It’s hard to believe that twenty years have passed since the release of Janet Jackson’s ‘Velvet Rope.’

Steeped in tales of love, loss, lies and loneliness, the moody R&B album saw Jackson launch one of the biggest promotional efforts to support it and the monumental tour she built to deliver it to her fans live.

One of the era’s highlights?

Her tell-all conversation with Oprah Winfrey.

Yet to see it?

Press play for a moving conversation on life beyond an icon’s ‘Velvet Rope.’

Your thoughts?

The Hip-Hop gatekeeper Charlamagne Tha God isn’t impressed by Nicki Minaj‘s new material and isn’t afraid to tell her so.

During the ‘Rumor Report‘ portion of his hit radio show ‘The Breakfast Club’, the radio personality was played a piece of her verse on a 2 Chainz-fronted cut named ‘Realize.’

On it, the performer mocks her nemesis Remy Ma with a line which suggests it was Ma’s husband Papoose- and not Ma- herself who penned the diss track ‘Shether.’

A bored Charlamagne had this to say about it…

Charlamagne can expect to hear a whole lot more of Nicki’s flow later on this year when she releases her fourth studio album via UMG.

Your thoughts?

With sales which make her the envy of all of her peers, Taylor Swift‘s influence within the music industry is- on most fronts- unmatched.

Alas, despite standing head and shoulders above her commercially, Swift has still been unable to compete with her closest rival Katy Perry when it comes to impact, yet to permeate Pop culture with a ‘I Kissed a Girl’ or ‘California Gurls’ level hit.

This week, after her ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris claimed she ought to remedy this by sabotaging Perry’s career, the ‘Blank Space’ belle saw her reputation torn to shreds by the press when she released her entire discography to streaming platforms…on the day of Katy’s new album release.

A source close to the star now rubbishes talk of sabotage and told ‘Billboard‘:

Swift’s camp has been in ongoing talks to put her music back on Spotify since she pulled it three years ago – prompted by Spotify’s refusal to let her keep her tunes off of its free tier. After the Recording Industry Association of America notified Swift’s camp her song catalog was approaching 100 million certified units earlier this week, she decided to quickly pull the trigger.

Not everyone is convinced.

Taylor demonstrates Beyoncé level strategization w this ?coup EXCEPT Beyoncé is peerless; the only rival Beyoncé could sabotage is Beyoncé

— Caity Weaver (@caityweaver) June 9, 2017

Who do you believe?

Katy Perry has revealed that she has contemplated suicide during the darkest hours of her life.

During a conversation with Dr. Siri Sat Nam Singh of Viceland, the ‘By the Grace of God‘ singer spoke openly about her battle with depression as she juggled the pressures life burdened her with.

I wrote a song about it. I feel ashamed that I would have those thoughts, feel that low and that depressed.

Her brave admission arrived as the world celebrates the release of her new album ‘Witness‘ and as unconfirmed reports claim fame and her love for secular music has hurt her Christian parents.

Your thoughts?

The internet is losing its sh*t right now as Marvel Studios has finally unveiled the long-awaited ‘Black Panther’ trailer.

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Mary J Blige embraces the cinematic in the video for ‘Love Yourself’ – the latest offering from her current studio album ‘Strength Of A Woman.’

The single mix of the Kanye West cut features rapper A$AP Rocky, who delivers a spirited guest verse.

Together, MJB and Rocky show up and show out in the clip which is directed by Taj & Dre. 

Check it out below…

Having given ‘Strength Of A Woman’ several spins, we’d have much preferred the budget for this was instead used for ‘Glow Up’ or ‘Find The Love.’

In any case, this is easily the best visual she’s delivered thus far this era.

Your thoughts?

Bieber fever is alive and well if the response to ‘2 U,’ the singer’s latest single with David Guetta, is anything to judge by.

Justin, already boasting ownership of the top spot on the Hot 100 and iTunes song charts with Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee‘s ‘Despacito’ as of last night (for which the Canadian crooner assists), the Guetta release – just unveiled this morning at 12am – has already unseated ‘Despacito’ on digital charts.

