A sure firestarter between fan groups of today’s top artists, Forbes released its annual ‘Highest Paid Celebrities’ list recently.
Calculated from data of revenue generated between June 2015 to June 2016, the list is comprised of 100 celebrities across all entertainment mediums (movies, television, sports entertainment, music, etc) who are raking in the dough in front of and behind the scenes.
And, while ‘Tears On My Guitar’ singer Taylor Swift may be crying tears of joy from seeing her name at #1 on the list for her whopping $170 million earned over the last year, the real tears may be shed over the absence of women on the list. In fact, the list of 100 celebs only has 15 women – a point even Forbes itself noted:
“[The ‘highest paid celebrities’ list] is comprised 85% of men—who earned a combined $4.2 billion, compared to the women’s $892.5 million. The imbalance reflects the gender pay gap endemic across industries–and national borders.”
See where your favorite diva o’ the day landed on the list:
Chris Brown has never been one to hold his tongue. Hence, true to form, he’s taken to Instagram to hit back at the dramas – both legal and beyond – that have encased his name in recent days.
As reported, the ‘Back To Sleep’ singer has been accused of assaulting his longtime (and, now, former) manager. He also hit the newswire this week after a fiery text exchange saw his publicist quit.
Naturally, his image is taking quite the beating. And he’s now sticking up for himself.
The dreaded “sophomore slump” – the career hurdle that’s caused the fall of a number of music history’s most promising acts – currently stands to add Grammy-nominated rapstress Iggy Azalea to its lengthy list of casualties.
Azalea, who didn’t exactly experience “overnight success” in her transition from virtual unknown to one of rap’s leading ladies, did see her career go from 0-100 (real quick) after her participation on Ariana Grande‘s horn-filled hit ‘Problem’ and the release of her own history-making single ‘Fancy.’ But, with the triumphs of both singles came the real “problem“: replicating their successes.
The endeavor would be doused with degrees of difficulty as the saucy Aussie’s public profile rang as the exact antithesis of her Billboard chart story. Indeed, fielding attacks from the likes of Nicki Minaj, Q-Tip, Azealia Banks, Snoop Dogg, and even fellow Caucasian rappers Eminem and Macklemore, the court of public opinion joined them in finding Azalea guilty of cultural misappropriation and inauthenticity. The effects of the verdict would be manifested in poor ticket sales for her headlining arena tour and fuel its cancellation (reportedly due to shifting focus to her debut album’s follow-up).
That follow-up, titled ‘Digital Distortion,’ found its kick-off via the bumping bop ‘Team’: (more…)
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 real in a very candid way.
After a false alarm with last year’s ‘L.A. Love,’ the ten year wait for fans of singer/rapper Fergie is finally about to come to a close courtesy of her new single ‘Hungry.’
A trap-pop tune, which some fans are already believing takes jabs at ‘the realest’ Iggy Azalea, is a daring, yet very welcomed departure for the Black Eyed Peas-frontwoman. Spitting some serious fire over the bass-heavy track, ‘Hungry’ is set to be the first official release from her long-awaited sophomore effort, ‘Double Dutchess.’
Fans hungry for more from Fergie Ferg are about to get their fill and more if this new tune is anything to judge by. Until then, tuck in below for the appetizer:
M.I.A will be missing in action at this year’s Afropunk Festival.
The eclectic rapper had been tapped to serve as a headliner at the London edition of the Urban music celebration.
However, after feeling the furore of members of the Black communication following her controversial comments about the #BlackLivesMatter movement, the Brit-bred talent has decided to vacate her spot on the bill.
Adrienne Baillion hit the streets of West Hollywood for a fashionable cause yesterday evening.
What it was?
The launch of ‘House of CB‘s flagship store.
There, as she joins the cast of ‘The Real’ to deal with its Tamar Braxton-fronted drama, the TV personality rubbed shoulders with Aubrey O’Day (formerly of Danity Kane), Khloe Kardashian and ‘The Next 15‘s Laura Govan.
Leona Lewis‘ talent is undeniable. Yet, her commercial viability is being called into question following reports that she has been let go from her record label.
Tamar Braxton has begun to resurface after her dramatic axe from ‘The Real.’
