Jury’s out on whether Cardi B will be taking to the stage at the Super Bowl with Maroon 5, but reliable word reports that she’ll play a major part of this year’s festivities – and earning major bank in the process.

Details below…

(more…)

Ella Mai is building on her momentum with the video release for new single ‘Shot Clock.’

The visual arrives as the Londoner struts towards the 61st Grammy Awards, where she’s nominated two honors.

Directed by Colin Tilley, this clip serves as the third from Mai’s self titled album debut, which spurned mega-smash ‘Boo’d Up’ – which is up for Song of the Year at music’s biggest calendar night.

Can she nab a like-sized hit with her latest offering? Watch below and let us know…

(more…)

Though Ariana Grande‘s latest jam ‘7 Rings‘ is only be a few hours old it has already generated an intense debate online thanks to the similarities it shares with Soulja Boy‘s ‘Pretty Boy Swag.’

Soulja has used the press to condemn efforts to erase his impact on Pop culture in recent days, and believes he doesn’t receive enough credit for creating the blueprint many labels use to propel their Hip-Hop acts to viral stardom.

Now, some have taken to the net to say that they believe Grande is just as inspired.

Full story below…

(more…)

R. Kelly has been slapped with more shame and disgrace this week thanks to a brave young woman named Faith Rodgers who is detailing her STI-ridden time with the performer.

Faith, like many of his victims, reveals that he threatened her with violence when he suspected she would go public with what she knew about him and is now talking to police about the crimes she says she knows Kelly committed during and after their relationship.

Watch her bare all on CBS below…

(more…)

‘Fast Color’ is heading to a screen near you.

Learn more about the movie below…

(more…)

It’s finally here!

After weeks of teasing,  Ariana Grande‘s unveiled the accompanying visual to ‘7 Rings.’  The latest cut from her yet-titled fifth album to receive the video treatment, ‘Rings’ comes as quite the worthy follow-up to 2018 megahit, ‘thank u, next,’ and ‘Imagine.’

Inspired by a real life shopping trip that saw Grande take her friends to Tiffany & Co., the bevy of bling featured in the Trap-inspired clip shows they definitely didn’t leave the store empty-handed.

What are you waiting for?  The action awaits inside:

(more…)

Festival season is upon us!

With announcements rolling in daily unveiling the A-list headliners of some of the year’s most anticipated including Coachella (Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino), Lollapalooza (Ariana Grande reportedly), Broccoli Festival (Childish Gambino, Lil Wayne), Bonnaroo (Chilidsh Gambino, Cardi B), and many more, fans of Katy Perry were particularly elated to know the songstress is among the top names tapped for the 2019 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

The ‘Chained to the Rhythm’ chanteuse took to Instagram recently to confirm she’s linked to this year’s festivities scheduled to take place in ‘The Big Easy’ on April 25-28 and May 2-5.  And, as anticipation builds on if she’ll use the outlet to unveil new music from the follow-up to 2017’s ill-fated ‘Witness’ album, equal excitement greets news of who’ll she be sharing the fest’s 50th anniversary bill with.

See the full list inside:

(more…)

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.

Next, we only have eyes for Ashanti Douglas’ 2004 hit, ‘Only U.’  Released October that year, the tune – penned by Douglas, Irv Gotti, and more with production credited to 7 Aurelius – was tapped to launch the singer’s third LP, 2004’s ‘Concrete Rose.’  A sonic departure from the lighter R&B offerings of her first two albums, ‘Only’ – though decorated with a rhythmic undertone – was a darker, rock-tinged effort that prominently featured a ringing guitar riff at its intro and outro.  Accented by an equally dark video that saw the then 24-year-old not only unveil her sexiest fashion ensembles to date but also experiment with choreography in measures absent from her previous offerings, ‘Only’ shone as a turning point in the singer’s career manyfold.

Sadly, the risky experiment did not prove lucrative.  Peaking at #13 this week in 2005, the song became the first lead single of an Ashanti album to miss the top 10 of the Hot 100.  Some 14 years later it remains her last appearance in the tally’s top 20.  Going on to push past the RIAA’s Gold certification threshold, ‘Only’ can at least boast status as a fan favorite in the singer’s impressive discography.

Look inside to see who joined her in the top 25 on this week’s ‘Chart Rewind’:

 

(more…)

‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ legend Gladys Knight saw her name ride right into a storm of controversy earlier today when it was announced she would be performing the national anthem at this year’s Super Bowl LIII.

Taking place February 3 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, Knight – a native Atlantan – excitedly took to Twitter to not only share the news, but also state:

“I am proud to use my voice to unite and represent our country in my hometown of Atlanta,” the 74-year-old said.

“The NFL recently announced their new social justice platform Inspire Change, and I am honored to be a part of its inaugural year.” 

The excitement quickly turned sour as fans of the 74-year-old diva extended her the same criticism afforded to rappers Travis Scott and Big Boi for taking part in the big game given the NFL’s lengthy history with reports of negative treatment of people of color.

More inside:

(more…)

R. Kelly’s record label, RCA, is finding it hard to ignore calls made by critics to have him dropped from the company as the world learns more about his abuse of children and women.

This week, these critics turned the heat up and stormed the label to ensure their voices were heard.

(more…)

Twitter’s having a field day with rapper A$AP Rocky thanks to some interesting comments he lent on a recent promo visit to ‘The Angie Martinez Show.’

On hand to discuss ‘Yam’s Day’ (January 17) – a celebration of the A$AP Mob‘s A$AP Yams  – Rocky, on tour for the rest of the winter, made a pit stop ahead of the festivities to talk about it, his love life, newfound sobriety, and so much more.

And, while his career has seen its fair share of darts from detractors dissing his androgynous and, at time, eccentric fashion choices, those darts turned to flames after the interview surfaced online.  There, he suggested he deserved special treatment from women…because he’s a ‘bad b*tch.’

Nothing wrong with a little confidence, eh?  Hear it from his lips inside:

(more…)

**