JAY-Z re-affirmed his spot atop of the Hip-Hop pyramid this week with the premiere of his most candid album yet, ‘4:44.’

Unleashed on his streaming service TIDAL, the LP has taken social media by storm following truth bearing lyrics surrounding his relationship with Beyonce and a whole lot more.

The project is reportedly set to hit all digital and physical outlets after the end of its one week exclusivity period with TIDAL and Sprint. And it appears Jigga gas more up his sleeve.

During an interview with Rolling Stone, the album’s sole producer No I.D revealed that there are three more songs on the way.

The confirmation came after he was quizzed about the shortness of the project – which, in its current incarnation, clocks in at the 35-minute mark.

Peep the excerpt below:

RS: So the concise 10-song length was important for that purpose?
No I.D: Yes. There’s three more songs that are coming out as bonuses. James Blake came in and joined into the process. There’s more coming shortly that’s equally as revealing.

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

Smart.

Jay, along with Bey, have made it clear that they are playing by their own rules. Case in point ‘Lemonade’ still being a TIDAL streaming exclusive.

However, it’s a cool to see that Mr Carter is giving added incentive to pick-up his album at retail post this wave of excitement.

One has to wonder whether the “three new songs” appear on the physical edition only, or whether they’ll also be present on the version serviced to rival streaming services.

Pending an answer, what are…

Your thoughts?

Mary J. Blige has experimented with an array of looks over the course of her illustrious career. And she shows no signs of stopping.

The Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul was snapped at the 2017 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans last night sporting striking braids.

MJB is intimately involved with the spectacle this year. For, beyond performing herself, she has cultivated a “ladies only” night comprised of artists she handpicked. Included on her line-up are Monica and Jazmine Sullivan.

Peep more pics of the R&B royal below…

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: Getty]

Five seasons after her arrival on the series, Kenya Moore stands as the only ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ “newbie” to retain a full-time position on the series thanks to short-lived moments delivered by Claudia Jordan and Kim Fields.

Unfortunately, as those who doubt their authenticity of her marriage cite the supposed lack of court documents as their grounds for “concern”, the TV villain is said to have learned that she has been fired from the show.

Why?

Unconfirmed reports claim Moore infuriated producers when she chose to wed her husband off-camera days after production on the show’s tenth season kicked off robbing viewers of the opportunity to watch her become a bonafide ‘Wife’.

The Blushing Bride ??? #RHOA #KenyaMoore

A post shared by Real Housewives Of Atlanta ? (@realhousewivesatlanta) on Jun 22, 2017 at 1:04pm PDT

What she had to say about the report?

Serving for season 10 Blouse: @emiliopucci Skirt: @dolcegabbana Shoes: @louboutinworld Bag: @hermes Glow: #myhusband #RHOA #kenyamoore

A post shared by Kenya Moore (@thekenyamoore) on Jun 30, 2017 at 6:50am PDT

Your thoughts?

Ahead of their performance at the 2017 Essence Music Festival, June’s Diary sprung a surprise on fans last night with the release of their debut mixtape ‘Male Edition.’

Boasting blazing covers of some of the boy bands that have inspired them, the set also featured the studio version of original song ‘Wrap Around.’

A favorite amongst the group’s growing base after being performed live, many have been awaiting the mastered take of the Dem Jointz production.

Did it live up to the anticipation? Listen below and let us know…

Yes, yes, and yes! The ladies delivered a dynamic jam that manages to be soulful, current, and lyrically engaging.

With the group on a steady ascend, it’d be great to see this serviced to digital retail and streaming services as soon as. For, it’s easily their strongest offering yet.

Pending then, peep the Kelly Rowland / Frank Gatson protégés perform ‘Wrap Around’ live on our show The Splash below…

Your thoughts?

In an age in which the industry had the money to turn artists into Pop demi-gods Madonna and Michael Jackson reigned supreme.

Alas, as if often the case in the music industry, the pair’s seemingly sweet relationship was anything but once prying eyes and telling cameras were out of the picture.

For, as his sister Janet found herself weathering a secret feud with Prince, Michael faced a similar problem with the ‘Justify My Love’ star.

Yet to hear the secret recordings in which he revealed how he truly felt about her?

Listen below…

Did jealousy lie at the heart of the pair’s rivalry?

Weigh in below!

Camila Cabello continues to live out her solo destiny.

As reported, the former Fifth Harmony star is fronting a major campaign for GUESS‘ Fall 2017 range. And now, with the roll-out underway, more pics have been released.

Sporting the line in the sassy snaps, the 20-year-old can be seen cosying up to model Alex Dellisola.

The venture forms part of a potent push for Cabello, whose new single ‘Crying In The Club’ is out now. For, she’s in the midst of a promo run and will be hitting the road as an opener on the US leg of Bruno Mars‘ ’24k Magic World Tour.’

Peep more of the rising star below…

Your thoughts?

With decades of timeless crossover hits to their credit, Gospel royals The Clark Sisters are no strangers to not only impacting generations of gospel music lovers, but also hearing their influence expand to countless R&B, soul, and even hip-hop stars.