The singer and media personality attended the Los Angeles premiere of Disney Pixar’s ‘Finding Dory’ with her 3-year-old son Logan and husband manager Vincent Hebert.
Braxton’s sighting follows her performance at sister Toni’s concert in Atlanta and an appearance on Steve Harvey‘s morning show where she announced that she had secured a production deal for a talkshow of her own.
The Best You Never Heard is back! Each instalment will once again see That Grape Juice spotlight an array of little known gems. Featuring picks from the TGJ editorial team, we want to know…who chose the best song! Let us know below…
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Lady Gaga – ‘Fashion!’
For yours truly, the idea of popularity being a valid measure of quality has always grated. Especially when it comes to Lady Gaga.
Though on the comeback trail now, the mass rejection of her 2013 effort ‘ARTPOP’ saw many miss out on a number of gems. Case in point ‘Fashion!’
Not to be confused with a song of the same name (housed on her 2008 debut ‘The Fame’), this will.i.am production packed an altogether more potent punch. Melodically it favours Madonna’s ‘Holiday,’ and yet for all its retro still managed to sound fiercely fresh.
Lush production, lyrically light, and laced with hooks, this could have served as a fine wine follow-up to ‘Applause.’ Still, it’ll always earn a standing ovation from me. [SAM]
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Madonna – ‘Love Tried to Welcome Me’
When assessing Madonna‘s impact on Pop culture it’s easy to credit her penchant for shock value as its driving force.
It wasn’t. For, the real force behind the “force” was the entertainer’s bona fide forays into different genres and tap into new audience bases / radio platforms with her sound.
The best example of this can be found in 1994 with the LP ‘Bedtime Stories‘, the studio album which solidified her place in R&B’s history books.
Inspired by Toni Braxton and keen to offer fans a softer and sensual side of herself following ‘Erotica‘, the star sought out Braxton’s producer Babyface and TLC hitmaker Dallas Austin and enlisted them to tell her ‘Stories.’
What they created? A poignant and plaintive Contemporary R&B album soaring through the themes of rejection, abandonment, perpetual sorrow and the price of promiscuity.
One of the album’s greatest triumphs, for me, is ‘Love Tried to Welcome Me.’ Produced by Dave Hall, the song told the tale of a painful secret a sex worker shared with Madonna during a conversation in a strip club.
She’d developed a fetish for rejection. A compelling listen. [DAVID]
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Madonna – ‘S.E.X.’
Despite a disappointing promotional campaign to support it, ‘Rebel Heart’ was easily hailed by critics as Queen of Pop Madonna’s best album since her ‘Hung Up’-led 2005 comeback project ‘Confessions On a Dancefloor.’
Yet, while proof of why could be argued via ‘Heart’ cuts ‘Holy Water,’ ‘GhostTown,’ and ‘Inside Out,’ the unexpectedly bumping bop, ‘S.E.X.,’ shines as one of the project’s clear standouts.
Covering subject matter far from shocking at this point from the middle aged vixen, the tune – decorated with a trap-inspired bass line and some very direct sexual instructions – is the purest definition of what Madge is combatting at this stage of her career – ageism.
Think it’s impossible for a woman pushing 60 to be sexy?
Listen to ‘S.E.X.’ and you may reconsider. [RASHAD]
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JoJo – ‘Like That’
Following the release of JoJo’s debut in 2004 (which was praised for its maturity, as well as the then 13 year old’s mind-blowing voice), 2006 saw her unleash her sophomore effort ‘The High Road’.
Though ‘Too Little Too Late’ was that album’s shinning diamond, it was filled with many other gems, ‘Like That’ was one of them.
Helmed by Ryan Leslie and Corey Williams (the team behind Cassie’s ‘Me & U’), the track saw the starlet showcase her “grown.” Through minimalistic production and soft delivery, the mood is set for Ms Levesque to let her love interest that she is ready to take that next step with him.
Recent times have seen the songbird resuscitate the song during her live shows. Fitting, as it’s exactly the flavour of music she releases nowadays (see: ‘Demonstrate’) as opposed to the R&B-tinged Pop numbers from her first LPs.
Re-visiting this (as I do frequently) has me oh so excited for her new album. [JOE]
