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 get high off the sounds of summer 1996. There, you’ll see the top 20 lined with R&B divas Mariah Carey and Monica as soulstress Toni Braxton looks down from on high as she’s perched at #1 with megahit ‘You’re Making Me High.’
See what other familiar faces await you from this week 19 years ago:
Hard to believe that today marks the 12th anniversary of the untimely passing of R&B starlet Aaliyah.
Introduced as R&B ringleader R. Kelly‘s protege at the young age of 14, the Detroit native precedented an R&B teen movement, leading the way for fellow female divas-in-training Brandy and Monica to share chart success. By the time she reached sweet 17, the ‘Hot Like Fire’ hitmaker’s rise to prominence was imminent as she turned up the heat in her videos and on the charts. With then-little-known super-producer team Timbaland and Missy Elliott at the helm lacing the accompaniment for her angelic falsetto, Aaliyah found herself in a league of her own with substance, sass, and style.
Fast forward to 2001 (after a 5 year absence from album charts), the songstress was returning with her self-titled third album. To promote the July 2001 due album, Haughton hit the ground running in a progressive promo campaign including a stop on the then-popular MTV documentary series ‘MTV Diary’. Showcasing its release, promotional tour, and, of course, downtime in between, the outing gave a glimpse into an otherwise fairly private star. Gone were the shades, baggy jeans, and laidback demeanor. Replaced with a grown and sexy Aaliyah, fans were being introduced to the beginning of what was hoped to be her true rise to prominence.
Unfortunately, that beginning was struck tragically short upon the singer’s death on August 25th, 2001. But, as this very article attests, her legacy is all but forgotten and continues to inspire those left to follow her Urban Pop trail. There will never be another, for, she was truly ‘one in a million’.
If ever there was an act- besides Janet– that the likes of Ciara could benefit from pulling from…it’s Paula Abdul.
The Bob Fosse inspired dancer who first rocked the charts upon signing to Virgin Records in 1987, her run atop her scene-albeit short- saw her serve as the blueprint for imagery spawned by Britney Spears and her contemporary/alleged student Janet Jackson.
Today, in celebrating her work, we step back in time and land in June 15th 1989- the day her third single from her ‘Forever Your Girl‘ was released to the world.
‘Cold Hearted‘.
Produced by EMI‘s Elliot Wolff and marking one of the highest selling ‘New Jack Swing’ cuts to come from a female artist, the single saw its video placed in the hands of director David Fincher and pull from Fosse‘s 1979 classic ‘All That Jazz‘.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Beyonce‘s debut album ‘Dangerously In Love‘, we’re dedicating the entire week to the classic project…billing the next seven days ‘TGJ’s ‘Dangerously In Love’ Takeover‘.
Unearthing performances, interviews and trivia from the classic era, we kick off this week with a trip down memory lane, stepping all the way back to November 3rd 2003.
For on this day, the 17 time Grammy winner launched her first solo stage tour- kicking off at Manchester’s MEN Arena and ending 16 days later at Frits Van Dongen‘s Heineken Music Hall!
Now watch and listen to her perform the oft overlooked but ever loved ‘Yes‘ and ‘Dangerously In Love’ live at London’s Wembley Arena below!
Shortly before talent-devoid “divas” dominated charts with their brand of EDM or autotune-assisted fly-by-night hits (see: Katy Perry, Ke$ha, and oh na na what’s her name), 2006 saw an assembly of legendary divas gathered to be honored by Queen of Talk Oprah Winfrey.
Indeed, it would take someone with Winfrey’s stature to unify Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, and so many other legendary female entertainers and activists (Coretta Scott King, Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, etc) for one worthy cause. Uniting for what was christened ‘The Legends Ball’, living legends lent their talents and stories for a group of distinguished guests including some of today’s top performers (Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and more).
Despite the absence of noted divas Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, and more, the three-day event (filmed for an ABC special) still won praise from viewers – especially its gospel themed finale.
With gospel hitmaker Bebe Winans at the helms, the ladies kicked off an impromptu “mic toss” where the singers showcased their gifts to the inspirational classic ‘A Wonderful Change’. Press PLAY above to see divas in action who earned the titling from their talent and not fashion accessories (note: no pitching correcting/modifying machines were on site).
An icon. A legend. One of the greatest voices to grace Pop music.
While the above can all be said of Mariah Carey, there’s no denying that her time at the top has come with its difficulties.
However, above all the trials and tribulations life has thrown at the ‘Triumphant’ diva since her chart arrival, none can compare to the horror that was Rihanna‘s cover of her Afanasieff produced, ‘Hero‘.
