Almost a decade ago, a young lady from the UK was taking the world by storm with her first original single.

This week’s From The Vault salutes said starlet; Leona Lewis and her 2008 smash ‘Bleeding Love’ is our pick.

Helmed by hit-making extraordinaire Ryan Tedder, ‘Love’ was service as the lead single from Lewis’ debut album ‘Spirit.’

Singlehanded, the song silenced the then-mounting critique levelled against  The X Factor, which claimed nothing tangible could come out of such talent shows. Indeed, with its universal acclaim and colossal chart trajectory, the cut gave the Simon Cowell-machine and Lewis a buoyant boost in credibility.

Released exactly 9 years ago in the UK, the song was a record-breaking chart-topper on home-soil. For, it actually charted in three different years – from 2007 to 2009 – and sold over one million copies in Great Britain. It went on to top the tally in over 30 countries in 2008, including the US, Australia, Canada and France.

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

Melina Matsoukas directed the first version of the video which showcases the highs and lows of several relationships. It has been viewed over 140 Million times on YouTube.

A second version was released, directed by Jessy Terrero, and is known as the US incarnation. Currently at 114 Million views, it was nominated for a VMA in 2008.

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

It’s unfortunate that Leona’s reign atop of the charts ended so abruptly – thanks to politics, poor decisions, and sub-par material.

Because, from our vantage point, she is among the best vocal talents the industry has to offer. Still.

With Lewis’ reportedly a free agent after parting ways Island Records, hopefully the right choices will be made to bring her back where she belongs… on top.

Your thoughts?

Fresh from topping the Billboard charts with new album ‘A Seat At The Table,’ Solange has scored another touchdown.

For the soul-filled songstress has landed a coveted slot on Saturday Night Live.

Details below…

(more…)

Mariah Carey is renown for her flare for all things festive.

It’s little surprise then that she’s embracing Halloween ahead of the annual fun day.

Mimi hosted a fancy-dress party at her Los Angeles home last night and flung the doors open to a host of notable names.

Included on the guestlist was ex husband Nick Cannon, who made a grand entrance with the diva and their five-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan.

While the 46-year-old diva opted for a daring devil ensemble, Cannon and the kids dressed up as Mario, Luigi, and Princess respectively.

Other familiar faces in attendances were Tamar Braxton, Floyd Mayweather, and T.I.’s wife Tiny. No sign of Mariah’s fiance James Packer. 

More pics below…

(more…)

Michel’le’s ratings rocking Lifetime biopic has given birth to a new contract set to reintroduce her gift to the masses.

Details on her unique recording contract below…

(more…)

On the heels of her latest #1 album, ‘Joanne,’ Grammy winning singer Lady Gaga strapped on her cowgirl boots and continues stomping onto the promo trail in support of the critically polarizing project.

Taking to ‘SNL’ tonight, the stop (her fourth overall on the variety series) brought with it the first televised showings of the album’s latest offerings ‘A-Yo’ and ‘MillioN Reasons.’  Ready to “blow off the haters” with the hitmaker?

Join her below…

(more…)

Bruno Mars has blasted back into the upper dectet of the Billboard Hot 100 with his latest single ’24K Magic.’ The retro-inspired bop, the first from his album of the same name (due November 18th), was recently unveiled and, by the end of its official premiere tracking week, amassed some seriously impressive stats. On the strength of 101,000 first week downloads, 12.8 million streams, and 65 million radio impressions, the song debuted at #5 on this week’s refreshed chart.

Thanks to a stint at ‘SNL’ last Saturday (click here to see that if you missed it), ‘Magic’ stands a chance to rise even higher next week.

But, while Mars enjoys his latest top 10 success, another powerhouse singer is finally doing the same: Ariana Grande. For, after being eluded by placement in the chart’s topmost dectet since the lead single from her third album, ‘Dangerous Woman,’ Grande – with the help of Grammy-nominated rapstress Nicki Minaj – has finally re-entered the top 10 with ‘Side to Side.’

Tuck in on the other side to find out where she and all your other favorites from the day landed:

(more…)

While the likes of Drake, Beyonce, Rihanna, and Adele continue to enjoy top 30 success months and months after the debuts of their respective albums, pop princess/once bonafide seller Britney Spears can’t exactly boast the same.

In fact, since its moderate #3 debut on charts in September, the project – christened ‘Glory’ – has failed to live up to its namesake as it has been on a continuous freefall since (a haunting fact considering some of the industry’s top critics indicated it’s easily her best album in years).

With sales of less than 175,000 SPS to date, the buying public doesn’t mirror the sentiment apparently.

For, fast forward to this – the 7th week of its availability – and peruse of pop charts reveal the set has dropped over 60 spots and is one position away from falling out of the top 200 all together! Ouch…

(more…)

Lady Gaga has become one Pop’s most notable polarizers in recent years – and adds to that narrative with new album ‘Joanne.’

A marked departure from her dancefloor dominant sound of yesteryear, the singer has swapped her EDM rootings for a stripped back, raw offering.

Similarly, her image has experienced an overhaul; the meat dresses are in the freezer and in its place is an aesthetic that is almost…normal.

The switch-up has delighted some, yet worried others used to consuming their “Gaga” with a generous helping of electric eccentricity.

Together with ‘Joanne’s lack of major hit, it naturally has many wondering how this all will impact the commercial performance of the project.

The biggest indicator arrived moments ago in the form of sales predictions for the set.

Want to know what ‘Joanne’s numbers are looking like?

Join us below…

(more…)

When armed with as many enduring hits as Mariah Carey, one doesn’t need a new album to hit the promo trail.

Such is the case for the diva, who is returning to Carpool Karaoke.

Find out what the singer will be buckling up to plug after the jump…

(more…)

Lady Gaga is #1 in over 65 countries with new album ‘Joanne.’

Still, Mother Monster is hitting the promotional trail to ensure the set hits its commercial mark.

Said journey brought her to Good Morning America this week where she chopped it up with Michael Strahan about a whole host of topics.

Discussed was the Super Bowl – which she’s headlining, the LP, its core message, and the Amazon deal which’ll see it retail for $3.99 (for a limited window).

Check out the cheerful chat after the jump…

(more…)

Azealia Banks has released an official apology to Zayn Malik with hopes of remedying the problems she caused between them.

Read below…

(more…)

Welcome to Retro Rewind, the TGJ original feature carved out to take our readers on an exciting and informative journey to the past.

Today, after fans of the singer Michel’le tuned in in their millions to learn of the abuse she is said to have suffered at the hands of Dr. Dre via her Lifetime biopic, we return to 1993 to shed fresh light on ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It? (The Tina Turner Story).’

In it, viewers are taken beyond and behind the velvet rope to witness the life Tina Turner lived away from the spotlight.

A life, unbeknownst to the world at the time, was filled to the brim with cruel and sadistic abuse dished out to her by her husband Ike Turner.

Directed by Brian Gibson the movie saw Angela Bassett portray Turner and Lawrence Fishbourne take on Ike who pulled from the singer’s book ‘I, Tina’ to tell her story.

In the United States, the release earned over $40 million at the box office and additional $20 million from movie rental services as it generated £10 million in the United Kingdom despite coming under criticism for fabricating incidents that did not actually occur in real life.

One of these was the now infamous “Eat the Cake Anna Mae” scene in which the abusive Ike forces Tina’s face into a cake.

In reality, according to the star’s book, he forced her to eat the cake (sans slamming her face into it) after it was served to her by a waitress despite the fact that she did not order it.

Ready to take that journey to the past?

‘What’s Love’ waits below…

(more…)