As we reported here, Lifetime’s Clark Sisters biopic – ‘First Ladies of Gospel’ – was a critical and commercial knockout for the network.

The Christine Swanson-directed film, which chronicled the meteoric highs and lows of Gospel’s most iconic girl group, was greeted with the highest TV movie ratings of the year (and Lifetime’s highest since 2016). After its April 11 premiere, songs featured in the flick – including the quartet’s most memorable hits like ‘You Brought the Sunshine,’ ‘Name It, Claim It,’ and ‘Blessed & Highly Favored’ – shot to the top of real-time Gospel sales tallies.

Accompanied by spurts in streaming, the reawakened interest was just enough to help albums and songs from their prized discography re-enter the most recently printed Billboard charts.

Details inside:

(more…)

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 salute one of music’s most memorable homages to moms – Tupac Shakur‘s 1995 hit, ‘Dear Mama.’

Join us inside:

(more…)

It’s been over a decade since Pop icon Janet Jackson and legendary producer Jermaine Dupri called it quits, yet it’s not uncommon for her name to find its way into his interviews.

Historically coy about the topic of their nearly decade long romance, recently J.D. opened up on T.I.‘s podcast, ‘ExpediTIously,’ and discussed what ultimately led to the demise of their relationship (even though the two have remained good friends in the years since).

Hear what he said on this topic and more inside:

(more…)

Even though Forbes has updated their records to declare Kanye West as the richest man in Hip Hop history, they were reportedly still slammed by the billionaire for undercounting his coins.

Details inside:

(more…)

Just a month after an Illinois court denied Jussie Smollett‘s motion to overturn his second set of charges stemming from that alleged 2019 hate attack (click here to read more), the singer-actor has suffered a second loss thanks to U.S. federal judge.

Details inside:

(more…)

Demi Lovato believes its time to cancel the concept of cancel culture, as revealed in a recent interview on Jameela Jamil‘s ‘I Weigh’ podcast.

Taking to the platform just a week after she made headlines for allegedly using a secret Instagram account to slam friend-turned-foe Selena Gomez (click here to read about that), Lovato addressed the massive fallout from the incident – #DemiLovatoisOverParty.

The hashtag swelled to over 100,000 tweets on Twitter Friday (April 17), prompting the GRAMMY winner to turn off comments on her social media handles.

Now, she’s speaking out about the backlash and weighing in on cancel culture at large.  Hear her comments inside:

(more…)

Andre Leon Talley‘s forthcoming memoir is to lift the lid on the real nature of his relationship with Anna Wintour.

Full story below…

(more…)

New Kids on the Block had a virtual block party for their new benefit single, ‘House Party,’ and the guest list boasts quite the high profile features.

Written and produced by Deekay Music and NKOTB member Donnie Wahlberg, proceeds from the song’s sales will go to the No Kid Hungry – “a campaign aiding pandemic relief efforts initiated by the Share Our Strength organization.”

“Stay inside now, we’re gonna turn the lights down. Don’t you wanna let your feelings go?” the group sings. “Live our lives now, we’re gonna pump it real loud. Don’t say no, girl, here we go: House party!”

While the song itself lists Boyz II Men, Big Freedia, Naughty By Nature, and Jordin Sparks as co-stars, the tune’s accompanying music video features appearances from Carrie Underwood, Mark Wahlberg, and more.

See it inside:

(more…)

Much like her single, ‘Underdog,’ before it, Alicia Keys‘ new song – ‘Good Job’ – has become an anthem of sorts for essential workers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Also like its predecessor (as we reported here), ‘Good Job’ is doing a pretty good job on iTunes – dominating the real-time sales tally after Keys unveiling a stunning live performance of the tune on CNN’s Anderson Cooper-hosted ‘Town Hall’ Thursday (April 23).

See it inside:

(more…)

It’s sophomore album time for Kehlani!

For, the singer-songwriter has announced her long-awaited second studio album ‘It Was Good Until It Wasn’t.’

Full story below…

(more…)

Though TV & Radio remain effective ways to sell goods to the masses, entertainers are finding that social media platforms like Tik Tok are also doing the trick.

Full story below…

(more…)

After commanding more than $1 billion a the global box office, there’s no doubt ‘The Lion King’ was a roaring success.

Directed by Jon Favreau, Disney‘s live action remake was anchored by Beyonce and Donald Glover – who, together with a stellar cast – brought a mega-wattage of star-power to fuel its dominance at the box office.

Now, a new report crunching the numbers so as to ascertain profitability, has named the 2019 flick one of Disney’s most business savvy ventures to date.

Details below…

(more…)

**