Both shocking and disturbing, Rihanna’s take on the song still darkens many a happy memory related to the song- even eight years after it happened.
However, as to ensure nobody feels left out, TGJ dedicates today’s edition of ‘Retro Rewind’ to the ghastly cover, hours after her talented rival Rita Ora wowed fans with a cover of Carey’s Christmas classic ‘All I Want For Christmas‘ here.
Say hell to ‘Shake Ya Body‘, the forgotten chart bid by television mogul Tyra Banks.
Released in 2004 in aid of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ cycle 2, the ‘Darkchild‘ produced cut saw the model switch the catwalk for choreography, showcasing her skills as an entertainer as well as the show’s final 6 contestants.
While billed as one of Banks’ more ’embarrassing’ moments by many a critic, it’s actually quite enjoyable when watching with the benefit of hindsight.
The untimely passing of Whitney Houston has seen much of the singer’s hits rocket into to the upper echelon of the charts.
However, for as much as we love Houston’s classic cuts, we’re also keen ardent appreciators of her latter material. Case, point, 2003’s ‘Try It On My Own’.
Lifted from the late star’s 5th studio album ‘Just Whitney’, the song and its accompanying were initially hailed upon release – with ample reason too. Vocally, the track would become one of the last recorded showcases of ‘The Voice’ (see: potent, textured, and effortless); while the visual underlined the track’s compelling lyrics. Lyrics which relayed a narrative of going it alone after years of corporate scaffolding.
All rather fascinating stuff given that the song’s housing album was the first and only to not feature creative input from Houston’s long-time mentor Clive Davis. Indeed, it was then-head of Arista LA Reid who took creative helm of the project.
And yet it was this juxtaposition of Whitney being in control versus a reality which saw her life spinning out of it which sunk the song and the album moreover. The media (and the masses they influence) were simply not entertaining any such “in-control” notion. Indeed, it seemed the more Whitney proclaimed it, the less people believed.
As such, ‘Try’ peaked at #84 on the Billboard Hot 100, while ‘Just Whitney’ peaked at #9 on the US album tally.
Still, neither can take away from the “stellar” that was the Babyface produced song and the ‘Just Whitney’ album moreover. Both earn a well-deserved spot next to the legend’s best material. Commercially successful or not.
Classic! R&B songbird Mariah Carey had either seen one too many butterflies or she was clearly trying to cover up a poo-poo mess by putting a backup singer on blast for her own ‘vocal malfunction’.
This 2008 performance on Good Morning America saw the Grammy-winner hot on the promo trail for ‘E=MC 2’, the follow-up to her 2005 critically/commercially acclaimed comeback album ‘The Emancipation of Mimi’. Lending a live performance of her then (and last) #1 smash ‘Touch My Body’, the song may have led her ‘E=MC2’ album to #1 on the album charts, but another formula was about to lead Miss Carey to shame…backing track + malfunction = red face.
For, as the song’s seemingly simple arrangement grew more difficult for the once-soaring songbird to deliver, Mimi wasn’t looking too emancipated as she stiffly struggled through the set – relying heavily on the backing track. And then, as Milli Vanilli would have it, the playback on the backingtrack went wicky wack. We’re sure Ashley Simpson was to blame. Unlike Vanilli or Simpson, however, Mimi has proven time after time she’s got the chops. Just a little mixup we suppose.
Maybe she should take a leaf from fellow diva Beyonce‘s book…’Sound!…somebody’s getting fired!’
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.
Now we look back to Justin Timberlake‘s inaugural top 10 hit as a solo artist, ‘Cry Me a River.’ The second single lifted from his debut solo album, ‘Justified,’ the tune – the follow-up to the top 20 smash, ‘Like I Love You,’ came shortly after his highly publicized breakup with pop superstar Britney Spears. Perceived as a clear clap at the pop princess (even casting a look-a-like as the video’s love interest), Timberlake set in motion rumors that not only was Spears the cause of the relationship’s demise, but it was due to her infidelity.
Whatever its intent, it got people talking. The song debuted on the Hot 100 this week 14 years ago and would go on to give JT his first top 5 placement on the Hot 100.
Tuck in below to see who occupied the chart’s upper rankings this week in 2002:
Readers of That Grape Juice know how passionate we are about music – whether that be past or present.
However, unlike our other segments – Retro Rewind, TGJ Replay, and From The Vault – The Pop Stop is the most in-depth look at Pop songs that may have flown under the radar over the last week that you should know, rather they be from music’s biggest stars or those on the rise.
This week, we want to highlight cuts from Bonnie McKee, Aespa, Becky Hill, and BoyWithUke.
