Like Nicki Minaj and The Weeknd in the past, Drake is among the modern-day hitmakers of color who have spoken out against the Recording Academy for their alleged lack of transparency in the voting process for determining who wins GRAMMYs.

That trend is one that seems to show no sign of slowing.

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Joining the exclusive ranks of Prince, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, and the Hip-Hop collective that rocked 2022’s (Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and 50 Cent), Rihanna‘s EPIC 2023 Super Bowl halftime show became one of the few in the event’s history to be nominated for a Primetime EMMY.

Like the majority of her predecessors, however, Rih left the event emptyhanded.

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For reasons good, bad, ugly, and everything in between, 2023 was one for the books!

As the year draws to a close, That Grape Juice is reflecting on the occasions that rocked – and to some degree – maybe even reshaped the Urban and Pop cultural landscape as we know it.

Next, we’re revisiting how Black women rocked the 2023 GRAMMYs to historic measure.

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ABC’s ‘The Rookie’ spinoff, ‘The Rookie: Feds,’ won’t be spinning on the network again thanks to a recently announced axing.

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Hours after the unveiling of the 2024 GRAMMY nominations on Friday (November 10), the entertainment industry and its enthusiasts are still buzzing over music’s biggest night (and biggest honor).

Ahead of toasting the year’s best and brightest on February 4, 2024, the coveted tally of nods expectedly listed the likes of chart-toppers Taylor Swift, SZA, and Olivia Rodrigo as competitors for the ceremony’s top honors.

While jaws dropped to see some of the categories they were mentioned in and omitted from, fan groups of other major hitmakers like P!nk, Chloe Bailey, Latto, Travis Scott, Sam Smith, and Kylie Minogue are steam-pressed their favorites were placed in unexpected categories or totally shut out all togther.

Look inside to see who made That Grape Juice‘s list of ‘2024 GRAMMY Snubs and Surprises.’

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The nominations for the 2024 GRAMMYs have been rolled out, and – per usual – music lover are buzzed and bummed over the surprises and snubs respectively.

Among the former, however, are the slew of nods received by a crew of 2023’s most noteworthy R&B belles: Victoria Monet, Coco Jones, Halle Bailey, and Tyla!

Details inside.

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Just a day after Rihanna rocked Glendale’s State Farm Stadium (February 12) with a slew of her greatest hits as headliner of the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show, ‘Rolling Stone’ ranked her epic performance as the third-greatest of all time (among female performers).

Months later, that critical acclaim continues to roll in for the Pop diva – a testament underscored by the batch of Primetime EMMY nominations it’s attached to per the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ (ATAS) announcement Wednesday (July 12).

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Angela Bassett is no stranger to collecting nominations for some of the industry’s top honors over her nearly 40-year career, but – much like that ever-elusive Academy Award – longtime fans may be surprised to know the screen diva has never nabbed a BET Award.  This, despite being nominated 12 times since the award show’s inaugural ceremony in 2001.

However, the latter losing streak came to a screeching halt Sunday night (June 25).

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Angela Bassett not only “did the thing” in her jaw-dropping performance as ‘Queen Ramonda’ in 2022’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ but the 64-year-old screen legend has been “doing the thing” all award season long – capturing trophies at many of the industry’s top events (NAACP Image Awards, Golden Globes, etc.).

Assumed to be a shoo-in for the Best Supporting Actress prize at the OSCARs on Sunday night (March 12), Angela sat front row only to watch Jamie Lee Curtis snag the trophy before the show’s first hour had completed.

Bassett and Marvel fans erupted at the upset (as we reported here) – not only sending her supporters into an uproar but also igniting clap back from Curtis supporters who slammed the ‘Black Panther’ star for what they deemed unsportsmanlike conduct.

Details inside.

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As far as songwriters go, few can challenge the extensive, hit-filled resume of Diane Warren.

Having written songs for Cher, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Monica, Aaliyah, Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, and many other big names in music over her 40-year career, Warren is lauded by many as “the songwriter of songwriters.”

The crowning appears to be one the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the organization that awards OSCARs) agrees with as she has been nominated for Best Original Song more than any other solo female songwriter in history.

Yet, in a continuation of her shocking but historic losing streak, the 66-year-old has lost in another competitive category.

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30 years after landing her first Academy Award nomination for bringing the life story of Rock Queen Tina Turner to the big screen in ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?,’ legendary film and television actress Angela Bassett was expected to finally capture her first OSCAR at the event’s 95th annual ceremony Sunday (March 12).

Much to the surprise of viewers at home, she went home empty-handed.

Details inside.

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As previously reported, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige is looking to extend her reign from music charts and scripted dramas to the talk show circuit with her new BET show ‘The Wine Down.’

Said to “bring together the hottest, most outspoken, highly sought-after people in entertainment, sports, social media, and politics” for “raw, provocative, insightful, and real conversations” over wine, Blige – as evidenced by the recently released first-look trailer – is coming out of the gate swinging with big names like Academy and EMMY Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson, GRAMMY-winning rapper, producer, and actor 50 Cent, rapper-Web personality Yung Miami (of the City Girls), and more.

“BET has been one of my biggest supporters throughout my career,” said Blige in a statement. “Being able to now create together, for them to be so supportive of my vision for the type of content I will create, is something I am grateful and excited for. We already have multiple projects in the works and there is much more to come.”

Ahead of its March 1 premiere, look inside to get a taste of what MJB is serving with ‘The Wine Down.’

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