Coming in at a colossal 19-minutes, the track sees R&B’s Pied Piper wax honest about his present predicament, clap-back at his detractors, and make a serious of surprising revelations.
Covered on the song are the following:
– He’s broke – Signed all his publishing away – Confirms he is illiterate, cannot spell after dropping out of school – Owes $20 million to IRS, had to borrow money from label – Couldn’t read the teleprompter at the GRAMMYs – Hasn’t seen his kids in years – Admitted he loved Aaliyah romantically – A family member molested him from childhood to 14 – Took his virginity while he was sleeping – His ex-team having bad intentions & his illiteracy the reason for money issues
Nicki Minaj‘s reluctance to physically promote her music in the United Kingdom continues to confuse her fans in the market now that her new single is ‘Bed’ is making substantial gains…with little support.
Troye Sivan‘s made it no secret that his latest international hit, ‘Dance To This,’ was inspired by Janet Jackson‘s 2004 hit ‘All Nite (Don’t Stop).’ Now, as its official accompanying video (directed by Bardia Zeinali) makes its rounds, that inspiration can be seen and heard manifold.
Tapping Ariana Grande to assist, the cut’s already managed to make a dent in U.K. and Australian charts, but now he’s undoubtedly looking to tackle the U.S. Hot 100 as well.
Will the video be just what the doctor ordered to help him achieve the feat? Watch inside and let us know:
Five years have separated Kelly Rowland fans from a new LP from the Urban Pop diva, a truth that certainly isn’t lost on her. After months of promising fans she was hard at work on the follow-up to 2013’s critically acclaimed, ‘Talk A Good Game,’ Rowland’s finally lifting the lid on the delay of its long-awaited successor.
Busy, of course, with motherhood, ‘The Voice Australia,’ endorsements, and more, the 37-year-old took to ‘Vogue Australia’ recently to specifically address what’s kept her out of the studio but also reassure her faithful #RowlandStones that new music will be rolling their way very soon.
Although he’s currently recuperating from a horrific beatdown that left him hospitalized (click here to read more on that), rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine is still enjoying quite the fanfare from his latest release, ‘Fefe,’ which features the Harajuku Barbie herself Nicki Minaj.
With a whimsical, Willy Wonka-inspired video to accompany it, the Murda Beatz-produced cut sees the trade some toned down bars while sharing ice cream cones and other delights.
What do you get when you take a R&B group showdown and sprinkle in a little Mariah Carey on top?
The answer? This week’s From The Vault pick: Allure and 112‘s ‘All Cried Out.’
A powerful vocal quad, Allure were a female-group signed to Crave Records, a short-lived label founded by none other than Mariah Carey. During their brief but intense run, they managed to score several hits in 1998, including ‘Cried’ which peaked at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Official Singles Charts in the UK.
Interestingly, the track was actually a cover of a Top 10 Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam song, and the band’s mentor can be heard throughout the majority of the tune, providing powerful background vocals. She also co-produced the cut with Corey Rooney and former partner in crime Walter Afanasieff.
112’s presence elevated the the production to seismic heights.
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Directed by Christopher Erskin, the song’s visual focused on the fictional failling relationship of the groups’ respective lead singers. Though it is filled with happy memories of the couple, its ending echoed the poignant lyrics and left them at a point of no return.
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Sure times have changed, but there’s still nothing as moving as meaningful lyrics, and when the melody is as rich as this, it’s an inevitable home-run.
Thankfully in recent years, this strand of song has been making a slow and steady comeback courtesy of acts such as Adele et al.
And we’re genuinely appreciative, because as much as we love ourselves a good “turn-up” session, diversity will always be our favorite flavor. So, here’s hoping there continues to be a place and space for power ballads of this ilk.
Earlier this year Teairra Mari launched a bid to fight for the rights of revenge porn victims after an grossly vulgar image of her was posted on social media…without her consent.
Unfortunately, the attention garnered the image now means the star finds herself forced to face questions about in interviews lined up to promote the fourth season of the show she stars in… ‘Love & Hip Hop Hollywood.’
What happened when our friends ‘Team Curtains‘ were on hand to interview her alongside another other press? Chaos!
Welcome to The Sip episode 12 on That Grape Juice!
In our new podcast series, hosts PatricklySpeakn and StephYoungMC run down the latest entertainment news from TGJ and beyond.
This week Ciara returns with new single ‘Level Up,’Beyonce is baking newness, tea on Rihanna‘s new Dancehall album is spilled, and Shonda Rhimes is making major moves. All this and much more.
Be sure to let us know what YOU think! What are you liking? What do you want to hear more of? Let us know below!
The internet is absolutely eating up Ciara’s yummy new release as it appears the Grammy winner has 1,2 stepped right onto a viral hit thanks to the J.R. Rotem-produced cut. ‘Level Up’ – the first lift from her yet-titled forthcoming septenary album – made its debut on 7/18 and in a matter of hours shot to #1 on Youtube’s viewership tallies before heading to a similar peak on iTunes’ R&B tallies.
The fire behind these launches to the top? The #LevelUpChallenge, a viral response that’s seeing her fans (old and new) offer their best renditions of the choreography found aboard the tune’s Parris Goebel-curated clip.
Wanna see Cici’s favorites among the growing entries? Look inside for the collage…
