When it comes to dissecting the digits of new releases, there’s official and there’s Billboard official. 

And the latter numbers are finally in for Nicki Minaj‘s ‘Queen’ – confirming that the set was indeed denied the #1 spot by Travis Scott.

Dive below for details…

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Omarosa‘s best-selling book ‘Unhinged‘ received a fresh shot of promo when she made her way to Trevor Noah‘s ‘Daily Show.’

There, she spoke openly about the shame she felt supporting the Trump administration’s supposed lies, why she feels she is understood by the African-American community and the fact she has many more recorded surprises up her sleeve.

Watch below…

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This week we take it back to the 80’s in this week’s From The Vault.

Tina Turner’s iconic ‘Private Dancer’ is today’s pick.

‘Dancer’ was originally recorded by UK rock band Dire Straits, whose lead singer Mark Knopfler wrote the lyrics. What caused the band not use the song for themselves? They thought the lyrics were better suited to a female.

Though not fully expressed, the track tells the tale of a disillusioned prostitute as she continuously receives money for men who only come to see her “dance.” Edgy!

The song served as the title track from Tina’s fifth studio album and was released as its fifth single in 1984.

It was a #7 charting single in the US and a moderate international hit, peaking inside the Top 40 in the UK, Canada, Germany and Australia.

Shot in London, the video for the song was directed by Brian Grant. It showcased Turner as a sad and depressed ballroom performer and screens scenes of dancers engaging in – at times suggestive – contemporary choreography.

In trademark form, the superstar rocked her signature hairstyle throughout the visual and of course her legendary legs.

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‘Private Dancer,’ the album was considered Tina’s comeback. Other than its outstanding material, this project is known for bringing the electrifying entertainer to the height of her career… at age 45.

Yet another example of why ageism in the today’s music industry is undeniably keeping the world from would-be megastars and amazing material. Surely the the most tantalising talents are the ones that most seasoned?

With a 52-year-old Janet Jackson currently enjoying a chart return of sorts, it will be exciting to see whether her narrative will mirror Turner’s. We’re hopeful she, the Madonna’s, and co are gifted many more impacting and iconic moments, the way ‘Private Dancer’ did for the incredible talent that is Ms. Tina Turner!

Your thoughts?

(Photo by Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)

‘Can We Talk?’ singer Tevin Campbell has been the talk of Twitter all weekend thanks to Nigerian author/digital strategist Luvvie Ajayi who scoffed at the notion the Grammy-nominated crooner tribute the late Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.

Taking to Twitter, Ajayi stated:

It wasn’t long before Black Twitter, including fans, celebrities, and supporters alike came to the defense of the now-41 year old singer.  Taking her to task for her unsavory comment, the backlash got so hot Luvvie responded:

Did you miss any of the action? See the hoopla inside:

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Something very interesting happened on iTunes last week.

What it was? Well, after watching all of the releases Lil’ Kim launched following her departure from Atlantic Records sink commercially, last week saw a number of the brilliant performer’s older material make a miraculous return and soar into the iTunes Albums Chart.

Interesting, as all of this happened in the same week her nemesis Nicki Minaj dropped her latest album ‘Queen.’

Only right then, with her digital gains in mind, that Kim fans expect the LPs to move enough units to make major waves on the Billboard 200.

Alas, they haven’t…and it’s left many of them confused.

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Janet Jackson was the picture of perfection when she took to ‘TRL’ recently to celebrate the release of her Daddy Yankee-assisted new single, ‘Made For Now.’

Using the platform to give the visual its television premiere just hours after it stormed the net, the visit was also accompanied by a lengthy sitdown with host Sway Calloway that saw her discuss how the song and video came to be, other new music happenings, her critically acclaimed ‘State of the World’ tour, and a heartfelt conversation surrounding her thoughts on racism, police brutality, gun violence, and so much more.

Did you miss any of the action when it aired on MTV?  Fret not, we’ve got you covered:

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Welcome to The Sip episode 15 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 Danity Kane announce their reunion, Cardi B sets a VMAs return, Normani levels up with Puma, and Lady Gaga teases newness. All this and much more.

Drink up!

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!

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@PatricklySpeakn
@StephYoungMC

Your thoughts?

Following a rollercoaster 18 months, Ariana Grande has poured ‘Sweetener’ into the musical landscape.

The set, which serves as her fourth studio offering, is her first body of work since the 2017 bombing that took place at the Manchester stop of her ‘Dangerous Woman Tour.’ An incident that saw 22 lives lost.

Helmed largely by Pharrell Williams, the collection was preceded by singles ‘No Tears Left To Cry’ and ‘God Is A Woman.’ Features on the 15-song set include Nicki Minaj and Missy Elliott. 

So how it shaping up retail? The first week predictions are in and hold the answer.

Head below for more…

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Omarosa‘s ‘Unhinged‘ is faring very well commercially and is proving, much to the distress of Donald Trump loyalists, that the general public is very interested in the supposed opportunist’s damning account of her time in the White House.

Full story below…

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Nicki Minaj may be assert her ‘Queen’ status on her new album of the same name, but she has to settle for second place on the Billboard 200.

For, per the final US sales tally, the ‘Chun-Li’ led set has been been beaten by the second week sales of Travis Scott’s ‘Astroworld’ album.

Dive below for details and digits…

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This week saw the great Aretha Franklin take her ancestral rising and leave millions of fans and a loving family behind to celebrate her work in the world.

Today we do the same by dedicating this edition of Retro Rewind to the interviews she gave to discuss the magic & music she delivered on screen, on stage and with song.

Watch below…

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Janet Jackson kicked off a colossal week of promotion for new single ‘Made For Now’ – her hyper-hot comeback jam featuring Daddy Yankee. 

And while the track serves as the first taste of fresh material from the Queen of Pop in three years, it’s also the first fruit from her brand new record deal.

More on Jackson’s new label home and imminent music plans below…

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