that time.

Enter Timberlake and Timbaland, with whom she released ‘Minutes’, a glorious, brassy and high-octane number as the album’s first single.

Commercially, the collaboration proved to be successful with the track peaking at #3 in the US and topping the charts in 21 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

For the video, the ever-edgy chanteuse turned to French directors Jonas & François and creative director/choreographer Jamie King to come up with a visual as spectacular as the song. The result was an apocalyptic offering where Madge and JT race against a black amorphous entity in order to have fun one last time before the world ends.

The video was nominated for a MTV VMA for Best Dancing in a Video in 2008, but lost to The Pussycat Dolls’ ‘When I Grow Up’.

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We’ll never knock Madonna’s hustle when it comes to keeping up with what’s hot. Because, when it’s tastefully done (as seen with this very song), the outcome can be a commercially fruitful pop dream, as well as a big middle finger to ageists around the world.

Sadly, in recent years Magde hasn’t scored a song that was able to match the quality of ‘4 Minutes’ from any of the whoever hip collaborators she got in the studio with.

Still, what time has taught us, is to never count her out.

While the priority is for her to recover after her ‘Madame X’ tour, we’re excited as always about what’s coming next for Madonna.

Your thoughts?

Cyntoia Brown has revealed that she is not supporting Netflix’s documentary about her life because she is readying her own.

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

So, as our retrospective segments, ‘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 serves as a variation of our Retro Rewind assay to salute an entire era of music history.

This week, we’ll revisit a tale as old as time – ‘Beauty & the Beast.’  Join us inside:

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Demi Lovato revealed that she is no longer friends with her former Disney sibling Selena Gomez.

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At 32-years-young, award-winning Gospel siren Kierra Sheard is already a music industry veteran of 20+ years.

Heiress to the Clark dynasty, Sheard’s Urban-tinged Gospel hits like ‘You Don’t Know’, ‘Why Me,’ ‘Indescribable,’ and more – have seen her step out of her family’s legendary shadow to stomp her own path in the genre’s history books.  The positioning is one she’ll undoubtedly reassert with the arrival of her long awaited self-titled new album, ‘Kierra’ (in stores April 17).

That Grape Juice recently caught up with the ‘It Keeps Happening’ singer to dish on her latest happenings, which is highlighted by her highly anticipated film debut aboard the forthcoming Lifetime ‘Clark Sisters’ biopic (set for an April 11 premiere).

Look inside to read on this and more:

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Ashanti‘s younger sister, Kenashia “Shia” Douglas, made headlines over the weekend when she revealed disturbing images of herself with a black eye, bloodied face, and broken teeth.

The graphic visuals were lifted to Instagram as part of a collage designed to celebrate her 31st birthday (April 2).  Although the narrated clip began with touching photos from her childhood and more, it eventually took a turn to uncover the darker times of her life to date (including the implication of domestic abuse, miscarriage, and more).

As the video made its rounds, 50 Cent chimed in to accuse his former nemesis – Douglas’ ex-boyfriend/rapper Slowbucks – of committing the attacks.

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When it comes to controversy, Pop royal Madonna might have written a book a two about the matter. Still, at times it’s best not rustle feathers, especially when it’s fleeting.

This week’s From The Vault pick is the superstar’s doomed single ‘American Life.’

The first offering from the album of the same name, ‘Life’ saw Madonna put her “socially conscious” hat on, to poor critical results. Dealing with the illusion of fame and the reappraisal of the American Dream, the track was produced by Mirwais Ahmadzaï – like the bulk of its parent LP. It featured a rap segment where Madge details her daily activities and concludes that all her possessions didn’t necessarily make her happy.

Peaking at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100, it fared better internationally, reaching the Top 10 in Australia, France and the UK among many other countries. It was a chart topper in Canada, Denmark and Italy.

A video for the track was shot prior to the invasion of Iraq by the American troops.

Set at a high-end fashion show, it depicted models dressed in military fashion walking down the runway. As the video progresses, it begins to mirror a war zone, with overzealous soldiers scaring middle eastern kids, shots being fired, bodies exploding and all.

Madonna and her literal troop of female dancers emerge from backstage to put a stop to the madness.

Yet, the biggest controversy about the video came in the form of a lookalike of George W. Bush – then president of the USA and key figure war – gleefully sitting front-row and seemingly enjoying every minute of the show.

The release of the Jonas Akerlund directed music video was shelved and the artist issued a statement stating that more than anything else it was “an anti-war statement,” and that she was “pro-peace.”

Another visual was released, presenting M singing the song in front of ever changing flags of different countries.

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Initially, the ‘American Life’ project was panned by critics and the public because they felt it was try-hard, self-centered and contrived.

Through the years it has gained somewhat of a cult following, with music lovers and critics alike praising its minimalistic Folk/Electronica sound and social commentary-fuelled lyrics.

War or no war, who knows if the nation was ever going to be ready for Madonna to express her political views by way of her music. Still, we applaud the entertainer for taking a stand and using her art to do so.

Your thoughts?