Penning hits for Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Britney Spears and Kelly Clarkson the duo Louis York rose to fame and notoriety within the music industry.

This year, by way of their own material, they find themselves on course to receiving the same from the critical mass with help from their visual for the single ‘NERDS’.

The cut appears on their ‘Masterpiece Theatre- Act 1′ release and was inspired by the acts’ personal journey.

’NERDS’ is an honest depiction of the many emotions Chuck and I face daily. Two musicians, two cities, same concerns. Are we winning? Are we completely messing things up? Are we doing it right? We often doubt ourselves, but are still so full of hope. These ARE indeed the things that keep us up at night. This song sounds epic because our lives have been epic. We’ve had major successes, suffered crazy losses and gone through lots of unexpected twist and turns. The song goes from unapologetic rock & roll to moody pianos and finally to a gritty, dark uptempo. We want to take listeners on the actual journey from our childhood to the present so everyone can experience the fears and concerns that have shaped us. It’s a song that’s culturally relevant without being bitter. In the end, we’re patriotic dreamers with success on our minds and a desire to spread a lot of love. We are the ‘NERDS.’

Watch below…

Your thoughts?

Times are a-changing over at the Grammys.

Keen to ensure that its system stands strong against the threat of errors and fraudulent voting, the powers-that-be have announced major changes today.

For the very first time, voting members will be allowed to vote online to create flexibility for touring acts and pull the heat out of any attempts to cheat the system by way of fraudulent voting.

There’s more.

Hits Daily Double explains…

Nominations Review Committees will be created for the Rap, Contemporary Instrumental and New Age fields. The nominations review process was established in 1989 as an additional round of checks and balances to eliminate the potential for a popularity bias that puts emerging artists, independent music, and late-year releases at a disadvantage.

There’s good news for songwriters too.

As of next year, they will be added to the Album of the Year category alongside producers, engineers, mixers, mastering engineers, featured artists who are credited with at least 33% of publishing on the winning release!

Bill Freimuth, Senior Vice President of Awards for the Recording Academy shared:

As an Academy, it’s imperative that we continue to meet the needs of music creators everywhere, and this year’s transition to online voting is an enormous step forward in the evolution of our voting process. We work diligently to ensure we’re keeping up with our ever-changing industry and team up with music people year round, across all genres and disciplines, to make sure we are doing everything we can to support the creative community.

Your thoughts?

Keke Palmer dances up a storm in the newly hatched video for ‘Wind Up.’

Migos star Quavo, who’s guests on pretty much every song out, makes an appearance on the high-octane release.

Following last year’s ‘Lauren’ EP, the single and its accompanying visual see Palmer on a continued quest to shed her child-star tag and embrace womanhood.

Does the 23-year-old succeed? Watch ‘Wind Up’ below and let us know…

We have ample time for any act that commits to upping their craft – and, watching this, it’s clear Keke is putting in the time and effort. That choreography was great.

The only (slight) drawback is that there could be better management of how she showcases her eagerness. Because at points it felt like she wanted to show and prove with every dance she knew.

Still, in an era where minimalism has become the norm, it’s awesome to see an act go all out.

Your thoughts?

Despite a number of road blocks, Iggy Azalea is pressing on with promotion for current single ‘Switch.’ 

As reported, the visual for the Anitta assisted release leaked and subsequently never made its way to VEVO. What instead followed was the Aussie star lashing her label for mishandling the melee.

It remains to be seen what the plan is, but Azalea stopped by The Late Late Show With James Corden last night to perform the track.

Check it out below…

A combination of the song being a bop and rooting for the underdog has us willing a win for Iggy. However, something about that felt…off.

She’s hitting her marks, but in a lazy, laxed manner. Almost as if she were sleep walking her way through it.

Where were the pow and pizzazz? There was no excitement nor urgency in anything she was doing.

Paired with the grating fog effect (which made actually seeing her a task), this performance gets a chop.

Echoing earlier sentiments, the track is fire; so fingers crossed she brings some next time around.

Your thoughts?

Heavy security spotted outside a Los Angeles hospital has given Beyonce‘s fans reason to believe that she is in labor.

Expected to deliver her twins this month, the 35-year-old vocalist is said to have been seen leaving her home with two baby seats shortly before several pedestrians spotted a security team circling the aforementioned hospital.

A source close to her camp revealed:

Beyonce’s due date was yesterday and she has been seeing her OB/GYN on a regular basis at a different location. This trip to this hospital is unique.

Keep it locked on TGJ for more on this developing story.

Your thoughts?

Demetrius Shipp Jr is in high demand.

Sailing towards glory on the wings of his portrayal of Tupac, the actor made his way to ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ to discuss his journey to superstardom, his love for the late rapper and…Karrueche Tran.

‘All Eyez on Me’ makes its way to the world on June 15th.

Its official plot?

The film follows Shakur from his early days in New York City to his evolution into being one of the world’s most recognized and influential voices before his untimely death at the age of 25. Against all odds, Shakur’s raw talent, powerful lyrics and revolutionary mind-set propelled him into becoming a cultural icon whose legacy continues to grow long after his passing. ALL EYEZ ON ME stars Kat Graham, Lauren Cohan, Hill Harper, Jamal Woolard, Danai Gurira and Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac Shakur.

