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…
If his lengthy but damning Instagram post is anything to judge by, Floyd Mayweather’s proven his best blows aren’t limited to the ring! The boxing champ and his longtime nemesis, rapper 50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson), have done their fair share of verbal sparring over the years, with most of the attacks notoriously launched from 50’s side of the battlefield (“battlefield” = Twitter). Yet, after keeping his cool for months over ridicule about his literacy status, baby mama drama, and more, Mayweather delivered a thunderous serious clap back over the weekend!
Not only addressing the rapper’s ongoing familial issues (see: baby mama drama, beef with own son, etc.), Mayweather took aim at Jackson’s financial dealings, reportedly contrived image, absence from the Billboard charts, and so much more. Delivering a read that has the internet still abuzz, look inside to see exactly what the boxer said and how 50 responded…
Months after delivering her best first week sales to date, Janelle Monae is still hot on the promo trail for her latest album, ‘Dirty Computer’ (in stores now) – a feat that’s currently seeing her stomping to and on stages across North America (click here to see dates).
Just shortly after her pit stop at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater, Monae took her oft-envied moves to ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ to perform the President Obama-inspired cut ‘Americans.’
Did you miss seeing her give the ‘Computer’ cut the live treatment? See it inside…
Welcome to Retro Rewind, the TGJ original feature carved out to celebrate the world of cinema’s brilliant past!
Under the microscope today? ‘Losing Isaiah’…starring Halle Berry, Jessica Lange, Samuel L. Jackson and Cuba Gooding Jnr.
In it, Berry plays a crack-addicted lady who must fight for the right to be her child’s mother after she abandons him. Stepping in to rescue the child from his near-death experience? A social worker played by Lange.
Jason Momoa headlines DC’s hotly anticipated action-adventure, which storms into cinemas on December 21st.
Directed by James Wan, the flick chronicles the events that take place following the ‘Justice League.’
Arthur Curry (Momoa) stars as the reluctant ruler of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis; he’s caught in a colossal battle between land dwellers who threaten his oceans and his very own people – who in retaliation are ready to lash out and invade the surface.
Unleashed moments ago at Comic-Con, the first look at the flick (which also stars Nicole Kidman and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) awaits below…