As their enduring legacy has seen shoutouts from top divas Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, & Mary J. Blige to samples of their gospel hits found in tunes from the likes of Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, and many more, fans were pleasantly surprised to learn Beyonce and Jay Z recently added their names to the list of high profile stars giving the Clarks their due nods.

The Hollywood power couple recently sampled the group’s tune ‘Ha Ya (Eternal Life)’ for ‘Family Feud’ – a personal collaboration on Jay’s ‘4:44’ album that dishes on the Carter family life and even addresses rumored infidelity.  And, while Twitter absolutely exploded at the reference (immediately picking up the Clarks distinct sound from the sample), the legends themselves had quite the interesting weigh in to add to the hoop-la.

Look below for their responses:

Wow!!! who would’ve thought this phenomenal Artist would use our songs. Thank you Jay Z & @beyonce ????

A post shared by Karen Clark Sheard (@karenclarksheard) on Jun 30, 2017 at 3:03pm PDT

Haven’t heard ‘Family Feud’ yet?  Click here to listen.

Your thoughts?

Just a day after setting fire to the Internet with claims she may never tour again, ‘Set Fire to the Rain’ singer Adele has ignited an outpouring of sympathy with the announcement she is cancelling the last two dates of her wildly successful self-titled tour (in support of her diamond-selling third album, ’25’).

The shows – set for London’s Wembley Stadium – came after the singer/songwriter had already performed to record breaking crowds of nearly 100,000 fans across Wednesday and Thursday night.  Now,  just ahead of Saturday and Sunday’s showings, Addy took to social media to post a lengthy apology letter to her supporters indicating she was ‘devastated’ by doctor’s orders to discontinue the trek at the risk of further damaging her prized vocal cords.

Read it below:

Your thoughts?

On the last day of June fans of June’s Diary were gifted with news the talented fivesome unlocked their first ever mixtape, ‘Male Edition.’

The group – birthed from a nationwide talent call by R&B diva Kelly Rowland and famed creative director/choreographer Frank Gatson – have been turning heads with their airtight harmonies and soaring vocal displays since hitting the scene last year.  One listen to ‘Edition’ proves this is a trend they intend to continue.

Featuring a slew of tributes to influential male groups like Jagged Edge, The Beatles, and Jodeci, ‘Edition’ – kicked off by the quintet’s kickass remake of latter’s 1991 hit ‘Stay’ – remixes and reintroduces some of yesteryear’s biggest male hits to a modern audience.

Curious to hear whose hits made the final cut for ‘Male Edition’?  It awaits below for your listening pleasure:

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While the world awaits the first glimpse of Beyonce and JAY-Z‘s new twins, a new report is heavily hinting at their names.

According to TMZ, the company that looks after the image rights for power couple just filed trademarks for Rumi Carter and Sir Carter.

Interestingly, the trademarks are for fragrances, cosmetics, key chains, baby teething rings, strollers, mugs, water bottles, hair ribbons, playing cards, tote bags, sports balls and rattles and other novelty items.

The Carters, who reportedly welcomed a boy and girl, made a similar move following the birth of their now five year old daughter Blue Ivy. 

For what it’s worth, Rumi means “beauty” in both Japanese and Bengali. As for Sir? That just has a cool ring to it.

In any case, with this now “out” in the media, surely confirmation is imminent? Stay tuned.

Your thoughts?

If, like us, you’re hooked on Netflix series ‘Dear White People,’ then get ready because there’s more on the way!

Fans of the comedy, which is a serialised version of the like-titled movie, have been waiting with bated breath for news on a renewal.

Today saw their patience rewarded; Netflix have confirmed that they’ve officially picked up the show for a second season.

Set for a 2018 return, its sophomore run goes into production later this year.

The satirical show, which explores racial differences in an Ivy League university, has proven wildly popular with critics.

However, prior to today’s announcement, it’s future seemed uncertain.

The nature of the Netflix model sees the streaming giant opt not to release viewership numbers, meaning it’s hard to gage how well a show is – or isn’t – doing. And, with the recent axing of popular titles ‘The Get Down’ and  ‘Stranger Things,’ guaranteed renewals are never a cert.

Nonetheless, we’re ecstatic that the Logan Browning led show is back! It’s all sorts of gripping.

Roll on 2018!

2018. Dear White People season 2. Don't @ me. pic.twitter.com/bAkUxWUQE3

— Dear White People (@DearWhitePeople) June 30, 2017

Your thoughts?

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 take it back to ‘Don’t Take It Personal,’ the debut single from R&B veteran Monica.  The inaugural release from her first studio album, ‘Miss Thang,’ ‘Personal’ (Just One of Dem Days) – written and produced by Dallas Austin and more – shot the Atlantan singer from near obscurity to household name status (especially among R&B lovers of the time).  Lauded for her maturity and sass, the then 14-year-old saw her introductory title zoom to the top of R&B charts shortly after its release and perform similarly on pop charts.

Peaking at #2 on the Hot 100 this week in 1995, ‘Personal’ would go on to earn a platinum plaque and lay the groundwork for the career of the now R&B-veteran we know and love today.  Tuck in below to relive the video and see what other familiar names and faces joined her in the top 25 this week 22 years ago:

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