Are you going to see it?

Unless something dramatic happens, Katy Perry will be #1 on the Billboard 200 this week with her new album ‘Witness.’

However, after experiencing the bumpiest of rides pre-release, all eyes are on what numbers the set will deliver first week.

Initial forecasts had the ‘Chained To The Rhythm’ led LP on-course to open with 200-225k SPS / 175-200k in pure sales.

However, the predictions have since been revised down.

Per Hits Daily Double, Perry’s 4th studio effort is now set to debut with 180-195k SPS / 160-175k in pure sales.

The news comes as the star wrapped an ambitious Big Brother style live stream designed to promote the project. Stationed in the “Witness House” for three days, the singer was shown rehearsing, hosting “visitors,” doing interviews, having therapy and yoga sessions, and even sleeping.

**********

Sure, the numbers aren’t what they should be for an artist who has theoretically become bigger since her last era (see: Super Bowl, benefits of mega hits, and the like).

However, the figures are still respectable. Surprising too, given how few showed interest in its preceding singles.

Moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see whether she opens strong and sells consistently or if everyone who wanted the album buys it in its first week and then….*crickets.*

Stay tuned.

Your thoughts?

Justin Bieber has been assaulted by a fan this week.

Yes, after taking to the 2017 Summerburst Festival in Stockholm, the vocalist was asked by fans to perform the  song ‘Despacito.’

What happened when he told them that he wasn’t interested in doing so?

Fortunately, the swift  Pop purveyor dodged the bottle.

Don’t throw things at me please.

Want better news on the Biebs?

Click here!

Your thoughts?

Chris Brown leads a star-studded list of names beefing up the BET Awards 2017.

Moments ago, organizers for the June 25th spectacle revealed that the R&B singer will be taking to the stage at Urban music’s biggest night.

Other newly announced performers include Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Post Malone, Roman Gianarthur, and Lifetime Achievement recipients New Edition.

They join previously unveiled names Bruno Mars, Tamar Braxton, Trey Songz, Future, and Migos.

Comedienne Leslie Jones will host the 2017 BET Awards live from the Microsoft Theater on June 25th. Beyonce and Bruno Mars lead the nominations.

Be sure to keep it locked on That Grape Juice for the latest on one entertainment’s most notable calendar nights.

Your thoughts?

Cop a gander of the ‘Girls Trip’ cast!

Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett, Regina Hall, and Tiffany Haddish serve up a collective slay a-front of Essence Magazine‘s July 2017 issue.

The feature forms part of a clever synchronization, given that the movie chronicles the ladies hilarious journey to the 2017 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans – which takes place in “real life” next month.

Ahead of its big screen arrival, the film’s stars all posed it up for individual covers. Check them out below…

‘Girls Trip’ hits theaters July 21st.

Your thoughts?

Lady Gaga is consistently using her platform to promote good deeds and, for her latest, she’s teamed up with Starbucks.

The 31-year-old and her Born This Way Foundation have paired up with the omnipresent coffee chain to spread the simple message of kindness.

Christened the ‘Cups of Kindness’ campaign, its goal is to raise funds for youth programs that advocate kindness, create positive environments, and offer mental health resources.

“We’re healthier and happier when we live our lives with compassion and our communities are stronger when we treat one another with generosity and respect. Born This Way Foundation and I are so excited to partner with Starbucks to help inspire positivity and love through the Cups of Kindness collection.”

So how will it work?

Well, Starbucks will donate $0.25 cents from every ‘Cups of Kindness’ drink sold at participating stores in North America from today (June 13th) through to June 19th.

*************

Major props to Gaga for her continued desire to do good.

What started as a simple single [‘Born This Way’] has matured into a movement. Indeed, the Foundation has been notable for its activity in the LGBT, youth and mental health arenas.

Again, much respect to Gaga!

Your thoughts?

When told masterfully, movies fronted by black actors and characters spell nothing short of success for studios and this week, following ‘Get Out‘, ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘Fences’ and ‘Moonlight’, ‘Black Panther’ gears up to support this fact.

How so?

After watching the net celebrate the release of its trailer, its African-American/African cast has learned that said teaser has already been viewed 89 million times…within 24 hours.

19 million of those views came from eyes glued to last week’s NBA Finals where it nabbed one of its first looks while the rest, generated by the pandemonium its unveiling spark, were generated by video-sharing platforms like YouTube.

Said number rose over the 100 million when views from unofficial user-generated platforms are included.

So many brown people, in a movie, set in Africa, and not a hint of slavery. Thank you Marvel

— sanji (@EscoWilliams) June 12, 2017

‘The Hollywood Reporter’ adds:

Black Panther surpasses the views for teasers for top Marvel and Disney-released movies such as Captain America: Civil War (61 million), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (55 million) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (52 million).

Catch the movie when it claws its way into theatres on February 16th 2018.

Yet to see the trailer?

Hit this link.

Your thoughts?