As if that’s not enough, just one spot under the two, Bieber can be found again on DJ Khaled‘s ‘I’m the One.’  All the Bieber hoopla only confirms fans are more than ready for his fifth official LP, the follow-up to 2015’s hotly-selling ‘Purpose.’

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Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, just 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.  This week we’ll reflect on the ladies of ‘Lady Marmalade’ – Christina Aguilera, Mya, P!nk, and Lil Kim.

An unexpected and unusual collaboration to say the least, the Missy Elliott-produced remake of the famed 70’s Labelle hit proved a lucrative venture for all involved.  Shooting to number 1 from the strength of radio airplay alone (before it was actually released as a purchasable single), the tune – Kim, P!nk, and Mya’s first run in the top slot of the Hot 100 – dethroned Janet Jackson‘s hit 2001 comeback song ‘All For You’ on the Hot 100 last week 16 years ago.

This week, the song stayed put in the #1 position and would do so for three more consecutive weeks after.  When all was said and done, the provocative number was not only the best-selling song of the year, but it went on to win a Grammy for ‘Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals’ at the 2002 ceremony.

Join us inside:

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The shocking reality is Katy Perry‘s current era is her least anticipated to date.

Her new project, ‘Witness’ (available now), made its debut at 12am EST after a four month promotional onslaught not only saw her hit major award shows, talk shows, the late night TV circuit, the radio circuit, print, concert festivals, and many other places, but it’s also seen her team with Citi and other business giants to promote the album’s bearings.

Yet, even with the exhausting promo efforts and glossy music videos to assist, the set’s lead single – ‘Chained to the Rhythm’ – stalled at #4 while its follow-up, ‘Bon Appetit’ (featuring Migos), never cracked the top 50 on the Hot 100.  With the nonperformance of the aforementioned and the Nicki Minaj-assisted ‘Swish Swish,’ it appeared music lovers were simply not here for what the diva was serving this go round – a reality that’s made ‘Witness’ her first album to ever be released without a #1 single preceding it.

Even with these things in tow, the project (post-release) has shown promise by jetting to the top of iTunes just minutes after it was released.  Some 12 hours later, it’s remained in that same position.  As fans and critics sing the praises of ‘Witness,’ deeming it a “breakup album,” we come to you to ask…

Now that you’ve had time to stream #Witness:

Your thoughts?

There are friends and there are friends!

DJ Khaled assembles his set for a star-studded 10th album ‘Grateful.’

As reported, the LP will arrive at retail on June 23rd and promises features from a who’s who of the music industry.

Moments ago, the hitmaker revealed the official tracklist and proves that there’s no rivalling his clique. For, included on the 23-track project are Beyonce, Jay Z, Rihanna, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Future, Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys, and countless more.

Peep the full listing below…

On paper, this reads like a buffet of chart smashes. Here’s hoping the album delivers a bountiful number of bops.

Roll on June 23rd!

Your thoughts?

Britney Spears has discovered that her Instagram account has been used as a means for communication by Russian hackers!

Named Turla, the group are known within the espionage circles for their targeting of governments, militaries and educational establishments and- much to Britney’s surprise- have turned their gaze to her social media platforms.

A Slovakian security firm has revealed that the message above was posted by Turla  via a fake fan account. Why? It contains a hidden message which gives instructions on how to steal important data when activated!

It has since been deleted.

Breathe Heavy adds:

They believe it was a test of sorts, because the link was accessed less than two dozen times.

Why Russian hackers have the world on edge?

Your thoughts?

X Factor graduates 5 After Midnight are creating ripple waves of excitement with their dynamic take on the boyband.

Comprised of Kieran, Jordan, and Nathan, the trio placed second in the final of last year’s competition. However, the group are enjoying first-rate buzz about their debut single ‘Up In Here’ – which rocketed into the iTunes top 10 after their blazing performance on

That Grape Juice caught up with the guys to discuss the DMX sampled song, their album, inspirations, Beyonce, Rihanna, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix, and more!

Check it out above and be sure to download/stream ‘Up In Here.’

Your thoughts?